My love for Bali began in 2014, when I traveled there alone for the first time as a 20-year-old student for an internship abroad. I still remember the moment clearly: I had just arrived, and everything felt busy, chaotic, and overwhelming. Scooters rushed past me, I didn’t know anyone, and I had no idea what to expect. I felt nervous, uncertain, and at the same time incredibly curious.

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That tension slowly faded once I started living in Bali. During my internship at a local tourism company, I was warmly welcomed by my colleagues. They took the time for me, helped me adjust to the culture, and showed me how different, and how beautiful, life there can be. I discovered that opening yourself up to another culture gives you far more than you could ever imagine beforehand.

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During that time, I stayed at Dedukuh Guesthouse in Kuta. That became my first real home base in Bali. Not just because I slept there, but because I truly felt welcome. There was a warm, social atmosphere. We ate together, shared stories, and looked out for one another. The girls I met there are still my best friends to this day. The local staff also became friends. People we still return to every time we’re back in Bali.

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In 2015, I returned to Bali to do volunteer work at an orphanage. For five weeks, I once again lived fully immersed in Balinese culture. That period confirmed what I already felt: Bali had found a deep place in my heart.

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In 2020, Thorvald and I went back to Bali together and experienced that same feeling again. He too was touched by the atmosphere, the people, and the way of life. Bali didn’t feel like a holiday destination to us, but like a place where you can truly feel at home.

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At the beginning of 2026, we returned to Bali once more. This time with our son, Matheo. We decided to approach things differently. We visited various guesthouses and consciously looked at what truly makes a stay in Bali special.

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That’s when we saw the difference.

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Many guesthouses today are mainly focused on convenience and privacy, but lack the atmosphere we ourselves experienced. We saw places without engaged staff, without a social environment, and where people mostly kept to themselves.

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Luckily, we also found guesthouses that do offer that warm, safe, and social foundation that we value so much.

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That experience led to the creation of Bali Base Living.

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With Bali Base Living, we collaborate with a selection of guesthouses in Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu that all meet the same standards: a great location, comfort, safety, and the presence of dedicated staff. Places where you can not only retreat, but also easily connect with others.

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Our mission is to offer students and young professionals who come to Bali for an extended period the same experience we had ourselves.

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A place where you can arrive and settle in.
Where you feel safe and welcome.
And where you create memories that stay with you forever.