Bali, Day 1: With Open Arms

When you've been to Bali as many times as I have, it truly feels like a home away from home. There's no better feeling than stepping out of the airport, into the humid Bali air with that distinct smell and being welcomed back to paradise with open arms, which is exactly what we got. As we stepped out of the airport, we kept our eyes peeled and spotted Oka, Yuda's son, waiting for us. With a warm hug to welcome us back, we were ready to begin our holiday. 

What a way to start my day. Mum and I had a stupid o'clock 3:40am flight with Jetstar that had us in Bali at 7:30, just in time for breakfast. It wasn't just any old breakfast we were having, Oka was taking us to his family home in Sanur to see Yuda and his wife Made. We have forged such a beautiful friendship with this family, seeing them has become one of the things I look forward to most. They are such warm and gracious people, you'd have to have a heart of stone to not have a soft spot for them. We were greeted with more hugs from Yuda and Made as they welcomed us into their home. I was lucky enough to come here for dinner one night during my March trip and was so happy to be back. Yuda was so proud to show us around their home that they are currently renovating. We were invited to sit and Oka brought us breakfast cooked fresh by Made. It was a delicious Balinese style omelette that I had to keep myself from wolfing down as quickly as I could. It was still to early to head off so to kill sometime, Yuda took mum for a scoot around the back streets of Sanur where they live. Mum has recently decided that although she's not comfortable with hiring a scooter (or my dad hiring one and riding on the back) that she'd be perfectly comfortable riding on the back of Yuda or Oka's so she was all for it. What a daredevil. She returned about 10 minutes later with a big smile before Oka took over and took me for a ride.

It was great to explore the back roads and spot villas that I've heard of but never seen. There is so much more to Sanur tucked away from the roads that I know. 

It was time to head off in the general direction of our first hotel so after a quick stop at Hardy's to grab a few essentials, we piled into the car; Oka, Yuda, Made, mum and myself. Yuda had a couple of stops planned for us- he does like to keep us on our toes. As we headed north towards Candi Dasa, we made our first stop at Komune Resort and Beach Club. This is an eco resort located about 15 minutes North of Sanur. It's a popular spot for surfers with its beachfront location with a decent surf break on the doorstep and its night surfing. I've seen many photos and have been following their Instagram for a while but didn't have any plans to visit. That has definitely changed now. It's a beautiful hotel with simple but very comfortable rooms, its Eco-friendly feel with vegie patches in the hotel grounds and it's absolutely stunning beach club. I've had a few beach club experiences but Komune is in a world of its own. It's got the same chilled out vibe that you'll find at the likes of Potato Head but with the glitz and glamour. It's really just a place to hang out, surf and enjoy the incredible view of their black sand beach. 

 

Although we were only there for all of 15 minutes, I've fallen in love with and we've made plans to come back. I can definitely see myself staying here at some point even though I can't surf to save my life. Hey, maybe I'll meet a nice surfer boy to keep. 

Back in the car, our next stop was to Yuda's village where he was born and grew up. He'd been wanting to take us for a while and we thought it was such a nice gesture so agreed to go during this trip. The village was a beautiful one tucked between Komune and Candi Dasa. He welcomed us into his complex and introduced us to his family with his usual big smile. None of them spoke English but it was so special to watch them go about their daily lives. I met such a gorgeous little boy while I was there who played a game of peek-a-boo before turning into a show pony and marching around the place, doing Spider-Man jumps and keeping us laughing. It was so beautiful to see and connect with him despite our language and cultural barrier. He gave me a big hi-five as we left and waved goodbye. 

We were then off to visit Made's village. There was quite a contrast between the two; as Made's village was considered a city village and therefore a richer village, with the higher status came pets. I found it quite confronting to see so many dogs on chains and in cages that were much too small for them. I had to force myself to look away because even though I am an animal lover, I know that having status is part of the Balinese culture. There is currently a push to educate the Balinese on many things including how to care for their pets properly which, after seeing these dogs, I am so thankful for. 

After a quick meet and greet with nieces and sisters, it was time to move on again and get to our hotel. With a quick hello to some friends staying at another hotel and confirmation of our dinner plans, we headed to Candi Beach Cottages. We were welcomed warmly and even scored a room upgrade; the perfect way to begin our stay. This was my first time to Candi Dasa so I was really looking forward to it. 

