After taking a two hour drive up to Ubud from Uluwatu, we checked in to our little, well hidden, hotel! Although hard to find, the hotel was perfectly located in the centre of town, walking distance of everything. The hotel was called ‘Astana House’. A big change from Dreamsea in Uluwatu, but it was just fine! We knew that in Ubud we would be out exploring for most of the day and so we didn’t need the most luxurious hotel. After settling in, we walked around and wandered into some shops and wound up at ‘Folk pool and gardens’ where we ate lunch. No exaggeration, but I had the NICEST drink I’ve ever had, there. It was a mango and passion fruit smoothie with lemon ice cream. Try it! I ate a vegetarian pizza which was also super tasty, including cauliflower, zucchini and eggplant.
After lunch we walked around some more and stumbled upon the famous monkey forest! I don’t know what came over me, but after Jonathan asked me if I wanted to go in, I began to slightly panic and feel scared. I’m pretty sure it was a combination of stress, heat and lack of sleep! Therefore, I questioned as to if I actually dared to go in there; and the signs outside stating how dangerous the monkeys were, weren’t helping. I took some deep breaths, gathered my courage, and just did it! Turns out, it wasn’t bad at all hahaha. It was much bigger than I expected, we were walking around for a good hour or two. Along paths, up and down stairs, and even walking across streams. There was monkeys EVERYWHERE. So many little babies chasing after their mothers who were swinging on vines.
We then went home and took a nap, we were exhausted! Walking up to the dark, wondering what time it was and where we were, we jumped out of bed, threw some clothes on and rushed out to grab a bite to eat before everything closed. It ended up being sushi and it was sooo nice. It was actually unlike me to try something new, but we ordered a ‘dragon’ roll and it was amazing! I think the restaurant was called ‘Toro’, or something similar. Definitely recommend.
#bali #ubud #monkey #nouw #travel
Uluwatu, Bali.
(first stop)
Although the traveling from Sweden to Bali was lit and tiring, being here in Bali makes it all worth it. I had high expectation yet they still have been exceeded. Our first stop was in Uluwatu at a hotel called Dreamsea Surf Camp Bali. I randomly stumbled upon this place on booking.com and once I saw it I was immediately in love! The interior design of the place is sooo beautiful and cozy and exactly what I want my future house to look like. Real authentic Balinese interior which is very boho with lots of neutral colours and patterns. Everywhere you turned there was floor pillows or hanging chairs and swings. Also, a huge stretch of turquoise open sea that always glittered with long rolling waves.
As we checked in we were told of a BBQ beach party that was happening that night at the hotel down on the private beach, and we were asked if we wanted to join- of course we said yes! The effort that the staff put into this evening was outstanding. So far, everyone we have met here is so kind and helpful. As evening drew closer, the tide got pulled out and suddenly the beach became a lot bigger! Me and jonte enjoyed a drink at the bar whilst watching the staff prepare the beach and BBQ. They put HUNDREDS of small tea candles all over the rocks on the beach, hung up fairy lights, lit small bonfires and laid out food whilst tending to the BBQ. There was also a live band playing the whole night, and they were actually really good! There was so much food that night and so many nice vegetarian options! Also, bottomless amounts of beer, sangria or mojito. Whilst there we met another young couple who actually turned out to go to the same uni in Australia that we will be going to, what are the odds?! They were so lovely, we even met up with them the next day for lunch.
Our room was the cosiest hotel room I’ve ever stayed in. We had our own private balcony which had a hanging chair and view of the beach. Sunsets here were breathtaking. There was also some cheeky monkeys on our balcony sometimes!
Included in the price of the room was breakfast. With this, you were able to choose anything from their menu which was amazing. Anything from pancakes to avocado toast to açai bowls. Also any juice of coffee you could think of. All of this was enjoyed with a front row seat on the cliff overlooking the sea. Honestly the tastiest breakfast I’ve ever had.
During our stay we added on a surf lesson and a yoga lesson. Let’s just say that I did not enjoy the surfing lesson (the sea conditions were not suitable for first timers), but I won’t bore you with the negative details! The yoga lesson however was very nice. It was during sunset and on a big wooden balcony above the sea. Towards the end we were taught a breathing exercise which the instructor claimed has helped her immunity to getting sick and also that it has been scientifically proven to be beneficial when done everyday.
