One of the things I have always loved doing is travelling around the world to new and old places. The memories that get planted in my mindset are simply amazing, making me smile and take a moment to relive the wonderful experiences.
I haven't travelled very much since before 2020 when COVID-19 hit every country in the world. Those were the most depressing times for me, not being able to visit friends in other countries or being able to leave the neighbourhood where I was residing. Once COVID cases started to dwindle, fear was already planted in my brain that made me hesitant to make reservations to travel due to increased flight and hotel costs everywhere.
For four years I have not traveled the way I desired. Then out of the blue, friends living in the San Francisco Bay Area contacted me to tell me they would be coming out for a visit to Australia in the next few months. Just the idea of seeing old friends again put a smile on my face day after day as their arrival date got closer. I felt so giddy that one would think that I had finished a bottle of champagne. Still, I couldn't stop smiling with joy and happiness. They arrived and we toured several places in Melbourne and took a couple of incredible road trips along the Australian coast. After eating great meals, enjoying lovely cocktails, and all the beautiful sites, we started planning for our next adventure to Indonesia.
Being on a small, crowded airplane usually puts me in a bad mood, but because of our destination and being with great friends, I hardly noticed anything negative. We arrived in Bali and the excitement was obvious on our faces. For me, it was coming from a very cold winter in Melbourne and leaving the airplane for warm, sunny, tropical weather in Bali.
We spent a week together in Seminyak, Bali enjoying all the wonderful food and cocktails in many of the finest restaurants near our accommodations which were incredible. We stayed at the Amadea Resort & Villas in the heart of Seminyak. I never wanted to leave the villa but was encouraged by my companions to see all the beautiful sites and sample all the delicious food and great restaurants. Of all the places to eat and drink lovely cocktails was at KuDeTa, which is now one of my favourite restaurants in the world. The photo above is of it. The music there was fabulous and I couldn't stop moving my body to the beat and complementing the DJs. It's just amazing how a change of scenery and climate can make a huge difference in one's life.
After staying in Bali for a week, our friends returned to California, but my partner and I moved to Ubud, about three hours by automobile. Once we reached the Komaneka Hotel at Monkey Forest, I was excited about the beauty all around us. Once again, I didn't want to leave the hotel but preferred to lay near the gorgeous pool enjoying the tropical weather. Once persuaded to go out to try the restaurants and to see several sites, I ran for the door. Once outside, I was filled with excitement all over again. Gorgeous place to visit also. While in Ubud we visited many beautiful temples and shops. The greatest part was visiting their rainforest which was simply incredible. All the tourist sites had incredible-looking restaurants and food. This trip helped me to see and understand so many things about myself and to be grateful for everything in my life.
Being in Bali is an experience that will never be forgotten. It gave me a feeling of belonging. People were not afraid to talk to visitors, nor were they afraid to make the connection. While in Ubud, I met a guy who shared so much about life there. We chatted about the poverty that existed and some major issues for the elderly. It all helped me to understand the large number of beggars on the street, often with babies with them; people selling bracelets and hand fans, and lots of taxi or motorcycle rides being offered for a price. The biggest surprise was seeing elderly people working hard to earn a few dollars. I learned how difficult it is for a family to own a home. My new mate told me that children are raised to know they must take care of their parents and be responsible. Families also live together in one house, staying connected. I discovered there is no such thing as social security benefits in Indonesia. Also no health benefits to take care of the young or the old. So, can you imagine what will happen to a person with no money who may need surgery? My friend's response was, "They will probably die." I thought it might be the best time to stop with the questions.
Here are some of the benefits of travelling:
Cultural Exposure: Travel introduces you to different cultures, traditions, and ways of life, broadening each of our perspectives and understanding of the world.
Relaxation & Stress Relief: Getting away from our daily routines and exploring new environments can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and help us to dismiss all negativity in our mind, body, and soul.
Educational Experience: Working as a teacher for many years, travel can be educational, offering opportunities to learn about history, art, geography, and languages. On this trip, I learned so much from chatting with people born and raised in Bali. One of my favourite servers/waiters taught me how to say thank you in Balinese. Even though I tried to give up, he was committed to successfully teaching me. Each time I would say 'Suksma' to a storekeeper, restaurant server, or others, they would all look surprised and give me a big smile for making the effort.
Connections and Memories: Meeting new people and experiencing different places helps to create lasting memories and potentially lifelong friendships.
Travelling helps us to feel like our best selves because we are more willing to receive the world's many lessons in life, no matter their shape or size. It helps me to recognise our shared humanity with others while releasing our fear or misunderstandings. The best part of travelling is the enriching experience that allows me to explore new places, cultures, traditions, and delicious cuisines.
After two weeks of joy and happiness, I returned home feeling like a new person. Even the issues bouncing around in my head have gone silent. Now I focus on what needs to be done today to reach certain goals, without worrying about things I can't change. It's important to focus on the things we have the power to change or eliminate. The biggest challenge is missing my friends that I got to see and spend time with every day of the trip. I am grateful for all the wonderful memories and laughter we shared.
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