We were lead to our room; a bungalow that although is a bit outdated is very comfortable, to settle in before we headed to the restaurant for lunch. We were starving by this point and really wanted to enjoy the beautiful hotel grounds. And the grounds are stunning. Although the hotel is quite large, it doesn't at all feel like it's full of guests. It's so spacious and caters so well for the number of guests it can have that it felt quite empty. With an abundance of palmtrees shading the grounds and a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the ocean, we were in heaven. 

  

We enjoyed lunch looking out over the ocean, taking it all in. How can a place so amazing even exist? With lunch of satay and nasi Goreng in our stomachs (not overly impressed with the food or the prices) it was time to get poolside. It had hit me by now just how exhausted I was after our early start so I can ready to freshen up in the pool and relax. The pool was just the perfect temperature and came with the perfect view. After a swim I took my place on my lounge and it wasn't long before I drifted off for a while.  

It's a beautiful feeling waking up from a nap in the sun. Feeling slightly more refreshed, it was time to get myself ready for pre-dinner drinks and snacks with some friends that were staying nearby. We headed off to their beautiful hotel at the other end of town, The Aquarius. What a contrast it was to our hotel. Both are stunning, both have that Bali feel, both beachfront with a killer view over the ocean. The Aquarius is just a small boutique hotel compared to our larger one but it was just as breathtaking. I would definitely stay here. 

We enjoyed some laughs over a cocktails, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful sunset and we soon headed off to Vincent's for dinner. It was a great little restaurant with live jazz playing but I was just too tired to appreciate it. It had attentive service and nice food so hopefully I'll be able to head back after a good nights sleep.  One day down, I sure do like to hit the ground running!! Until tomorrow friends... 

The October Plan: Part 2

This time next week, I'll be touching down in Bali. Now that I'm working full time, I've learnt to really cherish these getaways so this trip seems more precious than others. I can't wait to get back to my favourite area of Sanur after spending two nights in Candi Dasa. Sanur always feels like a home away from home. I know the area almost as well as the back of my hand, it's where some of my favourite hotels and restaurants are located. A trip to Bali wouldn't be a complete for me without a visit to Sanur. 

This time around, I'm going to be staying at the Kejora Suites. Located in a fantastic central location, Kejora Suites have a reputation of being a boutique, hidden oasis. Even with its location, it's tucked away from the noises of passing vehicles. Although it's classified as a beachfront property, it's not open to the beach but it is actually managed by next doors Segara Village Hotel which just happens to be one of my favourite hotels of all time. You're able to enjoy your Kejora Suites escape but use the facilities of Segara Village, swim in their stunning pool while overlooking the ocean. There is no better feeling. 

Kejora Suites have fantastic prices (look at bookig direct for the best deal), beautifully designed rooms that are spacious but have all the facilities of a hotel with a high star rating including an in room espresso machine (I'd be excited about this if I were a coffee drinker), bathrobes, slippers, free wifi and drinkable tap water! A bonus that not enough hotels have. I'm looking forward to sharing this gem of a hotel with you next week! 

  

Images from www.kejorasuites.com

 

The October Plan: Part 1

It's not long now until I'll be heading back to Bali. Since I got back from London at the beginning of July, I have been busy busy busy so this holiday could really not come soon enough. I'll once again be out there trying a couple of new hotels to share and (hopefully!) recommend to you.

In March, my parents and Canadian friends spent a night up in Candi Dasa and my mum came back absolutely in love with the area, despite their short stay. According to her, it's the new place to stay for affordable ocean-front accommodation- note I say "ocean" not "beach" . Candi Dasa is located on the East side of Bali, about a 2 hours drive North of Sanur. It's known as being a sleepy and quaint area to stay; a great place to escape the tourist riff raff that you find in the areas of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Sanur. It's starting to gain popularity for that very reason, its great selection of hotels that are affordable but stunning and its reputation for good restaurants. This is where mum and I will be heading for our first 2 nights of our trip in October.

This is the Candi Beach Resort and Spa. Yes, it does very closely resemble paradise so I'm sure you can understand my excitement.

