Preparing to go home: lessons learned from Bali 27.07.2016

It is my last day in Bali today.  My flight leaves around midnight tonight.

I'm happy to be coming home to be honest. Bali is a cool place, but I don't want to live here and my body has been through the wars. I'll need to see a Doctor as soon as practicable to have a full medical I think. I still have the same cough that I had at the start of the trip. Maybe I just need some more rest.

I do not like cold weather but I'm actually craving it. I miss Canberra's open spaces, my bed, routine and clean air.

I spent the last couple of nights in Ubud. My mate Kara was kind to have me stay with her for a couple of nights and insisted that I didn't pay. I already have paid for accommodation in Canggu, so I am grateful.

We met up with Priscila and Martina in Ubud. Me and Kara headed to a cooking class. The woman running it was very much the boss and regimented in that we all did the same things at the same time. I feel it would have been nicer if she just showed us what to do once then left us to make everything on our own. It was great to learn how to cook Indonesian food. I really love it. It's all about the turmeric yellow sauce which is added to most dishes: tumeric, chilli, garlic,  onion and lemongrass. 

We had dinner out and I had my first Bali belly episode. I didn't vomit or (have much) of the runs. But I had the worst belly ache of my life.  I spent most of the night writhing in pain in different yoga positions in bed. I managed not to wake Kara who I was sharing a bed with. I was relieved that I felt better in the morning.  

The next day Kara and I were going to head to Uluwatu. Kara suggested that we just take it easy at home in case if 'I shat myself in a temple'. Probably a wise idea.

Instead we started at our day at 'yoga barn' and headed to the monkey forest, which of course I loved. I thought it was funny to see Martina and Priscila starting off being almost to afraid to come in. An Australian lady at yoga barn (who also talked in detail about her mid life crisis and spriritual journey and book she wrote in Bali) about people getting bitten by monkeys.

Very quickly Priscila and Martina were not afraid and didn't think that the monkeys would hurt them at all and were wanting to pat them. I said that the monkeys will probably attack if they feel threatened, and that they are not domesticated. I don't think that the monkeys are vicious, but if they feel overcrowded, that might be the time that they bite.

We went to a spa to get our nails done. The ladies were lovely and work for about 15 hours a day. They let their husbands 'rest' after work while they keep working. Ive decided to tell people that I was catching pokemon, and thats why I have a hurt head. The Indonesian man who owns the house where we learned how to cook, first joked about this with me. And I prefer to tell this story to what actually happened. 

Kara and I had dinner together for my last night in Bali.

Its certainly been an interesting trip. Although having my surf accident sucks, it showed me how much people care about me, family and people who I barely knew at the camp.  As this happened while I was overseas,  I got on with things and made the most of my situation. I feel like the way that I handled things if this happened at home would have been completely different.

The  Balinese people are kind, hardworking, spiritual and humble.

However I feel that this spirituality stuff that the tourists talk about is  something that they create themselves.

You see no Balinese people teaching or practicing yoga as they are too busy trying to feed their families and work for the tourists and can't usually afford Yoga teacher training.

The yogi tourists are all heavily tanned, super sexy and wearing barely any clothes.  This kind of dress isn't respectful for Balinese people, but I think that the Balinese people have adjusted to this as they get income from the tourists.  Half of Bali is tourists.

I don't need to be covered in tribal tattoos to feel spiritual. I am the only person hear who wears a hat and stays out of the sun as I know that the sun is dangerous and I am so white!  If this was 'What's my scene' this is probably not all of it for me. But I think I am eclectic anyway, so a part of me belongs in lots of different places.

Has this been a spiritual journey? Of course it has. Travel broadens yourself and your horizons, no matter what, and Bali is a special place. What have I gotten from this trip? Definitely an increased appreciation of gratitude, resilience, kindness and hard work.

Where to from here? We'll see.

