Our first morning in Bali we woke up around 4am. Jet lag will easily do that to you. It did however, allow us to witness a glorious sunrise over the rice fields that were just across a river from our cabana. It was an epic way to start our visit.

Sanur is a beautiful and quaint part of Bali with lushes hotels along the boardwalk that lines the beach. The boardwalk really makes Sanur special as walking in Bali can be treacherous in most of the towns with narrow streets and tiny sidewalks, but this pathed path in Sanur is great for biking and long walks along the beach. Walk to the south end of the boardwalk for a great view of the sunset and find a nice little cafe to have a Bintang (beer) or a Bali kopi (coffee).

Located just off the eastern shore of Bali, Indonesia is a small island called Nusa Lembongan. It is a great place for a day trip if you're vacation on Bali and is only a 30-40min boat ride from Sanur. There is a boat that will take you between the two islands a few times a day. Once arriving on the shores of Lembongan it is best to rent a scooter for the day (~$6USD). There are only a few roads on the island so it is impossible to get lost and the beaches are well marked by signs. Unlike Bali there is no traffic on the island! We set out around the island in a counterclockwise loop. We stopped and watched the villagers drying colorfull seaweed along the shore (this is used to make ice-cream). We stopped at the mangroves for a fresh seafood lunch, some beach time, and some snorkeling. And then explored the many picturesque beaches around the island. Our favorite was "Dream Beach" and it lived up to its name. Be sure you don't lose track of time on this paradise of an island. It is easy to do and we almost missed our return boat back to Bali that afternoon!

This is Coffee. In Bali we were lucky enough to meet a man who actually loves coffee more than me. He generously offered to take us to his business partners coffee plantation and show us around for the day. I learned more about the growth, processing, selling, roasting, and creating of this nectar of the gods than I ever knew was possible in those hours. This is our friend picking a ripe coffee fruit.

While traveling in Bali, I had the opportunity to go surfing at Uluwatu. It is an amazing spot, but there is no beach. To reach the break, you have to hike down a steep flight of steps behind a cliff, then paddle out through a sea cave full of turbulent water. As we approached the water, my heart beat faster and faster, both with excited anticipation, and thrilling nervousness. The water was incredible, a light sapphire, warm, and clear. As I watched this fellow surfer make his way out of the water, I knew that I could do it too, and it gave me courage. I will forever remember the anticipation of this moment.

After weeks of exhilarating, yet exhausting travel through Indonesia, I recommend pampering yourself at the end of the journey at a place like Maya Ubud. The resort is set seamlessly among the lush jungles and rice terraced slopes of Bali, near the town of Ubud. Maya Ubud's tranquil grounds accompany the massages and poolside lounging perfectly, so all your aches and pains melt away. Although it is tough to pry away from the beautiful gardens and multiple infinity pools, Ubud offers many attractions just minutes away. Ubud is the scene of gorgeous hindu temples, Balinese dance performances, walks through the mind blowing rice terraces and dynamite cuisine. If that's not enough, the nearby rivers and volcano allow you to indulge in more intense activities, such as white water rafting and predawn treks to the volcanic summit.

Rice is something that we eat all the time. So few of us though, have ever seen it grow. I was amazed as I walked through the rice paddies of Jatiluwih to see that rice is just another, tall, robust form of grass. These tiny seeds are what about half of the worlds population survives on. It was mind-blowing.

The sunrise at Borobudur is one of those magical experiences that makes us spend so much money on travel. The site of the smoking volcano on the horizon, combined with the brilliant hues and Buddhas on the summit of the temple mountain, make this one of the most enlightening moments one can experience in travel. Borobudur is located in central Java, near Jogjakarta. The best place to stay in order to see the sunrise is Hotel Borobudur, which shares the grounds of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel allows you to roll out of bed just before sunrise and stake out a great spot.

It took three years to realize this passion project: a spa retreat built mainly of bamboo. Book a riverfront suite, or the hotel can arrange a stay in a rural family’s home. From $475. 62/(0) 36-146-9206. Image by Djuna Ivereigh/Fivelements. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

One of the most important celebrations in Bali is Galungan. Beginning March 27 this year, the festival symbolizes the victory of virtue (dharma) over evil (adharma). Hear the mysterious clangs of gamelan music; see women and girls in elaborate dress; and don’t miss the Barong Dance, in which young boys parade around as a dragonlike creature to fill the village with holiness. Photo by Mast Irham/EPA/Corbis. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

At Bali’s newest Alila hotel, villas are sandwiched between emerald rice terraces and a black-sand beach. The spa, a temple of lava rock and marble, offers traditional Balinese massage. From $510. 62/(0) 36-1894-6388. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

Set on cliffs above the Indian Ocean, this posh resort is made up of 59 spacious villas that blend local stone and wood with Bulgari-made fabrics. It’s a luxurious combination of contemporary Italian design and Balinese traditional architecture. From $880. 62/(0) 361-847-1000. Photo courtesy of Bulgari Hotels.