It's located a little ways out of the main area in Candi Dasa but given so many of the restaurants offer pick up, the location hasn't concerned us at all. And with a view like that, I doubt we're going to find much to complain about! Except for the fact that we've only got 2 short nights here and the more we dream about being at this gorgeous hotel, the more we think it is just not long enough. But there's always next time...

 

Check out their website here!

Photos from http://www.candibeachbali.com

 

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I Had a Dream...

I currently have 3 Bali trips to look forward to. Yes, 3. October I'll be having another mummy-daughter trip, splitting our staying between beautiful Candi Dasa (a new stop for me!) and our favourite Sanur. June next year, my family and I will be celebrating my dad's birthday in Bali, but we're still yet to do everything but book our flights. A few weeks ago, I dreamt of Bali. I dreamt that I was on beautiful Lembongan Island, at the funky Le Pirate Beach Club enjoying the stunning view and sunshine. I dreamt I was there alone. Now I'm not superstitious at all but when I woke up from that dream, it was decided; I was going to go back to Lembongan Island and I was going to go by myself. So that's exactly what I'm doing. I've booked myself 4 nights in November on the island with the help of The Lembongan Traveller. I decided to go against staying at Le Pirate, as much as I would love to because it's simply too isolated for a solo traveller but I cannot wait to get back there during my stay to enjoy the atmosphere one of the days I'm there. Saying I'm excited is an understatement. I seriously cannot wait to get back to the paradise island and I cannot wait to enjoy those 4 glorious nights all to myself.

 

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Anna's Chocolate Cake: The Special Continues!

A couple of months ago, I bought to you, my lovely readers, an exclusive offer that one of my favourite restaurants and I had collaborated on. The Art Cafe in Sanur is, in my opinion, home of the best chocolate cake. Not only that, they also have lovely staff, great service and fantastic meals (plenty of Western and Indonesian choices) at good prices. I refuse to miss out on having a meal here whenever I'm in Bali. They never fail to leave me with a very full but very happy tummy.

Tonight, I share good news with you. The special that I have collaborated on with this fantastic restaurant is still continuing until further notice!

The details of this offer are:

If you go to The Art Cafe for dessert only and order the cake, you will receive a complimentary tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte. The complimentary drink is valid per order of chocolate cake ie if you order 2 cakes, you'll receive 2 complimentary drinks

If you go to The Art Cafe for dinner AND dessert and order the cake, you will receive 10% off your final bill.

Conditions:

The offer will be continuing until further notice

The offer is valid for evening only, not lunchtime

If your party is more than 5 people, you will need to book and order the cakes in advance to ensure there is enough and you won't miss out

THE MOST IMPORTANT CONDITION:

To receive the offer, you must order the cake as "Anna's Chocolate Cake". If you don't reference it as such, you'll miss out

For those have already enjoyed this special, please enjoy it again. For those that haven't, enjoy!! I know I will be in October:)

 

Contact The Art Cafe:

• Click here to go to their Facebook Page. Message them here to book
  
• Click here to go to their website
  
• Click here to check out/write a review on Tripadvisor
  
• Address: Jalan Danau Tamblingan Number 82 (across the road from the Besakih Hotel and next door to the Lazer Sports Bar)
  
• Phone: +62 361 283811
  

 

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Where I've been...

Hello again my friends. I have been MIA the last couple of months but with good reason!! Having returned from London (more to come on that soon!) at the beginning of July, I had all of two days to recover from my jetlag before I was the fresh face in a new work place. After 3 weeks of fulltime training and the last 3 weeks of settling in, I am now a qualified travel agent. Am I enjoying it? Yes. Do I love it? Am I going to be doing this for the rest of my life? Ask me again in a year or so and I might be able to answer that. But in the meantime, I am happy. I am now playing an active role in helping people plan their own trips and it is making me happy. I am loving the opportunity to meet new people, forge new relationships and follow this new and exciting path. What it will bring, I don't know yet but I now have a whole lot of new doors open for me.

While I settle into my new routine and new job, I will not be posting as much but I still have a lot too share with you about my recent trip to London and I currently have 3 Bali trips to look forward to in the next year! I can't wait to be back on the beautiful island, where my heart and head are both content and in harmony. In the meantime, I promise I'll be back with you soon with photos and recommendations for London:)

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London Bound!!