Thank you Bali for the grand adventure and for the Balinese people. You are so modest about how good you are, or just to damn busy and focused to be worrying about all these mushy first world reflections! Here are some beautiful photos of Wida, one of the receptionists at the surf Camp. Wida recently had a miscarriage and really hopes for a baby, and trusts in God that this can happen, and if she works hard enough, could maybe come to Australia. Wida was happy for me to share her photos and story on this blog. I feel that these photos show the culture and love of the Balinese people.

Thank you to all my family and friends for looking out for me, and to my beautiful traveler friends, who helped me to not lose my stride and looked after me when I needed it. To show that I had an army of 6 people who knew me for a day, and held my hand while I had stitches placed on my head for an hour, has really shown me how much love is in the world and around me.

Letting loose at the bar, treating an injured skater and being reflective 24.07.16

After the volcano hike, I had a nap in the afternoon but the boys didn't.

Every 2 weeks at Kima Surf Camp they hold a free bbq, wahoo! It was delicious. We followed on by plating drinking games. After a huge hike with virtually no sleep, the Bin Tangs were hitting me hard.

 Just sometimes, I would love to be the prettiest girl in the room and have the pick of anyone that I want. But I know that this comes with its own complications, and it is better that I focus on being a kind and good person. 

We headed out to Old Mans bar. A few of the boys shared drunken deep and meaningful confessions with me and we hit the dance floor. I ended up making out with one of the surf guides, he is 21 and is Balinese.  It tasted like coconut, adventure and regret all on one. He wanted me to go home with him, but I didn't think that was a good idea, even with my alcohol affected inhibitions!

Old Man's bar, by the beach.

My friend Martina and shared a look with each other and said 'lets go' and we left without saying goodbye to anyone. We both admitted that we were both too drunk and that the bar was too packed.

I missed my 'Grit and Grind' class the next day, as it is punishing at the best of times. We headed to Yin Yoga, which felt good. I needed some Yin, too much Yen at the bar.

Last night me and Sam and Martina went to dinner and had drinks again. We were at a romantic pizza place above the rice pattys. We shared our most intimate stories; about difficult breakups, relationships and adjusting to life when someone close to us has passed away. I love it here in Bali, because so many people have come here for some sort of healing.

We headed to 'Pretty Poison' a bar with a skate bowl that plays heavy metal music. I thought it was sexy old men skating. But it turns out that it is fashionable for people to dye their hair grey now!

One of the Balinese skaters hurt his ankle. I was a bit annoyed to see that no one went to help him while just sipping alcoholic beverages, so in broken communication I taught and implemented about Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation to the skater and his brother. 'No more skating tonight' I said.

Pretty Poison.

Today I went to yoga with Sam and we had delicious vegetarian food at 'Shady Shack'. I had another massage at 'Amy massage' and now I am here, on the sun lounge writing my blog.

Me and the girls head to Ubud tomorrow for the night where we will do a cooking class. Kara, a Scottish dancer is kindly sharing her bed with me. She is very generous and positive. I actually saw Kara on a dance documentary a year or so ago which is very cool!

I'm starting to think about my return home now, as its is soon approaching.

On one hand, I'll be keen to have my bed and let my mosquito bites heal and be among loved ones. But I feel nervous too. I have been able to adventure and challenge myself on this trip, and be spontaneous alongside some really beautiful people.

I don't want to have to tell every person about why I have a dressing on my head. I feel nervous about going back to work too. Things got pretty difficult before I left, and I just don't know if I am ready to face that yet. I'm scared that everything that Bali has brought me will get forgotten once I get back to day to day life. So that will be my aim, to take and what I have learned and experienced here with me in to daily life.

Leaving at 130am to hike up a volcano: bliss. 22.07.16

Ive been chilling this afternoon at the Bali Fit cafe drinking my fruit smoothie out of a coconut and a big pumpkin salad. I wish that food this tasty, nutritious and cheap.was just as available at home. I would rarely be craving junk food!

