If we're all being honest, my number one reason for choosing to stay at the Hotel Ombak Sunset was their infamous Datu Swing. That swing in the crystal clear ocean that you have seen all over Instagram and just want a picture on to complete your Bali photo diary. The swing did not disappoint, but the hotel was outstanding for lots of other reasons as well. 

Picture three tiny desert islands, fringed by white sand beaches and coconut palm trees, sitting in the middle of a turquoise sea - these are the Gilis. The Gili Islands have exploded in popularity in the last few years, with more and more people flocking to these stunning white sand beaches everyday. While we were in Indonesia, we spent two nights on Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three islands. 

Due to the traffic in Bali it can take significantly longer to get around the island then what Google maps or common sense will tell you. It can be frustrating and time consuming if you're not prepared. I found the best way to handle this was to organize my sight seeing by geographic location, to really avoid as much traffic as I could and spend more time exploring. Here are a few of my top highlights when visiting the Ubud region and the north of Bali Island. 

Although it's not recommended, it is naive to tell people not to rent scooters in Bali. I mean we did it, so why wouldn't you?! Rather than take a negative approach, I would like to share some facts and tips to make this experience easier and more importantly safer for you! I will begin by mentioning that Thom has been riding motorbikes for his whole life, so I was confident that he knew how to ride safely and was comfortable riding a bike. I would never have gotten on one of those scooters by myself.

If you do a Google search for the Sacred Ubud Monkey Forest there is no doubt that what will be returned to you is a long list of horror stories about naughty monkeys who prey on visitors and have no issue getting into your bags and pockets. In all honesty, that's not entirely incorrect! Hidden deep in the forest are a tribe of monkeys who rule over the sacred temples and run wild amongst the visitors. 

Set in the cliffs of southern Bali is Pura Luhur Uluwatu, which is also known as Uluwatu Temple. Ulu in Balinese means heart, and Watu means stone. It is one of the most popular temples in Bali, with hundreds of people flocking to the temple every day catch the sunset over the Indian Ocean and watch the Kecak Dance performance. 

There's nothing that screams luxury accommodation like an infinity pool overlooking the luscious green rice fields in Ubud and in my opinion there is no one that has achieved this better than Padma Resort in Ubud. Boasting an incredible 89 meter infinity pool, with some of the most tranquil views over the rice terraces of Ubud, Padma Resort in Ubud offers the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in the Balinese jungle.