Happy Sunday from a beautiful spring summer day in Hampshire. We landed back in the UK on Thursday following a two day stopover in Singapore to see my brother and his family. We had a wonderful time exploring the city and spending quality time with my family which was very much needed, following a very unlucky and terrifying incident which took place during our final week in Bali…
On Wednesday 26th February, I was attacked by a pack of approximately 20 dogs on Batu Bolong Beach at sunset and bitten three times on the calves of my legs. Thankfully I managed to limp away and we got to a hospital to get my legs stitched up and the necessary vaccinations. We are still shocked at this incident which was unprovoked and caught us completely by surprise, but it’s opened our eyes to the ongoing issues they have with the stray dogs in Bali.
In spite of the dog incident, nothing can takeaway from the awesome two months we spent in Bali and the incredible memories we made there. I suppose I can be grateful that this did happen in the final week of our trip so we didn’t have to sacrifice any planned activities and didn’t have to cut our stay short either.
It was very inconvenient to not be able to walk properly for those final days in Canggu and we spent a lot of time at the hospital getting my treatment following the attack, but we didn’t let that stop us enjoying our favourite cafes, beach clubs and restaurants during our last weekend on the island.
On Monday 3rd March we checked out of our gorgeous Villa Casa Cherish and took a short flight over to Singapore for our two day stopover with family. I will share more about our few days exploring Singapore in next week’s post and there will be a Singapore Vlog over on my YouTube channel soon too – https://youtube.com/@danianeka6142?si=4QX_kc38umVrcCvH
So whilst our two month stay in Bali ended on an upsetting note, it doesn’t taint the dream experience we had of living on the island of paradise for two months.
From the fun surf sessions and breathtaking sunsets, to the delicious foodie scene and lovely locals, Bali will always hold a special place in our hearts ❤
And so we find ourselves commencing the final week of our time here in Canggu. I knew the few months we are here would fly by and it definitely has, but it also feels like we’ve been here forever and its become a place we call home.
We’ve certainly made the most of this adventure and experienced the very best that Bali has to offer.
From exciting day trips to see the most breathtaking natural beauty at Leke Leke Waterfall,
and trekking around the luscious green jungle at Teglalang Rice Terrace in Ubud,
to working from the many gorgeously aesthetic cafes,
serving the most delicious healthy vegan food,
and scooting down to watch sunset on the iconic Echo Beach.
I have an extensive list of our favourite cafes, restaurants, bars and beach clubs, so I’ll have to do a future blog post on my personal recommendations for if you’re visiting Canggu too.
But for now we have a whole week ahead of us to enjoy and soak up every moment of the blissful Bali life before we return to the UK via Singapore.
With Valentines Day on the horizon, I was excited to make the most of it here in Bali and plan a romantic date night with my boyfriend at some of our favourite Canggu hotspots.
Every romantic evening in Bali begins with sunset drinks, so at 6:30pm on Friday we headed down to The Lawn for sundowners on the beach with a view.
I wore my new Flook The Label maxi dress with this stunning cutaway detail in my favourite colour of the moment, chocolate brown. To accessorise I wore my Seaside Stories gold plated shell necklace, matching gold shell earrings and Abbott Lyon statement gold bangle.
Once sun had dipped below the horizon and dusk was upon us, we went around the corner to Billy Ho for more drinks and nibbles.
We discovered Billy Ho when visiting Canggu last year, so with its sophisticated ambience giving uptown New York vibes, I thought it was the perfect V-Day romantic evening spot.
For an appetiser we shared the smokey edamame beans and the vegetarian dumplings, absolutely exquisite paired with a glass of bubbles too.
My boyfriend was craving pizza for dinner, so we headed to one of the best pizza spots in town Luigis.
We shared a classic margarita pizza and green leaf salad with balsamic vinegar. Simple yet delicious and satisfied that pizza craving perfectly.
