Destination: Bali, Indonesia

We had high expectations for our trip to Bali after our amazing trip to Boracay last year, and having had a few friends go to Bali in the past few months. Before leaving I was a little nervous that I’d be let down, but if anything, it was better than I expected. We had perfect weather, a great hotel that was a short walk from the beach, two fantastic adventure days separated by 3 relaxing pool and beach days, great food, and even better friends. We made memories that will surely last a lifetime and witnessed some of God’s beautiful creation. It is almost impossible to even pick a favorite activity, but our adventure days were definitely packed full of our most memorable activities.

We left on a late flight on Saturday and arrived in Bali at about 4am Sunday morning. Our hotel was there to pick us up and before we knew it, we were off on our fantastic holiday. I’ll post a few of our miscellaneous pictures here, but read on to hear about our adventure days and to see stunning photos of the Seminyak beach and Bali sunsets.

At the hotel pool

Enjoying our smoothies by the pool

We don't always match on purpose, but sometimes, we do.

Fruit market

Scooters galore!

Gardens in our hotel

Our hotel

These short brooms were slightly longer than Korean brooms

John 3:17      God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Bali Adventure Tours

On our second day, Justin, Laura, and I went on a full-day tour with Bali Adventure Tours and went cycling, rode elephants, and went white water rafting. We were on the tour all day with a family from Chicago who is currently living in Singapore – they were one of the only other American groups we saw on the trip, as most of the vacationers were Australian. This was a trip highlight for all of us. It is difficult to choose a favorite activity. We started out with a long drive towards the center of the island where we stopped and had a spectacular view of the active volcano and beautiful lake.

The active volcano

 

From there we began our 26km bike ride down the mountain. We stopped along the way to see hideously large, but non-poisonous spiders, a family compound where we tasted cocoa beans, marigold fields, and the first Hindu temple built on the island 1200 years ago.

Marigold field

This is a "medium-sized" spider

 

A family compound

Riding by a rice field

The first Hindu temple in Bali

We ended our bike ride at the Elephant Park where we saw a short elephant show, had a 30 minute elephant ride, played with our elephants, and had a delicious buffet lunch overlooking the elephant  park.

Riding our elephant - Ryan

After that we drove back up the mountain where wen went white water rafting for 2 hours. On our elephant ride, our “driver” kept calling our ride a bumpy taxi ride. When we told him we were rafting next, he goes “ooooh – big boom boom!” He was right! We had a blast with our tour guide and the two Germans in our raft, being tossed around. When our guide yelled “boom boom” we were to stop paddling and grab onto the ropes. When he said “BIG boom boom,” we squatted down inside the raft and held on as we went over meter high drops a few times. We had so much fun and would go again in a heartbeat. It helped that it was so hot and the cool water felt refreshing.

 

Philippians 4:13     I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

A Day in Ubud

On Wednesday we had our second adventure day. We  rented a car and a driver for 12 hours (which only cost us between 50-60USD for 5 people!) and went to the town of Ubud for the day. Our first stop was a Hindu temple where we were asked by many to have their pictures taken with us.

Apparently we are a tourist attraction within the tourist attraction

Elizabeth, Justin, Megan, Laura, Lydia

Man's work pales in comparison to the beauty of God's creation

 

We also went to the Monkey Forest and then ate lunch at an open-air restaurant with a gorgeous view of a rice field.

As Elizabeth said, toddlers of all species love me, even when I'm not offering food.

Monkey Family

Yikes! Lydia got bitten by a monkey, but thankfully it didn't break the skin

Want to wash your hands with this gal? At least we were hoping it was a girl since it was in the women's bathroom....

 

Rice fields

French Frice, anyone?

 

We thought that was pretty, but then we went to the rice terraces. Lydia was laying down in the back seat and as we rounded a corner, the other 4 of us unanimously “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” and Lydia perked up from the seat so fast. The rice terraces were breath-takingly beautiful. We got to walk through it for a good while, and I think we would all say this was one our favorites from the entire trip.

Elizabeth posing with a Balinese man and his load

These pictures don't do justice - it was beautiful!

They were asking for donations for this bridge - they definitely need it!

View of where we came from

The girls - Laura, Megan, Elizabeth, Lydia

After finishing, there was a nice little ice-cream shop conveniently located across the street with a beautiful view of the terrace. They even had sorbet, so Justin got to enjoy it with us.

Then we did a little shopping and went to a traditional dance before heading back to our hotel. It was a long, but fun day!

I LOVE giraffes - I bought 2 :) Not ones this big, unfortunately.

 

 

Check out this guy dancing on the fire!

 

Ephesians 4:4-6     There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.