Bali Bliss

I honestly don’t even know where to start. This trip had been in the works since maybe March or May, I cant remember. The trip has many components so I will try to be as specific as possible. Myself from Indy and my cousin from Atlanta, met up in Los Angeles to head over to Bali, Indonesia for the week.

Since 2010 I’ve loved  Eat Pray Love: the book & especially the movie! My dream was the summer after my daughter graduated high school to take my own EPL trip. Last year my mother passed & I decided I can’t put off the things I want to do to feed my soul!  In March, I visited Italy & now in October I’m visiting Bali… I’m not certain of India, but if it’s in the cards it will happen!

Over 30 hrs travel time from Indianapolis, Indiana to Dallas, Texas (layover which was delayed but I was awarded a $100 LUV voucher) to Los Angeles to-Qingdao, Shandong (refuel) Xiamen, Fujian, China to Bali, Indonesia

Xiamen airlines, I can’t compliment enough! I was very impressed with the plane, flight crew meal options, leg room and even the restrooms. The flight attendants are all well picked. They are similar in look & size. They all wear the same makeup pallet, hairstyle & even shoes. While performing the safety presentation you can tell they are well trained as they move in formation & didn’t miss a beat. There is first class and I was seated directly after. I had ample amount of leg room and my seat reclined much further than a normal domestic seat. For dinner there were two meat options and a vegetarian option which is what I selected. I was sleep before the plane even took off so I didn’t eat the vegetarian meal which was white rice, broccoli & tofu.  Later a sandwich was delivered in addition to hot tea & water.  For breakfast there was a western option of Eggs, bacon, red potatoes & spinach which was very good. Later a lunch option of shrimp & noodles. The restrooms which I typically despise on airplanes was just fine! Not tiny & you could even walk straight in & straight out with one brisk turn. Seat covers, soap, lotion & combs were also easily accessible! The entertainment included about 40 Hollywood labeled movies in addition to Chinese & Kid specific. Travel information, games, TV & music were also available with full size remote controls.

Xiamen, Fujian, China 🇨🇳 
With the ticket that we purchased the airlines provided a free tour or hotel stay for layovers of at least 8 hrs. On the way there we did the tour. We rode/walked 3 hrs around the city on a hop on hop off bus sight seeing the shipping area, city, beach & everything in between! Xiamen is a very beautiful place but the air pollution it crazy! After a while I felt very nauseous! On the return we opted for the hotel which was maybe 3 star but very clean & within walking distance of a very high end shopping mall & local food. 

Bali  🇮🇩 

~Barong dance- The barong  play represents an internal fight between good and evil spirit.   ~Tenchagaun Waterfall, Swing & Nest   ~Shopping in the Silver District, Sari Dewi Gold & silver collection Www.Saridewisilver.com  Gianyar, Bali
~Elephant Ride~Bali Swing ~ Kaveri Spa at Udaya Resort ~Nusa Penida, Klingking Beach, Broken beach which you travel by speed ferry, then an hour by car or scooter on a broken road to SEE a few beautiful beaches. One is not accessible at all & the other requires a 45min hike down & over an hr hike back up. 

Similar to Europe, the restrooms have no toilet seats & are charged a fee of 5,000 Indonesian Rupiah equivalent to $0.36 USD. In Xiamen, Fujian, China the toilets are in the ground.

The Laguna, A Luxury Collection Nusa Dua

~The W Seminyak Whatever, Whenever… if you have not stayed at a W, it is so worth it! The hotel literally has a red button you can push to get whatever, whenever! 

 Driver: G’day 86 Transports on facebook

Gede Bodo @bodo_ne on Instagram 

Photographer: Alan Dodd @welibebali

Flights: to/fr LAX free with miles
LAX to/fr DPS $485 
Hotels: $328/pp 
China exchanged $20/pp 
Bali exchanged $100/pp 
Driver/tours: $75/pp
Bali Swing/Nest/Lunch $35/pp 
Elephant ride $40/pp 
Nusa Penida (tour, driver, ferry & lunch included) $75  
Spa 2.5 hr massage treatment & flower bath $80
Food: mainly room service, pool drinks & food $150/pp

Experiencing China & Bali during fall break: Priceless

As always, thanks for traveling along! 
TraqtTravels