Part 1: The Drift Begins| Bali Adventures

Those words were quite unusual for me to hear - and hearing them from a French woman who had just saved my life was both exciting and confusing. It felt like the stars were aligning - something that was bound to happen - and I just happened to be the lucky one to be part of it.

Not your usual invite, but a very subtle hint. Hints that, if you could crack, the whole delicacy was yours.

Hi! Let's start with a little introduction before I dive deep into my memory lane for this adventure.

I'm in my mid-20s and now travel full-time to explore the wild side of me.

Back home, I was doing well working in my trade, but life had turned monotonous - limited fun, limited experiences. Living in a small town meant almost half the people knew me, which honestly wasn't the best thing for my personal space and exploration.

Luckily, I hustled early, saved some surplus for this wild dream, and picked up side gigs to support my adventures - writing being one of them.

My craving grew fierce for my first international trip - somewhere wild, affordable, and full of fun.

Bali ticked all the boxes. I was already familiar with solo travel from week-long trips where I pushed myself to crazy limits, so I felt confident about the island.

Bali is often called a digital nomad paradise - with costs so low, living there barely feels like doing anything serious. With all the digital nomads, freelancers, and Aussies around, it's a different island altogether.

But in my personal opinion, I'd call it the blonde island.

Oh man, the number of blondes I met during my stay was so insane, even Sweden would have felt left out. Beautiful blondes, Aussies, and Russians made my Bali stay not just memorable - but left me craving to come back for a longer, wilder holiday.

I'll surely share those adventures too, someday.

But for now, let's get to the real reason for this writing - something I didn't expect, but honestly, felt I deserved. What started scary turned out surprisingly sweet - or should I say, like macarons? (Haha, I can't wait to share it.)

Now let's rewind to when I just landed at Denpasar Airport to get a hold of how it all happened.

Bali has smooth immigration. The e-VOA (Visa on Arrival) process made it seamless - got through immigration in barely ten minutes.

Bali was an easy pick, but I still wanted some familiarity with the scene. For the first week, I booked a surf hostel in Canggu, to socialize and get familiar with the local area.

I didn't have much luggage, just a backpack, so I thought maybe I'd book a scooter ride to my hostel.

But nope - turns out that's a no-go, thanks to the taxi mafia (they're everywhere and honestly, annoying).

So, I booked a cab instead.

Still, taxis were dirt cheap - like pennies compared to what I'd pay back home.

The traffic though… yeah, that I didn't expect. I thought Bali would be just a travellers' island, but it turns out there are actual residents too (haha).

Until now, I'd only seen Bali through the eyes of travellers.

So seeing locals who weren't just crashing here for vacations? Kinda felt like spotting an endangered species.

Finally, I reached the place, did the check-in and all the formalities. I had booked a bed in a 6-bed mixed dorm room. For me, an 8 or more bed dorm feels weird and unbearable, so I prefer 6 beds - a sweet spot between crashing at an affordable price and not feeling like hell.

I was allotted a lower berth, and the dorm still had one more bed unoccupied. I got myself comfortable, changed, and freshened up for the evening fun. Slipping into my comfy slippers, I went down for a stroll to see what was around the hostel. A fancy area with many upscale restaurants, cafes, and the occasional street hawker - it felt nice, honestly. Overall, I liked my stay there.

Later, I came back to the hostel and wandered into the common area to explore the amenities. It was almost empty, like I had arrived early to a party where everyone was still out living their evenings.

It was Day 1 in a new country, a new place, and I had no clue what to do. I didn't have many connections either, so I just sat on the couch scrolling through my phone. Slowly, people started trickling back into the hostel - settling in, showing up in the common area.

My first interaction was with two young lads around my age traveling together. We greeted each other, made some small talk, and I asked what dorm they were in. They said 304.

I was surprised. "I'm there too, Bed 3!" I laughed.

They grinned and said, "We have one more person in our dorm. Wanna meet?"

I was riding a full high tide and replied, "Hell yeah!"

As we were exchanging those words, someone joined the table. It was a young woman - a little older than me (if that even counts). If I had to describe her from that first interaction, I'd say: wild, carefree, and clearly there for fun - just like me.

She had a friendly appearance and greeted us with a smile.

We exchanged names. She was Lena and our conversation got drifted into little small talk about how long we'd been in Bali and such. As the conversation flowed, I got to know more about her, and we started vibing a bit. She shared that she had been traveling for the past 8 months, taking a break from her job and ticking off items from her bucket list.

