Bali Blog - Part I
Jetlag is real but so is paradise
After an intensive month, I couldn’t have been more excited to go on a trip with my favorite travel buddy - my daughter. So, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, our adventure kicked off: Zürich to Bali via Singapore.
The first flight? Smooth sailing (or rather, smooth flying) because Singapore Airlines is hands-down my favorite airline. Seriously, other airlines, please take notes. Thank you. The 12-hour journey flew by thanks to an endless selection of movies, unlimited snacks, and impeccable service. And the cherry on top, the cabin wasn’t an arctic tundra, and for once, there were no annoying passengers around us. Even the crying babies were strategically placed at the front - bless the seating gods. To the baby mothers reading this: don‘t be offended, I was a baby once, I had a baby once - but yeah past tense.
Our stopover in Singapore Changi Airport was, as always, a delight. If airports were theme parks, this one would be Disneyland. So much to see, do, eat, and shop. Honestly, you could easily spend a couple of days here.
my favorite airline
one of the pros of traveling with a child, first ones to board
Now, you might be wondering (or not, but I’ll tell you anyway): Why Bali? Well, I’ve been twice before, but let’s just say luck wasn’t on my side. The first time? Food poisoning. The second? I had to be hospitalized just after landing in New Zealand, courtesy of severe salmonella poisoning. But to be fair, this was 14 years ago - before Tripadvisor, online reviews, and, most importantly, before I developed common sense and stopped eating homemade mayo and chicken that was never refrigerated from random food stalls. I learn my lessons the hard way lol. But what do they say? third time’s the charm.
Bali ticks all my boxes: culture, beach life, cheap but good massages (massages are life 
), a laid-back vibe, and stunning, affordable accommodations. So we will be living like queens - except we’ll be sleeping in king size beds 
. Oh, and bonus: this trip adds a new country to Lani’s travel list - Indonesia makes it 25 for the little globetrotter.
For Kuta, I booked us into the Bali Dynasty Resort - a 5-star beachside hotel for just €110/$120 per night. Pretty sweet deal, especially since it’s basically a paradise for kids. Their kids’ club lineup includes yoga, Balinese cooking, and even a watermelon-eating contest (where was this when I was a kid?!). Oh, and they have their own mini waterpark and a climbing wall. Honestly, I’m a little jealous - adulting is overrated.
first of many coconuts 
After check-in, we lounged at the pool, wandered around Kuta town, and then, in my infinite wisdom, I decided a foot massage was just what we needed after 14-hours of flying. Minor detail: I had slept a grand total of two hours on the plane (Lani managed five). So, of course, mid-massage, she passed out completely, and I was this close to joining her. But I fought for my life to keep my eyes open because falling asleep felt…disrespectful. Like, what’s the etiquette here? Is it a compliment to the masseuse? A bit rude? Either way, I powered through while internally questioning all my life decisions.
electricity Balinese style
what I am trying my living room to look like
it's a match!
okey 
after being asked 243 times ig we want braids, we got braids
sushi lovers 
Bali, where being a red flag 
is a good thing
happiness level 10/10
Bali Dynasty Resort, paradise for kids
all-time favorite
in my element
feeding the hungry koys
it’s giving off the White Lotus vibes
taking in the sunset 
breakfast of champions
relax - unwind - reflect - breathe
Bali Blog Part II -
Massages & Floating Breakfasts: Living the Bali Dream
When in Bali, be prepared to constantly hear: “Taxi?”, “Massage?”, “Braids?”- on repeat. Eventually, we caved and said yes to the latter too. So now Leilani and I are rocking braids… just like all the 6-year-old Aussie girls around here
. Living our best braided life!
Is there a downside to Kuta? Yeah, there are a few. It’s hard to ignore the heartbreaking sight of homeless mothers with young children and elderly women begging or sleeping on the streets. It leaves you feeling helpless (even if you offer some money and food, it’s just a quick fix). You feel guilty for living a more comfortable life - and it’s the kind of image that stays with you long after you’ve walked past. The beach isn’t exactly the postcard version of paradise either - lots of plastic waste and it can get very crowded, at sunset for example. And then there’s the traffic… during rush hour, even a 3 km ride can easily turn into a 40-minute crawl. And crossing the street is a test of courage with all of them motorbikes (they wont stop until you make them).
