As you do at home, sometimes you venture further afield to try restaurants and explore new areas, and holidaying is no different. Often the gems are far from the madding crowd. If you're staying in bustling Seminyak or Kuta, you may want to venture away from the crowds for awhile, to laze and dine on a different beach - and like us you may get a glimpse of which part of the island you want to stay next time!
Sunday's Beach Club
We headed here for a late lunch, and I was taken by the clean blue water and the gleaming white sand. The entry from the cliff top is spectacular, and the whole family eagerly awaited the inclinator to take us to the paradise below. The entry fee includes towel and wifi, and a credit on the food bill. We had a drink at the bar and then escaped the sun in the restaurant for hour or so.
In the afternoon, we were set up with beanbags and an umbrella and the kids paddleboarded and played in the surf. They have pretty vigilant life guards too, and a very well organised set up. A few cheeky monkeys joined us at lunch, which was a big hit with the kids.
One of the big lures to Sundays is the nightly bonfires, with the s'mores for the kids. A definite must do in Bali!
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| Photo courtesy of Sunday's Beach Club |
La Laguna [ EDIT Now closed]
If you cross the rickety little bridge into La Laguna, you enter a gypsy village like no other. Wooden caravans, flower adorned pillars, cushioned alcoves and children playing in the little pool. There's a large grassy dance floor, or soccer field, and plenty of beach and water views to sit and watch the sunset.
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| plunge pool |
My regret is that we only stayed for nibbles and cocktails before heading up the beach to Finn's Beach Club for dinner. The menu at La Laguna offers tasty tapas and an array of wood fired meats & seafood.
This one is definitely worth a visit, and you can hit the beach at the same time and make a day of it. I was charmed by this place, and the vibe is laid-back and fun, It's definitely on my return list to explore the menu further.
On the other end of the scale, the Warung is the Indonesian Restaurant at Alila Villas in Uluwatu. Cocooned in extravagantly modern architecture, the open air restaurant offers clifftop views and high end Indonesian feasts.
Special mention also goes to Cuca in Jimbaran. I loved this restaurant but alas took no photos. This was a highlight of our trip, not because of scenery but because the food itself was an adventure. Little tapas plates, with imaginative and fun presentation. Absolutely worth making a trip to this gem by the ex chef at Daniel in New York. It is a culinary exploration that will delight all the senses.
If you head off the beaten path, Bali offers unforgettable experiences that can't fail to enchant even the toughest critic.
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| Sunday's |
Practicalities:
La Laguna https://www.facebook.com/lalagunabali/
The Warung http://www.alilahotels.com/uluwatu/dining
Cuca http://www.cucaflavor.com/
Further Reading:
Top Spots for Sunset Drinks in Bali
The Warung (Review)
The Warung http://www.alilahotels.com/uluwatu/dining
Cuca http://www.cucaflavor.com/
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| The Warung |
Further Reading:
Top Spots for Sunset Drinks in Bali
The Warung (Review)
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| La Laguna from the beach, a magical oasis |
How gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis all looks so amazing! I am very jealous. I hope I will get the opportunity to go to Bali someday. It's great advice to go off the beaten track to find something a bit more special. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic. Whenever we go anywhere new I always try and get as much of the local flavor as possible. Sometimes I get a bit too far off the beaten path, but its worth it for the experience #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteUgg, your pictures just told me that I booked the wrong location for our honeymoon next year! :( Beautiful! It was one of my top 5 locations I was considering! #MondayEscapes
ReplyDelete(www.caliglobetrotter.wordpress.com)
Truly a 'gem of a place' and you captured it so well ~ thanks or the beautiful tour!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy and Fun Week ~ ^_^
Gypsy village looks fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBali has always been on my wish list - and it's definitely being bumped up nearer the top after seeing this! #kcacols
ReplyDeleteI agree. Bali is so much better when you get out of busy Kuta and Legian to some of the more remote spots on the island. We stayed at Tanah Lot this year and loved being out of the hustle and bustle of Kuta. Uluwatu is also a gorgeous place to stay with wonderful beaches.
ReplyDeleteI like Bali, the crazy manic places and the quite places too. Uluwatu is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI visited Bali several weeks ago for the first time. I did mostly the popular things but I was just scratching the surface. I plan on returning to find more hidden gems like those you mentioned here.
ReplyDeleteWow! You visited a lot of nice places. Good to know there are certain places relax and have a good time (even though the island is very popular with tourists). #TPThursday
ReplyDeleteEverybody seems to go to Bali these days. I'd love to visit it too, it looks absolutely spectacular. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteYou found some lovely clubs that are starting to pop up all around the island.
ReplyDeleteThe campfire with smores sounds like so much fun. I love those air hammocks, they look so comfy. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Getting away from the madding crowd can make a real difference in your holiday. I'm always on the lookout for those hidden gems. Consider these places tucked away for a future visit! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!
ReplyDeleteLa Laguna does look fascinating. Are the gypsy caravans places to stay at or are they purely decorative.
ReplyDeleteWe have never visited Bali. Great tips for a visit hopefully in the not so distant future. Thanks for sharing. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteLovely selection of photos!
ReplyDeleteBali is on my list! This looks like a great place to dine and explore. I'm always game for a beach bonfire!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Bali in a while, and I always my stays there. You found some great spots. Next time I get there I'll have to wander by some of these. Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
ReplyDeleteI would love to take my kids back to Bali I haven't been in 15 years, you've got some great photos here and recommendations. Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
ReplyDeleteThis came at a perfect time! I am heading to Bali in three months and love reading about all the things to do and visit and where not to visit as well. Lovely photography too! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAmazing place, great photos
ReplyDelete