It seems Lombok is really starting to hit its strides popularity wise. Perhaps some travellers are being put off by the higher costs and larger crowds of Bali, while others are drawn to the increasingly lyrical reports from Lombok’s southern beaches. Whatever the reason, the best news is there are plenty of ways to get … read the full post

Villa Saraswati, on the outskirts of Ubud, is a beautiful, intimate villa with top-notch service; just right for couples who want to feel spoilt without breaking the bank. The villa is in Payogan village, a five-minute drive from the centre of Ubud. Its location isn’t ideal if you want to spend your visit popping in … read the full post

Bali’s Nusa Penida has so far escaped the rampant development of south Bali and is a long way from approaching even the level of congestion on neighbouring Nusa Lembongan. Which is strange, considering it offers some stunning beaches, amazing cliffs and wonderful, desolate scenery — there’s plenty here to see and do for a few … read the full post

Near the village of Ped on Bali’s Nusa Penida, the Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) runs a programme aimed at protecting and boosting the numbers of the endangered Bali starling, or Bali mynah. Numbers of the pretty bird, with white plumage, a long white crest and distinctive bright blue frame around its eyes, … read the full post

Accommodation offerings on rugged, out-of-the-way Nusa Penida are slim, and mostly focused around the main beach of Toyo Pakeh and in Sampalan, which is also home to the main market on the island. Here’s a rundown of where you can stay at the moment — expect things to change here quickly now though, with the … read the full post

It’s called Gusto Gelato and Caffe. It’s simple. It’s out of the way, tucked down a quiet street a good 10 minutes’ drive north of Bali’s Seminyak, in the more residential Umalas area. If you love ice cream, you’ve got to come here. If you don’t love ice cream, come here, and you will. You’ll … read the full post

When you head out to see the stunning cliffs of Bali’s Nusa Penida, it can take a moment to realise that not only are you staring across to sheer massive walls of rock that soar to hundreds of metres high, but you’re actually standing on those cliffs yourself. You know, about a metre from the … read the full post

With its mismatched furniture, burnished antique lamps and shabby chic vibe, relatively new Mantra on Seminyak’s Petitenget loop — just a short hop from Potato Head, away from the beach — has quickly turned into the place to be seen for dinner or late night drinks in this corner of the world. The feel is … read the full post

Warung Mak Beng in Bali’s Sanur is a one-dish restaurant that draws in the hungry locals, domestic visitors and occasional traveller by the table-ful. For 28,000 rupiah, you’ll get a fried, meaty piece of ikan laut goreng — in this case snapper steak — with a wonderful smoked sambal and kaffir lime on the side, … read the full post

We’re all for enjoying simple days beachside in Bali and love it when we can just be left alone to soak up the rays and dip in the thundering surf. Usually we’re partial to doing it on the cheap — think swim, sand and nasi goreng at Balangan for instance — but sometimes it’s worth … read the full post