One of my resolutions this year was to go on a creative escape – go somewhere for a week or so and focus solely on learning new things, relaxing and really immersing myself in the place. After a bit of research Bali stood out as a fantastic place to go because of the sheer number of different creative things you can do on the island, and so I started planning a creative escape to Bali!
You’re probably thinking that travel is a creative activity, and it’s true that you see and experience so much it’s hard not to get inspired and learn more about the world. But sometimes we travel and don’t really immerse ourselves in it that much – perhaps we spend a bit too much time by the pool scrolling our iPhone or stick to the resort and barely scratch the surface of the local culture. One way I’ve worked out that really helps to know a place better is to do something creative – learn from a local artisan or do a cooking class. Those are the experiences you truly remember. I admit that sometimes you totally want to do nothing and relax by the pool, but this wasn’t one of them!
As I mentioned, I decided this year to travel with the sole purpose of learning and immersing myself, and chose Bali as the place I would do that this year. My bestie Nicola came along with me and it was such an incredible thing to do. Read on for more.
Further Reading: Ubud Travel Guide, Seminyak Travel Guide, Uluwatu Travel Guide, Canggu Travel Guide, Ubud Art Market Guide, Indigo Dyeing Class
A Creative Escape To Bali
As a way to structure our trip, we put together the ideas of exploring, creating and relaxing. I did a lot of research prior to work out the different things we would do when we were there. These types of trips are more intensive to plan but it’s worth the time.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing with you features of the different things we did, but here I thought I would share with you our itinerary, and some sneak peeks of the things we got up to – lots of making, exploring and… eating! Oh yeah, I forgot to say that yummy Balinese food was a big attraction for going to Bali 🙂
Logistics
Our trip was 9 days long and we visited Seminyak, Uluwatu, and Ubud, spending the majority of the time in Ubud. We hired a driver to take us to the different places we wanted to go so it was stress free. We used a lovely guy called Putu (email rulianata88@gmail.com or phone/whatsapp: +6282146768973).
Creative Classes
It wasn’t hard to find creative things to do in Bali, and it’s so nice to visit somewhere where there are so many local artisans. We did an amazing cooking class, a ceramics class at Gaya Ceramics and an Indigo Dying class at Threads of Life, both organisations that combine culture and making.
Wellness
Another appealing thing about Bali was just how much of a focus on wellness, meditation and relaxation there was. Every hotel we stayed in had daily sunrise yoga which was such a great way to start the day*. The other thing that we tried to do was integrate some of my digital downtime ideas into our trip, taking moments to relax and clear our minds a bit… We also ate healthy local food and *tried* not to drink (but you know how I feel about a glass of wine at the end of the day week).
Stay tuned for travel guides for Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu, as well as guides to our ceramics and indigo dying classes!
We put together this little map of Bali for you, hopefully it will inspire you to go on your own creative escape.
Creativi-tea (with a side of deep fried banana).
My first ever ceramics class…. It was so much harder than I expected.
Early mornings at the produce markets.
I’m really excited to share all the details of each area we visited, as well as more about the creative classes we did.
*Guys I’m really getting into Yoga! I think I might be one of those annoying people who always talks about it now…
Map by Natalie Ong, photos by Nicola Lemmon.
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this looks amazing, and such a good idea. Looking forward to seeing more of what you got up to.
Mel x
http://mediamarmalade.com/
Thanks gorgeous, I’m so happy to hear that!
Bali sounds like the perfect location to get grounded and try some new things! Gorgeous photos <3
Abigail Alice x | take a look at my Morphe 350 giveaway!
Thanks so much!
I am glad that you enjoyed my hometown 🙂
I hope you got a chance to Warung Pulau Kelapa (restaurant) in Ubud! Their menu, down to the beverage selection, are all local recipes
Oh amazing, sadly not!
Love your photos! Looks like such a fun trip <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
It truly was 🙂
Very interesting and inspiring! I would love to hear more about the classes, wear you found them, how you booked and how much it costed 🙂
Yes cant wait to share more and excited to hear you are interested!
