Chilling out at Ingka

Ingka has only been open a few months and is a great new addition to the Kerobokan scene. Located on Jalan Mertanadi it is a lovely setting with a garden full of lemongrass out back and lovely plants decorating the entrance. There is a good range of food, from Asian delights to Western fare and prices are reasonable. I opted for the Pad Thai, and it was really good. However, I felt the portion could have been a tad bigger but then that just might be me and my big appetite. The vibe is chilled with sofas here and there and in the evening the candles come out and it feels intimate and romantic. I will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes on the menu and am delighted to see more and more cafes like this opening in Kerobokan. They are very welcome additions!

Wooden wonders at Mertanadi...

So, I am a confirmed knick-knack lover. Luckily, Bali is a great place for people like me. There are hundreds of roadside shops selling all shapes and sizes of trinkets. You can imagine my delight when I discovered this wonderful shop at Jalan Mertanadi. It's called D2 Detail Deco Collection and it is full of wooden wonders. Collections are organised by colour so as you walk through it's like taking a stroll through the rainbow. My new house here is currently ocean-themed, and there were so many perfect things to add to my theme. I got a wooden anchor, lighthouse and fish. Prices are pretty reasonable but you can bargain a bit if you buy a few pieces. I would like to say that I had hours to pick and choose my way through everything, but I have a husband. Anyone who happens to have one of those, knows what that means...toe-tapping, long-sighing, eyes-rolling when I pick up an item I swear I've never seen before but hubby swears I've already looked at twice. So my visit was a tad shorter than I would have liked. Next time I'm going back alone...

Xich Lo...Vietnamese deliciousness nestled in the rice fields

After driving by Xich Lo many times, we finally decided to try it out for lunch. It's right round the corner from where we live but you know the way sometimes you just take for granted that somewhere will always be there so there's no rush? Well, I have to get back into going to new places and not falling into that easy way of just visiting all the familiar places. Yes, I'm back in Bali and loving every second of it all over again. 

Back to Xich Lo, it's a small Vietnamese warung that looks right on to the rice fields. The 'window' seat allows you this stunning uninterrupted view of green bliss. The menu selection is quite small but covers all the main fare that you would find in Vietnam. There are raw spring rolls, fried spring rolls, papaya salad, noodle soups, rice dishes and a pork sandwich. We had the raw spring rolls and papaya salad to start with and they were delicious and fresh. I went with the beef noodle soup which was delicious and Hubby went with the rice and pork which was well presented and tasted great. Is like to say I have lots of photos of delicious food, but it was 2.30pm and we stopped on our way back from the beach after a good swim so when the food came there was no time to snap the deliciousness. Next time we are back I will update with more photos, because there will definitely be a next time. This place is too good for just one visit!

The Fat Turtle, Petitenget

If you haven't yet had the chance to pop into the Fat Turtle in Petitenget (next to Deus) then you are truly missing out on one of the best brunch spots in town. I discovered this place quite by accident and instantly fell in love with it. From the cosy interiors with copper piping on the walls, to the sack covered cushions, you feel immediately at home. The menu offers a wonderful array of brunch options, like french toast banana bread, eggs benedict, red velvet pancakes and breakfast sandwiches. The coffee is good and strong and staff are friendly and welcoming. Portions are perfect, prices are very reasonable. What are you waiting for?

