Bali was the trip that changed everything.

​

While I was studying abroad in New Zealand, I wanted to take advantage of being on the other side of the world and travel somewhere completely new. I decided to go to Bali, thinking it would be much closer than traveling from the United States. I quickly learned that my idea of “close” was very different — it was still a nine-hour flight from New Zealand, but it was completely worth it.

​

At the time, I was terrified.

​

This was my first solo trip, and I remember feeling so nervous about traveling by myself with only a backpack. I signed up for a yoga retreat but decided to spend a few nights in an Airbnb beforehand so I could explore Bali on my own. Arriving at night made everything feel even more intimidating. The Airbnb was dark and unfamiliar, and to make things even more interesting, there was a lizard in my room. Definitely not the welcome I imagined.

​

But that was part of the adventure.

​

Despite my nerves, I quickly realized how kind and welcoming everyone was. Bali was my first experience riding motorbikes in Asia, and it immediately became one of my favorite parts of traveling. Riding through the streets, feeling the warm air, and seeing the island from the back of a motorbike felt like the beginning of a completely different way of exploring the world.

​

During my time in Ubud, I explored the famous rice fields, visited a coffee plantation, and discovered the incredible café culture Bali is known for. I became obsessed with the fresh food, especially the endless acai bowls and smoothie bowls. There was something so peaceful about sitting in beautiful cafés surrounded by nature and slowing down enough to enjoy the moment.

​

I also visited the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, which was definitely an experience I will never forget.

​

At first, the monkeys were adorable. I loved watching them climb around and interact with each other. That changed very quickly when about five of them decided I was their next adventure. Suddenly, they were all over me — climbing on me, grabbing at my clothes, and even getting tangled in my hair. I remember standing there completely frozen while trying to figure out how to get them off. Thankfully, someone nearby noticed and helped scare them away.

​

It was terrifying in the moment, and now I have a much healthier respect (and fear) for monkeys.

​

After exploring Ubud, I headed to my yoga retreat, Bali Trees, which was about two hours away. I took a Grab bike the entire way, riding through villages, rice fields, and winding roads. It was one of those moments where I looked around and realized I was truly experiencing a completely different part of the world.

​

The retreat was everything I hoped it would be and more.

​

The property was surrounded by rice fields, and every day felt like a reset. We practiced yoga twice a day, shared meals together, and participated in activities that allowed us to connect with the local culture. We visited waterfalls, learned how to make coconut oil at someone’s home, walked through nearby villages, and spent time appreciating the slower pace of life.

​

One of my favorite memories from the retreat was doing yoga on the beach one morning. After class, we all went into the water and decided to walk out toward a rock formation that sat just offshore, with more rocks behind us. The water seemed calm, and it felt like one of those peaceful travel moments you never forget.

​

Until suddenly, everything changed.

​

Out of nowhere, a massive wave came crashing in and completely knocked all five of us over. We were thrown into the rocks behind us, and some people got seriously scraped up. Thankfully, I only ended up with a small scrape on my knee, but my phone went completely underwater.

That moment turned into another unexpected travel challenge.

​

Afterward, my phone stopped charging, and I spent the next few days moving around Bali trying to find a wireless charger that would work. I put my phone in rice for a day or two, hoping it would come back to life, but it still wouldn’t charge. With my flight approaching, I started getting nervous because I needed my phone to navigate my way to the airport.

​

It was frustrating, stressful, and definitely not part of my plan.

​

But looking back, it became another reminder that travel is not always smooth. The best stories usually come from the moments where things go wrong — the problems you solve, the strangers who help you, and the memories you never expected to make.

​

The best part of the retreat, though, was the people.

​

I met some of the coolest people I had ever encountered. Many of them were backpacking throughout Asia, traveling for months, and living a completely different lifestyle than I had ever been exposed to. Before this trip, I never really understood that kind of travel was possible. Meeting people who were exploring the world with just a backpack completely changed my perspective.

​

When I returned home from Bali, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

​

I kept replaying the memories — the people I met, the food, the culture, the freedom, and the feeling of being somewhere completely different from anything I knew. That trip was the moment I realized I wanted to travel more. It sparked my love for Asia and inspired future adventures that I never could have imagined.

​

Of course, Bali wasn’t perfect. There were lizards, aggressive monkeys, getting sick, and a phone that almost didn’t survive the trip. But those challenges became part of what made the experience unforgettable.

​

Bali was more than just a destination.

​

It was the place where I discovered the confidence to travel alone, the beauty of stepping outside my comfort zone, and the kind of life experiences I wanted to keep chasing.

​

I only saw Bali which I know is like 1% of the beauty that Indonesia holds, but I think it was a great starting place. I am yearning to go back to explore more of Indonesia.