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Tag: Backpacking trip

  • Ultimate Backpacking Packing Guide: Essential Tips for Your First Adventure

    Ultimate Backpacking Packing Guide: Essential Tips for Your First Adventure

    Let’s be honest, that first time packing your backpack ready for travelling is both exciting and daunting- excited for what is to come, but overwhelmed with knowing what you need (and don’t need), especially if you are going for a longer period of time.

    So, please read on to see our top tips on things to pack for your first backpacking trip! We always forget things, but having a list as a guide is always a great start!

    We believe these are great things to pack, but everyone differs, and we are sure you will find your own packing style with time; some don’t like packing smaller amounts, and will opt for larger bags to take more, whereas some are just happy with a small bag and simplistic packing list.

    *This post includes affiliate links, which means we can earn a commission- however, this doesn’t cost you any extra, and all opinions are genuine and our own 🙂

    Bag options

    A great start to packing is essentially what will hold it all! You may already have your bag, but if you don’t this is our small guide.

    We prefer to backpack rather than bringing suitcases, and we also try to opt to handheld luggage rather than checked in bags. For us this keeps costs lower and makes the travel experience more enjoyable. The last thing you want to be doing is walking around with a heavy bag on your back on tiring yourself out!

    There are many opinions online about what bags to use, what size, what brand etc, so here is our top list!

    Osprey Farpoint 40 – This backpack is a staple amongst many travellers! Being a lot cheaper than the luxury brands, this is a quality backpack from a well known brand. It boasts quality durability, is lightweight with a great framework and is a great option for most people! This backpack has a hip strap to help carry the bag, a breathable harness strap, and comes in multiple colours! Check it out here.

    Peak Design Travel Backpack – This backpack is more expensive, however many call this the best travel backpack they have owned! Featuring up to 45l of storage, is can be compressed down to a smaller 30l bag, making it suitable to be a handheld bag for most flights (check individual airline separately)! It features designated laptop space, hidden pockets, a waist/hip belt amongst many cool features! Check it out here.

    Cabin Max Ryanair Bag – This budget friendly backpack is a great option for shorter trips! We understand many do not have the funds to buy expensive bags, so this option is a lot cheaper than many mainstream options. This bag fits the Ryanair measurement constraints for hand luggage so no need to pay for booked luggage! It comes in some really fun colours AND patterns, so you can really choose what fits your aesthetic most! There is also an option to get a bag with a built in handle, similar to suitcases, so is great for those unable to carry a bag all day! Check it out here.

    How to pack

    This probably sounds a strange title. However, travel packing can be a skill in itself! Especially for those longer trips for weeks/months+, you want to take the necessary items without using too much space.

    Packing cubes are a necessity to us when we travel! There are a few types of packing accessories you can buy, so we will list some of our favourites below!

    Normal Packing Cubes – Packing cubes are a great way to keep your stuff organised when packing for big trips! This set we found here included 11 different packing accessories, with 6 cubes, a shoe bag, underwear bag, toiletries bag, a laundry bag, toothbrush holder and a small items flat bag! It also comes in a few different colours.

    Compression Packing Cubes – Compression cubes are our favourite packing accessory! These cubes are similar to the normal packing cubes, but feature a compression zip, meaning you can compress your clothes down… this makes packing easier, limits the space you are using, and means more room for souvenirs etc! We would recommend better quality ones like these ones here as cheaper ones can mean the zip breaks easier!

    Toiletry Travel Pouch/Hanger – This isn’t necessarily an essential, but for many it is extremely helpful! This toiletry bag comes with a built in hanger, so when you get ready in your accommodation you can hang it up on the door, which can limit the chance of ruining your things! It can help make getting ready less stressful – no need for countertop space since everything can be arranged and stored in different compartments! Find it here.

    Travel Essentials

    There are some key items needed for travelling, that normally works out a lot easier (and sometimes cheaper) to sort prior to your trip! We are keeping in mind the budget traveller more so here, with some recommendations being suited to hostel-based accommodation.