Me and the English boys headed up Ubud volcano. I slept for one hour as we had to leave at 130am. The drive takes about 2 hours to Ubud. Then the hike itself takes 2 hours to get up. The hike is intensely steep and often sketchy at times due to the slipperyness and grittiness due to the rain.

Our guides were two young Balinese boys: 19 and 21 years old but still very flirty and eager to hat about pop music and joke around. They do the hike 6 times a week as well as help out with their parents chilli and tomato farming.  They never get tired. But like the surf guides, they all smoke. I tell them that it is such a waste for them to do this when they are so strong! The guides call me a strong girl because I refuse to have any assistance in the hike and have a big bandage on my head!

We left at 130am so that we can see the sunrise at the top. We do the hike in 1.5 hours so we wait an hour for the sun to rise. We drank hot chocolate with whiskey at the top and cuddle up together. Behind us, a sea of lights, like glow worms trail; all of the other hikers making their way up with torches through the dark. We all know it will be colder at the top but we didn't quite believe the Balinese when they say it is  cold. Finally, free space, quietness and a cool and clean breeze follows us through the trek. I am so appreciative.

Watching the scenery change as the sun rises at the top of the volcano in Ubud.

 

Slowly, we see the clouds take different forms around the volcano. It is breathtaking and every part of the early start and the grit and grind of the uphill struggle has its redemption. It so special up there.

Poor old Conner got Bali Belly at the top of the Volcano.

Hanging out with Monkeys on the hike back down.

Ive had a little sleep and 2 fantastic meals. I'm really out of it due to sleep deprivation and an intense hike that I know will ache my legs tomorrow. But I am content.

All the people in Changgu know me on a first name basis now. I'm watching scooters drive by to the beach as I lie on a sofa in this cafe writing my blog.  Nothing worries me. I am at peace.

Muscle testing, elephant caves, temples and vomit 21.07.16

Woo! Adventures!

I cannot remember when I last wrote.

I went to a yoga talk about listening to your intuition through muscle testing: I do believe in listening to your body. However, I think that shaking your hand to constitute yes or no answers, and then the phone app judging whether it is true or false, is perhaps a bit of BS.

Me and Priscila and the English boys went to a waterfall near Ubud. The boys kept on telling me to swim and to fix up my dressig later. Although in most circumstances I like to consider myself a YOLO person and wanted nothing more than to go in the water, in this instance,  I think having my forehead heal properly is a priority. Pricsila and I enjoyed having a nap on a rock, chatting to locals and listening to the huge gushes if water pound down from the waterfall. We spent a lot of time learning about the coffee making process at a coffee plantation and drank the most amazing teas and coffees in a treehouse and talked about politics and life in our countries.  

We visited the elephant caves and had a local offer us food. I think it may have been old deity offerings, will I go to hell?

Hows this for a petrol station!

Sitting at a food stop in the middle of nowhere. Us:'What can we eat?' 

Cook: 'Chicken'. Us: 'Anything else we can eat'? Cook: 'Chicken'. Us:'What drinks do you have?' Cook: 'Chicken'. Us: 'looks like we  are having chicken'. Will this be the things to make everyone sick? Probably. Terrifying appearance? Yes (small chicken flattened out whole and cooked. tasty? Yes! Spicy? Oh lordy!

Me and Priscila.

We played some drinking games back at the hostel. The boys went out but I stayed with Vossy, one of the English boys with Chany, his mate as Vossey had a power vomit. Every second person here has a gastro upset probably as the ocean is polluted or a surf injury. I am destroyed by mosquitos but I am just not worrying about it now as nothing seems to help! I'm on anti histamines and have bought every kind of repellent and ointment. I love my conversations at the chemist that end up with me buying night time antihistamines for the day and homeopathic big spray instead of tropical repellent. :p I've been given a mosquito net which is actually just sheets. Ah well, the Bali experience!

