Hi Gram,

What a day to remember! I’ve moved over to this charming little spot called Janis Place—right across from the Plataran. The room? Simple, comfy, and just right. I kicked off the day with my usual morning routine, which, hilariously, included finishing off some chocolate I’d bought earlier in the week. (It would’ve been a tragedy to let that go to waste before my next adventure, right?) Fueled by cocoa, I strolled over to the Plataran to meet up with my crew. We were all buzzing because today was bike tour day—a favorite of mine from last year.

We hopped into a van that whisked us away to the starting point. There, we got fitted for bikes (close enough, anyway), grabbed the ubiquitous one-size-fits-none helmets, and hydrated like pros. Instructions? Check. Smiles? Plastered. And off we went! The ride was delightful—mostly downhill, with a cool breeze and those perfect mid-morning temperatures.

Our first stop was at a traditional Balinese home. We explored the different buildings, learned about the family’s sacred spaces, and even met a sweet grandma who’s been blind for 20 years. Her warmth was unforgettable. Back on the bikes, we cruised through jungle paths, waved at smiling locals, and stopped halfway for a little snack. The scenery was glorious—rice fields, jungle greens, and kids waving like we were rock stars.

Of course, what’s an adventure without a few mishaps? One friend veered off into some foliage while distracted by the views. Another forgot to stay on the left and had a slow-motion scooter collision. Thankfully, no serious injuries—just great stories to share over dinner.

After 20km, we wrapped things up at a parking lot, handed back the bikes, and piled into the van for lunch. Now, if there’s one thing Bali excels at (besides the views), it’s over-the-top restaurants. This one didn’t disappoint. Gorgeous manicured lawns, a pond with stepping stones, and food that was out of this world. We enjoyed a buffet of local dishes and took all the group photos our phones could handle.

Post-lunch, some folks opted for a nap back at the hotel, while a few of us headed to a silversmith class. Now, I was hesitant about this one, given my disaster of an experience last year. And—guess what? Same location. Same apathetic instructors. Same everything! But this time, I decided to grin, bear it, and focus on enjoying the time with friends. I made a pendant (hi, Mom—spoiler alert!) and stuck it out.

When we wrapped up, Andrea and I decided to walk back to the hotel to get some steps in. It was a lovely stroll with great conversation and a few dinner recommendations thrown in. After a bit of rest, a group of us headed to a Mexican restaurant. Abbey, Victor, and I decided to walk—navigating Bali’s creative approach to sidewalks and street signals. We were among the first to arrive, snagged a big table, and enjoyed a warm (literally—no AC!) but delicious meal.

Now, here’s where the evening got legendary. Bali is famous for its coconut ice cream, and Tukies is the gold standard. My friend JT has been on a months-long quest for their elusive waffle cones. (Legend has it, they vanish whenever he’s around! He’s even driven to all three Tukies locations, none of which had any.) Naturally, this became a running joke. I’ve even teased him that they served ME a waffle cone immediately after telling him that they were out. So, when we strolled into Tukies tonight, Abbey asked if they had waffle cones. “Nope,” they said. Then I asked… and voilà! They’d just restocked!

Cue the laughter. We snapped pictures of our prize and sent them to JT, who immediately rushed over with his partner Linda to finally claim his long-lost waffle cone. Victory was sweet—literally—and the five of us sat there, laughing and savoring every bite of dessert.

Stuffed and happy, we hugged our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. I started packing for my next adventure but quickly realized I was too tired. So, I did the sensible thing—flopped into bed with a big smile on my face, grateful for a day packed with friends, fun, and just the right amount of chaos.