    Padlocks – Keeping a few padlocks are great for keeping your stuff safe when travelling. Most dorms come with locker space to keep your items safe, however barely any come with their own locking system. This is where your padlock comes in! It is also great to use one on the zips of your bag if this makes you feel safer. We have never been stolen from whilst travelling, but it is always best to stay on the safe side. Find some TSA approved padlocks here.

    Carabiners – This is another small item that can come in handy! Carabiners are a great addition to keep, as when you are struggling for space, or you don’t want something held in your bag, you can attach your carabiner to your bag and hang an item outside your bag – i.e. your dirty hiking boots! Find some multicoloured ones here.

    Universal Travel Plug Adapter – Most backpackers/travellers visit multiple countries during one trip. And that means it isn’t guaranteed you will be using the same plug head during each place. A universal plug is great as it lets you switch between each plug head style all in one item! We love ours, it has USB slots meaning multiple items can be charged at once. Find similar to ours here.

    Ear Plugs – We know a part of dorms means you are open to hearing people snore (some people don’t mind, others really struggle), so ear plugs are great to overcome that! You might even want to shut off from people around you (and that’s okay)! We have recently seen a massive hype for loop ear plugs, due to offering multiple styles of ear plugs (for different noise levels). Find a cool one here.

    Water Bottles – we are going to suggest two types here! The first is a filter water bottle – while travelling it can be difficult to find suitable drinking water. This filter system water bottle is meant to help eliminate any harmful bacteria that can come from regular drinking water. Read about it yourself here! Our second recommendation is a collapsable water bottle which can fold down to a very compact size – this is a great space-saving option, and one we have used ourselves! Find it here.

    Portable Shower Head Filter – This won’t be for everyone, however in many Southeast Asian countries (guaranteed), tap water is extremely damaging to your hair and skin. People have reported of travelling Bali and experiencing hair loss and damage from the harsh shower water. You can now buy a filter to attach to the shower head that will help remove harsh chemical and will add in some extra vitamins. Find one here.

    Basic Medical Kit – This is easily made from home! Check medication requirements for each country, but pack some basic painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medication, and anti constipations meds, electrolytes (especially for when you get a bad belly). Some plasters and basic medical supplies. We found a great starter kit here.

    Head Phones – We also love to take headphones wherever we go! Sometimes you need time to yourself, or you just want to chill and catch up on some YouTube in your down time (please feel free to watch our videos here). We would recommend wireless options, just for ease of charging your phone and carrying your items. Find a great recommendation here.

    Laundry essentials – If you are travelling for longer periods, you will need to wash your clothes! We found these through a friend of ours in Costa Rica, you can get laundry detergent sheets that simply go in the washing machine to clean your clothes! They are budget friendly, and can be found here. We would also recommend a separate laundry bag… you do not want smelly clothes mixed in with clean clothes (the smell can get bad). We have found a cute one here.

    Bumbag / Pouch – We always love a bumbag to take all your daily necessities along, without needing to drag your big backpack out with you! We love flat ones, that can be easily hidden underneath your tshirt for day to day use. This one here is a great option, it comes in many colours and is discrete for travelling in busy places.

    Spare Cards – We would always recommend to take multiple bank cards when travelling. Jack made this mistake… and lost his one travel card the day he left for Southeast Asia (luckily his friend had one he could use). We use revolut but there are many great travel cards!

    Razors – There are many hair removal techniques, and you may be able to find what you need while away! To stay on the safe side, maybe take a few back up options. You can buy compact razors like the ones here, or maybe try taking an electronic razor if it’s not too heavy/bulky!

    Sanitary items for women – For those who choose to have their periods while travelling, it isn’t always straight forward to buy sanitary towels and tampons. It can either be expensive, or just difficult to find! We would just recommend taking a decent supply for your trip, as they don’t take up too much room! There is the option of trying period underwear (not too sure how these will be for people with heavier periods), also many opt for the eco-friendly alternative of a moon cup, which can be found here.

    Waterproof Playing Cards – Yes, we understand this may not be a necessity… but we all know how much a game of cards can be appreciated (especially on your travels). We have found a cool pack of WATERPROOF cards (they look cool too) which are great for any location and occasion, find them here.

