I travel with a single carry-on backpack, so a friend of a friend came to pick me up on a scooter. The last time I was on the back of a scooter was in Costa Rica, driving through town with a friend. I was so thrilled to get back on a scooter as I made my way into the city I would call home for the next fours weeks, Canggu. Four weeks turned into five months. Now writing this from the other side of the world, I am missing Bali. Between the time I left until now I’ve had the opportunity to visit London, Spain, and Switzerland. This week I am making my way across Canada. I’ve enjoyed every second away from the island but with a return ticket for this summer, I’m smiling knowing that I’ll be back.
Here are five reasons why I love Bali
Digital Nomad Community
I didn’t really know what a digital nomad was when I started travelling. I had read Tim Ferris’ book, the 4 Hour Work Week and I felt like I could relate to those values but I didn’t really understand why we needed a whole community for working remotely!
This year I’ve had the opportunity to tap into these digital nomad communities. The strongest community was the one being in Bali – and I’ve seen my business grow as a result.
Imagine every day when you open your laptop and sit down to work, you have a room full of people who are eager to know what you’re working on and help you during your entrepreneurial journey. Being surround by brilliant, ambitious people is certainly a way to improve your own business. I was working out of a space called Dojo Bali most of my time on the island.

My Personal Community
Outside of the digital nomad community, I found it so easy to make friends. A lot of the people I met in Bali were people who called it home and had set up base there.
Especially in October, right at the end of high-season I remember going out to bars alone simply knowing I would run into a million people I know. I had a strong community of people and for me, that’s what makes a place really feel like home.
Beach Life
Maybe because I was born in-land? I don’t know, but I’m obsessed with the ocean. No, I’m not a surfer – I try though!
I didn’t go to the beach every day but I was there most days. For me, knowing that I’m so close to the ocean makes me so happy. Getting back to the city, having to wear non-beach clothes has certainly been a challenge!
We would go to the beach for sunset most days, get a coconut, some grilled corn and watch the sunset. It is the perfect way to end a work day.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bali is so low. When I got back to Canada to visit my family, I almost died when my friend invited me out to a restaurant and I looked at the prices on the menu. “Are you kidding me?” I would say and then I became one of those annoying people who were like “In Bali this would only be $XX.”
I swear, I stopped doing that haha.
My apartment was about $450 USD per month. I had a lovely pool, really good internet, great neighbours, and my room would be clean every time I came back. The owners of the property were absolutely amazing.
Bali Pace
My life in Bali was just a bit slower and I had a bit more time it seemed. I made more time for fitness, friends but still got a lot of work done. I was feeling very healthy, present and like my best self.
When I couldn’t focus I would go have a massage or walk down to the beach to people watch.
Although I’m heading back to Bali very soon I am working hard to take the lessons I’ve learned about slowing down and the importance of community into any place I go to. It’s easy to get caught up in your business. Growth is always on the horizon and it always seems like there’s just one more thing to do before you can go see that friend, or make time for your family. I’m working on setting that one thing aside and going out to watch the sunset.
72 comments
good blog
Wow, what a beautiful place.
You are right. Bali is a very nice place. If only I have lots of money, I will really try to visit this wonderful place.
This sounds amazing. I keep telling myself that I am going to do something like this, but I always end up chickening out. It is so wonderful that you had such great success. I hope that one day I get the courage to follow through with my plans and have a similar experience!
I also hope one day you visit Bali or go on a workcation
I hope that one day I could visit Bali. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I also love to go to places I have never been.
Bali looks wonderful and I can definitely relate to the sticker shock when you come back to Canada from traveling in a cheaper place.
Why wouldn’t you be in love? The place is amazing! Pure nature, beaches, friendly people… Everything one place need to become heaven on earth. I hope to visit Bali one day, I just feel little sorry for people who will be with me, they would have to drag me back home 🙂
You’re a very good writer, you make me want to go explore the world and experience other things. Your trip sounds amazing and like you had such a good time no matter the struggle. I agree with what you said about slowing down and getting to experience your community because it is so important to focus on what’s around us especially with all the technology around. Your blog is amazing and I am for sure going to be reading more on here.
This was such a lovely read, and I can totally agree on the sentiment of looking back at your holiday paradise and then at home before going “Back there everything was so much differeeent!”
I didn’t travel over work terms, but I did have amazing holidays back at Punta Cana last year so I found myself agreeing with you in so many points here, I just want to reach out the screen and pat your back!
