When both of us started our careers as flight attendants, we couldn’t stop traveling. We were addicted. If we had a day off, we were jet-setting on an airplane somewhere. Now that both of us have been flying for a little while, we’re a little less inclined to get on an airplane as often. I mean, who wants to go to work on their day off, right?! But, travel is what we love and why we fly, so we were determined to get back into it.

When the opportunity to plan our first-ever Two Guys on a Plane trip presented itself, we knew this was the perfect way to add some exciting travel plans to our lives. Exploring the world with a group of like-minded people that happen to have the same sense of humor as we do!? Sign us up! In September, we traveled to Bali with 15 (mostly) strangers and what happened next was an incredible adventure that our group will never forget!

Pre-Trip: A Private Villa

After risking it all by using our flight benefits and flying standby, Bali was our final destination – and somehow, we made it! We traveled from Philadelphia to Boston, then continued on to Doha from there, finally ending our long (nearly 40 hour) journey in Denpasar, Bali. Thank you, nonrev gods! Also, shout out to StaffTraveler for coming through with flight loads for us. We seriously couldn’t nonrev anywhere without this app! It’s free and a must-have if you’re an airline employee traveling on your flight benefits.

We arrived two nights before our group, 1) to make sure we had enough time for missed flights, etc., and 2) because we wanted to make sure we were well-rested and fresh-faced to meet our lovely “crew.” The first night we stayed in a beautiful private villa at Kamajaya Villas in Ubud. It was private and romantic, for sure. We highly recommend it if you’re traveling to Bali! We enjoyed the private pool and it was the perfect place to recover from jetlag.

Day 1: Arrival in Bali!

Our group has – mostly – arrived! While there were a couple of travel hiccups for some of our group, almost everyone arrived just in time for the adventure to begin! This is also why we made sure the only thing on our itinerary for day 1 was dinner!

We checked into our beautiful hotel in Ubud where each room had a beautiful balcony or patio, and then headed straight for the pool to enjoy a little sunset happy hour before heading to dinner with the group. We dined at Café Lotus where we had a tasty dinner and delicious dessert. We didn’t know we’d love fried bananas and ice cream but now we do and we’re obsessed. We were also able to catch some traditional Balinese music and dancing while we dined! It was the perfect way to kick off the trip.

Day 2: Tirta Empul Water Temple + Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Being flight attendants, we’re always on the move, but today, we slowed things down with a visit to Tirta Empul Water Temple. Known for its purification rituals, the temple offered a moment of stillness and spirituality that we don’t often find in the fast-paced world of airports and our crazy schedules. The locals welcomed us to join their cleansing ceremony, and as we stood in the cool spring water, the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives completely faded away. It was truly a spiritual experience like no other.

Afterward, we headed to Kanto Lampo Waterfall. Nestled in a jungle, it was the perfect spot to relax and snap some Instagram-worthy photos. The waterfall was stunning, and the sounds of rushing water and nature made us feel worlds away from our usual hustle.

Day 3: Sacred Monkey Forest + Coffee Brewing Workshop

Day three kicked off with a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud. These cheeky little creatures were everywhere, and honestly reminded us of passengers because they always seemed to be getting into something. We kept our snacks close as the monkeys were quick to grab whatever they could. It was a little chaotic to be honest, but we loved every second of it.

Next up was a Coffee Brewing Workshop, which had us all in our element. As coffee is basically a flight attendant’s best friend, we were eager to learn how Bali’s famous beans are roasted and brewed. By the end, we were buzzing—not just from the caffeine but from the excitement of crafting our own perfect cup. Our instructor was an extremely sweet man who also happened to be a musician. So we finished off the day with live music and some espresso martinis!

Day 4: Rumah Desa Farming Experience + Balinese Cooking Class

On day four, we got down and dirty in the rice paddies of Tabanan Village at Rumah Desa, learning the ancient methods of farming. Some of our group were soon knee-deep in mud, laughing as they tried their best to mimic the expert farmers… the two of us, however, weren’t so brave. Afterward, it was time to trade our farming tools for cooking utensils in a Balinese Cooking Class. We learned how to whip up traditional dishes, putting our teamwork skills to the test in the kitchen. By the time we sat down to enjoy our homemade feast, we had a newfound appreciation for Balinese cuisine—and maybe a few new cooking tips.