    Powerbank – Don’t lose power when travelling! It isn’t always guaranteed to find charging ports, so we would always suggest carrying a spare power bank, just incase you do run low on power when you need it! Jack really recommends this one here.

    Travel Toothbrush – It’s always great to freshen up, so carry a compact toothbrush and paste so you always feel ready for the day ahead! Find a great one here.

    What clothes to take

    This will solely depend on the person. Jack likes to pack little, and isn’t majorly fashion focused… however, I myself (Aimee) love to take a few extra options to change up my outfits! Plus, we always try to get some really nice travel photos, and I want to look nice!

    We do recommend to not take as much as you think you might need! A great tip we have seen before is put out what you think you need, then half it, and half that again! Apparently that is the right amount!

    We won’t give a big list of what clothes to take as that does vary. But we suggest taking these on top of your essentials :

    • Swimsuits (at least one full costume for women)
    • At least 1x long top/trousers for places you need to cover
    • A shawl can be a great option as a cover up!
    • Sandles
    • Walking shoes
    • A proper hat for the sunny days
    • Sun glasses
    • A jumper/hoodie/cardigan for chilly nights
    • A rain mac for all weather and activities

    Walking Shoes

    We do suggest trying options on if you have never previously brought walking shoes! However, our recommendation for men’s walking shoes would be these Soloman walking boots, and for women’s we suggest checking out some of the Mountain Warehouse ranges like these ones here.

    Sandals can also come in walking-approved formats (how fun)! We have seen a massive hype over Teva sandals, which Aimee will be buying some for our next trip! Find a nice pair here.

    Apart from that, maybe take a pair of comfy trainers or flats to have a bit of variety!

    Packing is different for everyone

    Just like travelling is different for everyone, so is the packing! We have put this list together as a rough guide, however it will vary SO much trip to trip, person to person!

    We hope this list will help you for your first backpacking trip!

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  • Ultimate 2-Day Fez Itinerary: Unveiling the Best of Morocco’s Cultural Gem

    Ultimate 2-Day Fez Itinerary: Unveiling the Best of Morocco’s Cultural Gem

    Morocco is a vibrant, scenic country which is full of rich histories! There is so much to love about and it is surprising with the amount of places you must visit in the country!

    Ideally, to get the most out of the country you probably would need 1 month worth of travelling to visit all of the must see places. These include seaside towns/cities like Tangier or Agadir with beaches that you need to see. But also they have many beautiful locations inland like Chefchaouen which is a completely blue town or Mergouza which is on the cusp of the Sahara desert which is perfect for a range of activities!!

    It’s definitely a location we will be revisiting but for now, 7 days is all we have so lets make the most of it!

    We have filmed a Vlog for Fes which is up on our YouTube which you can find here or below.

    *There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us pursue this further 🙂

    How to spend 2/3 days in Fes!

    If we are honest, we looked at the cheapest flight across Europe and countries just outside and this jumped out as one of the cheapest! We initially were looking to fly to Ouarzazate for £30 return but we didn’t book them tickets in time- but rather saw a cheap flight to Fes for £50 which we couldn’t pass up!

    So it’s not as if we chose to visit Fes.. more-so it was meant to be. The city really didn’t disappoint!!

    As we booked the flights 36 or so hours before departure, we didn’t know a whole lot about the city. What activities to do, where to stay, what and where to eat etc! We pretty much spent the day before brushing up on the best things to do.

    For Fes, we kept an open mind on whether to travel around Morocco, or to just take it easy and explore the city more! We didn’t have many plans, but rather we would make decisions on a day-to-day basis depending how we were feeling, and if we wanted to venture to different places.

    As we landed in Fes first thing on a Monday morning, we navigated the city into the marina and wandered through the favela-like streets to our stay. We were very lucky, we outreached to hostels and AirBnB’s in Fes to see if we could get any gifted stays to keep costs down on our trip, and we spoke with a lovely hostel who were very happy to support our trip with content in return!

