I can still remember every detail of my train ride from Surabaya to Banyuwangi to start my one-week trip to Bali. As the train rolled by vast, green rice paddies, rows and rows of lush palm trees, beautiful rushing rivers and villages filled with smiling people waving, I realized I hadn’t booked anywhere to stay once I arrived in Bali. I took to trusty ole Trip Advisor and started looking for a place to stay. Knowing that I wanted to learn how to surf I started emailing places to see if they could take a last minute reservation. By the time I was boarding my ferry, I had two options, Pelan Pelan in Canggu or another place whose name I can’t remember now. I emailed Emma back confirming my stay and the rest was history.
By the time I had gotten to Indonesia, I had been traveling for two months staying in different hostels and homestays. When I arrived at Pelan Pelan Bali and saw my room with a big bed and my own bathroom, I cried. Yes it’s embarrassing but after 12 hours of traveling on 3 different modes of transportation, I was able to take a hot shower and climb into a comfy bed in a properly air conditioned room. It was heaven. Despite the ungodly hour I arrived at both Emma and Putu came to greet me and told me surfs up at 8am. Excited to get on a board in the morning, I fell asleep dreaming about how I was going to become a pro surfer. And then I over slept.
So Day 1 didn’t turn out as exactly I expected it to so I put my new surfing career on hold and ventured out for an organized day tour with the rest of the Pelan gang. I had met many amazing people on my trip at this point, but this group took the cake. There was Rev, the queen of the Cool Mom’s with a heart made of pure gold, the Brothers, Chris and Sam, who were an absolute blast to be around at all times and Veronika, Dr V, one of the smartest women I’ve ever met, even with her “holiday brain” and who became my travel buddy and a great, great friend.
The week to follow was filled with scooter adventures, Bintangs, surf disasters and successes, complete relaxation, music, amazing food and a lot of laughs. My surfing improved, my yoga improved and our little “family” bonded even more. Our time at Pelan Pelan was slowly coming to an end and one by one we said goodbye to Rev, the Brothers and eventually Dr. V, Putu and Emma. I still had many more destinations on my list after I left Pelan Pelan but my time in Bali made a lasting impression that refuses to fade.