The story begins with a random stroll through the streets of Ubud. I was wandering the streets without necessarily having a goal. I remember stopping in front of the shop and not being able to take my eyes off the fridge with the drinks inside, the color of the neat labels, but also the smell of the shop.
I remember running into a man with black plugs in his ears, and he let me taste the Jamu Balance and the White Tumeric. I knew that Switzerland had never had anything so good on the shelves of supermarkets or even small health food stores.
I took 8 packages from him and he gave me some ecens to try out, which I found adorable. I had taken some small packages for people to try out and some large ones too. But with one suitcase I wasn’t going to get far and it was impossible to bring back more.
I returned to Switzerland depressed after the end-of-year holidays, which I’d spent alone without my family. So I put incense in my abalone and made myself a Jamu Balance (I’m writing these few lines with my Jamu Red Ginger because I’ve just eaten and it’s the only one that soothes my stomach from the pain of sibo).
There you have it, my little Indonesian corner. Then I gave a taste to some friends who really liked it, so I thought I’d take some home for them when I got back to Ubud. I took so much that I had to buy another suitcase. During my stay in Ubud, I used to drink jamu Balance every morning in a bottle, otherwise I drink it hot in Switzerland.
I then looked at the Swiss Jamu market, but found nothing. Then, at the Jamu Sehati boutique (hait means heart in Bahasa Indonesian) I find it charming, everything is well put together after three years of fetching my Jamu sometimes from Canggu where I’ve seen them grow. Their marketing is incredible, who knew you could prevent so many ailments with medicinal herbs?
Three years after their constant use, I can assure you that my blood sugar levels are better, they’ve stabilized, my hair is growing back and, above all, I feel much better inside. I no longer need a cardiologist, except for the logical follow-up once every five years.
I decided to write to them and tell them that I wanted to represent them in Switzerland, because I think they deserve to be better known throughout the country, by doctors, spas and hotels. After some discussion, we agreed that I would return from my travels with a certain quantity that I would like to resell. So if you know any buyers, please help me, tell your friends, spas, hotels, sports centers, beauty salons, etc., about me. I’ll do what’s necessary to buy large quantities and resell them to you.
Warung Varuna is the place to go, from the tasty yellow rice infused with coconut and lemongrass, to the nasi goreng, the vegetables are fresh and tasty, the chicken in all its forms is delicious, a rimbambelle of dishes we’d all love to try. Don’t forget your whole coconut to stay hydrated. Located a few steps from Pantai Batu Bolong beach, this is a chill & stay spot, where you can take away or stay in and finish off with a cool ice cream just outside the door. It’s a meeting place for all Indonesian culinary specialties! The price is slightly low for the quality. Try the tempe manis/sweet tempe.
Warung Inklusive
Warung Inklusive is a typical Indonesian restaurant, also serving breakfast and Western food, from Bebek Goreng (fried duck) to Nasi Campur, and many other dishes. Your taste buds will be delighted. The restaurant offers happy hours, drag shows, and evenings where you can learn sign language. It’s the perfect combination of business and pleasure, with a sprinkling of fun! You’ll pay a bit more than the usual warung, but the service is good.
The sweet escape bakery
The Sweet Escape Bakery is a very small place for great aesthetic things, and it’s all gluten-free. I had a hard time finding it, but it’s easier to park in Gojek. They make birthday cakes on request, and the workshop is in the back. I went there for breakfast, where the pancakes were soft and fluffy at the same time, tasty. Accompanied by black tea, they were perfect.
Poke PokeRoti Canai
Poke Poke is my favorite for Poke (they have other things than Poke, of course). Why my favorite? There’s the choice of size, the ingredients are fresh, you’re asked if you want spicy tuna sashimi or not, choice between white or black rice, Balinese mayonnaise (a big favorite) or other, add quinoa if you like for 25’000IDR (=1.45 CHF). Basically, you can also follow the menus or create your own Poke for less than 10 CHF. Can you believe it? The staff are simply adorable! You’ll find Indonesian specialties next door in Roti Canai such as their incredible Soto Ayam (chicken, vermicelli and egg soup served with white rice), as well as the must-try Martabak, a thin, crispy pastry enveloping vegetables and chicken served with a delicate, fragrant curry sauce. Roti Canai means roti, in other words « bread », and believe me, there’s plenty to choose from, including onion and bacon roti… I’d also recommend the breakfast menu, which includes gluten-free waffles and a whole host of delicacies. There’s something for everyone, sweet and savory.
Sukun
Sukun is the Amnaya Resort Kuta’s very elaborate restaurant, where you’ll find everything from Western to Italian to Indonesian – yes, we’re in Kuta (the tourist destination) The breakfast is very copious if you can eat everything. I’d recommend the eggs Benedict, the hollandaise sauce, is really tasty if I can compare it to others where butter dominates. The gado gado is not bad at all… As for the dishes, the portions are small for the price. That said, in terms of taste and presentation everything is there, unfortunately less spicy than elsewhere, but I think that’s normal for an international hotel restaurant, as some people’s habits are not those of others.
