I recently got a chance to sneak away to Bali with a couple of besties and while I wasn’t setting off to ‘find myself’ a la Eat Pray Love, I was looking to find myself in a relaxing, forget-about-reality trip. So with several pages of recommendations under our belt and way too many clothes, we set off.
We spent the first few days pounding the pavement – lapping up the markets, leather-makers, cheap food and the culture. The Balinese are incredibly lovely people…even if they do try it on with their prices. But bartering is half the fun. Once we’d got the shopping out of our system it was time to relax. We hauled our suitcases down the road to Chandra Villas, an amazing complex complete with our own pool and animals made from towels – thanks to the Sookie!
When we weren’t sipping pear vodka poolside, we were going on Bali missions with our driver Agoong. Ok, I know what you’re thinking – drivers and villas sound very fancy BUT this is Bali where you can live like a King without breaking the bank.
My favourite things to EAT, PRAY and LOVE in Bali:
1> EAT
- Cafe Bali
This beautiful, airy haven quickly became our local. Ah. Maze. Ing. You will fall in love with the cute decor and vast menu. It’s incredibly cheap to eat in Bali, so even when you’re splashing out it’s still cheaper than home.
An amazing South-Asian influenced restaurant owned by Australian Chef, Will Meyrick (Sydney’s Jimmy Lik’s and Long Grain). While you’re there, make sure you have a Strawberry Daiquiri.
- La Luciola
Situated on Seminyak Beach, La Lucciola looks like a dollhouse and the food is amazing
2> PRAY
While we didn’t do much praying, we did make it to a few temples…
- Uluwatu Temple
Complete with a family of wild monkeys, the Uluwatu temple perches on a clifftop overlooking the Indian Ocean and is seriously breathtaking.
- Ubud Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtega in Ubud is an absolute must-do. The temples are home to hundreds of Monkeys – buy a bunch of bananas and go for a wander but make sure you hide your camera/sunnies/earrings!
I absolutely fell in love with Bali. It’s easy and relaxed, it has delicious food (Indonesian plus everything else!), the shopping is amazing and the people are incredibly lovely. If you need a mid-year break from the real world, I would definitely recommend. The main expense is getting there plus accommodation – but once you’re there, it’s cheap as chups maaaaaate.
Here’s a must-do list of places I loved.
- Ubud Markets – the best spot for jewellery. Leather bracelets, rings, necklaces
- Jimbaran Bay – the perfect place to have a Bintang and watch the sunset – an absolute must
- Waterbom Park, Kuta – amazing waterpark complete with a vertical slide
- Padang Padang beach – a stunning, hidden beach accessible through a cave
- Ku de ta – Everything that’s amazing about Bali in one place – right on the beach, great food, delicious cocktails. Get in early afternoon to secure a day bed and watch the sunset. Bliss.
- The Corner Store – delicious cafe in Seminyak, make sure you try ‘Susie’s Breakfast’
- Bvlgari Hotel – Go here after a day at Padang Padang for a cocktail – you feel like you can see the edge of the world from its clifftop position overlooking the Indian Ocean.
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