Nasi Goreng. You can eat at a gorgeous touristy restaraunt for about $10 AUD. Or you can eat locally, less fancy, less busy, more relaxed and just as tasty for about $2.50 AUD. I prefer to eat this way. :)

Today I went with an Aussie girl I met at yoga and some of her friends to Tanah Loy temple. It is packed with tourists but very pretty. 

Pretty flowers at Tanah Lot.

We enjoyed some Mi Goreng noodles together and then had a nap.

In better spirits now 19.07.16

I am in better spirits now.

As it is often the way once you feel you have hit rock bottom, the only way is up! As it turn out, I had lot of emails from friends, but internet connection is crap here.

I think my cold is getting better. I am getting destroyed by the mosquitoes as I do in every country I am in (even with the tropical strength 'Aeroguard') .I've gotten some more repellent from the pharmacy, its 'natural' so not sure if it will do much. Reception are going to try and source some anti histamines for me and a mosquito net for when I sleep.

I had a lot of fun hanging out with the English boys last night at dinner, we will go together tomorrow to Celuk Village: traditional silver making and funeral process and the elephant caves. Many of the travelers here are younger than me but very sweet, positive and fun to be around.

I think my spirits were lifted when the Doctor changed my dressing and I saw how well my wound is healing. See the photo below in comparison to how it was before, amazing! I have a batman dressing on my head which also makes me happy.

The doctor has encouraged me to go with a different story to claim more on travel insurance,  as it stands,  the story is that I got startled by a stray dog, went to run and tripped on a pothole. Will see how that goes.

I'm enjoying my usual routine of a 'Bali Fit' exercise class in the morning and yoga later in the day.

I like how the street smells alternate between garbage and incense and that everywhere is decorated with lanterns, flowers, traditional statues and offerings.

Enjoying lunch with Priscila and fellow deities at Echo Beach.

This experience has inspired me to try and become lighter and stronger when I return.  Perhaps yoga in the morning and kick boxing at night. I was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I probably cant just run everyday.  However these classes in Bali have been so relaxing,  challenging and fun. It's  good to know that I can adapt.

The difference when I return is that I will be working 8 hours a day in the week. However I think it is good to try and persevere to keep some of the special experiences and approaches ongoing when you return.

The Doggie at Betelnut Cafe in Canggu knows where its at.

Looking out from Betelnut cafe in Canggu.

Now that I am more positive i have been reflecting a bit more. I think I would like to find love, I know that will come in its own time and i have so much love from people around me, but it's nice to realise that it is something that I want. I want to travel more in an endless summer and after that I want a pet and have time living somewhere sunny by the beach.

I've gotten beyond feeling self conscious about having a dressing on my head.  And I am grateful for everything good that I have in my life, which is a lot.

Surf Guide 'Hendrick' with his brand new board that broke in half in the surf.

Feeling pretty blue post accident 18.07.16

Yesterday I borrowed a scooter and zoomed around Canguu.I didn't want to tempt fate with another accident, but after yesterday, I thoughts, what the hell. I stumbled across another yoga studio called 'The Practice' and walked in just as another session was starting,  so I joined in.

I stumbled across some Sunday Markets too.

 I had a sleep in the after noon, a swim up to my neck and hung out with Priscila and her Spanish friends. We were going to go to  dinner and a concert together but I felt ill and had an early night.

Dad emailed me today and what he said could not have been more in sync. The adrenaline has worn off and now I am now down in the dumps.y face is a bit swollen and I've managed to get a cold on top of that.

I'm not sure if I will publish this post.

I emailed my friends back home with my blog,  one friend responded. I guess all that it was titled was 'Bali Blog' but I am sad that only one friend emailed back. My family have contacted me often and are telling me that if I want to, I should come home. I could keep up most of my optimism today but today it has worn. It is raining today and the weather sings to the melody of my heart.

I am waiting to see the Doctor this morning. She will change the dressing and review the wound. I trust her and am thankful for her but I am nervous to see what it looks like underneath. I looked up 'a surfboard hit my head, how will it scar' and a discouraging article came up.

