This year was my first week going to Fleet Week, and it was definitely a cool, unique experience. The crowds on the Embarcadero and in the surrounding neighborhoods are insane, so I would definitely recommend going early.
We got to tour the USS America, which is a massive ship with several aircrafts and vehicles on board. Then we biked over to Aquatic Park and saw an awesome air show by the Blue Angels (the best view of some seriously skilled fliers).
For $5, I got to make my own little succulent terrarium (mine’s the first one). It was amazing, I love it, and I don’t care that a guy asked us if we made our terrariums because “yeah, I saw you guys petting them.” (For the record, we were re-arranging.)
Bali is a great conversation starter. People who have been there think it’s either paradise or hell, and in the weeks leading up to my trip, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
There’s trash on the beaches, humidity, mosquitos, snakes, vendors who won’t take no for an answer, and an island that’s becoming more and more tourist-centric.
But I also found places I loved. Ubud is a little hectic and urbanized, but it also has the indulgent Bali Botanica Spa where you can relax in a bath filled with flower petals, while gazing out into the forest (and get a one hour massage, all for the non-indulgent price of $20!). There is also Gunung Kawi, an amazing old archeological site with stone-carved structures surrounded by rice paddies and streams of water running over everything. Sidemen Road is a beautiful drive among rice paddies, and Balangan Beach is one of the most gorgeous beaches.
I could seriously keep talking on and on about Bali, but for now, here’s some of my pictures. My pictures may be closer to paradise, but I think Bali is just what you make of it.
The bay area has some amazing hiking trails, and recently, I was fortunate enough to roam Mount Diablo.
We started the day with the plan to leisurely explore the unique rock formations and wind caves of Rock City. Midway, we tacked on a trek to the summit and caught some gorgeous views of the bay area.
lilay loves 