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Travel Tag: The Viceroy Bali Hotel + Ubud

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My material for inspiration came easy once I arrived at the Viceroy Bali hotel. An hour and a half drive from the Denpasar airport, the hotel is set inland on a secluded area of the island. During the drive, I was immediately inspired by the various markets, rice fields, and temples that passed me by. Everything from the colorful fabrics that made up the Balinese uniform to the work ethic of the locals had me wanting to stop and make conversation. The culture is beyond intriguing, and I was lucky to spend a few nights immersed in it.

The Experience

Just married? Go ahead and jetset here for some post-wedding bliss. Everyone else has. The hotel is crawling with honeymooners, and I can certainly see why. Perfectly placed in the heart of a valley with wildly gorgeous landscaping, the hotel setting is unique, private and accommodating. The breakfast doesn’t disappoint, either. After the wedding workouts, go ahead and indulge in the pancakes. You deserve it.

The Villa

Upon given the keys to a Deluxe Terrace Villa, I did what any hotel guest would do: I took advantage of my hut on the water.

It’s hard to justify spending much time indoors when this is your backyard. I take that back. Once you experience Bali humidity in May, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the minutes spent indoors, not sweating. Then it becomes a battle between cooling off in a private pool with this view:

Or spending time in A/C here:

I chose both.

Lembah Spa

So you’ve had a massage in your lifetime, but perhaps not the Balinese type. On my final day at the Viceroy, I was scheduled for a romantic couples massage with my mother. Yeah, you read that correctly. I failed to mention to the hotel that my boyfriend could no longer join me on this trip, but that my mother would be in attendance instead. You better believe we took advantage and graciously accepted anyway. It was absolutely in the top three best massages of my lifetime, and this playful bathtub was just icing on the cake!

A special thank you to my masseuse for ridding of all my knots. I know I’m hunched over at my computer too often, so I’m very thankful for your beautiful talent!

This hotel, incorporating just 25 villas, is perfect for:

-Honeymooners & Mother-Daughter trips  🙂

Ubud

The city of Ubud engulfs visitors as they drive into its lush greenery. Street markets, narrow roads and traffic jams are common here, making you antsy as you inch towards your destination, scooters and bikes flying past. Then the shopaholic in you emerges. You see a gallery of handcrafted wooden chairs, distressed doors, Buddha heads or metal sculptures and think, “Now where could that go in my house?” To the plethora of House Hunters and Property Brothers episodes I’ve seen, this is your fault.

Additional attractions include the Holy Water Spring temple, the monkey sanctuary, coffee plantation, and Tegalalang rice field. The best part? The staff at Viceroy Bali will drive you free of charge in their shuttle service to and from town. They obviously appreciate their guests getting in on the Balinese culture, and I appreciate that more than they know.

The highlight of my day in town was when we caught the cremation ceremony of a royal family member who had recently passed away from cancer. As a proper goodbye, it’s custom to celebrate her life by carrying her coffin through town one last time before ending at the site of cremation. Her husband was next to her the entire time, giving her a final farewell on earth.

See more images from my time in Ubud below!

The Dead Sea Do’s & Don’ts

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After traveling to Israel with the Ministry of Tourism and 11 other bloggers, I finally got my chance to float – and cross off another destination on my bucket list. Believe it or not, there’s a right way and a wrong way to experience weightlessness here, so listen and learn.

Don’t shave before entering the water. This was the #1 piece of advice I received from fellow floaters before me. Put the razor down at least a day before heading to the Dead Sea and ideally 2-3 days if you can handle the hair. The high salt level of the sea will leave sensitive areas feeling on high alert and stinging like crazy.

Arrive with your bathing suit on. The locker room could have doubled as a murder scene only minutes prior to our arrival. Okay, perhaps that was a bit dramatic, but it was complete and utter chaos!

Wrap deep scrapes and other bodily sores in waterproof bandages. I had minor wounds here and there, and these stung so badly that it was hard to concentrate on anything else. My advice to you: wrap it up.

Take photos before getting into the water. You’ll want to remember this activity forever, and most of my photos from here were taken prior to getting in the water.

If you bring a GoPro, continuously dunk it into the sea. As soon as you take it out, the salt water will begin the air-dry, leaving a blurry film over your camera, essentially ruining your action shots. I was careful to not allow much water on the GoPro as I didn’t want any water droplets to ruin these one-in-a-lifetime photos. It was the wrong route to take, however, as a salty film had already rendered them ruined!