A few recommendations for Bali/Kuta: For transportation, use the Grab app (it’s like Uber) - it saves you the hassle of bargaining over prices.
For food delivery, Gojek is your best bet.
For SIM cards, you’ve got a few options: buy one right outside the airport at the Telkomsel stall, get an eSIM online via Airalo (my usual go-to or this time I used Maya because it was cheaper).
Important: only stay at the Bali Dynasty Resort if you have kids - seriously. About 90% of the guests are Australian families, and the whole place is basically built for kids/families. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, this probably isn’t your vibe and there are so many other great options like the the Anvaya Beach Resort next door. Even I need some peace and quiet after all that excitement - and that’s saying something, considering I came second in water golf and Leilani totally crushed it in the watermelon eating and splash contests!
“when life gives you a hammock, lie in it” quote by Marisa Emery 
traveler doing what travelers do best: traveling
the hotel geese
Ubud
After 5 days in Kuta, it‘s time to move on to our next destination Ubud. Ubud is a cultural and spiritual heart of Bali, nestled among lush rice paddies, forests, and hills in the island’s interior. Known for its vibrant arts scene, yoga and wellness retreats, traditional crafts, and serene atmosphere, Ubud offers a peaceful contrast to Bali’s busier coastal areas. It’s a hub for those seeking a deeper connection with Balinese culture, nature, and spirituality.
Wana Bucu Villas
yes 
this kid is so chill
greetings to my sister
strolling along the Ubud street market
Açai lovers
rice field 
the coconut man
manicure & foot massage for €6
protected from the mosquitoes 
great read - might even change your life
We are staying at Wana Bucu Villas, a stunning, intimate retreat just a short walk from the town center. Each villa features a private pool, an outdoor bathtub, spacious accommodations and elegant decor for €160 per night. You can even book massages in your room, and that‘s of course what I did. A massage a day keeps the tension away - true story! And as a bonus, Lani got to have breakfast in the pool on a floating tray, which was her highlight and a check off my Bali bucket list.
the alternative to breakfast in bed
love love love
beautiful rice terrace
adrenaline junkie #1
adrenaline junkie #2
vitamins with a view
In Ubud, we took the time to enjoy our villa. We hopped between cute cafés, browsed the local market, strolled through the rice fields, and hired a driver to take us to the famous rice terrace - which was absolutely stunning. And there are these crazy swings that we of course had to try. After that we drove to Tirta Empul Temple where we experienced purification ritual. Wearing a sarong, we stepped into the sacred spring, joining others in moving from one water spout to the next. With each flow over my head, I felt something heavy lift - old thoughts, tension, maybe even a bit of fear. It was quiet, personal, and deeply grounding. I didn’t expect to be moved the way I was, but I left feeling lighter and more centered - like a spiritual reset I didn’t know I needed. Total zen mode activated.
purification ceremony with holy water
A popular spot in Ubud is the Monkey Forest - but we decided to skip it. Leilani is not exactly a fan of monkeys, which is totally fair considering her past trauma. When she was little, we visited the Rock of Gibraltar, where around 300 Barbary macaques live. A whole troop of them ambushed her stroller. It was actually quite scary! Luckily, we were holding her at the time, but yeah… not exactly a cute monkey moment.
I can totally relate to her fear. At Angkor Wat in Cambodia, I once got attacked by a monkey too - though in my case, I wasn’t exactly innocent. I was casually strolling around eating a banana (this was also back in the days before I developed common sense, obviously). Rookie move and I don‘t even like bananas that much! Good thing I was fully vaxxed for rabies and tetanus at the time lol
The wildest monkey encounter I’ve ever witnessed though? That was at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve in South Africa. A baboon (those creatures are huge) went full action-movie mode, chasing an Asian tourist who was holding a bag of chips. There are signs everywhere saying not to carry food, and this woman just kept clutching the chips for dear life while we were all yelling, “DROP THE FREAKING CHIPS! THEY’RE NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE!” Absolute chaos - but also a solid reminder: monkeys don’t play.
the crazy monkey gang 
I get it buddy, I have a weakness for chips too
Oh, and if you are interested in how much things cost in Bali here are
Approximate prices:
• Bottle of water: €0.20
• Ice cream: €1.50
• Fresh coconut: €2.50
• Fresh juice: €2.50
• Beer: €2–3
• 1-hour massage: €6-7
• SIM card with data: €15
• Taxi ride: €3–5
• Scooter rental (per day): €5
Bali = budget-friendly paradise!
