Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Solo Travels
click here to listen on my podcast episode all about my Bali adventure
11/22/2019- 12/17/2019
“I traveled not to see the world, but to see myself.
In a whole new way. In a whole new light.
I traveled not to escape my demons, but to face them.
I traveled not to relax my mind, but to stimulate it.
I traveled not to find myself, but to become who I always was.
I traveled for me.”
Some inspiration from my mother, the woman who has always believed in me the most.
“I feel so excited about this next chapter of my life. Today begins a new season of Fall, but also a new season of life, I booked a flight to Bali this morning and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m going for almost 4 weeks to complete my yoga teacher training. I am going to heal. I’m terrified to be taking this risk, but I know it’s exactly what my soul needs.”
Off to travel across the world with very little, but my yoga mat.
“I leave for Bali in four fricken days! I can’t believe how fast it came. I’m really excited but mostly anxious to be honest. I just want it to be here at this point. I’m mostly anxious about the travels but I know it’ll be okay. It’s all about my mindset going into it. I need to surrender to the universe and know that whatever is meant to be will be.
Today’s mantra:
I am safe.
I am worthy.
I am deserving.
This is just the beginning...”
My last day at the coffee shop before leaving for Bali. My boss and co-workers were nothing but supportive, and I am forever grateful for that.
All packed and ready to head to the JFK airport.
Letters I wrote to my love that he could read while I was in Bali.
Somewhere in the air on my 16 hour flight from JFK to Hong Kong
The walk to my homestay. It truly became a home away from home.
My little home away from home.
Nirwa Karma shot on film.
The view from the room at my homestay. Room 9 at Nirwa Karma.
Tea & journal to start my day.
“Good morning journal. I am writing to you from Bali, Indonesia. It’s about 6:15 am. The birds are chirping and the roosters are saying good morning. It is so quiet here. So beautiful. So serene. It was quite a journey getting here but so incredibly worth it. I’m very proud of myself for that. I’m gonna go explore a bit and see my surrounding areas, maybe find some coffee. I feel so blessed to be here. I can’t wait for this adventure. ”
The photo says it all. Shot on film.
Breakfast in Bali. Shot on film.
My first day in Bali once I was all settled in. I was full of happiness.
My fellow yogis who soon became sisters. All dressed in white for our opening ceremony.
“Today was long and exhausting, but so incredibly rewarding. I woke up this morning to some pretty terrible nightmares. I was very shaken up this morning from it. We had our opening ceremony which was beautiful and spiritual. We all wore white and were blessed with holy water. We then had our first vinyasa class which has my legs burning, but in the best way. I looked up and the beauty around me and couldn’t feel more blessed. I’ve met some incredible people from all around the world- Hungary, France, South Africa, Germany, Mexico and so on. It’s already been such a powerful experience. I’m missing the comfort of home and Brandon, but I know this experience will make me stronger.”
A photo of me on the first day of our training. Behind me is the beautiful shala we practiced at everyday.
My reflection shot on film. The jungle outside my bedroom.
My yogi sisters taking our daily mid-day swim between yoga classes.
Pool views. Shot on film.
Pathway to the yoga shala. Shot on film.
Yoga shala. Shot on film.
Two sister friends I made, Mascha and Sarah, from Southern Germany.
A day trip to Virgin Beach on my day off with my two friends, Mascha and Sarah.
The ocean at Virgin Beach shot on film.
Shot on film.
East coast of Bali shot on film.
The little cafe I visited every single day for a latte or quick bite to eat. This was my favorite cafe in Ubud!
10/10 coffee, shot on film. Dragonfly Cafe.
“I’m sitting on the rooftop of my homestay watching the bright orange sun sin k into the dark blue clouds. There’s a light breeze and I can hear birds and other beautiful sounds of nature. Bali truly is magic. It’s quiet. Slow pace. The people are all so kind. People are doing it right here. They live such a simple, yet happy lifestyle. I admire it. I could spend a lot of time in Bali. I know I’ll be back. I’m in a very weird mood today. A bit sad. A bit empty. I feel heavy despite being in such a beautiful place. I wonder if I will fully heal here or ever heal at all. Perhaps I must feel these emotions to their peak...”
Pink pancakes. Shot on film.
If you’re not eating on the ground, you aren’t in Bali. Shot on film. Dragonfly Cafe.
Lily pads. Shot on film.
Pathways through Ubud, up in the rice fields shot on film. No cars allowed on these roads.
Bali gardens. Shot on film.
Work of a local artist in Ubud, shot on film.
Peace offerings of Bali. You will find these everywhere: on the road, cafes, yoga shalas, hotels. Shot on film.
Peace offerings in front of a temple. Shot on film.
Roads through downtown Ubud, shot on film.
Found along the pathway to my yoga training in the morning. Shot on film.
I would have to agree. Shot on film.
A side bridge on the main road. Shot on film.
Seen below the bridge. Shot on film.
The lock of love. Shot on film.
Palm tree views. Shot on film.
Bali sunset over the jungle. Shot on film.
Love in the tiniest of places. Shot on film.
Backroads of Ubud. Shot on film.
Journaling on the rooftop of Nirwa Karma.
Emotional journal entries. Shot on film.
My view as I wrote in my journal. Shot on film.
Taking in my surroundings. Shot on film by my friend, Angela.
Angela from Minnesota. Shot on film.
Bali pizza shop. Shot on film.
Ubud transportation. Shot on film.
A local. Shot on film.
Need a ride? Shot on film.
Lazy cat cafe. Ubud. Shot on film.
Endless beauty. Shot on film.
Buddha. Shot on film.
Just another cafe. Shot on film.
Jungle mountain view. Shot on film.
Local art. Shot on film.
I took a 16 hour flight from JFK to Hong Kong then another 5 hour flight to Bali.
“I’m back home in America. It’s 4 am and I’m extremely jet lagged. Brandon is sleeping in my bed and it makes my heart so happy. It’s really difficult adjusting to being back home. I can’t quite grasp why yet. I think it’s just a culture shock. Bali was such an intense and overwhelming time. I’m still trying to process everything that happened. Trying to stay inspired and bring the principles I learned back home with me...
I want to live with purpose.
I want to live with soul.”