What’s the solution to dissolving the Sri Lankan related stress? We have a short time before Ben starts his new job. Where in Asia do we want to decompress?
Over the past 5 years Bali has been a place that we associate with tranquility and positive energy. Like a vortex, it keeps pulling us back. In this time of transition, Bali should provide a good buffer between our visit to the U.S. and the start of our upcoming life in Viet Nam. We both feel in need of tranquility, some pampering and a total reset.
A late night flurry of requests to home exchange yields quite a crop of home choices by morning. We select 3 consecutive homes that will provide cost free accommodation and hopefully a bouquet of restorative experiences.
For our first home exchange, we select a rural setting 20 minutes out of Ubud….With a perfect (small tower) lookout spot over the rice paddies…It is rice harvest time….A rice farmer tills the ground to ready it for the next cycle of rice…A duck farmer walks his noisy flock…As always, we rent a motor bike to get around..In the nearby village, the recently harvested rice is spread out to dry in the sun…The Balinese positive energy…Most houses can only be reached by small winding pathways, adjacent to the rice paddies, so luggage is carried by motor bike.
After 3 days in the countryside, we are ready to venture to our next exchange in the quiet and beautiful village of Nyuh Kuning, which is adjacent to Ubud. We are ready for the pampering that Ubud offers…
First things first: a Balinese massage.Massaging away the stress of recent events and sore muscles from a long journey back home to Asia…We go back to some of our favourite restaurants to eat healthy yummy food and chill…Ahhh… it has been quite the journey both physically and emotionally…
Where else in the world is there this vibe?
This second exchange, in Nyuh Kuning, has an elaborate entrance ~ Bali style… and is part of a compound of houses with its own temple and sculptures, as is typical here.
Hindu elements that reflect Bali’s ancient influences remain part of the architectural heritage in Ubud. Nyuh Kuning is comprised of a handful of parallel streets lined with trees and entrances to family compounds such as this one.
One of our favourite places in Ubud is Campuhan Ridge walk, a green belt that provides a lush walk from an ancient temple, up steps and over hilltops with dramatic green views…
Lush forest, with a river running through…Multi tiered pagodas of this ancient temple soar up against the forest as backdrop…
Nature always helps to slow things down and restore equilibrium…Some of us are more energetic than others ~ Ben getting ready for his upcoming bamboo trekking adventures.
Ben is now ready to start his new job.
I however, am not ready to go anywhere yet!
We agree to meet in Saigon, Viet Nam once the first round of his meetings is completed. So off he goes to the airport to take a flight, to meet his new bamboo clients and partners and launch the project with them. I can think of no better place to spend time solo, than Ubud.
I have a final home exchange lined up for myself, in Penestanan, our favourite part of Ubud, which is quiet and away from the buzzing traffic and the summer tourists.
The reality of this space is even more magnificent than I expected… double volume ceilings, huge windows and a pervasive feeling of light and airiness.This might be my perfect bedroom.. anywhere. Green on both sides, a cross ventilation of constant clean fresh air, and a wooden floor soft to the touch.The windows are huge and I keep them open 24/7, as security is not an issue here.View to one side from my bedroom window, as the morning sun lights up the rice seedlings.Beautiful spas for massages are everywhere in Ubud, but this one, is around the corner from where I am staying…Yoga at the beautiful Radiantly Alive studio ~ I get rides there with motorbike “taxi’ guys. The range of options is staggering in both quantity and variety. In addition to yoga I do qi gong, aerial yoga, a workshop on breath work and one on ‘movement is medicine’.Take out Ubud style from Alchemy, the iconic raw plant based restaurant which was the first of many restaurants dedicated to plant based gastronomy in Ubud. The container is hand crafted from banana plant leaves, with little sticks as stitches, holding it together.
Bali has provided a necessary tranquil transition from the tumult of the last few weeks and a bridge to the next chapter of our lives, and Green Global Trek adventure.
Hi Peta and Ben! I’m so glad you both got to spend time in your happy place. Everything about your descriptions and photos radiates peace and beauty. I can’t get over the aesthetics—in the food presentation, furnishings, decor…I can see why you love it in Bali. I hope Ben’s initial meetings go well and you Peta enjoy that absolutely glorious home.
Thanks Caroline… We were both pretty pleased with our choice of destination for the window of down time before Ben starts his job. Bali always delivers on aesthetics and lush nature.
Yes, and because we have been there 5 times in the last 5 years, it is less about a discovery process and more about feeling “at home” and returning to our favorite spots. Thanks for the good wishes.
Your photos are lovely and show a place of amazing beauty and tranquility. Bali’s been on my must visit list for a long time and you’ve managed to show that there are still places off the beaten path and away from the crowds. When I was in Hoi An last year (thank you Peta for suggesting it) I greatly enjoyed my view of the nearby rice fields. As a city person, I am often staggered by my ignorance of how food is grown, harvested and readied for sale so I I found your photos of tilling and harvesting the rice fascinating. I’m so happy that you and Ben have come up with a new direction for moving forward and were able to enjoy some tranquility before seguing into the next chapter. Anita
Anita, absolutely one can definitely get off the beaten path and find tranquility. We frequently hear how both Ubud and Hoi An just have too many tourists these days and are not “what they used to be”. Of course this is true, but if you consider that 95% of tourists do not rent motorbikes and just walk around the few main streets within easy reach of their hotels and which they deem “safe”…. it leaves plenty of space to be away from the crowds.
You make a really good point about the urban folks disconnect from their food source. Whether we talk about farming and veggies or meat and fish, many people don’t really give a lot of consideration to how it is grown and how it gets to their supermarket shelves. One of the reasons we always like to seek out farmers markets to support and eat fresh local produce.
