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Initial Bali Snapshots

I’m in love with Bali. It’s truly one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited, and the people here could not be any nicer. I’m a little behind on posting, so I’ve compiled our first few days in one post and will share additional pictures from our cooking class, trip to Padang Padang beach (where they filmed Eat, Pray, Love), dinner at Jimbaran Bay, and elephant ride soon.

Food

Eight Degrees South – great Mediterranean food
Suku – tasty Asian cuisine with nightly Balinese dance performances
Azure – our poolside go-to for lunch
East – a casual dining spot at the Conrad
Sakala – a phenomenal food experience – a trust “must” in Bali
Lakeview Cafe – delicious Asian buffet with breathtaking views
2Day Cafe – as close to a warung (local restaurant) as we’ve tried – great veggies
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Experiences

Relaxing at the gorgeous Conrad Bali lagoon pool and beach
Eating miso soup and drinking freshly squeezed mango juice for breakfast
Practicing outdoor yoga and exploring Nusa Dua by foot
Watching the awe-inspiring Devdan Show (think Cirque du Soleil + So You Think You Can Dance?)
Trying fresh Luwak coffee (read this to find out how it’s made)
Exploring the Balinese coffee plantation, Santi
Witnessing a perfect rainbow between Mt. Agung and Mt. Batur (sleeping volcano)
Trying lots of fresh fruit (except the stinky durian fruit – see Sasha eating it below)
Enjoying the cultural Barong and Kris Dance performance
Our favorite so far – praying in Bali’s holiest water at Tirta Empul
 

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Morning view from our room

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Where you’ll find us (every second day – 50% culture, 50% tan!)

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Temple style watch guard points

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I’m never leaving

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Miso and mango for breakfast

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Onsite temple

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Practicing my yoga moves (outside of the 7:30 Sunrise Yoga class)

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My poolside Summer Salad and Sasha’s hamburger – is there anything better?

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At the Kris and Barong Performance

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Evil and Pure Spirits are fighting (can’t you tell?)

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Amazing costumes in play at the performance

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Two of the main performers

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Waiting to pray in the holy springs at Tirta Empul

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Lots of people and things to be praying for

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Sasha looks darn good in a sarong (I’m totally biased)

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Trying teas and coffees at Santi Plantation

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The freshly picked coffee beans and spices at Santi

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In front of Mt. Batur

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A gorgeous rainbow outside of Lakeview

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Sasha being brave and trying durian

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Me being less brave and trying mangosteen

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Durians look as unappealing as they smell (and taste!)

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 presetMy only picture at Devdan before getting scolded for taking pictures!

The Wedding Preview

I am so blessed to have a best friend whose boyfriend is equally as talented at picture-taking as she is, or else I would have no photos to share of the wedding until I get our official ones back from Ryan in a few weeks! Sophee and Johnny captured some precious moments from both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding day. Sasha and I got married on July 19 at The Carneros Inn in Napa, and while everything didn’t go as expected (to be explained momentarily), it was the most perfect day of my life…

As mentioned last week, I fainted during the ceremony (honestly, who does that?). All of those warnings to eat food, drink water, bend your knees, etc. are not to be taken lightly. Fainting runs in our family, so neither of my parents were surprised when 15 minutes into the ceremony, Sasha asked me, “Are you okay?” To which I replied, “No,” then subsequently fell onto his shoulder and he placed me on the ground. A whole two minutes later, I wake up to a host of very capable people putting ice on my neck and holding me in the right position. I had two doctors and a paramedic at the wedding, so I was well-taken care of. After going inside to cool off, we returned outside – to continue the ceremony seated (with parasols – see pictures below). I was in good spirits about the entire event – you truly cannot let anything ruin this special day. It also helped that Sasha scooped me off my feet to carry me inside, which his groomsmen swear was all planned to make him look like a knight in shining armor. The rest of the evening went without a hiccup – the speeches, food, drinks, company, and dancing were all incredible. I cannot wait to share Ryan’s pictures with you when they arrive. In the meantime, here are some that Sophee and Johnny took. Thank you to them both! Love y’all so much.

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