Ahhh, Bali. I'm finally here and I'm finally able to say (now that I've been to the beach), that Bali, is amazing. My hostel, Jolie Hostel Bali, is also amazing. Probably one of the nicest hostels I've ever stated in and for about $13 USD/night! Check them out, I highly recommend them if you come to Bukit Peninsula. •lovely swimming pool, bigger and warmer and nicer than the one in Jogja (so far I'm 2/2 on evening dips--such a refreshing way to end a swea...

Three days, Twenty-five HOT hours in six buses, Two jeep rides, One ferry ride, Two sunrises greeted, Two boxed breakfasts (AKA a hard boiled egg, a teeny tiny banana, and two pieces of bread with butter and chocolate sprinkles--seems to be an Indonesian thing), Two craters/volcanoes hiked... ...And I've finally made it to BALI!!! From Java island (west of Bali), there are two ways to get to Bali: fly or bus it. I opted to save money, pack in a few advent...

Duomo, WOW Hands down, some of the most incredible architecture I have seen in my entire life, anywhere. My eyes were overwhelmed first by the COLORS ...white and black (but really those stripes are green!) and red and gold...they hit you all at once. Next, my eyes chaotically jump from column to floor to walls, and all the unimaginable intricacies of design. This duomo (cathedral) was built starting at the end of the 12th century. Over eight hundred years ago....

Lucca.. LOVE. Sunday is my day off and per recommendation of Tut, the helper before me, I spent the day in northern Toscana, in a town called Lucca. Highlights: •walking on top of the ancient wall in the rain •eating delicious pastries and cappuccino for under 4€ •cruising on a Classico bike around the entire city on the ancient wall and then thru town...what a better way to explore! How have I not done this in Italy yet? (this fun has solidified my...

8-Course Meal & Music to My Ears Today I participated in an Italian cooking class...in German. The German couple staying at the B and B signed up for a lesson and Barbara let me join. I think she worried I would be bored, but after sitting through hours and hours of meetings and events and life in Mongolian for almost three years, cooking delicious food and listening to the music of a new language was fine by me! I don't have all of the ingredients but here...