Today is the day! Well technically it's tomorrow but 1:30 Sunday morning still counts as Saturday night, right?

I have finally gotten around to packing after procrastinating all week, my documents have been printed, everything has been organised. Saying I'm excited is an understatement. I cannot wait to explore a new country, new city and embark on a new adventure. Life is good.

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Bali For First-Timers: Things to know

As you know, I'm a huge fan of Bali. How huge? THIS HUGE!! Bali is a beautiful place and there's nothing I hate more than hearing people trash the place after their first trip, or worse, when they haven't even been there. I mean come on people, give it a fair go. I think a lot of the time, people don't like Bali when they go on holiday being unprepared and having unrealtistic expectations of what they're going to get. Personally, I think Bali is paradise. Not all its beaches are picturesque white sand and pristine blue waters. Some of the roads and footpaths are in terrible condition, it's still a developing country meaning its hygeiene standard is not great but if you know these things going in and know how to deal with them, it shouldn't effect your holiday.

I have a friend going to Bali for the first time in July and has been asking me for tips so I was inspired to write this post for her. I've put together a list of things you should know when going to the island for the first time.

 

• First Time?

You will often be asked if this is your first time to Bali. Always tell who ever is asking that you've been before. Telling people that you haven't been before sets you apart as someone they can potentially rip off because you don't know the prices of things, don't know where places are or even how to barter. The old saying "Fake it till you make it" comes into play here.

 

• Take cash

It is the most reliable way to take your spending money. It's easy to fall victim to credit card scamming and skimming (I wrote a post here on tips to avoid it happening to you) and unfortunately things such as handbag snatching and pick pocketing does happen. If you're reliant on your credit card and it gets lost or stolen, what do you have? It's important to remember as well that not all restaurants and spas will have EFTPOS facilities. If you are planning on taking your credit/debit card, make sure you contact your bank and let them know you'll be travelling overseas so they can keep an eye-out for any suspicious acitivity. Also read up on the fees that come with your card, whether its ATM fees, foreign transaction fees and currency exchange fees. I have a seperate account with CitiBank that I use only for travelling. I transfer money over from my usual bank and take just the one card. It has no minimum balance or minimum deposits, absolutely no fees attached (monthly, ATM, foreign transaction or other), has a good exchange rate and you don't need to be a CitiBank customer to open an account up with them. Check it out here where you can also apply online. Yep, you don't even need to go into the bank to do it.

 

• VOA (Visa On Arrival) and Departure Tax

You need to have a Visa to enter Bali, whether you're there for just one night or one month. As the name suggests, the Visa is purchases on arrival. At the international airport, the VOA counters will be the first ones you go through. The Visa can be paid only in cash and is $25 USD or $30 AUD per person. No, it is not cheaper for babies or kids. My trick is to pay the Visa with an Australian $50 and get the change in Rupiah (you don't have a choice with this anyway). This saves me from going straight to a money changer and depending on how far I'm going, will be enough for transport and lunch before I get more money changed.

Bali also has a Departure Tax. Yes, you have to pay to leave the island. This was recently 150,000 Rupiah but has recently been increased to 200,000 Rupiah per person. This can only be paid in Rupiah so as soon as you change money, put aside your departure tax so you're not at the airport trying to pull the cash together after all your shopping.

 

• Dressing in Bali

Bali's religion is mainly Hindu. Being out and about during the day, you can dress just as you would at home. It's very acceptable to walk around in shorts and a singlet on over your bathers. If you're on a day tour and visiting a temple, you may need to wear a sarong (men included) and some temples or a good driver can provide these for you. Even though Bali is a very laid-back place, I never agree with girls strutting around in bikini's or men with no shirts on. I don't care that you're on holiday; show a bit of respect. Sunbathing topless, although allowed, is frowned upon. It can be tempting to pack your fancy clothes and jewellery when going away, but Bali isn't the place to do it. Leave the jewellery at home. There have been known to be lady-boys that will distract you in the form of a bit too close for comfort dance while slipping off that expensive necklace you've got on. Yes, insurance will cover you if it happens but save trouble and potential heartache of losing a precious piece of jewellery and just leave it at home.