So glad you enjoyed Hoi An so much Anita. I knew you would. Stay tuned for more on that topic…
What a perfect spot to regenerate before you start your next adventure. I have one question though, who is looking after the dogs in Sri Lanka? Dot would like to know. xo
Darlene, as you know, we made a commitment to provide economic stability to Nilu and her family for as long as we can. One of her jobs is to feed the dogs daily. As well, the clinic nearby comes once a day down the road with dog food for all the stray dogs in the area. Our dogs, who are actually all stray dogs that live outside, know the routine well and by 4.30 they are always waiting at the rice paddy for the little food truck. Thanks for asking.
I was sure they were being well looked after and since they are stray dogs, are also good at looking after themselves. It is amazing how dogs can tell time, especially when it comes to food. I am sure part of your heart will always be in Sri Lanka. I do hope and pray that Nilu and her family will be OK at this time of uncertainty. Sending hugs.
Yes, the dogs are fine and the fact that the local shelter does daily rounds to feed the dogs, provides a great deal of comfort. So even if Nilu were to not show up one day, for whatever reason, at least they will get one meal we now for sure. Nilu and her family are all doing well, and we continue to provide financial support. She is still our house manager and will ready the house for upcoming home exchangers. Hugs to you as well xoxo
The house will be used, but there are periods that it is still available should you decide you want to get to Sri Lanka with Amanda!! The thing I miss most and always will is that bathroom because it is the best bathroom EVERY! That said, I am appreciative of the continuous lessons of non attachment. In each place we live there are wonderful things and they will be different things. So you gain some, you lose some. It is part of our nomadic lifestyle and reality. Acceptance of impermanence and delight at the things we do have.
As always, you guys know the right way to attack (or ease into) a new adventure. The Ubud area seems like a perfect transition zone, and that last place looks like a dream! Best of luck to Ben as he starts his new business venture and to both of you as you try to discern next steps for your Sri Lankan place.
Well put Lex. Actually it is both “attack” and “ease” ~ the yin and the yang of moving countries. Bali always delivers the perfect place to rest and be in optimal health. The last exchange was one of the best ever, and I was sorry that Ben could not share it.
Patti the rice harvest IS fascinating to see. We have been in Bali and Viet Nam and Sri Lanka at various stages of the process. It is also fun to watch how quickly the seedlings grow. But Bali is unique in the sense that the rice harvest takes place on the beautiful cascading and undulating terraces that have been carved out of the rolling landscape many generations ago.
I love doing my clothes shopping in SEAsia with my own personal fashion consultant, Ben. He has very strong ideas about what he likes and doesn’t like, and he loves colourful fabrics and interesting designs. Thanks, I love the orange too. It is actually a on piece jumper which I wear with a belt and it ends up looking like a dress.
I’m very happy to see you move on to your next adventures/jobs. Seems you two are able to adapt to any situation or environment and make it happy, serene, fulfilling and exciting. Good luck and enjoy!!
Boyd, so nice to read you here. Well you know Ben… he is a HIGHLY adaptable creature. More so than me, but I love the change and the journey as well. “Happy, serene, fulfilling and exciting are always positive things to strive for!
Ben adds “This was a close one…..!” And if you not sure what he is talking about, read the LAST post.”
Late afternoon each day, the duck farmers would walk behind their flocks in the rice paddy. The sounds of the ducks happily quacking along was a memorable sensory experience. We had a particularly good vintage point from our little tower next to the house, which overlooked the rice paddies.
Your pictures of Bali were just as I had imagined it. So lush and green. I’m not sure the owners of your last home exchange would be able to get me to leave, though.
Bali is all that and more. Lush, green, tranquil and restorative. Proof of my love for Ben, I left this glorious home slightly earlier than scheduled when he managed to finish his meetings earlier than expected. It was not easy to do… But on the other hand, I knew that he and Vietnamese food were awaiting me on the other end. So ya know… But I think we will be back to that house again!!
This time period, as a buffer between the U.S. and starting a new life adventure has been essential. I definitely needed to relax and recover as honestly I still felt somewhat shellshocked. And Ubud for me is my go to place of optimal tranquility and importantly, good health. I am in love with that house, it was PERFECT for me. I love fresh air, lots of it and I love light and space.
Peta, your home stays look amazing and I’m so happy for you enjoying some peace, quiet and relaxation in Bali. You are right — there is no other place on earth with its vibe and focus on wellness. My soul misses Asia so much — the kindness of the people, the greens of the jungle and bamboo forests, and the belief that life should be barefoot and unhurried. Soak up every minute of that Balinese magic! I can’t wait to read more about your unfolding adventure. xo, Kelly
Kelly, it is actually different to a home stay, where you are renting a place. This concept is “home exchange” which we have done for years now and is free of charge and one exchanges one’s home base for other homes anywhere in the world. We receive guest points when people stay in our home in Sri Lanka (and before that in Nicaragua) and we use up these points when we stay in other homes around the globe. Such a great system.
Yup, here in Ubud, we both feel healthier than any else. Probably due to the almost 100% plantbased meals we typically turn to, the ease of going to yoga and most importantly, the nature and the high positive energy that prevails from the locals.
Kelly, you totally got it right! Barefoot and unhurried says it ALL!!!!
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I can’t wait to read about our unfolding adventure as well 🙂
Hi. I loved Bali and went about 5 years or so ago. It reminds me how lucky we are to see such beautiful places. Curious what’s Bens new job? Are you moving? Or settling into a new place? Glad you are enjoying all these lovely yoga and massage places. I’m teaching here in south Florida, doing my ball work and body work. Come visit.
Heidi, you probably missed the LAST post which tells the whole suspense story of where we are at and why?
We are always moving as you know, given we are nomadic creatures. The new consulting work is a surprise and exciting return to the exotic world of bamboo. Ben still has his basket of aerospace projects in Sri Lanka and India, but these are all pretty long term efforts and don’t require on the ground presence.