    If you have the tools, this is a great way to keep costs down but don’t be discouraged if you can’t get gifted stays, not everywhere does them!! Let us know if you would like us to talk more about how we have gotten gifted stays!

    So we had this hostel for 2 nights and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

    A traditional Riad building located in the heart of the Medina, and only a stones throw from local Souks that you can wander for hours on end! Find the link to this amazing Riad here.

    Our stay was magical! On arrival we were taken to the rooftop which had stunning views over the medina and the whole city, with old ruins standing tall like they once did centuries ago. At the rooftop, they offered sweet tea which is a family recipe.. one they were reluctant to spill the beans on!

    After settling in and dropping off our luggage at the Riad, we ventured out in the rough direction of the Souks, and took in the scenery around our new home for the next 7 days or so.

    We winded through the tight streets, passing children playing football in makeshift goals, and family members wheeling foods to and from their shop. The atmosphere was happy and subtly busy. The narrow streets creates a somewhat chaotic atmosphere as the buildings overhang to make the medina streets smaller.

    Once we hit the Souks, we started from (somewhat) the top and wandered down admiring the vast shops, activities and products on offer. Each shop was totally different and had it’s own stamp of traditional creativity. From local spices, to handmade leather bags and soft silky dresses, the Souk was full of product diversity- a place you can revisit later, and see completely different products on the same stalls as before.

    After wandering down the hill and the shops either side, we were looking to find a place to settle down to have our first proper meal in Morocco. Of course, we visited the country during the awkward period of Ramadan so all Muslims were fasting from dusk till dawn.

    If you are to visit during this time, we would recommend to be respectful to the locals and avoid eating or drinking in public/busy places if it can be helped.

    We found a highly recommended restaurant in the heart of the Medina called The Ruined Garden, which was only a 5 minute or so stroll from our hostel. As we arrived, we had a short 20 minute wait for the restaurant to open and we were actually the first people to enter for lunch. The aesthetic was amazing!

    The front doors were huge, almost castle-like, with a small staircase leading up to the seating area. It was pretty enclosed up until this point but once you turned the corner onto the top step, the room opened up and in the centre was a fountain with beautiful gardens surrounding. Vines were strung from above to create a beautiful ambience and we were gratefully seated amongst it.

    As we sat down, we were greeted by 2 adorable cats who clearly are pets to the owners of the restaurants. We ordered traditional dishes – the B’stilla – being an oddly sounding sweet and savoury, pastry-like filled pie. Yeah this was typed right.. Once we received this, we were pleasantly surprised with the taste as it was dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar. This was a very enjoyable meal, and one we decided to recreate once we arrived back home. Wasn’t quite the same but one we did enjoy for sure!

    At the restaurant, we both shared the meal and the portion was super filling that we couldn’t finish it between us! It’s one that we would definitely recommend for any visitor to try. It’s really got everything, from traditional flavours to strange flavour mixes. If anyone has tried this dish we would love to know your views and know your thoughts as we both loved it!!

    Towards the end of the meal we were delight to have the visitors of tortoises who suddenly woke up from the back of the gardens and wandered around the courtyard. There were 2 large tortoises who decided to wander around and visit some of the lunch-goers. It was a surprising but welcomed introduction as it’s not one you expect in the centre of the old medina!

    Just as we were to pick up the bill and leave the restaurant, we looked back to see a tiny, baby tortoise who was slowly munching on a rather large piece of watermelon (for his size!). It was so small that the garden area it was in prohibited him from escaping due to a small 2-inch wall which he couldn’t master no matter how hard he tried!

    Upon leaving, we decided to wander back to our hostel and relax for a few hours, after travelling since 1 in the morning. We spent time on the rooftop and enjoyed the chilled atmosphere, while being served endless cups of traditional sweet Moroccan tea.

    As the sky darkened and the mood changed, we were informed that the hostel were hosting dinner as part of the stay! We ended up breaking the fast with the local Moroccans as they served a buffet fit for a king! A sea of plates filled the table, full of colourful traditional Moroccan foods with a soup perfectly placed in front of each guest and a freshly squeezed orange juice to wash it all down with. Here, we conversated with other travellers and ate till our hearts content!

