Category Archives: Indonesia

Nusa Lembogan

Finally I have had to resign myself to the fact that today I can only squeeze in a massage and snorkel at most.

As Western though patterns and chasing leaving my body, so does stress.

I feel myself decompressing like a tension chamber that has become unaccustomed to it’s own internal pressure – in actual fact using it for fuel to chase down more business. I need to step back and I have.

Yesterday I jumped on a plane to Bali with a small back pack, some face masks to deliver to Solemen ( A charity I support here) and little else. I had a sense that escaping to Nusa Lembogan would provide me with my next life lessons, poignant and gentle as Mother Bali delivers, so headed for Sanur to catch a ferry.

There are plenty of ferry companies that cross the 45 minute stretch all day. No need to book ahead and it shouldn’t cost more than 400 rupiah return.

I had to wait a while for mine, but I have learned that the waiting is part of Bali unravelling you from what you know, to where you need to be.

I relish in the wait.

With no accommodation booked, I figure that I could do something about it while the ferry is coming. Incredibly I secure a room in a hut that is truly magic and I feel so incredibly grateful to have been directed here.

A generous local drove me to the villas and would not accept any money for the trip. It sounds naive but I know the favour will be returned one day.

My digs for the night are out of this world – incredible views, and I feel I have arrived at the cusp of heaven and earth.

I settle in, have some mandatory spring rolls, a gin and tonic then go exploring.

It is a full moon and the night light makes for easy walking to Dream Bay.

Today i will explore more and post more tomorrow.

My creative flow is back and I feel alive again. Thank you Mother Bali. 

The Seeds of Life

On my first trip to Bali I was honoured enough to interview the knowledgeable and
food leader Ben Richards.

Byron Bay Ex pat living in Bali for many years, Ben has been a big part of the raw food movement.

His philosophies around health, mindful eating and eating plants are sensational.

He has a cafe The Seeds of Life, is in town, well scoped out by back packers and vegetarians alike, as the mecca of raw and vegan.

He recently introduced the tonic bar and I find this natural medicine at its best. Even as a trained herbalist I am blown away at the variety of drinks on offer.

I love the menu and the food selection and every time (which is quite a few times now) I am stunned at the calibre and colour of the food. Amazing.

He holds raw retreats and you can find his cafe The Seeds of Life  here.  

This is called the Sol Jar and the banana praline stick is to die for!!!

Moana Fish Eatery Canggu

I am unsure why I hadn’t got to visit this awesome little restaurant tucked away up Jl. Batu Bolong. Moana Fish Eatery has been around a while now.

The menu is extensive – salads, sushimi, cooked fish and more.

I have the grilled mahi mahi and it is delicious. Tender and cooked to perfection. The salad is small but sufficient.

The Tartare is meant to be a stand out dish and the cheesecake to finish pretty wicked too!

I got into the chalk walls and managed to knock up a little turtle.

Overall a nice open air restaurant with a good vibe. Good for individuals, couples or groups. Prices are good too! I rate this restaurant as 9/10.

With Ayu the owner…

 

The Lawn

Reclining back, watching the last of another magic Balinese day, I giggle at the outlook of The Lawn. It is like a piece of Seminyak in Canggu. A little piece of glamour in the surf village.  I don’t mind it for a change but I know it wont’ become my local. I am still an “Old Man’s” gal!

The Lawn is impressive though.

Perched on the beach, tastefully hidden, and discrete, you can chill on reef mats, watching the sun set.

It is pseudo kid friendly with an infinity pool, chez lounges and a couple of bar areas.

The cocktails are fairly standard for Bali – good, still cheaper than most parts of the world. I was a little disappointed with the menu and food but that might because I had been spoilt for organic raw choice all day, and gorging on pizza really didn’t tick my fancy. I am sure many would love their American quasi global menu.

The Lawn in summary is definitely worth a sunset visit – it maybe your thing, but you won’t know until you have been there at least once!

 

Exotica Bali Hotel – the best villa in Canggu for value

My friend asked today ” Why don’t you have your own villa in Bali?” seeing as I travel there all the time and lately have been heading over monthly.

I have looked into it, but while the ease of staying at a place such as Exotica Bali (Bed and Breakfast) is available I can’t justify the debate in my head.

Last night is the first time I have stayed there and I shall be booking ahead of time for my next visit. It books out quick!

The villa is about a ten minute walk to the beach – something that always deterred me but this is becoming the more ” hip part” of town anyway. Funky cafes, organic eats, warungs and great shops line the upper part of Jl Batu Bolong.

The entrance to the villa is lovely, the pool perfect and the staff great.

The rooms are luxurious, very well priced and have everything you need while staying away from home.

There is even a drying area for laundry and a “relaxation” space on the first floor over looking the rice fields.

I can highly recommend this place and the tariff includes breakfast!

You can book directly here.  

