Although a small island, Bali has something for everyone, and a certain vibe and feel for each of the towns. Not all towns are created equal in Bali, so before planning your trip, think about what you want to do, what your focus is, and also what will make you miserable (ie, traffic or college kids, old people, or slow service). Updating this after my seventh trip to Bali. I may be obsessed, but there is nothing like this island. And I finally traveled over to Amed on the East side, and then Lovina to the North. So it seems like a good time to update. Updated April 2025

Sister Side Note (ssn) – Bali really is for everyone! It can be so intimidating when all you see are Instagram Models & Influencers who have the perfect settings and edited images. This is not the vibe that you feel when you are there. It is accepting and welcoming and joyful. Don’t worry about getting the perfect shot – there is beauty everywhere and your memories and experiences are wayyyyy more important than your images!

Seminyak & Kuta

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Seminyak and Kuta are great for tourists. It’s a little more hustle and bustle, it caters to tourists, and there are plenty of chain hotels and restaurants. Seminyak is also where some of the best nightcubs and beach bars are located, so if you are young and looking for a great party vibe, Seminyak is your place. It is fun and outgoing, but a little more crowded. It is a big destination for Australian tourists, so there are plenty of western restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.

I find it crowded and chaotic, it’s not my favorite, but it is close to the airport (DPS), so we tend to grab a hotel if we have a late flight in or an early flight out. The Accor line of hotels is my favorite, and they have two in Kuta we love: The Heritage House and The Mercure. They are affordable and located just across the street from Kuta beach, so you also benefit from a fantastic sunset every evening.

• Beach Bars
  • Potato Head Beach Club
  • Echo Beach Club
  • La Plancha
• Hotels
  • The W Bali
  • Kima Surfcamp Bali
  • The Trans Resort Bali
  • Heritage House Kuta Beach
• Beaches
  • Kuta Beach
  • Legian Beach

ssn – my recommendation would be to hit these clubs & lounges first – the longer you spend on the island, the more wrapped up in the essence, the less you will feel like clubbing (just my experience)

Sanur

Sanur is a quiet little beach town on the south eastern side of Bali. This is quiet, and calm, and perfect for sunrise. It is a little more slow and easy going. This is where a lot of the retired Australian tourists tend to head. Also where I head for a few days of recovery after hosting a retreat and holding space for others in their healing and growing.

• Sanur faces South East so watch a bit of the sunrise and a bit of the sunset
• Restaurants & Beach Bars
  • Soul on the Beach
  • Soul in a Bowl
  • Jack Fish
  • Beach House Sanur
• Hotels
  • Maya Sanur Resort and Spa
  • Prama Sanur Beach Hotel
  • Puri Santrian
• Several Museums and Art Centers
• Patti’s Spa Recommendation: The Nest Beachside Spa

ssn – Sanur is where you catch the fast boats to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. Definitely worth a trip – whether a day or several. See our Nusa Penida post for inspiration!

Uluwatu

Uluwatu is surfer town. It has a lot of hostels and surf community hangouts. It is also on a cliff, so if you are up for the hike up and down to the beach, it’s a great place for a sunset view. There are some amazing restaurants and bars that sit up on the cliffside overlooking the ocean. If being right on the beach is not your priority, but having an amazing view is, Uluwatu is just amazing.

• The most beautiful beaches
  • Bingin Beach
  • Dreamland Beach
  • Padang Padang Beach
  • Suluban Beach
  • Thomas Beach
  • And a little further up, Jimbaran Beach
• Watch the surfers
• Restaurants
  • The Omnia Bali
  • The Rock Bar
  • Single Fin
  • Lucky Fish Lounge
  • OmBurger
• Uluwatu Temple
  • Check out the Kecak dance at sunset
• GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) Cultural Park
• So many hotels and rentals Cliffside in Uluwatu

ssn – Uluwatu was my favorite for views and relaxation. I can’t imagine going back without spending at least a couple of nights there.

Canggu

Canggu (pronounced Chang-goo) used to be a laid back surfer beach town. Since Covid, it has really picked up it’s pace and embraced the tourist vibe. Young and vibrant beaches, surfing, your epitome of a beach town, a little bit of everything. Definitely a great place to just lay on a beach during the day, and then drink under the stars to the sound of the ocean at night.

• Watch the Sunset
• Restaurants & Bars
  • La Brisa Bali
  • La Laguna Bali
  • The Lawn
  • KuDeTa
  • Segno (Speakeasy)

ssn – Canggu had the best vibe! Just surfy-low-key beach bar-happy.

