This month, DC staffer Lynne struck out into the field to get a taste of Bali. As a knowledgeable Travel Specialist, she knew what to expect on the face of it: beautiful lodging, tasty eats and opportunities to connect and relax. However, she found that the journey brought her deeper, and brought about an unexpected shift in perspective. Read her reflections below!
Bali wasn’t my first international trip—but it was one of the first that made me stop, breathe and really reflect. I traveled alongside three wonderful guests, and over nine days, we saw sides of Bali that most travelers miss. This wasn’t just a vacation. It was a deep dive into culture, community, sustainability and self-care (in its many forms!). Here’s what I learned:
#1. Community > Everything
In Bali, the concept of Banjar—local community councils—guides everything from spiritual ceremonies to everyday logistics like trash collection. Each family is part of one, and participation isn’t optional—it’s an essential part of life. It reminded me how far many of us have drifted from collective responsibility. We often live side by side, but not truly with one another.
What struck me most was how natural and normalized it is for people to show up for each other. The sense of belonging wasn’t something people had to search for—it was built into their lives. This has led me to reflect on how rare that kind of togetherness can feel in Western societies, where individualism often overshadows community. In Bali, no one questions whether they have time to help—the community is the priority. The rhythm of that cooperation, the way it pulses through everything they do, left a deep imprint on me. It was a quiet yet powerful reminder that community isn’t just something we benefit from—it’s something we build, nourish, and show up for daily.
#2. Wellness Doesn’t Require a Spa Menu
Sure, I got three incredible massages (one is included on the trip!), but wellness in Bali went deeper. Eating real food, walking barefoot, engaging in prayer at a beachside temple, even picking up trash—all felt healing. Wellness is a mindset there, not a product.
Also there was something truly sacred about Bali: The way incense drifted from every doorway, how every small action felt infused with presence and purpose. It reminded me that wellness isn’t about indulgence; it’s about alignment with our surroundings.
#3. Food is Culture
From earthy spice blends to flower-infused rice dishes, Balinese cuisine is rich in tradition. Learning about farming practices and local ingredients made every meal feel like a story. If you’re a foodie, consider this trip an undercover culinary tour.
One of my favorite moments was a cooking class in a rural village, where we crushed all different kinds of fresh ingredients and spices with a mortar and pestle and made the most flavorful gado-gado. It was less about recipes and more about what we can find around us and cook as a form of gratitude and connection to the land.
#4. Impact Travel Can be Joyful
Coral reef restoration. A community-led recycling project. Tree planting. These weren’t “side activities”—they were some of the most joyful parts of the trip. Impact doesn’t have to feel heavy. In Bali, it felt light, hopeful and necessary.
There’s a real sense of dignity and pride in the work being done, and we were welcomed not as volunteers, but as learners. It wasn’t about “helping” Bali—it was about standing beside the people who are already doing the work, and that felt right.
#5. Monkeys Rule the Island
You can’t escape them—and honestly, you won’t want to! Whether swinging through temple walls or stealing people’s glasses, monkey sightings were a daily delight. (Just keep your snacks zipped.)
But beyond the laughs, there’s also a deep reverence for nature woven through Balinese beliefs. Monkeys are sacred in certain temple areas, and watching them up close, you start to understand the island’s way of living in harmony with the wild.
#6. Nightlife & Nature Can Coexist
From wandering through Ubud’s buzzing night markets to scuba diving among kaleidoscopic coral reefs, the trip offered an incredible balance of structure and spontaneity. Days were anchored in rich cultural experiences—temples, workshops, community visits—while evenings were often left open, allowing us to follow our own rhythms and curiosities. It was a choose-your-own-adventure itinerary, but with heart.
After a full day of exploration, you might find yourself barefoot on the sand, sipping a passionfruit mocktail under the stars, or walking the quiet garden paths of the hotel. Some nights were for laughter and stories, others for journaling to the hum of distant gamelan music. That intentional space to slow down and choose your own pace gave each traveler the chance to recharge in the way they needed most.
#7. “Vacation with Purpose” Isn’t Just a Slogan
We prayed. We planted. We learned. We laughed. And we rested. This trip lives at the intersection of intention and inspiration—and I left with more than souvenirs. I left with a full heart, stronger values, and a newfound respect for what travel can be.
I’ve always believed in meaningful travel, but Bali showed me how purpose and pleasure can intertwine seamlessly. Every day offered a chance to be present, to connect deeply, and to reimagine the role travel plays in how we live and give.
–Lynne Corvaglia, DC Travel Specialist