After shaking off the jetlag from the long haul through Abu Dhabi and to the other side of the globe, I figured I finally had the energy to do something more. So naturally, I hopped on a 150cc motorbike and headed directly into the chaos of Bali’s “free-for-all” roads — weaving through scooters, trucks, and the occasional dog who very clearly owns the road more than anyone else. But there is absolutely a method to the madness, and I firmly believe the only way to learn it is to raw-dog straight into it. You either adapt, or you shouldn’t be on the road at all. Once you understand the flow, it’s actually pretty amazing — almost like a dance. I highly recommend trying it, as it’s a Bali experience in its own right. My first legitimate stop was the Ceking Rice Terraces in Tegallalang. It wasn’t at the top of my rice terrace list, but it was close enough. One thing you quickly learn in Ubud is that even if something looks close on Google Maps, you’re still in for a decently long ride. The drive took me up winding mountain roads that would never pass a safety inspection — steep, slick from the recent rain, and completely guardrail-free. And by steep, I mean hundreds of feet straight down to your death — at least if you’re an unaware driver or unsure of your skills while navigating a motorbike in a foreign country. Once I got to the entrance, I hiked around the terraces themselves — which, by the way, are still very much functioning rice paddies. Locals were out there barefoot, knee-deep in water, working under the sun. The “stairs” winding through the terraces were more like carved, uneven ledges — steep, muddy from the rain, and absolutely not made for tourism. I passed plenty of vacationers in flowing dresses swinging over the fields for their perfect Instagram profile pic, or ziplining across the valley on lines strung through the trees — but I couldn’t bring myself to join in. That kind of stuff always feels a little too gimmicky for me. What did catch my eye, though, was this ancient-looking statue head, half-embedded in a cliff wall and becoming overtaken by time and moss. It looked like something straight out of an Indiana Jones movie — weathered, stoic, and so naturally blended into the surrounding area that you’d miss it entirely if you weren’t really looking. There was no sign, no tourist marker, no plaque saying “hey, look at this thing” — just a quiet, mysterious presence staring out from the rock face. That kind of thing sticks with me way more than any of the curated tourist attractions. Just beneath the statue, there was a small indent carved into the wall, where people had left rupiah offerings. Maybe for good luck. Maybe just out of reverence for whatever spirit or story the statue represents. I’m not really sure. But if it is handing out good fortune, I probably should’ve left more. I might need to go back with something better next time After the hike, I cooled down with a cold Bintang and a glass of pineapple juice at this little bar built right into the edge of the cliff. Just a handful of wooden stools, a shaded counter, and an amazing view stretching out over the terraces and beyond. The sun was starting to dip, casting a golden glow over everything, and for a moment, it was just me, the breeze, and the sound of distant roosters echoing through the valley. It felt like one of those simple but perfect moments you don’t plan for — the kind that just happens when you let the day unfold. The beer was cold, the juice was sweet, and the view made it all taste better. It was the ideal way to reset before hopping back on the bike and heading toward my stay at Villa Neyang — which, honestly, deserves an entire post of its own. That place is something special, and I’ll get into why soon enough. More to come.

Flying Economy Plus on Etihad Airways was a small but welcome upgrade. The extra legroom made a difference on the 13-hour flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi—just enough space to stretch and not feel like a sardine. The service was smooth, and overall it felt like a step up without breaking into full luxury. Although even their basic plates would put any U.S. airline food to shame. And I won’t lie, I saw one of the shrimp plates that business class was able to order… I was pretty jealous in that moment. But the adventure started after we landed. Abu Dhabi’s new Terminal A isn’t just a stopover—it’s an experience. The place is massive, sleek, and immaculately designed, with an almost surreal sense of order and calm. I found out they actually filmed a Mission: Impossible scene here (Dead Reckoning Pt. 1), and it made total sense. The place feels like it was built with both elegance and spectacle in mind. After a bit of wandering, I found a shower—nothing extravagant, but clean, functional, and exactly what I needed. It’s wild how something that simple can completely reset your body and brain after a long-haul flight. Then came the Pearl Lounge. I spent a couple hours there sipping strong Arabic coffee from tiny cups that made me think I could keep drinking them forever. Spoiler alert: I drank way too many. I needed to get my moneys worth! The food was an interesting mix—some I recognized, some I didn’t—but it was interesting and comforting in that international lounge kind of way. Wandering back into the main atrium of the terminal felt surreal. Giant LED displays, travelers from every direction, and a quiet sense of movement everywhere. It felt less like an airport and more like a global meeting point in some alternate timeline. One thing that stood out were the prayer rooms—tucked into corners, quiet, and filled with people finding peace amid the buzz. That hit me. You don’t see anything remotely like that in U.S. airports. It’s only about the bottom-line and bare-minimum, So it was humbling to watch people pause for something spiritual while everything else kept moving. It wasn’t showy or loud—just a normal part of life for the people around me. Moments like that remind you how easy it is, especially as an American, to think your way of living is the default. Traveling strips that away. You see how much depth there is in other cultures, how much you’ve never really considered. It’s not about fully understanding everything—it’s about being open to it, and realizing the world’s a lot bigger than the bubble you came from. I would say a vast majority of Americans struggle to notice details like that. Later, I grabbed a McArabia from McDonald’s— Yes, it’s a thing. Grilled chicken on flatbread with a spicy garlic/tomato sauce. It’s quite good. Something about trying familiar brands in unfamiliar formats always draws me in. I know McDonald’s doesn’t scream culture or a place you seek out on the other side of the world. But the unique menu items are fast and fun. As I sat there eating, I realized I might have been one of the only non-Muslim travelers around. It’s a strange feeling—to be clearly in the minority, as an American. Especially in a time when the U.S. isn’t exactly the world’s favorite country, it made me pause. But no one treated me differently. If anything, I felt quietly observed. Curious glances, nothing more. That’s the thing I love most about travel—the world doesn’t revolve around you. Sometimes you’re just a small piece passing through someone else’s normal. And that’s beautiful. It’s gets boring being surrounded by one-track minds. So yeah—Etihad Economy Plus was great. But what I’ll really remember is standing in the middle of a futuristic terminal in Abu Dhabi, wired on coffee, eating a McArabia, and feeling completely, wonderfully out of place.