This trip was different to any other we had ever done. This was our honeymoon! Our budget was grander and our (Mary’s) dreams (expectations) were bigger than ever before. This was a once in a life time trip to relax and enjoy the start of married life and we approached things very differently.

Initially, we were both hesitant about booking the honeymoon in Bali, fearing that we might get stuck in a ‘touristy’ resort surrounded by alcohol fuelled Australians. Kuta beach has a reputation for being a party town for many Aussies and it’s image was what was keeping us away. With some research, we discovered there was so much more to Bali.

Torn between the hills and the sea, we decided to split the trip into two locations.

On arrival, we retreated to the hills to wind down from the excitement of the wedding and take it all very easy. We splurged on accommodation and booked ourselves at Komaneka Bisma, on the outskirts of Ubud. Everything about the resort was divine! Overlooking rice fields nestled in a sea of lush green – this was literally our view at breakfast every morning.

The service was exceptional, the rooms were generous and luxurious, the pool and grounds were postcard perfect and the air conditioner was icy cold (never underestimate the value of a good air conditioner if you are booking a trip to bali). We slept, we swam, we ate, we massaged and we enjoyed every second of this tropical paradise.

We did (if you can believe it) leave the hotel on a few occasions to explore the village of Ubud. We had arrived during a time of significant religious celebration where street processions, offerings and pilgrims flooded the streets of Ubud in a one in 100 year magnitude. The local temple, Gunung Lebah, which is not often open was a centre of activity for the festival . The gentle and welcoming Balinese people allowed visitors to enter and observe the rituals, even to take photos. It was a crowded and beautiful place like a lost world overgrown with trees and orchids and overflowing with offerings.

The festivities were inescapable (in a really good way) with processions marching through the streets all day and all night. Streets would block and pedestrians would get stuck on the footpath as seas of pilgrims would pass through. We didn’t mind, we were in no hurry.

Spirituality is impossible to ignore in Bali. Temples are everywhere and every shop front has incense and offerings at the door. Just walking through the streets of Ubud is a sensory feast. The eyes get the best deal, the can see the vibrant colours, the struggle between man and nature and the beauty in the most intricate of details. We wondered Monkey Forest and Bisma and found all these delights along the way.

No trip to Ubud would be complete without a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest. The baby monkeys were just so cute! They were also very funny.

On the last morning, Rob got up early and headed into town to catch the morning food market before it turned into the daily tourist market.

The last day came around far too quickly – we didn’t want to leave! All good things must come to an end – we sadly left Ubud and took away with us some of the most special memories of our lives.