Yay… first family member commenting on this post 🙂 About your dad doing the pull ups, when he was at 4, some people went by on the path, so I starting counting aloud, 24, 25.. And they were, wow, thumbs up all the way!! Hahaha.
I love reading your posts and following your adventures. Would you mind explaining exactly how these home exchanges work where you stay for just a few days at different places. It’s amazing to see the opportunities you put together in one night.
Thanks.
Steve, one day we will finally get around to doing a post on home exchanges. But in the meantime, here is how it works:
You sign up to http://www.homeexchange.com online. It costs about $150 a year (more or less), and then you post photos and a description of your home, just like one might do for Airbnb. The system generates a value based on a questionnaire, for your house. That is, how many guest points it costs per night for someone to stay. Alternatively one can also do simultaneous and non simultaneous exchanges (although of course harder to arrange but definitely do-able).
Over the years, we have stayed in almost 70 homes and hosted people in our home while WE travel, in Nicaragua and Sri Lanka. It is all based on supply and demand and also a unique culture of trust because you stay in people’s homes. Either while they are travelling or if it is their second home in some cases.
Some places are large, some are tiny. We have stayed in a huge enormous mansion overlooking the bay of San Francisco and in a studio apartment in Paris. On a stunning houseboat in Amsterdam and a colonial guesthouse in rural Goa in India. People also love staying at our little cottage nestled in nature in Sri Lanka, precisely because it is so different.
Some places are hard to find homes, and some times (like New Year and Christmas), it does take WORK. That is one of the jobs I do within our couple. Ben gives me the dates and I take the time to find them. Sometimes it all falls together very quickly and easily, other times it can take a long time to find something that works.
Peta, you found some real gems for your home exchanges. It all looks so lush and fresh and the food is like from the pages of a glossy magazine. I hope Ben’s trip has also been very successful 😄
That’s great Joanne, glad that’s the way it comes across. Bali always delivers tranquility for us. Yup, we are ready to move forward with zest and gusto.
My daughter and her dad love Ubud I’ve never been, but your pictures convey even more than what she’s shared. The food looks amazing. I’m adventurous but I dislike mosquito and bugs which all seem to love to gnaw on me, so that’s the first thing I see in the rice paddies. sigh. Am I way off base?
Jolie, I had the windows open 24/7, and never saw or heard a mosquito. I used a natural repellant in the evenings and the bed had mosquito netting around it.
However, you can see that none of the windows have screens on them, and have never been in a house in Bali where they do. That alone should tell you something! We have never had a mosquito issue, ever, in Bali. Perhaps its the amount of frogs and crickets and geckos which eat them all… or the fact that there is flowing water through the rice paddies due to the extensive countrywide irrigation system.
There are lots of butterflies and dragonflies. I hope you don’t consider these bugs?
Thank you for transporting me back to Bali so beautifully. That ‘sense of calm’ from the countryside just jumped off the page and was delicious.
Wonderful to see you looking absolutely chill back in Ubud. Your final home exchange in Penestanan was over the top terrific. Almost makes me wish I lived ashore again and was dining on Alchemy take out.
Am so happy to see you so happy after such turmoil. You both are my poster children for ‘taken care of by the universe.’
Thanks Lisa.. it’s good to know we could transport you back to Bali with our photos and even make you yearn land. The contrast from a U.S. city to the countryside of Bali, or really, coming from anywhere to Bali, is a gift “from the gods”. One instantly feels chill.
We have done almost 70 home exchanges now, maybe more, yet this one in Penestanan was definitely one of my top favorites.. even though there have been many, it was just perfect for me. The first time we came to Bali, we had an exquisite huge home, completely open air, overlooking terraced rice fields, a pool.. http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2014/02/good-karma-brings-exceptional-bali-home-exchange.html
I had to reread your previous post to make sure it was the same Peta and Ben in this post – I’m getting whip-lash while you are luxuriating!
How in the world (pun intended) do you find FREE home exchanges when you don’t have a home yet? If I were healthier and younger I’d hire you for world tour guides.
P.S. You look geeeeorgous in orange among the green.
Judy. YOU are getting whiplash?! Ha! Imagine how WE feel! 🙂 Bali, the perfect antidote to whiplash….
We are able to continue doing home exchange because not only have we accumulated credit points from before, but as well, we are still renting the home in Sri Lanka because we have exchangers coming until February of next year.
Thanks for the orange compliment. What one must do for a colour blind boyfriend.
Love your pictures of the lush green in Bali. We couldn’t make it there in 2018, but looking at your pictures makes me want to go back someday. Vietnam sounds exciting! We loved it. Can’t wait to read more!
Bali has drawn us back 5 times in 5 years!! Hard for us to believe, but then again, there is no place we feel more healthy and tranquil than right there. Glad that my photos inspire you to want to return. I hope you do get to go back, it is one of those places one must return to as often as possible. 🙂
It’s such a beautiful place and you’ve captured the tranquility to be found there. Bali, especially Ubud, remains high on our list of favourites of all our travels.
Alison
Alison, hear hear. We feel the same way. There is something extremely special about the whole place and I also loved how as a solo woman, I felt completely safe walking around even late at night, along small dark pathways. All the windows in the house were open 24/7 (although it was the second floor) but still, one could not do that without having bars on the windows, in most countries!
I have to be honest here – your blog posts inspire me and awe me – every single one. This one transported me to your ‘de-stress’ travel. You two found the way and the time (and understood the necessity) to take yourselves entirely away from the up-tight situation you were in, to re-balance (to fluff up your auras!) in the most delightful ways. Truly, thank you for taking me with you (in my head, in my energetic imagination, and that counts!).
You also inspire me to open my life to more yoga classes, and to treat myself to more massages (usually I feel guilty if I have two a year).
I commented back to you on my Fluffing Aura post – I’m in the process of reading the book ENERGY MEDICINE by Donna Eden. Excellent!