Bali looks like such a beautiful and calming place. the snippets of what you purchased are stunning as well!
http://dearswithlove.co
Hahahaha it’s hard not to spend up big in the markets 🙂
Do you have any tips for avoiding Bali belly? I really want to go next year for my birthday but my husband keeps discouraging me with his claims that I have 60% chance I will get sick. He spent almost 2 weeks there in fever and sick =( I dont know if its just bad luck or if its pretty common….
Lucia | http://www.thevivalavita.com
I am so happy you have asked that because I kinda feel like this is my forte :). After living in Sri Lanka when I was younger I feel like the rules we applied then still apply whenever you visit a developing country that might not have the same water treatment/food production standards you’re used to. I am actually going to do a full post on this because getting sick on holidays is something I feel people gloss over, and I put in a lot of work to not get sick when I travel. In short though, a) obviously no ice or local water at all – eating, drinking teeth brushing etc b) avoid fresh and raw salad foods i.e. anything fresh that hasn’t been peeled c) eat what the locals eat. Anyway more coming soon on this topic. 🙂
That’s great, I look forward to it!
I want to go here so bad because it looks and sounds so peaceful!
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
It was. Omg like a dream.
Bali looks lovely! Really, stunning photos.
Thanks so much! Cant wait to share more. x
Looks so peaceful, i would love a vacation there.
Its a great one to put on your list.
I love that you always take creative classes on your journeys, I would love to do that someday as well! Bali really looks like a magical place!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
It was very much, as so much more so because we really immersed ourselves!
Love this!! x
Marveling-Mind☀ | Instagram | Bloglovin’ ✨
So happy to hear that!
Oh my gosh the BAGS!!! It looks like shopping heaven! I’m sure you could even have one made to your specifications.
I really love your idea of taking a class while you’re visiting a place. A lot of my traveling is spent touring, but this seems like a rewarding way to immerse yourself and meet people. I’m heading to Santa Fe next month, so I’m sure I can find something fun to do there! Have you been?
http://www.shessobright.com
Anything you can do to see a different side of a place really changes your perspective on it. Something I love the most is when you get a really great teacher who is local. For our indigo dye class we had such a lovely local man who really taught us so much – more than just the dye process but about local traditions and his experience growing up.
Your trip looks amazing, but I have to say I’m focused on that white dress– details please!
Which one? I’m wearing on my Spell Byron Bay (top photo) and one by Paddo to Palmy. xxx
Top of my list. For. Sure.
xx,
Chels
http://www.chelseaasoflate.com
Thats so great to hear!
This has made me want to visit Bali so much! Lovely pictures!
http://www.jessicablu.com
Thats so great to hear Jess!
Oh my dear! I am super excited about your upcoming posts! I am going to Bali in June and hope to get the inspiration and advice in time to plan my trip too <3
How did you get a ceramics class and at how many different hotels did you stay? Also with your driver, did you have to pay all his expanses while he was with you?
Lots of hugs and love
Michaela
Michaelablog
Bloglovin
Hi there! Thats so great, I’m happy to be able to help you out. I will be posting all the details you’re after in the next couple of weeks so you’ll have time to plan 🙂
Yay So nice 🙂 Thank you Geneva <3
Down time by the pool sounds amazing.
However on escapes, I hardly ever rest.
I love that you tried pottery and you went to the local markets.
Those flowers are so bright and cheerful!
Kiri
Set to Glow
http://www.settoglow.com.au
I know what you mean. I actually have had quite a relaxing trip in Sri Lanka, my friends were keen to travel at a slower pace for this one and it was just so nice. So it’s good to mix it up! But for the Bali trip we were go go go.
I know, I rarely tick of my goals until Dec 29th but this time I planned ahead 🙂
What an amazing experience that was, love the photos!!
