Shake rattle and roll...

The ricketiest little bridge in Bali...at Batu Belig beach...

The best fish and chips in Bali...

UPDATE 19/9/2015 : This Warung is now closed...

Served at Warung Kayu Putih in Batu Belig. Three pieces of crispy battered fish, crunchy French fries and a salad too. This is one fish and chips not to be missed especially with that magnificent view of the ocean that comes along as part of the meal.

Spiderweb rice fields...

Taken in the village of Cancar on the island of Flores. Truly the most amazing rice fields you have ever seen...

Kendra gallery

Art exhibition at the lovely Kendra Gallery by a local artist...

Bali Brasco...a shoppers dream come true...

Recently opened Bali Brasco on Sunset Road, is a branded shoppers dream come true. With brands like Calvin Klein, Guess, Hermes and Hugo Boss to name a few and prices to make your jaw drop...you simply must drop in for a visit. I managed to hit the jackpot with two dresses by Spanish designer, Desigual. And the price? A mere Rp.170,000 each. If you don't know what that is in real money...key it into your currency converter and prepared to be amazed!

Believe it or not...

Direct translation...HIV/AIDS cured in 3 months. Hmmmm...you'd think if that really was the case the rest of the world would know about it too. Cruel false hopes on the island that so many call Paradise.

Mexican madness at TJs

Perfect place to spend my Valentine's Day would have to be TJ's Mexican restaurant in Poppies Gang I. It is a fantastic spot with a great ambiance and decor. Warm oranges combine with cool blues to create a coziness from the moment you walk through the entrance. The menu doesn't disappoint with all the usual Mexican delights that we expect...burritos, chimichangas, tacos ad tostadas. I usually like to start with TJ's Nachos. Crispy tortilla chips with melted cheese, chillies and refried beans. To follow, i like the fajitas, which are offered with chicken, beef or seafood. I went with the chicken and it comes with soft tortillas, a condiment tray with sour cream, guacamole, chopped onions, tomato salsa and a hot sauce. The chicken itself was delicious, soft and succulent. Once you pile it on the tortilla with the various sauces, you have yourself a combination of flavours that really stimulates the taste buds. And what better way to wash it all down than with an original frozen margarita. Gastronomical bliss!

Fried rice fit for a king...

Fried rice is a favourite dish here loved by both locals and tourists alike. After three and a half years of living here I can honestly say without hesitation where I have found my favourite version of this beloved dish....and it is (drum roll, please!)...at Warung Sobat. First of all, the name of their version, nasi goreng a la raja, which loosely translates as fried rice fit for a king lets you know you're in for a BIG treat. Once set down in front of you, you are greeted by a plethora of treats. Not only have you been given the fried rice itself...but to keep it company there is a fried egg, fried chicken leg, chicken satay, fried prawns in breadcrumbs and some crackers to top it off. It is indeed fried rice fit for a king as this dish would be usually served with just rice and a fried egg. Nothing on this plate disappoints. The satay is topped with a peanut sauce and has been cooked to perfection with the meat still succulent. The prawns are big and very crispy. The chicken leg is also crispy. The fried rice itself is cooked with chicken and vegetables. It's not greasy and has a good flavour to it. When you've polished it all off and washed it down with a glass of deliciously cool iced orange, you do perhaps feel like you need a couple of king's porters do whisk you away back home. It's very filling but at Rp. 29,000 an absolute steal! And if you need a moment to gather yourself before raising youur now king-sized belly off the seat you can take in the fabulously kitsch love-making frogs statues scattered around the place. Almost not to be missed as much as the fried rice!
Did I mention they do deliveries too? Of the food that is, not the froggies!

Warung Sobat
Jl. Pengubengan Kauh,
Kerobokan

Weekend in Amed

Amed is in East Bali...about a 3 hour drive from Kuta. It's a stretch of bay after bay and a decent selection of hotels. Under normal circumstances it's a good place to go if you want quiet beaches and a sleepy town atmosphere...far from the kuta crowd. However in rainy season, it leaves you with very little else to do when the tropical rains hit. Accommodation varies in price from budget backpacker quality to boutique villas. The sand is black due to the proximity to Gunung Agung. It's still fine for snorkelling and diving, with a Japanese wreck located in Jemeluk. Definitely worth a visit if you want to get out of the Kuta craziness.

Just another beach...

Always on the hunt for nice beaches here, especially as they seem to be getting few and far between. This is pantai mengiat in Nusa Dua...busy but clean and the water is swimmable...

Life without Bintang is like...

a life filled with plenty of other great beers but what do you do when it's the most easily available and cheapest to boot? Raise a glass of Bintang, of course!

Jiwadamai...a place of peace

A beautiful organic garden centre on the way to Ubud...they offer premises for retreats and I felt like I was meditating just being there...

Gateway of India - just divine!

I adore Indian food...always have. One of my favourite places in Bali for a good Indian nosh up is Gateway of India. They have killer thali sets...I always go with the Vegetarian thali set and as you can see it is pretty complete. You choose your three veggie dishes and it comes with rice, naan and daal. You just gotta wash it down with a sweet lassi, served up in a cute goblet. Thali sets served until 5pm daily so make sure you get down there before sunset!