Pam this is the best feedback!! Thank you. Knowing that by our managing our stress at a macro level i.e. by putting ourselves in the geography that is inherently stressless, we are also inspiring, that is really nice to know!
We go to yoga classes wherever we can find them, no matter the country. And these days, you can find classes everywhere. Yesterday we took a class in Ho Chi Minh city here in Viet Nam and the instruction was in Vietnamese ~ that was pretty funny but really not that important. Massages only twice a year??? No no no no NO. Pam this HAS to change 🙂 Of course in Asia massages cost around $12-$25 maximum, which is a huge benefit of living here for us!! But still, even at U.S. prices, massages are hugely beneficial and part of a wholistic approach to health, gotta get that QI flowing.
You’ve convinced me! I’m booked with an energy med practitioner AND a massage this week. 🙂 Yes, it’s pricey here, but you’re right – it’s worth it for our health. THANKS.
My parents were travelers, my dad planning their next vacation as soon as they landed back home. They were often in Asia, their favorite place being Bali, and described the beauty of the country and its people. My mom was a social butterfly who made friends wherever she went, and lots of their photos show her chatting with locals. They would love your blog and I love traveling with you.
I’m glad your lives are moving forward and that you’ve found respite and beauty.
Your dad sounds like me!! I am always updating my list of new places I want to travel to. Last night, I asked Ben which new countries he wants to travel to, and he was rather dumbfounded.. “are you joking? we have been living out of a suitcase since early April!” Um, yes “and so…?”
Thanks Sharon, looking forward to the next adventure and being back in Viet Nam, a country which we both love and feel very at home in.
Thanks Eileen, it was a much needed time for us. Seeing as we have to be back in S.E.Asia for Ben’s work, it was a no brainer selecting where to spend the time. We are looking forward to our new adventures as well.
Peta i am feeling relaxed just reading your post and gazing at the beauty of the photos. And I’m not just saying that. I could actually feel my shoulders departing from their determined affection for my ears. I am so glad to hear you have had this time in Bali to unwind and recuperate from the stress on mind and body. As always I will be watching here and on Instagram for updates.
Thanks Sue for your lovely words and glad that our time of relaxation and recouping, could affect you. Amazing how the calm of Bali transports even digitally.
Bali looks so beautiful and relaxing! I’m glad you’re unwinding and getting time to recharge your batteries. And thank you for continuing to share your travels with us!
Thanks Ann…our time in Bali provided some very necessary recharging and restoring. Being in the midst of nature, good healthy food and tranquility was hugely beneficial, as always. Living in S.E.Asia now for six years, Bali always delivers a burst of positive energy for us.
What a gorgeous choice for restoring and replenishing your bodies and spirits! I’ve always wanted to visit Bali, and then heard that it had become too touristy—so I’m very happy to see from your post that it is still just as beautiful as I’ve always imagined.
How wonderful to be nurtured with yoga, good food, massage, and nature. You two are very good at gracefully riding the waves of life!
Wishing you all the best in your new chapter of life.
Laurel, we were there in the start of busy season. So yes, the center of Ubud is full of tourists, as are so many wonderful places in the world in summer, yet we find out t relatively easy to get away from the madding crowd. Tourists are like sheep ~ all huddling to a few core “safe” streets…
We definitely ride the waves, and hopefully gracefully ~ thanks thats a lovely compliment. Thanks for the good wishes too.
Peta,
you are truly living EAT, Pray, Love!))) Without the pizza perhaps!
Love love love your life, perspective, zen life, & that bed. OMGGGG. xxx From MN.
Thanks Kim. I think you missed the stressful part of our lives, which was covered in the last post. But happily things have returned to a more zen state of being.. which is how we like it. That bed was just heavenly. The whole house was…
I’m so glad you managed to return to Ubud and I can certainly see why it offers some peace and tranquility, an enjoyable vacuum between two chapters. Truly, a perfect place to relax and enjoy life for a bit. And, I’d love to spend some time here solo as well. Your last home exchange looks like “the suburbs of Ubud”. 🙂
That’s one thing Mark and I never do – take a vacation and get away from it all. A house sit or visit to family, which means comfort for a little while, is as luxurious as it gets! Our break from the road, heat, and dog anxieties. It’s really nice that you both know how to pamper yourselves and take a break when most needed.
Have a fantastic new Global Trek Adventure in Vietnam!
Liesbet, Ubud did provide the perfect respite after the U.S. and before Ben starts his new job. The last home exchange might look like “the suburbs of Ubud” but in fact it is quite central, but perched on a ridge and part of a Balinese village.
Ben is always working… so even in Ubud he keeps going but we are pretty good at stealing moments and finding a balance between work and pampering ourselves, a necessity for dealing with stress and the nomadic lifestyle.
Thanks Liesbet for your support and encouragement.
Hi Peta and Ben, I make sure to read your posts when I can sit and take in the story and fully enjoy the beautiful photos. The words Bali and decompress do seem to go hand in hand. I was not aware an actual duck farm exists. Your photo of the Balinese positive energy made me smile. Very well said how nature always helps to slow things down and restore equilibrium. I did not know places like this existed in the world until I began to follow your journey. Thank you:)
There are actually many duck farms in Bali as roasted duck is a Balinese delicacy. That said, I try not to think about that when I see them and am at least pleased to see that while alive, these ducks have a good life out in the open.
So thrilled that we could introduce you to places that you unaware of before reading our blog. Yay… The world is chockfull of interesting cultures, people and places and we feel as though we have just touched the surface of discovery. The more we travel, the more we add to our list of desirable destinations.
Rice is such an important crop worldwide, and I found your photos of the rice harvest fascinating. I have read that there are green and less green ways to grow and harvest rice. My guess is that the the traditional Balinese approach is more ecologically sound?
