Why I Decided To Go To Bali
8.14.2023
By: Ray SaVonne
Over the last few years, I felt like I was constantly in an uphill battle. I was really getting overwhelmed and stressed with life. From having a stroke, to having huge clumps of my hair falling out and learning I had alopecia, to my stomach looking like I was six months pregnant due to huge uterine fibroids, that I ended up getting surgically removed, to trying to figure out why I started having seizures out of the blue.
I was feeling like a HUGE reset was essential for me. So I quit my job, which was the first time I’d ever quit anything in my life, especially without giving a two week notice. I started to lean more into my spirituality and nurture my relationship with God. I confided in Him daily, asking Him for guidance, while working on aligning my mind, body, and soul.
I knew I needed to get out of the United States of America in order to really get the break I longed for, but I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I was seeing all these beautiful places overseas, but I wasn’t sure where I’d want to stay for a whole month. I just kept thinking “like a month is really a long time” lol, so I wanted to make sure I was choosing a destination that I wouldn’t regret and that would align with what I was trying to achieve: my reset.
After doing a LOT of research, and spending a LOT of time being still and waiting to hear God give me the go, I found myself in Bali, Indonesia. I ultimately decided on Bali for four main reasons:
It was absolutely beautiful with a tropical climate.
It was an affordable to stay for a month and my everyday expenses would be almost cut in half based on the USD to Indonesian Rupiah (Indonesian currency).
English is widely spoken on the island.
It was on the other side of the world, yes far, far away from everything I knew, just like I wanted, haha!
Let me just say, Bali is a great place to visit for all walks of life. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, newlyweds, family or friends, this is an amazing place to visit! Bali offers a paradise experience like no other! With that being said…For me to give you all the best overview of my trip, I’ll break everything down into the most important takeaways I had.
First Impression(s):
From the moment I stepped out of the airport I could feel a difference in the air. I felt lighter and eager to see what the next month of my life would be like. The roads were crowded with mopeds and cars driving with what seemed like no rules of the road. It was very chaotic and I knew at that moment I would NOT be renting a car or moped to drive in those rambunctious streets! I decided to use “Grab” for transportation instead. Grab is an app where you can order food, groceries, and book transportation. It’s, basically like Lyft/Uber and DoorDash all combined in one place.
While in Bali, my aunt and I stayed in an Airbnb in Sanur, which was about 30 minutes from all the tourist-filled areas. We chose to stay further out because we wanted to immerse ourselves in Balinese culture and really get a sense of their lifestyle. After the first day or so, I started to get a little bit of a culture shock… mostly because of the food…
Bali Food:
I realized fairly quickly that the food in Bali was fresh and contained far less sugar, salt, and preservatives than in the US. So finding food that was familiar to my tastebuds was a challenge. Rice and noodles are a very big part of Balinese cuisine. Rice and noodles are eaten with any and every meal. After about the fourth day there, just the thought of eating rice or noodles made me want to scream. I was so used to having variety (main dish, sides, dessert) and the simplicity of rice and noodles for every meal just wasn’t going to cut it for me. I decided to go to the grocery store and buy some food I could cook at the Airbnb. The grocery stores were much like those in the US and contained a lot of the same things, but sometimes items were named something different, and that’s when I’d pull out that good ole Google Translate App to double check what I was getting. When grocery shopping, I could get a couple days worth of food for $15-$20. Sidebar, so you know how us Americans go to the grocery store weekly or monthly? That’s not really a thing in Bali lol. Most locals go to the market every couple of days. Like I mentioned earlier, their food is fresh and contains little to no preservatives. For instance, I went out for breakfast one morning and ordered french toast and put my leftovers in the fridge. By the morning of day two, it was molded… DAY TWO… this just puts into perspective the amount of preservatives we consume in the US. I was SHOOK!
When going out to eat, I could usually get a full meal: appetizer, entree, dessert, and a drink for about $14 or less in the big cities and $10 or less in Sanur (where I stayed). On top of that, there were often food and drink specials, so be sure to ask if they have any ongoing deals/discounts!
My Food Tip: My advice to anyone staying on the island for more than a week or so is to pack some food, snacks, seasonings, and dressings in your checked bag so you’ll have a little bit of familiarity food/taste wise. When I found out they didn’t have Ranch in Bali, I was soooo hurt! But once I cracked the code on where to eat, it was a WRAP! I ventured out more and more each day and found some really great food places, but those places were usually in the more touristy locations of Bali like Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Kuta.
