โve only been to Bali once before this trip and it was for a yoga detox retreat. Bar for one debaucherous evening with a mate at Ku De Ta where I very thoroughly pre-toxed before my detox, I never left the safe confines of my resort as I barely had an hour to spare between raw juice drinking and several hour long meditation sessions.
This time Iโve had the chance to experience Bali in all itโs glory and I like it very much. The food is delicious and mind-blowingly cheap. Itโs gorgeous. The people are beautiful and very funny. There are also a few bonus extras Iโve been lovingโฆ here are 5 observations from a Bali rookie.
1. The Magnums are a very sensible size
Almond Magnums in almost any Asian country are a delicacy to behold. Smaller than an Australian Magnum but slightly bigger than a Mini, theyโre the perfect little treat to munch on as you walk back to your villa in the sweltering heat and they donโt make you feel like too much of a fatty boom batty when you pop your togs on later.
2. You can fart anywhere you like
The main street of Seminyak smells a bit like rotting flowers. Thereโs a mix of sulfur, garbage, humidity, incense and sewerage in the air and the smells change every few feet. This is excellent because you can let rip a stinky one while youโre walking around the streets and no one will ever know. Thanks Bali.
3. Everyone you know is in Bali
Iโve run into more people I know in Bali than I ever have in Melbourne. If you want to travel overseas but youโre a bit nervous, Bali is the place to go. Pretty much everyone speaks English and chances are your best mate from primary school will be staying in the villa next door.
4. Ketut and Rhonda are still a thing
It really is the love story that will last through out the ages. Iโm half tempted to buy a Kiss Me Ketut t-shirt so I can explain to my children why grown ups always say โEyes on the road Rhonda!!!โ.
5. You can pay someone to do pretty much anything for you
This is 50% awesome and 50% uncomfortable. The owner of our villa has a lovely lady come every morning to cook us breakfast and while I absolutely love it, I also feel like a bit of a dick sitting around while she makes us eggs.
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Have you ever been to Bali? Did you love it?
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P.S Donโt forget to follow Smaggle onย ย Facebookย and sign up for the Smaggle weekly newsletterย so you donโt get all FOMO about missing out on awesome recipes and life hacks.
31 Comments
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We’ve been a couple of times but stayed almost exclusively in the resort because it was so peaceful we didn’t want to leave. Next time, we promised ourselves we’d stay in a villa so we could explore a little and enjoy the full Bali experience. That said, I love the people, the spirit of the place and the food. Last year we went to a cooking class and it was ah-mazing! I’m a bit upset that I missed out on the Magnums though. Now I have the perfect excuse to go back and try them out for size!
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Oh we’re the same! Our villa is amazing… yesterday we only left to get food!
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Hi, I am heading to Ubud for second time with one of my offspring this June, last time it was with girlfriends to see a sister who lives there. I envy her lifestyle change a million times over. I love it there, I would retire there. I would like to semi retire there def. I agree food and people are the best. I am a huge fan of Casa Luna cooking classes and market tours and stay in a villa with a pool in the rice fields and I love the beauty, serenity and friendliness of the Balinese people. I also feel awkward at times with all the ‘services’ I am provided but am truly heartfelt appreciative as a busy lady here in Melbs and I think they understand. Also the yoga classes … am a total convert to all things Bali, only took me 40+ years…
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Ubud is amazing we went there a few days ago. The temples are beautiful. I really love it here but it’s definitely too hot for me to live here permanantly. I’m a wee bit jealous of everyone wearing coats in Melbourne this week!
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Im pondering going to Bali for my 40th next year. Although mine will be with a husband and 2 kids in tow.
I also would feel a bit weird with someone coming in an cooking me brekkie. I hate having to do my hair before I face the world, but if the world was coming into my kitchen I guess I would be forced to :o)
Is the area your staying in kinda touristy? Im not keen on being associated with all kinds of bogan drunken behaviour that some Aussies display overseas. I would be so embarrassed……-
No we’re in Seminyak, it’s Kuta you want to avoid. Seminyak is still a but touristy but it has good shopping and restaurants and it’s much less rowdy and embarrassing than Kuta.
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I’ve only been once, about 4 years ago. We went with another couple and stayed in a resort in Seminyak. We had so much fun! Shopping, hitting up the likes of Ku De Ta and Potato Head, and one night in particular which saw us dancing up a storm in some random bar that definitely didn’t have a dancefloor. Good times!
PS: can’t wait to hear all about you having your fortune told! x-
Oh I’m going to write a separate post about it, it was quite interesting! Seminyak is great. A lot of people think it’s really touristy but I love it! We’ve had the best time here.
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Bali has never ever been on my radar because of the bogan drunken behavour of some of my fellow Aussies. I have travelled to loads of other places in Asia which I have loved and want to go back to, particularly in Vietnam and also Malaysia’s Penang. Still not sure I am keen to go to Bali to be honest.
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I’d pay that. I’ve never been to Kuta which is the ‘bad’ spot but Seminyak, Ulluwatu and Ubud are beautiful. It’s a shame that Bali gets a bad rap because of some of the clientele but honestly I’ve never come here on my own decision – I’ve only been for work once and once this time when my mate suggested it. It’s eays and cheap! I’d recommend it!
