I know you may be thinking to yourself, say what? The girl who catches flights, the one who is always searching for the next big adventure, is calling 2020 a blessing when she hasn’t been able to travel since March? I know, shocking! The truth is, 2020 is a blessing in its own way. Having to stay in one spot and go on the most intense journey, the journey within myself, is probably one of the best things that could have happened this year.

I’m grateful for the moments of solitude that 2020 has brought me. Being “stuck” in one place has given me no other option than to go within and take a look at what has been missing, what has been ignored, and what it is that I desire. Do I have all the answers? No, I don’t. However, I have more insight into what I want, who I want to become, and what I want to do. Trust me; I don’t plan on giving up travel because one of the answers to what I want to do with my life is still to travel the world, but without taking the time to soul search, I would probably still be roaming the world to look for the answers that have always been within.

This year has been difficult and challenging for almost everyone I know. Some have lost loved ones, some have lost their jobs as I did, some have dealt with unexpected health issues, and others have faced some of their worst moments. This year’s trials feel more prominent than the triumphs, but I choose to remain positive and look at this year as a challenge. A time to step up to the plate and show the universe what you are made of.

The truth is it doesn’t matter what year it may be; there will always be problems and challenges to face. Maybe this year is the one that came in to remind us to remain grateful. To quit taking for granted the small things like going for a walk in the park, talking with friends and family, and sharing a meal with a loved one. These are the things that matter the most. The more we lead our lives in gratitude, the more we realize that we have an abundant amount of items to be grateful for.

With all of this being said, I want to say that I am grateful. I am thankful for this year; however screwed up it may be. I’m grateful for my health, family, friends, passions, talents, and faults. I’m thankful for 2020 and all of the tests, lessons, and blessings it has brought. Last but not least, I am grateful for every single one of you. Those of you who read my blog, follow me on social media, call yourself my friend or family, and am thankful to have each of you in my life. Thank you for following me along this crazy journey called life. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

With gratitude,

Janel

The post Happy Thanksgiving! first appeared on Janel Has Wings.

The post Happy Thanksgiving! appeared first on Janel Has Wings.

An excellent way to avoid the hustle and bustle of city life is by spending time in nature. One of the popular ways to do this in Bali is by visiting a rice paddy. The most popular being Tegallalang in Ubud is the one featured in my photo. If you are interested in a total chill moment, I would suggest visiting a different one. Teglalang is beautiful and is the most popular, and it means that it is packed with tourists. It’s a must-see while in Bali. Now you know where all of the photos of rice paddies on your Instagram feed are coming from.

To book a tour to the rice paddy and other places of interest in Bali check out Adpada Bali Tours by clicking here: https://www.adpadabalitrans.com/

2. Try the world’s most expensive coffee.

I sh*t you not, (pun intended) the world’s most expensive coffee comes from Bali, Indonesia, and more specifically, it comes out of an animal’s feces. That’s right. An animal called a civet eats coffee cherries and digests them, and once they poop them out, they are cleaned and turned into coffee.

I love coffee, and I figure, I’ve tried some weird things in my lifetime, so why not? Kopi Luwak coffee doesn’t taste awful, but I also don’t think it is worth the price that it is sold worldwide, which is about $600 per pound. In other words, I’m not a huge fan.

The other part is that there has been such a high demand for this coffee worldwide that now the animals are put in caged and force-fed coffee cherries to mass-produce the highly sought out coffee. I tried it at a local farm that doesn’t produce on the mass scale and doesn’t force-feed their civets, nor do they partake in things such as animal cruelty. The truth is most people don’t know about the process involved; they hear “World’s Most Expensive coffee” and try it without knowing the backstory.

I’m not blaming anyone. No one randomly googles searches “World’s most expensive coffee” unless they are in the industry or a coffee connoisseur. However, I am a wildlife advocate and want to save our natural resources, so I feel compelled to inform my readers.

For more information on the coffee plantation, I visited and to plan your visit check their website out here: https://cantik-agriculture-luwak-coffee.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

3. Visit a Monkey Forest

One of the popular things to do while in Bali is to visit a monkey forest. The main one on the island is the Ubud Monkey Forest.

Before visiting any Monkey Forest in Bali, you should know a few things;

• They are used to tourists, and therefore they will approach you. Do not make a big scene like running, jumping, or screaming. It will scare them and quite possibly make them aggressive towards you.
• They will steal your glasses, cell phones, hats, wallets, jewelry, etc. If you don’t want to lose something, put it in your backpack.
• Because they are used to tourists, they expect food. Make sure you have plenty of nuts to feed them because they will get aggressive.
• Monkeys in the Monkey Forests are known to do things like bite and throw sh*t at people. These things usually happen when tourists have not brought enough food or have started screaming or scaring them.
• You are in their habitat. Respect them and do not try to hurt them. Remain calm and remember, it’s their territory, not yours.

My biggest suggestion is to not go to the popular Monkey Forest and go to a small one. Why? The monkeys are not nearly as aggressive, and they don’t focus on tourists. They prefer to keep their distance.I went to the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, which is much smaller, and as you can see, one of the monkeys approached me, and it went smoothly.

It’s an exciting experience. The monkeys are not in cages or mistreated by locals, but anytime any animals are involved with tourism, it is best to do your research and know how the animals are being cared for.