And just for fun, I’ve decided to include a massage counter that’ll be updated in every part of the blog - because why not?
Leilani: 4 massages
Marisa: 9 massages
Yes, finally winning at something!
Gili Islands
Bali Blog Part III -
Next up: even more tropical than Bali - the Gili Islands! 
Just off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the Gili Islands are a dreamy trio of tropical gems, each offering its own little slice of paradise. Turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and chill island vibes.
I had booked our boat ride (including transportation) through a local travel agent, who told us pick-up would be at 9:00 AM. So, like the punctual Swiss tourists we are, we waited… and waited… and waited. No driver.
I called the agent and got the classic “Oh so sorry, driver will come at 10:15, I forgot to text you that.” Sigh. When the driver finally showed up, the car had no seatbelts (kinda standard here) and no A/C in the 35 °C heat. I already didn’t feel great about it, and then he casually mentioned we’d need to wait another 20 minutes in the car to pick up more passengers. That was it for me, I got our luggage out of the car and ordered a comfortable Grab instead. When my intuition says no, it’s a no.
Then we got to the harbor and chaos. Total mayhem trying to get on the boat. And here’s where I made a thinking error
: I thought, “Let’s grab seats by the window so we can enjoy the view and don’t get seasick.” Cute idea in theory… until the row filled up and I realized the windows were too high to see out and just low enough to let the sun blaze right onto us.
As the boat pulled away, things quickly went downhill. The A/C air didn’t reach our seats, it was getting hotter by the minute, I was squished in with no room to move, and trying to shield Leilani from the sun like a human umbrella. Then the sea got rough, and that’s when they started handing out seasickness pills and vomit bags - never a great sign.
Leilani? Totally unbothered. Me? Not so much. That boat ride was rough.
Time is a funny thing - two hours watching a great movie or hanging out with fun people can fly by in a blink. But in moments like that, even five minutes can feel like five hours!
Next challenge was getting all of our luggage from the port to the hotel because there are no cars on the island and the only means of transport is a cidomo, a horse carriage. However, this animal abuse at it’s worst! These horses are overworked with no rest, no water breaks, some foam out of their mouths which is a sign of dehydration and their feet are in dire states. A normal life spam of a horse is 25-30 years, while here on the island 2-3 years. I’d rather hurt my back or drip in sweat than supporting that cruelty!
We then checked into the beautiful Pera One Villas for €120 a night - complete with a private pool, an outdoor living space, and a bathroom that’s all yours. But the real highlight? The service and hospitality.
The place is run by six young guys who call themselves “butlers,” and honestly, they live up to the title. They go out of their way to make sure you’re comfortable, and even baked brownies for Lani just because they thought she’d like them. Super kind, super genuine.
The people on this island are honestly some of the nicest I’ve ever met, everyone is so helpful and greets you on the street. (Though for me, Fijians still hold the top spot - hard to beat that level of warmth and joy of life)
The last time I was here was 18 years ago, and I kept trying to remember what it was that left me so tired all the time. Well… now I remember. The island is predominantly Muslim, so every single day at 5:00 a.m. sharp, the morning prayers are blasted through the mosque speakers for at least 15 minutes - sometimes even up to 45
And just when you think you can go back to sleep the roosters take over with their own little sunrise concert. So basically, if you are a light sleeper like me, you’re up at 5 a.m. whether you like it or not. Looking on the bright side, your day is longer
If you are coming here, book your hotel on the sunset side, it’s generally quieter and less likely to hear the call to prayer.
outdoor living room
watch out that you don't step on frogs 
and caterpillars 
at night
we gained two new friends and a house cat
I thought it was a cute idea to create a little concrete stone with our names and the date of our visit. It’ll be embedded into the Ubud Rice Field Trail—a small mark we leave behind. One day, when Leilani is older, she can come back to Bali, find our stone, and remember this trip we took together. A tiny piece of us, tucked away in the rice fields.
in my element 
Gili Trawangan looks like paradise - turquoise water, white beaches, beautiful resorts. But just behind the scenes, there’s a landfill where cows eat from piles of trash, full of plastic and waste left by tourism. In the midst of it was a dying animal, a very sad sight.
