Top Tips FOR TRAVELLING TO bALIKAREN’S

Imagine coming back from your Bali holiday not only feeling relaxed, but looking fit and feeling amazing. Sound good?

It is possible. And there’s no need for scary detox programs.

Toss some sightseeing and culture in the mix for the perfect holiday.Here’s my top tips to make it happen!

eat freshYour body will love you for eating in true Bali style – give up the wheat and dairy for the holiday, it won’t kill you; eat only local fresh food – nothing processed; and drink litres of fresh coconut water (the real stuff straight from the shell).Missing your kale? Load up on the local greens. Say YES! when you see these greens on the menu - paku (wild jungle fern); kang kong (water spinach); tapioca or cassava; pumpkin leaf, green papaya.

There is no better time to kick the Diet/Zero/Coke habit. You can do it. Water is your best friend.The detox headache may be ugly… but it’s a good excuse to lie down, read a book, or take a nap.

Sugar Alert! Balinese love sweets as much as the spicy stuff. Trying Bali Kopi local style? Ask for “pahit” (no sugar). Even better, go for fresh ginger tea. Unless you ask, fruit juices and smoothies will be loaded with sugar syrup.

Black Rice Pudding is a sweet treat worth trying

Local specialities you must

try pepes fish grilled in banana leaves; sate lilit chicken, spices and coconut moulded on to a lemongrass stem; betutu chicken or duck wrapped in rich spices and slowly smoked; lawar a most important ceremonial food is a complex mix of raw vegetables, coconut, spice and sometimes raw blood; sambal mata a spicy sambal served with grilled fish; babi guling roasted suckling pig; burbur injin black rice pudding.

You can eat your way through the streets of UBUD ....

#Dash Of GlamBridges has a ‘Divine Wine Shop’, daily ‘Divine Hour’ (4-7pm) and ‘Divine Fridays’ with live music which says it all. Mozaic in Sanggingan always hits the “best in the world” list. Fusing French and Balinese flavours it’s a glam fine-dining experience. Be prepared to crunch the credit card. For a touch of sophistication, head to Jazz Café for quality Jazz, Funk, Blues, Soul and World Music. 5pm – midnight. Tucked away in Sukma Street.

#Hipster HauntsThere’s no shortage of clean eating cafes on Hanoman St. Get amongst the cushions and super foods at Clear Café, Atman and Kafe. Down near the post office, Bali Buda is the original health food store with a bakery. Coffee connoisseurs get giddy at the choices at Seniman Coffee Studio on Sri Wedari street. Café Havana on Dewi Sita comes alive at night with Salsa dancing.

#Fast Food Padang StyleLook for the local style restaurants that have an array of plates of food stacked in cabinets in the window. Originating from the matriarchal Minangkabau people in Sumatra, this style of food has spread across the islands. Famous for Rendang Beef, the food is cooked in exotic blends of spices, served with rice. You stand by the cabinet and point at your choice of vegetables, fish, luscious curries, spicy potatoes, tempeh, greens. You’ll be dining at basic communal tables with the locals. Nothing fancy. Amazing food at local prices. In Ubud I go to one on Jalan Raya alongside Bali Buda.

#Bali StyleNomad Restaurant is my “Ubud Office” providing me with good WiFi, excellent food, the occasional cocktail and great company. Try Ibu Oka’s near the Palace for authentic suckling pig (be prepared to line up, closes around 3pm). Sari Organik is set amongst the rice fields, move in for sunset. Murni’s Warung, Ubud’s first ‘real restaurant’ opened in 1974, by the Campuhan Bridge. I drop in to Biah Biah in Goutama Lane for a fix of authentic Nasi Campur. Wander down Monkey Forest Road to Café Wayan for a tranquil dining experience. Kafe Batan Waru on Dewi Sita street makes Balinese cuisine cool.

Plan in daily exercise, even if it is just a (long) walk to the restaurant at the end of the day. Try something different. You can get back into your routine at home. Bali is an amazingly diverse destination for all sorts of fun.

Swim, play on the beach, trek, surf, do yoga, dance, cycle, snorkel, go rafting, walk through rice fields.

