Part 1: Sanur – Sunshine, Smiles & Surprises

Our holiday was on the calendar for months. A lot of planning (and let’s be honest, some friendly negotiations) went into making sure everyone was happy with the flights, dates, and hotels. By the time August 26 rolled around, we were more than ready to swap routines for Bali breezes.

Well… most of us.

Sue and Roby, being Qantas staff, pulled a clever move and decided to fly a day earlier—more seats available, less stress. They were up at 6am, bright-eyed and ready to start their holiday early. They got seats easily enough, but then came the curveballs: plane issues, long waits on the tarmac, staffing problems, and eventually being shuffled off to an airport that didn’t even know who they were. Welcome to “adventure before the adventure.”

Finally, after more delays, they made it to Denpasar around 8pm and treated themselves to the most expensive taxi in Bali ($85 to Sanur!) before settling into The 101 Oasis. A freshen up and a lovely dinner at Soya Japanese Restaurant was their reward.

Meanwhile, the rest of us were still at home, counting down the hours till our flight. Smooth sailing for us—we touched down in Denpasar at 3:30pm and headed straight to The Parigata Hotel & Spa.

Parigata is a charming, older-style hotel with staff who go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The bathrooms might need a little love, but overall, it was a great base. Getting to the beach, however, was an adventure of its own. The laneway leading to the water was under “renovation”—a term I use loosely. Most nights, we were climbing over sand piles, tiptoeing around machinery, and waving torches like amateur parkour athletes. None of us are built for parkour, but we laughed our way through it.

And then there was the weather. Bliss! Warm days, cool evenings, and sunrises that felt like gifts from nature. We walked, and walked, and walked some more—shopping, exploring, eating, and of course, indulging in massages at The Nest (highly recommended).

Food was a holiday highlight. I’ll admit, Indonesian flavours aren’t really my thing, but the others loved diving into the spices. We did stumble across Forketta, an incredible Italian restaurant, on our last night—why oh why didn’t we find it sooner?

One surprise was the pricing. Gone are the days when Bali felt like a bargain at every turn. Now it’s price + tax + gratuity. Tipping isn’t required anymore since it’s included, but if you love your server, it’s nice to give a little extra directly.

Sanur itself is a gem—quiet, stunning beaches with soft sand and calm waters, perfect walking paths, and endless friendly smiles. Dogs dart in and out of traffic with more skill than most humans, and the warm breeze never stops reminding you why Bali keeps calling people back.

Part 2: Seminyak – Shopping, Storms & Sparkle

Just as the laneway near our Sanur hotel was finally being completed, we were off again—this time to Seminyak, home to our favourite retreat: Villa Blubambu.

Villa Blubambu isn’t just accommodation—it’s our sanctuary. The moment Putu, Widia, and Nyoman welcomed us, it felt like coming home. Bags dropped, we headed straight out for some serious shopping. Seminyak and Legian are our retail playgrounds, and we wasted no time filling our arms with bargains.

With shopping bags safely deposited back at the villa, our next stop was Mozzarella, one of our favourite restaurants in Seminyak. And here’s the kicker—they remembered our names! With the sheer number of customers they must see, that felt incredible. The food was as delicious as ever—fresh, vibrant, and satisfying. After dinner, we strolled along the foreshore, soaking up the one-of-a-kind Bali vibe.

The next day was all about teeth—yes, you read that right. Chris and I had dentist appointments at Sunset Dental, and honestly, Bali dentists are brilliant. Professional, spotless, and far more affordable than at home. I had a clean and a couple of fillings. With my chalky teeth and super-sensitive gums, I was grateful for the numbing. In and out within the hour, although I couldn’t talk properly for a while—which the others thought was fantastic. Ha!

The rest of our Seminyak stay was a mix of walking, exploring, hair appointments at Dhio’s Salon, and even a tattoo at Salty’s Tattoo Parlour—because, why not?

Then came the storm. On our third-last day, the skies opened up and the rain fell hard. It cleared for the evening, but at 2am, the heavens truly unleashed. Lightning lit up the villa, thunder shook the walls, and for a while we honestly thought it might be an earthquake. The storm sat directly above us for 30 minutes before rolling across the island, and it raged for hours.

Back home in Australia, the news painted Bali as completely underwater. Our phones were buzzing with worried family checking in. Thankfully, Seminyak was fine, but nearby areas like Legian, Kuta, and especially Denpasar weren’t so lucky. Hearing the staff at Blubambu share their family stories was heartbreaking—roads cut, airports blocked, and taxi rides stretching to four hours.

On September 11, Sue and Roby left early and managed to get on the second flight out. For the rest of us, it was a day of tradition: massages, then lunch at Cafe Kami.

And then—jewellery time. We met Dat from Chaki Jewellery at The Pelangi Bali Hotel to collect our custom-made pieces. Dat is an absolute master. She created my heritage ring using diamonds from my mum’s rings and my own, weaving together history and love. Two more rings were made for my granddaughters, Ivy and Sofia, so they’ll each have something to carry forward. Another finished off my engagement ring makeover, with add ons gifted by my dear friend Anna, making it even more meaningful.

Anna also had her rings remade—her wedding and grandmother’s rings transformed into simple, elegant pieces. And then came a sweet surprise: I secretly picked up a pair of gold and diamond earrings for Sue, a gift from Rob.

But the biggest surprise of all? Chris and Dat sent me out of the shop so they could plan my 60th birthday present. I won’t know what it is until December, and I honestly can’t wait.

Seminyak gave us everything: shopping, storms, food, laughter, sparkle, and memories stitched together with love. It was the perfect second chapter to our Bali adventure.

Holiday Reflections

Looking back, our Bali holiday was everything a getaway should be—full of laughs, little hiccups, incredible food, and the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

Sanur gave us calm beaches, endless walks, and those magical sunrises that made every early morning worth it. Seminyak turned on the energy—shopping sprees, favourite restaurants, a storm we’ll never forget, and jewellery that will carry family stories forward for generations.

We came home with lighter wallets, fuller hearts, a few extra rings, and a whole lot of stories to share. Bali has a way of weaving together chaos and charm, and that’s exactly what keeps calling us back.

Until next time, Bali—you were beautiful. 🌺