The green fields… the scooter addiction… and the Bali weather. They are things you hear about and that the occasional Instagram post reminds you of. It seemed inevitable on my path that the inner fire that burns deep for adventure within my core would push me towards one of the world’s digital nomad hotspots.
What is a Digital Nomad? I’m glad you asked. Digital nomads are people who are location independent and use technology to perform their job. The digital nomad lifestyle was made possible through a number of innovations, including cheap internet access, smartphones and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to keep in contact with clients and employers.
Pair those innovations with the rise of cities with great year-round weather, an affordable cost of living, and Instagram worthy spots to create the digital nomad hubs of today.
local farmer at Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Want to work from Bali for a month with flights, accommodation, and coworking covered!? You just have to show up with your bags packed!
Upon first impression, the rumors are spot on. Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, is a place dedicated to karma and it reflects in the local’s smiles. Today was my 2nd full day immersed in Ubud and walking into this local farmer at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces in the village of Tegallalang was surreal. Tegallalang is about 20 minutes North from the main roads in Ubud.
The farmer… with wisdom filled eyes and the most authentic smile I’ve seen, stopped in the lush green terraces and my “tour guide” Wayan ( locals are all over popular areas and most are knowledgeable to the point that they will guide you through the site and ask for a small donation at the end ) asked kindly if I could take a picture with him. He just kept smiling and I went up and placed an arm around him to pose for the shot. After a few freeze frames, he pulled off his hat and tried to place it on my head. So, I pulled off my Sintra7 Limited Edition Snapback and there I was wearing a Balinese farmer hat and a smile from cheek to cheek.
Interacting with a Balinese Farmer
I just kept smiling thinking “This is Bali” and the Bali vibe is consistent around every corner.
The body, mind, and soul is like a computer. We all use a similar computer but the software ( the soul ) is made up of different tools ( the mind, thoughts, experience ) that vary with each human being.
These were the words I remember most from my first conversation with Wayan, the father of a compound living space that I am currently enjoying. Ubud B&B Rooms is off the main road but still within a 10-minute walk / 5-minute scooter ride so you are still be part of the action. Hinduism is the main religion in Ubud and most areas of Bali.
The Ubud culture really reflects the importance of Karma and being kind to all people. I refer to this as the flow state in which the energy is consistent and the respect for each other is constant. Wayan is very open to discussing their religion which makes me very happy since this was the main reason I wanted to find a family to stay with for my first week in Bali.
Being a Digital nomad can cause me to focus heavily on the hustle aspect of myself ( the ego ) but I know that having a balance is the best way for me to continue to grow my business. The full cultural immersion at a Family Homestay is a great option to get to know the culture and if you can find one that has a full family ( grandparents, children, pets ) the experience can be extremely unique and eye-opening!
The father, Wayan, and son from my current homestay on the tour we did to Kumulilir Coffee Plantation
The Morning Hour in Bali
I have been working on joining the 5AM Club ( waking up at 5 each morning and creating a personal routine to proactively set you up to own the day ). It has not been easy and I have slept through the multiple snooze attempts a few times.
After these past few days in Ubud, I realized that the Balinese people have mastered “the morning hour” and it is inspiring to wake up to the entire family cleaning the home and temple grounds. There is a task for each family member, from the youngest boy to the elderly grandma, and they meticulously complete that task as part of the morning ritual. There is an offering made to their gods each morning and I am in the believe that the burning of the incense outside my room is part of the offering experience.
the Balinese people light incense every morning around 6.
There is something about the mornings here in Bali… there is a clarity and open mind for the day and the Balinese people cherish this time of the day.
The first couple days in Ubud, Bali are living up to it’s reputation 10 fold. As a new digital nomad, I am setting up a balanced routine that consists of me sightseeing and immersing myself in the culture one day and alternating days of freelance work at coffee shops and co-working spaces. Here are two co-working spaces I like so far. Onion Co. Collective is a cool space located on one of the main roads near Monkey Forest. They have a homestay option, a hip bar with live music, and the Passion Lab which is their upstairs co-working space. It’s a makeshift set-up that offers a cool vibe and solid wi-fi. Click here for more details.
Hubud Co-working Space is one of the original co-working spaces in all of Southeast Asia. It boasts great networking events weekly and day passes as well as by the hour packages are available. I arrived for my first time yesterday and got a tour of the place. Built with bamboo and extra love, this space is peaceful and relaxing. I met Akane Yabushita, a digital nomad from Japan, and here is her description of Hubud –
I have worked in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other places over the past few years. Hubud is different, the bamboo structure makes me feel peaceful when I walk in and it is a nice environment to get my work done.
Akane Yabushita is an Illustrator + Graphic and Web Designer + Travel Blogger. You can see some of her recent work here and check out her digital nomad journey on here travel blog
Hubud is certainly the premier co-working space of the two but Onion Co. Collective is a great alternative option if you are looking for a hip spot with an artistic touch.
Co-working Space next to Monkey Forest in Ubud
The main take-away from my first days here in Ubud, Bali — A place that focuses on balance, there is a plethora of outdoor adventures to be had while also boasting some great coffee shops and digital nomad hot spots.
Ubud has a variety of day trips available that will leave you wanting to escape into the Bali nature for good. I will be putting together my list of places so far in the next post! In the meantime, check out 5 Outside the Box day trips you can take friends on near Los Angeles and as always keep it Sintra.