Get acclimated first. Walk down the ramp and go the your immediate left to get to the shallow water. Feel how your body takes to the salt. Squish the soft mud underneath your feet. Take in the view of the Dead Sea before you! The water feels nice at about 72 degrees.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Once your body is good to go, start picking up mud from the bottom to put all over your body, and don’t forget the face! Your skin will feel the smoothest it has ever felt, no spa appointments required. The after effects are truly amazing.

Beware of rocks underneath you. They definitely exist, so perhaps you’ll want to wear some good ole fashioned Tevas. Wearing water shoes over stubbing your toe in water that’s 9 times saltier than the ocean isn’t a bad move.

Move slowly. I moved as slow as possible yet somehow still managed to get salt water in my eye. OUCH. I thought sunglasses would provide a sort of shield, but it seemed inevitable. After a few minutes, the pain subsided and I could see again. Goggles anyone?

Close your mouth as much as possible. I found this one hard to achieve since I was beyond giddy to jump right in (more advice: DON’T jump!) and laugh with my new blogging BFFs. This salt water is strong to quite strong, and you’ll be craving some fresh water to rinse your mouth out in no time.

Don’t swim, float! Move slowly to the deeper end of the sea near the buoy line and the water will lift you right up – look ma, no hands. It’ll feel as though you’re floating with a plastic noodle, although there’s no noodle at all. I may or may not have raced with a friend and deadly salt water was flying everywhere. So much for being cautious. You live and you learn.

As your floating session comes to an end, remember to avoid using the locker rooms and rinse off well in the provided outdoor showers near the ramp. The salt concentration can discolor your bathing suit. On that note, wear an old one. You should have received a towel upon check-in at Neve Midbar Beach, if that is where you entered. Beware of Israeli men staring you down as if they’ve never seen a women before. Dodging their view by moving to a different shower head may be necessary.

If you’re a shopaholic like me, go with the Ahava brand that’s all over the region for your Dead Sea products. Be weary of other products from the Neve Midbar Beach store, as many will contain harmful chemicals – read the fine print!

Now for your viewing pleasure, here are the final clear moments captured on my GoPro. Enjoy the first person view!

Memorial Day Style: Festive Looks for Every Destination

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Hanging in the Hamptons

Taking a break from the city and jetting off to the Hamptons for the weekend? Make the Barefoot Contessa do a double take by layering a simple classic striped one-piece under a chic shirtdress topped off with a pair of white wedge sandals.

Solid & Striped One-Piece / T by Alexander Wang Shirtdress* / Micheal Kors Wedge Sandals* / Kate Spade Bag*

Lounging Beach-Side

Whether you’re playing beach volleyball with friends or building sand castles with family, being comfortable is a must at the beach. Stay comfortable and contained for all beach activities with a very #MERICA flag bikini! Just throw on a pair of denim cut-offs and a tank for an all-American girl vibe.

Target Bralette Top & Striped Bottoms / High Waisted Denim Shorts* / Crop Tank */ Lucky Brand Sandals* / Dolce Vita Fringe Crossbody*

Backyard BBQ

Break out the brisket and spiked watermelon- Time for a BBQ! Pay homage to 50’s Americana style with an on trend gingham print bikini. A denim mini skirt, striped crop top, and slip on sneakers will complement the retro look perfectly.

Polo Ralph Lauren Bikini / Levi’s Flared Denim Skirt / Billabong Crop Top / Converse Chuck Taylor Sneakers / Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody*

St. Tropez Getaway

Just because you’re out of the country for the holiday weekend doesn’t mean you can’t rep the good ole USA. This color block Lisa Marie Fernandez bikini is an insanely chic, but subtle, way to wear our flag’s colors. Top it off with a breezy cover up and an oversized pair of shades, and start sipping on that glass of bubbly.

Lisa Marie Fernandez Blue and White Bikini / L. Space Fringe Cover Up* /  TOMS Luisa Sunglasses

*Included in Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale, starting 5/20!

Life in Israel: What To Do, What To Eat, and Where to Stay

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The country of Israel is full of unexpected beauty at every turn. Who knew?! Not I, but that’s what traveling and exploring is for. We swam (read: floated) in the Dead Sea. We walked where Jesus walked (unfortunately not on water, think more shoreline). We hiked to the ruins of King Herod’s fortress, today an UNESCO World Heritage site. It was a dreamy itinerary – adventurers and explorers take note!

 Is Israel Safe?

I have so much to say about Israel’s beauty and adventure, but as they say, safety first! Yes, Israel is very safe. I know what you’re thinking. It shares a border with Syria. We didn’t go near that portion of the country. I walked by myself. I walked with other women. I felt safe the entire time, and I’d return in a heartbeat! Don’t let the media brainwash you too much.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is situated on Israel’s Mediterranean coast and lives up to its reputation of having beautiful beaches and a crazy nightlife. Step aside, NYC. Tel Aviv is truly a city that never sleeps. In Israel there’s a saying that goes something like this: “You go to Haifa to work, Jerusalem to learn, and Tel Aviv to play.” Truth. Finally, you should learn how to cheers in Hebrew: “Le Haim!”

