Discovering Bali

Natasha, one of our travel editors, arrived in Bali in late May, ready to spend the next two weeks exploring the island. She shares her experience and insights on this lush, spiritual destination.

Discovering hidden corners of the island

Bali is brimming with surprises—tucked-away villa retreats, crystalline jungle pools, and restaurants serving delicacies I had never even heard of. I was on a mission to find them.

My first stop was Sumberkima Hill Retreat, in northwest Bali. Scootering there from Canggu felt like an adventure on its own. The farther you ride, the sparser the traffic becomes, and the more sunlight filters through rustling tree canopies.

The air turned cooler, fresher, and soon the flat road gave way to steep mountain paths. Monkeys lounged along the sidewalks, often with not a single person around for long stretches.

In Balinese culture, there’s an understanding of the sacred energy between the sea and the mountains—you really can sense it here.

The ocean lay on one side, jagged mountains on the other. Fairy-tale villas with private infinity pools were tucked into the hillside, blending into the natural beauty rather than disrupting it.

At sunset, looking west, I could see the volcanoes of Java glowing gold in the distance. I was alone, but many visitors come here with friends or family for yoga retreats.

The yoga terrace overlooks jungle that stretches to the glittering ocean. At sunrise, we flowed through my favorite sequence—sun salutations—while the sky shifted from indigo to light blue. Soon, sunlight spilled across the landscape.

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Heading to Ubud

After a few blissful days of yoga, poolside lounging, and beach exploring, I headed to Ubud in central Bali.

The drive took about four hours, winding over mountains, through sprawling rice terraces, and little villages. The scenery was so diverse that I never got bored.

When I arrived, heavy rain poured down—perfect timing to explore the city’s shops and restaurants.

Ubud’s streets are lined with galleries and stalls selling paintings, blown glass, carvings, and every type of art imaginable. Sometimes wandering here feels like walking through an open-air museum.

Ubud is a yoga and art hub, but history runs deep too. Take Café Wayan, for example. Once a tiny warung in the 1980s, Ibu Wayan would serve black rice pudding to local farmers, and villagers would gather there to watch the evening news—the café’s only television was a community magnet.

Today, it’s one of the best restaurants in town, still serving banana pancakes with coconut, lime, palm sugar, and of course, the same black rice pudding. You can even join cooking classes to learn traditional Balinese recipes using fresh spices and ingredients.

And while the food is rooted in tradition, the coffee is as modern as it gets—you’ll find cappuccinos and lattes that rival any European café.

Finding balance in yoga and meditation

For those seeking spiritual growth, the White Lotus Yoga and Meditation Centre offers classes and workshops ranging from hour-long sessions to full-day immersions. It’s an oasis of calm right in Ubud.

A stormy day at Moksa

The next day, gray clouds hung low but spared me the rain until I hopped on my motorbike. As I drove through rice fields, thunder cracked in the distance, and within seconds, the rain fell in torrents.

I pulled into Moksa, a plant-based restaurant I’d been wanting to try, and settled into a cozy chair with a steaming coconut chai. Listening to the rain hammer the bamboo roof while gazing at Moksa’s lush gardens—it was the kind of stormy-day magic you don’t forget.

Choosing from the menu was a challenge: everything was vegan, creative, and beautifully presented. I tried barbecued tempe “ribs” with mashed sweet potatoes and greens—comfort food with a plant-based twist.

Behind the restaurant, a permaculture garden grows lettuce, squash, aubergine, and more. Waste is composted back into the soil. Food here truly goes from garden to table… and back to the garden.

Rainy reflections at Villa Constance

For several days, the rain didn’t let up. I stayed at Villa Constance, which had a yoga space with floor-to-ceiling windows, white curtains flowing in the breeze, and lanterns casting a golden glow.

I let myself slow down, savoring the music of rain and the dreamy ambiance.

When the sun finally returned, I woke to light streaming through lush plants outside my windows—eager to keep exploring.

A taste of Sayuri Healing Foods

In Ubud, a good day often begins with a smoothie bowl. I went to Sayuri Healing Foods, where everything is vegan, plant-based, and mostly raw—but still indulgent.

One recipe I picked up from their cookbook was for chocolate bliss balls. Here it is to try at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 g) walnuts or pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (170 g) pitted dates, chopped
• 4 tablespoons cacao powder (plus a little extra for coating)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Process nuts, vanilla, cacao, and salt into a powder.
2. Add dates while processing until combined. If too dry, add more dates.
3. Roll into small balls and dust with cacao.

Enjoy these little bites of Bali wherever you are.

Wrapping up in Villa Awang-Awang

By now, I’d been in Ubud for more than a week—plenty of time to see why it’s so loved by yogis and creatives.

For my last day, I stayed at Villa Awang-Awang, perched above a jungle ravine. A flower-petal bath awaited when I arrived, setting the tone for a luxurious finale.

From the veranda, I watched palm trees sway and heard a waterfall in the distance. Before sunset, I swam in the infinity pool, surrounded by tropical greenery. Later, lanterns lit the main area as crickets sang in the night.

It was the perfect ending to my Bali adventure.

For more info on Bali’s best spots for the modern yogi STAY | SPA | PLAY | EAT | SHOP | YOGA – Download our ULTIMATE BALI GUIDE for free.

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