Leaving this place wasn’t easy, but we are super excited for what Ubud has to offer! All I can say for now is, if you got to Bali, go to DREAMSEA
#bali #uluwatu #nouw30daychallenge #nouwinfluencer #nouw #blogg #sommar #sommaren2019 #resa #semester #hav
On Friday night it was one of those special summer nights which is one of the best parts about a Swedish summer. Drinking wine and BBQing whilst the sun sets, listening to good music whilst with better company... Going to miss this, and slightly sad that my summer here in Sweden is being cut short due to me and Jonathan moving. However, there will hopefully be many more opportunities for a Swedish summer in the future!
Sunsets are one of my favourite things in life; they are so incredibly beautiful and one of a kind, and happen almost every night! They look so surreal and it seems unimaginable to believe that they are naturally occurring (due to its beauty), yet they are completely natural and a part of our world. Sorry for being deep, and what I said may have not even made sense-the point is, I love sunsets and they are very pretty.
We grilled some pork, aubergine, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms. We ate this together with baked potatoes, salads and a gravy. It took longer to get the BBQ going than what was anticipated, so we were all starving to say the least. This made for an even more enjoyable meal haha. After we ate, it started to rain as though it was perfectly timed. Instead of running inside we sat under the parasol with our blankets and glasses of wine and carried on chatting the night away whilst the rain surrounded us!
Above was one of the wines which me and Jonathan bought together, purely because it looked cute and was reasonably priced. It is new to systemet and therefore had no review from them on how it tasted, a pure gamble! It was quite nice. I’m not the biggest wine expert though, so don’t take my word for it, ill drink any! I’m happy I’ve finally posted on here again, I will hopefully be posting a lot more with Bali and Australia coming up. Stay tuuuuuuned x
#sommar #summer #bbq #nouw30daychallenge #nouwinfluencer #nouw #blogg #nouwinspo
On Tuesday it was Elina’s birthday! We wanted to do something a little more special for her so we threw her a surprise party at mine and jonte’s place on Friday. As weird as it sounds it was actually good that my birthday presents for her hadn’t arrived yet because then I could make up the reason to invite her to my place without any suspicion. I told her, why don’t you come to ours on Friday and we can give you your presents and drink some wine and maybe go out? Luckily she said yes, would’ve been awkward if she already had plans of some sort!
Julia and Jossan came over early and we got some supplies and set everything up before people arrived!
Before Elina arrived everyone hid behind the curtains we have hiding our bed and I set up my camera to record her reaction when they jumped out! She was so frightened bless her, but it was so funny.
I decided to wear a new jumper I got recently from Zara which was neon yellow! A bit of a bold statement but I think it’s really cool, and love the trend that is neon colours.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend xoxo
Never been so in the Christmas mood! Ever since November already I’ve been feeling like it’s Christmas every day. The snow definitely is part of that reason, I love it. We’ve also put up decorations early this year and been wrapping presents and doing other seasonal activities too.❄️
Yesterday before going to Julia’s for a julbord me and Jonathan decided to make something to bring for dessert! I looked up Christmas recipes and found one for gingerbread bars with cream cheese frosting which sounded nice. I somehow interpreted it as being a cake so when it was done I was thinking to myself how did the consistency get so messed up?? I warned people before they took some “it’s meant to be a cake but it somehow ended up with a cookie consistency and so now it’s more like a cheesecake!”. Now I have to write to them and tell them the truth so they don’t think I’m terrible at baking haha. But yeah, overall I thought it was really tasty and definitely tastes like Christmas in a mouthful.
Above are just some random pictures of some Christmas decorations and a picture when wrapping presents! Actually have almost everything I need to shop, that’s a first for this early! Hope you’re all feeling as Christmassy as I am.✨❄️
#nouw #jul #julen2018 #christmastime #bakelse #baking #snow #present
On Saturday me and Jonathan walked to Vallby (friluftsmuseum) where they were having a two day Christmas market. It’s always cozy up there but now it was especially mysigt. All the animals were out, there were so many stalls selling Christmas decorations and snacks and their small shops were open.
^^^ look how cuuuute. It wasn’t that cold either, so it was a really nice day! So many families were there wondering around, and they even had a small little bonfire lit
We bought some brända mandlar to munch on whilst walking around and we also got a cute little Father Christmas decoration.
