2017 was a year of new experiences and surprises. I visited 10 countries (seven of which were in Asia and almost all new to me). I started off in Ecuador “doing shaman things”, and ended up house-sitting in Japan, chilling in Bali, going crazy in India, and 10 countries later, finishing up in Thailand.
Indonesia
After wanting to visit Indonesia (specifically Bali) for many years and awaiting the perfect opportunity, I finally created my own opportunity and visited. A month flew by so quickly that I had to return.
It's a familiar story; people arrive intending to stay for six weeks, and six years passes. Although I doubt I'll pass six years in Indonesia, I suspect it's a place I'll return to over and over again.
I Love You Mom! Crying on Television, and Other Quirks of Jakarta
I’ve never seen more people bawling on tv, nor so many selfies taken in one place! After 3 weeks of living with a few different families in Jakarta, I learned some amusing quirks that will give you an insightful cultural giggle.
Ubud Mashup (Vlog Ep. 28)
This Ubud Mashup is a visual depiction of my five weeks in Ubud Bali; walking the streets, eating the foods, and stumbling on a few special surprises.
Random Observations About Bali
Here are some random observations about Bali such as the cost of life, why everybody has the same name, how it fits into the Indonesian tapestry, why kite flying is serious business, and more. I cap it off with a wee rant about people who say it isn’t what it once was!
Balinese Cooking 101, Withlocals (Vlog Ep. 27)
Join me as I take a Balinese Cooking class in Ubud with a lovely mother/daughter duo who share their Balinese cooking and family secrets with me!
My Monkey Forest Commute in Ubud (Vlog Ep. 26)
CUTE MONKEY ALERT! I had to walk through the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud all the time during my first month in Bali. Here’s why people thought I was crazy for doing it. Oh – and see pics and vid of cute monkeys!
Canang Sari: The Ceremony of Life in Bali
Canang Sari is a beautiful daily ceremony that the Balinese perform in different ways and places. Here’s an overview of how ceremony dictates life in Bali.
Ubud Market: How to Negotiate (Vlog Ep. 25)
The Ubud Market in Bali is a maze of vendors selling wares useful to beautiful to tacky as hell. Walk through with me and learn how (and why) to negotiate.
Why I Evacuated From Bali (Vlog, Ep. 24)
At the end of Sept 2017 I evacuated from Bali; Mt Agung threatens to erupt any moment. Here’s why I evacuated, and maybe overreacted, but stand by my decision.
Balinese Painting for the (Not So) Artistically Inclined (Vlog Ep. 22)
I’m a talentless hack as an artist, but I took a Balinese painting class. Watch what happened, and learn about the philosophy behind this beautiful art.
Visiting Kuta in Bali (aka: What Was I Thinking?!)
I went to Kuta to see a Balinese healer. It’s all downhill from there. The best place to start is the beginning. Buckle your seatbelt; it’s a bumpy ride!
Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud Bali (Vlog Ep. 21)
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a slice of nature, a mere 10 minute walk from the hectic centre of Ubud. See for yourself in this post (with directions) and vid!
Bali Didn’t Choose Me, But I Went Anyway.
I normally let my destinations choose me, but this time I took control and defiantly chose to visit Bali. After a month, it’s a decision I’m glad I made.
