We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us. - Anonymous
This quote is framed in my parents’ house and has always strongly resonated with me.
After traveling to Bali with Under30Experiences, it resonates at an even higher frequency.
Why Bali & Under30Experiences?
2016 had a lot of significant moments for me. It was the last year of my 20s. It was the year I ended a significant relationship. And it was the year I decided that traveling was going to be a priority.
When my friend Ash called me asking if I wanted to join her on a trip to Bali, I immediately said it was a crazy idea. She told me about the company she was traveling with, Under30Experiences, and about the two group leaders, Cesar and Jen.
I said I would have to think about it. I had never been to Bali but always wanted to go.
I hung up the phone with her, and in that 5 seconds after we hung up, I looked at that sign in my parents’ house, and said "Huh, I guess I’m going to Bali.".
I am so glad I did.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with a group like this but I can’t tell you guys how fantastic this company is.
Let’s start from the beginning
After the long journey, Ash and I were one of the last ones to arrive in Bali. We were welcomed at our gorgeous villa with our future travel group who were sitting at a huge family style dining table where we would eat every night and share stories of what happened during each day.
That night we learned a little about each other and it made me so excited for the rest of trip.
I had so many wonderful opportunities. I met some of the locals in the community, overcame my fear of monkeys in the monkey forest, indulged in Balinese cuisine, ventured into rice paddies, hiked Mount Batur for sunrise (an active volcano), and conquered an exclusive waterfall hike.
I could go on and on about all the wonderful adventures I experienced but this would then turn into a novel.
When everything changed for me
One of the activities we did as a group was hike Mount Batur at 4 am to catch the sunrise.
Climbing an active volcano just seems unreal, but it was incredible to me for so many reasons. It was hard work hiking the volcano for 2 hours from start to finish but during the intense parts of the climb I truly started to develop relationships with the over travelers on our trip.
In such a short time, they went from strangers to friends. To share this experience with people I had just met was truly an indescribable experience and changed the tone for the rest of the trip.
I enjoyed getting to know everyone and learning what brought them to Bali. Each person had their own story and it was amazing to see how so many different people where able to come together and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
Now It's Your Turn
Under30Experiences does an incredible job of organizing these trips. I didn’t know how this trip was going to go but everything was planned for us and ran smoothly.
Our trip leaders were so knowledgeable with any questions anyone had...and I have to give a shoutout to Jen and Cesar: you guys rock!
I was impressed most by how the experiences from the trip positively effected me when I was back home. It really is true what they say about the power of investing in experiences instead of things.
Simply stated, it was extraordinary and I can't wait for my next trip with Under30Experiences!
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