 

• Drinking in Bali

Whether you're a cocktail, spirits or water drinker, you always have to be careful when drinking in Bali. Let's start with water. Do not drink the tap water. Bali hasn't quite caught up to the Western world in regard to filtering their water. The tap water simply isn't safe to drink. One of the first things I do when in Bali is go to a shop and buy a bunch of water bottles. One for the bathroom to brush my teeth with and the rest in the fridge for my daily outings. Your hotel will generally provide 2 bottles a day but in Bali's humid environment, this won't be enough. Don't stress though, water is cheap in Bali. You can buy a normal sized 500-750mL bottle for a mere 30 cents.

There has been lots of negative media stories on methanol poisoning in Bali. Before I start, let me clear one thing up: these peoples drinks are not spiked with methanol, the methanol comes from the spirit not being made at the right temperatures. There is a lot of backyard brewing in Bali because Indonesia has a big alcohol tax. Some restaurants and bars will opt to buy the cheap backyard stuff rather than fork out the money for the real stuff, thus putting you at risk. I don't drink a lot in general but when I have a hankering for a cocktail or five, I only get them from reputable places. Generally speaking, your hotel will be safe. If you're at a restaurant or bar, before you order something with arak (local spirits), vodka, tequila or really any spirits, have a look around you. If the place is a bit dingy, probably best not to risk it.

If you enjoy a few drinks in Bali, stick to things such as Bintang or take your own spirits. Buy them Duty Free, put some in a flask, order yourself a mocktail and add your own alcohol. It's better safe than sorry.

• Changing Money

As I mentioned before, take your spending money in cash. Obviously this means you'll need to exchange it when you're there. Saying that, I would advise to always change your money in Bali. You'll get no where near as good a rate in Australia before you go. When in Bali, you'll have no problem finding a place to change your money. The trick is to choose the right place. It's always tempting to go into a place that's offering the highest rate, but these are usually the places that are going to rip you off. Rather than risking it, go into a proper money changer. They're easy to spot among the money changers that will be located at the back of market stalls and the ones offering a rate ending in a random number ie, not a zero or five. Why does that matter? Because fives and zero's are a lot easier to work with. Always do your calculations first so you know how much Rupiah you should be receiving. When the money changer has given you the money, they will count it in front of you. It doesn't matter how the person comes across, always recount it yourself, do not take your eye off it, do not let them touch it again and do not let them take away your money until you're sure what they've given you is correct. They are very quick and can easily skim a few notes off the top after you've checked it. If you have any doubts, speak up. If it's not working out, ask for your money back and go somewhere else.

 

• Using Taxi's

Using taxi's is generally the easiest and most convenient way to get from A to B. Majority of the taxi drivers are honest people but you will always come across one that is after an extra buck. When hailing a taxi, use an established company such as Blue Bird. Before you get in the taxi, check with the driver that they know where your destination is and that they will use the meter. Some driver's will try to bargain a price and you know where you're going and how much the trip will roughly cost, by all means do a bit of bartering but if you're not sure, insist that they use the meter. A trick I've been told is to ask the driver if they want directions. This will give them the idea that you know where you're going and they won't try to rip you off. Take note of the driver's name and ID number in case you have any problems and want to make a formal complaint to the company.

 

• Staying Well

When I go to Bali, I always take Ethical Nutrients Travel Bug tablets. My stomach doesn't agree with the food and I find that these tablets really save me the discomfort of having an upset tum and the anxiety of worrying about getting one. You can buy these at most pharmacies. It's highly recommended to use hand sanitiser and use warm soapy water when washing your hands. Along with the risk of Bali Belly, there is the risk of Dengue Fever from mosquitoes. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, whether it's day or night, always use mosquitoe repellent and one with DEET in it. The mosquitoes that carry Dengue are day time mosquitoes so just because the sun is up, it doesn't mean you can slack off with the repellent.

I cannot stress enough that if you (or anyone in your travelling party) gets sick, get a doctor. Don't wait until it gets worse, don't try to shake it off, don't wait until you get home, get a doctor straight away! They know what they're doing, even in Bali. The hotel's generally have doctors on staff so call reception, let them know you're feeling unwell and have them send the doctor. If it gets worse, get yourself to BIMC; Bali's international hospital and let them take care of you.

