Bali Group Pics

For my last post I wanted to give a shout-out to everyone on the Bali 2013 trip! I'm so thankful to have met each and every person and so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people <3

Here's the crew:

Love, 

Jenn

Fear & Love...

Today we visited Ulun Danu Temple (below), it was absolutely breath-taking.  On our way to the temple I had a 1.5 hour conversation with one of our group members, Christine.  She's in her 70's, extremely smart and witty AND hilarious, and so much fun to be around (you would honestly think she was in her 50's!).  She taught me something I will always keep close to my heart: Fear vs. Love.

                                     

                                     

"There are only two emotions in the world, only two emotions we can express, and those two emotions are LOVE and FEAR. All the other emotions, are nothing more than subcategories of these two. Where there is LOVE, we may have peace, joy, content, serenity, forgiveness. While on the other hand, where there is fear, we will have anxiety, sadness, depression, fatigue, judgment, guilt and so on. You see, where there is LOVE, fear can not survive, and where there is fear, LOVE can not survive."

With LOVE,

Jenn

My Home For the Next Week - Komaneka Bisma

For Part 2 of my journey, I am staying at the Komaneka Bisma Hotel in Ubud.  Ubud is about 1.5 hours away from the city center (Denpasar) and is absolutely amazing.  One of my favorite things is that the entire staff knows you by your first name! In case you didn't know, I now go by "Ms Jennifer" or "Hiii Miss Jennyyyy" (lol!). They are amazing!  We were assigned a personal assistant upon our arrival, mine is named Kasume (pronounced Kah-soo-may).  Every time I come "home" from a long day of sightseeing and adventures, I come back to a bath full of flowers, an inspirational quote on my night stand, and a short Balinese bedtime Story to read.  My thing on this trip has been flowers, and my room is always covered in them!

Here are some pictures of the Hotel and my room:

My View:

Traditional Balinese lunch on my Terrace - Sate Ayam Madura aka Chicken & Veggie Skewers with sweet red spices and peanut sauce with a side of steamed rice and fragrant rice! (Yum!)

My Balinese Bath and me!

Infiniti Pool & View from my Terrace

Xo,

Ms. Jennifer :)

Week 1 in Review (Part 1) - Five Great Faiths

Week 1 has been jam-packed with activities, sightseeing, trying new foods, and spending time with Balians (Balinese healers). What an awesome week! I found myself saying "information overload", mostly because it was ALOT to take in!  

So...Today I took a "Jenn Day" and decided to stay at the hotel, enjoy breakfast, watch the rain sprinkle on the beautiful forest from my balcony, and catch up with my friends and family. I sure do miss you guys!! 

Last week we visited the site dedicated to the "Five Great Faiths". It's the only place in the world that has 5 places of worship for 5 different faiths all on one site (how cool is that!?) There was a Buddhist Temple, a Hindu temple, 2 Christian churches, and a Mosque (Islam). 

My favorite was the Buddhist Temple. Here are a few pics:

Love,

Jenn

Greetings from Bali - Last night at Nusa Dua Beach

What an eventful 2 days it has been in Nusa Dua! Yesterday I got to experience the Bahtik-making process! I even got a chance to make my own pattern! The Bahtik process consists of drawing a pattern on fabric with a manual wax-like ink. Bahtik patterns are used for sarongs and sashes for use as formal temple-wear.  The textiles in Bali are so unique and most fabrics are made through an extensive dyeing, knitting or drawing process.  The history behind the Balinese textiles is so meaningful, and the sarongs are used as a way to mark milestones throughout one's life. I'll share more on this later! 

Check out my super-cool Bahtik pattern (lol!) the patience and focus it takes to make this and not make a mess is insane!

We also had dinner at Jimbaran Bay while watching the sunset. It was AMAZING!

Tomorrow we head to the mountains to Ubud! So excited!

Xo

Jenn

Good Morning from Bali!!!

Breakfast by the pond at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel

Dear in-flight Wi-Fi, I Love You..

Well, my journey to Bali has officially begun! Lets just put all of this into perspective, it's Saturday (crack of dawn), and I will arrive in Bali on Monday Morning! Wow! Blame it on the change in time-zones and international date line! plus the 25+ hour flight. 

 

Survival Kit: 

*In-flight playlist: Jack Johnson Radio on Spotify 

*In-flight must-haves: "chill-pill" aromatherapy oil, iPad, travel & leisure magazine, and Eat, Pray, Love iBook. 

*What am I sipping on: no, not champagne! Geez! Coffee, water, coffee (for now).

And for those of you still wondering where "Fiji, Mali, or Bali" is..please refer to the map below lol!

Love,

Jenn