When in Bali

anaiaashajonas
Jul 6
3 min read

When in Bali

I have been to many countries, but none have touched my soul as much as Bali. From the moment we arrived, it felt as though we had stepped into another world. A world filled with beautiful smiles and incredible food. And of course, the slow mornings, the kind that make you forget what day of the week it is.

One of our adventures consisted of us visiting the Monkey Forest. Which you can imagine was slightly chaotic, but nevertheless magical. Watching the monkeys whilst trying to keep hold of our sunglasses was an experience today the least.

We also spent time with the elephants; this was so surreal. Being so close to such a gentle, beautiful animal is one of those memories that stay with you long after you've unpacked your suitcase.

What we loved most about Bali was exploring. We hired a bike, and My Dannen became our very own guide, and I, well… let's just say I hung on for dear life! He drove us from one city to the next, and I was very grateful he got us from A to B safely, whilst enjoying many beautiful views and stopping whenever we saw a place that captured our eyes. We visited beautiful temples that seemed almost frozen in time, wandered through some pretty towns, and managed to stand beneath such enchanting waterfalls. Every day was a new adventure.

And then there was the food.

....Oh, the food.

We fully embraced Bali's incredible dining scene and quickly found ourselves creating a list of favourites. Our daily frozen yoghurt stop at Miyo became something of a ritual. If you're anything like me and believe dessert can be enjoyed at any time of day, you'll understand. The number of times I asked Dannen if we could grab a frozen yoghurt was uncountable!

Sana was another standout, offering the perfect setting for a relaxed meal, while the wagyu steak from The Grumpy Butcher was genuinely unforgettable. One of those meals where you immediately start planning your return visit before you've even paid the bill. Breakfasts at Kynd quickly became our morning must. Colourful drinks, delicious food, and the kynd of atmosphere that makes you linger longer than intended. ( The pancakes are a must-try! They were our favourite.) Then there were the French tacos from Le Monde. I don't use the phrase lightly, but they were unreal. Completely worth every bite. And for our Italian fix, Cantina Classe stole our hearts. One of those places where you order one dish and inevitably end up discussing which dishes you'll be ordering on your next visit. However, I recommend getting there a bit earlier as they often run out of their main dishes.

Of course, no Bali trip would be complete without a little indulgence. We booked a couples spa day, and it was phenomenal. The perfect combination of relaxation, luxury, and switching off completely. If you've ever needed permission to spend an entire evening being pampered, consider this.

Our home during the trip was a beautiful private villa in Asa Bali, complete with our own pool. Mornings started with tea by the water, and evenings ended with a late-night dip under the stars. Often starting with me trying to push Dannen into the pool and somehow ending up being the one in the pool. It was everything you dream Bali would be. What made it even more special were the staff. Every single person we met was so warm, welcoming, and genuinely lovely. It's often the people who make a place memorable, and Bali is filled with wonderful people.

Looking back, it wasn't one particular moment that made the trip so special. It was a collection of little things. The waterfall. The temple visits. The frozen yoghurt runs. The bike rides. The laughter. The long dinners. The quiet mornings. And being with my Dannen. It was our first holiday together, and each moment we spent together made me fall in love with him more.

Bali has a way of making you slow down and appreciate everything around you.

And if you're wondering whether it's worth the trip?

The answer is absolutely yes.

Just don't be surprised if you find yourself planning your return flight before you've even left.