Bali, 2019: Going Back for More
My first trip to Bali was overwhelmingly amazing and much too short, so the moment I had the chance to go back, I jumped on it.
Eleven days, no agenda but adventure
This time I joined my friend Karmen and planned a full 11 days across several different areas of the island. We stayed in the middle of rice fields with our own private pools, slept in a hut with a snake hanging from the ceiling (a story in itself), hit up the beaches, explored a few of the smaller islands nearby, and pretty much did everything except party or stay up late.
Old friends, new places
My friend Mona joined us for part of the trip — I first met her when she was studying in the US, then reconnected with her in her hometown of Beijing later that year. Mona loves taking photos and often grabbed my camera to capture Karmen and me together, which was such a cool thing to have someone join us from such a different part of the world.
Bali, a few years later
Bali has changed quite a bit since my last visit, largely thanks to Instagram, it seems. But they’ve got it figured out — they know exactly what draws travelers to the island and want to give them. Our trip ended up being a mix of the beautiful, curated hangouts built for vacationers and the quieter country roads where you actually get to see more of the real Bali alongside locals.
Photos from this trip were shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon 50mm lens and edited with my own presets.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth visiting Bali more than once?
Absolutely — Bali has enough variety across its regions, from rice-field villas to small outlying islands, that a return trip reveals a completely different side of the island.
How has Bali changed with tourism and Instagram?
Bali has leaned further into what draws travelers — polished beach clubs and photogenic hangouts — but you can still find quieter country roads and local village life if you seek them out.
What gear was used to shoot this trip?
This trip was photographed on a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon 50mm lens and edited using Lindsey’s own presets.
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