I woke up this morning in Ubud with the scent of lemongrass lingering in the air and the promise of calm on the horizon. My day began at a traditional Balinese spa tucked into the jungle — one of those places where time seems to slow down.
I got a Balinese massage, which, if I'm being honest, felt like a standard massage to me — nothing wild. But the setting? Gorgeous. The interior was beautiful, serene, and designed to make you forget about the world outside. They let me choose my massage oil, and I ended up going with a blend — a mix of all the scents, which felt symbolic of my experience in Bali so far: vibrant, earthy, and hard to pin down. Lemongrass stood out as a favorite — it's everywhere here, in the food, the drinks, the oils — and I can't get enough of it.
Later, I made my way to a local spot for Luwak coffee. Now, if you've never heard of Luwak coffee, buckle up. It's known as the most expensive coffee in the world, and its production is… unconventional. It's made from coffee beans that have been eaten and partially digested by the Asian palm civet, a small nocturnal animal locally known as a luwak. The beans ferment as they pass through the luwak's digestive system, then are collected from the droppings, cleaned, roasted, and brewed into what's considered a smoother, less acidic cup of coffee. Wild, right?
We toured the family-run garden where the coffee is made. It was lush and insane in the best way — filled with everything from turmeric and cacao to passion fruit and coconut. I got to meet the luwak in person (adorably sleepy), and see how traditional Balinese architecture shapes the family compound — open-air pavilions, stone shrines, and ornate carvings that reflect generations of heritage.
After the tour, came the tasting. And wow. They brought out a whole flight of over 15 drinks — teas, herbal blends, avocado coffee, coconut coffee, cacao, and more. I was honestly blown away. The local cacao stood out: rich, pure, and almost creamy.
To end the day, I visited Tirta Empul, a sacred water temple known for its purification ceremonies. Surrounded by temple spires and jungle, I joined others from all over the world in the ritual. You move from fountain to fountain, letting the water wash over you as part of a spiritual cleansing. It was peaceful and grounding — a powerful reminder of how travel connects us not just to places, but to deeper, shared human experiences.
Driving back through Bali, I passed rice fields, jungle canopies, and — no surprise — temples on almost every corner. There's something incredibly special about this island. Maybe it's the way tradition, nature, and everyday life blend together. Maybe it's the lemongrass. Whatever it is, I'm soaking it in.