Bali looks so beautiful, bright colours contrasting with the lush green. I can see why you find it so restorative.
So glad you enjoyed our photos of the rice harvest.
We have seen this process not only in Bali, but as well in Viet Nam and Sri Lanka, and it is always fascinating to watch and understand. Whether the Balinese approach is ecologically sound, yes, it is all about water management and the optimisation of a limited resource. The water system for water distribution across the rice fields is hundreds of years old, in a good way. The ancient rice farmers understood how to harvest the limited amount of water and as a result Bali continues to be fertile.
Hi Peta and Ben! I’m so glad you both got to spend time in your happy place. Everything about your descriptions and photos radiates peace and beauty. I can’t get over the aesthetics—in the food presentation, furnishings, decor…I can see why you love it in Bali. I hope Ben’s initial meetings go well and you Peta enjoy that absolutely glorious home.
Thanks Caroline… We were both pretty pleased with our choice of destination for the window of down time before Ben starts his job. Bali always delivers on aesthetics and lush nature.
Peta
Ubud is the perfect place to chill.
Indeed it is.
Peta
What a perfect place to transition. May your next adventure bring many blessings to your life.
Yes, and because we have been there 5 times in the last 5 years, it is less about a discovery process and more about feeling “at home” and returning to our favorite spots. Thanks for the good wishes.
Peta
Wow! Hope you’re restored. It certainly looks like the perfect place for it.
Definitely did the trick! Both feeling rested and relaxed. Ben ready to tackle the new work tasks coming his way.
Peta
Your photos are lovely and show a place of amazing beauty and tranquility. Bali’s been on my must visit list for a long time and you’ve managed to show that there are still places off the beaten path and away from the crowds. When I was in Hoi An last year (thank you Peta for suggesting it) I greatly enjoyed my view of the nearby rice fields. As a city person, I am often staggered by my ignorance of how food is grown, harvested and readied for sale so I I found your photos of tilling and harvesting the rice fascinating. I’m so happy that you and Ben have come up with a new direction for moving forward and were able to enjoy some tranquility before seguing into the next chapter. Anita
Anita, absolutely one can definitely get off the beaten path and find tranquility. We frequently hear how both Ubud and Hoi An just have too many tourists these days and are not “what they used to be”. Of course this is true, but if you consider that 95% of tourists do not rent motorbikes and just walk around the few main streets within easy reach of their hotels and which they deem “safe”…. it leaves plenty of space to be away from the crowds.
You make a really good point about the urban folks disconnect from their food source. Whether we talk about farming and veggies or meat and fish, many people don’t really give a lot of consideration to how it is grown and how it gets to their supermarket shelves. One of the reasons we always like to seek out farmers markets to support and eat fresh local produce.
So glad you enjoyed Hoi An so much Anita. I knew you would. Stay tuned for more on that topic…
Peta & Ben
What a perfect spot to regenerate before you start your next adventure. I have one question though, who is looking after the dogs in Sri Lanka? Dot would like to know. xo
Darlene, as you know, we made a commitment to provide economic stability to Nilu and her family for as long as we can. One of her jobs is to feed the dogs daily. As well, the clinic nearby comes once a day down the road with dog food for all the stray dogs in the area. Our dogs, who are actually all stray dogs that live outside, know the routine well and by 4.30 they are always waiting at the rice paddy for the little food truck. Thanks for asking.
Peta
I was sure they were being well looked after and since they are stray dogs, are also good at looking after themselves. It is amazing how dogs can tell time, especially when it comes to food. I am sure part of your heart will always be in Sri Lanka. I do hope and pray that Nilu and her family will be OK at this time of uncertainty. Sending hugs.
Yes, the dogs are fine and the fact that the local shelter does daily rounds to feed the dogs, provides a great deal of comfort. So even if Nilu were to not show up one day, for whatever reason, at least they will get one meal we now for sure. Nilu and her family are all doing well, and we continue to provide financial support. She is still our house manager and will ready the house for upcoming home exchangers. Hugs to you as well xoxo
Glad to hear this and pleased to know the house will be used. I would hate to see that fabulous outdoor bathroom going to waste.
The house will be used, but there are periods that it is still available should you decide you want to get to Sri Lanka with Amanda!! The thing I miss most and always will is that bathroom because it is the best bathroom EVERY! That said, I am appreciative of the continuous lessons of non attachment. In each place we live there are wonderful things and they will be different things. So you gain some, you lose some. It is part of our nomadic lifestyle and reality. Acceptance of impermanence and delight at the things we do have.
Peta
As always, you guys know the right way to attack (or ease into) a new adventure. The Ubud area seems like a perfect transition zone, and that last place looks like a dream! Best of luck to Ben as he starts his new business venture and to both of you as you try to discern next steps for your Sri Lankan place.
Well put Lex. Actually it is both “attack” and “ease” ~ the yin and the yang of moving countries. Bali always delivers the perfect place to rest and be in optimal health. The last exchange was one of the best ever, and I was sorry that Ben could not share it.
Thanks so much for the support and encouragement.
Peta
I think it would be so interesting to watch a rice harvest. Glad you found some peace and harmony before you begin this new chapter.
Patti the rice harvest IS fascinating to see. We have been in Bali and Viet Nam and Sri Lanka at various stages of the process. It is also fun to watch how quickly the seedlings grow. But Bali is unique in the sense that the rice harvest takes place on the beautiful cascading and undulating terraces that have been carved out of the rolling landscape many generations ago.
Thanks Patti.
Peta
Can’t wait to see Bali some day for myself. Also I love your orange dress Peta.
I love doing my clothes shopping in SEAsia with my own personal fashion consultant, Ben. He has very strong ideas about what he likes and doesn’t like, and he loves colourful fabrics and interesting designs. Thanks, I love the orange too. It is actually a on piece jumper which I wear with a belt and it ends up looking like a dress.
