Canggu, Bali

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CANGGU, BALI

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30th March - 2nd April 2019

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30/03/19 - Day 1

So here we are, just Megan and I again. With our Mums now gone home, we had to actually start making decisions again, and the first decision we made? A little pamper session at the local spa! I got a pedicure and Megan got a manicure. The perfect way to start our plush organised trip!

We then got a taxi to our new hotel to start off our Bali and Beyond trip with Tru Travels. The hostel was beyond nicer than we expected - makes us think what else is in store for us and what luxury we have to come!

The whole Bali and Beyond group, consisting of 15 people, planned to meet up for dinner as a welcome to the trip but Megan and I decided the best way we would be able to make friends was of course... cocktails! We headed to a bar down the road (whilst it doesn’t look particularly authentic the cocktails were cheap) and had a few drinks before we had to be sociable. I had a local Balinese cocktail that was spicy with lime, cucumber, rum and saracha power around the rim of the glass - very spicy indeed!

Dinner was a buffet style and luckily just about catered for vegetarians (woooo)! Everyone we met was very lovely, ages ranging from 18-27 and then two ladies mid forties who were surprised how young we all were haha - they are officially the mums of the group!

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31/03/19 - Day 2

Today we indulged in the cultural side of Bali, the temples. The first we visited was Taman Ayun Temple where we had to ensure our shoulders and legs were covered. We got taken around the grounds and were able to view the temple from the outside - the inside is sacred and not for tourists. It was so beautiful and the temple reminded me of any photo of Bali you’ll ever see haha!

Here is also a photo of a naughty cat eating one of the offerings for the spirits...

They also had some interesting statues around the grounds...

The local tour guide we had was very very cool... he walked around with a water bottle on his head - if this doesn’t scream cool I don’t know what does!

On our lunch break we came across a Luwak (Civet Cat) that is used to make one of the most expensive coffees in the world - Luwak coffee. The process is that the Luwak eats the coffee beans and allows them to be digested. Once digested, the coffee beans are collected in order to make the coffee. Slightly strange but aparantly a wonderful flavour!

Our next stop was Tanah Lot Temple...

Situated on the coast on its own little island surrounded by water, this is one of the most popular temples to visit by tourists. Although we again weren’t allowed in it as tourists, we were allowed up onto a staircase on the side to view the main temple from a distance. Having the sea around it was just so cool! We had to wade our way through the water to get there...

But it was well worth it. When we got to the other side we were blessed with water and had rice stuck to our heads, as well as a flower behind our ear. Not exactly sure of the meaning haha, but it was fun!

It was a very fun day of exploring! By the time we got home we were ready for a chill and some time away from the sun!

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01/04/19 - Day 3

The following day was the decider on whether I’ll love surfing or not. Or the day will end with me crying haha! We started surfing it 8:30am and after a quick briefing on the basics of surfing and learning the correct way to stand up, we were in the water. The instructor we had was very funny and he helped us catch waves until we could stand up. I didn’t know if I would like surfing or not, but I absolutely loved it, it was so much fun!

After the adventures of surfing we went and had a classic smoothie bowel that is a must in Bali. Bali is literally the home of smoothie bowels. We went to a local smoothie bowel restaurant and enjoyed a healthy lunch that filled us up so much! It was delicious!

In the evening, Megan and I again went for some cheeky cocktails to start the night right! The place where we had cocktails had a movie on projected over the pool, so we watched a little bit of it and got free popcorn before we went for dinner with the group!

Onto Ubud tomorrow...

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- A