THINGS TO PACK

THINGS YOU REALLY SHOULD BRING FROM HOME

Obviously you need your passport and visas! But here are some suggestions around what I will definitely be packing in my own case.

And please just be aware, while we are not too far from the bustle of Ubud with shops and a supermarket etc, it will be smart to have your travel essentials with you rather than have to leave the property to get them.

Water bottles

You must avoid drinking tap water, and remember to keep your mouth closed in the shower.

You’ll be drinking Aqua, which is spring water and very safe while you are in Bali.

If you pack a big lightweight empty water bottle in your suitcase, you’ll be able to fill it up from the water coolers onsite and keep yourself well hydrated.

We will have water in the Villas of course, but I always find I’m looking for more water through the day so a big bottle will be handy. ( I drink a lot of water!)

Also, you’ll be brushing your teeth with the bottled Aqua in your room so you’ll go through it faster than you might expect.

Also pack a smaller water bottle for when you are out and about.

It’s the tropics. You need to keep your fluids up!

One word about Aqua, there are other brands of spring water of course, but everyone refers to bottled water as Aqua, so just keep than in mind.

Alcohol

There is a one litre maximum Customs limit per person for alcohol coming into Indonesia.

At duty free in Melbourne, wine is more expensive than at Dan Murphy, so if wine is your thing, get it locally and pack it ( well ) into your case.

If you prefer spirits, the duty free options are much better.

Alcohol is more expensive than you would think in Bali.

And we do have it available to charge to your room at Amori if you like. (It isn’t complimentary with your dinners.)

So have a think about what you’d like and hatch a plan.

Snacks

I like to travel with little pre-packaged snacks in case I get delayed in transit.

I tend to get hangry otherwise!

Things like nuts or trail mix can be very welcome additions to your travel bag.

Snaplock Bags in a few sizes

Yes I am a snacker! And besides keeping my snacks fresh and free of those tiny annoying Bali ants (!), little baggies have a myriad of uses while I’m away. I love the reusable Decor ones which are also the perfect size to hold cash in my handbag. You can get these at Woollies by the way.

Sunscreen

Brands are limited in Bali and it’s quite expensive to buy it there. Bring it from home.

Insect repellent

I have found the one that serves me well in Bali is Good Riddance Tropical Insect Repellent. It’s a natural product, so no nasties.

And I have found that it has the bonus gift of soothing any bites you do get.

If you’re a Bass Coasty, they have it at Health and Ecology Wonthaggi, and it’s also available online.

If you like a more chemical kind of repellent, look for the word “tropical” in your choice as mosquitos are the main thing you want to repel, not flies.

Medications

Please be sure to bring whatever prescription meds you might be taking in the product boxes, with the chemist’s notation on them.

I always bring the following as part of my Bali travel kit. You might like to have these handy too:

·      Imodium, because it is Bali!

·      Ibuprofen / Panadol

·      Naprosyn, if you use it ( and while I think of it, the selection of sanitary products is pretty limited, so bring these from home if you’ll need them.)

Regarding Bali Belly, you just need to be sure that your hands are always clean when you eat, that you only drink Aqua water and brush your teeth with it, that you keep your mouth closed in the shower, and that you avoid eating at warungs ( street vendors).

Cafes and restaurants are generally very good and don’t want to risk their reputations by people getting sick.

Ice in drinks is made from Aqua these days so it’s not a problem, like it used to be.

One other thing, we are eating vegan at the retreat, ( other than the celebration dinner which will have Australian beef and seafood )

Eating plant based food reduces the chances of getting a nasty belly bug.

When you visit the wet market ( meat, fish and poultry etc) on our cooking class day, you will see why!

I have been to Bali many times and haven’t had a problem. But of course I make sure I take probiotics for at least a month before leaving home and I take a daily double dose while I am away. This has worked for me. So far so good!

Supplements

Again, best to travel with supplements in their jars in case anyone questions them.

Probiotics are your best friend!

Hand sani

Please be sure to pack hand sani and small packets of wet wipes to keep with you when you are out and about.

Yoga gear

You won’t need to bring your mat.

Everything we need will be in the yoga shala already.