Bali Starling Homestay

On another recent trip to Bali, I again wanted to seek out a place to stay that was some way off the beaten track. After a few search missions on Google, I came across Bali Starling Homestay. I was instantly struck by the decor of the rooms, the delicious breakfasts offered and it's location in Pantai Berawa. I like nice clean attractive rooms, I love a good breakfast and the area around pantai berawa is a favourite of mine so it seemed like I was on to a winner. When we arrived we were greeted by the owner Mike, from Holland, who showed us to our room and showed us the rest of the facilities. Our room was bright, spacious, clean and cool. There was an upstairs communal eating area, with a balcony overlooking a green open space and beautiful blue sky and another outdoor seating area. With a total of four rooms at the homestay, I knew that it was going to e peaceful and quiet and I wasn't disappointed. With it being situated down a small alley, there were no sounds of traffic either. Mike was a great host and also helped us rent a motorbike. A stay at Bali Starling also comes with free access to Canggu Club where you have a range of facilities including a nice big swimming pool. Mike also prepares your breakfast every morning and the choice is excellent, so much so that you really don't know what to choose. There's homemade granola, fried eggs and bacon and ciabatta sandwiches to name a few. Each breakfast comes with fresh fruit, juice and coffee or tea. I wasn't disappointed with a single choice they were all delicious and a refreshing change from the regular fare offered at many other hotels or guesthouses. From the homestay, it was a short motorbike ride to the beach where you can walk along the waters edge, watch the surfers or just find a nice tree to lie under and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Next time you're in Bali and you want a great priced homestay that feels like a home away from home, definitely consider a stay at Bali Starling. 

The room

Seating area in room

Bathroom

Communal area

View over green space

Fried eggs and bacon

Avo ciabatta

BLTE (bacon, lettuce, tomato and egg ciabatta)

Buttermilk pancakes with banana and palm sugar syrup

Crispy duck...yum yum!

If you have never had crispy duck then you are truly missing out on one of life's delicacies here in Bali. There is something so satisfying about eating your way through that crispy skin to get to the soft duck meat below. Add a generous dollop of spicy chilli chutney, vegetables and rice and you have a meal that fills all the spaces. The best place to eat it in Seminyak...Warung Eropa at Jalan Petitenget...delicious!

Rockin' it out at Zappaz bar, Seminyak

Nothing like a live band in Bali on a Friday night to get the weekend started. Zappaz bar in Seminyak is a firm favourite with both local expats and tourists. They have some great bands playing, who enjoy getting everyone up dancing. You can even get up and sing a song if you feel so inclined or have had the appropriate number of drinks! Music starts at 8pm and goes through until around midnight. The owner, Norman is English and will often get up and play piano and sing a few songs. Great vibe, great atmosphere!

Lubdhaka Canggu Residences

Coming from Jakarta, this was the first time in a long time that I needed to sort out accommodation for myself in Bali. I wanted somewhere quiet and peaceful, not to far from the beach, a bike ride away to Seminyak and a spacious room. Lubdhaka Canggu residences fulfilled all those needs perfectly. From when we were greeted at the airport, to our breakfast served in front of our room every morning, the service from the staff was impeccable and everyone was friendly and welcoming. Canggu is still a wonderful place to stay because, for me, it is still far from the  madding crowd in Kuta, you drive past open green areas and rice fields and you feel like you are still in what little is left of Bali long ago. The position of this hotel on Batu Bolong means that you are a 5 minute bike ride to Echo Beach, famous for surfing but also perfect to have a meal and sit and listen to the waves. The rooms  have their own entrance, with a soft seat area out front where you can sit and are hidden by cascading green foliage. At the exceptionally good price of Rp. 350,000 I would certainly recommend anyone who wants to remove themselves from the Kuta craziness to consider this place...you won't regret it!

Back to Indonesia...

Believe it or not, I'm back in Indonesia. Yes it would seem that my love affair with this country knows no end and I just have to keep coming back for more. This time, however, I didn't manage to make it all the way to Bali but instead find myself in the sprawling metropolis that is Jakarta. New adventures abound and you can keep track of what I am up to on my new blog...The Juice on Jakarta... See you there!

Back to the Emerald Isle...

It is with great sadness that I have decided to stop writing on this blog. Mid-July I departed the shores of Bali and returned to Ireland. I had four fantastic years on that amazing island filled with wonderful adventures and beautiful memories. However, due to unforeseen circumstances it became time to move on. Therefore, there will be no more updates on here. My culinary adventures, however, will continue with a vengeance and you can keep track of them at http://airyfairycupcakes.blogspot.com/
Thanks to all those who kept up with my travels :)

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!