It was always going to be a tough farewell to our dream life in Bali after two months living in pure paradise. However the unexpected horror that unfolded in our final week when I was attacked and bitten by a pack of dogs, was something I never imagined might happen to us on our favourite beach in Canggu. One minute we were strolling by the shore at sunset, the next a huge pack of stray dogs were running and barking at us before proceeding to bite my legs. Thankfully I got away from a terrifying situation which could’ve got a lot worse, but I was left with very painful wounds and unable to walk properly for our final few days in Bali.
Nonetheless, I didn’t let that spoil the many wonderful memories we had already made and decided to embrace a more slow pace, relaxing final weekend soaking up stunning sunsets and savouring the most delicious food back at our favourite cafes, restaurants and beach clubs one final time. And whilst this wasn’t the fairytale ending to our perfect time living in Bali, I’m so grateful for my healthy body which has kept me strong, fought diseases and heeled my wounds like magic. Checkout the full vlog on my YouTube channel here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4DKxzlwZeY
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.
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 ❤
Happy bank holiday weekend! The weather might not be showing up for us here in the UK, but that didn’t stop me and my girl friends having a fun day together in London yesterday. Our dinner at the popular Islington neighbourhood spot Nem Nem was particularly special and too good not to share with my fellow foodies.
Located on Upper Street since it opened in 2015, Nem Nem has earned a name for itself for serving the most authentically delicious, yet affordable Vietnamese food in town. With our reservation at 8pm on a Saturday night, the place was bustling and packed out with diners, so I’d definitely recommend booking to avoid disappointment.
To start we ordered a selection of dishes including the prawn summer rice paper rolls, the vegan crispy spring rolls and the vegan Hanoi battered ‘fish’. The prawn rolls were the perfect fresh, light appetiser and the vegan fish made with marinated aubergine in a light batter was incredible.
For mains I had the squid mango salad with a side of rice which I shared with my friend who was having the squid salad too. Everything was so tasty and seasoned to perfection with the herbs and spices which feature so heavily in Vietnamese cuisine.
The portions were certainly generous and with a bottle of bubbles and a few other drinks as well, the final bill came to £28 per head. An absolute bargain for a two course dinner with wine in the centre of Islington London.
Service was very attentive and friendly and we didn’t have to wait long for food despite it being peak dining time. With another restaurant now open in Hoxton called Nom Nom, I’d say this is one of North London’s best kept secrets for exquisite Vietnamese cuisine complete with plenty of vegan options too. Highly recommend this restaurant next time you’re visiting the area and looking for a good value lunch or dinner, just make sure to book beforehand! – https://www.nemnoms.co.uk
This week I’m sharing with you my super quick, easy and affordable recipe for Rawnola. Using just store cupboard staples and a high powered blender, this mixture can also be used for making bliss balls to have on hand for an energy boost snack, without the hidden nasties found in packaged products.
Store the Rawnola in an airtight container and enjoy as a topping on yoghurt, mixed with your favourite cereal or even straight from the jar because believe me when I say, this tastes like cookie dough!
If you’re looking for endless options of cool cafes, boojie bars and delicious delicacies from cuisines all over the world, then Canggu is the place to satisfy your ultimate foodie cravings. From the stunning smoothie bowls full of the freshest fruits and all day brunching options galore, to classic Mexican, Italian, Greek, Asian or Australian… you really are spoilt for choice!
Whether you’re vegan or in search of somewhere healthier to eat, or you’re wanting to treat yourself to something more indulgent and would like to experience some fine dining, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes in Canggu. We were blown away by the standard of the food everywhere we ate at and the prices were incredibly reasonable, hard to believe compared to the price of restaurants in the UK!
Whilst there wasn’t enough time to try every place recommended during our short stay in Canggu, we did sample some of the most famous cafes and restaurants in the area and I’ve narrowed it down to seven of my favourite.
The ultimate destination for vegans, vegetarians and health food lovers, The Shady Shack offers a big menu which includes an all-day breakfast, nutritious smoothies and juices, burgers and salads, share plates, delicious mains and decadent vegan desserts. I opted for one of their Insta famous salad bowls of grilled haloumi, pickled beetroot, quinoa, rocket, cucumber, avocado, tomato, roasted peppers, olives, baba ganoush, served with a creamy tahini dressing, crispy chickpeas & za’atar. Brimming with plenty of greens and colourful veggies, this Mediterranean inspired bowl of goodness was the perfect post-flight refuel my body needed. At 85K IDR, this salad cost only £4.25.
Another fully plant-based cafe, Kynd Canggu was right next to our hotel and became my boyfriend’s favourite place for lunch. Despite not being vegan, we loved it here and over the course of our stay my boyfriend sampled the loaded fries with chipotle aioli, crunchy onions & jalapeños, their take on a Mexican Burrito, and not forgetting the Kynd Bigger Mac. I was excited to try their aesthetic Acai Bowl complete with fruit lettering to spell out BALI, a cliche I know but it had to be done.
