Hell is a Fast Boat in Indonesia

If you have ever ridden a fast boat from Bali to the Gili Islands, you know what I am referring to when I say the ride is hell and I don’t care how brave you think you are. Unless by some grace of God you had a smooth day at sea on this route. The ride to Gili Trawangan from Bali wasn’t nearly as horrific as the way back to Bali because I had just gotten back from the hospital with strep throat (story for another day), but I honestly felt so terrible I didn’t pay attention to my life being in danger. One of my favorite female bloggers, Adventurous Kate (Click here to see her post and to follow her blog), wrote about her experience being shipwrecked in Indonesia off the coast of Komodo Island and I only wish I read it before my ride. I hate flying and maybe I am just a baby, but I would have totally felt safer in a plane… Never thought I’d say that!

The 5 Backpacking Non-Essentials I Sent Home From Across the World

Before jet-setting across the world, I read the blogs of girls who recommend what you should pack and tried to plan accordingly. The problem with those blogs is that I strongly believe that there is no possible way these people actually ever experienced living out of a backpack through the tropical rain forests of Asia and the hot temperatures of the South Pacific. I had a Gregory Jade 70… which is a pretty big pack that I could barely hold up. Made for a good daily workout!

Definitive Ranking of Temples in Bali

Spirituality is the lifeblood of the Indonesian island of Bali. There are hundreds of Hindu temples and with our trusty Balinese guide we traveled to what feels like all of them. The religion itself is like nothing I have experienced. Before entering you have to put on what I will call a sarong because technically that is what it is. Might I also add it’s 95 degrees and you’re in a long, thick skirt? Moving on, while praying you take off your shoes (got to just not think about the germs, I’ve come to terms with having to do that constantly at this point). I never exactly mastered the prayer part but it includes putting flowers on your head and behind your ears then drinking holy water and splashing yourself with it. When you write it out it sounds silly but it is actually very peaceful.