BALI RECAP

Alright guys, here it is. THE BALI RECAP. I’m still in shock that I’m back in SF writing this from my commuter shuttle, not at a café in Bali drinking $2 coconut milk lattes in perfect 85 degree weather. My trip was only 10 days, so I’m far from an expert on Bali, but here’s a round up of everything I did –  the highs, the lows, what I loved, and what’d I do differently next time.  

DAYS 1-3: SEMINYAK [FRIDAY – SUNDAY]

Whenever I told people I was going to Seminyak, I got kind of an “ugh why” reaction, which now, I sort of get, but I’m still glad I went. Compared to other parts of Bali, Seminyak is just not as great. It’s VERY crowded (I almost had a panic attack walking the first day bc you couldn’t take a step without a scooter charging at you, even on the “sidewalks”) and very touristy. BUT I’m still glad I went there.

WHY I LIKED IT

• RESORT VIBEZ. I stayed at the W using SPG points, and given I arrived at 2am in a very foreign country, it was wonderful to have the assurance that I’d be safe and taken care of. It was also great to kick off the trip with a super bouj hotel room, and all the amenities of a resort (massive pool, fun bar, spa, free breakfast buffet).
• BEACH CLUBS. Proximity to Potato Head Beach Club was probably the best thing about staying in Seminyak. I think we went to Potato Head each day we were there (once for dinner/drinks, twice for sunset in the pool) and that place is freaking fun. Gorgeous sunsets, espresso martinis in the pool, and if you’re feeling wild, order the “zombie” cocktail. Also their nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice dish) was one of my favorites in Bali (go figure).
• TRENDY CAFES. A lot of the insta-famous Bali cafes you’ll find are in Seminyak (Café Organic, Kynd) are in Seminyak.

SEMINYAK RECOMMENDATIONS

• W Hotel Seminyak: If you have some SPG points to blow, it was totally worth staying here.
• Barbacoa: Gorgeous restaurant over looking rice patties, great interior design, good no-sugar cocktails (and across the street from Sundari Spa).
• Sundari Day Spa. Beautiful and very clean spa. I got a 90 minute hot stone massage and 1 hour foot massage for $40 total (and that’s expensive for Bali).
• Café Organic: Super cute and casual, great menu, not too crowded.
• Potato Head Beach Club: Fun party vibes, especially around sunset. Order espresso martinis with no sugar or vodka on the rocks w watermelon juice, and then some nasi goreng to soak it up.
• Kilo Restaurant.  This was one of the nicest restaurants I went to in Bali – really good sea food and actually good tequila cocktails (hard to come by in Bali) 

Other things in Seminyak/Canngu I didn’t have time to try but heard great things about…The Practice Yoga, MatchaCafe, NaluBowls, The Lawn Beach Club

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?

Eh probably not. I’d stay in Canngu (more surfer town vibes with more health food/yoga) and just head into Seminyak for the beach clubs.

DAYS 4-7: UBUD [MONDAY – THURSDAY] 

Ugh where do I begin with Ubud? It’s magical. And I did not have enough time there, but I KNOW I’ll be back.

WHY I LIKED IT

• VIBES. Ubud felt like the much-needed antithesis to Seminyak. Calm, spiritual, and full of high-vibe energy. It’s hard to put into words, but you can just feel there is powerful energy in Ubud.
• YOGA HEAVEN. God I think I’m going to be dreaming about the yoga studios in Ubud for a long time to come. Gorgeous studios, fantastic classes and instructors, and tons of other yogis to meet.
• HEALTHY FOOD HEAVEN. Ubud has got to be the vegan capital of the world. So. many. vegan. restaurants. I don’t love eating vegan (I don’t feel my best eating that many carbs), but these restaurants really know what they’re doing making some really innovative and delicious vegan food.

UBUD RECOMMENDATIONS

• Hotel Komaneka Rasa Sayang. If you go to Ubud STAY AT THIS HOTEL. We paid around $100/night and it was my favorite place we stayed. The hotel is beautiful, very clean, and even though its off a main road in Ubud, it feels like you’re in a private jungle oasis. The halls are covered in vines, and the infinity pool in the jungle is so relaxing. Also the NICEST staff I’ve ever met.

THINGS TO DO

• Yoga Barn. I had heard great things about this place, but to be honest, my expectations weren’t that high. I was expecting touristy vibes / average yoga. MAN was I wrong. This place is straight up magical. The energy here is so strong, in the best way. I did a 90 minute vinyasa and 90 shamanic breath work session (this deserves a post to itself it was so incredible) and both were amazing. The property is also gorgeous, and has a cafe, juice bar, and plenty of places to hang out.
• Ubud Yoga Centre. This place looked brand new, and it was absolutely stunning.  A huge modern / concrete / open air building in the middle of the jungle with all glass studios, the views from class are pretty incredible. I did a bikram class (and I normally hate bikram) and I LOVED it. I think it was a combo of adjusting to the heat of bali, and the awesome vibes of the instructor.
• Monkey Forest. This is a very famous Ubud attraction, and definitely worth checking out. Basically, its monkeys running wild. Its cool and also kind of freaky. I saw several people get phones stolen from monkeys or have monkeys get aggressive towards them for taking their photo.
• Liyer House Palm Reading. If you’ve read Eat Pray Love (or seen the movie), you’ll remember the famous Balinese palm reader Liz visits, Ketut Liyer. Well, he’s passed away, but his son is still leading the center and doing palm readings. It was a really cool experience. If anything, he was just a very sweet man, and it felt special to connect with him. Some of the readings were generic, but I think you hear what you’re looking for in readings anyway. I learned I have a mole that indicates I’ll have a successful business (!) and I’ll have 2 babies, and try can for the 3rd if I feel like it (lolz).
• Rice Terraces. This was my favorite “tourist” attraction in Bali. I’ve never seen anything like the rice terraces in my life. The most gorgeous green jungle views, with paths to walk around, and tons of restaurants to sit and take in the view.
• Kanto Lampo Water Falls. Kanto Lampo waterfall was definitely my favorite. It was way less crowded, and aside from just an awesome photo op, you can chill in the calm river in the middle of the jungle on either side of the waterfall.  We explored waterfalls the same day as the rice terraces, and booked a driver for a daily rate. We also went to Tegenungan waterfall, which was cool to see, but felt like Disneyland. But if you want a great swing picture, this is your spot.
• Tjampuhan Spa. This spa located is in one of the oldest hotels in Ubud, and its insane. There are outdoor hot and cold plunge pools (lots of health benefits) in these intricately carved caves, as well as an outdoor pool, steam room and sauna. Chill there for a couple hours and then go to Zest across the street.

