JOURNAL ENTRIES FROM INDIA

Before I get started with photographs of the cities I visited, here's a sneak peek at some of my personal journal entries from India:

1. Donations and purchasing artwork by the children.
We visited Asha Ka Jharna (Fountain of Hope) which was one of my favourite heart felt moments. I was so happy here, to see the kids smile, to watch them learn and concentrate so hard, to hug them, listen to them read poems out loud and a particular boy who did a little bollywood dance.

2. Valentines day in my favourite city / three special petals squashed in my journal.
After a little stroll around the markets we took a tuk tuk up to the fort, had a light dinner and some masala chai (of course) while watching the sun set from aerial views of Jaisalmer. While we walked back down the markets, p sneakily picked up a rose from an indian man and gave it to me with open arms.

3. Drawing maps / my new definition of love.
Sometimes you can fight over silly things in a relationship. But true love never gives up.
After a short silent treatment. A tuk tuk spoke these four words to me and I couldn't agree more.

4. A short but sweet day in the blue city / polaroid views.
Indian desserts, tea tasting (and purchasing a heap of masala chai spice to take back home), blue hearts... I felt a little unwell at night by the campfire, but it was nothing a nice cup of warm tea couldn't fix.

DON'T BREAK MY HEART

All photography by me  / 3. (right) by Paul Serra

A couple days in Ubud never felt more refreshing. We stopped by to see the weaving process and silver making along the way―bringing back a mustard silk scarf for me and a ring for him, scooped a young coconut for the tasty bits and had a cup of the infamous Kopi Luwak right above the peaceful rice fields, went on a ride with an elephant named Anna then fed her bamboo sticks shortly after, got rolled for my panadol by a monkey, tried new spicy dishes for lunch, had the most amazing fried banana pancakes topped with ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon (I love my cinnamon!) and purchased so many beaded items at ubud markets.

All to the soundtrack of UB40.

FORCE OF NATURE

Quite the relaxing kind for a lucky sunny day spent at Nusa Dua. You'll find plenty of other tourists indulging in just about the same thing, sun, soft white sand, clear blue water, beachside massages, a good book and endless (mango shakes) beverages of choice. A beautiful place to relax without a bother I think.

I bought this top in several colours unaware of the back scribble that I'm not so fussed over now and this little hat from legian markets was essential for the everyday heat (and occasional evening showers!). It was wet season after all.

LAWS OF MOTION

Keeping my skin hydrated throughout three different time zones with the perfect little travel kit from Aesop. Available here.

JUST A SHORT BIKE RIDE AWAY

5 (right) and 10 by Paul Serra / all other photographs by me  

Trips to seminyak were easy when new friends would let us hop on their bike for a 10 minute ride. The more frequently we visited, the more I unexpectedly fell in love with the city.

Brunches at sea circus, wanting to take every piece home from the light box gallery, spending a small fortune at the library, break time and soy milkshakes at earth cafe (plus the inevitable accessory browsing), sunset cocktails at ku de ta (my favourite: watermelon crush―vodka, fresh watermelon, homemade ginger beer, honey and a sprinkle of cinnnamon), the mouthwatering desserts at JP's, entering bag and interior heaven, singing up on stage after drinking the best mojito's and being our friend Made's number one fan every night he sang summer of '69.

Holding onto the good times really tight...

GLOW

dress from tree of life / bag and necklace from seminyak, bali

I saw three of the most breathtaking sunsets on my trip away. One of which was right here at dinner with my lover. We visited Jimbaran for the seafood and it was no disappointment. Lobster was my favourite ―so juicy and full of flavour. It's a little romantic, the sun sets a golden red and by the time it gets dark candles fill the dinner tables and there's entertainment by your side.


Photos by Paul Serra

THE WAY YOU DO THE THING YOU DO

Officially back from my trip to Bali and India and I'm finding it hard to sleep at night. I look at my photographs and feel closer to the good times. I want to be on the road again, traveling, exploring and making friends along the way. Creating fond memories. There's so many pictures both mental and tangible that I want show you but instead of bombarding, I've selected key favourites for individual posts.

First stop was Bali. P and I had booked for our stay in Legian. We were keen to stay in other locations depending on how we felt along the way but it quickly became our home as we made all of our closest friends here. There was the beach, delicious Indonesian food (slightly getting use to the spice!), sneaky hotel hopping, pedicures and massages, bike rides with Harry and alot of wandering.


Photos by Paul Serra and I

NEXT STOP, INDIA

Today is the day I leave from Bali to India. I can't tell you how much I've fallen in love with Bali, our new friends and the simple life, but I'll hopefully show you peeks through photographs when I get back.

I've read Love Jaipur, Rajasthan back at home but it was finally time to take it off my bookshelf and accompany me for the trip. Fiona Caulfield's love travel guides are designed for the luxury vagabonds who want authenticity in style.

The idea was about falling in love with all the cities in the world and the places you can visit from them. Falling in love with more cities rather than London, New York and Paris... indeed, cities out of the west. She has launched her first guides of cities from India and they say it's like you're being led around the city by an old friend.

Printed and crafted on handmade paper in Jaipur, this is my type of travel guide. If you think it's also yours, feel free to send me an email. I have a couple that are available at $59.95 each.

Photo by me