A Guide to Balance in Bali...
Health, Well-being, Lifestyle, Relaxation and Nature.
Work-life balance can sometimes be my biggest struggle. I know that stress is just a perception or ‘in my mind’ though i believe in time out for relaxation, culture and a little adventure.
I tip toed barefoot along paths curtained in bamboo and sheltered by frangipani's.
Diving into a private pool before breakfasts of tropical fruit was an inviting change to the morning rush hour of Melbourne traffic. Health and well-being is my passion, also having Crohns disease I have a few dietary requirements. My hubby is a cyclist who can’t go without food or sit still for too long. Bali has so much to offer, and accommodated our every need easily on a shoestring or opulent budget.
First stop: Seminyak.
A great place to wind down and adjust to the heat and slower pace. We found it to have a more commercial and luxurious vibe.
Best for:
Pool side lazing, reading, chilling out and getting some sun!
Sunsets for the nature lovers are spectacular and why not enjoy a cocktail and any beachfront or rooftop bar.
Furniture, sculptures and souvenirs are mostly made by hand. It was a huge inspiration and really shifted my thinking from left to right brain.
Food is delicious! We enjoyed a wonderful seafood platter dinner at the Legian Hotel
We also enjoyed meals and smoothies at Kynd Community and Sisterfields.
I had a daily in-house massage at our hotel to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the streets, while hubby kept up with his training at a local gym.
Next; Canggu:
Surfing and Café culture!
I cannot surf, but I gave it a go! No need for a wet suit, you can just hire a body, foam or surf board off the beach. Once you have worn yourself out, collapse into the cushioned deck chairs. Batu Balong Beach is where it’s at.
Food was fresh, healthy and inspiring! Breakfast, lunch and smoothies were had at The Slow, Shady Shack, Sprout Café, Beatlenut Café and my personal favourites Gypsy Café, Motion Café, Café Organic and Crate Café. I found all were accommodating to dietary requirements, made fresh, delicious and presented Instagram worthy. Each cafés inspiring interior had its own feel. Great for soulful chats with your loved ones, mindful eating or diving into your latest read.
I was in LOVE with exploring the main street. With so many boutique jewellery, clothing and bikini stores each with a unique feel, my creative flare was inspired!
We also enjoyed an afternoon at The Lawn, tuned into live music on Batu Balong Beach and had the best BBQ on the cliff edge at Echo Beach.
There is a gym above Motion café and also Yoga at Serenity Yoga and The Practice if you want to catch any style of class.
Last stop Ubud:
The rainforest at the base of the volcano.
For the adventure seekers… I highly recommend hiking up the volcano for a sunrise like no other.
Explore the country side in particular Tibumana and Kanto Lampo waterfalls. We underestimated the time it would take to get there so leave early.
Champuan ridge walk is also beautiful, you can access Café Organik which is imbedded in the rice fields for a serene experience.
The home of yoga! With studios on every street, it will be hard to choose. I went to The Yoga Barn for the jam packed timetable with plenty of different styles, dance, meditation to choose from. They have an on site treatment facility, book store, delicious café and spaces to chill out and soak up the post yoga endorphins. The raw chocolate blocks there are also amazing!
You really can’t go wrong with the cafes in Ubud, most are also open for dinner. The Elephant, Alchemy I enjoyed, KAFE is wonderful with Soul Bowls and Live Music. Clear Café has some special health tonics we tried.
Getting around:
We were on foot in Seminyak, and hired a scooter in Canggu and Ubud. You can hire cars from your hotel or taxis off the street.
If you prefer to stay on the beach, you can organize tours up to the volcanoes and waterfalls from Seminyak and Canggu. It is cheaper to do this once you arrive in Bali.
I also got to brush up on a little of the Indonesian I learnt in primary school!
Is a Nurse Educator turned Personal Trainer. Having Crohns disease and being an Australian Fitness Model, she combines her professional and personal experience to help (herself) and others to make healthy lifestyle choices. Her aim is to educate and empower others live a life in which they thrive.
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