EAT & DRINK

• Habitat Cafe. Close to the monkey forest, this cafe had great food and great cocktails. Their gluten free pad thai was insane.
• Clear Cafe. Worth checking out for the design alone, this super modern cafe has a coi pod running through it, so definitely sit on the floor near the coi. Their menu was full of different tonics and elixirs, but had tons of options. Service was very slow though, so don’t go if you’re in a rush.
• La Pacha Mama.Obviously you don’t go to Bali for the Mexican food, but if you’re like me, you’re gonna crave it – especially tequila. This open-air spot had a great vibe and great margs (order no sugar, it was sweet enough w out it).
• Sage. Gorgeous all-vegan restaurant that even the meat-eaters liked.
• Zest Ubud. I loveeeed this spot. I know I say this a lot, but the interior design here was next level, and all the tables were situated in giant open windows over looking the jungle. The entire place is vegan and gluten-free, but you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything. Order the “The Awakened Cowboy” and grain-free pizza and thank me later.
• Four Seasons Ubud. Finding a really good cocktail (especially tequila cocktails) was hard it Bali, but the FourSeasons did not disappoint. About a 20 minute scooter ride out of town, it is SO worth going here for a sunset drink. The property is INSANELY gorgeous, and the spicy tequila drink (made with honey from wild bees on the property) was next level.

Other things in Ubud I didn’t have time to try but heard great things about…Jungle Fish, Sayuri Healing Foods, Cantika Spa.

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?

1000% – and I’d stay MUCH longer. A bali trip with at least 2 weeks in Ubud, going to YogaBarn everyday, is definitely in my future.

DAYS 8-10: ULUWATU [FRIDAY – SUNDAY]

WHY I LIKED IT

• CALM / SURF TOWN VIBES. After Seminyak, and even Ubud, it was so nice to get away from the traffic. Uluwatu is super peaceful, with chill surf town vibes (you’ll constantly see people with surfboards attached to their scooters).
• LOW KEY BUT FUN AF. That being said, Uluwatu still parties. The beach clubs are super fun, and people are really friendly and there for a good time.

ULUWATU RECOMMENDATIONS

• Uluwatu Cottages. This hotel was just a GEM. I booked it super last minute (like 3 weeks before) when I felt like all of Uluwatu was already booked up. The rooms are little stand alone ‘cottages’ located on a gorgeous ocean front property. My cottage had a full ocean view and was $65/night (like wut). The rooms aren’t the nicest ever, but totally fine, and the location is so worth it. There’s also a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
• Suka Espresso. I LOVED this cafe. I think I ate there at least once for breakfast/lunch/dinner, and everything I had there was great. My favorite was their quinoa bowl with added chicken (best chicken I had in bali). Also their coconut milk iced lattes were on point. This place is popular though, so there can be a wait at peak times.
• Outside Corner Cafe. Another really cute cafe near Suka Espresso, its less crowded and still had great food. I had tried two different versions of their avocado toast (they have gluten free bread) and both were great. They also made great (and cheap) espresso martinis.
• Single Fin. This beach club is known for going offfff Wednesdays and Sundays. I flew out Sunday at midnight, but still went for a couple hours (bc clearly I am not a responsible adult) and it was already getting really fun.
• Ulu Cliffhouse. This was a newer spot, and had much more miami vibes. I went on a Friday when it was 2 for 1 drinks, and it was a good time.
• Sundays Beach Club. Easily one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen, with all the amenities. Definitely make a reservation for a bean bag on the beach (I got lucky without a res) and plan to spend the day straight chillin. Bring a book and order a vodka with watermelon juice and you’re set for the day.
• Bingin Beach. Very different from Sundays, this is very low key beach with a local vibe. Definitely worth checking out for a casual chill day.
• Angel Mart. I guarantee I would NEVER had discovered this place on my own, but after making friends with people who live in Uluwatu, I discovered these mini marts are the hot pregame spot. You buy a small bottle of alcohol and a mixer, and they give you a cup and ice, and you drink outside on the patio. Basically the polar opposite of drinking at the FourSeasons, this was rowdy and fun and I felt like I was in high school in the best way.

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?

You know it. Uluwatu was the perfect mix of relaxing but still fun with lots of nightlife. Next time I want to try yoga at Morning Light and check out Rock Bar.

PHEW thats a lot! Hopefully this is inspiring you to book a trip to Bali – I wish I had years ago. Also, for bay area folks, my roundtrip flight on Hong Kong airlines from SFO was only $600!