Friday, August 9, 2013
South of the Border's Ultimate Guide to Bali @ 12:07 PM
I had never been to Bali until I began going for work. Because my first introduction to this place was the hustle and bustle of Denpasar which is, let's face it, a million miles away from the beautiful beaches, the spas and retreats of the Bali that I have grown to love. It took a trip with my childhood bestie, Lisa, to discover the magic. Lisa is married to a surfer and lives with her three surfing, skating boys in Margaret River - on the other side of Australia. She has had a love affair with Bali since her first visit as a teenager. Lisa introduced me to the Bali that has her heart and for that I love her more.
This is Lisa at Rob Peetoom hair spa - I love going here on my last afternoon in Bali to have my hair blow dried before having dinner at the amazing Sardine across the road and then straight to the airport for the red eye home. I love Rob Peetoom for the wait and hair washing area - its outdoor, on a luxury patio overlooking lush rice paddies - very zen and there is a local connection too, Rob is the uncle of the gorgeous Tozzi girls.
Sardine is my favourite place to go for one last lychee martini and dinner before I fly home. DO NOT MISS THE GINGER CREME BRULEE… the best brûlée on the planet!
I cannot leave Bali without a paraffin mani/pedi from Equilibre, I had a gel shellac mani four weeks ago and it is still perfect. While you are there pick up some of the seriously gorgeous bras from Gooseberry Intimates. These bras are so soft and comfortable, I have seen a girl buy one and then go back and buy them by the armload… (you know who you are) Gooseberry is coming soon to The Border, watch this space.
For a bit of fun while you are there, see if you can spot which one of South of the Border's classic designs was inspired by Equilibre's uniform.
For the best coffee in town, look no further than Sea Circus! Your caffeine hit comes with a message and using the cutest password (open sesame) will give you access to the best wifi in Bali. We think it's the yummiest breakie in Bali, as well as our office away from home.
Motel Mexicola! For lunch or dinner, prepared to experience visual overload! Authentic mexican food with the coolest, colourful vintage decor, best Mexican snacks this side of Oaxaca!
La Plancha - one of the best sunsets in the world, without a doubt. Grab a beanbag and a Bintang and watch the sun go down. Don't forget your bikini!
La Favela. I have not actually been there, but I have been dying for it to open. It is the first place I will be going on my next trip. It is the lovechild of Sandra Assiego (designer of our beautiful leather brand - Vintage Century) and her husband. Hidden in between Magali Pascal and Equilibre on Oberoi in Seminyak, you need to venture down a rustic weathered footbridge over a lily filled pond to find this secret treasure. I have watched it being built over the last 18 months (yes, a lot of love has been put into this place) and it is packed full of gorgeous antiques and, like anything that Sandra has anything to do with, it is going to be INCREDIBLE!
This is artist, Border friend and occasional Border model, Lucette Romy in the entrance to La Favela. She says it is like a beautiful maze inside.
Oh my god I almost forgot!! This is a Bali MUST - have your cards read over a luxury high tea at Biku.
xx Vanessa
Tara rocking one of our Border Bikinis!
Now for the best daybeds and a pretty cool swim up bar, Potato Head Beach Club is a must! Their poolside menu is delicious with some really yummy cocktails, the Kookaburra is definitely worth a try.
South of the Border customer Suz wearing one of our Mexican handwoven Huipis in front of one of the many lush green walls at Potato Head.
Bird & Kite
Unfortunately I don't have ANY hot photos of me lying around a pool drinking cocktails and generally looking fabulous :( the sad story is that usually when I'm in Bali, I'm hot and sweaty and covered in pollution from riding around Denpasar all day scooting from factory to factory, but I do have a couple of fave places though when I want to escape.
El Kabron, on the Bukit on the way to Uluwatu. It's perched on the edge of the world with a humble but gorgeous infinity pool right at the edge. You can swim in the pool or lie in bean bags drinking cocktails, whilst watching the sun go down over one of the worlds most gobsmacking surf breaks, all this whilst eating spanish tapas and listening to Flamenco inspired lounge groove....ahhhhh....it's heaven in a bean bag. Time seems to stand still in that place.
xx Jodi
xx Jodi
We Are Handsome:
I try and head to Bali every year and each time I go, I discover something new. This year we stayed at the Alila Hotel in Uluwatu. Romantic, secluded and the ultimate indulgence..you even have your own butler.
xx Indhra
xx Indhra
Amilita
Amilita designer, Sara heads to Balangan Beach, it is her Sunday retreat. This is a gorgeous surfing spot on the Bukit peninsula in the south of Bali. She asked me not to tell anyone. Ssssshhh!
xx The Border
