Early Exit EXPLORER

As I get ready to leave Bali and 

continue on to the next part of my journey, I’ve been thinking about just how amazing this place really is.

For everyone who has already been to Bali, you probably already understand what I’m talking about. But for those who have never been here and are thinking about coming, let me tell you why Bali is such a special place.

One of the biggest things that surprised me about Bali is the convenience. This place has almost everything you could possibly need, and it’s all so accessible. You can find food from just about every culture, spas on what feels like almost every corner, shopping malls, cafés, restaurants, gyms, yoga and Pilates studios, laundromats, and so much more.

And the laundromats are something I definitely got used to. You can literally drop your clothes off and have someone wash, dry, fold, and even iron them for you. If you’re staying somewhere that offers cleaning services, you can even have your room cleaned regularly. It’s those little conveniences that make everyday life here feel so easy.

One thing I definitely took advantage of while I was here was getting a massage once a week. Back home, getting a professional massage every week would probably feel like a luxury that you would have to budget carefully for. Here in Bali, it became part of my normal routine. Being able to go once a week, relax, and take care of my body without spending a fortune was something I quickly got used to. Honestly, I might miss that more than I realize once I leave.

If you want to relax, you have endless beaches, spas, massages, cafés, and places to just sit back and enjoy the scenery. If you want to stay active, there are gyms everywhere, along with yoga, Pilates, surfing, swimming, and plenty of other activities.

And if you want to party, Bali definitely has you covered. There are day clubs, beach clubs, nightclubs, rooftop spots, and beach parties. You can have a completely different experience depending on what kind of night you’re looking for.

Then there are the excursions. If you’re the adventurous type, there is always something to do. You can take surfing lessons, ride dune buggies, explore waterfalls, visit temples, watch the sunset from the top of a mountain, go snorkeling or diving, and experience so many other activities.

What I also love about Bali is that you aren’t stuck in one area. If you’re staying in Canggu and eventually feel like you need a change of scenery, you can rent a bike or take a car and explore other parts of the island. Uluwatu, for example, is roughly an hour and a half away depending on traffic, and the atmosphere can feel completely different once you get there. The beaches, cliffs, and overall pace give you another side of Bali to experience.

And probably one of the biggest reasons Bali has been so appealing to me is the cost. Compared with many places in the United States, so many everyday services and experiences can be much more affordable here. You can eat well, get a massage, have your laundry done, work out, explore, and enjoy different experiences without spending anywhere near what you might expect to spend back home.

That doesn’t mean everything in Bali is cheap, and there are definitely places where you can spend a lot of money if you want to. But the fact that you have so many affordable options makes living here feel very different from simply taking a vacation.

I think that’s what I’m going to remember most about Bali. It isn’t just a beautiful place to visit. It’s a place where you can actually create a lifestyle around what you enjoy.

You can wake up and go to the gym, spend the afternoon at the beach, get your weekly massage, grab food from another part of the world, catch the sunset, and then decide whether you want to go home and relax or go out for the night.

As I prepare to leave Bali, I realize that this place has given me more than just beautiful pictures and great memories. It has given me another perspective on what everyday life can look like when you have the freedom to choose how you spend your time.

And that’s exactly why I’m grateful I decided to come here.