Bali, Indonesia. Winter Break 2014/2015.
2 weeks was not enough time in Bali! From the very first day, we hit the ground running...starting with sunset at Uluwatu Temple, exploring Uluwatu Cave, relaxing at Green Bowl Beach, visiting the GWK Cultural Park, celebrating New Year's Eve in crazy Kuta, sunset at Tanah Lot Temple, scavenger hunt in Ubud, hiking around Tegalalang terraced rice fields, walking the 300 steps down and back up after a visit to Gunung Kawi Temple, bathing in the holy springs of Tirta Empul temple, feeding the monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, paying a visit and donation to the BARC no-kill animal shelter, watch a traditional Kecak and Trance dance, hiking up the Mount Batur volcano, rafting the Ayung river, riding and bathing elephants, and getting relaxing massages. After a week of sightseeing around Bali, we took a ferry to nearby Nusa Penida island to volunteer with Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF). We helped plant hundreds of saplings, packed dirt to plant new saplings, cleaned the Ped, Atuh, and Crystal Bay beaches, taught English, and helped with construction of the new FNPF site. But even while volunteering, we still had time to enjoy the island's beautiful beaches, scuba dive (watch the video below for the amazing footage of the most beautiful ocean life I have ever seen), snorkel, visit the cave temple, visit a bat cave, and learn to make offerings. We were sad to leave our new friends at FNPF...Damai, Komang, and Nengah...who made our time at FNPF so incredibly special. Terimah Kasi! Mahalo!