Year 10 Bali trip of 2025: Opinions and What to expect

By Yannis Ng

Recently, Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) concluded for Years 7-10. In Year 10, we had the option to travel to different destinations around the world, including Bali. There, I learned to surf and snorkel, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the environment and how to protect it. It was a pleasant expedition full of surprises, fun, and education, perfectly suited for students who love nature and want an action-packed adventure in the forest and on the beach.

My Opinion

For me, this trip was enjoyable because I had the opportunity to spend time with friends and relax in nature—something I don't get to do often living in the city. Relaxing far away from the urban hustle made me calmer and sharpened my senses, as my troubles were swept away by the serenity of the outdoors.

The trip was also incredibly fun due to the sheer number of activities packed into the schedule. Besides three days of surfing, we went snorkeling on our second day with instructors Lorraine and Sydney (Sid) to learn more about coral reefs and the fish that inhabit them. The corals were vibrant up close, and the fish were swimming in massive schools, which was unlike anything I had seen before.

After snorkeling, we learned about mangroves from our instructors, Paknono and Lorraine. We also had the opportunity to clean up trash from the mangroves and hack away invasive plants the following day. These experiences were broadening for me; they made me realize how our impact on the planet affects life on both land and sea.

However, even though the trip was mostly enjoyable, there were some downsides.

The experience was challenging at times because we lived in bungalows and houses very close to nature.

This meant dealing with swarms of ants and mosquitoes that buzzed around at night, making a horrible noise every time they flew close to us.

It also pushed me out of my comfort zone because we had to wake up early to put on skin-tight rash guards that were still damp or completely wet from the previous day’s surfing. Putting these clothes on was difficult and uncomfortable, and my skin felt cold and slimy in the morning air.

Despite these setbacks, do not let them ruin the trip. Overcoming them makes the experience even more rewarding.

What to Expect

For younger readers who are optimistic about going to Bali, here are some things to consider when preparing for the trip:

Bring enough underwear. I know this may seem embarrassing, but you are going to get wet. You will go through at least two sets of underwear in one day when snorkeling and surfing, so remember to bring enough for hygiene purposes.
Bring enough mosquito patches to last 10 days. The bugs in Bali are not feeble, and one bottle of bug repellent is not enough to keep them away.
Do not eat in your rooms. This may sound silly to some, but unless you want more bugs—and possibly monkeys—in your room, please keep the snacks outside.
CLOSE ALL DOORS. This is crucial, especially at the Ecolodge camp. There are many monkeys there, and they will use any opportunity to get into your rooms and tear everything to shreds.
Expect to see bugs everywhere. Because the two places you’ll be staying are close to nature, there will be lots of bugs and geckos roaming around your room and the camp. Don't worry—as long as you have long pants and bug spray, you will be fine.
Expect to get swept under and chafed when surfing. Surfing sounds fun, but it is easier said than done. The waves are massive, and the constant friction against the board causes chafing, making your skin red and painful. If that happens, put on some Vaseline; it soothes the chafing and protects your skin in the warm summer air. If you want to avoid this entirely, bring surf gloves, though they may make gripping the board harder.
Only bring ONE piece of winter clothing. Because Bali is in the Southern Hemisphere and close to the equator, it is hot and humid (like summer in Hong Kong). Bring light clothing and avoid layers, except for one sweater or hoodie for traveling.
Bring books, entertainment, and a mini lamp. The bus ride from the airport to the camp is long, and there is often no signal, so offline entertainment is necessary. Bring a small handheld light source besides your phone because the initial bus ride is at night, and you can't see anything outside except the headlights of other cars.
Bring a camera. Since you often cannot bring phones outside of your dorms, a camera is very useful for taking pictures of the lovely scenery—memories you will want to keep forever.
Go to the bathroom before any car ride. The journey is very long (3–7 hours depending on traffic), and even though there are pit stops, you don't want to be stuck on the road with no stops for another hour.

These rules may sound random, but if you want to have the best time in Bali, I highly recommend you follow them.

Conclusion

Bali is a great option for EOTC Week due to its natural beauty and action-packed adventures. If you are someone who loves adventure or simply loves nature, this trip is perfect for you.