Ubud

Ubud is considered the cultural and spiritual center of Bali. It is about an hour inland (hour and a half with traffic). You’ll find it to be Bali’s version of a big city, with plenty of scooters weaving in and out, lots of great restaurants and hotels. But in the middle of all this city kind of chaos is this amazing calm flow about everything. This cultural center has a truly a magical feeling. It is also very well located on the island for a centralized location for sight seeing of waterfalls, temples, and seeing Bali as more than just an island with a beach.

If you are not in Bali for a beach, then Ubud is definitely my choice for where to be, a little bit of everything all wrapped up into a fabulous energy. My yoga retreats (we are booking for 2026 if you are interested!) are always held in Ubud. But I love staying in other areas of Bali before and after, to take in the full feel of the island.

• Restaurants/Bars
  • Hippie Fish
  • Laughing Buddha
  • CP Lounge
  • Ibu Susu
• Spas
  • Cantika Zest – hands down our favorite and first stop upon arrival!
  • Green Tara
  • Bali Botanica
• Waterfalls
  • Tegenungan
  • Tukad Cepung
  • Kanto Lampo
  • Tibumana
• Temples
  • Tirta Empul
  • Tirta Gangga
  • Saraswati Temple (visit the Lotus Cafe in front of the temple for amazing views of the lotus flower ponds)
• The Campuhan Ridge Walk
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces or Bali Swing
• Sacred Monkey Forest

ssn – Ubud was amazing (Patti is so right!). Anything you want to do, from spa treatments to waterfalls to the Swing can be done from here.

Tanah Lot

This spot on the Southwest coast is a must for sunset viewing, rock formations, a temple and famous Kecak dance performances. It is beautiful, and one of my favorite places for sunset. At low tide you can walk out to the temple and receive a blessing. At high tide, the temple becomes an island, unreachable, but beautiful.

Munduk, Bedugul

The towns of Munduk and Bedugul are the gateway to some of the most scenic but least visited spots. It is a low tourist experience, with lots of hiking and goregous views.

• Waterfalls
  • Nung Nung Waterfall
  • Banyumala Waterfall
  • Leke Leke Waterfall
  • Munduk Waterfall
  • Sekumpul Waterfall
• Temples
  • Pura Ulun Danu Temple
  • Lempuyang Temple (Gate’s of Heaven)
  • Handara Gate
• Hike Mt Batur or Agung – a very early morning start but this is the most convenient place to stay. Definitely worth it for the sunrise

ssn – I cannot wait to do some of these waterfall hikes on the next trip in 2026!

Lovina

We found the town of Lovina pretty nice.  It was very much what I assume lower Bali towns were 20 years ago.  With a hint of tourism and Westernization, but still retaining Balinese charms and a much lower level of crowds.

Lovina is known for the place where you can swim with Dolphins.  I know, sounds like a horrid tourist trap, right? This is conflicting for me, as I tend to shy away from activities that interfere with animals in their own environment, but we did it.  And it was amazing!  I started off very concerned because we took this little boat out for about 90 minutes to get to “the spot”.  There were about 15 other boats, but we were informed that this is the less busy spot.  When the pod of dolphins is spotted all the boats head for them.  You can get in the water and hold on to this swing-like contraption that pulls you along while the boat drives.

And it was absofuckinglutely amazing!!!! I spotted the dolphins way down below us in the water, and the boat just drives along with them, and when they start to surface for air and jump, you are right there in the middle of it.  Hands down one of the coolest things I have done.

The snorkeling in Lovina is also lovely, we did spot a turtle and some amazing sea creatures on our way back.

• Things to do
  • Swim with dolphins
  • Snorkling West Bali National Park
  • Deer Island
  • Jatiluwih rice terrace
• Hotel
  • Mimpi

Amed

This small town on the eastern coast is technically made up of three areas:  Central Amed (Amed Village/Jemulak), East Amed (Lipah and Selang), and Tulamben. Amed is big for snorkeling and scuba diving.  There is the Tulamben wreck which is a USAT wreck from WII that has become a coral bed, a Japanese shipwreck, and then Jemulak where you can just walk right off the shore and find some amazing coral and fish snorkeling.

Amed is perfect for some quiet down time, just sitting by the sea, enjoying the view, and swimming with some great tropical fish.

• Hotel
  • Puri Witara
• Restaurants/Bars
  • Gusto’s
  • Baby Dragon Bar

I love them all, but they all provide something a little different. So enjoy your trip and I hope you get to see all the amazing destinations that Bali has to offer!