They know their Mexican food in Bali, so I was keen to try out Canguu’s top rated for Mexican eats, Lola’s. With an edgy, buzzing vibe, this cool spot on the shortcut seemed the place to be for a night out with friends. I started with a cheeky Marg of course before we had some naughty loaded nachos with all the toppings to share.
For a main course I hade their Mexi Bowl which comprised of a bed of lettuce with beans, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, red cabbage, pico de gallo, guacamole, cashew sour cream, tortilla chips, and I added BBQ jackfruit. A taste sensation of authentic Mexican flavours, I couldn’t believe it was only £3.75 for this meal, I would go here on repeat if I could.
My number one destination for date night or even just a glass of lovely vino, this Mediterranean inspired restaurant serves up sharing plates using cooking techniques like smoking and wood fire grilling to coax maximum flavour from minimal ingredients.
With its Scandi style interiors and romantic cosy courtyard adorned with fairy-lights, we went here for the perfect Friday date night and shared a scrumptious feast of small plates. Highlights included the cured meat selection, homemade hummus with burnt chilli butter & crispy bits, and those wonderfully sweet wood fired carrots with yoghurt & dukkah.
There is even a secret speakeasy bar at the very back of the restaurant where we enjoyed our after dinner drinks, it oozes sophistication and style.
For a taste of Italy and another atmospheric restaurant ideal for date night, Azoria is a newly opened Italian in the heart of Canggu already making a name for itself. Serving traditional Italian dishes amongst the setting of its rustic Mediterranean inspired decor, it felt like we were transported to Europe as we sipped our red vino and the Italian guitar music set the ambience.
To start we shared an exquisite Caesar salad, and for main my boyfriend had the Beef Ragu, whilst I made my own pasta of pappardelle, tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, spinach and basil. The pasta was so fresh and I loved the idea of making your own pasta so I could personalise the meal to my taste. We never regretti our spaghetti ❤
Whilst this restaurant promotes itself as low calorie and super healthy, that doesn’t mean it sacrifices on quality or options to suit all tastes. My boyfriend had the pork ribs with sweet potato fries and he said it was one of the best dinners he’d had on the trip – although we said that after every meal to be honest!
I opted for the grilled fish topped with a mango chilli salsa, served with baked pumpkin and lots of fresh salad. A nicely balanced plate high in protein, complex carbs from the pumpkin, fats from the fish and heaps of nutrients from all the salad; I love this kind of food good for the body and soul. They also have live musicians on guitars every night from 7-9pm, making for the perfect al fresco dining experience.
The final foodie destination I had to have on my list of favourites was Zin Cafe, the restaurant within the hotel we were staying. We had breakfast here every morning and whilst my boyfriend made his way through the extensive menu of savoury and sweet brunch options, I couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit platter and yummy smoothie bowls. The cafe spans multiple levels spilling into the co-working space, which is like an awesome tree-house perfect for chilled working vibes. We ordered lunch to our terrace one afternoon and I had a delightful plate of roasted vegetables with green tahini. We also had their local Indonesian Curry for dinner in the restaurant one evening which didn’t disappoint, it was everything I hoped for and more.
So that’s a roundup of my top food spots in Canggu. There are many more incredible cafes and brilliant restaurants we didn’t have time to visit of course, but safe to say you won’t be disappointed wherever you go to eat in Bali; it’s true foodie heaven ❤
Happy Sunday babes! I can’t believe it’s already the final day of July… where is summer going? This Saturday me and my boyfriend took a little day trip into London town to make use of our Buy A Gift vouchers we had for a Thames river cruise and the London Eye.
We started the day with a quick browse on Bond Street before heading to Carnaby Street for lunch at Kingly Court. We had our favourite vegan burritos in town from Club Mexicana, a fully vegan Mexican restaurant chain which even meat eaters will love.
From Westminster Pier we then caught a City Cruise boat for a tour down the river. It was great to see the city from a different perspective on the river and the live tour guide commentary was very interesting and actually quite amusing too.
Despite it being overcast, it was in fact a very warm and pleasant summers day in London. Following our cruise down the Thames, unfortunately we didn’t make it in time for the London Eye which to our surprise, closes at 6pm! So instead we went to Between the Bridges on Southbank for pre-dinner drinks, naughty chippies and some live music.
For dinner I booked us a table at Cote located at Hays Galleria with a terrace over looking London Bridge. It was lovely warm summers evening perfect for an al fresco dinner riverside.
I had my favourite Paillard Salad served with chargrilled chicken breast, French beans, endive, lettuce, hazelnuts, croûtons, tarragon and caper dressing. My boyfriend had the classic minute steak served pink with garlic butter, peppercorn sauce and frites. As usual the food at Cote was divine and service was fantastic, French cuisine at its finest!
I couldn’t resist a cheeky Espresso Martini to finish my meal. We had a long train journey back so this was more than necessary and the perfect way to end our summers day in the city, as those stunning golden hues showered the sky at sundown ❤
Dani Aneka 