Tag Archives: Canggu

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)

 

Poke Poke Canggu

“ How good is the food?!” my friends chorus as we all meet up for dinner in Canggu.

My mates assure me that Poke Poke, opposite Deus carpark is the bomb when it comes to quick wholesome salads. And they are right!

The Poke Concept is a Hawaaiin way of delivering salads.

Packed with nourishment, often with seaweed, endame, avocado, tuna or salmon, and optional rice or quinoa.

The staff get in and use their hands which I always think is a wonderful way to infuse extra energy and love into the food. The happy smiles as the staff provide this nourishing cup of variety is awesome to watch.

I am happy to say the poke bowl has made it to our house and now a regular meal.

Marinade tuna caps is off magnificently with some mayo and wasabi.

I can highly recommend this place.

The Aston Canggu

Canggu is my preferred place to stay in Bali.

The coast is fringed by different villages and slowly, as tourism increases, Kuta has spread.  Legion, Seminyak and now Canggu. Fortunately Canggu has stamped itself as a mecca for surfers and cool folk. It’s not as upmarket as Seminyak and not family driven like Legion.

I love it.

I normally stay in the villas: The Duane and Villa Love Echo as they are great value for money, clean, have a pool and morning breakfast. But this time my beloved villas were booked out!

So I am forced to look else where… and I decide to stay at the Aston, Canggu.

The roof top pool lured me in.. and the close proximity to Old Man’s.

Its a wonderful decision.

From my room we can do a surf check on Batu Balong up to Echo Beach.

The breakfast buffet is excellent and it is very easy for me to find healthy food and non-gluten and non-dairy food options.

The rooms are good. I would request one with a view if you stay. The views are great.

The view from the top floor is even better! And be sure to wiggle your way up to the very top… a nice little sitting area where you can down a Moscow Mule or two!

I really loved staying at this hotel. It’s pricer compared to the villas (the villas are $50-60 per night and the Aston is $140-160).

I am going to find it really hard not to stay here again in the future and go back to my villas.