Eye Opening Experiences in Bali

Good morning from Ubud!! Wow, so much has happened, and it’s barely even been a week into our Bali adventures. After a long 30 hours of travel, leaving the airport and arriving at our hotel went smoother than I expected. My first impression of the Arma hotel was how there is not a single detail that goes unnoticed. Our drivers, hotel staff, and every person we have met along the way have been nothing but accommodating, ensuring that we have everything we need to be prepared for the journeys we are embarking upon. So far my favorite part of this trip has been the amazing food each morning. We start our day with an assortment of almost every breakfast item you could ask for, my personal favorite being the delicious selection of fresh fruit. Our view from breakfast overlooks gorgeous greenery, with running water and koi ponds.

What’s been the most life-changing part about this journey so far has been learning about the culture and how deeply it’s respected and shared. Studying abroad with Santa Barbara City College has been a dream; every day trip we have gone on has been eye-opening in so many different ways. I can barely even put into words the emotions I have been feeling from every experience. My favorite day of excursions was visiting Pura Titra Empul Temple, where those who wanted to participate went through a water purification ceremony all together. I felt a deep connection with not only myself and my emotions but also with everyone around me sharing this unique experience. Everyone lined up and took turns praying and then splashing water three times on our faces and mouths and then fully submerging the rest of our heads under the running water. I shared a few emotional moments with my friends, where we felt true bliss and harmony.

Getting to know one another on such a deep level has been a huge part of this journey so far. The group of people we are traveling with is so diverse and unique, and we all connect in one way or another. We’ve been exploring many other cities, and my favorite parts of day trips have been our beautiful lunch views, where we overlook waterfalls and volcanoes. We fit so much into every day, and it still feels like the opportunities to learn and explore are never-ending; I could be here forever. We have two more weeks, and soon we are moving hotels near Kuta Beach for surf lessons. I could not ask for a better experience so far and am so excited for what’s to come.