Thanks so much so glad to hear you like them! x
My boyfriend and I are travelling two months in Asia and have so far LOVED all your guides to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Vietnam (we are sitting in L’usine in HCMC right now!), so we are quite exited that you are making guides for Ubud and Seminyak, as we are going there in the end of the trip in the beginning of May. Hope your guides will be ready by then (; Again thank you for your wonderful word and tips. Love from Denmark.
OMG what a coincidence. I love that place! Its super cool. In fact I love all of Vietnam. Yes I’ll be sharing full guides for all the places I visited and the things we did. Can’t wait!
Wow that looks and sounds amazing. What a wonderful experience and how great that you had a friend to share it with.
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
Yes it was so lovely to have Nicola, we are so close after working together for so long! xx
Im going To Bali in sept so cant wait to read all your ‘creative escapes’ !!
Great! more coming soon!
That looks like a little paradise on Earth 🙂
It was!
stunning pictures! Bali has been on my bucket list for ages and now i have even more reasons for why i’d want to go. What an amazing blog! You’ve inspired me so much. Just started my travel and lifestyle blog http://ellierochax.com if you have time to check it out and share your thoughts x
Thanks so much gorgeous! Good luck with your blog!
Wow, amazing pics… such a cool experience!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
It was!
What a great idea to take a trip for creativity! I love the idea of going somewhere to learn more and become creative =o) Looks like a perfect trip =o)
https://dreamofadventures.com/
It really is the best way to travel 🙂
Such an awesome post! Bali looks amazing, need to put it on my bucket list!
xx Mirjam | http://www.miiju.ch
You totally do!
Everything looks like so much fun. Absolutely amazing pictures! ~ Christa
http://theavidpen.com
Thanks gorgeous!!
I’ve always wanted to visit Bali 🙂 I love the way you travel; I love immersing myself in the culture of the country that I’m visiting <3 Loving all of these gorgeous photos too!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
It’s such an amazing way to travel if you can do it that way!
Bali is on my list as a top destination! It looks like such a beautiful place, and the perfect destination for a creative escape.
Gorgeous photos!
Christina | http://www.cuddlepill.com
It totally was, cant wait to share all the details.
Bali is really a fantastic place to travel. Always willing to go there but let see Expedia has any offer to take me there or not 🙂
Thanks for your post
Sameera Lyra
Gorgeous photography! I’d like to travel to Bali one day. I love that you’re getting into yoga 🙂 I think I’ve turned into one of those annoying yogis too. Have you tried Bikram yoga? It’s my favourite.
I’ve tried hot yoga but never Bikram, so want to! Thanks for reminding me.
Hi Geneva! I remember reading one of your earlier post (about basket weaving if I recall) and that got me the will and inspiration to right my latest post ! https://marquiseelectrique.com/en/5-reasons-to-spend-your-next-sewing-holidays-in-peru/ . Can’t wait to read about all those interesting experiences :-).
OMG so stunning. I so want to go to Peru, what a life changing experience. And so creative!
Ah ah thx! If I even went on a world tour, I would choose the country by looking at “where are the nicest, sweetest people on earth?”. And well Bali would be on the list (I remember Balinese people displayed great kindness to strangers, and were so graceful generally speaking) and well Peru would be on the list too!
Your pictures look amazing and can’t wait for your guides to help me with planning my own Bali trip for later this year! But a more pressing question: where are those bikinis from?? Absolutely gorgeous 🙂
They are Fella swim! 🙂
You read my mind 😉
It’s Paddo to Palmy! xx
LOOOOOVE your blog !! I’m planning a trip to Bali and was wondering if you could please tell me where you got those amazing bags ? I need them in my life!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f05d2492afeaefbc6b8d0265fbabf8d3d0b4201b2162fb280e039b27621dfa1a.jpg Hi, I like your blog
Come visit to Rammang-Rammang Village at South Sulawesi
https://www.instagram.com/abdullahhafid73/
Very nice and beautiful home made craftwork this is a amazing peice of work in bali,Happy to see want some of them.