Bali Bliss Sept 2025 – Eat, Rest, Self-Love Tour

A Gentle Beginning in Ubud

Our first days were all about slowing down, recovering from the long flights, and letting Bali wrap us in her warm embrace. Ubud welcomed us with bustling streets alive with scooters, curious shops, and the scents of incense and spices drifting on the air. We even had the unexpected honour of witnessing a royal Balinese cremation ceremony, a vibrant celebration of life that humbled us all.

Exploring Ubud is a feast for the senses: dragon fruit sorbet, goats’ milk shakes, treasures in every shop. But one of the sweetest highlights was Ketut’s Cooking Class. Nothing bonds a sisterhood more than laughter around a table, “action shot” pictures, and preparing an authentic Balinese feast together. The boiled banana with palm sugar caramel was a showstopper, and my heart sang with joy as we shared the meal we had created.

Purification & Sacred Moments

Day 3 began with hearts full of anticipation as we visited Pura Tirta Empul, the sacred water temple. Wrapped in ceremonial sarongs, offering baskets in hand, we stepped into the holy waters. Moving from “Now,” to “Past,” and finally to the Well of a Thousand Wishes for the Future, we released what no longer served us and embraced fresh intentions. Soft tears flowed, hugs lingered, and our circle of sisterhood deepened.

From there, we journeyed to Besakih Temple, the mother temple of Bali, standing since the 1100s. Guided with grace and humility, we soaked up its history and reverence. Later, we laughed and sparkled at the iconic Monkey Bar @ Bella Kita, sharing divine food, cocktails, and “Say Monkey!” photo moments in the infinity pool. It was a day of sacredness and joy in perfect balance.

Monkeys, Palaces & Dance

The days that followed carried us deeper into Bali’s rhythms. At the Sacred Monkey Forest, cheeky monkeys reminded us that mischief exists everywhere (yes, even in Bali!). We wandered through temples, marveled at ancient statues, and explored the Royal Palace of Ubud before being mesmerized by the Legong Dance performance, a cultural treasure of delicate eyes and graceful movement.

Swinging into Self-Love

One of our most unforgettable mornings was at the Bali Swing. Dressed like goddesses, each woman soared above the rice fields, laughter echoing as adrenaline and awe collided. The Butterfly Park followed — a gentle reminder that women, like butterflies, can be both fragile and magnificent. Lunch at a waterfall day club sealed the day with music, cocktails, and shared sparkle. This was the moment Eat, Pray, Love shifted to Eat, Rest, Self-Love.

Waterfalls, Craft Villages & Sanur Serenity

Our transition to Sanur was paved with waterfalls, moss-covered carvings, and villages dedicated to the arts of woodcarving and silversmithing. Watching the patience and skill of these artisans was deeply humbling. At last, we arrived in Sanur, our seaside haven for the next chapter of our adventure.

At GWK Cultural Park, we stood in awe beneath the fourth-highest statue in the world — a marvel of engineering and devotion. Rain may have shifted our plans, but Bali always offers her own gifts: fresh seafood, laughter over crazy group pictures (South Africans never back down from a challenge ), and moments of pure gratitude.

Temples, Storms & Ocean Adventures

From the mystical Uluwatu Temple and its rare white monkey to the spectacular Kecak Fire Dance, Bali’s culture continued to amaze. And then came the turquoise waters of Nusa Penida — Broken Beach, Kelingking, dolphins at play, and cocktails under the sun. Nature reminded us that her beauty is raw, unfiltered, and breathtaking.

As our final night arrived, laughter and tears mingled over a farewell dinner. Strangers had become sisters. Hearts felt lighter. Memories, everlasting.

Full Circle

And then, as the sun rose on our last morning, my beautifully grown birds — the travelling sisterhood — spread their wings homeward. Though the tour ended, the memories, love, and connection remain forever.