Cost: $6 Ubud
Peta
I’m very happy to see you move on to your next adventures/jobs. Seems you two are able to adapt to any situation or environment and make it happy, serene, fulfilling and exciting. Good luck and enjoy!!
Boyd, so nice to read you here. Well you know Ben… he is a HIGHLY adaptable creature. More so than me, but I love the change and the journey as well. “Happy, serene, fulfilling and exciting are always positive things to strive for!
Ben adds “This was a close one…..!” And if you not sure what he is talking about, read the LAST post.”
Hugs
Pete
It looks so beautiful! The ducks marching along are cute and made me smile.
Late afternoon each day, the duck farmers would walk behind their flocks in the rice paddy. The sounds of the ducks happily quacking along was a memorable sensory experience. We had a particularly good vintage point from our little tower next to the house, which overlooked the rice paddies.
Peta
Your pictures of Bali were just as I had imagined it. So lush and green. I’m not sure the owners of your last home exchange would be able to get me to leave, though.
Bali is all that and more. Lush, green, tranquil and restorative. Proof of my love for Ben, I left this glorious home slightly earlier than scheduled when he managed to finish his meetings earlier than expected. It was not easy to do… But on the other hand, I knew that he and Vietnamese food were awaiting me on the other end. So ya know… But I think we will be back to that house again!!
Peta
All’s well that ends well! How lovely to have this time to relax and recover. Your last home is simply gorgeous.
This time period, as a buffer between the U.S. and starting a new life adventure has been essential. I definitely needed to relax and recover as honestly I still felt somewhat shellshocked. And Ubud for me is my go to place of optimal tranquility and importantly, good health. I am in love with that house, it was PERFECT for me. I love fresh air, lots of it and I love light and space.
Peta
Peta, your home stays look amazing and I’m so happy for you enjoying some peace, quiet and relaxation in Bali. You are right — there is no other place on earth with its vibe and focus on wellness. My soul misses Asia so much — the kindness of the people, the greens of the jungle and bamboo forests, and the belief that life should be barefoot and unhurried. Soak up every minute of that Balinese magic! I can’t wait to read more about your unfolding adventure. xo, Kelly
Kelly, it is actually different to a home stay, where you are renting a place. This concept is “home exchange” which we have done for years now and is free of charge and one exchanges one’s home base for other homes anywhere in the world. We receive guest points when people stay in our home in Sri Lanka (and before that in Nicaragua) and we use up these points when we stay in other homes around the globe. Such a great system.
Yup, here in Ubud, we both feel healthier than any else. Probably due to the almost 100% plantbased meals we typically turn to, the ease of going to yoga and most importantly, the nature and the high positive energy that prevails from the locals.
Kelly, you totally got it right! Barefoot and unhurried says it ALL!!!!
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I can’t wait to read about our unfolding adventure as well 🙂
Peta
Beautiful photos. What an amazing place to relax before hectic and wonderful Saigon.
Thanks Carly. It was hard to select photos as we took so many gorgeous ones. It is not hard to do in Bali!!
Great to balance the hectic out with Balinese serenity.
Peta
Hi. I loved Bali and went about 5 years or so ago. It reminds me how lucky we are to see such beautiful places. Curious what’s Bens new job? Are you moving? Or settling into a new place? Glad you are enjoying all these lovely yoga and massage places. I’m teaching here in south Florida, doing my ball work and body work. Come visit.
Heidi, you probably missed the LAST post which tells the whole suspense story of where we are at and why?
We are always moving as you know, given we are nomadic creatures. The new consulting work is a surprise and exciting return to the exotic world of bamboo. Ben still has his basket of aerospace projects in Sri Lanka and India, but these are all pretty long term efforts and don’t require on the ground presence.
Much love to you Heidi. Nice to read you.
xoxo
P
Favorite pics – Peta on the couch sipping juice and Ben doing pullups on the tree. Great post – glad you guys are having a blissful transition <3
Yay… first family member commenting on this post 🙂 About your dad doing the pull ups, when he was at 4, some people went by on the path, so I starting counting aloud, 24, 25.. And they were, wow, thumbs up all the way!! Hahaha.
Did you catch the previous one from the U.S. ?
Yup, blissful indeed.
Big love
xoxo
P
I love reading your posts and following your adventures. Would you mind explaining exactly how these home exchanges work where you stay for just a few days at different places. It’s amazing to see the opportunities you put together in one night.
Thanks.
Steve, one day we will finally get around to doing a post on home exchanges. But in the meantime, here is how it works:
You sign up to http://www.homeexchange.com online. It costs about $150 a year (more or less), and then you post photos and a description of your home, just like one might do for Airbnb. The system generates a value based on a questionnaire, for your house. That is, how many guest points it costs per night for someone to stay. Alternatively one can also do simultaneous and non simultaneous exchanges (although of course harder to arrange but definitely do-able).
Over the years, we have stayed in almost 70 homes and hosted people in our home while WE travel, in Nicaragua and Sri Lanka. It is all based on supply and demand and also a unique culture of trust because you stay in people’s homes. Either while they are travelling or if it is their second home in some cases.
Some places are large, some are tiny. We have stayed in a huge enormous mansion overlooking the bay of San Francisco and in a studio apartment in Paris. On a stunning houseboat in Amsterdam and a colonial guesthouse in rural Goa in India. People also love staying at our little cottage nestled in nature in Sri Lanka, precisely because it is so different.
Some places are hard to find homes, and some times (like New Year and Christmas), it does take WORK. That is one of the jobs I do within our couple. Ben gives me the dates and I take the time to find them. Sometimes it all falls together very quickly and easily, other times it can take a long time to find something that works.
https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/973677
That’s the link to our listing FYI. Hope that helps. Feel free to email me for more questions or info: petakaplan@hotmail.com
Peta
Peta, you found some real gems for your home exchanges. It all looks so lush and fresh and the food is like from the pages of a glossy magazine. I hope Ben’s trip has also been very successful 😄
Yup Gilda, we really struck gold with these exchanges. Stay tuned for the next post with Ben’s news…
Thanks for stopping by to read us.