To finish the evening of bar hopping around Canggu, we went to Santanera rooftop for a nightcap. This was our first time here and it was buzzing on a Friday night. Spread across three floors it has a cool, lofty vibe whilst still feeling intimate and exclusive.
It was a perfect Valentines date night in Canggu complete with scenic sunset drinks, refined appetisers and even some classic home comfort food in the form of a very cheesy pizza.
I’ve always loved surfing so living in here in Bali for a few months, my goal has been to get a session in every week. I would consider myself at intermediate level, so I’ve been going without an instructor which is more challenging particularly when it comes to getting past the break, but my skills are swiftly improving and I’ve had some great sessions.
I decided to kick the week off with an AM surf on Echo Beach last Monday and needless to say, it was the best way to start the week on a high. With the sun shining and the waves not too hectic, it was the perfect conditions for a chill morning surf.
A swimsuit on and hair pulled back into a ballet bun and I was ready to get out there. Getting past the break is always the hardest bit particularly with the big foam boards which are super heavy and almost twice the length of me!
I actually got out pretty quickly this time and caught some of my best waves yet. It can be exhausting just paddling to get out and battling with the tide, but it’s so worth it for those epic moments riding the waves.
My final wave was awesome and I stayed on it until I was almost on the beach, so I had to jump off before it got too shallow. It’s then equally challenging to get back onto the beach without being dragged under by the tide, so I had to rip off my leash and run up the beach to get out safely before letting my board wash up.
That post surf salty hair free feeling is the best.
Happy Sunday! We’re winding down after another awesome week here in Bali, so I thought I’d share some highlights of our trip to the island of Nusa Penida yesterday. I booked the trip with a local via Instagram and the total cost was 950k IDR per person, which is just under £50. Comparing this to prices online it seemed the best deal which is usually the case if you book through the locals.
Our day started bright and early with pickup from our villa at 6am to get to the port where the boat was departing at 7am. It took about 45 minutes to get over to the island of Penida where our driver for the day was ready to greet us.
First stop was Diamond Beach, an absolute paradise on earth with the white sand beach and crystal clear turquoise water. We trekked down the precarious stairs to walk along the beach, but you are not allowed to swim as the tide is too dangerous.
Salty toes and that warm ocean breeze was heavenly.
Next stop was the Thousand Island viewpoint where there is the famous instagram spot Tree House Molenteng. Unfortunately they make you pay for a photo here and there was a very long wait, so with the peak midday humidity we decided to pass on this.
It was then a long hour and a half car journey through the jungle roads to Kelingking Beach.
Another jaw dropping view out over the cliffs where many tourists come to get that iconic Instagram snap.
The tropical rain had started at this point so we didn’t walk very far down, but the view from the top overlooking Kelingking cliff faces was magnificent.
1:30pm and it was time for a well deserved lunch at a local Warung, also included in the cost of our trip. I had a fresh garden salad with a coffee and my boyfriend had a tasty sweet and sour chicken dish with rice.
With a long journey back to Bali mainland ahead of us, we caught the fast boat back from the island at 3pm and were driven home to our villa again. Bali traffic, particularly in Canggu gets hectic at rush hour, so it was 5:30pm by the time we arrived back at Casa Cherish.
A long day of travelling and hiking, but very much worth it to have seen these iconic natural wonders of Bali.
Diamond Beach was the highlight for me; it’s pure paradise which got me in a tropical state of mind ❤
26.01.25; celebrating my 30th year around the sun on the wonderful Island of Gods, Bali.
I might be entering my thirties but I really do feel like a twenty year old at heart still.
We kicked off celebrations on Friday evening with a stunning sunset at the iconic La Brisa on Echo Beach.
For dinner we went to another awesomely aesthetic spot in Canggu Penny Lane.
It was the Ubud health bowl for me and a hearty buttermilk chicken burger for my boyfriend.
On Saturday I treated myself to a blow dry at The Rustic Sun Canggu as it’s less than £15 pounds here in Bali!