It’s a painful reminder that the beauty we enjoy often hides a darker reality. Living in Switzerland, it’s easy to forget how others carry the burden of our consumption. I want my child to see both the beauty and the truth - because awareness is the first step toward change.
I love a goat, but I love a beach goat even more
out of office
mode of transportation
last floating breakfast, next one at Marzili
just another day for you and me in paradise
On our first day, we headed to Turtle Spot for some snorkeling and chilled out on the stunning white sand beach. The next day, we booked a boat trip with a captain and went on a snorkeling trip around the two smaller islands - Gili Meno and Gili Air. It was amazing! We swam with turtles, saw tons of colorful fish, explored healthy coral reefs, and stopped at some of the most breathtaking beaches I’ve ever seen.
The following day, we checked out a spot someone recommended called The White Rabbit - a beach club known for its sunsets and, fun twist, three diving boards. Then they turned on the foam, and Lani had an absolute blast partying in the water.
And to top it off, the next day we rode our bikes around the whole island and Leilani got to ride a horse along the beach at sunset - we are totally being spoiled with experiences
I will never take any of this for granted, never
Gili Meno
in Moana's footsteps
Lani at the foam party
how wrong is a matcha latte at a pool party?
beach cowboy
bonfires on the beach 
got some help from a kind man
Bali Blog Part IV -
From Ocean Breeze to Traffic Freeze
It was time to say goodbye to our new friends at Pera One Villas in Gili and head back to Bali. I was really hoping for smooth sailing this time. Luckily, we snagged two of the few outside seats on the boat.
The inside cabin was absolute hell. 29° degrees, no working A/C, sticky air, people drenched in sweat looking miserable, babies crying… it was rough
. And since the boat stopped at three other islands before heading back, the journey dragged on for almost 3 hours.
Then we spent another 2.5 hours in a taxi crawling through Bali’s infamous rush hour traffic to get to Seminyak. Welcome back lol
Seminyak
my kinda door
my kinda sunset
my kinda breakfast
me, pretending I don't have a return flight
Interesting enough - I had actually booked the same hotel in Kuta for our last 4 days, but I just wasn’t feeling it anymore. I was in the mood for something more private, so out of curiosity, I checked Airbnb… and boom - the first thing that pops up is this amazing
villa. Superhost, rare find, 30% discount? Say less. I canceled the hotel and booked it right away.
When we arrived in Bali, Nopa, the concierge, greeted us with the warmest smile. But nothing could’ve prepared me for what was behind those doors. I was honestly stunned - this entire villa was ours for just €130 a night
Only 7 months old, it felt like a hidden gem: two beautiful bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a 10-meter pool, a jacuzzi, an open-air living room and kitchen, surrounded by lush greenery. At night, it transforms into the coziest little haven.
Word on the street is that even the Kardashians are jealous of this place
This villa honestly sparked something in me - it reminded me of my life dream that I’ve had for a long time: opening my own boutique hotel on the beach one day. I’d call it Leilani’s on the Beach, with a frangipani in the logo (obviously), and the whole vibe would be boho-chic: cozy, homey, and dreamy. Hammocks and swings are amust. Think king-size box spring beds, soft linen and towels that smell like fresh flowers, and banana bread every morning - still warm, just like the one I had a few years ago on the road to Hana in Maui. This hotel could even be in Australia, Sardinia, Thailand…who knows yet…
It would be surrounded by tropical paradise though - banana and palm trees, hibiscus, plumeria and bougainvillea. I told Leilani about my dream and asked if she’d help me run it. She said yes, she’d brand the drinking coconuts with our hotel logo. I said, “You know there’s more to running a hotel than that, right?” Her answer: “Yeah, but I also need time to relax, and when I am grown up I have two dogs, they will need my attention.
