Twas the night before takeoff and we kicked off our Bali adventure with a stay at Rydges Airport Hotel, a strategic move considering our alarm went off at the ungodly hour of 3am. Let me tell you, nothing screams “vacation vibes” quite like dragging yourself out of bed while the rest of the world is still sound asleep.

Check in drama At the airport, we ended up behind a family at check-in. Things took a turn when one of them discovered they’d brought the wrong passport. Suddenly, there was frantic rummaging, panicked looks, and whispered chaos. I watched the scene unfold feeling equal parts sympathetic and smugly relieved that I had all my documents sorted, a feeling that would pass at Denpasar – but more about that later.
Once I cleared security, it was as if I’d stepped into an abandoned terminal. Everything was closed up, with exception of Maccas and a couple of coffee shops. And worst of all? No celebratory bubbles. That traditional first glass of sparkling wine I always count on to mark the beginning of holiday bliss, completely out of reach. Absolute tragedy.

As we waited at the gate, barely awake, a lady turned to me and asked if she could board. The announcement had just called rows 13 and above, and hers was 22. I said yes, thinking that would settle it. A few seconds later, she asked again. I mean, early morning maths is a tough gig, apparently even tougher when you don’t trust the first answer.
We all boarded the plane in a sleepy daze. Honestly, we could’ve passed for a group of jetlagged zombies – puffy eyes, slow movements, and the energy level of a drained phone battery. It was peak human malfunction.
Luckily, the flight itself was smooth and quiet. Being the first to fly that day felt like we had the skies to ourselves. Looking out the window a few hours in, and there it was: the breathtaking northern coastline of Western Australia. After the early start, it was the perfect reminder that even groggy beginnings can be worthwhile.

Touchdown in Denpasar and I was feeling smug. We’d breezed past every queue like seasoned pros, documents sorted, eVisa prepaid, travel swagger at full tilt. Straight to the electronic gates like we owned the terminal. Matthew, ever the golden child of airport systems, sailed through without a hitch. Me? The machine blinked, whirred, and basically gave me the digital equivalent of side-eye: “See immigration agent.”
I approached an airport worker, documents flapping like a stressed-out librarian, asking for help. He casually waved toward the longest line I’d ever seen, probably stretching back to Perth. My face must’ve screamed “Are you kidding?” because then came the Bali veteran move—I offered him the equivalent of $20. Like magic, the sea of chaos parted. He nodded, pocketed, and suddenly I had VIP status. Budget travel? Absolutely. Bribery? Efficient.
I shouted across the barricade to Matthew, who looked bewildered but stoic on the other side, and told him to grab our luggage while I figured out my bureaucratic detour. My new best friend hustled me through counters with all the urgency of a contestant in The Amazing Race. And then we hit the snag: my eVisa apparently thought I was English. Lovely. Not problematic at all.
Eventually, after some serious eyebrow wiggling and a few whispered clarifications, I was officially and correctly deemed Australian again. I made it through just in time to see Matthew standing next to our final suitcase like some kind of triumphant baggage whisperer. Victory.
Next stop: Wayan the driver, and with no more machines that can misidentify my nationality, we hit the heat, the moment you know you have arrived here in Bali. Absolute bliss!
As we rolled out of the airport with Wayan at the wheel, the chaos of Bali’s roads greeted us like an overexcited welcome committee. Scooters zipping past from every angle, trucks doing U-turns that physics definitely hadn’t signed off on, and then there it was. A lone chicken, smack in the middle of the highway, clearly having an existential moment. No feathers ruffled though. Another driver pulled over, scooped it up like a pro, and drove off. Dinner plans: sorted.
Meanwhile, Wayan expertly navigated the mayhem with the calm of someone who’s seen it all, probably twice that morning. He chatted warmly about his kids, pride radiating through every word. Then his voice softened, and he told us about his other son who had passed away. It was one of those moments that humbled you mid-traffic jam—quiet, sincere, and incredibly human.
Arriving at the villa felt like drifting into a pocket of paradise complete with frangipani and effortless charm. Though we showed up ahead of the official check-in, the laid-back spirit of Bali greeted us with a warm “no worries.” Trisna, the owner, welcomed us like old friends, and her team were adding final touches. We wandered through the villa, with massive smiles, letting the comfort and calm sink in.

Swapping travel gear for something breezy and beach-ready, we wasted no time diving into our first adventure, hiring bikes and cruising down to a waterfront spot for lunch under a sun that clocked in at a glorious 29 degrees. The view sparkled, the frizz in my hair very real, but the vibe was pure Bali bliss. Afterwards, a supermarket detour had us stocking up on Bintang Zeros for Matthew and scooping up mixers to complement the duty-free spirits waiting patiently for me back at the villa. Let the holiday rituals begin.

After a laid-back recharge at the villa, we mustered the courage to finally check out the the Legends Motorcycle Club and bar around the corner, previously avoided – well, because it’s a biker club – but now calling our name with the promise of the Lions vs. Wallabies game. As kickoff neared, we wandered down and found ourselves welcomed into a surprisingly friendly scene run by “Trucker,” a character who’s kept this unconventional spot thriving for 20 years. The place was filled with charm and clinking Bintangs, and soon the rumble of arriving bikes mixed with the cheers for both rugby and AFL flashing across the TVs. Rough edges, warm hearts—our kind of night.

And with day one done, we have a week ahead of exploring, relaxing and fun to be had.