Eat, Spa, Shop: The discerning girl's guide to Bali

Eat, Spa, Shop: The discerning girl’s guide to Bali

Natasha Gan

07 Apr 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:15

1/9
EAT: Babi guling
Babi Guling, or suckling pig, is Bali's most celebrated dish. It comes as no surprise because the simple dish is delicious. A visit to Bali is not complete without a plate of roasted pork and crunchy skin crowning a bed of rice, spiced with Genep, a blend of the island's local ingredients. Pop into any Babi Guling joint scattered around the city, but the current favourites are Pak Malen, Chandra and Bu Oka.
Address: Bu Oka Jl. Suweta, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Michael Gunawan
2/9
EAT: Bridges, Ubud
Tucked away in the tranquility of Ubud, Bridges restaurant is a romantic spot for a low-key fine dining lunch or dinner. It sits perched above Campuhan river, overlooking scenic, lush greens. Their menu is original and appetizing, pictured is their pan-seared salmon and shrimp crowning a bed of rice and carrot veloute.
Address:Jalan Campuhan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Natasha Gan
3/9
EAT: MoonLite Kitchen & Bar
Anantara Seminyak's rooftop is home to a stunning restaurant, MoonLite. Serving great modern Asian food with live jazz music in the background and a stellar view of the sunset, MoonLite makes an ideal spot for a romantic dinner.
Address:Jl. Abimanyu (Dhyana Pura), Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Anantara Seminyak
4/9
SPA: Royal Kirana Spa and Wellness
Take a day away from the tourist laden Kuta beaches or Seminyak strips of shops and head to the more serene Ubud. Within the same area of the island stands the world-class luxury Royal Kirana Spa and Wellness. Tranquility descends upon you as you enter the sanctuary, lined with lush greeneries and oozing with a relaxing ambience. Patrons are chaperoned into their private huts for their session. Look forward to being pampered like royalty with Shiseido products and be rejuvenated for the next chapter of your Bali trip.

Address: Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Royal Kirana Spa
5/9
SPA: Mango Tree Spa at Kupu Kupu Barong
Still in the charming Ubud neighbourhood and overlooking another famous river, is the Mango Tree Spa at Kupu Kupu Barong villas. The spa, offering amenities by L'Occitane, serves as a relaxing retreat for the hedonists. The Tree spa rooms sit atop of a mango tree, offering a majestic scenery with the soothing sounds of flowing water and rustling trees.
Address: Kedewatan P.O. Box 7 Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Photo: Kupu Kupu Barong
6/9
Anantara Spa
Anantara Spa makes another good chocie for a rejuvenating retreat. Make some time in your hectic schedule to indulge in serenity. Anantara Spa's elixirs and oils use fine and aromatic local ingredients from Indonesia to pamper your body.
Address: Jl. Abimanyu (Dhyana Pura)
Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Anantara Seminyak
7/9
SHOP: NAMU
Forget those beachy/surfy stuff found on every corner of the island and go for some luxurios accessories found at one of the most stylish boutiques in Bali: Namu.
The stuff here range from to-die-for stingray leather clutches to stunning handmade jewellery and chic resort wear. Not to be missed!

Address: JL. Petitenget, No. 234 X, Kerobokan Kuta, 80361, Indonesia.
Photo: Rana Wehbe
8/9
SHOP: Quarzia
If you're looking for special batik then look no further than this store whose Italian owner works with local artisans to create beautiful and vibrant silk batik. Using old techniques and modern design, the womenswear as well as the menswear range will appeal to any discerning fashionista.
Address: Jl. Oberoi 3A, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Rana Wehbe
9/9
SHOP: Jenggala Keramik
Jenggala Keramik is the best place to look for fine dining sets. They have a vast array of ceramic tableware, all culturally appealing and aesthetically pleasant. Pictured is the Pincuk collection, inspired by banana leaves. It's the right shop to visit if you're looking for a unique yet authentic Balinese souvenir.
Address: Jalan Uluwatu II, Bali, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Photo: Jenggala

To eat, spa, or shop in Bali? That is the question. The answer: all three.

Just like a diamond has equally beautiful facets, Bali is an island rich with treasures dispersed in all its corners. In fact, it’s hard to imagine running out of ways to enjoy the popular destination. In the rare cases that the golden sands of the scenic beaches no longer appease you, perhaps the breathtaking marine life is a good enough reason to go diving or snorkelling. If that too doesn’t suffice your ideal Bali trip, our mini guide most certainly would.

Being the girls that we are, we rounded up a few things-to-do for our idea of an easygoing, relaxed Bali trip. Nothing unwinds us like indulging in a spa treatment, eating, and shopping. Why settle for the second best when you can have a perfect spa session at the Royal Kirana Spa in the midst of Ubud’s untampered tropical beauty? Need we remind you to give yourself a treat with a shopping spree and a delicious plate of Babi Guling?

We think you will find our Eat, Spa, Shop mantra is no less of a girl’s best friend!

Natasha Gan and Rana Wehbe

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