At 5:25 AM – exactly five minutes before the alarm – we woke up. Perfect timing. So quietly packed up, groomed, and ready for departure. Seb had already pre-ordered the Grab taxi yesterday evening, so we made our way to the reception at 6:10 AM. We had heard that the rooms are checked again upon checkout. But everything was in order, the deposit was released immediately, and we could move on relaxed.

Our driver was even at the door before the agreed time. So we got off more than punctually and arrived at the airport correspondingly early.

Despite online check-in, we still had to go to the counter. Annoying, but at least done quickly. On the way to passport control, however, Seb noticed that our booked seats did not match those on the boarding passes. So I stayed in line while he went back to the counter once more. There was an apology, something about a "system error" – and new boarding passes.

After a little more than an hour, we were through passport and security control and headed straight for the Jasmine Lounge, which was located right behind. Nothing spectacular, but quiet, with a small breakfast, drinks, and comfortable seats with a view. Just right for this early hour.

On the plane, I sat directly at the emergency exit in a row of two, Seb diagonally behind me – also emergency exit, without a seat in front of him. So plenty of legroom. The flight went smoothly, the pre-ordered lunch was quite spicy, and we landed on time in Bali.

In contrast to our last visit, this time we were through passport control within two minutes. Everything had been filled out and paid for online in advance – a dream. In return, we lost the gained time directly at the baggage carousel. After several carousel changes, our suitcases finally appeared and we could head towards the exit.

On the way, we quickly got a few small things to eat, as our hotel is quite off the beaten track and we wanted to be on the safe side.

Our driver Made Makati was quickly found – and above all very friendly. He announced an approximate driving time of just under three hours and told us that there had already been heavy thunderstorms in the morning. During the drive, it then started raining in torrents again. The streets were partly under water.

The driving style, combined with rain, darkness, and serpentines, was unfortunately not for my stomach and my head at all. Result: full braking, door open, giving it my all for ten minutes. Oops.

The remaining 40 minutes unfortunately didn't get much better. I remember little of our arrival. I remember asking for the toilet, running, throwing up even more – and then going to the room.

Yet we had actually imagined this moment quite differently: our accommodation for the next few days is the beautifully located Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort & Spa, a quiet resort right by the sea in the east of Bali.

We are staying here in Bungalow 27 – directly by the water, with a view of the sea and the waves rolling onto the coast just a few meters away. A place that actually cries out to sit barefoot on the terrace and just arrive. Instead, I only heard something about the drive having taken almost four hours instead of the announced three – and then around 8 PM the lights finally went out for me.

Everything else tomorrow.