(Long distance runners, Bali is not your place. Dodgy roads, chaotic traffic, dogs. Leave your training for safer conditions at home).

move more

My favourite…. Trekking through jungle, ravines and rivers in our local area. The simplicity of the surrounds lets me focus on what’s important in life. So good for the body, mind and soul. Be inspired by our photo gallery here #EatTrekLove.

move more It’s easy to ‘find your flow’ in Ubud, the mecca for all things yoga. There are classes all day, everyday, in studios located in every corner of town.

Breathe and Bend here: Ubud Bodyworks Centre | Radiantly Alive | Yoga Barn | Intuitive Flow

Staying beachside? Try Uluwatu Yoga Studio

Love your Yoga? Also love being outdoors, trekking, walking and cycling? And you don’t mind a little bit of indulgence? Try our Active Yoga Retreat. It’s the best!

be alive at dawn

An Awe-Inspiring Experience ..... you can’t beat our sunrise volcano climb.

A Quest for Quietness ….. be the first footsteps in the sand

Go Local - hit the Ubud market by 6am. Get amongst the flower sellers and produce traders. It’s not clean. It’s chaotic, colourful and crowded. Melt into the scene. Buy your fruit for the day. If you have a traveller’s stomach take a seat at a food stall and eat a spicy breakfast washed down with Bali Kopi.

trekking by moonlight will turbo charge

your day

take a moment...to look around, learn something new. It is fascinating, enriching.

If you accept a personal invitation to join a family ceremony put aside some time… you’re not dropping in for five minutes. There’s a lot of drinking of coffee, sitting, waiting for the priest etc. Be patient. Take it all in at a Bali pace.

Only the finest clothes known as pakaian adat are worn to temple. Everyone is well groomed. Do the same. Cover up – no singlets and shorts. Scruffy is not cool. Entering a temple without a scarf around you waist is absolutely a no-no.

Get out to ancient and sacred sites such as the magnificent Gunung Kawi, the holy springs of Tirta Empul or the historical carvings of Goa Gajah.

Gallery Gazing is worthwhile. There are endless private studios and collections. My best picks of the big ones:

Puri Lukisan on Jalan Raya is great for an introduction to Balinese art. I drop in for an hour when I need to escape the heat and hustle of Ubud.

ARMA – a stylish gallery/museum/garden/performance venue/restaurant. Keep a lookout for cultural events staged here.

The Blanco Museum is a must. Antonio Blanco, often referred to as the ‘Dali of Bali’ was inspired by the lush jungle and gorgeous half naked Balinese women. He became a legend in Ubud, attaining all but royal status. His house turned museum overlooking the Campuhan Ridge is spectacular. His painting studio remains untouched. (I met him in his studio many years ago. His eccentric, flamboyant, yet charming ways left me reeling).

Neka Art Museum is a good place to learn about painting styles. The Lempad Pavilion houses Bali’s largest collection of works by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad. Put aside a couple of hours to meander through the pavilions, get lost in the serenity.

It’s easy to be enchanted by the seemingly spectacular nature of Balinese ceremonies. Observe with respect. the culture

the arts

UbudKnown as the cultural heart of Bali is the centre for dance, art and music. It is rich in art forms that give a view into Balinese life both traditional and modern.

‘Secrets of Bali’ is my go to book for insights into Balinese culture. From Gamelan to Gods, everything is explained in simple, jargon free language, helping to put some distance between my cultural faux pas.

Go deeper in a destination

to find the unmistakable

Soul

GET A GLOW

Whilst the local girls are reaching for any product with a synthetic whitening agent, I can’t get enough of the traditional treatments that trace their origins to the Royal Palaces.

There’s everything from a day of indulgent exquisite luxury at Como Shambala to a basic local salon. There are too many spas to list here, so here are my top treatment picks for you:

The full body mandi lulur experience is a must. Massage, exfoliation, yoghurt, bathtub full of petals. It’s a skin polishing elixir that will beat any bubbles in a bottle. My top tip … go for cold water final rinse.

Any sign of a chesty cough try the boreh scrub, a centuries old recipe used to heat the body. Good for fever, headaches, muscle aches and chills. (Pregnant ladies this one is NOT for you)

I’m a recent fan of hot stone massages for my legs, and will never say no to a traditional Balinese massage.

To keep you feet looking sparkly you need a spa pedicure…. massage, foot soak, foot scrub, nail treatment and polish. It takes an hour. Take a book if you are the fidgety type.

