After our time in Cambodia, we were off to our next destinations—Singapore, Bali, and now Japan. Each stop couldn’t have been more different from the last, and together they created one of the most dynamic stretches of our trip so far.

Highlights from this leg of the journey:

Singapore’s futuristic skyline (and shocking price tag)
A private villa experience in Bali that exceeded every expectation
Jungle adventures, waterfalls, and one very unexpected photoshoot
Oceanfront living in Lovina—and one unforgettable dolphin encounter
The whirlwind journey that brought us to Japan

Singapore: Beautiful, Polished… and Pricey

We flew from Cambodia to Singapore and were immediately taken aback by how clean and meticulously maintained the city was. It’s one of those places that feels almost futuristic—everything is sleek, organized, and intentional.

After checking into our hotel, we kicked things off with a Mexican restaurant—something that’s somehow become a tradition for us when arriving in a new country.

But very quickly, one thing became abundantly clear: Singapore is expensive.

We spent five days there, and while the city is undeniably beautiful, we left feeling like we didn’t connect with it the way we hoped. It has world-class dining, luxury shopping, stunning architecture, and some truly iconic attractions—but but beyond its polish and price tag, it felt like it was still searching for a soul we could connect with.

What We Did

Gardens by the Bay was easily one of the highlights. This massive nature park blends futuristic design with lush greenery, featuring the famous Supertree Grove—towering vertical gardens that light up at night—and climate-controlled domes like the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. It’s beautifully done and absolutely worth visiting.

We also visited Marina Bay Sands, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. The rooftop infinity pool (for hotel guests only) is iconic, and even just walking around the property gives you a sense of Singapore’s luxury-forward identity.

We explored several shopping districts, which felt endless—high-end malls connected to more high-end malls, all filled with luxury brands and polished storefronts.

The standout experience? Lunch at Burnt Ends.

This Michelin-starred restaurant is known for its modern Australian barbecue and open-concept kitchen. We had front-row seats watching the chefs prepare each dish with precision and creativity. It was one of those meals where every bite felt intentional—and unforgettable.

Most evenings were spent back at our hotel, Andaz Singapore, taking advantage of rooftop happy hour. Even then, drinks were around $12 for a beer—jumping to $18 outside of happy hour.

And it wasn’t just the bars. Everything was expensive—even the movie theater, where we spent over $30 per person to see The Mummy (2026, directed by Lee Cronin). Side note: incredibly disturbing movie. Not for the faint of heart.

In total, I took fewer than 25 photos in Singapore—which says a lot.

It’s a beautiful city, and I’m glad we experienced it. But for us, it didn’t align with our current travel style. If anything, we wished we had stayed fewer days—and we don’t feel the need to return.

Bali: A Complete 180

From Singapore, we headed to Bali—and the shift was immediate and refreshing.

Our first stop was Ubud, where we stayed in what can only be described as a dream villa.

This place had three separate buildings: a primary suite with an outdoor shower, a kitchen and dining pavilion, and a second bedroom suite. There was also a pool, an underground gym, a pergola, and beautifully manicured grounds.

And the staff? Next level.

Two housekeepers prepared breakfast daily, cleaned, and even did our laundry. There was also a gardener maintaining the grounds. It felt like luxury—but at a fraction of the cost you’d expect.

Ubud Highlights

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary was our first major stop. This protected jungle area is home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with ancient temples, walking paths, and multiple monkey “tribes.”

We saw everything—mothers nursing newborns, playful infants, and even monkeys in rehabilitation areas.

Then came one of the most unexpected moments of the trip.

Our driver casually asked if we wanted to visit “the swings.” Thinking it was just a couple of scenic photo spots, we said yes.

What we didn’t realize was that this meant a full-blown curated experience at Happy Swing Bali—complete with elaborate setups designed for photos.

And somehow… Casey suggested we go all in.

We rented traditional outfits, hired a photographer, and spent two hours doing a full-on photoshoot—complete with jungle swings, a floating couch, a heart-shaped swing, and even a staged “hot air balloon.”

For context: Casey is not a photo person.

So yes… I was shocked.

But it ended up being one of the most fun and unexpected experiences of the trip—and now we have an entire gallery of memories we never saw coming.

The next day, we went white water rafting followed by an ATV adventure—in the pouring rain.

The ATV ride was unforgettable. Mud everywhere, waterfalls, flooded trails—it felt like something out of an action movie. By the end, we were completely soaked and covered in mud… and absolutely loved it.

We wrapped up Ubud with a relaxing day at the villa and a final trip into town—where I picked up a Ganesh charm for good luck, had an unexpectedly great Italian dinner, and enjoyed gelato before getting a $7 manicure.

The biggest surprise? How affordable Bali was.

We expected something closer to Singapore pricing—but it was far more comparable to Thailand and Vietnam.

Lovina Beach: Oceanfront Serenity

Next, we headed north to Lovina Beach, where we stayed in another incredible villa—this time oceanfront.

This villa came with a housekeeper/butler, security guard, and groundskeeper. It featured two bedrooms, a massive outdoor living area, a pool, rooftop terrace, and direct ocean access.

One of the most unexpectedly special parts of our stay was the food. Our housekeeper/butler prepared breakfast and dinner for us each day, mostly traditional Balinese dishes that were fresh, flavorful, and made with so much care. But one night, she surprised us with something completely different—pork chops and homemade fries. And somehow, thousands of miles from home, it tasted like something straight out of our childhoods—like something my Granny or Casey’s Mammaw would have made. It was comforting in a way we didn’t expect, and one of those small, quiet moments that ends up sticking with you just as much as the big adventures.

Total cost for five nights? Under $800.

Lovina Adventures

Aling-Aling Waterfall was one of the highlights. Known for its natural water slides and cliff jumps, I went down the slide (twice) and even did a 9-meter jump.

Did I immediately feel like I shouldn’t have? Yes.
Do I regret it? Not even a little.

Next, we visited Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, one of Bali’s most iconic landmarks. Sitting on Lake Beratan, the temple appears to float on water and is dedicated to the goddess of lakes and rivers. It plays an important role in Bali’s irrigation system and spiritual life.

Unfortunately, it was pouring rain during our visit—but even then, it was stunning.

We also stopped at a Luwak coffee plantation, where we sampled a variety of unique coffees and teas—like avocado, peanut, ginseng, and ginger coffee.

We also tried the famous Kopi Luwak, one of the most expensive coffees in the world. It’s made using beans that have been eaten and naturally processed by civet cats before being collected and roasted.

It’s… an experience.

That said, we made sure the facility followed ethical practices. Always do your research—animal welfare matters.

Our final scenic stop was Twin Lakes Viewpoint, overlooking Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. Surrounded by lush mountains and jungle, it’s one of the most picturesque views in northern Bali.

And then came one of the coolest experiences yet.

We went out early one morning to swim with dolphins.

We were pulled through the water alongside pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins—and at one point, I looked down to see about 20 dolphins swimming below me.

It was surreal.

Seeing spinner dolphins leap and twist through the air? Unreal.

I only wish I had brought my GoPro.