Indonesia
I Almost Messed Up – Big Time
Travel tip - don't frantically search for a visa 6 hours before your flight. It's a really bad idea. Back when I was planning for this trip, I did all of my visa research. Every country that I would be visiting offered a visa upon arrival. All except one: Australia....
You Need GO-JEK
GO-JEK is one of my top 10 favorite things about Bali. It's like Uber, but on steroids. Basically GO-JEK is a transportation service for almost anything you can think of. They can be a taxi service, a courier service, food, grocery, or prescription delivery service,...
12 Cafes and Counting …
Before I left on my trip, many of my friends back home asked if I was nervous about making friends while I traveled abroad. I thought that was a super valid thing to question. I would be traveling for 9 months - how would I make friends? Will I get lonely? After being...
*cough cough* I’m Sick
Despite my valiant efforts of avoiding the bug going around, I woke up this morning with a sore throat and runny nose. So my main agenda (besides brunch - duh) was to drink as many vitamins as I could get my hands on. I’m so lucky that juices here in Bali are...
Just Me, a Beach Beanbag, and This Sunset
You would think by this point I would be tired of brunch, iced coffee, fresh fruit smoothies, fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon … yeah, just kidding. Lawd knows I’ll never grow tired of that. However, today was a bit different - I was specifically on the hunt...
My Brunch Game Is Strong
Story time with Meagan: Back in college, I worked a banquet job that paid me minimum wage with part-time hours. Each paycheck barely gave me enough money to pay my basic bills each month - forget about splurging on fun things. After college, I didn't really have a job...
The King of Instagram Locations in Canggu
By tourist standards, I've stayed in Canggu for a while now. I make it my mission to go to a new brunch spot and/or coffee cafe every day. (I know, my life is so hard) But y'all - I have found the King of Instagram-worthy spots in all of Canggu (probably). I heard...
Christmas Shopping While Sweating Buckets
Lately I've been having an inner struggle. And that struggle is Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas as much as the next person. Ok, so maybe not thaaat much because there are a lot of crazy Christmas fanatics out there. But once the Thanksgiving turkey is...
Echo Beach Vibes
I had two things on my agenda today: 1) drop off my dirty laundry to get washed - super crucial 2) check out Echo Beach. I've heard so much about the iconic Echo Beach. These waves cater to the advanced, so I was simply curious to see the professionals at work. You...
Crate Has the Best Brunch
Crate is basically the hippest, hoppin'est brunch spot in Canggu right now, and I think that's well-deserved. Just look at my beautiful, delectable breakfast. I already ate it, and it's still making me drool. And the price ain't bad either. My smoothie and my...
Going To the Clinic for My Ear Infection
If I've learned one thing while traveling, it's this: it's a lot more enjoyable if you go with the flow. That's not to say you can't have a plan. I love plans - a lot. Back home my friends used to call me "The Planner." But sometimes most of the time, things won't go...
Oh Look, Another Spa Day
At this point I really feel like a broken record. "Hi, I'm Meagan, and I go to the spa whenever I can." But you know what? ... it's completely true. Haha! It's just so temptingly affordable to get a 2-hour massage (like we're talking $10). This opportunity absolutely...
Bucket List Item: Swim With Sea Turtles
I didn't have a lot of expectations or qualifications for Gili T. I just had dreams. Aspirations. I heard a few weeks back from my scuba instructor that you can find sea turtles over by the Gili Islands, and I tried really hard to keep my excitement at a comfortable...
Our Private Infinity Pool Overlooking the Jungle
Travel days are usually not very fun, but they're especially not fun when you're leaving your fancy-pantsy villa in the middle of Ubud's jungle. Like, can't I just live here for forever? Is that allowed? And can someone else pay for the bill? Here are a few things...
I’m Terrified of Monkeys
I thought I was going to die multiple times today. Such intrigue, right?? Ok, so let me explain. Christen and I signed up to ride ATVs through Ubud's jungles. Sounded completely cool and standard. We got to the office, strapped on some mud boats and helmets, (did not...