And lastly my favourite picture of the day: this sweet little goaty looking at Jonte!❤️
#jul #julmarknad #djur
I have aaaaalways had long hair (and I love long hair, don’t get me wrong) but I was just so bored with it and wanted a change. Literally when I sat down in the hairdresser chair she said “so, I heard you wanted a big change” hahaha. I also changed my colour up a bit. I had warm tones in my hair and I really didn’t want that, I asked them to make it quite grey. First they used a blue toner and then they put on a grey toner. Worked out amazingly She also obviously cut my hair A LOT. When she just cut it straight off it was really thick at the bottom and that is nice but I wanted more of a volume at the top feel, so she added in some layers and stuff!
^^^ BEFORE VS AFTER
❤️
#hair #hår
What an island... I have to say I didn’t know what to expect when visiting this place- I’ve gotten such mixed signals about it. Some people have told me it’s the most beautiful place they’ve been and has some of the best diving spots in the world and then there’s negative stories about it in the newspapers etc about crimes being committed. I personally had a positive experience which I’m very grateful for
Now was the time to finally soak in the sun and swim in the sea!! Such warm and lovely water. We stayed on Sairee Beach which is apparently the beach where everything happens: all the restaurants and nightlife etc. We did however go see other beaches as well, once on a day trip by car to go snorkelling and another time by boat to several beaches and even a different island! Only negative about the sea was that sometimes there’d be small jellyfish that stink practically everyone...
The nightlife on Koh Tao was not a disappointment! This one place which is pictured above had a fire show EVERY night with music, body painting and bucket drinks! Another popular bar was fish bowl which was right on the beach and had a live band playing when we went.
Massages on the beach take the whole thing to the NEXT LEVEL. So peaceful and relaxing. Some great cafes and restaurants on the beach!
The day of the long boat trip was by far the best. We went to a few different spots and snorkelled and had lunch. The island ‘Nang yuan’ was breathtaking... such crystal clear water and a beautiful bay. To help preserve the beach you are not allowed to sit on it with a towel or anything that collects sand (they have beach chairs) and you aren’t allowed to take plastic bottles on to the island.
#thailand #kohtao #nouw #semester #holiday
Chiang Mai is actually such a cool place. There’s over 200 temples just scattered around the town and there’s so many things to do and see. We stayed there for 5 nights and I miss it already. What I really like was that there was a mixture of real Thai food but also western food and some really cool cafes like ‘Fern Forrest’. ‘Cooking Love’ was a small Thai restaurant which people had recommended to us, and they served super tasty and really cheap food!
One of our days there we took a Thai cooking class! This was such a cool experience and I actually learned a lot. We made three meals of our choice (from a list) and then sticky rice with mango! We even got to walk around their garden to pick ingredients and eat some fruit from the trees.
This was one of the my favourite days yet. White water rafting and exploring two waterfalls. This was my first time rafting and I was so scared to start with but then it was just fun! There were water spiders that kept on coming onto the boat which was kinda scary but I guess it’s part of the experience!
On another day we took a long bus ride to the ‘Golden Triangle’ where Thailand meets Laos and Burma. We took a boat trip and spent 30 mins on Laos; cool day trip! Next up- elephant sanctuary in Kanchanaburi!
#thailand #nouw #semester #holiday #food
First thoughts in Bangkok: what a cultural shock. It’s so completely different from what I’m used to it’s slightly overwhelming. This is what I live for though, exploring different countries and cultures. 4 weeks in Thailand has begun and I’m so excited to see what this month has to bring!
Bangkok is a hectic city to say the least: I’m not much of a city person but it’s always interesting to explore. There is people everywhere, food everywhere and overwhelming smells everywhere. Such beautiful temples to be seen. Went to the Grand Palace one day and the detail that is in there walls and paintings is unbelievable. Another thing I noticed is the juxtaposition in buildings- from torn apart rustic buildings, to modern skyscrapers. A cool thing to see!
On one fully packed day we went to the railway market and the floating market. The railway market is basically locals selling their produce either sides of train tracks with tourists walking along the middle of the tracks. Every hour or so when the train comes everyone has to scatter to the sides and watch as the train passes.
At the floating market you can pay to sit on a wooden boat and go along the canal with people sitting on both sides hooking you in to purchase from them. We also saw a dead floating croc in the river unfortunately
Bangkok you’ve been great, see you in a few weeks at the end of the trip!
#bangkok #thailand #semester #travel #explore #nouw
