I’ve found I have a thing for visiting places off-season. From trekking down South America in the winter, to now visiting Nepal in monsoon season. But sometimes, it’s better this way. You miss most of the tourist crowds, and you get to see places in a different way. I came to Nepal after studying for …
There’s something about riding a motorbike. You’re completely open to the world, at the mercy of the wind smacking your face, and at the will of the road under you. You feel everything that moves past you. Now imagine this on winding roads, surrounded by pointy green triangles of mountains, sitting on wide lush terraces. …
Before I even arrived in Vietnam, I was following a Facebook page broadcasting out of this world places in Vietnam. While they all revved me up for my move to Vietnam, one place stood out: Dinosaur Spine Mountain. After looking into it more, I learned an entirely new form of adventure – cloud hunting. When …
For me, Thailand was heat, markets, ornate temples and eating all day long. Unlike most people, I avoided the paradise beaches of the South and focused on the North. After working in the chilly winter months of busy Hanoi, I was looking for green landscapes and smaller crowds. Here is what I discovered during my …
One of the greatest things about volunteering at Jiwa Damai along with other Balinese workers is that I was able to become friends with locals. Made (pronounced Mad-e) and Putu were two of the kitchen workers who cooked us amazing Balinese dishes, much of it coming straight from the garden I watered every day. Nearing …
I never thought I’d say that I’ve cleaned elephants before. Okay, so they weren’t real elephants. As a break from our usual work in the garden, Margret asks if one of us volunteers would be willing to clean “her elephants” – there are four large elephant statues scattered on Jiwa Damai’s property. I thought this …
It happens. There is a thing called traveler’s sickness – literally – and basically it’s when your body rejects the new bacteria and environment it’s exposed to and freaks out for a moment. I had this experience for the first time at Jiwa Damai.
It’s our second day off. We have a couple of ideas for today, such as an elephant safari. But we find out it costs $68 for only a thirty minute ride. So Max and I go with taking a motorbike ride to a nearby waterfall called Tegenungan. We take pictures of google maps before heading …
Today is our first day off. At breakfast, Margret gives Max and I easy verbal instructions to get to Ubud. Then we’re off. Max fits right in with the Balinese driving scene. He winds through traffic erratically just like everyone else. At least he has good control of the motorbike. Except for when the road clears …
This morning, Margret asks the three of us to do a special task for her. She wants us to clean out the trash down at the river that lines the back of Jiwa Damai. Jiwa Damai’s neighbors would dispose of their trash in their backyards. Yes, it was within their property, but often the trash …