March gave us one of those wonderful reminders of what expat life is really all about: not just discovering new places, but learning how to build a life that feels full, connected, and meaningful while living abroad.

This month brought a little bit of everything. There were great evenings with friends in Ho Chi Minh City, a beautiful family escape to Bali, some memorable discoveries that blended culture and nature, and also those grounding everyday moments that truly shape the expat experience — learning the local language, making time for sport, and leaning into the friendships and communities that make a city feel like home.

If February had already set a lovely tone, March truly expanded it.

A Belgian Start to the Month at Belgo

We started the month on a high with a really enjoyable moment at Belgo Belgian Craft Beer Brewery — and what a fantastic discovery it was for some of our friends.

As I already mentioned in my February reflections, Belgo has become one of those places that immediately feels both familiar and special. There is something very comforting, as a Belgian abroad, in stepping into a place that manages to capture not only the flavours of home, but also the spirit of conviviality that comes with it. Belgo’s concept is rooted in authenticity: Belgian recipes, natural ingredients sourced from Belgium, and beers brewed in Vietnam by a Belgian brewmaster with a real dedication to balance and quality. That combination of tradition and local adaptation is part of what makes the place stand out so well. 

What made this visit especially enjoyable was seeing friends discover it for the first time. Expat life often comes with this very specific pleasure: introducing others to your little favourites and watching them become shared reference points. Belgo is not just about beer; it is about atmosphere, easy conversations, generous food, and that simple but valuable feeling of being together around a table. Places like this matter more than one might think when living abroad. They become anchors, social spaces where friendships are built and where a city starts to feel more and more like your own.

A Week in Paradise at Conrad Bali

One of the highlights of March was undoubtedly our wonderful stay at Conrad Bali, a place that once again reminded us how important it is to pause, recharge, and fully embrace the beauty of this region.

Bali has a way of slowing you down almost instantly, and Conrad Bali does that with a particular sense of grace. The setting is refined without ever feeling stiff, luxurious without losing warmth, and perfectly aligned with what makes the island so special in the first place: space, calm, nature, and an understated elegance. It was one of those stays where everything seemed to come together naturally, the surroundings, the service, the atmosphere, and that feeling of being exactly where you need to be for a few days.

And then, on top of all that, we had the chance to experience something truly unique: Nyepi season.

Experiencing Ogoh-Ogoh and Understanding Nyepi

One of the most fascinating cultural moments of our trip was witnessing the Ogoh-Ogoh parade in Nusa Dua, close to the hotel.

For anyone visiting Bali at this time of year, this is much more than just a colourful local celebration. The Ogoh-Ogoh are large, often dramatic and highly expressive statues built to represent negative forces, harmful spirits, inner chaos, and the darker energies that people symbolically wish to leave behind before entering the Balinese New Year. They are often handcrafted by local communities and can be incredibly creative, detailed, and sometimes even playful in their visual storytelling.

The parade itself is vibrant, noisy, theatrical, and full of life. There is music, movement, and a sense of collective participation that is impossible not to feel. But what makes it particularly meaningful is what comes after it.

The Ogoh-Ogoh parade precedes Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, which marks the Saka New Year. Unlike many New Year celebrations around the world that focus on noise, fireworks, and countdowns, Nyepi is built on the exact opposite principle: silence, introspection, purification, and reset. Traditionally, the island comes to an almost complete stop. Flights are paused, streets are empty, businesses close, and people stay home to reflect, pray, and reset for the year ahead.

There is something quite powerful in that idea, especially in today’s world. A whole island intentionally choosing stillness as a way to begin again. For visitors, it is not just an interesting cultural event; it can also be a surprisingly moving experience. It offers a rare chance to slow down and observe how deeply spirituality and daily life remain connected in Bali.

In a way, it was the perfect reminder that travel is not only about seeing beautiful places, but also about learning different ways of understanding life.

