Last Week in Bali

I left home… maybe 10 weeks ago? I honestly don’t know at this point. With a one-way flight to Thailand. Not expecting to find deep contentment and peace in Bali.

Now I have a week left. Of this trip. I’ll be back. Hopefully in January.

A friend messaged me today, saying “omg 8 days left! You need to do the one thing you’ve been putting off doing!”

My brain thought of all the temples in the North I haven’t gotten around to visiting yet. The surfing in the West. The volcanic beaches in the East.

It prompted me to book a hike of Mount Batur – which I’d been delaying because most hikes start at 2am, to see the sunrise. I’m not a morning person. Instead, I decided to hike late afternoon, and camp overnight! That way I see sunset and sunrise, and I don’t need to be up half the night.

It’s always useful to have friends that give us a kick when needed.

Her comment made me think deeper though – most things do. About other things I want to do here, during my last week. Not places to visit as such, but things I won’t be able to do as much at home.

• I want to spend more time barefoot. Walking around the rice fields, or the grounds of my temple accommodation etc. Enjoying grass under my feet.

• I’m going to focus on intentionally sitting outside every day, doing nothing. Just admiring the beautiful nature. No music, phone or book. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

• Watch the sunset more often (it’s winter here, sunset is early).

• I want to talk to the locals even more, learn a couple more phrases in Balinese.

• If I have time around client calls, go listen to live music

• Continue to slow down

• Look at the stars in the clear night sky more

Sometimes we don’t need something new or different. We just need to appreciate what we already have.