My first day was spent in Ubud, the heart of Bali. I stayed in a little villa surrounded by rice fields and palm trees. I woke up to the sound of birds and roosters every morning. I visited the Sacred Monkey Forest and, believe it or not, a monkey climbed on my backpack and tried to unzip it! I didn't know whether to laugh or panic, but luckily, a guide helped me out.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting the Tirta Empul temple. I took part in a water purification ceremony with locals and other travelers. Stepping into the cold, clear water and moving from fountain to fountain was so peaceful and meaningful. It felt like I was letting go of stress I didn't even know I had.

Of course, late like royalty the entire week. Nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay with peanut sauce, and fresh mango juice with every meal. One night I even took a cooking class in a local home, and we cooked everything from scratch. The host family was so kind-they treated me like one of their own.

The last few days I spent lounging on the beaches of Seminyak and watching sunsets that didn't look real. I even tried surfing... I wiped out more than I stood up, but it was still awesome.

Bali wasn't just a trip. It was an experience I'll never forget.