Do please update us on your second trip as well. Also, what other sightseeing spot would you have liked to visit back then?
Wow, i see why you love Bali Danielle, who would not? It is an amazing place. I wish i would have monet to travel and enjoy those great views and a wonderful beach!
A digital nomad community? Well! I didn’t know. But I know now. 🙂 As a young child I watched the movie “South Pacific” and it was set in Bali. Beautiful country. Beautiful people. The 1958 film was a musical. It had beautiful music. That movie made me always want to visit Bali because there was a song in it titled “Bali Ha’i”. As soon as I saw this post about Bali, I had to read of your experience. My travels around the world will never take me there. But no matter. The movie took me there and your blog post just let me revisit this magical place.
Wow, looks like I’ve found my next vacation spot! I totally want to visit Bali now! It looks absolutely gorgeous. I just know I’ll enjoy my stay there. Can’t wait to relax on the stunning beaches!
Yeah look at her in her photos looks like she had a good time there.
Great read Daniella. I actually feel like i was in Bali with you!! 🙂
Same here. What I like about her post was truly informative and full of fun. Simply amazing.
Absolutely love this post. Bali sounds and looks beautiful. I dream of traveling to Bali one day. Do you have any tips on how to save or work towards a trip like Bali?
You always amaze me Danielle with your good writing. Bali is indeed a nice place. The beaches are beautiful. I feel like you can relax while you are writing or doing something with your laptop by the beach. Such a wonderful idea. I wish I could go to a place like that soon. One can only dream.
I like that expression Digital Nomad Community and let me tell you being a passionate traveller myself I can well imagine how engrossed you must have been savouring all what came your way. I am so happy I am connected with you and look forwarding to reading your adventures no matter in what field they are.
Wow, beautiful I have found a place for my next vacation.
This definitely sounds like my next vacation destination. Sounds beautiful. From what I heard the people are so kind in Bali. I’ve always wanted to travel there but it never seemed to happen. This post only makes me more eager. I always wanted to go because of the ocean. National the beach sand and the sounds of the crashing waves makes me go crazy. I’m 100 % adding this to my to-do list.
*just imagining the beach sand…
Your pictures are amazing, especially the last one- you look so pretty!! 🙂 Bali seems like a paradise. Getting to go to a beach that looks like that all the time, plus the option of getting a massage? I’m not surprised you extended your visit so long- I don’t know how you made yourself leave! Also, major kudos for only traveling with a carry-on backpack. That’s super impressive!
Back in August 2016, when I received some bad results in my education I felt like a real bummer. However, whilst I stayed in Bali, the rich culture, moderate climate and picturesque views immediately brought me to my senses and fuelled my soul with motivation for the next academic year ahead. I can say that by far Bali has been one of the most dynamic and vivid places I have ever been to with many sites worth seeing, luxurious beaches and some pretty darn good weather.
Great blog. Enjoy the read. I love Bali I try to go twice a year. Actually going in September. Hoping one day I can live there.
Since I started working after I graduate in college I always dream to visit Bali. It is famous for unique tourist spots and cultures. Bali is famous for movies and film. Most of the directors choose Bali as their scenery for one of their shooting not because of the spot but also because of the traditions and people. One day I will go to Bali to take some vacation and I will bring my wife and kids. Thanks for your blog it makes me more Bali wanted. I can’t wait to be there and explore the heaven around it.
I’ve never been to Bali, but you definitely make me want to go! This seems an awesome experience. I really prefer places where the “rhythm of life” is a bit slower and Bali sounds like it. This article makes me think that life in now and we have to live it to the fullest as long as we can. Thanks for the article!
I can see you are a traveller, and it is one of my dream, to travel the world. Bali is one of my dream place to visit. It isn’t that really far from the country I live in because it is just at the south of the Philippines. I know it wouldn’t be too costly, unless you will accommodate in an expensive hotel. Your travel in Bali and sharing it to us at least gave us knowledge on what to expect from the beautiful island. I hope you are able to visit my country too, which has lots of beautiful places to visit too. Hoping to see more adventures from you, and be blessed. 🙂
I have been to Bali too. It was during the mid June of this year. It was truly an exhilarating moment for me as I had never been there before. I was on a planned vacation with my friends so the fun element was simply doubled.
Those who have never been to Bali should go there and actually see its beauty to appreciate it. Only the one who has been there knows what is Bali and what is has to deliver.
Truly, it is a heaven on earth.
