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Your Guide to Bargain Shopping in Bali

Your Guide to Bargain Shopping in Bali

Hand-painted tote from a market in Nusa Dua ($14 USD)

Like on most multi-destination vacations, I constantly wondered where I’d find the best deals on our trip. I did as much research as I could  – asking friends and perusing blogs – and heard various recommendations. After deal-hunting in South Kuta, Ubud, and Canggu, the answer is clear: Ubud is the one-stop shop for all your Bali goods. 

To give you a better idea of how much luck I had shopping in Ubud – I spent $63 USD on 16 items, which included paintings for $3, dresses, tops, and pants for $2 each, and jewelry pieces for $4. The most I spent on a single item was the tote pictured above for $14. In hindsight, I could’ve gotten it for cheaper in another location, but I’m glad I got it when I did because I never came across those specific colors again during my trip.

9 Days in Bali

9 Days in Bali

I don’t think I’ve had a more diverse vacation than the one I had on the magical island of Bali. From the end of August to early September, my boyfriend and I traversed 3 locations on the popular destination and fit numerous activities into a week and a half that we were told should be reserved for 3 weeks. It was 9 days of discovering rich Balinese culture, delicious food, lively markets, and dreamlike beaches. I was hoping to fit our experience into one blog post, but have so much to say that I’ve written separate posts on food and shopping. Here is a summary of our wonderful stay that will hopefully help future Bali travelers in their vacation planning…

Family Vacation 2015: PERU

Family Vacation 2015: PERU

I can’t believe I let a whole month go by without documenting this trip! After 24 hours of traveling from San Francisco –> Miami –> Lima –> Cuzco, we finally commenced our 8 day tour in Peru’s Sacred Valley on a sunny May afternoon. I fell in love with the sights and cultures, and particularly nerded out because I had written a couple Geography papers on the country in college. Prior to the trip I was really hoping we could see the country on our own terms without the aid of a travel company, but the organized schedule and knowledge of our guides really proved worthwhile. We were able to cover so much in just 8 days. Here are my main takeaways from the trip:

48 Hours in Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey

48 Hours in Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey

This spring break led myself and a few friends to explore the Pacific coastal areas of Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey – destinations touted for their aquatic life, picturesque coastlines, and outdoor activities. We only had less than two days to traverse the area so we made sure to do diligent research beforehand and created a worthwhile itinerary.