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Love Bali. I’ve been twice… the first time a girls trip when I was 21. The second time with our group of besties. There were 9 of us and I was pregnant at the time so we became the Bali 9.5.
We stayed in Seminyak but explored near and far and apart from not being able to have a Bintang or go on any of the big slides at water bomb park, it was perfect! Cafe Bali was a fave! Xx-
Oh my goodness 9 of you at the same time? That’s amazing. Water bomb park sounds amazing…
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Glad you are seeing a bit of Bali in all it’s glory! I’ve been travelling to Bali since I was a kid, even did a stint living/working there a few years back! Love it, always have and always will! Next trip you should definitely venture to one of the other islands! Indonesia has so much more to offer! Ever need a personal travel guide and translator ~ just call me! ๐
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Oh thanks! I’m thinking about dragging Mr Smags there later in the year… he needs a beach getaway!
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Have you been to Biku. We hung out there so much we nearly bought the place. Mix of Western and Balinese. The kids still ask if we are going back.
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No! Should try that next time!
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Oh and the fire dancing and performance at Illuwatu at sunset. We were in heaven! Kids once again were mesmerised and we were the handful of westerners there.
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I’ve been to Bali the last two consecutive years on girls’ trips. I agree with this list except that I love when they come and make you eggs! The only thing is we badly timed when we would want breakfast all the time, we’d book it for 9am and be in the pool and starving by 7am.
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Oh totally! The early mornings! You don’t get enough time to adjust so we were up by like 6am every day!
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oh bali! … I’m happy for you smags!
loved bali when I went many years ago!
loved the gentle people, the gamelan music
and remember sitting in a restaurant and hearing that music coming up the valley
through the mist, near ubud! … enjoy lovely one! … love m:)X-
The people are amazing! Just so lovely!
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I absolutely adore Bali. Have you made it to Ubud? That is my fave place on this planet xx
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We did go to Ubud! We had our fortunes told there! More to come on that this week!
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I have to admit, Bali does look very beautiful and I’ve heard only good things about all of the resorts and beaches. I’ve wanted to go for a long time! I’ve loved all of your instagram posts! However, I do not want to support the economy of a barbaric country that is practically celebrating the upcoming slaughter of Australians. The way they have been gloating about it is quite repulsive and has made me make the conscious decision no to support their economy – no matter how appealing the cheap accommodation and food looks. Without Australian tourist dollars and aid their country would be in shambles and I feel that Australians need to withdraw from giving them anymore money to teach them a lesson about biting the hand that feeds.
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I’m in two minds about that. We had already booked our tickets before the sentencing of the boys got moved and I felt very strange about it. It’s the decision of the government and not the Balinese people though and I’d hate to punish them for the poor choices of their leaders. It would be like another country cutting off our energy supply because Abbott doesn’t believe in climate change. I definitely get where you’re coming though and it certainly crossed my mind too. x
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I really enjoyed all of my Bali trips over the years – the best hands down was when all our family and our extended families family and their everyone’s went over and filled a resort (imagine 48 loud and wonderful Scottish/Irish and Aussie folk and you’ve got us down pat!) It was a once-in-a-lifetime to get everyone over and it was divine, but I’m really looking forward to heading there early 2016 with Mister as he’s never been before! We’ve been to Thailand together a whole bunch so this will be same same but different ๐
Planning on finding a kick-ass cooking class there, and maybe I could rope him into some easy peasy yoga too ๐-
We’ve done Thailand together but never Bali. I’ve only been twice now – once for work and once because my mate invited me along. I’d take Mr Smaggle back there I think – he’d love Ubud.
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Totally on the game with your Magnaum observation.. I don’t why but they just taste better there. Sometimes my quota is two a day as they are only “little”
Sometimes I think my trips to Bali are based on my allowable access to Magnums ????-
Absolutely. Our local Mini Mart didn’t have almond magnums so I had to walk to the next one to get them. So worth it.
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Bali has never been high on my ‘to visit’ list, but we went last year for a ‘relax’ holiday and were pleasantly surprised by the island. The people were lovely and the food was good. There definitely is a lot of obnoxious Australians around (most of the ones we saw were in their 40-50s – so old enough to know better!), but we stayed out of the party areas and Kuta to avoid these experiences.
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We go to Bali, twice a year. I adore the place, and find each time we go, I feel more calm, I can actually relax better in Bali than home and when I get back from our trips I immediately book the next one. Hopefully when my kids are grown I will be able to live there for part of the year. The culture, warmth, business and serenity and the people is what keeps me coming back. We don’t do the “touristy” things as much anymore but venture out more to see ” the real Bali”, eat at the markets where a seafood bonanza will cost you $2 and spend time with our Balinese friends. We’re going back there in just over 2 months and I have already booked for another trip in Oct for just hubby and I. Kuta I went to once to see what it was all about. never again. We tend to stay in Legian which is right next to Seminyak. Your photos Carly of your trip made me wish that my trip would hurry up and come now!
