If you are planning a trip to Bali, or have heard/ researched about it, you must have come across the word 'Nusa' several times. Nusa Penida, Nusa Dua, Nusa Dharma, etc etc. Nusa in Balinese means Island. So Nusa Dua means twin island. Because both the neighbouring islands are very close to each other. 

The way to the Nusa Dua beach is interesting. After you park your vehicle, there is a vast park which is bustling with tourists and local people. There are several restaurants (nothing fancy but awesome nonetheless) in that area and we had a hearty and cheap lunch there. Food in Bali is really sumptuous and of course cheap.

The Nusa Dua beach is dotted with five star resorts like Mercure and all facing the beach. Although there is a public beach too where anyone can swim. The water is absolutely crystal clear. You can see your feet on the sea bed. The water is warm and this beach is a must even if you are not a water baby.

However the one thing about what I intend to speak is located 4 kms from here. It's the Waterblow. As the name suggests, it's all about watching the water splash ferociously against a cliff! The waves of the Indian Ocean crashing the jagged limestone cliffs is a sight to cherish forever. Thankfully the entire area is guarded.

As exciting as it sounds, it's not for the impatient. Because the waves depend on high and low tides, you may have to wait for a quite a bit before you can witness a really high splash. And it's even the worst case scenario for photography enthusiasts. Because when you are focusing, you may not get a high enough wave and the moment you miss clicking, it might have been the highest of the day!

Another fool proof way to capture it might be putting up your camera/phone on a tripod and record continuously. I, personally am not a fan of this process as I don't have unlimited storage space and always seem to have memory full on all of our devices.

After a lot of attempts, we managed to witness and capture some really good waves. The wave can go as high as 26 feet but we were not that lucky. Lesson learned: You need to have a lot of time on hand if you are planning to witness such nature's wonders. If you love the ocean (which I am sure you do; lest you would nit be in Bali), this is indeed a novel thing to enjoy.

Caution: The cliffs are really sharp and rugged so don't even think of going into the ocean no matter how good swimmer you are. Also the sun is really harsh. So don't forget SPF, umbrella/hat and a bottle of water.

Have you seen such a thing like Waterblow anywhere else? 

 'This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by BakezbyDaizy.'

 You don't need to be religious to visit temples; unless you are on a pilgrimage. While some travellers are put off by the mention of religious sites, I have always considered them as a piece of architecture and history; rather than associating them with some faith. 

When you are in Bali, you are supposed to visit temples. After all Bali is the land of Pura (Balinese for temple). Every temple is a piece of marvelous architecture, backed by centuries of intriguing history. However you may suffer from temple fatigue too; since there are just too many to visit. So when churning out an itinerary,  don't forget to add the exquisite Uluwatu Temple to your list.

Here's why you should definitely make the effort to go all the way upto the Southern most tip of the island.

1. It is one of the 6 must visit temples of Bali. 

When you are in the land of hundreds of temples, it's a bit of a task to narrow down on what all to visit. I will make the list simpler for you: there are 6 main temples which you just can't miss and Uluwatu is one of them.

The word 'Ulu' means land's end and 'Watu' means rock. The name basically justifies its location: at the edge of the cliff. 

Apart from the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the other five main temples are: Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, Tanah Lot Temple, Pura Tirta Empul, Taman Ayun and Goa Gajah temple. When you are a tourist, you just can't afford to miss out an important spot.

2. Its location is unprecedented and next to a never before experience.

How many times have you visited a temple which is located on the edge of a cliff with the blue ocean waves crashing below? I guess never! Since the temple is at the edge of a cliff, the walk to the end offers you vistas of the blue ocean, the endless sky and all the green vegetation around. It's picturesque.

3. The sunset is spectacular from here.

Every sunset is spectacular right? But none can be as magnificent as this one. The entire west side has the blue ocean so basically you can see the Sun go down into the water.

4. The most scenic spot to witness the famous Balinese Kecak dance.

The Kecak Dance is one of the most famous dance forms of Bali and there are male performers doing it everyday evening, here in Uluwatu temple premises with fire and vigour. It's a must watch and an integral part of their culture. There are separate tickets for the dance (apart from the temple entry tickets)

5. The Uluwatu beach below is nothing short of unforgettable.

Rocky beaches are magnificent. They may not be ideal for swimming but hold impeccable charm. The crashing of waves on the rocks are my favourite part. Don't forget to give the beach a visit before going all the way up to the temple.

