BALI - Through My Eyes

Letter from the Editor

Welcome to my first MAGMA mag.

Ever since I watched Julia Roberts’ “Eat, Pray, Love” I wanted to visit Bali. The different locations of the movie were breathtaking and the spirituality of the place really intrigued me.

I planned a trip to this magical island in South East Asia to celebrate my 30th birthday. I got to experience the soul of Bali for 12 days. All I can say is that Bali is like walking into a giant hug. I loved every minute of it.

Here, I want to share my itinerary and recommendations. Even though no trip will ever look the same, I hope it serves as a guide to finding your ideal Bali experience. Every trip has endless possibilities. Here are a few. ENJOY!

- MÁLE RODRÍGUEZ

FIRST STOP 📍 CANGGU

Where to surf, stay and play!

After traveling for +20 hours you need to take it easy. Don’t feel like you have to jump right into the cultural immersion as soon as you get off the plane. Take some days to relax. Some people go straight to Ubud (40 minutes from Denpansar), I recommend going to Canggu first. It’s closer to the Denpansar airport and it’s the perfect place to enjoy some chill vibes!

Recommendations:

2 days, 2 nights

CABINA

FLOATING BRUNCH

WELCOME TO TROPICAL PARADISE -

This is the warm welcome you receive when you step in this place. And that’s definitely how it feels like.

Sun, palm trees, exquisite decor + Breakfast @ the pool?! YES, please.

I do have to say many people are there just for the gram! Canggu is home for hundreds of digital nomads. These travelers create content for a living. No wonder why Bali is one of the most Instagrammed destinations. Don’t be surprise if you find yourself in the middle of a photoshoot. 📸

Finding balance

@ Desa Seni

I’ve never felt more relaxed in my life!

This place was just a dream.

Who doesn’t love a feeling of peace and harmony?! Loved their pretty swimming pool (it has saltwater to avoid chlorine drainage into the surrounding rice fields) and the surrounding nature.

Desa Seni is a great place to take a Yoga class and get a great massage!

The Lawn

For ever chasing sunsets ?! This is your place.

Order bites and delicious cocktails. Feel the breeze, enjoy the music and good company!

No more words. My mom’s face says it ALL.

Batu Bolong Beach

Ideal for surfing adventures

Batu Bolong is a great place for surf beginnersbecause the waves are slow and easy to catch.

If you don’t feel like jumping in the water alone, there are always great surf instructors available.

Balinese surfers are friendly and full of stories. Immersing yourself in the lives of the locals is one of the best ways of creating memorable experiences.

Potato Head Beach Club

Seminyak: Home for trendy hotspots

The vibe of the cafes, boutique stores and restaurants in Canggu revolve around surfing and are very much bohemian.

Seminyak on the other hand is the most stylish and upscale beach resort area. The distance between Canggu and Seminyak is only 5 Km.

In Seminyak you can find some of Bali's top dining spots where international chefs cook up world-class cuisine.

The food at Potato Beach Club was good. We of course wanted to try Balinese cuisine. Satay, or sate in Indonesian, are basically grilled slices of chicken, goat, beef, or pork skewered on sticks. It's a traditional food tourists can find in virtually every city in Indonesia.

Top ingredients in this festival of flavors: coconut , lemongrass, galangal and spices... A lot of spices!

Juice-bar Sipping

Hangout in artsy laid-back shops!

Good company, good music and good vibes literally everywhere.

Here we were getting ready to jump on the car to go to our next destination > Ubud.

All I have to say: WHAT A GREAT way to start our trip! And thank YOU - lovely person behind the screen. I’m writing this for YOU. And by doing it, I’m reliving my trip all over again 😍. See you soon in our next destination. Off we go.