Un(bali)evable Spring Break!

It's that time of year again: Spring Break! It's the time of the school year when college students, and sometimes even high school students, head off to popular vacation destinations like Puerto Rico, Cancun, Miami, and other sunny locations. It's often filled with fun adventures, late nights, great memories, and plenty of stories to tell afterward.

School breaks provide the perfect opportunity to step away from a busy schedule and experience something new. And what better way to spend a break than by exploring a different part of the world?

My Spring Break looked a little different from the typical American college experience because I was studying abroad in Australia. In fact, Australians don't even call it Spring Break. Since it's actually autumn here, the week is usually referred to as "Study Week." Most Australian university students spend the time relaxing at home, catching up on work, or earning some extra money. Traveling during this break isn't nearly as common as it is in the United States.

Since I was already living in Australia, I wanted to take advantage of my location and visit somewhere that would normally be difficult to reach from the United States due to the distance, travel time, and cost. A few girls from my study abroad program and I decided on Bali, Indonesia.

Before this trip, I didn't know much about Bali. It had never really been a destination at the top of my travel bucket list. However, after spending time there, I can confidently say that Bali completely exceeded my expectations, and I would absolutely love to return one day.

My journey to Bali started early with a 2:00 a.m. shuttle ride to Brisbane International Airport. From there, I flew to Denpasar, Bali. The flight took about six hours, and when I arrived, I was slightly jet-lagged since Bali is two hours behind the Gold Coast.

One of the first things I noticed after landing was the difference in climate. Compared to Australia, Bali was much hotter, more humid, and noticeably more tropical. Since Indonesia is located much closer to the equator, the weather felt very different from what I had become accustomed to in Australia. While the Gold Coast was transitioning into autumn with milder temperatures and lower humidity, Bali felt warm, humid, and lush.

Fortunately, the weather throughout the trip was excellent. Although we experienced a few brief rain showers, they passed quickly and never interfered with our plans.

During my time in Bali, I traveled with a tour group of about 12 people, and I would highly recommend this approach, especially when visiting a destination you're unfamiliar with. Having a tour guide provided valuable insight into the local culture, traditions, and history that I may not have learned otherwise.

There are many advantages to traveling with a group. Not only is it often more cost-effective, but it also gives you the opportunity to meet people from around the world. Traveling with a group can make navigating a new destination easier and safer, and it often provides access to unique experiences that would be difficult to arrange on your own.

My Spring Break lasted 10 days, and those 10 days turned out to be some of the best of my life. The trip was filled with adventure, cultural immersion, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. Along the way, I met incredible people, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and experienced a completely different part of the world.

Bali was more than just a vacation. It was an opportunity to learn about a new culture, challenge myself, and gain a greater appreciation for the world beyond my own. In the next few blog posts, I'll share more about the adventures, experiences, and unforgettable moments that made my time in Bali so special.

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