A summer to remember

Tomorrow summer is over for real as our students start again after their holiday, but all I can think about is all the great memories from this summer. 

Work started last week with many changes which I enjoy, and I actually think they will make quite a big difference compared to last year. One very positive aspect of starting work is getting back into routines, especially working-out and eating healthier. Summer didn't exactly start the best way with my stomach so I had some trouble maintaining my daily work-out. Therefore, I don't mind starting a new semester as summer will continue in my dreams. 

Last days in Kuta, Bali

The final days of our holiday in Indonesia were relaxing and simply fantastic. I spent many hours on the beach just thinking about how great this trip was and how lucky I felt to be lying there on a perfect white beach looking at surfers catching the perfect wave. There were in fact quite many moments where I felt rather thoughtful, thinking back on this past year, all the good moments, and also the difficult ones. Nonetheless, to be able to end summer with a holiday of this kind with a really close friend was indescribable, not once did I feel unhappy or sad... Or actually, that's not quite true, I cried as the plane took off on our way home, can't explain why, but it made sense. I had been in a dream for nearly two weeks and now I could feel reality approaching. Back to every day life. Although it was a bit hard to come home knowing summer is almost over, I am filled with wonderful memories for life.

Ulu Watu

Booked a day trip with our hotel and got a private driver all day, just for the two of us. We went to Ulu Watu Beach first and took a drink in a café looking over the cape. But seeing it was our last day on Bali before heading back home, we really wanted to spend some time on a nice beach, so the driver took us first to Padang Padang beach, a rather small but pretty beach. We went for a swim there until we were taken to Balangan Beach, which was fantastic! In order to enjoy the true Indonesian life, we had Nasi Goreng for lunch in a little café right on the beach. After lunch we simply relaxed under a big umbrella, reading, eating ice cream and taking in the amazing view of the turquoise ocean and clear blue sky.

Gili Islands

Riding around Gili Trawangan

West side

A beach in the north

The marina

Tanah Qita (Bungalows)

Three nights, four days, definitely among my top ten best days ever! We arrived at lunch with a speed boat, the trip from Padangbai (Bali) took one hour and was very comfortable (can't say the same thing about the return trip...) After having payed for one night in a room that we basically just took as everything else seemed full, we were so incredibly lucky later on as we stumbled upon a bungalow that was available for all three nights. There was no debate, it was truly perfect, it even had an open roof bathroom! During our stay we hired bikes to be able to get around the island and discover new places, which we did on the west side, a bar/restaurant on the beach that we had  almost to ourselves. 

The days were spent on the very beautiful beaches while the nights were spent first having nice dinners at restaurants on the beach and then drinks and dancing at the several bars/clubs. Late night walks along the beach were amazing and so peaceful, probably my best memory of this trip.

Bali baby

Arrived in Bali six days ago and have had an amazing time so far. We stayed our first four nights in Kuta and were both quite impressed. Our hotel was located close to the beach, shopping and restaurants which was very convenient. After getting used to Bali time, we enjoyed all the good things Kuta has to offer, among other things, watching the sunset from a infinity pool in a roof top bar, eating typical Indonesian food and surfing of course!