Other Bali posts

• Nusa Penida
• Canggu Speakeasy Guide

Sister Side Note (ssn ) – I would never say that!! But those ticket prices…ugh!

I shall call this segment “Mrs-behaving” – and it will be a rarity.  Not that I am not very much in love with this man, but (sorry, honey) he’s not as fun or funny as my sister.  I was a little concerned if he was up for the task. And could he rally through a one-and-done, and could he be flexible in his plans?  Also, if there were one too many whiskey drinks, I knew Captain No-Fun would be making his appearance.  But the man is a trooper, and always up for a cocktail, so we were in for a night of exploration.

As it turns out, with the growth of Canggu (Chang-oo) since the time of Covid, they have had hidden bars/speakeasies begin popping up. I was shocked at how many there were.  Now, Canggu, plus the adjoining Seminyak and Kuta, are heavily Australian touristy.  What used to be a laid-back surfer paradise has now been filled with beach clubs and overwhelming nightlife.  It’s a bit of a nightmare in my world, but I am here for our supporters who need to know “how legit is the speakeasy scene in an Australian tourist heavy thumping club hot spot.”

I had my doubts.  I assumed they would club it up and make it obnoxious.  Would they miss the vibe of the speakeasy concept?

They proved me wrong in a big, big way.

(PS, I hate being wrong almost as much as I hate bridges, but I am so happy to be wrong in this case.)

Night one was canceled due to major storms and a busted hotel window, so we had to do a little shuffling and then narrow it down to the “Most Likely to Succeed” in an effort to streamline our experience.

Stop One – Fail

Our first stop was The Backroom.  Now, we were a little confused.  Maybe a little lost in translation on their website.  We couldn’t find details to clarify.  Nowhere to make a reservation.  It says Sunday Only on their website and then talks about Afro Roots, but not many other details.  We did see from the drink list that it was a Bruce Lee themed, so we knew we had to figure this out and it needed to be done.

We show up at 6:00, when Google says they open.  A hostess at the front restaurant says no, they open at 7:00 on Sundays (so, they apparently are open other days) – Sundays are a private party from 6-7 – which is apparently the Afro Roots section, and you need to have requested to be put on the guest list.

We got extremely lucky however that one of our missed choices from night number 1 was just a couple of doors down, and so Segno was back on the list! 

We waited at the restaurant right next door called Luma, and it was this gorgeous space, light and elegant.  The espresso martini was made with Frangelico and graham crackers, it brightened our mood from The Backroom failure (omg, does that sound dirty to anyone else).

Segno

This was listed online as a Japanese theme, and looked very elegant, so it originally didn’t make the cut for night number two, but with the convenience of location and availability of reservation we decided to go for it.

And we are so glad we did.

The Entrance

It is well hidden on one of the main streets in Canggu.  On the street sign above the Luma sign is just the S-logo, nothing else.  There is a metal sliding door, with just the same S-logo next to it.  You slide the door open and inside are carpeted stairs, and gorgeous hand carved decorative statue at the top and a turn to the left for more stairs leads you to just the same simple S-logo at the top.

The Experience

Then a man comes around the corner, as they were just opening, he gets our name, goes to check our reservation.  And then this other man comes around the corner, the best way to describe him was “perky”, Hi, how are you?  Welcome Welcome Welcome!!  Down a short hallway and through another door and we are in this amazingly beautiful, super elegant looking room.  Minimalistic, sightly Asian, without being a Peggy back-alley vibe Asian (I’m looking at you Here Kitty Kitty).  And I am honestly in love. 

Perky man in front of us says “Welcome, guests” and the entire bar staff say “Welcome, Welcome!!” – and I’m falling head over heels for this place.  Big long bar and these cushy leather (or pleather?) comfy chairs at the bar, beautiful, elegant lighting, lots of dark wood.  Gorgeous space.

The drinks were intriguing, with a lot of infused spirits with things like blue cheese infused cognac and jamu infused vodka.  Strong lean towards Balinese flavors with yuzu, jackfruit, and a long list of different bitters.

In a nod to my missing sister, I ordered a Canggu Pornstar martini in her absence.  The twist was in the jackfruit butter-washed rum and egg white.  It was creamy and delicious. I would say the second best Pornstar martini I have had (next to the amazing Cartagena experience).  Pat had the “Cloudy Sour”, which was an earl grey infused vodka, with amaretto and Grand Marnier. A strong choice and impressive way to officially kick start the night.

