Best known to surfers, Medewi is an enchanting spot in West Bali that catches some especially great waves but also has a laidback, rural vibe. There aren't many places to stay, and most of the best ones are very low-key homestay spots that double as surf schools. As there are both good beginner and advanced breaks nearby, this is a good spot for all sorts of wave riders. The sand is jet black and as the tide recedes, you can duck between the roving cows (yes cows) and observe the ripples and silver dollars that punctuate the surface. It's one of our favourite Bali getaways.

Not as fearsome as the ripples offshore.

Tags: Medewi, surfing

This beautiful bamboo building, a showroom for John Hardy jewellery, is open for visits by appointment only -- you're supposed to go to see the jewellery, but the building is so impressive, architecture buffs should come for a peek at the structure alone. Bali and bamboo has been in the news lately, with AP doing a feature on the "craze" on the island; while that's a bit of a stretch, it's true that a new chocolate factory owned by Big Tree Farms is said to be the largest commercial bamboo building in the world. Stay tuned for a separate post on that, but in the meantime, make an appointment to go see Bali's original big bamboo building.

John Hardy jewellery showroom: a phenomenal all-natural building.

Tags: bamboo, Big Tree Farms, chocolate, John Hardy, John Hardy jewellery