When I read the title I had to see the whole post! I have never been in Bali, but I am a fan. I just love everything I have seen and read about Bali so far. Your pictures are so amazing and it definitely made me want to visit this beautiful place even more now. Congratulations.
It looks like a really great place, I’ve heard from a few friends that this is a beautiful and spiritual site to go and enjoy of the nature and good weather. If I had the chance I would deferentially go to Bali one day, it doesn’t matter if I go alone or with the company of my family or friends.
It looks wonderful there. The water, the land so great. What a nice place to visit or to live. Its also nice that the its not to expensive. It looks like it would be so expensive to be there even a week. Great post.
Wow what a vacation. I am totally envy on your stay at Bali since I haven’t tried going out of the country for a vacation. While reading your blog about Bali I suddenly want to have a trip there too, to experience Bali’s Beach Life and all. Plus, on the bright side the costs are, I guess, affordable for me. Thank you for writing this blog 😉
Ever since I heard about this Indonesian island, I have always wanted to visit Bali. the landscape, of course, is a major attraction of Bali, however, more than the landmark, I am interested in Bali’s culture and tradition. Beach life would certainly be interesting, however, I am more interested in cultural shows. Bali has an interesting culture. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country outside Muslim world, however, the island is dominated by Hindu culture. I want to learn about BBali’s culture.
Nice blog! Though I’m not from Bali, but I’m from southeast Asia as well. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bali and about Indonesia as a whole. Beaches are really beautiful, they say. Been wanting to visit that place for a vacation real soon. I’ve heard about the very nice temples in Indonesia, have you been to Borobudur?
But what I love about travelling to new places is to discover the culture and experience it first hand, meeting the locals and try their local dishes.
Wish to visit Bali one day! I love to travel and Bali will be my first destination.
aw it really really looks beautiful there! i wish i could also go there someday with the the people i love. i envy you!!!
aw it really really looks beautiful there! i wish i could also go there someday with the the people i love. i will earn enough money and visit there someday!!! 🙂
Bali is perfect for freelancers. Cost of living is cheap. You can always get a co-working space near the beach to relax after work hours. The co-working space is also filled with amenities and friendly people. Its a Digital Nomad’s Paradise.
A great place for vacation with your family, I remember before when my cousin told me if I can go with them. This article remind me in my past.
you’ve just got a place to free your mind from your work. Bali is such a nice place to go 🙂
I love your blog. I wish I wrote this so long.
Baliiiii!!! such a marvelous place to go to. I wanted it to be my honeymoon destination since it was such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing it with us – your experience and thoughts about the place. xoxo
Bali is actually in my bucket list. There was once this Korean Drama which was shoot in Bali, and since then I have had fascination of visiting that place one day.
Bali is an incredible destination that really is as amazing as it looks in the glossy brochures. I went there for my honeymoon and it totally lived up to the hype I’d created in my head. A good friend is currently exploring this Indonesian island and it’s bringing back SO many happy memories.
Thanks for the wonderful info, very informative, and your blog is clean and easy to read. i like to visit that place soon 🙂
In your story, a great vacation is in Bali. I could imagine myself spending my time on a beach, eat healthily, relax, meet local people and savor the beauty of nature. Time gets slow when you are in a countryside where you have all the time to do anything you want, wherein a busy city you can get all the noise of the world and time pass so fast, nothing relaxing.
Bali was so amazinggggg
Bali is the great destination you went for. This beautiful scenery was just amazing and looked so glossy. This is great for dating and honeymoons. Traveling discovers many places that are absolutely new and amazing. What a great vacation there and what a greatness of this wonderful beach. I will go there soon together with my friends.
Asia have lot of surprises in terms of natural resources, sceneries and even travel destinations and I think one of it is Bali in Indonesia, because aside from having a beautiful sceneries they have a wonderful culture, they have nice foods, citizens from Bali are very hospitable, Bali is a piece of paradise from me 🙂
Wowwww! It’s very nice place. It’s look wonderful,the beach are color blue which is very relaxing place. I want to feel the wheather over there,the water the sorroundings. Hoping someday someday will go to Bali and take a vacation with my family.Bali is one of my favorite place.
. It’s look wonderful,the beach are color blue which is very relaxing place. I want to feel the wheather over there,the water the sorroundings. Hoping someday someday will go to Bali and take a vacation with my family.Bali is one of my favorite place.
I hope that I can go to Bali. To see what beautiful things they have. I wish I can see the paradise and some hospitable people out there. I researched about Bali and I see many different things that I want to look. Bali is great scenery and vacation place for those who can afford that. Those are my own thoughts.