Rediscovering Bali, 20 Years Later

Another real joy of this trip was revisiting Bali with fresh eyes.

It had been around 20 years since we last explored some of the island beyond the more classic coastal areas, and this time we made a point of discovering places we had not seen before. That turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of the trip.

Bali has a tendency to be reduced, in popular imagination, to beach clubs, sunsets, and resorts. And while those absolutely have their place, the island’s deeper charm lies inland, in its landscapes, temples, highlands, and agricultural heritage. This time, we were lucky enough to enjoy exactly that side of Bali.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces – A Landscape of Harmony

We also visited the magnificent Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, and this was honestly one of those places that fully deserves its reputation.

Jatiluwih is not just beautiful; it is deeply meaningful. The area is internationally recognised for its connection to Bali’s traditional subak irrigation system, a centuries-old communal water management philosophy that reflects a broader Balinese concept of harmony between people, nature, and spirituality. UNESCO recognises this cultural landscape as part of Bali’s living heritage. 

And you can feel that harmony when you are there.

The terraces unfold with a kind of quiet grandeur that photographs never fully capture. It is not only the geometry of the rice fields that impresses, but the sense of continuity they represent. These are not staged landscapes created for tourists; they are living agricultural spaces shaped by tradition, cooperation, and time. Walking through Jatiluwih gives you a very different understanding of Bali — one rooted not in spectacle, but in balance and resilience.

It was easily one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

Beratan Lake – Calm, Mist, and Timeless Beauty

One of our favourite discoveries was Bedugul, a mountainous area in central Bali that feels very different from the island’s coastal rhythm.

Bedugul is cooler, greener, and more peaceful, offering a refreshing contrast to the beach atmosphere many people associate with Bali. The road there already sets the tone, with winding views, dense greenery, and a softer, almost meditative ambiance. It is the kind of place that makes you realise just how geographically diverse Bali really is.

What I particularly liked about Bedugul is that it feels less performative and more naturally serene. It is not trying too hard to impress you; it simply lets the scenery and atmosphere do the work. For visitors who want to see another face of Bali — one that is more contemplative and connected to the island’s natural landscape — this area is definitely worth the journey.

From there, we also enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere around Lake Beratan and the iconic Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

There is something almost cinematic about this area. The combination of water, mountain air, and temple architecture creates a setting that feels both tranquil and deeply spiritual. Depending on the light and the weather, the whole place can feel dreamlike — with mist rolling across the lake and the temple appearing almost suspended between water and sky.

What I loved most here was the atmosphere of stillness. Unlike the vibrant energy of the Ogoh-Ogoh celebrations, Beratan offered a very different kind of beauty: one based on quiet, space, and reflection. It is the sort of place that invites you not to rush. You simply take it in, breathe a little deeper, and appreciate the privilege of being there.

Bali Handara Gate – More Than Just a Photo Stop

Like many visitors, we also stopped at the famous Bali Handara Gate.

Yes, it is one of those places that social media has made instantly recognisable — but in fairness, it is easy to understand why. The gate itself is striking, framed by lush greenery and often enhanced by the dramatic highland weather that seems to give everything around Bedugul an extra touch of atmosphere.

That said, what stood out to me was not just the gate itself, but what it represents about modern travel in Bali. It is a reminder that some places become symbols — shorthand for a destination — even if their appeal goes beyond the image. In real life, the setting is more peaceful than one might expect, and if you take a moment to look beyond the photo queue, there is still something genuinely elegant and photogenic about the place.

It may be a classic stop, but it is still a worthwhile one.

Taman Ayun Temple – A Beautiful Glimpse into Balinese Heritage

Another place that really stayed with us was Taman Ayun Temple.

This temple complex has a very particular charm. Surrounded by water and beautifully laid out gardens, it feels harmonious from the moment you enter. Unlike some sites that impress through scale or drama, Taman Ayun works through proportion, grace, and quiet detail. It is elegant rather than overwhelming.