    After finishing our meals and thoroughly thanking our hosts for the lovely spread, we headed back to the rooftop to carry on socialising and enjoy our first night!

    If you thought the hostel hadn’t done enough, we were also given free popcorn (salted of course) and provided a Shisha for all guests. We spent time eating the popcorn, playing card games and practicing our newly learnt skill… smoke rings!!

    We soon headed off to bed and called it a night so we could get ready for a fun and adventurous day tomorrow.

    Day 2

    The next day started with a little lay-in. We would always recommend that if you are travelling, or even on a holiday, to make sure to take time to rest when needed as no one can be on the go 100% of the time! So Aimee slept in to 9:30 am so she felt energised for the day!

    During this time, Jack went upstairs and ended up socialising with some travellers whilst enjoying a complementary breakfast. Once Jack finished, Aimee joined and had her fruit breakfast before we got showered, changed and ready for our busy day!

    By this point we didn’t have a plan beyond Fes; but just planned each day the night before and kinda just winged it! If you have travelled before, it’s probably the best way to do it (if you don’t mind the odd panic and stress that comes with it!).

    So today we headed outside the medina to a local shopping mall called Borj Fes which is recommended to visit while in Fes! It’s 4 stories tall and filled with a variety of shops! We initially wandered around some of the clothing shops just having a wander, and comparing it to home shopping malls. After a while, we stumbled upon a supermarket on the lower floor which we looked for snacks!

    We found a bakery full of cakes, pastries and many quirky looking sweet treats! We took about 10 minutes, but finally decided on grabbing a few of each, a drink and headed out! If you are looking for snacks or looking to make your own food in Fes, we would recommend visiting this supermarket! It’s a lot cheaper than most other shops as mostly locals shop here! It’s so cheap- we got a 2l bottle of water for 3.50 Dirhams which is roughly 30p which is a bargain! We spent £2 on 6 pastry/cakes, which we found a table outside and enjoyed! The snacks were lovely and it perked our appetite ready for heading to Burger King!

    Burger king was a lot cheaper in Morocco and we bought some cool items which we have never seen before! All in all, this mall was a great place to spend a few hours eating lunch, venturing shops and taking a break from the hot sun!

    In the afternoon we left the mall to head back to the medina. We decided to wander the local souk and embrace the beauty of the old medina. Here we found ourselves wandering for an hour or so before finding a quaint, local restaurant which we chose to be where we ate our dinner.

    Luckily, we ordered and received our meal before the sun went down. As we received our meal, the Ramadan fasting ended as spoken through loud speakers informing everyone and the restaurant closed to any further customers. The owners and staff all sat down with their freshly prepared meal and broke their fast!

    If you are ever to go to a Muslim dominant country during Ramadan, it is important to find out when the sun sets and the fasting stops as all restaurants will close. The last thing you want to do is go out for your dinner but be stuck wandering looking for a place that is open (like we did…). Once we finished our meal we headed back to the hostel to relax in the evening, look at the beautiful nightly view and social with some travellers.

    We soon played cards into the evening before deciding to go sleep!

    Once the morning came and we woke up, we came to the conclusion that we wanted to explore more of Morocco, and decided on moving to Meknes which is a small city, 40 minutes west of Fes on the train. We got our breakfast, picked up our snacks and headed to the train station!!

    We really enjoyed Fes and it is a beautiful place which we couldn’t recommend it enough. We would say that 2/3 days is enough time there and there are so many places to visit in Morocco so we wouldn’t stay much longer!

    Did you like Fes?

    This blog is the 1st of a 3-part blog. Next up is our experiences and activities in the small city of Meknes!

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  • The Best Things to do in Singapore

    The Best Things to do in Singapore

    Singapore is a very small country location in South East Asia which not notoriously known as a travel location.Travellers usually skip over the country into Thailand or on their way down to Indonesia, but they are missing out!

