Indonesia isn’t the kind of place you can sum up in a few words. It’s temples wrapped in incense smoke, scooters weaving through jungle roads, people that feel like home and moments that make you wonder if you should just stay longer.

This guide is built around Bali, the island that has a way of pulling people in and not letting them go (like me). Yes, it’s the surf spots and rice terraces you’ve seen on Instagram, yes, but it's also the tiny warungs serving food you’ll crave for months, the hidden waterfalls that take a bit of a scramble to find, and the kind of sunsets that make strangers feel like friends.

I’ve put this together with the same approach I take to travel: no overstuffed itineraries, no ticking boxes, just practical tips and local finds that make a trip feel less like tourism and more like living somewhere new for a little while.

You’ll find my go-to spots and plenty of inspiration to explore beyond Bali too.