4. Visit a Hindu Temple

One thing that is abundant in Bali are Hindu temples. You can find them all over the island and you do not have to go far to find them. The Hindu temples are not only a representation of the Hindu religion which is the most prevalent religion on the island, but it is also a staple part of Balinese culture.

While I traveled around Bali with a new friend that I made who happened to be a local. I asked why I kept seeing people with baskets filled with fruit, flowers, and even money. He explained to me that part of Balinese Hindus traditions is to make a daily offering. If they cannot reach a temple, they will take their offering to one of the many small shrines spread throughout the cities and towns.

My new friend told me that if I wanted to make an offering, I could do so. He went with me to buy what I needed to take it to one of the local temples.

Honestly, it was a unique experience. I guess people will jump and say I tried to recreate an Eat, Pray, Love moment, but I’ve always been spiritual. I like to participate in a country’s culture actively, so for me, it was more about the experience than religion.

5. Visit Nusa Pineda

Nusa Pineda isn’t part of Bali, it is actually a separate island but if you are already in Bali then I highly suggest making the trip to Nusa Pineda. Why? Well, apart from being the second most popular spot for photos for the gram in Indonesia is Nusa Pineda just look at the views.

This small island is a short ferry ride from Bali, and although many tourists visit, it doesn’t feel overcrowded or packed at all. I suggest booking a tour guide or someone to show you around since getting around the island will be tough without a vehicle or motorcycle.

My guide while I was on the island was Tony who can be found on Instagram by clicking https://www.instagram.com/tonygila420/, highly recommend Tony. He is super down to Earth and laid back. He’s also extremely knowledgeable about Nusa Pineda and Indonesia in general.

A fun fact about the island is that Indonesians believe that the island is where evil spirits/black magic resides. Don’t let that scare you, though. Balinese believe that both good and bad must exist to create balance. Indonesian’s aren’t afraid of visiting the island, nor should you be. The island isn’t scary, and you feel like you are in paradise while you are there.

I love small islands because there is an immediate relaxing feeling when you arrive. Less traffic, less noise, fewer worries. I think 2020 has made everyone want to stay on an island for at least a month, and what better location than Nusa Penida?

If Bali wasn’t already on your bucket list then I hope after this list of things to do while in Bali has convinced you to add it. Below are more photos from my trip to Bali that I did not include on Instagram.

Stayed tuned for next weeks post where our virtual journey takes us to Thailand!

To follow my Virtual Trip Around the World on Instagram click here: https://www.instagram.com/janelhaswings/

Your guide,

Janel

Interested in finding out what to do while in Australia?

Make sure to find out what to see in do in Sydney by clicking here: https://janelhaswings.com/your-guide-to-sydney-australia/

Top 5 Things to Do in Adelaide, Australia: https://janelhaswings.com/top-5-things-to-do-in-adelaide-australia/

The post 5 Best Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia first appeared on Janel Has Wings.

The post 5 Best Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia appeared first on Janel Has Wings.

Bali feels like if you found your very own magical stone, and of course you don’t want to share it with the world because you are afraid it may lose it’s magic. The sad news is that anyone who has ever browsed the travel section of Instagram has seen all of the photos of Bali, so everyone knows where to find your secret stone.

The true essence of Bali isn’t only in its landscapes but in its people. The people of Bali are so welcoming, and they want you to enjoy their island just as much as you do. I found that every restaurant, temple, and small shop that I went to the owner or the person working there greeted me with a big smile and a positive attitude. At some points during my visit, I would ask a stranger for help finding a particular place, and if they didn’t understand me, they would hand signal for me to wait, and they would come back with someone who spoke English. It is one of the very few places that I have seen strangers go above and beyond to help tourists. The majority of the population on the island are practicing Hindu’s who believe in karma which is something that I also believe it. People there believe that what you put out into the universe is what you will eventually receive. I believe that is one of the factors that makes the vibe there feel so positive.

If you’ve been to Bali and you are reading this and laughing because you know that the traffic on the island is insane and it’s almost terrifying to watch as motorcycles, buses, and cars maneuver around each other, know that I’m not oblivious to the chaos on the island. If you’ve been on Canggu beach, then you know that not only is it riddled with trash and plastic everywhere, but it is also filled with drunk tourists at night. For a lot of people, especially environmentally conscious people like myself, it is off-putting to see the amount of trash around the island. It also makes me sad to see the number of tourists who use it as their playground to get wasted, but can you can’t blame Bali for the irresponsibility of tourists. Even though these things harm the image of Bali, they will only ruin your visit if you allow them to. Besides, what better way to give back to an island that fills your heart with so much joy than picking up any piece of trash that you see lying around. The hoards of drunk tourists and the plastic on the beaches shouldn’t keep you from visiting the island and experiencing the joy that is Bali.

When I think of Bali, I think of beauty, peace, and happiness. It sounds cliché to hear someone say, “I went to Bali and found myself.” but this tends to be an overwhelming sentiment amongst travelers who have experienced Bali for themselves. It’s hard to describe a place so dear to my heart, but the best way that I can is by using the word magical. It was a foreign land that made me feel like I was home, and not every place that you visit feels like home. I only hope that anyone who decides to visit Bali experiences the same sense of calm and peace that came over me when I visited.

The post The Beauty of Bali first appeared on Janel Has Wings.

The post The Beauty of Bali appeared first on Janel Has Wings.