Clear Café may specialize in raw and vegan food, but you won’t find dream catchers or hemp tablecloths here. Instead, you’ll see marble-and-stone tabletops, driftwood sculptures, and a small courtyard pool. Notable menu items include black pepper tuna and raw zucchini linguine. Jalan Hanoman No. 8, Ubud, 62/(0) 36-1889-4437. Photo courtesy of Clear Cafe. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

A stay in Ubud, Bali's cultural center, wouldn't be complete without dropping by Naughty Nuri's for a rack of ribs, smoking hot off the grill. Casual, open air dining with more pork than you can shake a rib at, burgers and steak as well. Located on Jalan Sanggingan, a bit north of Ubud center, Nuri's is a "local's joint" often crowded with travelers from around the globe who enjoy succelent, finger-lickin' slabs of pork ribs, sauced to perfection, washed down with an icy martini or pitcher of cold Bin Tang beer. Easy on the wallet, Nuri's is a great spot to chat up a local Balinese artist, an ex-pat or three, or practice your Balinese under the attentive eye of Nuri and hubby Brian (the "naughty" in Nuri's...). Nothing fancy here. Tasty food, friendly folks and a lively atmosphere keep 'em coming back for more.

The temples in Bali, Indonesia are famous for their multi-tiered thatch roofs. This was taken at Pura Taman Ayun in the village of Mengwi. Visitors are not allowed to enter the temples - we could only view from outside the walls. Thankfully the walls aren't very tall :)

Here is the gateway to Komodo National Park home of the largest lizard in the world. The national park is comprised of Komodo Island, Rinca Island also many smaller islands as well as the surrounding ocean. This combined with the remoteness makes an underwater world rivaling the terra firma. The SCUBA here is some of the best I've ever experienced. The corals and macro life is amazing but there are almost large animals such as sharks and manta rays.

Every morning, before the day has truly begun, Balinese women come to the market shrine in the center of Ubud, Bali. They light incense and leave their offerings, origami folded banana frawns bearing crackers and cookies and flower petals for the gods. By midmorning the offerings have accumulating into towering stacks of “Canang Sari”. I love spending times in the Ubud central market, but because of tourism you have to get up with the sun to experience the market that the locals frequent. Get to the market as early as 5:30-6 am eat a breakfast of small pastries and spicy Babi Guling (roast pig). By 8:30 am the locals' market is already dispersed and the tourist market – filled with gilded sarongs and carved masks has taken its place.

I'll be honest, you are going to find mixed reviews from travelers about visiting the Uluwatu Temple on the southern tip of Bali. People are going to complain about the thieving monkeys (for good reason), the lack of luster offered by the temple, the crowds, the trash, the entrance fee, and the fact that the temple is somewhat isolated from the other many attractions on the island. However, I am going to make a hard stance that the Uluwatu Temple is worth the visit and that's why I'm considering it as one of the highlights of our trip to Bali! I will also make the claim that the Uluwatu Temple is the best place to see the sunset on the island of Bali! Here is my advice for making the Uluwatu Temple a great experience on your trip to Bali: 1) Visit the temple on your own as a part of touring the many amazing beaches located on the southern tip of Bali by scooter (rent a scooter for $6USD for the day in Kuta or Jimbaran). Make a day-trip out of the visit to Uluwatu. 2) Visit the temple at sunset and go for the sunset 3) Carry a stick as you tour the temple to keep the thieving monkeys at bay and heed all warnings that they will steal any lose items off your person in the blink of an eye. Actually I won't limit items to "lose" items. DO NOT TEST THEM! You will lose, but this is all part of the travel experience! 4) Forget the free dance performance. It is too crowded and there are plenty of other opportunities to see a Balinese dance performance while on the island

Outside of Ubud in the still-quiet country, the father of a friend wades through a sea of green, taking care of his family's ricefields. He is the last of his line to work in the sawah, or rice paddies. His son has graduated college and works on a cruiseship, and knows nothing of rice farming.

Walking into our guide's house we were treated to a scrumptious spread of the best food we had had in Bali. Lightly sauteed spinach with chicken satay, noodles, Balinese spices and pickles along with tofu dipped in a delicious sauce made for a finger licking, mouth watering meal. To experience this contact Jegeg Bali Cycling and after bicycling through small villages you will be treated to lunch at the guide's house with his family. Our guide's hospitality, meeting his family, and hanging out at his family compound made this day a memorable one!

While in Ubud, I saw many wonderful dance performances--there is a different one each night of the week. The best however, was Semara Ratih--it was amazing and mesmerizing. It clearly stood out above the others in its refinement. So if you are in Ubud, Semara Ratih performs each Tuesday at 7:30, it is a must see. I know this sounds like a commercial, but it really was incredible.