I was genuinely astonished by her story. It was inspiring, honestly - because I was seeking the same thing in my life. A break from the usual grind -a chance to explore the part of me that needed an outlet, away from the routine and familiar faces.

After a few more exchanges, she left the table. I hung around for a bit before heading out myself - I was starting to feel a little hungry. Just a few meters away was a restaurant. In a hurry, I stepped in, scanned the menu quickly, and placed my order.

As I was waiting for my order, I heard someone whisper my name. I turned to see who it was - being in a new place, I wasn't expecting anyone to recognize me this soon. Not surprisingly, it was the same woman I'd just had a brief introduction with at the hostel - the one staying in my dorm, Lena.

She made a hand gesture, inviting me to join her while she was having her white sauce pasta. That small gesture made me feel a bit more at ease in this unfamiliar place, and I quickly joined her while waiting for my own order.

Sitting next to her in the dim lighting made everything feel a little more intimate. Now that we weren't just exchanging casual words in passing, I started noticing things I hadn't during our earlier interaction. Her scent was the first - subtle yet distinct. It wasn't overpowering, but it had that kind of pull… the kind that makes you lean in a little closer without even realizing it.

She passed me the fork and asked, "Wanna try it?"

 I paused for a second, giving a quick 'no-no' gesture, but then responded, "Sure!"

I took the fork from her hand, catching a moment of her touch. If I had to describe it, I'd say I'd never felt such a firm touch from a woman. Maybe all the girls I'd met before came out of some dollhouse; their touches always felt like feathers - too soft. But Lena's hands were different: stiff, almost like mine. Not a bad thing, just… new to me.

The mood was slowly turning romantic, but all of a sudden, that poorly made, bland, and tasteless pasta ruined it - not just for me, but for her too. I could see it in her eyes. She smirked, almost as if she already knew the answer, and asked, "How is it?"

As a true connoisseur, I couldn't lie about food. I nearly gagged after taking a bite, making an exaggerated expression of disgust. She laughed, clearly sharing my disappointment.

I was still hungry and had my fingers crossed because I had already ordered a burger. Normally, a burger is something that can't go wrong, but after that awful pasta, my confidence was shaken.

I glanced back at Lena, her eyes meeting mine, and with a playful tone, I said, "I've ordered a burger too."

For a moment, we both just looked at each other and cracked up, sharing a low-key laugh over what to expect next.

Finally, my order arrived. Honestly, my bar was already quite low after that horrible pasta experience. With a slight hesitation, I grabbed that burger and was about to take a huge bite - mouth wide open - when it hit me that I wasn't alone.

I paused, lowered the burger back to the plate, and asked her if she wanted to taste it too. I could see her expectations were low too, but she gathered her courage and, with a confident grin, said, "I have a better idea."

I blinked, confused, and asked if she had any wild sauces in mind. She replied, "Let's take a bite together and share each other's reaction - see if it's good or bland." Honestly, it felt strange at first; I'd never been that frank with a woman I'd met just forty‑five minutes ago. But the idea was exciting, so I nodded.

Now that burger felt like a third wheel between us. We leaned in, mouths wide, and took a simultaneous bite - our lips nearly touching in an unexpected kiss. It was hilarious, and I wasn't sure if it was the intimacy or the burger that tasted better, but it was delicious. The spicy sauce lingered on her lips like a savior.

"I guess we should've done that with the pasta," I laughed, and she joined in, the tension broken.

She responded positively with a flirtatious, "We could do it now." But I was done with that horrible pasta.

"Can't let it haunt me again," I replied, laughing off the tension of the moment.

The burger moment was over, and honestly, I felt awkward about where the interaction was heading. It was my first day on the island, and it already felt like too much for Day 1. I tried to think of a few more things to do but decided it would be better to crash back at the hostel and socialise with other travellers.

I hadn't rented a scooter yet, but she had one, so I asked, "I feel like the hostel would be more fun. Wanna join?"

"Sure, I have a scooter with me," she said. Although the distance wasn't far, she probably planned to go further, which explained why she had a scooter. I hopped on the back, and even though she rode it like a bullock cart - slow and steady - we eventually reached the hostel. She parked, and we headed upstairs to the common area to meet more people.

The crowd was lively, and I vibed with a few of them. The vibe at the hostel was buzzing, and the common area was now full of chatter, laughter, and the occasional clink of bottles.

I mingled with a few more people, slowly settling into the energy of the place. Before I knew it, hours had passed.