Bamboo Charcoal Burgers!

There are so many awesome eateries in Canggu, Bali so that eating burgers hasn’t really been high on my agenda.

However … this time round I decide to check out two burger places; Warung Cucu and Burgerz across the road. Both are located not far up the road (Jalan Batu Bolong) from Old Man’s pub.

The charcoal buns look a bit weird and at first I thought it was a marketing ploy… make the buns dark and say they are charcoal. However the buns are really infused with bamboo charcoal.

Apparently an idea from Japan.

They cook them on the spot on a BBQ and you can eat beside the pop-up looking bar area.

Unfortunately I didn’t realise the buns also had gluten (something I try to avoid) and the meat was sausage meet with plastic cheese.

I am sure burger eaters would love the buns. A little crunchy but apparently the charcoal is a great anti-oxidant and good to detox your bowel! I think I will give them 4/10 but that is mainly because I don’t eat burgers and there are plenty of healthier options available in Canggu.

Across the road is a top notch burger joint called Burgerz. 

It has the best burger I have eaten in a long time…and definitely worth me breaking my gluten free stance. The meat was great, the bun fresh and grilled and the inner bits just melted in my mouth. It had been so long since I had eaten a burger so I was pretty wrapped it was worth it.

There is a plethora of sides, and of course you can grab a bintang to wash it all down with.

The hours are pretty good too and perfect for after a session dancing to live music down at Old Mans!

Cafe Vida Canggu Bali

WOW! Another incredible organic and local produce restaurant in Canggu and definitely worth a visit.

Really impressed with the menu and food.

I had some badass salad called “The Healthy Bowl”

This is what was included: 5 grain mix: millet, buckwheat, quinoa, sorghum, amaranth, sauteed seasonal greens, cheery tomatoes, house made beans, marinated tempeh, red cabbage, roasted pumpkin, broccoli, sweet corn, kale, zucchini, carrot, lettuce greens, served with house made curtido sauerkraut, baba ganoush, beetroot hummus, and garlic tahini and dressing!

Unbelievable!

It was delicious, filling and nutritious.

I did have guests with me though, a few frogs, and a ” big mouse”! (rat)

 

Villa Sonja Ubud

Ubud is an eclectic arty town about an hours drive from Denpasar airport.

It is well known for the art-yoga-vegetarian scene and definitely worth a stop over for a few nights to explore the local area.

Sprinkled in and around Ubud are free flowing waterfalls, lush rain forests and sacred sights.

Accommodation ranges from home stays – very keep and usually suitable, through to elaborate, six star world class resorts.

This time around I opted to stay at the Villa Sonja as it was close to the side of town where I was doing my reiki course (at Ubud Yoga Centre).

I was really impressed. For the price, the rooms were large and clean.

The villas are an assortment of rooms, (hotel style) and larger rooms. All with private bathrooms.

Two large pools ensures plenty of swimming options and there is a warung for meals on site. I usually eat next door at the Swasti Eco Village as it offers incredible food.

I would rate this place as 7/10 over all. 9/10 value for money.

Anhera Suite and Spa, Ubud

It was an interesting time to be in Ubud and Bali the end of July and start of August. It is a really busy time and the hotels I normally stay at were booked out.

I booked this place based on facilities, proximity to town and rooms.

And this is where I hold my Bali Nourishment Retreats! 

It is rated 4 starts by www.bookings.com but I think 3 stars would be more appropriate. You can book directly with Anhera. 

The rooms are massive, as are the bathrooms in each separate hotel room.

Each room opens onto it’s own grassed area ensuring excellent privacy.

Two pools spoil the small retreat – one an infinity pool at the lower end of the property and the other back near the main part.

Breakfast was included and not really that special – continental and Balinese.

English was a challenge for most staff, but they were so lovely and accommodating the frustrations didn’t amount to much.

You can have a massage by the pool and whilst it is not a high end spa facility, the prices are good.

I would stay here again but for the price ($120 – $160) I think there is better value in town.

Cagar Budaya Gianyar, Bali

This amazing temple is about thirty minutes drive from Ubud.

I didn’t know this temple existed until my latest visit to Bali (my 12th time in the last 3 years)!

It is so worth the visit.

The mere fact that the caved sanctuary was built  over 1000 years old makes this place a spiritual mecca.

Originally serving as a meditation school, the temple has recently been used for offerings from local farmers.

The incredible arches, reaching up to the sky give the place a surreal and natural ampitheatre.

The sound in the kings meditation dome is amazing. It is over the river and up behind the large wall alcoves.

There is no rush to pass through this temple and once you pass through the eager shop assistants you will be able to move through at your own pace.

I did some meditation in one of the alcoves and really relaxed in the beautiful grounds.

I can highly recommend this place. Oh – it does have a few steps (300+ apparently). Not a drama for most but definitely an issue if you don’t like steps.