But the service was the highlight.  Everyone was amazingly friendly and engaging.  They have been open for 3 years, and pride themselves on impeccable service and expertly crafted cocktails.  We were absolutely blown away and hated to leave. 

We are sad not to give this a full 5 shaker rating. But they only qualify for 4.5 since there really is no challenge to enter, just a need for a reservation.  However, we have got to give them a 4.5+ because the service was THAT good. 

More disappointment

We dashed back to The Backroom since they would be open.  The hostess escorted us back.  It is a little hidden, but not well, wooden slider door, but there was a security guard standing outside.  There was not a soul inside, but it was still Afro Roots with heavy bass thumping, Afro Roots posters on the wall, but pretty stark otherwise.  We were only in for a quick one and done, and the bartender was not helpful, but the fireball shots were cold and on special.  One shot and out we go for our very much anticipated third stop.

I really think if we can find time to go back, we should.  We should give them a fair review based on their Bruce Lee theme before we count them out entirely.

Cloak and Dagger

Right up the road, and the stop I was most excited about, was Cloak and Dagger. The theme: Serial Killers from Around the World. A little dark, but come on, let’s go explore the creepiness factor of this concept.

The Entrance

Fully hidden inside Mad Ronin Ramen bar, there is not a single sign to be found.  But we asked the Ramen man, and he seemed genuinely happy we were there for the speakeasy.

Down a tiny hallway, through some freezer food locker-looking plastic hangy-things to some steep curved metal steps up we go.  Open the heavy metal door at the top and step into the room at the top.

The Experience

Cloak and Dagger is a serial killer themed speakeasy.  And this was an absolute NAILED it for theme.  Lining the back mirrored wall are books about serial killers. The little tables are lined with pictures and news clippings of serial killers. The back wall has shadow boxes with butterflies and bugs (ala Silence of the Lambs).  On one side of the wall are large apothecary jars filled with floating body parts.  Behind the bar is a huge wall of serial killer photos and police scenes (without being too graphic), with red yarn connecting the different items like a TV police murder board.

The drinks are all named after famous serial killers from around the world.  I mean, who knew?  Serial killers aren’t just a United States thing.  The menu book tells you about the cocktail and then a little rap sheet from the killer – known number of victims, death date, death mode, location, etc.  Completely on point!

The cocktails themselves were creative.  Andreas Mendoz was a Mexican serial killer, so tequila based with banana shrub and salted caramel.  They make a lot of their own “shrubs” for their cocktails and were definitely enthusiastic about the process.  Pat had a Japanese killer drink named Takahiro Shiraishi: Gin, Ginger shrub and umami bitters.  Definitely on-theme, and definitely great flavors. 

Service was great.  One bartender was quiet and reserved, definitely a brains-behind-the-outfit kind of person, very knowledgeable and interesting.  The second one was a happy talker, ready to share the story and concept, and a little behind the scenes about the drinks. 

By now we are starting to realize that Canggu is definitely taking this speakeasy concept to a new level, and we are definitely impressed.

The Mail Room

This was the one most talked about, inventive entrances always make for huge social media exposure.  I had made the reservation on WhatsApp; they kindly moved it from Saturday night to Sunday night when we had the smashed window incident.  I get an email upon confirmation of the change that gives me a mailbox number.

The Entrance

Much like Segno, there is nothing but a sign on the street with a picture of a key.  Turning in, there is just a simple outdoor counter, but next to that there is a long hallway with a door with the same key picture.

We check in with the woman behind the counter with our reservation name, she says “do you have your mailbox number” – why yes, yes, we do!  (with a little squeeeee of excitement).  Down the hall, she opens the key door and lets us into this little room, maybe 6’x10′, with a wall of old-fashioned mailboxes.  We     locate our box number, open it, and inside is a key that matches the logo key.  We use that key to open the second door and walk into this tiny space the really gives off the roaring 20’s art deco feel. 

The Experience

It’s beautiful, and small, maybe seating for 20 people, but only about 8 in there when we arrive.  Blue velvet seats and small tables, a bar at the back that takes up about half the room lengthwise, with mirrors and brass details. 

The cocktails books have pictures of the presentation and details in hand sketched drawings.  Ok, this reminds me of on Great British Bake-Off when they describe what the bakers are making and show you the artist rendition of the details. It looked like that. 

Inventive, Instagram worthy presentations, dry ice smoking, Aladdin’s lamp, floral gardens, and a mini popcorn machine looking one.  Pat orders first, his comes out in a brass stag shaped holder with a beautiful elliptical glass. She sets it down, pulls out the lighter and sets the entire bottom of the drink on fire and it sparks like moss (picture the fire in Bambi).