6. The sarong, blue ocean and temple on a cliff: Stunning combination.

Like every other temple in Bali, men and women both need to wear a sarong. However, that's the beauty of travelling. Unless you imbibe the culture of that particular place, did you even visit that place?

The sarong, ocean and the architecture: a match made in heaven.

7. The uphill road leading to the temple is a ride to remember.

We explored Bali on a scooter. It's the easiest and fastest mode of transport as roads are narrow and winding (so cars are not that helpful). The climb upto the cliff is definitely a ride to remember.

Have you visited the Uluwatu Temple in Bali? Which Pura is your absolute favourite?

 'This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.' 

Are you a goal oriented person? If yes, then New Year resolutions might be your thing! However you are not alone if you don't believe in resolutions. Goals can result in putting unnecessary pressure on us leading to frustration on their non fulfillment. However it is believed that people tend to perform better under pressure. I am not not talking about that kind of pressure but like on a moderate level to grow into a better version. Basically if you are self employed like me, with no Boss ( thankfully) then you may need motivation, push and deadlines from time to time; in order to not lag behind. But since New year resolutions have become far from difficult to achieve and continue, I have come up with a different set of 'intentions' for self improvement.

For some (read older generations especially+haughty people) may find posting on social media/ internet a form of narcissism. While I may not fully disagree (some people are on the platform just to boast about their wealth/flawless body etc), the internet is the biggest teacher. It is my daily source of inspiration and motivation and of course host of lessons everyday; from other people's lives. Since I am constantly drawing inspiration from other people's lives on a daily basis, my goal remains to do the same on my platform too; be it my Instagram or blog. Therefore this year I decided to set some intentions of self improvement for my birthday, which would help not only me but others too. Because I learn from others' lives every single day! 

While I could go on and on how I celebrated my 34th birthday, (after two lockdown celebrations) , I decided to do something else this year. I have been in a rut lately (two and half years tbh, anyone else relates?) and so thought of coming up with some resolutions that would ensure an improved life. Documenting these here will make me more accountable plus it might motivate many of you (mums especially).

Stop procastination. Just do it. A job well began is half done. I guess keeping this in mind constantly will help to a large extent. Once you start, the hardest part is over.

Eat a fruit everyday+drink plenty of water. Lockdown gave rise to obesity and other metabolic disorders. And why it would not. We just ate loads of junk without any physical activity (mopping sweeping don't count because we are under stress). So this is a good reminder to try to reverse those damages.

 Stretch regularly. Quiet time for at least half an hour in the balcony garden. Outside light and air does wonders. Again self employed people who work from home will relate more. But then the corporate people and medical professionals like my husband who are indoors under artificial lights 12 hours a day, this applies for them too. Don't forget to stretch and take outside breaks.

 Try not to yell at kids. Now this one is seemingly impossible. I mean how can we Indian mums fasten the harness of our kids without yelling? Sometimes I feel is it in our genes? But then, gentle parenting is the way to go. Let's reserve yelling and screaming only for emergency situations. Something that I need to keep in mind all the time.

No frowning or sulking. Put negative thoughts on paper instead of the face. For many of us, pandemic depression has taken a toll on our looks. Frown lines, double chins, hair loss, some to start with. Instead of showing it on our face, let's put those thoughts on paper and vent out.

 Change my attitude towards Life. Be grateful always. If you have a roof above your head, food on your plate and clean water to drink, you are fortunate. I should remember I have more than this. Hence gratitude. ALWAYS.

Go to bed early. Give more rest to the body. Weight gain and a decrease in immunity is largely associated with lack of sleep/erratic bedtime schedules. While we mums might consider burning the midnight oil 'me time', it's taking a toll on our health. Why not wake up earlier and enjoy that me time in the morning?

Make bed everyday. Keep surroundings uncluttered. Dispose regularly. Discipline and organisation goes a long way in self improvement and mood lift. It's often underrated. Most of the times I feel like working on my laptop out of my messy bed, have my coffees and meals in that very warm nook. While it may be too tempting and comfortable, it's too unhealthy; both for the mind and body. Get up, clean up, dress up (or even stratighten those pjs), make your bed and then start working. Blame it on motherhood and being the primary caregiver of a large family, my life has become more undisciplined than I would like to admit. Hence, straighten up!

Will let the pictures do the talking. Signing off, Tada! If this resolution list is able to help even one single person, my motto behind this post would get fulfilled! Stay happy folks! Grateful for another healthy year