Yuki / Bakso
On the Rooftop of the Beachwalk Mall in Kuta, please choose the Yuki bakso stand. Do you like fragrant broths, tasty meatballs made from chicken or beef (even fish, buffalo and so on)? Accompanied by crispy patties, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and sambal (chili puree), this is one of my favorite Indonesian dishes, and it’s very light, contrary to what you might think. Especially in this little stall run by a pretty lady dressed in pink and black with a warm smile. Dumplings (you can ask for tofu too), a mixture of crumb noodles and rice vermicelli covered in a light broth and you’ve got your meal for just 3 CHF.
BluefinJapanese fusion & lounge
At Bluefin Japanese fusion, I haven’t tried the teppanyaki, but I can tell you that it’s quite a presentation show that pleases their barbecues. As for me, I’d sometimes go for some sushi, gyoza, or soba (cold spelled noodles soaked in broth) served with crispy tempura.
Umane Cafe
Umane cafe and restaurant, but what a delightful aerial setting overlooking the rice fields! I advise you to look at the patisserie when you come in, you’ll see cakes, and you’ll know you’re getting a dessert 😉 . I’ve only been there once, but I can already tell you that the green curry was special, not like Thai curry, but rather a flavor I’d never eaten before and would give anything to have the recipe! My friend had a Mie goreng that looked giant and very good too. Their freshly squeezed juices and teas are sweetened with no added sugar.
Village Green
The Village Green is ideal if you want a full breakfast at a more than fair price! The choice is vast, with something for every taste. From the shrimp omelette to the eggs Benedict, the brioche sandwich with rucola and tomato tapenade, and finally my favorite, the big village green breakfast (toast and two egg style, sausage, bacon, hash brown, guacamole, salad, mushrooms and spinach), all well seasoned. You can always choose between pork or beef bacon and sausage. Basically, the latter is to be avoided if you have a lunch planned, but a must if you have the famous Bali-gover (Bali hangover). The welcome is friendly, and you’re sure to bump into Liza, one of the sweetest waitresses I’ve ever met! Don’t forget the dim sum aswell they are good 😆
Passo by Nook
Passo by Nook, this restaurant is just incredible, the environment is magnificent, between swimming pool, rice fields, palm tree, the decoration but especially the cooking! This nasi goreng was by far the best I’ve had in two consecutive trips to Bali, and believe me, I’ve eaten some nasi goreng, the balance between too spicy and not spicy enough! The fresh mango juice was perfect. The wait staff were simply pleasant, smiling and helpful.
Bale Udang Ubud
Bale Udang! Oh, my words! I lost my words on arrival! It’s such an incredible place, I’m going to put a few photos up here, so indescribable in a single paragraph dedicated to the food. It seems that the locals come here more than the tourists, which is just as well, because in Bali, fusion cuisine is often present. At Bale Udang, everything is refined, from the service to the dishes and purely local food, which is what I liked. I rediscovered the authenticity of Bali, with its chilies, garlic, and lemongrass.
HoiAn by MeVui
HoiAn ! Tested several times… and completely adopted! Between the bun, the Pho, and so on, it was an interesting Vietnamese culinary experience, and it gave me lots of ideas to try and reproduce at home. The setting is so friendly!
Ji Restaurant is located in Canggu Pantai Batu Bolong, next to the Tugu Hotel. Japan is served directly to the plate, and there’s a huge choice of sushi, each as colorful and tasty as the next. If you can’t decide, there are tasting plates (I recommend the Tic Tac Toe) and, for dessert, the coconut crème brûlée. But there’s also a light ramen, for once the broth is fine and it’s not stuffy! The menu is precise, the choice is not exorbitant and the products are very fresh. The quality/price ratio is respected. It may seem a little expensive, but in the end, it’s better to pay a little more for quality. Don’t hesitate to go around 6 pm when the restaurant offers a magnificent view of the ocean and a magical sunset!
En novembre 2022, je m’envolais pour la première fois seule, en voyageuse solo, n’ayant plus rien à perdre, pour une destination de rêve : Bali.
Pourquoi Bali ?
Je ne m’y étais jamais vraiment intéressée, puis en en entendant parler j’ai commencé à me dire que culturellement c’était là où je devais aller. Cette île de l’archipel Indonésien cochait toutes les cases :
# La culture # La spiritualité # La guérison # Les mythes et légendes # L’éloignement avec mon pays natal # La diversité naturelle, entre l’océan et la jungle. # Les sports nautiques
J’avais préparé mon voyage avec soin, ayant pour unique challenge de vivre dans l’instant présent et de me retrouver après un passage professionnel difficile. Un mois c’était trop peu pour moi. Il m’en fallait plus.