Glossy hair is yours after an hour-long crème hair bath. Only a few places use fresh ingredients to make their crèmes and tonics. Same deal for facials. I only go to Cantika Alami Spa in Ubud. (On the way to Sari Organik Restaurant)

Our extraordinary body therapist Wayan whips up body scrubs, hair treatments and face masks using ingredients such as turmeric, wild

honey, ginger, avocado, papaya & coconut. Getting a glow just gets easier.

Nursing an injury? Choose your massage treatment/therapist with care. I can recommend Wayan, the owner of Restu. Trained for many years under a Balinese healer. (Goutama Lane near Nomads).

Your trip to Bali is not complete without daily, yes I said daily, body treatments.

Glow...COMES FROM WITHIN

sensible stuff... the fine print you need to readYou can get into BAD trouble anywhere in the world if you go looking for it. Unless you want to be the next ‘star’ of a ‘what goes on in Bali’ type of show, or an inmate at Kerobokan, pack your commonsense and these 2 words … NO. THANKYOU. You’re here to have a fun, healthy and safe holiday.

Check your passport is valid for 6 months and has 2 empty pages. Overstaying visa policies are strict. Expect fines and stress at airport immigration. Tourist visas are 30 days that can be extended ahead of time at immigration or through an agent. Try Bali Mode in Ubud.You need rp200,000 in local cash for airport departure tax. Tuck it away in your passport on day 1.Carry a photocopy of your passport id page, credit cards, essential prescriptions, (including your glasses) … a copy on your phone is no use if your phone goes missing or has no battery life.Take out travel insurance. Check the fine print. You need extra cover for motorbikes and some adventure sports. Be responsible about your existing medical conditions. They don’t take a holiday just because you are in Bali. Bring enough supplies of your own medications to avoid going through translation dilemmas at the chemist.Unless you have a Ducati that you ride with great skill, motorbike riding is risky. There’s nothing good about a bike accident. Resist.Best way to keep germs in control… wash your hands. Only drink bottled water, including brushing your teeth. Unless you are dining at a local roadside stall, ice drinks are safe. Don’t drink arak. Its just about pure alcohol. Why take the risk, not to mention it will undo all the good work you are doing to feel freaking amazing.Commonwealth Bank clients – the Ubud bank has a phone for free helpline calls. Sorry to say, you will still go into the “your call is important to us” queue.Get your phone UNLOCKED before you leave home if you want to use a local SIM card.Pack an adaptor. Indonesia sockets take 2 round pins. Pack with style but you may want to leave the uber expensive shoes at home unless you have special events to attend. Bali sidewalks are uneven, tripping up is so easy, making a mess of you and your shoes. Rubber thongs/sandals really are the best plus they are easy to slip on and off all day.Clothes that err on the skimpy side are ok for the beach or the bar, but if you’re planning to visit temples, government offices, small villages or local homes, respect will be in abundance if you ditch the short shorts and singlets. Carry a sarong to be able to cover up at short notice.

Squirmy belly? Don’t panic, it may not be the infamous “Bali Belly”, simply loading up on tropical fruit and spicy food is enough to send your body into detox drive. Follow my 6 R’s to get through it:

RESIST

REHYDRATE

REST

REFUEL

REHYDRATE

RISE UP

* Find a doctor if you are in a very bad way or if you have a pre-existing medical condition that puts you at high risk…. get the help you need.

Emergencies - Sanglah Hospital in Denpasarwww.sanglahhospital.com ph: 0361 227911/2/3/4/5 Put these details in your phone.

All food and drinks for 12-24 hours. No snacking. You won’t starve in 24hrs.

Fresh young coconut water is best. It’s full of electrolytes and deals with local bacteria (tip from my local doctor). Drink water all day long.

Give up the shopping, snorkelling or the beach club. Constantly dashing off to find a toilet does not make you good company. Your body is being sapped of energy. Rest up.

Not a good idea to dive into a plateful of Nasi Goreng for your first meal. Get back into it slowly. Start with plain rice, crackers and banana. Avoid fruit for a few days.

Again. Keep up the (good) fluids. Dehydration is not your best friend on a holiday.

Bali belly is not fun, but it’s not the end of the world. Get back out there and enjoy life.

go home feeling like you have hit the ‘refresh’ key

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