My trip to Bali was exceptional. I tried to blog as much as possible during my trip, highlighting how the experiences, events and moments have shaped me. However, it has been impossible to post about everything and still have time to live it. Here are the highlights of my Bali sparkle that has not been mentioned in my blog thus far.
Jogging Campuhan Ridge
Campuhan Ridge Path
I finally was able to go for a good jog two days in a row, which was proven difficult because of the rain. My body felt it for sure, especially since jogging the Champuhan Ridge is comparable to running stadium steps at Doak Campbell in August. The heat will beat you down and the steep inclines will leave your calves and gluteus burning. Except Doak Campbell doesn’t leave you feeling like you are jogging in a tropical paradise surrounded by Alang Alang and palm trees. Champuhan Ridge allows you to get your head above the noise, literally and figuratively. I am so glad I had a chance to experience endorphins in such a beautiful spot on the planet.
Blurry vision jogging up one of the hills
Business (and Personal) Shopping Denpasar
The main clothing manufacturer, my family has used for more than a decade gave us a ride to Denpasar and Seminyak from Ubud to finish up shopping for the spring line of clothing at Rollick. We visited Double Six Street where I found a new purse and my cousin found some great items for the store. The main attraction in Denpasar was a fabric store in the Denpasar market where my aunt and cousin regularly obtain the fabric for their clothing. It was so much fun! I think we spent more than an hour searching for fabric and developing ideas for the fabric. My creative side was enhanced during this expedition.
Fabrics at the Denpasar Market
Night out with Anika
My cousin and I went out in Ubud on Saturday night. After searching the city for a place that fit our taste, we found the Laughing Buddha Bar. On Saturday night it offered a Balinese Latino band called Buena Tierra. They were awesome and the vibe was great. We made friends with the bartender and one of the servers as well. They are both locals and I look forward to visiting them when I visit Bali again. It is always refreshing when you meet new people who are warm and make your night better as a result of relationships cultivated.
Love for Obama
President Barack Obama is a very popular man in Bali. Three times while I was there, the U.S. President received a shout out. As a child the president lived in Jakarta, so Balinese feel a connection with the well-traveled President. When asked by a Balinese person where I was from I would respond with “America,” of course. Three times Obama received a shout out. The shout outs I heard were:
- “Obama is Bagus” (Bagus = Indonesian for good)
- “Yay, Obama!”
- “Obama good man”
Drink Menu at Laughing Buddha
He even made the drink menu at Laughing Buddha Bar in Ubud. Arak is an East Asian liquor that is considered the local liquor of the island, like moonshine is considered the local liquor of the Carolina boonies. Arak Obama was a mixture of honey, cranberry juice and sugar. It was pretty good, but I like the real Obama better.
Fruit in Bali
I ate more fruit during my 12 days in Bali than I eat in one month at home, and I eat a lot of fruit. I ate fruit everyday for breakfast, along with a main course and usually had two fruit drinks throughout the day, such as the watermelon juice below, Yum!!
Watermelon Juice
I tried two different types of fruit while I was there. One was Mangosteen and one was Rambutan. They both were delicious. Fruit is like candy that is good for you.
Rambutan
Trip to Padang Bi and Bloo Lagoon
On my last night in Bali, we drove an hour on motorbike to Bloo Lagoon Villas in Padang Bi. Arriving stressed and soaked from the hard core rain and traffic, we realized this was worth the journey when we saw the view.
One view from Bloo Lagoon Villas
Another view from Bloo Lagoon Villas
Our villa was amazing. Often times as humans, we walk on the earth and not among it. We take animals and resources for granted and assume them for our needs and wants. In a place like Bloo Lagoon, it is impossible to feel unconnected to the earth as you here all the little animals (and bugs) during the night. We went for a walk, soaked up the sun (with SPF 50) and relaxed to the sounds of island. It was the perfect way to end my trip to this amazing island.
Villa bedroom
Patio at the Villa
Cultivate Sparkle 