The next phase of our journey picks up as our adventure took us from Australia to Japan, then to Indonesia.
After exploring the epic landscapes of Australia and New Zealand, it was time to discover the cultural beauty of Japan.
We had heard amazing things about Japan: the culture, the people, the respect for history, and the thoughtfulness woven into daily life. From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were greeted with smiles and a warmth that set the tone for our visit.
Our timing was intentional. One of the only aspects of our trip that we had preplanned was to be in Japan for the cherry blossoms. On our first full day, we walked through Ueno Park, and the cherry blossoms did not disappoint. Our first glimpse was on a rainy day, puddles pooling at our feet, colder than we would like to be, but with the smell of cherry blossoms permeating the air—it was sensational. The park was so organized, with paths separated by direction. We learned this to be the way in Japan—so thoughtful about every detail, such as umbrella stands waiting at entrances and small touches that reflected such care for community.
Navigating the subway system quickly became its own adventure. Soon, our daughter, Everly, was leading the way, selecting stations and confidently slipping in line into the machines. Watching her independence grow in such a foreign place was one of those quiet joys I’ll never forget.
Our days filled with discoveries: pandas at Ueno Zoo, the Tokyo Tower, a tea ceremony conducted in Japanese, and the dizzying energy of Shibuya Crossing, which is sometimes called the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world, seeing nearly 3,000 people cross at once. Yet, the crossing somehow felt choreographed rather than chaotic. At the Meiji Shrine, we hung a wooden ema plaque filled with our wishes alongside thousands of others. Dating back to the Edo period, these small wooden boards allow visitors to write prayers and hopes for health, happiness, or success, leaving them to be blessed by the shrine’s priests.
We saw Mount Fuji from a distance and took the Nihondaira Ropeway to see the Shinto Shrine. In Osaka, we caught a Hanshin Tigers baseball game—the crowd’s energy was incredible. We learned to play the Taiko drums. In Kyoto, we found stillness in temples and beauty in gardens. One of my personal highlights was sitting in meditation with a monk at Shorin-ji Temple, a grounding moment amid all the movement.
Japan was a cultural delight, a place where ancient traditions and modern life walk side by side in harmony.
Then, we were off to Bali.
It had been on our itinerary from the start, but when we decided to travel to Australia and New Zealand, we pivoted and didn’t make it to Indonesia as originally planned. But during our travels, we met other families who were going to Bali, so we decided to add it back in. That’s the beauty of long travel—the freedom to adjust, to follow curiosity, to let new friendships guide our path.
dance in Bali
And we are so very grateful that we experienced this destination. Our time in Bali wasn’t without challenges. Some parts made us reflect deeply on the impact of tourism and what it means for conservation and sustainability. At times, it was overwhelming, especially in Seminyak, where traffic and crowds pressed against us in ways that didn’t align with the pace we’d come to love. But even in those difficult moments, beauty waited just around the corner.
One of the most powerful experiences was our visit to Uluwatu Temple. Nearly a thousand years old, this sacred sea temple clings to cliffs 70 meters above the Indian Ocean. Our driver not only delivered us safely but helped us tie the sarongs required to enter, a gesture of respect for the holiness of the place. That evening, we watched the Kecak fire dance as the sun dropped into the horizon. The chanting, the costumes, the fire—it all builds to an unforgettable finale.
We found softer sides of Bali too. In Nusa Dua, tree-lined streets led us to golden sand and a small temple out on the water’s edge. There, we caught local surfers carving waves on one side, and on the other, peaceful cliffs with waves crashing against the rocks.
Next on our agenda was Sanur, where we slowed down, surrounded by other families, friends, and the growing community of travelers we had begun weaving together across countries.
Venturing to the north end of Bali brought us into a world of pure beauty and adventure. At Aling-Aling Waterfalls, we watched liquid tumble into turquoise pools, and we bravely rode the waterfalls! Nearby, at Banyumala Waterfalls—often called the “twin falls”—we marveled at the powerful falls flowing down mossy rock walls into a basin below, where you could step into the waterfall and feel the energy of the water cascade on you. Surrounded by lush jungle, both places felt like secret treasures, reminding us how nature in Bali invites both thrill and tranquility.
Some moments felt like pure play: Everly swinging high above the jungle in Ubud, creating batik wax art, countless snorkeling days and locations, jumping and playing at a trampoline park, and experiencing a thrilling water park. Other moments touched us more deeply, like snorkeling alongside turtles off Nusa Lembongan Island, and experiencing a sound bath and meditation, where Kent and I both felt restored.
Perhaps the greatest gifts of Bali were the places themselves—the temples perched on cliffs, the waterfalls hidden in the jungle, the golden stretches of beach. Yet, what made those places come alive were the people we shared them with. We reunited with families we first met in Thailand and spent time with friends we’d now crossed paths with in four different countries. Together we shared meals, laughter, and stories that became part of our journey, reminding us that travel is as much about connection as it is about destinations.
Our next dispatch will be the final one in this series, and we’ll reveal what it is like coming home and integrating back into our daily life.
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The French family’s blog can be found at frenchtivity.com and their podcast, “Frenchtivity,” and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also send questions and comments to them via email at michelle@frenchtivity.com or kent@frenchtivity.com
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