Where it all began...

Let me take you back, all the way to 2002. There's a wedding, a bombing, and a honeymoon. You see, our honeymoon was supposed to have been a trip to Bali - our first overseas trip together, and the first time Danny would have ever left Western Australia. We had organised a honeymoon registry in lieu of wedding gifts, and our guests had contributed to the beautiful, two week trip to Bali that we had planned. Our excitement was building for months looking forward to it, passports were organised, friends and family were sharing all their Bali travel wisdom. And then tragedy struck in the form of the devastating Bali bombings just four weeks prior to our expected departure. So many innocent lives lost, and many changed forever by the events which had unfolded in the tourist hotspot that night. The hotel we'd booked was about 50 metres from the site of the bombing, where the memorial now stands. I will be forever grateful that we were not there on that awful day, and it still chills me to think of those who lost their lives there while enjoying their own beautiful holidays.

Long story short - we changed our destination. We spent two weeks in Darwin, Australia instead. We were spooked. Big time. So much so in fact, that we didn't even entertain the idea of travelling outside Australia for another fourteen years.

Fast forward to 2016. A friend had invited us to join her group on a short trip to Bali to celebrate her 30th birthday. We decided it was time. Booked the flights, sorted accommodation and organised Grandad to look after the kids. As the trip drew closer, our excitement built. But so did my anxiety. I pushed it down, telling myself we would be ok, we were travelling in a group of seasoned Bali lovers, nothing would happen. And nothing did, but boy did my mind mess with me on that trip. I was worried the entire time because of all the horror stories I'd heard and read about the dangers of Bali - don't have ice in your drinks, don't drink the spirits, don't carry a bag, the money changers will rip you off, you'll get set up with drugs and end up in Kerobokan prison..... You know, all the worst case scenarios I could possibly dream up. We were there 5 days, and I don't think I managed to relax at all the entire time. We spent the whole trip within about 6 blocks of the hotel, frequenting the same two or three bars each night, and doing the same thing each day - pool bar, massage, drinking and eating. I know that's an ideal holiday for some, but unfortunately, not for me. Despite the anxiety, I flew home thinking I NEEDED to go back, and that there must be more to Bali than just strolling the streets of Legian for days on end. And, I was right! We've just returned from our tenth trip to the Island of the Gods and I can honestly say I think I will continue to travel there for the rest of my life. We've done all the usual touristy stuff, but the best things we have done in Bali are off the beaten track. The real Bali. I can't wait to show it all to you!