A solo trip to Bali made me more resilient and less stressed. I loved who I became
My first solo trip to Bali was five years in the making. I kept seeing Flash Pack adventures pop up on my Instagram feed, and every single one looked out-of-this-world. But it was also quite a difficult time of life for me. We went through Covid, and I made a decision to trade my London commute for village life. I also suffered from social phobia (made worse by multiple lockdowns). So I had to work on myself first, including lots of therapy.
After stretching my comfort zone in a number of ways – including joining a local netball team – the time had come to jump in the deep end. I decided on Bali and the Gili Islands for my first solo adventure, because I liked the fact that it played out on water, with a mix of amazing beaches and boat trips. The idea of local experiences (for example, family lunches and temple ceremonies) appealed to me, too. It was nice to have something extra that most visitors to Bali don’t get to see.
Each of us was invested in having a trip of a lifetime
The thought of introducing myself to a group of strangers on our first night together was nerve-wracking. But I knew I had to jump in and get on with it. As we sat there over welcome drinks in the coastal town of Sanur, I immediately felt at ease.
Though our group came from all over the world, it was clear that we were all in the same boat; we were there for similar reasons. Each of us was invested in having a trip of a lifetime, and it was really nice and easy to chat together.
Ayu, our Pack Leader, was incredible. She was so happy and smiley from the get-go, and did a brilliant job of introducing everyone. She was also hilarious; we joked that we were her favourite group. I miss her – we still message on Instagram now.
From beginning to end, my time in Bali was phenomenal. It was like nothing I’d experienced in my life to that point, and it made me more resilient. For starters – having become so wary of the outside world over Covid – I realised that I was able to build strong relationships with people.
Rather than festering at home, I went out into the world
Rather than festering at home, I went out into the world and made friends not only within my group but also with Balinese locals. Everyone we met on the island was so lovely and welcoming, and it was a joy to try things like making lunch in a family home (green pancakes and rice wrapped in banana leaves were both highlights).
I was actually ill for the first six days of the trip – I think I picked up a virus on the plane over. But given it was such a big adventure, I was determined not to miss out on anything. Our guide, Ayu, was instrumental in helping me to power through.
I even climbed Mount Batur at sunrise, which surprised everyone given how poorly I felt at the time. A woman I didn’t even know held my hand and got me up there. I was weak, but at the same time, I was so happy to make it to the top. On the summit, all the exhaustion faded away as I basked in this stunning view of the volcano, followed by a prosecco brunch. I knew I could rest back home in the UK; but this was a time to push myself. And it was worth it.
I loved the person I was in Bali, partly due to this inner strength. But my trip to the Island of the Gods also reaffirmed my connection to the ocean. I grew up on the south coast of the UK, and all of my childhood summers were spent down on the beach in Devon or Cornwall.
I loved the person I was in Bali, including my inner strength
As an adult, however, I moved inland and took up a job in sales operations for a tech company. With little chance to explore or find physical freedom, I gradually forgot how much I love the sea – and how much it means to me.
In Bali, there were several moments that drew me back into my relationship with water. For example, we got to snorkel in crystal-clear seas. The ocean was so warm and inviting, it was like bath water. I was amazed at the gorgeous array of fish life and coral that lay beneath the surface. I could have spent hours down there, just soaking in all the tropical colours. I also spotted a turtle that swam in front of me, about five inches from my face. It was so close, I was mesmerised.
I also really enjoyed island-hopping between the Gili Islands by private boat, and on the last day, we learnt to surf. I’ve done surfing in the past, but I could only ever get up to my knees. In Bali, I managed to stand up a few times, and I was so pleased with myself. It was an amazing feeling, being able to whiz through the waves – it was so satisfying.
I got to experience Bali’s spiritual way of life, too, most notably with a water purification ceremony. We immersed ourselves in the holy spring at the centuries-old Tirta Empul Temple. There was something about bathing there that was transformative. I emerged feeling like any stress had been washed away.
It was an amazing feeling, being able to whiz through the waves
We ended the trip on a high, driving through the streets of Legian, on Bali’s West Coast, in a fleet of convertible VW vans. Weaving our way through traffic, with everyone staring at us and music blaring, was an experience in itself.
Returning home, I was determined to change things up. Already, I’ve taken steps to make my job easier and less consuming. And I’m also planning to make the ocean a part of my daily life again; whether that’s with paddle-boarding, sailing courses or another spot of island-hopping abroad. I’ll be seeing more of my family in Cornwall, too.
This new version of myself is more resilient and open to adventure. From now on, I’ll be putting life before work, and prioritising time by the sea. Having tested my limits in various ways, my only question now is, “where to next?”
Naomi Cameron-Wyatt works in sales operations and lives in the UK. She travelled with Flash Pack to Bali.
