Bali, Indonesia

After the successful (I hope) field interviews on East Java, I caught a flight to Bali for a few days before returning to Switzerland. I didn't really know anything about it except that it was known for surfing and maybe something with yoga - I did not have much of a plan except to meet up with Julio, a friend from my masters program who has been living there while working for an energy efficiency company. I was initially looking into some diving-surfing-yoga-spearfishing packages, but did not book anything before I arrived. At least it was good to know that there were so many options.

The day after I arrived, Jules picked me up on his moto-scooter and we headed to Ubud, the sort of yoga-hippie capital of (possibly) the world, - thanks in part to the role it plays in Eat, Pray, Love. You can buy vegan ice cream flavored with healing frequencies. My mom said she wants to go to Bali, but minus some of the waves and sand, Asheville is basically the same.

We went to the coolest, most intimidating coffee shop that I have ever been to (including those in Seattle). They were serious about their roasts and had so many gadgets/methods for brewing, but I was mostly impressed by the decor:

That cup and saucer! That water cup! That dainty banana leaf wrapped snack!

Plastic chairs transformed into  rocking chairs!

By some famous Ubud rice paddies!

Ubud was unexpected. I mean, when I landed in Denpasar I was amazed at the density and level of construction, especially compared with Malang, but Ubud was full on culture shock: yoga-bros on macbooks, a monkey sanctuary, burritos, spas, raw food...

I found a dive tour operator who had space for me to go to Tulamben, in the north of the island, to use my new scuba skills to check out a shipwreck! During WWII, a US Naval ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and then towed to shore (there were no casualties). It sat there for years, until 1963 when Mt Agung erupted and the lava carried the ship back into the water, but not too far.

Mt. Agung

To get to the wreck, we just walked in from the shore and saw a blue barracuda almost immediately upon going under the surface. On the first dive, I was so distracted and in awe of all the fish to my right, I did not notice the huge, coral-covered wreck to my left for a few minutes.

My first shipwreck and shore dive!
Blue water and lava rocks!

Near one of Bali's "sunset temples"
NB: The best shots weren't actually of the temple and the stairs that you have to receive a "blessing" to scale don't actually lead to the temple (or even a cooler view).

Back in Sanur, there were no fewer hippie options. Green smoothies and superfoods galore! Even opportunities to connect with the earth while inside.

These are grass mats that you can take with you into the restaurant to rest your bare feet on for at least 10 minutes. 

The instruction sheet for the grass mats reads:

benefits of earthing:

Going barefoot is grounding

Re-energizes you through the earth's natural electric currents

Clears your mind

Receive more Chi

Like a free reflexology session

Decreases anxiety & depression

Strengthen muscles & ligaments in your feet, ankles & calves

Decrease varicose veins.

POST your EARTHING MOMENTS share the (heart image)

#earthing

I caught a half day surf lesson on the morning of the day I flew out. It took a while, but I was able to stand up! It was really fun, but the aftermath was painful.  Despite what I thought was a through sunscreeening, the back of my legs got fried - so uncomfortable for the long flight home - and my hands and thighs were red and irritated from the board.