Travel

Simpler times in the village.

 In Bali simple signs of respect go a long way in honoring this unique culture.

Whether perched on a clifftop, set on a picturesque inland lake or with the mountains as a backdrop - each temple is a place to don a sarong and experience authentic traditions and Balinese spirituality.

It’s time to get your apron on and work the pans with my list of Bali’s best cooking classes.

As the artistic centre of the island, Ubud is also home to talented silversmiths, carvers and painters. Take a day tour to the villages of Celuk, Batuan, and Mas and pick up a masterpiece.

I had stayed a year longer than I planned to and it showed.

You know what they say - location, location, location. If there is one thing you need to know before you rent a villa in Bali - it’s where you want to be.

Any trip to South East Asia can come with it’s fair share of tummy bugs and Bali is no exception. Staying healthy is easy with a few simple precautions …

This is the Regency of Karangasem - where the mountains meet the sea.

Whether it’s health, animal welfare, kiddie education, the environment or reducing poverty - there are so many ways to make a feel-good contribution and a difference in Bali.

Now you might be a bit rusty with all of this but you will soon remember how to travel - for some of us, it is in our DNA.

So how do you maintain the connection, the communication and the closeness when you aren’t even in the same hemisphere? It can be done – but like all things that are worth it, it just isn’t easy. It takes time, patience, effort, forward planning a HUGE dose of trust and good humour.

The night market at Gianyar is a must-visit next time you are in Ubud. This is where you get to eat every part of most animals - even the crunchy bits. Just a short trip from Ubud centre and open every day.

So what happens when work dries up, you realise you can no longer afford to live in the city you were born in, you can’t sustain a healthy quality of life there anymore and you have to make a choice to leave behind family and friends?

Big night? Craving carbs? There will come a time after all the cocktails and Sunday sesh 2 for 1’s when the detox juices, smoothie bowls and clean eats just won’t hit the mark. Why? Because sometimes salad is just not enough.