A Birthday Journey to Bali: A Year in the Making
After a year of planning, my long-awaited birthday trip to Bali finally became a reality. It was an unforgettable adventure that took over 24 hours of travel each way, but every second was worth it. Everything about this trip exceeded my expectations, from seamless flights and exceptional hotels to the rich culture, warm hospitality, and deep spiritual energy that make Bali truly special.
Bali’s spiritual energy attracts spiritual people! The people who are supposed to be here, come. The people who aren’t, don’t! And from the moment I arrived, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
During my time in Bali, I explored breathtaking landscapes, immersed myself in local culture, and, of course, celebrated my birthday in the most unforgettable way. Here are some of the incredible places I visited:
Birthday dinner at Apéritif Restaurant – A luxurious meal to mark the occasion!
Campuhan Ridge Walk – A scenic hike with stunning views.
Sukawati Art Market – A treasure trove of local crafts.
John Hardy Workshop & Kapal Bamboo Boutique – An inspiring look at traditional jewelry-making.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary – Ancient temples, lush jungle, and mischievous monkeys!
Kecak Uluwatu – A mesmerizing fire dance at sunset.
Canggu Beach – Laid-back vibes and stunning sunsets. Surfers!
Pura Tirta Empul – A special birthday spent at this sacred water temple.
Melukat is the name of the purification ritual that you can do at Pura Tirta Empul. It’s a spiritual purification that cleanses the mind, body, and soul from impurities.
Ubud Royal Palace – A glimpse into Balinese history and culture.
Royal Kirana Spa – Pure relaxation in a dreamy setting on my birthday.
GWK Cultural Park – Home to towering statues and rich heritage.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces – One of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls – A hidden gem with refreshing waters.
Taman Ayun Temple – A stunning royal temple with serene gardens.
Bali was everything I had imagined and more—a place of beauty, culture, and spiritual energy. This trip was the best birthday gift I could have given myself, and I can’t wait to return someday!
Warning: This blog contains an overwhelming number of Bali photos (two galleries) and videos! Proceed with caution—you may suddenly find yourself booking a flight. 😆🏝️
Gallery #1

Flight on Emirates to Bali via Dubai!


Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary


























Visit the Campuhan Ridge Walk. 1.2 miles LONG walk.





Made it to the end of the walk! Dripping in sweat! 🥵
























Love the rice terrace!
































Went to Bali during the rainy season. Did not rain THAT often, but when it rained! OH MY GOD!⛈️☔ I was prepared for it!





YES! They are all real! Some did not care and crawled all over you! LOL








What a magical place! I should have gotten in the water!














Love this staircase message at one of the GREAT restaurants I went for a great meal!

















































Low-key flex! Not many tourists know about John Hardy being founded in Bali AND they have a tour of their factory! You are not allowed to take pics inside of their factory 😞
















































Pura Tirta Empul. Morning (7AM) of my birthday, you make an offering to the gods and say a few words of prayer.

Purification ritual itself which takes place in the holy pools within the central courtyard (Jaba Tengah).
















After the Temple, I headed to Royal Kirana Spa.








AFTER my great spa! 😁


Gallery #2

To end my birthday, I went to Apéritif Restaurant. The manager and wait staff were amazing. The FOOD was excellent. 😋












Day after my birthday, I transferred from Ubud to Canggu Beach for a couple of days!

A lot of surfers in the area. First time I have seen scooters with surf board carriers! 🏄🏼♂️







I saw this advertisement at a restaurant I went to! And, I said to myself, I will visit you for it! LOL




Not that many people to see it! They brought everybody onto the stage for a dance! Yes, I got up and made a fool of myself!🤣

One of my few runs! It was so hot that I had to remove my shirt!

GWK Cultural Park. The best way I can explain this park is it is like a Disney-type park!














They had this machine that put plastic on your shoes before you headed to the top of their statue. It is taller than the Statue of Liberty!













Once you reach the top, they have clear floors where you can look down!🫢 I am scared!



A mannequin is a worker inside of the statue.
















Kecak Uluwatu at GWK


















Last meal!😔

Flight on Emirates back to NYC. 🥹
Videos
Look out from Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls ~ Long trek down the hill!
Performance at Ubud Royal Palace
Performance at GWK Cultural Park. Kecak Uluwatu.