The truth is, I have felt this significant emptiness in the last year and I just cant seem to shake it or fix it, and I am tired of it. I have nightmares most nights that make me feel bad about myself. I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time and now I am put in this situation.  It cannot be helped.

This is a blue day and I am not sure whether it is best that I stay here or go home.

I feel like my body and soul are falling to pieces.

45 stitches in my head after a surfing accident 16.07.16

The surfing aspect of my time in Bali has been cut short.

We went out yesterday afternoon, it was choppy and there was a strong current. It didn't look like anyone was catching any waves but the guides and the surfers headed out to give it a go. I was exhausted from paddling and didn't catch any waves, no one did.

So I told the guides I would head back in. I was catching the white wash in and a board hit the side of my head very hard. I thought it was my board but it turned out later that someone ran in to me. I popped my head out of the water and someone asked if I was okay and then exclaimed that I was bleeding. I continued my journey in to shore and managed to fish my hat out of the water!

I could see the blood dripping down and continued my journey in with the guides quickly following me. One of the guides gave me his shirt and requested that I wrap it around my head. I felt bad but at least the shirt was red.

I hopped on the back of one of the guides scooters and we hurried back to the surf lodge. When I hopped off the scooter I looked at my face in the review mirror and it was covered in blood. Apparently people could hear me get hit under the water.

The lodge reception called the Doctor for me. The Doctor asked me if I needed stitches. I said I wasn't sure so she asked me to send a photo. I was trying to work out how to send it as I don't have a local sim card or social media. In the meantime a guy followed after me saying that he may have been the one who hit me. He was asking if there was anything he could do, unbreaking my face would be good.. but its nice that he went after me.

The Doctor received my photo and said 'Its like a Harry Potter scar', true dat Doc.

The Doctor came to see me. The whole time I was trying not to cry  as I already felt silly and was in a lot of shock.

The girls from the camp heard the news and came and joined me. They were so supportive and it made the whole experience so much better.The doctor said that my wound was 2cm deep 2cm wide and 4cm long and that I definately needed stitches.

She then told me that I wouldn't be able to surf for 4 weeks. I started to cry. Then she told me that I might have a black eye tomorrow from the stitches. Then the tears came rushing. The Doctor was so empathetic and kind 'it's okay to cry'. I then had 45 stitches in my forehead while the Dr and my support crew ran through a new list of activities for me. One of the girls told me in her last trip to Bali, she was meant to surf and then tried to drive a scooter and crashed and then needed surgery.  That made me feel a bit better.

Can't help but smile for the camera.

                                                     

So happy to have such a supportive cheer squad with me.

Enthusiasm wearing off after an hour of suturing.

I have a huge dressing on my head. I felt really self conscious and was really worried about potential scarring. But there is nothing I can do about it. So I rocked my bandage to the wedding. Everyone has been so kind about my injury and complimenting my hair instead, good people.

The wedding was amazing,  traditional dresses, everyone laughing and being so warm and welcoming and lots of traditional yummy food. I'm really happy that I went as bandage bear.

Today I went to boxfit class and got my arse kicked, it was so good and then got a Balinese massage. It was sweet and funny hearing the masseus'' gossip all the way through the massage to each other. Good on them.

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More delicious and yummy food,  hanging out with the boys and girls at the camp and yoga tonight.

My arrival in Bali: First day of surfing 14.07.16

It's day 2 for me in Bali now.

I was reluctant to come to Bali as I didn't want to be another Australia (bogan) tourist.

However, like a lot of touristy places, they are full of tourists because they are beautiful places. I found this to be the case with Thailand and I feel the same about Bali.

The plane trip was a bit grueling; we were on the plane but had an extended trip of 4 hours of not flying due to air traffic. The guy next to me on the plane was fat and cranky. I got given an exit row seat though! I find as a single traveler that people look after you as you are non threatening and easy to accommodate. 