Tagged as the country’s commercial, cultural and financial center, Tel Aviv is a bustling city with ports, museums and markets galore. The city has a street vibe that’s the perfect blend of cool/trendy fashionista and laid-back beach bum, with a healthy splash of lively, chaotic middle-eastern charm.

What to do: People watch. Seriously, the people (men, I’m really talking to y’all) are all beautiful! Tour Old Jaffa and get lost inside its walls. You’ll see a lot of blue doorways here (similar in Turkey and Greece) to ward off the evil eye. See the port, the flea market and the Ilana Gur Museum. Relax on the beach and play a game of Matkot (beach tennis). Take out some shekels (Israeli currency) as you’ll want to hit up the Carmel and Levinsky markets full of antiques and amazing treasures. Don’t shop til you drop, though. The nightlife in Tel Aviv is a must.

Where to eat: Herbert Samuel Restaurant, HaAchim, The Blue Rooster

What to eat: Shakshuka – a fried egg in tomato sauce with onions, served in a frying pan. Burekas – salty pastry with cheese filling. Kadaif – classic dessert of shredded phyllo dough, dusted with sugar and walnuts. Don’t forget the dates, the hummus and the pita bread! Mmmm falafels! For more on food, check out my friend’s amazingly delicious food blog: KevinandAmanda. Disclaimer: Amanda will make you hungry within mere seconds!

Where to stay: The David Intercontinental Hotel is on the beach and within walking distance to Old Jaffa and Carmel market. With a view like this, I don’t know why you’d stay elsewhere.

Day Trips & Sights throughout Israel

Caesarea

Israel has so much history that it was near impossible to keep all the facts straight. I’m no Wikipedia article, but I do listen and learn at times. Caesarea is located along the shores of the Mediterranean where King Herod built his palace. This is where Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be crucified.

Even after all these years, visitors can easily see where chariot races and gladiator fights went down in the hippodrome during ancient Roman times.

Haifa

One of my favorite sights was in Haifa, Israel’s third largest city. Here, we see where parks and rec meets concrete jungle meets battleship! You can get this glimpse from Mount Carmel:

And this glimpse of the Hanging Gardens from down below:

Akko

Markets, bazars, and galleries galore! This is where you go to get lost like a local in the Crusader seaport. Don’t forget your shekels as you can’t pay with credit cards at many stands here. The food, coffee and homemade ice cream from Endomela were worth the trip.

Sea of Galilee & Tiberias

Jesus walked on water here, but I needed this boat to experience the Sea of Galilee. It’s the main source of drinking water in Israel – fun fact of the day! Be sure to try out The Decks restaurant full of local and international foods alike. The Rimonim Galei Kinneret Hotel is a nice place to lie your head at night before waking up for this beautiful sunrise:

Mount of Beatitudes

I attended Catholic school for 10 years throughout elementary school and junior high, and nothing brought me back to that place quite like reading “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” on a plaque while visiting the Mount of Beatitudes.

Hey Mrs. Keifer, (9th Grade Religion teacher) look at me now! It should also be noted that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was delivered here, where he fed 5,000 people, took the loaves and broke the bread, gave them to his disciples and said… I will spare you the rest. That was the good Catholic coming out in me.

Masada

This ancient fortification and palace of King Herod is known as the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 73 C.E. Now there’s a test at the end of this blog post, so study up.

Visiting Masada was a highlight of the trip, but my brain almost exploded from the amount of history that lives here. The mountaintop fortress has a view of the Dead Sea and a heat index that will make you wish you were wearing next to nothing. You’ll inevitably want to end up doing as the Romans did…going naked.

There are two ways to get up here: via many, many steps or via cable car. If you’re hungry, eat at one of the delicious stands before ascending, and make sure to get your photo with this guy.

The Dead Sea

Few experiences rival floating in the Dead Sea. Due to this fact alone, I’ll be writing a separate post on how exactly to visit the attraction, but know this: if you think your GoPro will capture your entire Dead Sea experience, you’re dead wrong. Weird things happen at 424 meters below sea level, the lowest place on the face of the earth.

Flying Business Class on LAN Airlines

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Let’s get down to business, shall we?

I flew LAN Airlines from Chilean Patagonia back to the good ole’ USofA. The flight from Santiago to Miami was eight hours, an adequate amount of time to work, play and sleep. Actually, scratch sleep. There was none of that. I had too much to do! Look what was in front of me – thousands of movies, TV shows and episodes, music, games, etc, etc. I also had my work laptop next to me if I felt so inclined to turn it on between season 2 of The Newsroom and a gorilla documentary that struck me as particularly fascinating.

