Blogosphere, I'm officially back. I've been back in town a few days ago but still so exhausted. Not to mention I had a gig last night to prepare for. More updates on that later since it kicked so much ass, it deserves an entirely separate post. First, I'd like to say lots of thank you's to Nashe, Ejannz, and Nikolett for doing guest posts for me while I was away. You ladies have special place in my heart and are allowed to pinch my butt. Yes, Nashe, I got the hints.
Anyhoodle, I love Bali so much I feel like packing my bags again and stay there for months. I've been there a bunch of times yet the place still amazes me. I can't write every single thing but here are the things I love the most about my last trip, in no particular order ( if you love traveling and plan to visit Bali, take a note! ) :
1. PRETTY OCEANS AND BEACHES!
Due to staying at Hard Rock Bali, I only need to walk a few meters to go to the beach but somehow it isn't so impressive because Kuta and Legian beaches are complete tourist traps. I've spent a lot of time instead in Pecatu New Kuta beach, Kubu Beach, beaches around Seminyak area, and the secluded Padang - Padang ( where Julia Roberts shot Eat, Pray, Love ). I laid on the beach practically all day. I played with the waves, watched people, sipped drinks, tried a beach massage, learned to surf with mini board. The last one injured me pretty bad, I drowned 4 times and sprained my legs. It's WORTH IT though.
The ocean view in Padang - Padang
Ignore my signature flowery red pants and bask in the view!
Padang - Padang beach, pro surfer entering the ocean only.
La Luciola's Private Beach
Kubu Beach in Ayana Resort & Spa
Let's Surf! ( The wave is no joke! ) 
OKAY! I'M NOT GOOD AT THIS! HELP! 
Drowning, screaming, not my proud moment here. Look at the instructor chasing me.
Today's lesson : just frikkin' sit...
...or have a massage!2. Awesome restaurants, lounges and bars
Me and my mom tried to check a bunch of places in various places in Bali. From the fanciest ones to cheapest ones ( beach shacks selling seafood and roast duck, yum! ). We had coffee in one place, dinner in another, skip to another one for dessert and another one for the drinks and music. My favorites?
There are about 7 or so pools in Hard Rock in separate areas, which I love, but outside the place I stumbled to many pools too. In Ayana, for example, they have infinity salt water pool I like. In Klapa, like I wrote above, the infinity pool overlooking the beach and ocean is super awesome. This is why I have bathing suit under my clothes at all times.
4. Legian and Seminyak areas!
If you're a frequent Bali visitor, then you know how famous these areas are. They have shops, bars, restaurants, and lounges in every corner. People go there during the day to shop, eat, people watch, and drink and at night...hey, they actually do the same with the addition of all night partying. Last I heard, my friend almost went into a comma when she started drinking on 10 am then continued to party all the way until 9 am the next day. Drinks are pretty cheap with new bars keep sprouting here and there, in some corners you can even buy it from booze carts. No kidding. These are where most Australian tourists can be found ( Bali is the 2nd home for Australians and Pacific Islanders ).
5. Shopping, shopping, and shopping again!
Kuta and Legian have many, many places to shop. From chic boutiques, surf shops, until traditional markets where sometimes you wanna strangle the sellers, especially if you're not good at bargaining like me. These places are awesome for people watch too, I saw many foreign tourists looking astonished in cheap pirated DVD stores. Some were almost in a fist fight over fake Balenciaga and Jimmy Choo bags. I opted for cheap non fake stuff in traditional markets. Brought home 10 different kinds of I-Love-Bali shirts, jeweled bracelets and colorful sandals.
Beside all the details above, I also love spa packages and cabana massages that are available almost everywhere I go. Nothing beats the traditional Balinese spa, so relaxing. Now that I've had the much needed getaway, I feel really refreshed. Anxious too, I WANNA GO BACK.
How's your week? Anything I miss? Any scandalous news out there, beside someone grabbed David Beckham's crotch? BRAVO. Just saying!
Me and my mom tried to check a bunch of places in various places in Bali. From the fanciest ones to cheapest ones ( beach shacks selling seafood and roast duck, yum! ). We had coffee in one place, dinner in another, skip to another one for dessert and another one for the drinks and music. My favorites?
- Rock Bar. To reach it you need to ride an elevator down the cliff. The place is located on natural rocks 14 meters above the ocean at the base of towering cliffs. Perfect for sunset.
Woohoo! 
Pardon my pouty post-surfing-injury face!
- Ku De Ta. Doesn't everyone? It has been one of the most popular spots to watch sunset and have drinks / dinner in the island for years. Love the flavored mojitos!
Waiting for the sunset!
- La Luciola. The place is classy with no loud tourists, private beach and amazing Italian food.
- This open air restaurant / bar in Seminyak Beach, I forgot the name. They have 4 dollars a jug sangria ( I wish I was kidding! ) and fire dancers. Awesome-o.
- Klapa. The beach where I surfed above is just under this hip restaurant / bar complex. It's up the cliff with views to the beach and the ocean with infinity pool for the visitors to use. Perfect for chillaxin all afternoon with frozen pinacoladas and watch Balinese dancers before sunset.
There are about 7 or so pools in Hard Rock in separate areas, which I love, but outside the place I stumbled to many pools too. In Ayana, for example, they have infinity salt water pool I like. In Klapa, like I wrote above, the infinity pool overlooking the beach and ocean is super awesome. This is why I have bathing suit under my clothes at all times.
4. Legian and Seminyak areas! If you're a frequent Bali visitor, then you know how famous these areas are. They have shops, bars, restaurants, and lounges in every corner. People go there during the day to shop, eat, people watch, and drink and at night...hey, they actually do the same with the addition of all night partying. Last I heard, my friend almost went into a comma when she started drinking on 10 am then continued to party all the way until 9 am the next day. Drinks are pretty cheap with new bars keep sprouting here and there, in some corners you can even buy it from booze carts. No kidding. These are where most Australian tourists can be found ( Bali is the 2nd home for Australians and Pacific Islanders ).
5. Shopping, shopping, and shopping again! Kuta and Legian have many, many places to shop. From chic boutiques, surf shops, until traditional markets where sometimes you wanna strangle the sellers, especially if you're not good at bargaining like me. These places are awesome for people watch too, I saw many foreign tourists looking astonished in cheap pirated DVD stores. Some were almost in a fist fight over fake Balenciaga and Jimmy Choo bags. I opted for cheap non fake stuff in traditional markets. Brought home 10 different kinds of I-Love-Bali shirts, jeweled bracelets and colorful sandals.
Beside all the details above, I also love spa packages and cabana massages that are available almost everywhere I go. Nothing beats the traditional Balinese spa, so relaxing. Now that I've had the much needed getaway, I feel really refreshed. Anxious too, I WANNA GO BACK.
How's your week? Anything I miss? Any scandalous news out there, beside someone grabbed David Beckham's crotch? BRAVO. Just saying!
Posts
Faaaaahhhkk I love you in tees and shorts! Awesome surfing shots, was the instructor hot? :D
Mojitos? Sangria? I am saving this post for when I confirm plans to head to Bali. Tourist traps or not, biar gw jadi bule seminggu! XD