Peta
Hi Peta et Benjamin. Lovely to hear from you. What’s the new job ?
Love form Lolo.
Lolo! Ah you missed a critical post, the one before this one… do go back, because it was a Hitchcock like thriller. (Ca vaux la peine!) Bisous!
Ben
Your post provides a tranquility that almost permeates the computer screen. LOVE it!! Hope you both are now in a blissed state for this new chapter!
That’s great Joanne, glad that’s the way it comes across. Bali always delivers tranquility for us. Yup, we are ready to move forward with zest and gusto.
Peta
My daughter and her dad love Ubud I’ve never been, but your pictures convey even more than what she’s shared. The food looks amazing. I’m adventurous but I dislike mosquito and bugs which all seem to love to gnaw on me, so that’s the first thing I see in the rice paddies. sigh. Am I way off base?
Jolie, I had the windows open 24/7, and never saw or heard a mosquito. I used a natural repellant in the evenings and the bed had mosquito netting around it.
However, you can see that none of the windows have screens on them, and have never been in a house in Bali where they do. That alone should tell you something! We have never had a mosquito issue, ever, in Bali. Perhaps its the amount of frogs and crickets and geckos which eat them all… or the fact that there is flowing water through the rice paddies due to the extensive countrywide irrigation system.
There are lots of butterflies and dragonflies. I hope you don’t consider these bugs?
Peta
Thank you for transporting me back to Bali so beautifully. That ‘sense of calm’ from the countryside just jumped off the page and was delicious.
Wonderful to see you looking absolutely chill back in Ubud. Your final home exchange in Penestanan was over the top terrific. Almost makes me wish I lived ashore again and was dining on Alchemy take out.
Am so happy to see you so happy after such turmoil. You both are my poster children for ‘taken care of by the universe.’
Big Hugs from Grenada.
Thanks Lisa.. it’s good to know we could transport you back to Bali with our photos and even make you yearn land. The contrast from a U.S. city to the countryside of Bali, or really, coming from anywhere to Bali, is a gift “from the gods”. One instantly feels chill.
We have done almost 70 home exchanges now, maybe more, yet this one in Penestanan was definitely one of my top favorites.. even though there have been many, it was just perfect for me. The first time we came to Bali, we had an exquisite huge home, completely open air, overlooking terraced rice fields, a pool.. http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2014/02/good-karma-brings-exceptional-bali-home-exchange.html
Peta
I had to reread your previous post to make sure it was the same Peta and Ben in this post – I’m getting whip-lash while you are luxuriating!
How in the world (pun intended) do you find FREE home exchanges when you don’t have a home yet? If I were healthier and younger I’d hire you for world tour guides.
P.S. You look geeeeorgous in orange among the green.
Judy. YOU are getting whiplash?! Ha! Imagine how WE feel! 🙂 Bali, the perfect antidote to whiplash….
We are able to continue doing home exchange because not only have we accumulated credit points from before, but as well, we are still renting the home in Sri Lanka because we have exchangers coming until February of next year.
Thanks for the orange compliment. What one must do for a colour blind boyfriend.
Peta
Love your pictures of the lush green in Bali. We couldn’t make it there in 2018, but looking at your pictures makes me want to go back someday. Vietnam sounds exciting! We loved it. Can’t wait to read more!
Bali has drawn us back 5 times in 5 years!! Hard for us to believe, but then again, there is no place we feel more healthy and tranquil than right there. Glad that my photos inspire you to want to return. I hope you do get to go back, it is one of those places one must return to as often as possible. 🙂
Peta
It’s such a beautiful place and you’ve captured the tranquility to be found there. Bali, especially Ubud, remains high on our list of favourites of all our travels.
Alison
Alison, hear hear. We feel the same way. There is something extremely special about the whole place and I also loved how as a solo woman, I felt completely safe walking around even late at night, along small dark pathways. All the windows in the house were open 24/7 (although it was the second floor) but still, one could not do that without having bars on the windows, in most countries!
Peta
Glad it all worked out in the end. 😍💕
Thanks Johanna, it usually does….
Peta
I have to be honest here – your blog posts inspire me and awe me – every single one. This one transported me to your ‘de-stress’ travel. You two found the way and the time (and understood the necessity) to take yourselves entirely away from the up-tight situation you were in, to re-balance (to fluff up your auras!) in the most delightful ways. Truly, thank you for taking me with you (in my head, in my energetic imagination, and that counts!).
You also inspire me to open my life to more yoga classes, and to treat myself to more massages (usually I feel guilty if I have two a year).
I commented back to you on my Fluffing Aura post – I’m in the process of reading the book ENERGY MEDICINE by Donna Eden. Excellent!
Pam this is the best feedback!! Thank you. Knowing that by our managing our stress at a macro level i.e. by putting ourselves in the geography that is inherently stressless, we are also inspiring, that is really nice to know!
We go to yoga classes wherever we can find them, no matter the country. And these days, you can find classes everywhere. Yesterday we took a class in Ho Chi Minh city here in Viet Nam and the instruction was in Vietnamese ~ that was pretty funny but really not that important. Massages only twice a year??? No no no no NO. Pam this HAS to change 🙂 Of course in Asia massages cost around $12-$25 maximum, which is a huge benefit of living here for us!! But still, even at U.S. prices, massages are hugely beneficial and part of a wholistic approach to health, gotta get that QI flowing.
Thanks for the book recommend, it sounds good!
Peta & Ben
You’ve convinced me! I’m booked with an energy med practitioner AND a massage this week. 🙂 Yes, it’s pricey here, but you’re right – it’s worth it for our health. THANKS.