Mine is next and it was “The Curious George”.  While the picture shows a distillery type set-up, our cute little waitress informs me that they cannot actually bring that to the table. It is used to distill the coffee and parmesan cheese extract into the vodka, and the process takes hours to make this little beaker of flavor.  But wait, yes, I did say coffee and parmesan cheese, it also has Amaro and Bols White cacao liquor.  The presentation itself was uneventful except for the sprinkle of parmesan on top.

Then Arta orders his drink.  Arta is the best driver in Bali and our Balinese family.  He gets the “Aladdin’s Iced Tea” lamp drink which comes out smoking in dry ice. Little by little you pour the contents into a little shot glass and drink, then refill.  It was very cool!  The menu just lists it as “five fine spirits”, with lemon root beer, and orange Jell-o(?!).

Since we were short on locations in Canggu for the night and the drinks were so experimental, we decided round two was in order.  Where I stumbled upon “Into the Wild”:  vodka, mangosteen cheese infused foam, mangosteen juice, and it comes with the best cookie on the planet, the macaron.  Served in an old-fashioned ice cream dish on a bed of flowers and grass. It was gorgeous, and I kept saying it was very Alice in Wonderland-y.

I have no idea what Pat’s second drink was, because I just didn’t care – I had Mangosteen and a cookie!!  Oh, wait!  No!  He had the “Bona Fide”, gin in an earl grey tea infusion with pandan, lime, and clarified soy milk. All served in this super cool smoking teacup suspended like a gyroscope inside this cool porcelain holder.

And this is when the conversation turns to an earlier dispute Pat and I were having.  Pat tries to disparage the #1 drink of the year, the PST Pho back Jameson shot Peggy and I had in Seattle.  I showed him the video, I explained it’s amazingness, and he keeps saying I’m wrong, it sounds gross. I know, dear reader, you will side with me when I say he was just being dumb.  But he tries to sway Arta to his side, swearing Pho Fat washed Jameson sounds disgusting and how could a warm Pho broth be a good chaser, but he is drunk and stupid, so I have to prove my point, obviously.

And that’s when it is found, the drink to prove him officially wrong!  The Mail Room presents the drink I didn’t take a picture of the menu for.  However, it is a Rendang washed Jameson – rendang, as in the SE Asian dish Beef Rendang.  It is a beautiful cocktail, served in a box, with a giant round ice cube floating in a whiskey glass.  And it is beef rendang in a glass!!

It is actually almost too spicy for me, but a definite curry-based drink.  And it tastes like beef rendang (throw back to my liquid ham, Japanese breakfast, obsession)!  And HA!  I HAVE PROVEN HIM WRONG!  Jameson has been infused with beef, and I am happy!  It is served with a piece of beef jerky to add to the experience, and He was WRONG, these kinds of drinks exist and must be experienced. 

And overall, this gets one of our rare 5-Shaker winners.  The service was amazing, our server was knowledgeable and made sure you knew what you were ordering and the flavors and feel of the drink you were interested in, everything came with a presentation, there was the mail key challenge to get in, it was hidden, and we are so very impressed!

Wrap Up

So, our night ends with slightly tipsy Pat, and happy Patti, and a driver taking us back to our hotel. This night was a success, and we are so blown away by Canggu speakeasies.  We need to find time to go back later for more stops, there were definitely some we had missed and now we have a mission for our next visit.

Other Bali Posts

• Bali – A Beginner’s Guide
• Three Incredible Days on Nusa Penida

Patti is a yoga teacher who had been to Bali previously but was leading her first retreat in 2019.  The retreat was 7 days (click here for more information on her retreats) and was packed full of cultural excursions and spiritual healing that checked a lot of our Bali wish lists. This was her first year, so Peggy attended the retreat to lend a little moral support. We extended our trip an extra week for a some sister time and #sisbehaving after the retreat. Starting with Nusa Penida then on to Canggu and Uluwatu. Our extra Bali days will be covered in another post.

We opted to spend a couple nights out on Nusa Penida, a small island to the south of Bali. There are a few bucket list items on Nusa Penida, but otherwise it is a quieter, less modernized version of Bali.  The people are wonderful and welcoming, but it is definitely a slower, less touristy place, with not very good roads (not a place to rent a scooter unless you have extensive riding experience).