A peine rentrée dans mon pays que je reprenais un billet d’avion pour revenir au mois de mai. Oui, je me suis fait un super cadeau d’anniversaire pour une fois j’avais envie de démystifier cette date pour la rendre meilleur à mes yeux.
11.05 je débarque à Bali à nouveau pour le meilleur ! J’étendais mon visa quelques semaines plus tard .
De retour à Bali pour partager plus avec les personnes pour qui j’avais eu un réel coup de cœur lors de mon premier voyage, tu te reconnais ? Oui, toi aussi tu en fais partie !
Cette fois je bouge d’un endroit à un autre, j’explore un peu plus certain endroit, je ressens plus ce qui me convient et ce qui me convient moins.
Si je vous dis Canggu, Ubud, Legian, et Kuta. Ce sont des endroits dont je n’avais vu qu’une toute petite partie.
Ma technique est de réserver dans des endroit de toutes catégorie : hostel, hôtel et Resort. D’observer ce qu’il s’y passe.
1. Si vous recherchez un hôtel mais que n’êtes pas sûr de votre choix, vous pouvez me contacter et me demander mon avis en toute objectivité.
2. Si vous êtes un hôtel et que vous souhaitez apparaître sur mon blog n’hésitez pas à m’envoyer un message aussi, je serais très heureuse d’y répondre.
J’attache une grande importance des endroits où je reste car ils sont tous différents dans leurs style. Par exemple, si vous avez besoin de prendre simplement du repos, si vous souhaitez être au cœur du centre mais aussi proche d’une attraction. Si vous souhaiter en savoir d’avantage sur comment vous déplacer facilement et en moindre temps de votre emplacement à une destination voulu.
Il y aura un article condensé par hostel/hôtel où j’ai/aurai séjourné depuis novembre à maintenant. Cet article sera disponible à la fin de mon séjour à Bali.
Vous y retrouvez mes coups de cœur, ceux que j’ai apprécié, ou moins apprécié pour différentes raisons.
La liste des emplacements :
1. Eastin Ashta Resort Canggu 2. Sens Hotel Ubud 3. Dinara Hotel 4. Amnaya Resort Kuta 5. Roommates Hostel Canggu By Ini Vie 6. Ubud village Hotel 7. Ketut’s Place Villa Ubud 8. AmantraNa Canggu 9. Ramayana Suites & Resort Kuta
English Below 🐚
In November 2022, I landed off for the first time on my own as a solo traveler with nothing left to lose, to a dream destination: Bali.
Why Bali?
I’d never really been interested, but when I heard about it, I began to think that, culturally, it was the place to go. This island in the Indonesian archipelago met all my expectations:
# Culture # Spirituality # Healing # Myths and legends # Distance from my home country # Natural diversity, between ocean and jungle. # Water sports
I had planned my trip carefully, with the only challenge of living in the moment and finding myself again after a difficult professional period. One month wasn’t enough for me. I needed more.
As soon as I got back, I was buying a new plane ticket to come back in May. Yes, I had given myself a little birthday present, and for once, I wanted to demystify this date and make it more beautiful in my eyes.
11.05 I land in Bali, once again for the better! I extended my visa a few weeks later.
Back in Bali to share more with the people I’d fallen in love with on my first trip, do you recognize yourself? Yes, you do, too!
This time, I’m moving from place to place, exploring a little more, getting a better feel for what suits me and what doesn’t. If I say Canggu, it’s Canggu.
If I say Canggu, Ubud, Legian, and Kuta. These are places I’ve only seen a tiny fraction of.
My technique is to book in all categories: hostels, hotels, and resorts. Have a look for what’s happening there.
1. If you’re looking for a hotel but aren’t sure of your choice, you can contact me and ask for my unbiased opinion.
2. If you’re a hotel and would like to appear on my blog, please send me a message, and I’ll be happy to get back to you.
I attach a great importance to the places I stay, as they all have a different style. For example, if you just need to relax, if you want to be in the heart of the center but also close to an attraction. If you want to know more about how to get from where you are to where you want to be quickly and easily.
There will be a condensed article by hostel/hotel where I stayed from November to today. This article will be available at the end of my stay in Bali.
You’ll find my favorites, the ones I liked, or less appreciated for different reasons.
The list of places :
1. Eastin Ashta Resort Canggu 2. Sens Hotel Ubud 3. Dinara Hotel 4. Amnaya Resort Kuta 5. Roommates Hostel Canggu By Ini Vie 6. Ubud village Hotel 7. Ketut’s Place Villa Ubud 8. AmantraNa Canggu 9. Ramayana Suites & Resort Kuta