Inside Sam’s Travel Journal with EDIS

I’ve always been comfortable booking boats, cars, and adventure activities on my own, but this trip to Bali and the Nusa Islands showed me how much smoother — and more enjoyable — it can be to travel with someone who truly knows the area.

From the very start, the EDIS team and I chatted about my interests and budget, and together we shaped a plan that felt completely my own. There was never any push — just a genuine desire to get it right: the perfect pace, the right mix of activities, and time to wander and find my own way. Nothing had to be paid upfront, just the reassurance of knowing what each day would bring and what I’d need.

Having someone who knows the islands — from the safest ferry operators to hidden local gems — made a huge difference. It wasn’t about doing less myself; it was about being free to enjoy the moments, knowing the tricky bits were already taken care of.

This journal is a snapshot of three days filled with adventure, laughter, and small discoveries — from sunrise coffee in Sanur to a Balinese cooking class in Lembongan, snorkeling with manta rays and planting coral in Penida, and ending with sunset seafood shared with locals. It reminded me that sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you let the locals lead the way.