Just as I was thinking of calling it a day, the manager tossed out an idea: "Let's hit a hidden beach, away from the crowd, just chill by the waves." Everyone was instantly hyped. Within ten minutes, we were in a convoy of eight scooters, following a lead rider into the night.

I'll admit, I was a bit nervous - hoping we weren't about to trespass on someone's land and get into trouble on my first day. I still had weeks ahead to explore.

We finally reached the parking spot and had to walk about a hundred meters through the bushes to get to the beach. Honestly, this was my first beach holiday, and seeing the soft glow of distant lights reflect off the water, hearing the waves roll in - it felt exciting and surreal. Slowly, everyone split into smaller groups, lost in their own little moments.

The beach was dimly lit by the moon, with scattered footprints in the soft sand and the rhythmic sound of waves setting a calm backdrop. A few people were dancing near a Bluetooth speaker, others lying on towels, chatting under the stars.

After a while, I needed a little breather from the buzz and slipped away quietly. I walked a little farther until it was just me, the ocean, and a sky full of stars.

I sat down, letting the breeze hit my face. A guy joined me, and we started talking. He offered me a cigarette, but I politely declined since I don't smoke. Instead, we shared details about our trips. Mine had just begun, while he had already been here for three weeks.

He told me this wasn't his first time - he had been coming here for years. "This place has a magic that keeps pulling you back," he said.

At that moment, I wasn't sure if I believed him, but now I know his words were pure gold.

Curiously, I asked him what to expect. His response caught me off guard.

"Women? Beautiful women. Beaches? Beautiful beaches. Experience? Wild stories. You get things here that you can't even imagine, things you won't even experience in Bangkok. Always be prepared for the unexpected."

At that time, I dismissed his words as pure exaggeration. But what I experienced later on this trip was something I truly couldn't have imagined. Now, I vouch for his words too - your wildest dreams really do start to feel real here.

After a while, the manager came over to call us for a group photo before heading back to the hostel. Everyone was starting to feel the fatigue. I wasn't exactly sleepy, but my body was definitely craving rest. I joined in, posed for a few snaps, shared some laughs, and then we all made our way back.

The energy faded quickly, and within minutes, the hostel had turned quiet as everyone slipped back to their rooms.

As I entered mine, I found Lena already there.

"I didn't see you at the beach," I said genuinely surprised.

"Who said I wasn't there?" she replied with a smirk.

The beach crowd had been so lively, I hadn't even noticed her. She'd been there the entire time, just somehow slipping past my radar.

Without another word, she handed me her phone.

"Save your number," she said. "So I won't lose you again."

I smiled, typed in my number with the country code, and told her to WhatsApp me instead - it wasn't my travel SIM, but my permanent one.

I chatted for a few more minutes with the two people I had met earlier, but soon everyone was ready to call it a night. The lights dimmed, and one by one, people settled into their beds.

I wasn't exactly tired yet, so I grabbed my phone and scrolled through reels for a bit. But after a few moments, I figured it was better to rest - after all, it was already 4 AM, whether You'd call it morning or still night.

In the morning, my eyes squinted as light flooded the room. Someone had slid the curtains open which earlier blocked the daylight. Good morning, I guessed - or rather, almost noon, since it was just thirty minutes to twelve.

I got out of my comfy dorm bed, which had hugged me all morning and given me solid sleep despite the late night. I looked around, hoping to spot someone familiar, but the room was almost empty. The two guys had checked out, off to chase new plans.

It was just me and Lena left in the dorm - at least for now.

But no one was present in the room - she was gone too, probably off on some adventure. I quickly freshened up and got ready before heading out for brunch. I felt a bit lost today. Last night had been full of people, energy, and non-stop interaction - I hadn't been alone for a second. Now, surrounded by silence, it felt oddly lonely. I wasn't sure what to do.

I figured a cup of coffee might help - both for the energy and to gather my thoughts about what to do next. I was still new to the place. Sure, I could've just googled "Places to visit in XYZ Guide" and gotten a full list of major attractions, but honestly, I was too lazy to even do that.

After about five minutes of sitting alone in the common area, two people joined my table. Luckily, they were also discussing where to go, and I found myself listening in. Eventually, I asked casually, "Where are you going? Mind if I join?"

After a quick introduction and name exchange - Leo (not the beer, I swear) and Arun - they told me they were both solo travelers who had met at another hostel and had been exploring new places together on a Honda scooter. Leo asked, "Do you have a ride?"

 I was caught off guard - I hadn't realized I'd need one. I replied with a surprised chuckle, "Haven't booked one yet."