Casually Watching a Volcano Erupt at Sunrise
Today was going to be a long, action-packed day, and I was so excited for it. I was not, however, excited about my 4:15am alarm. Christen and I quickly got ready so we could meet our tour guide promptly at 5am at the hotel lobby. We grabbed our little breakfast boxes...
Finding Waterfalls in Ubud
When it comes to sleeping, Christen and I were the perfect pair. She's jet lagged; I have longterm exhaustion. But that also means that we weren't in any hurry to check out of our hotel. Like no hurry at all. 2:30pm rolls around, and we're finally loading our taxi and...
A Much Anticipated Visitor Finally Arrives
If you've been following my adventures for a while, then you'll know that I often crave one thing: the familiar. Being able to experience new things every day every moment is such a unique thrill. But it's also exhausting. Sometimes I just want the comfort of knowing...
Driving My Scooter to Shop in Seminyak
Ever since arriving into Bali, I've been itching to go shopping. The clothes are so cute and perfectly my style - beachy and colorful. But since being here, I haven't found the time to really shop around. Until today. Today it was my mission to hit the shopping hot...
Thanksgiving at a Texas-Style BBQ Restaurant
Day 178: the first day I felt homesick. When planning this trip, I knew I would be spending several holidays away from home and family, but I was ok with that. But when this idea became a reality staring me right in the face, it felt really different. I wanted to be...
My Scooter Stopped Working
Braving the streets of Bali by scooter is basically a right of passage for every foreigner. The roads are organized chaos; you haven't fully lived until you approach a four-way intersection that lacks a stop sign or stop light. And today I took my scooter (that costs...
Learning to Ride a Motorcycle in Canggu
Canggu (a district of Bali) has a lot going for it. Private villas, trendy coffee shops, local designer brands, etc. But my favorite aspect to Canggu? Brunch. Its brunch game is strong. This morning I woke up to a Facebook message from my hostel friend Tama asking,...
Surviving the Immigration Office
Here in Indonesia most travelers can visit with a free 30-day visa that you get upon arrival. They've made it all incredibly easy. But what if you want to stay longer than 30 days (such as myself)? Then you have to jump through some hoops. So here I go ... beginning...
Just Another Spa Day in Bali
Back home I'm a total frugal pamper-er. A spa day for me includes buying a face mask from Target and letting it set while I watch Gilmore Girls. Total price: $3 But while I've been in Bali, I've decided to splurge on the spa days. With a spa being a 2-minute walk from...
Swimming with a Manta Ray (!!!)
Let's just discuss how terrifying underwater creatures are. Like you're 100% in their turf. If they want to eat you, they easily can. And that's super scary. And yet, I strap on a tank and swim down 18 meters into the open waters of Bali. Cause that's a good idea,...
Channeling My Inner Mermaid
So basically I've found a new world, and I want to stay there forever. I'm just going to throw it out there - Ariel is crazy for leaving. But let me rewind. I started the morning by jumping into a van at 6:30am with my scuba diving class. We drove for about an hour...
Learning to Breathe Underwater
I only have one really big fear (ok, besides my ridiculous fear of whales). I'm afraid of suffocating. When I have a panic attack (like when I walked through that tunnel in Croatia), it's always because I'm afraid that something dramatic will prevent me...
The Cutest Hostel That Ever Was
I checked out of my hotel with clean laundry, a full tummy, and a rejuvenation. I felt ready to leave Lombok and tackle all of the adventures that Bali held in front of me. I was really feeling on top of it when Lombok airport security killed my good vibe. Mind you, I...
Goodbye Surf Camp, Goodbye Gerupuk
Because it’s check out day, a lot of us had a slow start to the morning. I woke up, ate some pancakes, and began packing up my things. It’s pretty easy to pack when practically everything is dirty. You just stuff it all in, and you’re done! While packing, I basically...
Our Last Full Surf Day
It’s hard to believe that two weeks just flew by. It’s like I blinked, and now I have to pack my bags. It feels just like yesterday that I was worried about this surf camp even existing - and also really paranoid about getting bed bugs. And now? Now I’m leaving with...
