Is this heaven, or just the base of a volcano?

This week, we continue our journey around the massive base of Mt. Rinjani. Starting in the north, we were absolutely gobsmacked by the sheer abundance of life. Thanks to the volcano's nutrient-rich soil, there are rice paddies stretching as far as the eye can see. It genuinely felt like we’d stepped into a tropical heaven.

But the real adventure began when we handed the reins to Divina. Following an "accommodation-led" hunch, we headed to Sapit with no idea what to expect. What we found blew us away: the Hidden Gillis. Not a single tourist in sight—just pure, untouched beauty and the kind of discovery you only get when you trust the journey.

To wrap it up, we headed to Tetebatu, a dense tropical village where the clouds finally burst. Between the heavy rain and a rough bout of food poisoning, it wasn't exactly a spa day—but even being stuck in bed couldn't take the shine off this incredible part of the world.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina. Hit subscribe to hear why the best rewards are often hidden exactly where you didn't plan to look. Follow the adventure on Instagram @ExceptionalDecisions

One island is a hidden rural paradise; the other has absolutely "popped off."

This week, we’re putting the Gili Islands to the test. We compare the rural, minimal-tourist vibe of the Secret Gilis with the high-energy, world-famous Gili Islands. It’s a fascinating look at how travel changes a landscape, and we’re diving deep into which one won our hearts.

Speaking of diving, we experienced some of the best snorkeling of our entire lives—even if the ocean had other plans for Russell. We share the story of how a peaceful swim turned into a survival mission when Russell was nearly dragged out to sea by the intense currents.

And if that wasn't enough adrenaline, we have to talk about the journey there. The boat ride to the Gilis was easily the most dangerous we’ve ever been on. Let’s just say it was giving Titanic. We genuinely weren't sure we’d make it, but we survived to tell the tale!

Despite the danger and the currents, the trip turned into a beautiful experience surrounded by a big group of friends. Through the sketchy boats and the wild tides, Divina kept us exactly where we needed to be.

Follow the journey on Instagram @ExceptionalDecisions.

Paradise found... and then it bit us.

We’ve officially touched down in country number four: the stunning Indonesian island of Lombok. After the sensory overload of Bangkok, this island is exactly what Divina ordered.

This week, we explore why Lombok has stolen our hearts. We talk about the locals—the friendliest we’ve encountered yet—and the persistent, charming children who are the island's most determined salespeople. We spent our days on a "greatest hits" tour of the coastline, hitting a different, world-class beach every single day.

But it wasn't all slow living. We swapped the sand for the smell of burning rubber at the MotoGP, watching motorcycles fly around the track in a blur of speed and adrenaline.

However, an adventure wouldn't be an adventure without a crisis. The trip took a sharp turn when Russell got bitten by a dog, sending us on an urgent, day-long quest across the island for the right rabies vaccine. It’s the ultimate reality check in the middle of paradise.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina. Hit subscribe to join us for a story about island bliss, high-speed racing, and why you should always check the local medical facilities! Follow on Instagram @Exceptional Decisions

The comfort zone is gone! We’ve landed in the craziest city on Earth.

Our time in Krabi is officially over! We say a tearful farewell to our feline friends and our beautiful pool villa, trading the lazy rhythm of the beach for the unrelenting intensity of Bangkok.

This week, we share the shock of landing in a city that is utterly overstimulated and overwhelming. The scale, the noise, the sheer human volume—it hit us hard. How do two former flashpackers who avoid cities handle the global epicenter of urban chaos?

The solution came in two parts: First, the arrival of our friend and social media star, Hannah, providing some much-needed familiar energy. Second, a mandatory escape into the city's hidden world of luxurious settings, proving that sometimes, the only way to survive the chaos is to rise above it.

Join us as we attempt to find the exceptional experience hidden inside this massive, glittering urban maze.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina. Hit subscribe to find out if we can survive Bangkok, or if the city wins. Follow the journey on Instagram @ExceptionalDecisions

We thought Krabi was too touristy. We were wrong... Sort of.

After the initial shock of Ao Nang, have we managed to find our rhythm in this tourist mecca? We reveal how we've adapted and carved out our own space within the busy landscape. Turns out, the torrential weather helped: we’ve been enjoying days filled with thunderous, pouring rain, which has given us the perfect excuse to curl up on the sofa with hot tea, just like being back in the UK.

But comfort breeds complacency, so we decided to test our reliance on the digital world. We took on the challenge of a 24-hour screen fast, and the results were genuinely shocking. Was it pure bliss or pure agony? Listen to find out!

And because this is our life now, would you believe we have another massage story? It’s not a witch in a hut this time, but was completed by a couple of Thai auntys.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina. Hit subscribe to discover the unexpected joys of finding home, even when that home is surrounded by souvenir shops. Follow our journey on Instagram @ExceptionalDecisions

New country, new food, and a major reality check.

After the ancient wonders of Cambodia, Divina has moved us on to country number three: Thailand!

The good news? The food has been instantly life-changing. Having authentic Thai food in Thailand is a revelation—it's too delicious to describe. The challenge? Our initial arrival in Ao Nang, Krabi, was a shock to the system.

We were completely taken aback by the tourist density. Are we standing in Southeast Asia, or have we accidentally stumbled into Thailand's answer to Benidorm? We hash out our first impressions of this famous beach town, the crowds, and the commercial atmosphere.

But who are we to judge? Divina has guided us here, and we carry on our mission, trusting that there are wonders and lessons waiting for us beneath the surface. Join us as we try to find the exceptional experience hidden inside the crowded resort town.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina. Hit subscribe to find out what spiritual treasure can be found even in the most tourist-heavy location. Follow the journey on Instagram @ExceptionalDecisions

Ancient wonder versus Southeast Asian humidity.

We couldn't come to Siem Reap without visiting the ultimate travel destination: Angkor Wat. This week, we venture into the massive, sprawling temple complex for an experience that was unimaginably sacred.

We dive deep into the majesty of the site, exploring the sheer scale and antiquity of the temples and marveling at the intricate, detailed carvings and bas-reliefs that tell stories thousands of years old.

However, standing still in the jungle heat isn't easy. Join us for the reality check: we sweated our way through every single sacred step. But even the oppressive, sticky humidity couldn't take away from what is undeniably one of the greatest highlights of our entire exceptional adventure thus far.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina Hit subscribe to experience the spiritual payoff that’s always waiting on the other side of an extreme weather forecast. Follow our journey on Instagram @ExceptionalDecisions

We’re moving on! And this time, Divina delivered a luxury apartment (with some unique feline terms and conditions).

After our emotional farewell to Phnom Penh, it was time to hit the road. Russell booked a luxury bus to Siem Reap—so obviously, the travel was actually comfortable for once! We instantly felt the change: Goodbye chaotic concrete jungle, hello actual pavements and refreshing green streets. This is the relaxed vibe we needed.

Siem Reap is beautiful, but our new housesit came with terms and conditions that redefined "pet care." We detail the rather surprising small print of our new contract—a binding agreement that requires a level of intimacy with cats we never knew that we signed up for. Seriously, we're becoming expert feline facilitators.

Join us as we explore the beauty of our new town, savor the slow life, and spill the details on the peculiar duties that come with our house sit.

We threw away the map and handed the compass to Divina Hit subscribe to find out what strange new duties come with the rewards of pursuing exceptional decisions. Follow the journey on Instagram @exceptionaldecisions