BALINESE DREAM

This Indonesian tropical paradise is known as the land of sunsets, scooters and smoothie bowls. And it can be the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, as Monique McKenzie discovers on a romantic getaway

Setting foot in La Brisa Bali, a shipwreck-themed beach club built entirely using reclaimed wood from over 500 fisherman boats, is like being transported to a modern-day Robinson Crusoe story. Translating to ‘sea breeze’ in Spanish, rattan beanbags dot the floorboards wherever coconut trees aren’t popping through and daybeds overlook the ocean at Echo Beach, Canggu, where tourists soak up the magic of golden hour. All of the fish on the sustainable menu are line-caught daily by Balinese fisherman, chunky ropes line the paths and fishing nets are slung between palm trees. It’s an idyllic spot to park up for the evening and sip cocktails while reclining beneath a canopy of fairy lights. Just one of the many trendy beach clubs Bali has to offer, La Brisa is also possibly the newest, having only opened two years ago. Unlike some of the dated and overcrowded ones you might find in tourist spots around the world, the beach clubs in Bali are sophisticated, yet laidback and family-friendly.

But if lazing by the ocean all day doesn’t pique your interest and you’re more of an adventurous traveller, you’ll still be spoilt for choice in Bali, whether that’s exploring terraced rice fields, visiting exotic temples, or witnessing a traditional Balinese dance. Having long been on our bucket list, my partner and I booked a 12-day getaway to the land of sunsets, scooters and smoothie bowls, which turned out to be the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.

Sand and sunsets