Travelling Alone in Bali - First Day of Adventure

February 14th, Valentine's Day, I found myself walking out of Denpasar Airport in Bali, alone. After exiting the immigration, I was trying to remember every single tip I read online while walking over to to the taxi stand.  From tips on travelling to Bali to Bali the unbeaten path to Bali for solo female travellers. Don't forget the mosquito repellent.  1SGD is about 10.000 IDR.  Haggle, haggle, haggle.   I was nervous.  But at the same time excited. I was thrilled. I was ecstatic. 

Being an introvert (yes, I am!), I have always enjoyed having lots of personal time. And travelling solo was my ultimate dream. It's definitely one of the most empowering and liberating things that a woman could do.  Being recently married, I knew that I couldn't simply go places solo.  And my hubby, Dennis, well, he could be a bit over-protective.  He thinks I'm too clumsy and careless to travel alone. 

We were supposed to celebrate Valentine's Day in Bali. I have booked everything back in January, from our flights to accommodations  However, Dennis had to stay back for a couple of days to finish some important work matters.  We tried to fix his schedule but in the end he just couldn't leave earlier.  We had no choice but for me to go few days earlier.  My disappointment almost instantly turned into utter happiness! I had to remind myself to keep the excitement from showing.  

I saw a group of taxi drivers eager to get passengers.  I kept reminding myself to negotiate for 100.000 IDR only from Airport to Seminyak.  I turned down the pick-up offered by the hotel as I found it too expensive.  After haggling with a few drivers, I finally got into one of the cabs, after agreeing to pay 135.000 IDR (13 SGD).  

It was drizzling by the time I got into the car.  Just the perfect weather for me.  We reached Seminyak after a 30 min-drive but spent 15 mins of getting lost. The driver was murmuring things in Bahasa.  He was probably cursing me.  I scolded myself for forgetting to print the map.  After driving round and round and several times of asking for directions, we finally found our hotel, Summerhome, a boutique hotel located in a quiet private village in Seminyak, Bali.  I chose to book smaller hotels and villas for this trip instead of staying in bigger hotels.  I don't like to take elevators during vacations. Reminds me of going to the office to work!

The lady at the front desk, Nanik, smiled at me and asked me "you alone?" I answered "Yes".  I would be solo for 3 days. And I felt thrilled with the very thought of having 3 full days of freedom!

I had this room to myself for 3 days! How nice is that?!

I was all smiles as I walked out of my hotel. It felt like my walk to freedom.  I had the whole afternoon to spend and I had no agenda.  I didn't have any meeting with anyone.  I almost wanted to leave my watch at the hotel because I knew that I wouldn't be using it much.

They say that time is the true french luxury. Oh how I wish that I was French. 

Travelling solo means taking selfies. Or restroom portraits. 

I spent the afternoon of my first day in Bali walking along the streets of Seminyak. Seminyak won over the more popular Kuta because it was less touristy and more quiet and laid-back. I've started to dislike crowded places these past years.  The streets of Seminyak were filled with quaint shops, selling everything from clothes to accessories and home decors made by both local and international designers. There were also many restaurants and cafes serving different cuisines.  You could easily pop into any cafe and enjoy a cold margarita to quench your thirst under the hot Bali weather. 

My first stop was at a salon for a mani-pedi. Aside from massages, these things were ridiculously cheap in Bali.   Manicure started at 65.000 or just 6 SGD. Wow! I could never find that in Singapore! While having my nails done, I noticed this elderly couple.  Bali is a favorite destination among couples, specially those on honeymoons or anniversaries. The wife was having her nails painted and her hubby was fanning them to dry quicker. Such a gentleman right? She shared that it was their anniversary that day. Twenty-seven years ago, she married him on Valentine's Day.  Awww... And I suddenly missed Dennis.  We were going to celebrate our first anniversary the week after that trip.

While waiting for my nails to dry, I asked Ari (the lady who was doing my nails) what time the matahari (sunset) was.  She replied "6pm, you could catch it if you walk to the beach after we're done."   I followed her instructions and after a few wrong turns and asking some local folks where the beach was,  I finally found my way to La Lucciola, an Italian restaurant by the beach front.  It was the perfect place to experience that glorious Bali sunset. 

I was greeted by male waiters who had calachuchi flowers tucked behind their ears.  I was asked again whether I got company to which I replied "No".  The staff removed the extra plate set on the table and politely placed the table napkin on my lap.  I took a few minutes deciding what to order but ended choosing some seafood linguine pasta.  I read some raving reviews about the food they serve.  I was not disappointed when my order came.  It looked delish and boy it was truly delish when I tasted it!  

I wanted to check-in on facebook or send an MMS to Dennis but realized that they had no wifi.  Loved the place even more because of that. So I just savoured my food while the skies changed colors. 

I looked around and realized that most customers were couples and families.  The couple next to me just ordered a bottle of wine.  Must be celebrating some special occasion.  A mother was playing with her little girl on the stretch of bermuda grass in front of the resto. I wondered to myself if I would be ready to become a mother by this year. I've given myself one year to enjoy being just a wife.  And this year, I'm supposed to become a mother.   Supposed to. But am I ready?  



Had an early dinner in Bali @ La Lucciola.

Tourists enjoy late afternoon drinks or early dinner while gazing at the sunset.

You should stay back for about 5-10 minutes after the sun goes down. 
Then you can see the sky slowly getting painted with pink and orange and yellow. 
Truly glorious! 

After watching the sunset, I walked to the main road and easily caught a cab. (Taxis were everywhere and were very cheap starting at 7.000 IDR or only 70 cents SGD.)  I was back at the hotel before 8 in the evening.  I had to be a good girl so that that Dennis won't get worried.  Had received 2 calls from him earlier that day. I kept assuring him that I was ok and I was safe and I wasn't going too far from the hotel.  I wasn't talking to strangers except those in the stores and cafes.  I got a call from him shortly after I had a shower and I shared with him what I've discovered in Bali so far.

I spent the rest of the evening watching the movie "Argo" while chatting with my mom and sister. Spent time catching up with a close friend too.  When the movie ended past 11 in the evening, I still couldn't sleep.  I got up and grabbed my sketch pad and wrote what I have done for the day.  

I've recently started to write journals again. And do some sketches. 

Then I meditated while listening to Jesus Culture New York  Album and had a wonderful moment with my first love :)  I talked to God and thanked him for that wonderful personal time.  I have been extremely exhausted these past years with many things.  Being a choleric and being used to accomplishing things fast, I have worn myself out, caused stress to the people around me including my husband.  I felt frustrated with myself and with my situation.  It seemed that slowing down and waiting on God was so un-attractive to me. Until God clearly told me to rest.  And I obeyed. But at times, I doubt whether I heard God correctly.  I still feel guilty and uncomfortable at times.  But as I took this much-needed alone time, God just re-assured me that it's ok for me to rest.  Rest is God's gift and it is one of the things that he gives to those He dearly loves. We shouldn't resist invitations to rest thinking that it will make us unproductive.  Slowing down or stopping what we are doing makes us assess our walk, our goals, our motives.  Rest re-aligns our souls with our purpose.  And with a renewed purpose, we gain the joy and motivation which becomes our strength to run the race again.  

How about you? Do you long for some "me-time" also? Or is God trying to get you alone so that he can speak to you and you can hear him?