In this post COVID19 world we live in, to say you haven’t traveled much in the last few years is understandable. But to be able to say this is the first trip since 2020 with Matthew is super exciting. And our honeymoon no less! Bring it on!!

Being Matthew’s first real holiday break since March 2020, I was keen to make sure everything is perfection. I’d been plotting and planning out the holiday for many months now so when we awoke at home on the morning of our departure, I thought I’d better get packing. Bali is the one holiday I don’t need to think too hard about what to pack, but as always, I’ve packed way more than I will need. 
After a quick stop at the shops to buy a new ‘travel outfit’ we prepare ourselves for trip to Sydney. Wildly uneventful, as we pulled into our favourite long term parking “Park on King” we are swiftly whisked away to international departures and find ourselves at the front of the queue with another couple, also traveling on their honeymoon! Mac and Taylah had gotten married only a couple of says before and had never been to Bali. 

After sharing a few hints and tips, we are quickly through check in and security and set off to grab mandatory Baileys (for poolside relaxation) and a bite to eat, oh and of course a wine (or 2). 
I’d been stalking the seating situation prior to today and had managed to get seats with a gap in between, making our journey less cramped. It always feels like a long journey when I am excited to be arriving. I kind of napped, as did Matthew which helped pass the time, and when it was announced to put the seat belts on and descend it was all smiles. 

We were met at the gate by Yuan who was our VIP guide through the airport which helped speed up the passport control section, but the wait for bags was….well…..a wait. Yuan told us he was in university studying tourism, which is super common in Bali given it’s tourism industry is the one that brings in the most $$ here.
​I’d messaged our driver who sent a picture of his well crafted sign, and as soon as the bags showed up, we were on our way.

Matthew was the one to spot the sign first with his eagle eyes. That area can be pretty intimidating for a new traveller, but not my unicorn, he lapped it up, loving every minute of it. A sea of signs and drivers just waiting to be connected with their arriving customers. 
Putu and Kadek (husband and wife) showed us to the crazy parking lot, where to the naked eye looks like absolute chaos. But the patience and kindness the Balinese are so well known for makes sure everyone is piled into the right car without incident. 

We learn from Putu and Kadek they have 2 children. They joke about their nearly 3 year old being a COVID baby, basically because there was nothing else to do in that time they tell us.
A quick stop at the Circle K for some snacks and water before finally walking into our villa. Matthew and I are absolutely gobsmacked by how gorgeous it is. Kadek shows us through the rooms and where to find everything. Always so thorough and taking pride in making sure you are well looked after. 
We weren’t expecting a late night visitor – a small bat – who leisurely flew around us and up the stairwell giving us a bit of fright, but clearly a well known flight path for this miniature creature. Fortunately the upstairs bedroom door was shut, otherwise we may have had an extra guest. We joke about whether we should give it a name, before retiring to bed after a very long day indeed. I can’t wait to show Matthew around tomorrow.