So I guess I’ll be needing more staff lol
Oh, and to the five lovely people who actually read my blog: you’ll get a discount and a room upgrade, of course
our amazing villa all to ourselves
stunning
bathroom goals
Lani always sets up an arts & crafts table
I love this kid
when they tell you to enjoy the kimonos 
…and you take it literally...
The last four days have been pure magic. We made the most of our beautiful villa - lazy mornings, pool parties, food delivered right to our door, and movie nights with the Dolby surround sound that made it feel like our own private cinema. Of course we squeezed in some massages to top it all off.
It was the perfect mix of fun and total relaxation. Just us, fully present, soaking it all in. This time together is everything.
On our last day, I had one of the best massages ever, I was on cloud 9 - saved the best for last, I guess! At the end, the masseur looked at me and said, “You are strong,” and I replied, “No, YOU are strong.” and that’s how far my flirting with men goes
Just like that, our 5-minute love story came to a an end Hahaha.
Then I spotted this super cute swing at the shop next door - would be perfect for my hotel (of course). But I told myself, No way, it’s huge… at least seven kilos. Be reasonable.The owner looks at me and goes, “I’ll give it to you for 35 bucks.”
SOLD. I didn’t need more convincing. The euphoria when I bought it and the anxiety when I had to pack it, not knowing how heavy my bag was gonna be.
My friends have this ongoing joke about me - I’m that person who buys the most random stuff on holidays. If I need a tupperware and I spot it in Portugal? Yep, I’m bringing it home. Who can relate? Nobody? Cool cool cool.
Nopa told me about something really special - March 29th, is Nyepi, the Day of Silence in Bali. For 24 hours, everything comes to a complete stop. Everyone, including tourists, stays inside. No electricity, no TV, no internet - just stillness.
The idea is that both the body and nature should rest. And because there’s no artificial light, you can actually see the stars in a way you rarely can anymore. Sounds powerful.
his Italian stepfather taught him how to make pizza and it is pretty good. Price € 2.90
monster wasp
surrounded by plants, not problems
win win situation: I am getting a massage and Lani cornrows
the result
stay hydrated people
last swim
happiest on vacation #truestory
We got a cab to the airport, and I didn’t have any small change left to tip the driver - so I gave him my last bill, the one I had set aside for supper. He looked genuinely touched and said, “Good karma will come back to you.”
Little did I know it would come back so soon.
I had a gut feeling all day that our flight would be delayed and I told Lani, let’s manifest that we make it home today. At check-in they told us that the original flight to Singapore was delayed indefinitely and that we would miss our connection to Zurich, therefore the consequence is a 24-hour stopover in Singapore. Then, her supervisor who was standing behind her, intervened and said we’ll book you on the earlier flight at 20.00 (it was 19.20
). I was super grateful and thanked him a million times. In the midst of that chaos they didn’t notice that my one bag was 28kg (courtesy to the swing
). They were kind enough to escort us through to passport control and then we had to sprint through the entire airport and we arrived out of breath and sweating but just in time for the last boarding call.
Reminder to myself: less netflix and chips and more cardio!
My 3-hour-before-the-flight airport rule totally paid off. We would have missed the flight otherwise.
We had taken this Singapore - Zurich connection before when we went to Australia. It’s great because it’s overnight and you land in the morning, the downside is it’s at 1.20 a.m., and it’s kinda tricky to keep a younger child awake for that long and she is too heavy to carry by now. I gave her gummy bears to be honest, hoping for the sugar spike to last till departure
But luckily there was a great food court, so we just tried all kinds of different foods and she had fun on the playground. We then boarded the plane, and as soon as we were on the runway taking off, her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
Once again an amazing holiday with my daughter comes to an end. My favorite travel buddy, my biggest joy, and my constant source of strength.
From shared laughs under Bali’s sun to the little moments in between, we’re truly a dream team in every sense. Traveling the world together is one of life’s greatest gifts - but honestly, quality time is the real luxury.
Here’s to making more memories… the next adventure is just around the corner.
I love you very much Leilani 
Massage counter:
Marisa 15
Leilani 9