YAY! Good for you! Glad to have impacted your life in a positive and practical way. YEAH!
P&B
My parents were travelers, my dad planning their next vacation as soon as they landed back home. They were often in Asia, their favorite place being Bali, and described the beauty of the country and its people. My mom was a social butterfly who made friends wherever she went, and lots of their photos show her chatting with locals. They would love your blog and I love traveling with you.
I’m glad your lives are moving forward and that you’ve found respite and beauty.
Your dad sounds like me!! I am always updating my list of new places I want to travel to. Last night, I asked Ben which new countries he wants to travel to, and he was rather dumbfounded.. “are you joking? we have been living out of a suitcase since early April!” Um, yes “and so…?”
Thanks Sharon, looking forward to the next adventure and being back in Viet Nam, a country which we both love and feel very at home in.
Peta
Hoorah for destressing. You have obviously got that part down pat. So, glad for you after such turmoil. Looking forward to your new adventures.
Thanks Eileen, it was a much needed time for us. Seeing as we have to be back in S.E.Asia for Ben’s work, it was a no brainer selecting where to spend the time. We are looking forward to our new adventures as well.
Peta
Peta i am feeling relaxed just reading your post and gazing at the beauty of the photos. And I’m not just saying that. I could actually feel my shoulders departing from their determined affection for my ears. I am so glad to hear you have had this time in Bali to unwind and recuperate from the stress on mind and body. As always I will be watching here and on Instagram for updates.
Thanks Sue for your lovely words and glad that our time of relaxation and recouping, could affect you. Amazing how the calm of Bali transports even digitally.
Peta
Bali looks so beautiful and relaxing! I’m glad you’re unwinding and getting time to recharge your batteries. And thank you for continuing to share your travels with us!
Thanks Ann…our time in Bali provided some very necessary recharging and restoring. Being in the midst of nature, good healthy food and tranquility was hugely beneficial, as always. Living in S.E.Asia now for six years, Bali always delivers a burst of positive energy for us.
Peta
What a gorgeous choice for restoring and replenishing your bodies and spirits! I’ve always wanted to visit Bali, and then heard that it had become too touristy—so I’m very happy to see from your post that it is still just as beautiful as I’ve always imagined.
How wonderful to be nurtured with yoga, good food, massage, and nature. You two are very good at gracefully riding the waves of life!
Wishing you all the best in your new chapter of life.
Laurel, we were there in the start of busy season. So yes, the center of Ubud is full of tourists, as are so many wonderful places in the world in summer, yet we find out t relatively easy to get away from the madding crowd. Tourists are like sheep ~ all huddling to a few core “safe” streets…
We definitely ride the waves, and hopefully gracefully ~ thanks thats a lovely compliment. Thanks for the good wishes too.
Peta
Peta,
you are truly living EAT, Pray, Love!))) Without the pizza perhaps!
Love love love your life, perspective, zen life, & that bed. OMGGGG. xxx From MN.
Thanks Kim. I think you missed the stressful part of our lives, which was covered in the last post. But happily things have returned to a more zen state of being.. which is how we like it. That bed was just heavenly. The whole house was…
Peta
I’m so glad you managed to return to Ubud and I can certainly see why it offers some peace and tranquility, an enjoyable vacuum between two chapters. Truly, a perfect place to relax and enjoy life for a bit. And, I’d love to spend some time here solo as well. Your last home exchange looks like “the suburbs of Ubud”. 🙂
That’s one thing Mark and I never do – take a vacation and get away from it all. A house sit or visit to family, which means comfort for a little while, is as luxurious as it gets! Our break from the road, heat, and dog anxieties. It’s really nice that you both know how to pamper yourselves and take a break when most needed.
Have a fantastic new Global Trek Adventure in Vietnam!
Liesbet, Ubud did provide the perfect respite after the U.S. and before Ben starts his new job. The last home exchange might look like “the suburbs of Ubud” but in fact it is quite central, but perched on a ridge and part of a Balinese village.
Ben is always working… so even in Ubud he keeps going but we are pretty good at stealing moments and finding a balance between work and pampering ourselves, a necessity for dealing with stress and the nomadic lifestyle.
Thanks Liesbet for your support and encouragement.
Peta
Hi Peta and Ben, I make sure to read your posts when I can sit and take in the story and fully enjoy the beautiful photos. The words Bali and decompress do seem to go hand in hand. I was not aware an actual duck farm exists. Your photo of the Balinese positive energy made me smile. Very well said how nature always helps to slow things down and restore equilibrium. I did not know places like this existed in the world until I began to follow your journey. Thank you:)
Thank you Erica for so many lovely compliments.
There are actually many duck farms in Bali as roasted duck is a Balinese delicacy. That said, I try not to think about that when I see them and am at least pleased to see that while alive, these ducks have a good life out in the open.
So thrilled that we could introduce you to places that you unaware of before reading our blog. Yay… The world is chockfull of interesting cultures, people and places and we feel as though we have just touched the surface of discovery. The more we travel, the more we add to our list of desirable destinations.
Peta
Rice is such an important crop worldwide, and I found your photos of the rice harvest fascinating. I have read that there are green and less green ways to grow and harvest rice. My guess is that the the traditional Balinese approach is more ecologically sound?
Bali looks so beautiful, bright colours contrasting with the lush green. I can see why you find it so restorative.
Jude
So glad you enjoyed our photos of the rice harvest.
We have seen this process not only in Bali, but as well in Viet Nam and Sri Lanka, and it is always fascinating to watch and understand. Whether the Balinese approach is ecologically sound, yes, it is all about water management and the optimisation of a limited resource. The water system for water distribution across the rice fields is hundreds of years old, in a good way. The ancient rice farmers understood how to harvest the limited amount of water and as a result Bali continues to be fertile.
Peta