Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Home... what do you love about it?
Home. What do you love about living here?
My new personal project exploring different places, cultures and people. Uniting us in one common thing.
I recently started a new personal project while in Bali. I love meeting people and this gives me an excuse to chat with them.
I also hope that it brings some connection to people from around the world. By getting to know others, realising how different (or in fact, how similar) we are generating better understanding, respect and friendship. Just imagine what that could do?!?!
I keep the question simple - but open. To allow my new friend to answer in a way they feel right. I record their answer by video then scribe (with a little editing) to caption the photo.
As I travel for work and fun, whether it's in my hometown or the other side of the world, I will meet people and ask 'what do you love about living here?'
A project of positivity. Exploration. Love. Humanity.
Bali - my fave places
So you have never been to Bali, but think it will be crap? There is more to Bali than Kuta and it's bogans, beer parties, and 'junket' stalls.
‘Bali?! I would never want to go there. Yuck.’
Sunset Bintangs - love them anywhere in Bali.
I hear this so often, and must admit, that I once said it too. But you know what? Once you get out of the bogan filled concrete city gridlock of Tuban, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, it can be a holiday of your dreams.
Yes, you can get some bargain deals when you stay in these areas - but I’ve learned it’s not worth it for me. If I have to walk out of my hotel, be surrounded by concrete, drunk tourists before midday, touts pestering me every second - then I’m not going to enjoy myself that much.
Love the rural side of Bali.
If I can walk out of my accommodation and be surrounded by chilled people, relaxing rice paddies or jungle and relaxed beaches, I am content - even if that does mean being awoken by the roosters at dawn. I’m happy to pay the extra.
A pool for the kids. At least they are sorted.
I love Bali because it’s close, it’s easy, has good surf, the people are beautiful, and the countryside is dreamy. My kids love it because it has pools. Wish I was that easy to please.
My first visit to Bali was in 1992. We had to walk along a road lined with rice paddies to get to Kuta from Legian, where we were staying. Since then, I have returned four times and stayed in Tuban, Legian, Sanur, Seminyak, Canggu, Menjangan and Padang Padang.
My top three are...
A deserted beach in Bali? Yes, it exists.
Canggu
You can ride a bicycle around the streets here
Echo Beach sunset chill sessions
Surfing at Old Mans
Walking deserted beaches at Berawa
Expat chilled vibe scene with funky cafes/bars/restaurants like Old Mans
Clean sand on the Bukit.
Uluwatu area
As one taxi driver commented, ‘you are staying in the jungle!’
Uluwatu cliff top bars
Surf beaches everywhere - with squeaky on the feet white sand!
It feels safe enough to ride a scooter around here
Kuta bogans don’t normally hang out around here. It’s more surfer/chilled vibe
Exploring Menjangan mangroves.
Menjangan Park
Breakfast on a deck that hangs over the tree canopies while watching monkeys trying to steal food
You get transported through the resort in open-sided double decker vans
Kayak through the mangroves
The cocktails at sunset after crashing it on the free bicycles make all pain disappear
It’s quiet, there are no shops, and there is not much to do except relax in the forest
I know this list doesn’t suit everyone, but it’s mine. It’s chilled, surfy, good for families that like a bit of adventure (and not five-star luxury). You also get half a chance to get to know some locals, make friends, rather than just highbrow it to the touts in the tourist areas.
Canggu Bali - and why I love it
Soul places around the world. Canggu, just out of the hustle of Kuta area, is one of mine.
Who has been to Bali? I'm not sure of the statistics, but a quick google tells me that in 2014 over 600,000 Aussies touched down on the Island of the Gods.
I've been to Bali four times over 13 years. Once when I was 12 years old, and we walked the rice paddy-lined street between Legian and Kuta. Another for our honeymoon, staying in Tuban. The next with friends, staying in a Seminyak villa, Ubud and Sanur with our nearly one-year-old daughter. And the last time, with our two children, staying at a surf resort in Canggu, Menjangan National Park and Legian. We also took a look at Medewi on the way up to Menjangan and like the look of that area.
Of all those places, Canggu has been my favourite. I see Canggu as the expat area where you have activity but nothing like the crazy business of Seminyak and Legian, just a few minutes away. We stayed inland, but with free bicycle hire, we were easily able to get to all the nearby beaches (some which were deserted on our visit bar fisherman's boats and huts), Echo Beach cafes, and peddle our way around the winding roads through rice paddies.
The vibe at Echo Beach is chilled and relaxed. A few restaurants and bars line the beachfront, with a few beanbags brought out for sunset drinks on the beach. I only ever saw the one hawker there, who came and asked, but then left as quickly as he appeared if we didn't want company. Sometimes we had a chat with him. I can imagine living here, and coming down here in the afternoons - surfing and having a sunset beer.
The road down to the beach is dotted with shops, warungs and restaurants. But there is still a lot of space between each, rice paddies reaching up towards to road. There are cars, taxis and motorbikes, but with a steady mind, I felt safe enough to cycle around on a loan bike. It is nowhere near as busy as the main tourist area.
Batu Bolong (Canggu) beach is even quieter still. In the mornings, after our morning surf, we would head to a warung for a coconut water. A few tables and the shack are behind the beach carpark, with a free cold outdoor shower for patrons. Great for washing the sand off after being crashed around in the waves. There is a surfboard rental place, temple and not much else. Away from the beachfront a few metres is the appropriately named Old Mans. We stopped here for a Bintang, watching expats working, checking out surf and arriving with friends on mopeds. Again, I thought aloud how great a lifestyle this looks - I could live here.
After messing around in white wash and small waves, our surf group asked to go to better waves. A short walk around the front of the temple took us to Old Mans surf break. As a newbie surfer in 6-8 foot (Bali standard) waves, it was scary. I'm thankful I only lost one fin in the shore break and walked out just a bit shaky - not hurt. But next time I will be pushier with my surf guide and say I'm not confident going out in waves that big.
Canggu does it for me - surf, relaxed, beautiful beaches, close to everything but quieter. Kuta, in Lombok also gives me this feeling, but that's a different story.
Where is your favourite Bali location?