 

• Travel Insurance

If you go to Bali without travel insurance, you're just plain stupid. There's no nice way to say it. Your insurance will have you covered if you get sick, if your luggage gets lost and you need to buy clothes and toiletries, if any of your personal belongings get lost or stolen and even things such as your travelling companion getting sick and needing to come home - if you choose to go with them. Even though I've never needed to make a claim (touch wood), I would never go to Bali without insurance. I generally buy 1Cover which can all be done online.

 

Saying all of this, I would once again like to remind you all of how much I love Bali. It is a beautiful place but like every other country, has its negatives. These tips are my own, not necessarily based on experience but on knowledge after travelling to the island 10 times - and counting!

 

Is there anything I've forgotten and you'd like me to add? Feel free to let me know!

If you liked this post, you might also like my post on the Top 10 Things You Must Take to Bali

 

 

 

 

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World of Wanderlust

Have you heard of World of Wanderlust? Brooke Saward? No? Well neither had I until a couple of months ago. Since discovering WOW and Brooke, I've become obsessed. Let me explain why:

Brooke is a Tasmanian girl, 22 years old that is currently making a living off travelling the world and sharing her adventures with her loyal followers via her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channel. She is currently 5 months into her 12 month solo trip. She has been to over 40 countries with more to come. Why have I become obsessed? To start with, Brooke is the same age as me and as an aspiring travel writer, she is truly an inspiration. Not just to people that dream about one day making some amount of money from writing about their travels, but to anyone that dreams of seeing the world. She takes amazing photos that take you on the journey with her. She has a beautiful writing style but more than anything, she's quirky and she lets you see her the way she is. She has worked hard, she has put herself out there and at just 22 years old, she has achieved some amazing things and she's not stopping there. With one E-Book already released, another on the way and a WOW app just around the corner, she is becoming more and more popular and well known. She is the perfect example of what you can do if you work hard for it.

As I mentioned, Brooke is getting paid to travel and to share all her tips and opinions of everything she does. Let me tell you, being a blogger is hard work. Sure, it's a fun hobby but that doesn't mean it's easy. It involved late nights, early mornings and thinking objectively about everything. Every moment that I'm travelling and sharing my own adventures, I am constantly taking everything in and thinking "how can I put this experience into words so others can feel like they're here with me?". As Lonely Planet have said in their Guide To Travel Writing:

"When you are on the road, travelling as a travel writer will force you to pay attention. You will look more closely, listen more clearly, taste more carefully and continually reflect on what you're experiencing. As a result, your travels will be deeper and richer."

I take my hat off to Brooke for doing it full-time. She may be living a dream (getting paid to travel!) but that doesn't make what she's doing easy. She has left her family and friends behind and gone on this amazing adventure by herself. She's spent countless days and nights alone, I have no doubt she would have felt lonely and homesick numerous times. But she's still there which I think is incredible. I can only hope that I one day have the chance to meet her and take my hat off to her in person (if I happen to be wearing one).

So do yourself a favour and go check out Brooke's blog; World of Wanderlust. Drool over her photos like I do day after day and read all about her travels and tips. I can't promise it won't leave you dying to book a trip to some amazing part of the world.

Photos courtesy of World of Wanderlust

 

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I'm Going To London!!

Weeeeee I'm so excited!! Like jump and down screaming excited. London has always been on my list of places to go and now I'M GOING!! It's going to be a bit of a whirlwind trip, but hey, a trip to London is a trip to London!

I can't wait to see my sister again, who moved over there at the end of March and go exploring with her. I love experiencing new cities and losing myself in it and London has so much to offer. I'm sure it's going to be a jam packed 11 days but I'll be squeezing every moment out of it, you can be sure of that!

It's time to get my planning hat on again - a hat that I love - research like crazy, make lots of lists and plan what my sister and I are going to be doing like biking around Hyde Park, touring the Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Oxford and Windsor, seeing the Matilda production as well as the typical touristy things like the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Tower of London. YAY!! Please feel free to through any suggestions my way!

 

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