    As a South East Asian country, it is different to their neighbours by being really expensive. It’s pricing is similar to western countries like England and the US (which for the area can come as a shock).

    If travellers are to visit Singapore, they would tend to book 3/5 days to quickly see the sights, and leave before spending their total budget. Even though it is a small country, it is so rich in activities that it could definitely deserve to be a longer trip.

    Here, we have compiled the best and most important things to see and do in Singapore.

    1. Gardens By The Bay

    These are the infamous gardens you likely would’ve seen on social media, which is a nature park of 101 hectares with ‘super trees’ spanning the size of small buildings! People are able to go to the top of these supertrees and walk across interconnected bridges for spectacular views of the nature park, with the huge skyscrapers in the distance.

    This is one of the most popular attractions in Singapore, and is free to enter. There are costs however for some activities, including going to the bridge, or seeing any attractions in the park.

    At night, once it gets dark, the trees offer a display of bright lights and music for entertainment. The trees change from shade to shade, lighting up the park and creating a marvel for viewers.

    2. Marina Bay

    The Marina Bay is a 5 minute walk from the Gardens of the Bay, and is alive at night with people. A water show is shown each night at the bay with lights, music and water used to stop people in their tracks to marvel at the Bay.

    The view covers the whole Marina in the background and usually gets thousands of people watching every night.

    During the day, it is a popular spot for lunch, and is a place you can just soak up the beautiful scenery of where the gardens, buildings and bay all meet.

    3. Jewel Changi Airport

    This well-known location is known as the best airport in the world, and is a must do in Singapore! This airport is huge and has some amazing areas, including a 24 hour cinema, canopy bridges, mazes, thousands of shops and food outlets, and a waterfall and gardens in the centre. It truly is a marvel – one we witnessed by arriving at the airport and staying there overnight. It was so large we got lost in it, and slept in a small area on a small bench (the cinema was in another terminal!!!).

    We spent the first few hours, even though it was past midnight, walking around the gardens and seeing the infamous waterfall in the middle. Even though the shops were closed, you can just imagine how busy and chaotic the airport can be.

    I feel like you could stay in the airport for 2/3 days and still find unexplored areas and activities you have not done! It truly is unique and one we will definitely return to.

    4. Little India

    As you might of guessed, it is like someone picked up a small part of India and placed it somewhere in Singapore. It is filled with street vendors, Indian heritage, museums and history – almost making it their own. The streets were lined with colours and decorations, with music playing in the distance, locals dancing and enjoying themselves.

    The buildings were wearing every colour of paint perfectly designed for maximised beauty. It was such a different style of busy you are used to across the whole of Singapore.

    This is the perfect place to find some local food, look around the amazing hand-crafted stools and quaint shops, and just immerse yourself in their culture.

    The people here are so friendly, and welcome people into the culture… it’s definitely something we would recommend to see. If you are lucky, you may time it perfectly to stumble upon a festival while you are there (which are supposed to be unmissable)!

    5. Universal Studios

    When you are travelling to South East Asia, it’s often that people are missing home and it’s hard to enjoy the simple things in life! However, Universal Studios was the breath of fresh air for us to enjoy a sense of normality. It was almost like teleporting back home to a theme park (and it was very much welcomed)!

    The park was huge and full of films we all love! Including transformers, sesame street, Jurassic Park, Shrek and more. It was a perfect break for the backpacking life – we just spent the day going on rides and exploring the park. Unfortunately, the Madagascar section was under maintenance which I wanted to see but nonetheless, the park was a nice change to our travels and something I would recommend to go visit. The park is perfect for people of all ages, with a lot of theme park rides (some scary), and some younger attractions, making it perfect for the whole family.

    It’s good to arrive early as the park is usually really busy and they have cool events in the evenings once the park closes dependant on the time of year you go.

    Also, outside is a massive mall which can be a great place to quench your thirst and eat some well deserved food when leaving/entering the park!

    6. National Museum of Singapore

    The museum of Singapore is beautifully surrounded by local parks, and is rich with Singaporean history. They have many things on show including wars, fashion, currency, politics and more. They also offer shows and attractions to learn more about the country.

