What's not to love about Bali? We love it all. And with so much to love and know, here's our latest picks of things to pop on your Bali bucket list this week. Go for Gold!
Bali Love. So it’s obvious how much we at Honeycombers love Bali, and I might just be Bali’s biggest lover of all-things-fabulous-and-fun-in-the-sun (if only that were a real word, hmmmn). We try hard to write about the things we get asked about the most by friends (food & shopping, yes!) visiting or moving here, as well as from those of you who get in touch (which we love – please keep it coming!). Side note: don’t fret – we have a ‘shoe shopping in Bali’ story in the works!
But because there’s just so much to know and love about in Bali – with new openings and latest happenings every minute, not to mention the greatest Bali offers as well – we’re introducing a new little round up each week or so, of our most fave and fabulous things.
They may include newbie places to eat, stay, drink, shop or get pampered, along with true faves that have been here forever. It might be events coming up on the social calendar, things to do or cultural things to look out for, but we hope you get out amongst it all and find a little bit more about Bali to love.
It’s all White on the Night, Nikki Beach Bali, Nusa Dua
How to tell it’s high tourist season? Aside from the traffic, it’s the crazy number of glam party invitations flooding our inbox (thank you island party gods!). There’s no shortage of Bali’s most glamorous and fun party events underway (how good were Sunny Side Up & Ombak Surf Film Festivals last week), but Nikki Beach’s White Party with DJ Erok next weekend takes the cake in the beautiful people stakes. Their parties (held in each venue around the world on their opening anniversary) are world-famous. Of course they would be if they were started by Naomi Campbell for her private birthday party at Nikki Beach St. Tropez. See you there. Friday 21st August, 7pm. Nikki Beach Bali
Bungalow Living’s new store, Canggu
It’s no secret we’re all big fans of Bungalow Living homewares on Pantai Berawa, it’s a life-sized jewel box of divine, delicious and unique treasures for the home and heart. So to keep up with their own major Bali love and demand, they’ve opened a third store which showcases even more unique treasures from Bali, India and beyond. We love that so many of their products are made here in Bali. And the Ginger Lime Cooler and Bungalow Salads (maybe the lemon meringue pies too) from their cafe. And we love BB King, Jazz and the gorgeous doggie crew. But mostly we love Giovanna’s selection of everything we all need to fill our homes with from the new store.
La Laguna, Canggu (Berawa)
Gypsy wonderland. Vintage playground. Eclectic and exotic, caravan-park-themed (that’s gypsy caravans only) bohemia. As featured in our latest Hot New Tables and New in Canggu stories, this Bali treasure fest of bar, restaurant and lounge delights every person who walks in for a myriad of divine, decor reasons – man, woman and child (they have animals!). Everyone is talking about it. With a good tapas menu and wide range of drinks featuring only Chilean wines, the only dilemma once inside is which part of the wonderland to sit and take it all in. Enter from the beach across a wide, antique-looking wooden bridge (beach-facing between Batu Belig and Brawa Beach), or the white lane just after La Finca (another fave) when travelling north from Batu Belig.
Sunday Brunch, Uma Cucina, Ubud
Did somebody say free-flow drinks, and food? Yup, Sunday brunch is a thang here in Bali, it’s serious socialising business. With no shortage of amazing options to try (watch out for our round up coming out any minute) – W Hotel’s Starfish Bloo is our favourite around Seminyak way – we love that Uma Cucina has put Ubud onto the Sunday brunch map.
This Italian-inspired restaurant at Uma by COMO, Ubud serves a fabulous Sunday menu of all-you-can-eat Italian fabulousness for IDR 199.000 (net, per person) or even better, IDR 399.000 (net) for free-flow non and alcoholic drinks. It would be rude not to indulge. Sundays, 11.30am-3.30pm. Uma Cucina, Uma by COMO, e: [email protected], p. +62 (0) 361 972 448.
Bambu, Seminyak
Though open a year or so, La Lucciola’s new sister Bambu in Seminyak is just always so great to visit. Relaxing, tranquil water ponds surround you and that simple, stunning food never disappoints. Bambu is an all-time fave to visit. Bambu, Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak, p. +62 361 3007 000.
Until next time, keep loving and respecting Bali.
Narelle