You have to speak to be heard, but sometimes you have to be silent to be appreciated. great place for great people
It is good that you enjoyed your time on this journey. From the pictures you displayed on the article, it is clear that Bali is really a place to be! I will sure travel to relax my mind, body and soul when I have the financial abilities to do so in the future.
Me and my girlfriend are planning to go here January next year. I didn’t know that there are some great surfing spots here . good to know. I will try to follow your post , hopefully there are more photos about this wonderful place . keep up the good work.
I think there are fresh water there in Bali. I like islands and I like beaches, this is my dream to go there. I would try to surf there soon and want to experience something new there.
Hmmmmm~ ^_^ I never thought Bali was this heavenly.. I always dreamed about traveling and going to beautiful places such as Paris, Switzerland, Iceland and many more.. and never have I thought going to Bali..Now I do.. Thank you for taking as to such a wonderful land.. Hope to travel there too and have fun and unforgettable experiences..
What a great blog. Actually, one of the places on my bucket list. What i like the most in Bali is the beaches. Bali is known to many. Definitely a dream for many people. You can have the best time of your life. Can’t wait for that day.
Wow! this is one of my travel bucket list since childhood. Had a mini travel tour through this article, It was really beautiful. Thanks for posting articles like this!
Why not to fall in this place. It’s like heaven beacause of it’s scenic beauty. Hoping I’ll travel to Bali very soon.
Why not to fall in this place. It’s like heaven because of it’s scenic beauty. Hoping I’ll travel to Bali very soon.
The ocean looks absouletely beautiful so it is no surprise that you want to stay there. A lot of countries tend to be quite expensive and that is a huge problem for a lot of people. Over here in London, the prices for some houses and even food are just ridiculous and it makes living on a low budget for a lot of people difficult. I’m fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a comfortable life where I don’t have to worry about things too much but it must be nice to live in a place where the cost of living is so low.
Bali is just like the Philippines, abundant with natural resources and a venue for ultimate relaxation and paradise experience. Bali has one the majestic beaches in the world. Blue sea, white clean sand and an untouched smell of peaceful nature. I am going there next year since it’s quite near from my country.
What a wonderful experience!
I felt how life-changing your visit was to Bali. The best spots for vacations are the places where you feel at home. They help you feel relaxed and at ease as though you’re letting go of all the stress you’ve become accustomed to before arriving there.
And it’s true that you’ll notice the big price difference when it comes to food and amenities. The reason for this is overpricing. The service in Bali doesn’t resort to that because they have no problem in terms of customers and visitors as compared to businesses in the city where there are lots of competitors. And the stuff they pay for is expensive.
Looking at this blog, I am amazed with the beauty of this place! Bali is really a nice place to be on everyone’s bucket list. I hope one day, I’ll be able to visit this place. It’s such amazing how God created everything. I love this blog! Thank you for sharing the wonderful experience.
Wow I see that Bali is really a nice place, I’ve already read so many good reviews regarding Bali. I also would love to go in Bali. I really hope that when I reach my right age and right work and of course right money haha, I would definitely visit bali with my love ones.
The pictures are aesthetically pleasing that it makes me want to get my camera and captures pictures there. I already heard so much about Bali and reading your articles just make Bali to be in my Bucket list to travel in the future. I need a little more saving and hopefully I can visit it in the next years. The first place that I will be visiting is that beach. It is just so beautiful.
Bali Indonesia is my dream vacation. I heard the foods and accommodations there is lots cheaper compare to other south east asian countries. I saw the beach of Bali and I could say that it is one of the best.
Bali is one of great tourist destination. I heard about the beautiful beach there and many tourist keep visiting that place.
I got my ticket to Bali, going there by next year of January and stay there for 5 days. Going to visit my aunt who is working there for a long time now. This article of yours helps me appreciate that country I’m going to visit soon.
Bali is a dream, and I am saying this not because I have been there but because it’s literally a dream that I have not achieved yet. I see a lot of people on social media talk about it, and personally, I really do not care about the luxury that I can experience there. What really caught my attention is that they say that Bali is the perfect place to replenish your soul. My goodness, exhaustion runs in my mind, body, and soul, and do I crave peace so much. Bali seems the perfect place to reconnect with nature and with yourself, and I am all for that. Hopefully, in a few years from now, I can set foot in Bali, have healthy and good food, and be one with nature.