    It is fascinating to learn about the country and it’s unusual history. It’s a great place to get out of the sweltering heat to learn more about the culture of this wonderful nation.

    7. Sultan Mosque

    The Sultan Mosque is a religious spectacle in the heart of the city. There are hundreds of people visiting each day around the Arabic Quarter. It’s a perfect way to understand and witness other cultures and prayers.

    As with any mosque, you are required to take off your shoes and socks, and wear an outfit provided to cover your legs as a sign of respect. The mosque is eliquently built and full of architectuaral beauty.

    Outside the mosque, is loads of restaurants – mainly mediterranean restaurants – which are a perfect spot to grab some lunch!

    Around the corner is a few narrow streets which are brought to life with small, independent shops and bustling people, which is perfect if you like to wander and explore. There is so much to offer- and is the place I got my tarot cards read. I’m not much of a reader, but sometimes it’s good to see what happens! There’s a lot to do in this area and is a perfect place to wander and look at people’s work.

    Our thoughts on Singapore

    All in all, we would recommend 5/6 days in Singapore which would be a rather busy time! There’s so much to do and see that it would be hard to see it all with less time.

    It’s understandable that the cost of the country can limit the time spent, so it is best to find independent/street food spots to save money. However, it is definitely a country I would visit again, and would recommend to anyone who is debating visiting!

    We hope you liked our overview of the best things to do in Singapore! If you would like to see more blogs, please subscribe to our newsletter for daily blogs and follow our journey on our Social Media down below!

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  • Our best picks to eating in Bali!

    Our best picks to eating in Bali!

    Now, Bali is known to be a great place to socialise and meet new people. It is a central hub to a lot of people’s South East Asia travels, and is on par with Thailand and Vietnam for some. In comparison, it’s very different, but nonetheless an essential part of a travellers itinerary.

    Bali is now one of the most popular spots in South East Asia, and draws in thousands of digital nomads. This has changed the environment… and therefore has created more westernised food options. If you are looking for traditional Indonesian food, you may find it harder in Bali compared to more traditional areas like Java or Jakarta. You can still enjoy the local foods, with my favourite being a Nasi Goreng, or if you prefer noodles; a Mie Goreng.

    In this blog post, we will be covering some of the popular and niche places to dine across Bali, and the Islands surrounding, to make the most of the amazing food they have to offer. Please note, Bali is more expensive than the mainland and countries surrounding, so make sure to bring a few more pennies for the Bali tax!

    Below we have highlighted 7 of the best places we have eaten at, and given recommendations according to our experiences.

    The Best Places to Eat in Bali

    Copenhagen – Canggu

    Copenhagen is a well-renowned breakfast/brunch spot location in Canggu, where a lot of nomads and travellers use as their go-to spot. The menu allows for 3 options for 70,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£3.50) or 5 items for 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£5). The options included a tropical fruit salad, a pink smoothie bowl, freshly made bread and paninis, fresh fish or cooked meats, amongst many more options. They even had sweet treats which were perfect to finish off a breakfast fit for a king. For Asia, the price may seem higher than usual, but it definitely is one of the best brunch food spots we ate at. We can’t recommend this enough.

    Finns Beach Club & Bar – Canngu

    Finns beach Club is probably not on many people’s lists when it comes to good food. I mean it’s the perfect place to socialise, drink and party till your hearts content. Who doesn’t love bopping to music while drinking alcohol with friends by the sea in an actual swimming pool?

    Even though the main attraction is the alcohol-filled pools, they don’t limit you to cheap takeaway food. There are 4/5 restaurants available to order and dine at; all you need to do is leave the pool and grab a table. But don’t forget your manners and put on a top! They have options including Pizza, Indian, Sushi and more!

    I took this opportunity to fill my addiction of Sushi by ordering a freshly made platter (which definitely fixed my appetite ready for more pool time)! The food there is expensive… and not one to order at when you are looking to budget travel. However, every once in a while you deserve to treat yourself to a good time and nice food, and this is definitely the place to do this!