Leo smiled and said, "If you want to explore the island at your own pace, rent one quickly. Even if you're crashing here for two or three weeks, always ask for a monthly deal - they often offer steep discounts, making a month-long rental cheaper than a shorter term."

Since this was my first time in Bali and I wouldn't be here for more than three weeks, I still took his advice and booked for a month - planning to return the scooter early and still save about 20%.

Now I had my own ride and a bright yellow helmet from the rental shop. I felt charged up for the day.

When I rode back to the hostel, Arun and Leo were already gone. It felt strange - I'd been with them just half an hour earlier.

Sadly, I hadn't exchanged numbers with them, so I was on my own again. With a heavy heart, I pulled out my phone and let Google rescue me with a "restaurants nearby" search. A top‑rated spot just five minutes away caught my eye - a French restaurant where I was already craving a socca.

I hopped on my new ride - a gleaming Yamaha that felt fresh off the showroom lot - and weaved through the surprisingly smooth Bali traffic. Just as I parked, a soft tap on my shoulder made me jump.

It turned out to be Lena standing behind me. Reunited. Somehow, she'd appeared right when I needed her, like my personal guide on this trip.

I laughed. "You must be bored without me!"

"Haha, such a small island," she teased.

-"It is."

-"Here for a meal?"

-"Haha, I believe so."

-"Wanna join us?"

-"Us?"

-"Yes - I have someone to introduce you to."

I was surprised by who Lena was introducing me to. At that moment, I was in the flow, trying to process everything. We walked in, and she led me to a table where someone was already sitting. As we joined her, I couldn't help but be taken aback. The woman sitting there looked magnificent. Her glance told me she was petite.

I couldn't quite place it at first, but something about the way she carried herself was captivating. There was an air of confidence, mixed with grace, that immediately caught my attention. She wasn't just beautiful - she had a presence. It was hard to focus on much else as we made our way to the table.

The only French word that popped into my mind was "Oui," so I extended a handshake while muttering it awkwardly. Haha, it was funny at that moment. I didn't know why I did it, but both of them laughed. We exchanged names, and she introduced herself as Élodie. Not being very fluent in French, I accidentally called her Aldi like the supermarket.

She was in a good mood and, with a smile, corrected me: "It's eh-loh-dee."

I generally avoid playing around with someone's name for fear of ruining it, so I quickly opened my Notes app and wrote it down. I couldn't afford to forget it - not when an adventure with her in the ocean was waiting, one I'd never forget.

We ordered our food and started talking about how things had been so far in Bali. I noticed that Élodie was more of an observer than a talker, and I found that intriguing. I was already starting to like her.

Lena, on the other hand, kept talking about the fun she had yesterday and teasing me about how fun I seemed to be.

It feels good hearing compliments about yourself, and I guess it was working its charm on someone. Talking about yourself doesn't have the same impact as when someone else does. It makes you sound more fun and trustworthy.

Our food arrived, and I was so hungry that I almost got lost in that delicious socca. I wasn't paying attention to their conversation, but suddenly, I heard my name from Élodie. Without thinking, I reflexively responded with 'Oui,' which meant 'Yes' in French.

-"Okay, so we'll meet tomorrow morning, sharp at 8. Fine with you?"

"'Sure," I replied, though I wasn't fully aware of what I was agreeing to. At that moment, I was more focused on my meal than on figuring out the details of what was actually being planned.

Afterward, Lena parted ways, leaving me alone at the table. A feeling of unease settled in - was it the sudden solitude? I wasn't sure, but I decided to grab a coconut from a nearby shack on my way out, hoping it would calm my mind.

Then, suddenly, it hit me - what had I agreed to? I hadn't even taken her number to follow up. I guess I would just have to wait until morning. I was excited, but not fully invested in the moment. Still, I made my way there the next day, and it turned out to be an experience that would make my Bali trip unforgettable.

What happened the next day? Where did Lena go? And how did Lena shock me on the second evening? To find out, you'll have to read Part 2 of the story, available on my Patreon.

I truly want to travel full-time, and your support on Patreon.com/echovonn helps make that dream possible. This isn't just a story - it's my adventures, and your subscriptions allow me to continue sharing them. Please head over to my Patreon and show some support, so I can keep writing and sharing these young and crazy experiences with all of you.

I'm waiting for you on Patreon - Part 2 is already live, along with all the other wild and unforgettable moments from my entire Bali trip.

Read Part 2 here.