In just a few days, I’ll be on a flight bound for my favourite place in the world — Bali. I’m swapping school runs and business strategy meetings for sun, massages, meaningful catch-ups, and solo time in paradise. I’ll be there for two weeks and I thought I’d take you along with me through a 3-part blog series: Planning, The Trip, and Coming Home.

Whether you're heading to Bali soon or dreaming about your next escape, here's a look at how I get ready — from what I pack, to how I prep behind the scenes, and a few personal rituals I never skip.

🏝 Where I’m Staying (Again)

For the past 10 years, I’ve stayed at Montigo Resorts Seminyak — and I don’t plan on changing that any time soon. It’s home. The staff know me (and my kids), the beds are the comfiest I’ve ever slept in, and the location is unbeatable. Walk out the door and you’ve got access to the best bars, boutiques, day spas and restaurants in Seminyak.

It’s also a perfect spot for families. Their kids club is easily the best in the area — I’ve referred hundreds of families over the years, and the feedback is always the same: incredible.

➡️ Want to stay where I stay? Mention “Kooshy Kids” when booking directly to get 15–20% off your stay, plus discounts on food, non-alcoholic drinks and day spa treatments.

👯♀️ Our Annual Girls Trip + My Solo Reset

This is year three of our annual trip — just me and my two besties from Melbourne. We’ve all got busy lives, so when we get to spend a week together in Bali, it’s magic. We laugh until we cry, eat like queens, and finally get time to finish a sentence.

Once they leave, I stay on for a solo week. I’ll still be working (of course), but doing it from my poolside daybed with a massage booked between Zoom calls makes it all feel lighter. It’s my favourite way to rest, reflect, and recalibrate.

📋 Travel To-Do List Before Departure

Here are the key things I have already completed and are easier done before touching down in Bali:

✅ Visa & Entry Prep

• eVOA – Electronic Visa on Arrival
  It’s just easier to do this online before you travel.
  → Apply here

• Tourist Tax Levy
  Should be paid for every traveller (including kids).
  → Pay the levy here

• Online Customs Declaration
  Complete it before your flight to get the QR code ready for arrival.
  → Fill out the customs form here

• Health Check (Mpox)
  → Complete the health form here

TIP: Make sure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity from your Bali departure date, not arrival. This catches so many people out.

🛬 Smooth Entry & Local Set-Up

🚖 Airport Transfers & VIP Services

I always use On The Way Bali for:

• Airport transfers

• Fast-track arrivals

• Bali lounge passes

Mention Kooshy Kids for discounted rates. Their service is amazing — I’ve used them for years.

🌐 E-Sim with AirAlo

I don’t bother with a physical sim card anymore. I set up an AirAlo Indonesia eSim before I go, activate it when I land, and I’m instantly connected.

→ Get your eSIM here

I personally use their global plan with a 365-day expiry so I can use it anywhere.

🛡 Travel Insurance

I always use CoverMore Travel Insurance.

→ Quote with CoverMore

🧳 Packing Chaos, Must-Haves & Rituals

I have a generic packing list saved in my Notes app, and I usually throw everything together a few hours before the flight. Somehow it all works out — mostly because I’ve done this trip so many times I know what I’ll actually use.

👜 Non-Negotiables in My Suitcase:

10+ bikinis (I’m not even joking or sorry)

My full work setup: laptop, chargers, extra screen, pens, notebook, diary.

Bluetooth speaker for solo sunset drinks

Compression packing cubes

Mosquito bands avoiding Dengue Fever as much as possible

Mosquito repellent cream - game changer!

Mini first aid kit

Hand sanitiser - always needed after touching money and before a meal.

Powerbank + travel adapter

Luggage scale (for my inevitable overpacking)

Airtags (cheaper version, same functionality and you can swap out the battery when it goes flat) for luggage, passport, handbag tracking.

→ I’ll share links to a few of my favourites in a separate post soon.

✈️ Flight Hacks & Inflight Routine

I’m flying Virgin Economy X with a bulkhead seat. Why? So I can stretch out with my Kooshy Kids Kooshion- longways, elevating my legs and making the flight way more comfortable. Honestly, it makes the flight home feel half as long.

Even when I’m travelling solo, these are my must-haves:

• Kooshy Kids Kooshion (if I'm in Virgin Business, Economy and Economy X bulkhead row)

• Inflatable neck pillow

• Eye mask

• Comfy outfit: leggings or joggers, singlet, cardigan, sandals

• Hydration strategy: drink lots of water but not too much (I’m a window-seat girl and avoid bathroom trips like it’s a game)

💆🏼♀️ Final Prep Before I Fly

• Wax appointment ✔

• Prescription refill for my endo ✔

• Amazon top-up of travel minis ✔ (all links above)

• WhatsApp messages flying back and forth with my friends ✔

I can already feel the excitement building.

✨ What I’m Most Looking Forward To

The laughter. The conversations that go way too deep, too fast. The food. The quiet. The sweat from boxing class and the moment I have my first frozen strawberry daiquiri.

And for that second solo week? Peace and productivity. No lunchboxes to pack. No dinner to cook. The perfect mix of work/life balance.