    The Krusty Krab – Nusa Penida

    Yes, you read it right…

    It’s the Krusty Krab!!

    In Indonesia, there is a restaurant that is the real life Krusty Krab… which even had Krabby patties! There was no chance we were to pass this opportunity up. It’s located on the North-west side of the Island, Nusa Penida.

    They had Sponge Bob decor making you feel like you were in the show!

    Of course we had to order and try the Krabby patty (which is the obvious choice). I mean the burger was nice, it’s not much more than a normal burger. The food was simple but wasn’t a showstopper by any means. It’s just more the fact you were at an iconic restaurant, and is something you and your friends can definitely make the most of when you are on this island! Its a fun experience and one we would recommend if you loved the show.

    Suka Espresso – Uluwatu

    Suka Espresso is a lively food spot just off the main strip of Uluwatu. They offer a wide range of food and is known for it’s high quality service and quality. We took advantage of their brunch food by ordering fluffy pancakes and colourful exotic fruits with fresh muesli and sweet jams. There is so much to offer on the menus, and is definitely a place we would recommend and go back to given the chance. The food is reasonably priced and a perfect stop before heading on to the beach only a few steps away.

    Do note that this is a popular spot for travellers to eat, so try to attend during off-peak times if you aren’t happy with waiting for a table.

    Corner House – Seminyak

    The Corner House has a pub-like atmosphere at the end of a busy main street in Seminyak. The restaurant has live music in the evening, with western-style pub decoration and atmosphere. It almost feels like you are in a pub back at home! They serve a wide range of foods like stone cooked pizzas, pastas, noodles, meats etc.

    It is a large pub which is in a great location for people to wander round shops and local area as there is so much to do.

    My favourite meal is the vegetable stir-fry which only cost 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£2.50), which was the cheapest thing on the menu. Even though it was the cheapest, the dish was amazing and so good that I returned the next day for dinner to order the same meal again! Overall, the pub is usually costing 100,000 (£5) to 200,000 (£10) for main meals which is average for the area, but if the rest of the food is similar to the stir fry I had, then it is worth every penny.

    Taco Cartel in Ubud

    A perfectly quaint Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Ubud, Taco Cartel is one to visit! It is on the main street perfectly between the Bali rice terrace & infinity pools, the Monkey forest and right beside to the street markets – it’s perfectly placed! Now, it’s less like a dinner spot to sit down and have a fancy meal, but rather a perfect small restaurant which has an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs cook your food right in front of you.

    We ordered 2 chicken tacos which came with a refreshing spicy sauce and a squeeze of lime, alongside a stuffed beef burrito. You best believe the food was beautiful! The tacos were at a reduced price of roughly 20,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£1) per taco as a lunch deal which was a steal.

    Ours in Uluwatu

    Ours is a place where we stumbled upon when searching for dinner but was definitely a highlight. It just so happens the day we ate there was the same day they offered pasta and wine (choice of 3 wines) for £95,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£5 roughly). When we saw this offer there was no way we were going to turn it down.

    Due to the offer, we went all out and ordered a few starters to share and then a beautiful Chorizo Bolognese with a white wine to wash it down. The seating is perfectly placed all surrounding the bar in the middle, with dimmed lighting to create a lovely atmosphere. Definitely one we will return to once we come back to Uluwatu!

    What are your thoughts?

    Bali is a place full of fantastic foods that we wish we could try a mouthful of each. The local food is one we didn’t touch upon much, with Nasi Goreng being a favourite of mine. One we may cover in another blog post!

    Shoutouts to the beach restaurant on Gili T (which we don’t know the name of) which offered free soup and bread for starter, District 6- the all you can eat pizza and pasta place in Uluwatu, and the little hotdog parlour opposite the entrance to the monkey forest in Ubud.

    We would always recommend eating local, but sometimes it is nice resorting back to the foods from home you love.

    Thank you for reading to the end of our blog, and we hoped that you will be dining at some of these lovely restaurants in the near future- or at least get to Bali to enjoy all that the island offers.

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