Returning to Our Roots: Our Trip to Bali

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Returning to Our Roots: Our Trip to Bali

After three weeks in Bali, everything about my thoughts on lifestyle, work, and where I want to live seems to have completely changed. To give you some context, we left Bulgaria in mid-January because we just couldn't handle the cold anymore. While Bulgaria isn't as cold as Canada, the prolonged chilly weather pushed us to rediscover life once again.

Eventually, we booked a flight to Asia for an unexpected adventure. It had been a while since we visited Southeast Asia, especially since COVID hit, and our longing for new experiences made it impossible to wait. We booked our tickets less than two weeks before our departure, which meant we had to quickly pack up our lives, sort out work, and prepare for this new journey.

The Reason for Our Trip

It may sound familiar, but the main reason for this trip was the wedding of two dear friends, Vivien and Aaron, in Australia. Initially, we thought we would spend just two weeks for the wedding and then return to Bulgaria, but as anyone who's traveled to Australia knows, it's not a quick trip. So, we decided to extend our journey.

We planned to fly to Hanoi first because there was a good flight option from Bulgaria. After that, we would head to Taiwan, a place we had never been, which was just a short flight away. Then it was off to Bali to visit other friends, Tom and Anna, before finally arriving in Australia for the wedding celebration. Plus, you can't go to Australia without stopping by New Zealand, right? It's also famous for its fantastic fishing, so my suitcase was packed with fishing gear.

Leaving Bulgaria

Our time in Bulgaria was fantastic. The country is nestled in a "middle ground" that we truly love. It's not overrun with tourists to the point of ruining its natural beauty, yet it offers enough amenities and international diversity. There are plenty of delicious restaurants, an increasing number of accommodations for foreigners, and many beautiful spots that are still waiting to be discovered.

I adore the mountains, the nature, and the exquisite cuisine here—a delightful blend of Balkan, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern flavors. Our Bulgarian friends are incredibly kind, and the wine here is simply unbeatable. Bulgaria's location is also convenient, right on the edge of Europe and close to countries I adore like Greece and Turkey.

Back to Asia

We hardly stopped moving during our three years in Bulgaria, spending only about 6-8 months each year there. Most of the rest of our time was dedicated to trips around Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, or back to Canada. Those places are beautiful and pleasant, but there was always a feeling of missing something that can only be found in far-off lands—a sense of different cultures, a bit of awkwardness, and novelty.

That's what makes us feel more alive. When we hit the "book" button for our flight to Hanoi, a new surge of energy suddenly emerged. I felt as excited as I did when preparing for my first trip back in 2008, even though I had lived and traveled in Asia for over five years.

Arrival in Hanoi

We arrived in Hanoi after a grueling 24-hour flight. It was supposed to take just 12 hours, but upon reaching Istanbul at 1 AM, we received the disappointing news: our connecting flight was delayed by five hours! We had no choice but to sit in the lounge and try to catch a little more sleep.

By the time we landed in Hanoi, we had regained our energy. That night, we checked into our Airbnb and went to bed. The next morning, we woke up early, feeling invigorated and ready to explore the city. As soon as I stepped outside, I couldn't help but smile brightly. It felt like everything was waiting for me here.

Exploring Hanoi

As we darted through the bustling motorbike traffic to cross the street, the smile never left my face. Sipping our first Vietnamese coffee and sitting on tiny plastic chairs to enjoy some incredibly tempting street food, I felt like everything was falling back into place. Hanoi truly was the place I had always longed for.

When I stumbled into a narrow alley for the first time, watching locals prepare meals with fresh ingredients, it felt like I had reconnected with a part of myself that I had missed for so long. Has anyone else ever experienced moments like that? That warm, familiar feeling in your heart when returning to a place that once brought you joy.

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