Cost of Lodging:
The cost of lodging in Bali is reasonable. Some areas are more affordable than others, depending on where you stay. Seminyak is where a lot of tourists stay. It’s right by the beach, has tons of things to do, and is walking distance to many popular clubs and bars. Even though Seminyak is located in a desired area, the cost of lodging is very neutral! It’s one of the best places to stay to get the most bang for your buck. Canggu, Kuta, and Ubud are also super affordable cities that many tourists frequent. Jimberan, Nusa Dua, and Uluatu are beautiful cities that can be a little more on the pricier side, but are well-worth the cost if your budget allows. The Airbnb house my aunt and I stayed in, in Sanur, was about $2,800 for the month. It came with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a private pool, a huge turf-covered patio/sitting area, and a housekeeper that cleaned six days a week.
My Lodging Tip: A lot of stays in Bali book up quickly, so I encourage you to plan and book your trip's stay well in advance to get the best available deals and pricing. Many Balinese-style homes/villas have open common areas, meaning they are completely open to the outside and do not have any central air conditioning. With that, bugs are frequently found in these areas. If you want a bug-free stay, I highly suggest booking a place that is fully enclosed.
The People & Culture:
Balinese people were very friendly and seemed genuinely happy to interact with me. Since I stayed in a slower paced city filled with locals, it was easy to make friends that were trustworthy and helpful. Plus, I was the only black girl with knotless braids down my back that stayed in the area, so making new friends was easy because they would remember me and spark conversation every day.
Something surprising to me was our male tour guide, and our female housekeeper both had the same name (Wayan). When I asked the meaning of their names, they explained that most Balinese are given one of four names regardless of gender. It’s a tradition that the first child in the family is named “Wayan” meaning “first-born,” the second child is named “Made” meaning “second-born,” the third child is named “Nyoman” meaning “third-born,” and the fourth child is named “Ketut” meaning “fourth-born.” When a family has a fifth child, they start the names over from the top. So Wayan would be both the first child’s name and the fifth child’s name.
Fact About Tourists: A little over 1 million tourists visit Bali each year, especially now that they have the digital nomad program there. Don’t be surprised to see a lot of other Americans and even more Australians during your visit. I didn't know this, but it’s only about a three and a half hour plane ride from parts of Australia to Indonesia, so many Australians frequent the Indonesian island throughout the year.
3 Ways A month in Bali changed my life:
1). I realized a simplistic life can still be a rewarding life:
This month-long experience truly changed my outlook on SO many things! I feel much better and healthier! One of the biggest takeaways I got from my trip is how a simplicit life can still be fulfilling. When I left for Bali, I only brought a carryon bag and a backpack. I knew I wanted to keep it simple and focus more on the environment and the experience rather than what I looked like or what I was wearing. This helped me maintain my focus on my wellbeing and my “why” for coming to Bali.
2.) My relationship with God became stronger than ever:
I also strengthened my faith and relationship with God. It amazed me how often and how clear I heard God’s voice and guidance while in Bali. I quickly learned that by removing myself from distractions, I could gain greater clarity on my calling and purpose in life. I think being 10,000+ miles away was exactly what I needed for my reset. I discovered that being the “strong friend” and having an “I'll just do it myself attitude” was doing more harm than good. I realized that these things were actually distractions and were hindering me from fulfilling my purpose in life. There are SO many other things I learned about myself as well, but I won't bore you with them all. Just know God has a purpose for everything!
3.) I found my purpose in life:
I always wanted to find a way to help others, I just didn't know how or what exactly my niche was. Going to Bali connected all the dots for me. I’m always the one planning the trips for my friends and family and the person that people come to for advice. Once I locked in with God, it ALL made sense. My love for travel, wellness, and my natural gift of organization, are all supposed to be shared. Coincidentally, I had a friend who was also being led in that same direction and when we connected, the idea for “The Kléi” was born. My testimony is only a chapter of a much bigger story God is writing for me. I'm taking the first step of obedience and putting my gifts into practice and it feels GREAT!
Through all my adventures in Bali, I ultimately decided to compile all that I learned and experienced into a downloadable Bali eGuide Book. This all inclusive eGuide book includes:
Legal MUST-HAVES before your departure
Bali Facts, Travel Tips, & Transportation Options
Indonesian Greetings
Indonesian Currency
Must-have/important apps to download
Our suggested Clinic/Doctor
Packing list
Which cities to stay in
Popular top-rated excursions
Shopping/Malls
Spa & beauty suggestions
Popular restaurants
Popular day clubs, nightlife, & bars
It is my hope that this post inspires you to take a leap of faith and pursue your purpose in life. Your inner Kléi is only a decision away!
XO,
The Kléi
