What Would Happen If...: ... You started trusting strangers?

Relying on the kindness of strangers has been key in the way this whole trip has unfolded. While we didn't have much of an agenda at the beginning (more of a rough outline), that flexibility has lent itself to seeing new places and opening new doors we may have missed had we gone by the guidebooks. As helpful as they can be, the key is that they are guides. Starting points for other adventures to unfold.

Anna and I landed in Denpasar, Bali thinking we would probably head straight to Ubud and just book something when we arrived. A few hours before I got a message from an old friend Antoine - a French guy I had met on a family trip to Jamaica four years ago. Antoine and his friend Bruno were couch surfing and we ended up hosting them for a few days and all became good friends. Oddly enough, Antoine had just gotten to Bali and was going to be there for two days. So we switched our plans and headed south to Kuta to meet up with them. The world really does seem a lot smaller on this trip and I love when these weird coincidences happen. Side note: thank god for Facebook.

After catching up with Antoine and his friend Arnaud and spending a few days partying and laying on the beach in Kuta, we headed north to Ubud which feels way more like the Bali I was expecting. First impressions are: super friendly people, much less touristy/partying (Kuta was basically a spring break for Australians), amazing healthy/organic food, lots of yoga/meditating/healing classes, and beautiful scenery. We met a lovey Balinese man named Widia when we arrived who smiled from the inside out and told us all about his paintings and all the nearby attractions. We followed him to his guesthouse and lucked out with this adorable bungalow tucked away in a little stone alley - a beautiful spot we never would have found on our own. I'm feeling so happy to have met happy little Widia and get to explore this awesome city!

Anna and I spent the day riding bikes and sightseeing around Ubud. We went to Monkey Kingdom (of course) and got up close and personal with the chimps... I got a little too close and got snarled out/almost attacked a few times but I made it out alive. Anna keeps reminding me that monkeys are mean and unpredictable but I swear they must sense a kindred spirit in me because I usually have good luck with them. Anyway, after the monkeys we rode on and saw some beautiful ride terraces and more of Ubud. So far I love this place and it may be vying for the #2 spot... Next to Koh Rong of course. More to come!

Annnnd a few pics:

Reunion with Antoine (left) and his friend Arnaud at Kuta's biggest/scariest 5 level bar "Sky Garden"