You’ll want your normal yoga clothes though, and please pack a long sleeve layer for our evening practices too as the temperature will drop a bit.

Sneakers

I can’t stress this enough.

And yes I admit I am a clean feet kind of gal.

But when you’re walking around Ubud, you will encounter pavements that are uneven, broken, dirty and sometimes wobbly.

Please pack sneaker style shoes that will give you steadiness and support as you walk around and also keep your tootsies pristine.

And when we are taking our nature walks, you won’t need hiking boots. Sneakers will be fine for this.

Slides and thongs will be fine for the retreat space, but when you are out and about sneakers are best.

The best ones to get are the elastic side ones that have no laces because you also might find yourself putting shoes on and taking shoes off repeatedly, depending on what your sightseeing plans are.

Many cafes are “shoes off” places if you are inside. And temples are definitely “shoes off” places.

Kmart and Target have elastic sneaker style shoes that are very affordable.

Oh that’s the other thing.

I buy cheap shoes for Bali and they never see the light of day when I’m back home. I throw them in a hot wash once I get home and they go back into storage.

I’m a clean feet, germ intolerant kind of gal.

I would never, ever take my expensive fancy sneakers to Bali. They stay home.

Slides or thongs

That’s a no brainer for around the retreat space.

A white shirt for temple

This is for all of us.

Men and women wear a white shirt, sarong and sash around the waist to temple.

I will have a sarong and sash for everyone.

You just need to pack the shirt. It can be button through, or even a t-shirt.

We just need to cover the upper arms and shoulders to meet temple etiquette.

Women: A thick t-shirt bra or a two piece swimsuit

When we have our water ritual you will be soaked to the bone.

So please wear a bra that won’t turn invisible in water or a two-piece swimsuit under your shirt and sarong.

Something nice to wear for our celebration dinner

Okay, you don’t need to pack your tiaras!

But our last dinner will be a special evening and it would be lovely to see everyone dressed for the occasion.

Think relaxed, resort chic.

Or watch The White Lotus for inspiration!

A crossbody bag

This is an essential for me.

I like a crossbody for security when I travel as it’s much harder to wrench this away from you than a shoulder bag.

It’s smart to also have a body belt with your passport and valuables inside.

That’s just normal travel advice.

A market tote

Because you will be tempted to bring home lovely things from the Ubud market and the shops in town.

 A nice sturdy tote is a godsend, with space for your water bottle, your wet wipes and your goodies. I have also found that it’s good to have those carry bags that zip up into tiny purse sized pieces in case I get carried away at the market and need more bags….

A hat

And a cap if you wear them.

I bought a great collapsible summer fedora from Blue Bungalow which can be folded up in the suitcase and then pops into life once you’ve unpacked. Genius!

https://bluebungalow.com.au/collections/travel-hats

About your wardrobe…

Please note, Ubud is cooler in the evenings than other areas in Bali, so a wrap or cardi will be great to have with you, as well as a a pair of long, lightweight pants for night time.

The days will be warm, and we can expect temperatures between 20 and 29 degrees each day. Expect humidity.

In August rain isn’t usually an issue as it is the driest month.

Just a note about long pants for daytime wear …. some of the bathrooms you might encounter will be very basic.

So my preference while I am out and about is always shorts or skirts rather long pants every time. And sneakers. You’ll just have to trust me on this!

Journal & pens

Please be sure to bring a notebook or journal and some pens as things always come up on retreats.

I will be offering journaling prompts through the week too, and of course these are just suggestions but I think journaling will be really helpful in getting the best out of your time away.

Books and / or magazines

The selection is pretty limited in Bali, unless you go to Periplus in Ubud and are after literature and cookbooks, written in English and focused on Indonesia.

Target has a great $39 power board by Anko that has two insertion points and also inputs for your phone charging cables https://www.target.com.au/p/universal-travel-adaptor-kit-anko/68955533

I used it in Bali in March and it was great.

Cables

Bring your phone charging cables, laptop charging cable if you’re bringing one, and as I am a little nerd I always pack an extension lead too.

Please reach out if you have any questions or suggestions that I can add to this list for everyone.

Happy packing!