Sister side note (ss) – We opted for an Airbnb that had the option to hire a cook for meals (it was pretty remote) and a driver for touring the island so we had these resources at our disposal!

Getting to Nusa Penida

You will need to take a ferry to get there, about a 45-min ride from Sanur. There are several ferry or fast boat options. We used Idola Express and bought our tickets online before we left home.

The other thing we found out about Nusa Penida is that it is even hotter than Bali, and we spend quite a bit of time pretty miserable due to the heat. That being said, it was beautiful and peaceful, and absolutely worth a trip. 

Nusa Penida Day 1

Broken Beach

The true “must see” sights on Nusa Penida are quite far apart, so plan one day to just spend driving around the island. This is what we did.  Broken Beach was first on the list.  The pictures are crazy beautiful, but I didn’t feel that is was that awe-inspiring in person.  Of course, my recollection could be swayed by the heat, and the crowds.  I look back at the pictures and it is truly a beautiful view.

ssn – I did feel that it was awe-inspiring. I was underwhelmed by the other “must-see” location – Angel’s Billabong – see further down.

Angel’s Billabong

Our lovely driver then took us to Angel’s Billabong. It is on the list of Nusa Penida sights but again, it was a little drive and the roads are a bit primitive. It was really one of those, get out, wander out amongst the other tourists, take some pictures and get back to the aircon (lol, that’s air conditioning for those from the US)

Klingking Beach

After a quick lunch at a local warung, we hit up Klingking beach. It is the iconic T-Rex rock that is all over Instagram.  Its crowded and touristy, but it really is an incredible sight to see.  However, the hike all the way down to the actual beach is about a 45 minute walk, coming up it’s over an hour of a fairly steep climb. So if you plan to spend anytime down on the beach, plan your day accordingly.

ssn – We did not go down to the beach. Next time for sure! We just didn’t have enough time and did we mention that it was hot af?

Our AirBnB

Pretty much called it a day after this and headed back to our AirBnB, because I did forget to mention that it was insane!  What an amazing find, the view was spectacular, and I loved just being alone on this hilltop. 

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Nusa Penida Day 2

Snorkeling with Manta Rays

Day two was a complete score for us.  We decided that snorkeling with the Manta Rays needed to happen.  There are numerous companies that provide this half day snorkeling adventure, and if this is your thing, this is a great place to snorkel.  Boats make two or three stops at different places, including Manta Bay, equipment is included.

We, however, had a taxi driver who knew a smaller side company. Our big hang-up was spending half day on a boat, when we were on a limited time schedule.  Instead we got in on this smaller boat, with 10 other people, friendly staff, and only 2 hours of total time.  Obviously, if you are in it for the full snorkeling experience, take the longer boat trips, but we were focused on just making the mantas happen.  And they did! We saw two fairly up close (not close enough to touch, but still RIGHT THERE).

A word of caution, because there are so many tour boats, be prepared for a lot of people in the water at once, and a lot of people crowding every time there was a manta in the area. 

ssn – three things to note, this was Patti’s first time snorkeling so that was super exciting! Secondly, jellyfish babies everywhere and their stings hurt! Thirdly, just being out there on the boat was unbelievably beautiful. Therefore, you are getting lots of pictures!

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After the boat trip, we were famished and ready for a drink.  The cool thing about Nusa Penida is lots of small beach restaurants, all sitting right on the beach.  We ended up at Penida Colada – obviously for the name.  A couple of cocktails and some fabulous local food, and we were happy for the day.

ssn – I still dream of their Dragonfruit Margaritas

Nusa Pendia Day 3

The Cave Temple

Our final day in Nusa Penida, we made a last minute decision before our boat ride back to Bali that we needed to see the cave temple.  This was my favorite part of the island.

Goa Giri Putri Temple was incredible.  You hike up about 200 stairs to the top, get a blessing before going in, and then there is this little hole in the side of the mountain, just big enough to squeeze through.  You back in, duck under this low low ridge, stand up on the other side, and BOOM, big huge cave temple inside the mountain.  I am so glad we made time for doing this temple.  Completely worth it.

ssn – this was such a special visit. The peace and serenity were so moving. And they will rent you a sarong if you don’t have one, so no worries there.

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Lunch with a View

After the temple we stopped for lunch, again, beachside restaurant. Super cute, with amazing Mie Goreng, and a fantastic view.  We definitely felt these little beach spots refill your soul and make you feel completely grateful for your life.

ssn – The seafood Mie Goreng (fried noodles) was the best of the whole trip!

We headed back on our fast boat to Bali for our last few days in Uluwatu.