December 21, 2015

I leave Manila a few days before Christmas.  The thought of being alone wasn’t the least bit bothersome.  Instead, I was overflowing with excitement and gratitude.  I will be able to spend the holidays celebrating life and caring for the person I have occasionally neglected in the past – me.

I started my 2-week Balinese retreat in Kayumanis Ubud.  A luxury resort deep in the heart of Ubud, Bali.  And I say deep because it’s a wonderfully long drive from the main road to the lobby.  The exclusivity makes you feel like you’re in for some intense self loving!  Surely enough, I spent my long 2 days there swimming in my private pool, taking a cooking class, going on a village tour and getting the most amazing massage at their world class spa.  I guess you could say I was on a honeymoon with myself, too.  I was kidding around with the hotel staff that Kayumanis Ubud is the perfect place for baby-making… or hiding by yourself (like what I did).  Merry Christmas to me, indeed.

This is just the beginning of a long series of my Bali adventures.

One of the many walkways covered with lush greens. You barely see other people walking.

The entrance to my villa.

My private pool and outdoor living and dining room. It also has a kitchen where I did my Balinese cooking class.

Best duck dish ever! Stewed then roasted and served with long grain rice and sambal.

I learned how to cook soto ayam! Traditional Indonesian chicken soup with glass noodles.

Also cooked my favorite chicken curry with fresh curry paste we also made.

Klepon is a dessert made with glutinous rice flour, dipped in desiccated coconut and has coconut sugar in the middle.

Urap Urap Sayur is a vegetable dish made with grated coconut, chilli, kefir and cassava leaves.

Stay tuned for the rest of my Bali adventure.