I am staying in Canggu, a coastal town north of Katu at a surf camp. I am the only Australian.  I have been warmly embraced by 2 dorms of obnoxious but nice men with 3 girls total. Although exhausted when I arrived,  I managed to be persuaded to head out to a party by the beach.

 Kima Surf Camp

Graffiti by the beach.

Locals at Canggu building infrastructure.

I spend my first day here exploring the town and doing some shopping with this lovely confident little German girl called Natalie. Natalie has severely bruised her ribs surfing and is really upset that she can't surf because of the injury.

I had my first surf in the afternoon.  I knew to leave  my ego behind, but I still got a shock. I headed to the beach 'Old Mans' with Hendrick, the Balinese guide.  I said to Hendrick 'lucky me to have a guide all to myself'. Hendrick said ' I am the lucky one because I get to take the girl to the beach!'  The Balinese men are flirty and have a great sense of humour. The usual questions that I get asked are: are you married? No or not yet? And do you believe in God? Do you like spicy food? Do you like Bali? Do you like me? The Balinese people are really special and good people, they work hard, they are caring, they are prayerful and they show others how to love life. 

Old Mans beach is very different to the beaches that I am used to at the south coast in Australia. You need to paddle so hard when it is choppy and for long distances. I felt I had used up all of my energy before I had even surfed! I caught about 4 green waves, you have to paddle really hard to catch them and they are incredibly fast and powerful. I got a bit of a shock when my feet hit the bottom on the reef, not used to that back home.

Interesting surroundings to the beach. I love the cows.

Old Man's Beach

The beaches are pretty but its sad that you know that they are polluted. While in the water, some other foreigner started lecturing me about something. I Couldn't hear what he was saying,  but frankly,  I don't care. I don't feel as a foreigner you should be lecturing other foreigners in the water.

I couldn't always understand what Hendrick was saying and I don't think that he always understood me. Hendrick gave me feedback that I am fine once I'm standing up but that my paddling and positioning needs a lot of work, which it does.

I was the only whitey wearing a hat in the water but I think foreigners should take note that the Balinese guys are wearing zinc. I'm Aussie, I know how big  the hole in the ozone layer is! Despite my confidence in not getting burnt, it was my first rime not wearing a wetsuit surfing (the water here is like bath water). So my rashey kept lifting up, so I now have a bright red streak of sunburn on my lower back. Ill wear a spring suit tomorrow to avoid that!

I got so tired just from that surf and intimidated but I will stick to it.

I was greeted after my surf by some Red Bull Balinese reps who took a photo of me taking a red bull from them and then invited me to a red bull party. 

Last night one of the French guys was having a nightmare and was screaming and punching the bed. He doesn't even remember it. Poor Priscila on the top thought he was getting attacked!

I joined by friend Priscilla this morning to yoga. Fernando, was the instructor. It was a 90 minute session and it smoothed out all of the pain in my body. I found myself starting to cry in the meditation.  I think that travel becomes soul searching and reflective no matter what you do.

Fernando could see me a bit lost in some of the practice.  But I know now not to panic and not to worry, as yoga is not about ego and perfection. He said afterwards the first class can be hard as there is a lot going on. He said, don't let this make you think that this is not for you. IT IS FOR YOU. I said, I know. He smiled and gave me a big hug.

I'm sitting here  at the camp relaxing. I love how quickly I have managed to forget about everything: work, home and the past. I still wonder where I should base myself in the future though. When I am in places like this, I realise that a big part of my soul yearns to be by the beach, and that in the warmth I am happy and confident. Food for thought.

I love the use of lanterns everywhere in Bali. It feels so romantic, spiritual and cultural all at once.

 

Man some of these Europeans are so beautiful and nice and intelligent, it's revolting! :p It's made me feel a bit self conscious but I have to remember that I am me and that is how I am meant to be.

Another surf this afternoon.

The man Pultra at reception has asked me and Natalie to come to a wedding to tonight. How lucky are we!

I haven't even taken any photos as I have been very in the zone or relaxing.

Bali is enchanting.