The entire experience at Rumah Desa was to truly see what Balinese culture and Hinduism is all about. We were invited into a local home and learned about the structure of family and every day life in Bali. We were taught about sacred prayer rituals, family life and traditions, farming skills, cooking, and so much more. When we travel, we travel for culture. We want to meet local people, try local food, and really be a respectful part of the community in any way we can. We finished off our day with a delicious feast of Balinese cuisine (this time someone else cooked!) and a few Bintang beers, of course. Our experience to the farming village did not disappoint and was a major highlight of our trip.

Day 5: Sunrise Cycling Tour + GoJek Scooter Food Tasting Tour

We’re no strangers to early mornings, but today’s wake-up call was for a much better reason: a Sunrise Cycling Tour along the beach in Sanur. While these two guys on a plane didn’t make the early wake-up call, a few of our group members were up nice and early to enjoy the sunrise!

In the evening, we traded bicycles for scooters and embarked on a GoJek Scooter Food Tasting Tour. Zipping through Bali’s bustling streets, we stopped at local food vendors to try everything from satay to street-side sweets. It was a whirlwind of flavors and fun, the perfect way to experience Bali’s food scene up close. We had such a blast riding around the city on scooters (with drivers!) while we basically ate a 5 course dinner. No meal carts here—just delicious bites straight from the source!

Day 6: Spa Day + Farewell Dinner at Byrdhouse Bali

After days of adventure, it was time for some well-earned relaxation. Our whole group was scheduled for Balinese massages, leaving us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. As flight attendants, we know the importance of a little self-care after long-haul flights, and this spa experience was next-level pampering. From head to toe, we felt relaxed and rejuvenated after a busy few days of exploring Bali.

Our trip concluded with a breathtaking Farewell Dinner, where we indulged in a final, delicious meal. The evening was filled with laughter and shared memories, from monkey encounters to cycling adventures. We toasted to our incredible trip, feeling grateful for the chance to unwind and explore such a beautiful island with our crew.

Day 7: Go Home Day

All good things must come to an end, and soon it was time to pack our bags and head back home. Some of our group hopped on planes back to the US while others stayed in Bali to explore more (like we did), and others even traveled to other destinations before ending their trip. It was a bittersweet farewell as we were ready to sleep in our own beds, but we had all had become such a close group by the end of the trip with so many fantastic memories to look back on.

Post-Trip: An Instagram-Worthy Boutique Hotel + Nusa Penida

We decided to stay a couple extra days in Sanur at the most charming boutique hotel called casa de Sassy. (Fitting, right?) It was a 5-room boutique hotel with the cutest aesthetic and the most relaxing pool area. We could’ve stayed there another two weeks it was so tranquil and beautiful. We also took a day trip to explore Nusa Penida, a small island just off the coast of Bali. We went on a snorkeling trip, explored multiple beaches, and took in some breathtaking views!

After a couple of days of beach time, massages and pedicures, and poolside hangs, we finally started the long trek home. Nonrev travel worked in our favor, though, as we traveled home to Philadelphia from Bali. On the first leg, about 10 hours from Denpasar (DPS) to Doha (DOH), we got a row to ourselves in the back of the plane, and on the second leg from DOH-PHL, a 14 hour flight, we both got upgraded (sometimes staff travel works out in our favor! Haha). It probably took us a solid week to recover from jetlag, though. That 12 hour time difference did a number on us!

We must admit, we were skeptical about group travel. We feared that the itinerary might feel a little cliché or that the group wouldn’t get along, but this trip exceeded our wildest dreams. Each experience felt so immersive and authentic. Our guide, Surya, had so much passion for sharing Balinese culture and life with us that we left feeling both humbled and inspired. Plus, our group was truly fantastic. Every single person on the trip felt like family to us by the end of it. Bali left a lasting impression on each of us. It was a chance to connect with each other outside of the airplane, to experience a new culture, and to make memories that will last far longer than the trip itself.

This trip was more than just a vacation; it was the experience of a lifetime. We left Bali with full hearts and can’t wait for our next group adventure. Until then, Bali – you’ve been a dream!

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Where do you think we should go next? Tell us in the comments!