I Got My Surf Photos! (Including Wipe Outs)
After two weeks of surfing and three surf photo days, I was given a flash drive with all of my surf photos on it! I'm super pumped to be able to share with you my progress in surfing!! You can finally see what I've been bruising myself over (that's more in the wipe...
All About Mind Over Matter
Today I just didn’t want to surf. I was tired, mentally drained, and to be honest, a little moody. I just didn’t feel like spending hours in the sun and getting pummeled by waves. And I think that’s pretty reasonable. But I also knew that I had the strength to push...
Today Was a Monumental Day
After surfing in Costa Rica for a week with Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, I was just barely able to catch my own waves. But having taken a 5-month break to travel through Europe, I was really nervous about surfing again in Indonesia. I didn’t feel mentally or physically...
We Really Like Our Boat Trips
Just another day where we casually wake up, pack up the boat, and cruise for about an hour to a secret surf location. I mean, it’s a hard life but someone has to do it, you know? Long boat rides give plenty of opportunities such as sleeping, tanning, eating … etc. I...
I’m Excited About a Mall and Movie Theater
I’ve now been staying in Gerupuk village for eight days, and surfing for seven. Not to say that I’ve disliked my time so far - I’ve actually had a really great time. However, a bit of R&R in some good ol’ A/C was just what I needed. Today was our Break Day, and we...
A Quick Getaway to Kuta
Today my surf group had a lovely sleep in since our session didn't go out until 10am. What a treat! I was able to eat breakfast, do some stretching, work on the balance board for a bit, and apply my sunscreen in a very relaxed pace. It was wonderful! After six days of...
Boat Rides and Waves Breaking Left
Today we had another boat trip planned for a secret surf spot about an hour or so away. A lot of the campers were excited about this surf spot because the waves broke left. Surfing Lingo Lessons with Meagan: The direction that a wave breaks can matter quite a bit...
I Will NOT Get Sunburned Today
On my second day out surfing, I got sunburned on the back of my legs and arms. On my third day out surfing, I tried my best to lather up on the sunscreen again but was ruthlessly beaten by the sun. So today? I am NOT getting sunburned for a third day in a row. My body...
Getting Tumbled in the Impact Zone
Ok, so I realize that not everyone reading these posts will understand the very obscure surf terminology that I use. I thought it might be beneficial to break it down so you can follow along for the next two weeks! Wave: just kidding, you know what that is 😉 Break:...
Oh, I Remember This Exhaustion
Today I remembered it all again. Surfing is hard. This morning started with waking up at 6:45am for a surf session. Compared to my surf camp in Costa Rica, we took boats out instead of swimming from shore to get to the break. It felt a lot like valet service, and it’s...
First Day of Surfing in Lombok
The last time I was on a surf board, I was back in Costa Rica five months ago. Which just blows my mind because the beginning of this trip feels like a lifetime ago. A dream of a dream. I awoke promptly at 5:20am to the sound of rosters crowing. Ok, look - I’m a city...
Does This Surf Camp Even Exist??
The night before in the hotel, I arranged a driver to take me to Gerupuk village for this afternoon. I was so incredibly relieved to know that my driver knew where Gerupuk even was. It’s small village that doesn’t even pop up on Google Maps. I’m heading out to this...
Being a Millionaire in Indonesia
This question literally just went through my brain: “Should I pull out 3 million or 4 million from the ATM?” I wish we were talking about USD. If we were though, what the heck would I be spending it all on? Which brings up an interesting question - if you had a...
Oh Hello, Jet Lag.
I landed in Jakarta after a long day of travel the day before. Not only was jet lag hitting me hard, but I also only got about 2 hours of sleep on the flight. So I was pretty dang tired going through border control. Indonesia requires that you have a visa, but it's...
Onwards to Phase 3: Indonesia
As a cheap frugal traveler, I generally opt to fly budget airlines. Like super budget. So budget, in fact, that one airline actually went bankrupt leaving over 100,000 travelers stranded in airports just days after I flew with them to Croatia. When I recently flew to...