How about LAN’s mood lighting? The cycle consists of warm colors during boarding/deboarding and cooler colors during cruise. Genius.

The food?

I’m glad you asked. I was served a salad with seasonal vegetables, a cheese platter and corn soup with basil leaves for an appetizer.  Then came the grilled steak with potatoes, mushrooms and squash, topped off with a coffee and light fruit plate for dessert. About 6 1/2 hours later, I received a “snack” consisting of another salad, a chicken and cheese quiche and almond cake. That’s a full meal in my book, and I basically rolled myself off the plane upon landing. My favorites, however, came along with the bread basket and Chilean wine cart. Mmmm. I wonder when a gym will make its first appearance on an airline? Count me in as the first member.

Special perks?

Perks in addition to the OJ and nuts you so frequently see premiere-class passengers scarfing down before take-off? There’s more. It was like Christmas morning when I was hand delivered a Salvatore Ferragamo beauty bag stuffed with designer lotions and potions, an eye mask, mirror, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste and other luxurious amenities I could use in-flight along the way. My new high-end products will continue to come in handy as I’m demoted to economy class in the near future (although it should be noted that short-haul LAN flights in coach are lovely as well).

More perks included my USB port that I used to charge my dying iPhone. Additional power is a godsend these days. Replacing the traditional window shade is the new window dimming control (with just a push of a button!) unique to all 787s. It’s technology at its finest, coming in handy when the sun creates a glare on the TV screen. The best perk of all? Lying all the way flat, of course.

Service?

If it’s comfort and style you enjoy high in the sky, LAN is what you need to fly. The service onboard is exceptional and attentive without being overbearing. They make sure each passenger is well taken care of, and obviously, well fed. LAN is a member of the oneworld alliance (basically a group of the most preferred airlines out there) with more than 750 destinations in over 150 countries around the world. Oh LAN, you spoil me. Thanks for the fun ride!

My Workouts While Away: How To Maintain Travel-Exercise-Balance

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Welcome to my workouts while away! I receive many comments and emails from readers asking what I do to stay fit while traveling. Gurl, it ain’t easy, I’ll tell you that much. After traveling through Israel last week, I basically drowned in the hummus while stuffing my face with the world’s best pita bread. Since carbs don’t look so hot paired with a bikini, I had two options: 1) don’t eat the pita bread or 2) eat the pita bread. Life is not meant to be lived without the good stuff, so obviously I chose option #2. Proof below.

For those of you who want to know my workout routine, let me be frank. There is no routine when traveling. Even if you are the most Type A person, workout enthusiast, Crossfit cult member, paleo diet eating freak of nature, let me know if you’re able to stick with an exercise/eating routine when you’re out of the house. I’ll give you a pat on the back and a cookie for it, although you probably won’t eat it. More for me.

So I move to plan B. I experience a new destination’s cuisine without going overboard WHILE maintaining my body.

Exhibit A.

I have a beach outside my vacation rental for the long weekend. I tell myself it’s not only meant for sand castles, relaxation and burying bodies. It’s meant for long walks and even runs! I’ve learned that running in a new city will allow you to know it on a whole new level. Talk about a great way to explore.

Exhibit B.

Go adventuring people! If you’re close to a mountain, hike it. If you’re near a sand dune, board it. If you’re trapped inside a bustling city center, walk it. If you want to see an attraction across town, save money and don’t take the taxi. Your legs will thank you for it later.

Exhibit C.

Ohh 8 Minute Abs. How I love you so. I know this 480-second workout by heart since I first started doing it on VHS when I was 14, but now you can find anything on YouTube. Disclaimer, it’ll have you time travel back to the 80’s. One of these days, I’m going to recreate it with some modern touches.

Exhibit D. 

Find classes in a city near you. Spinning, barre, yoga, you name it. If you’re more of a gym rat, research some studios around you. If you’re a yogi, maybe you’re already a member of Yoga Glo. With this platform you can choose any type of yoga, and it provides the experience of being in class at your own home. You can even filter the teacher, style, level, and duration, really making it exactly what you want. I adore Kathryn Budig and her hilariousness throughout class if anyone cares or needs pointers. Disclaimer: $18/month, but totally worth it.

And there you have it! My workouts (I won’t say routine) while away. They consist of a messy mix of adventures near me, outdoor running, indoor yoga and 8 Minute Abs whenever I can find wifi, although that’s not entirely true. I know it by heart!

Over to you! What are some of your workout tips while you travel?

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