That afternoon we went to a new beach club Luna and soaked up the scorching sunshine, whilst dipping in and out of pools and lounging in our private pod sipping cocktails.
For dinner I changed into my new Flook The Label beach dress, a birthday gift from my boyfriend which I chose last week in their boutique in Pererenan.
Luna beach club comes alive at night too with spectacular lights and even a fire show.
Sunday 26th January, my actual birthday, I awoke to the cutest surprise from my boyfriend.
He organised with the villa manager to decorate the pool with a happy birthday message, balloons and even a floating breakfast.
This was truly the best way to welcome in my 30th birthday.
After a very chilled day relaxing at the villa my the pool, we headed down to Batu Bolong Beach to catch sundown.
Our third magnificent sunset in a row and the perfect way to see out my big birthday weekend.
We enjoyed a nice dinner at The Lawn where I had my favourite classic Caesar salad with prawns.
The night finished at Deus Ex Machina Sunday sessions live music and 241 cocktails of course.
Mood for my thirties; Happy. Content. Staying in my own lane. Healing. Freeing. Flourishing. Growing. Glowing ❤
Welcome to Casa Cherish! I’m so excited to show you around this gorgeous two bed luxury villa we are living in here in Bali for the next two months.
Set over three floors with a private plunge pool and spacious roof terrace too, it’s our very own hidden oasis in the centre of Canggu.
From the sunken living area and arch doorways,
to the tropical plants and neutral earthy tones throughout,
this villa exudes island living vibes.
Casa Cherish already feels like a home away from home ❤
To book a stay at Casa Cherish villas for your own trip to Bali, checkout the rates and availability on their website here – https://www.casacherish.com
Happy Sunday from beautiful Bali! We’ve been here in Canggu a week now and I still can’t believe we get to call this our home for the next two months!
We’re staying at the stunning Casa Cherish villas in central Canggu, only a 15 minute walk down to the beach.
With its Moroccan inspired interiors every corner of this two bed villa is so aesthetic, and the private plunge pool is a luxury to have in this 30 degree tropical heat.
We’re settling into Bali life nicely and fully embracing all of our favourite things about this wonderful island including:
the endless sunshine,
buzzing cafe culture,
delicious foodie scene,
active lifestyle,
beach sunsets,
morning surf sessions,
lucius green palms,
the freshest fruits,
friendly locals and doggies,
aesthetic interiors,
boutique shopping…the list goes on.
It’s only our first week on the island and we’ve already done so much, but when you’re living in such an exciting place surrounded by likeminded people, it’s hard not to be motivated to get out and seize every single day.
Two months sounds like a long time however I don’t doubt it will fly by and we won’t want to leave. So I intend to enjoy every second here in Bali by actually slowing down a little to focus on being fully present in the moment.
Alignment: you are in the right place at the right time ❤
Majestic; having or showing impressive beauty or scale…and Monaco sure was that in every way!
From the grand beauty of the famous Monte-Carlo Casino Square, to the magnificent Prince’s Palace overlooking the stunning harbour filled with millionaire’s super yachts, every corner of the city is a spotless, picture perfect moment.
So here is a completion of those cinematic scenes from our holiday to Monaco, complete with slow motion clips to fully channel my inner Bond Girl starring in her own music video.
Monaco is the epitome of sophistication and class when it comes to wining and dining and we were keen to experience some of the most famous and highly rated hotspots. Here is a brief review of the restaurants and bars we had the pleasure of trying during our long weekend in Monte-Carlo.
*Cafe De Paris
For 150 years, it has been the beating heart of Monaco. Standing proudly on the Place du Casino, the Café De Paris Monte-Carlo is one of the legends of the Principality. An iconic brasserie where celebrities and artists, locals and visitors alike enjoy meeting up at any time of the day, whatever the occasion, to enjoy the art of living, a coffee, something sweet, or a meal to share.