Historically, it is also an important place, tied to Bali’s royal and religious heritage and often associated with the island’s broader cultural and irrigation traditions. That gives the visit more depth than simply admiring beautiful architecture. It becomes another reminder that Bali’s identity is built on systems of belief, community, and ritual that still remain very visible today.

For us, it was one of those destinations that combined beauty with substance — always the best kind.

And Then There’s Woody…

Of course, no family update would be complete without talking about Woody.

While we were away enjoying Bali, he was clearly also having his own little holiday at Camp Canine Saigon — and judging by the experience, I think it is fair to say he had an excellent time.

For pet owners living abroad, finding the right place for your dog is not a small thing. It is part of building trust and stability in your expat life. When you travel, you want to know that your furry family member is not simply being “looked after,” but genuinely cared for and happy in your absence. That peace of mind matters enormously.

Places like Camp Canine Saigon help make that possible. They offer something beyond practicality: they give expat families the freedom to travel, reset, and enjoy opportunities like a short island escape without carrying that background worry. And when you come back to a happy dog who has clearly had a great time too… well, that is really the ideal outcome.

So yes — Woody was also on holiday in his own way.

Back to Reality… and Into Vietnamese

Back in Ho Chi Minh City, March also marked the start of something exciting (and, if I am honest, slightly intimidating): Vietnamese classes for Isabelle and me at university.

And wow… this is challenging.

Learning Vietnamese as an adult is not exactly a casual side hobby. The tones, pronunciation, rhythm, and structure all demand a level of attention and humility that can be both frustrating and energising at the same time. There are definitely moments where your brain feels completely scrambled. But there is also something deeply rewarding about trying.

Because language is more than communication. It is connection.

As expats, we can very easily spend years living in a place while only ever touching its surface. Learning the local language — even imperfectly — is one of the most direct ways to move beyond that. It is a gesture of respect, but also a personal investment in the life you are building here. It opens doors, changes interactions, and reminds you that belonging is something you participate in, not something that simply happens to you.

So yes, it is hard. But it is also exciting — and definitely worth it.

Pickleball, Weekends, and Why Community Matters

Another lovely constant in our weekly rhythm has been pickleball with colleagues over the weekend.

It is funny how these recurring social and sporting moments often become much more important than you first expect. On the surface, it is just a game, a bit of exercise, and a good excuse to get moving. But in reality, it is also about routine, laughter, shared time, and keeping a healthy balance in the middle of work and expat life. Pickleball has been growing fast in Vietnam, with more open-play communities and social sessions becoming part of city life, especially in larger hubs like Ho Chi Minh City. 

More broadly, one of the things March reinforced once again is how paramount community really is when living abroad.

A huge thank you goes to Isabelle, who continues to invest so much energy — alongside other spouses — into helping keep people connected, included, and supported. That work often happens quietly, but it matters tremendously. Community does not build itself. It takes intention, generosity, follow-up, organisation, and care.

And when it exists, it changes everything.

Because expat life is not just about discovering restaurants, booking trips, or ticking destinations off a list. It is also about having people around you who make the experience richer, lighter, more fun, and more sustainable. People who celebrate the good moments with you, but who also make the difficult or lonely moments easier to navigate.

That is a very important part of this journey too.

Final Thoughts – The Full Expat Experience

If I had to summarise March in one sentence, I would probably say this:

It felt like a very complete month.

There was friendship, travel, culture, sport, learning, rest, family time, and a growing sense of rootedness — all the things that, together, make expat life feel truly alive.

Some months are more about movement. Others are more about adaptation. March felt like one of those months where everything blended together in the right way. It reminded us that this chapter in Vietnam is not just about being abroad; it is about building a lifestyle, a rhythm, and a meaningful everyday life in a place that continues to surprise and enrich us.

And honestly, that is what makes this adventure so worthwhile.

On to April.