We enjoyed an aperitif at the spectacular feature bar before being seated at our cosy booth table for dinner.
The opulent interiors give art deco vibes and the rich red and gold tones add to the grandeur of the main dining room.
I had a classic Caesar salad with prawns and a side of mixed vegetables; simple yet delicious.
My boyfriend had the roast farmhouse chicken served with vegetables and baby new potatoes.
Everything was exquisite and the service impeccable as you’d expect, a 10/10 fabulous experience at the famous Cafe De Paris Monte-Carlo.
We also went back for a coffee and cake overlooking the Monte-Carlo square on a sunny Sunday afternoon and it was delightful.
*Neptune
Located on Monaco’s Larvotto Beach in a chic and relaxed atmosphere, Neptune offers a creative menu of Mediterranean flavours.
We dined al fresco on the Saturday evening surrounded by palm trees and fairy lights with a live DJ too, making for the perfect date night vibes.
To start we shared the ham and cheese croquettes which were just divine.
For main course I opted for the grilled octopus in a rich marinara sauce served on top of a crisp potato rosti, a deliciously different and tasty dish.
It was an old favourite for my boyfriend, the margarita pizza topped with sun-dried tomatoes, burrata and basil. Service was superb and the chilled al fresco atmosphere made for ideal date night scenes.
*Song Qi
On our final night we were craving a different cuisine, so we found Song Qi Chinese which looked luxurious with it’s beautiful interiors featuring silky green banquettes and flower walls.
Opening in 2014 and born from the gastronomic passion of Riccardo Giraudi, the goal of Song Qi is to provide Monte-Carlo a modern fine dining Chinese restaurant.
For entrées we shared the duck lettuce wraps and a smoked chicken hot and sour soup.
The stir-fried shiitake mushrooms and vegetables in a Piri Piri sauce was my choice for main, whilst my boyfriend had the chicken Kung Po with cashew nut and chillis and we shared a portion of jasmine rice.
Despite the spicy heat of our dishes, it was all exquisite and by far the best Chinese food we’ve had for a long time.
*Amazonica
Moving onto bars, we went to Amazonica upon recommendation from a friend as well as lots of hype about it online.
On a Friday night it was very busy, but we managed to get a table for drinks on the rooftop with a view of the Monte-Carlo skyline.
We ordered three fun cocktails including a smokey mojito, a classic espresso martini and the star of the show, a sweet concoction served in this awesome jaguar head.
Whilst the cocktails were tasty and the vibes on point for a Friday night, unfortunately we had to vacate our table after an hour and just to stand at the bar. I would recommend making a reservation beforehand to avoid this situation, but otherwise it’s a very cool and trendy place with aesthetic interiors.
*Buddah Bar
An exotic and chic venue at the heart of Monte Carlo, Buddha Bar is the trendiest restaurant-bar-lounge in the heart of Monaco. This establishment offers a decor inspired by the Garnier Opera House in Paris, with a subtle mixture of gilded mouldings, ancient sculptures and a colonial Asian setting.
We found ourselves here on the Saturday night following our dinner at Neptune for night cap cocktails. I went super spicy whilst my boyfriend chose a sweet cocktail.
Sat at the main bar area with the giant buddha statue overlooking us, this is another fabulous spot for drinks which echoes that old school money sophistication and glamour of Monaco.
*Le Note Bleue
During our first stroll down to the beach front, we stopped at Le Note Bleue for an afternoon drink in the glorious sunshine. I’d seen online this was a highly rated spot and we got talking to a local couple there with their dog who said it’s their favourite restaurant in the area.
With the French Riviera style white umbrellas and palms decorating the terrace seating, it’s the most picturesque setting for an afternoon lunch or drink on the beach.
So that’s my roundup of the best restaurants and bars we tried whilst in Monaco and there’s no denying the excellent standard of gastronomy; what else would you expect from the land of the rich and wealthy!?
Cheers to a weekend of the chicest wining and dining experiences in Monaco ❤
