Author: Diane Misol

Canadian living in Germany - Enjoying Travel & Documenting as I go! My goal is to bring you honest reporting based on my experience. As blogging took over the internet, so did glossy photos and life is perfect mentality. The world is now officially viewed through rose coloured glasses. I aim to bring you a truer, more realistic version. Hope you enjoy and please share if you do.

Sleepy Gecko Guesthouse Bali

Finding paradise in Canggu, Bali. A delightful Guest House experience.

Guesthouse Name:  Sleepy Gecko Guest House

Address:  Jl. Padang Linjong No.6, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia

Note:  This is an independent hotel / guesthouse review based on my personal experience.

Our host Putu, met us on arrival; as we would discover during our time with her, she has a gentle kind spirit and a beautiful aura.  Due to availability, she graciously, without request or mention, upgraded us to the charming Wood Room villa.

The Accommodation: The Wood Room features large glass windows facing the pool. A huge, romantic, queen sized poster bed is the focal point, while a wardrobe, side tables, tv/dvd player (more on that later), air conditioner, and fan provide appreciated conveniences.

The rustic stone, spa style bathroom had a shower area, a soaking tub, sink and of course, a toilet. A small ladder provided a perfect drying rack for swimsuits and towels.  A bar of soap, some liquid hand soap and towels were provided.

A Community kitchen equipped with a good variety of pots, pans, dishes, flatware and glasses along with a two burner stove was well appreciated by the guests.  Thoughtfully, drinking water is available to use as needed. Just off of the kitchen, was an eating area with tables and chairs.  We liked doing our computer work here in the breeze.  It was a great place for socializing too with other guests and our host.

The refreshing swimming pool was a god send on most of the hot, humid days and we really used it – a lot.  Surprisingly, only one other guest seemed to appreciate it as much as us, which we had no problem with because it seemed like our own little paradise.

The DVD Player in the room actually had a purpose. In the community area is a fairly generous movie library with old and new titles to borrow and watch.  We had a movie night one evening after dinner and it was very relaxing.  I assume if it rains, guests are very thankful for this thoughtful diversion. In addition to films, there is a small library of books to borrow as well.

Sleepy Gecko Guesthouse also has Motorbikes for rent at 50,000 IDR / €3 / US$3.50 per day.  We discovered very quickly that this affordable means of transportation is a necessity, so plan with it.

Things I did not like:
– Barking dogs, it didn’t matter whether you wanted to take a nap in the afternoon or were rudely awakened in the morning the dogs were often barking.
– Watered down hand soap. I guess at the fantastic price, we can let it slide and be thankful there was soap at all.

The Cost:  Deluxe Double (our original booking) – 4 nights, 2 persons: 1,180,000 / €70 / US$87.  That is a meager €17.50 / US$21.75 per day!

Do I recommend Sleepy Gecko Guesthouse?  Definitely, it is an extremely affordable, clean place, within walking distance to a few restaurants, laundry service and an atm, not to mention all of the amenities.  Thank you Putu!

Contact: +62 821-4649-7798

Get There:

Other Canggu Links of Possible Interest:
→ Canggu
    …..→Eat: Breakers Tavern 
    …..→Eat: La Pan Nam Warung Restaurant
    …..→Eat: My Wahrung
    …..→Eat: Wahrung D’ Pererenan
 …..→Drink: Where to Drink / Happy Hour
…..⇒ Go: Temples Tanah Lot & Batu Balong
…..⇒ Do: Top Fun Things to Do 

Location:  Asia > SouthEast Asia > Indonesia > Bali Island > South Coast > Kutu Utara > Canggu > Sleepy Gecko Guest House

MyWarung Berawa, Canggu Restaurant

Casual Dining in Canggu Bali. In search of a unique atmosphere.

Restaurant Name: MyWarung Berawa

Address: Jalan Subak Sari No.80, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, 80361, In, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Denpasar, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my personal experience.

The Restaurant: Easy to find at the side of one of the main roads.  We walked in and immediately felt the chill vibe created through the photos on the walls, a mixed seating combo of lounge & dining, flowers, plants, and pop music beating in the background.  Staff were all smiling and looked like they enjoyed their job!  We visited in the evening and candles glowed softly on the tables.  Downstairs was full, so we were led to an upstairs dining area.

The Food: Dishes on offer include both Vegan and non-vegan options. The Menu offers a nice variety of salads, Indonesian Cuisine, Burgers / Sandwiches, Wraps, Beef Steaks, Chicken, Lamb, Pork and a selection of cakes for the sweet tooth desert lover.  A great selection for those having a hard time deciding where to eat in Bali!

We ordered:
– Nasi Goreng 70,000 IDR / €4.20 / US$4.90
– Mie Goreng 65,000 IDR / €3.90 / US$4.55
– Radler 35,000 IDR / €2 / US$2.45
– Bintang 35,000 IDR / €2 / US$2.45
Service Fee & tax: 31,775 IDR / €2 / US$2.20
Total: 236,775 IDR / €14 / US$16.50

The food itself was outstanding!  It was so fresh and my tastebuds were in overload tasting through the incredible layers of flavour.

The Service:  Excellent!  Professional, friendly, outgoing and aware.

The Price:  Expensive when compared with other restaurants in the area. On top of the already high prices, “A discretionary 15.5% service charge & government tax will be added to your bill.”

Do I recommend it? Yes.  The food was really loaded with layers of awesome flavour and service is outstanding.  If you are not too worried about high prices, but prefer to concentrate on really good tasty food, this is an excellent choice!

Opening Hours:  11 am t0 Midnight
Contact: Website

Get There:

Other Canggu Links of Possible Interest:
→ Canggu
….⇒ Stay: Sleepy Gecko Guest House
    …..→Eat: Breakers Tavern 
    …..→Eat: La Pan Nam Warung Restaurant
    …..→Eat: Wahrung D’ Pererenan
 …..→Drink: Where to Drink / Happy Hour
…..⇒ Go: Temples Tanah Lot & Batu Balong
…..⇒ Do: Top Fun Things to Do 

Location:  Asia > SouthEast Asia > Indondesia > Bali Island > South Coast > Kuta Utara > Canggu >Jalan Subak Sari > MyWarung Berawa

La Pan Nam Warung Canggu

This Canggu Restaurant is quite possibly serving the best burger in Bali!

Restaurant Name: La Pan Nam Warung
Address: Jl. TPA Batu Mejan No. 21, Pedang Linjong, Canggu

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my personal experience.

The Restaurant:  Well marked and easy to find, La Pan Nam has plenty of scooter parking out front.  It offers a very casual, relaxed atmosphere with a really good feel to it.  An open kitchen allows you to watch your food being prepared, if you wish; ample seating both inside and out, and a really nice, simple menu make this an inviting choice.

But how is the food? What about the service?  We were given a warm greeting when we arrived and told to sit where ever we like.  There is seating both inside and outside.  A server came immediately with menus and asked if we wanted anything to drink. The menu has both Western and Indonesian dishes. Please note: I apologize for my crappy photos – they do the food no justice.

The Food
 Our order on our first visit was:
– Pina Colada 55,000 IDR / €3 / US$4 Creamy, coconut and pineapple delicious
– Water 6,000 IDR / €0.35 / US$0.45

– Nasi Goreng With Fried Chicken 25,000 IDR / €1.40 / US$1.80 Not a huge portion, but sufficient and tasty.
– Mie Goreng With Fried Chicken 25,000 IDR / €1.40 / US$1.80 Also not oversized, but enough to fill, especially with a creamy drink and very good.
Total Cost: 111,000 IDR / €6.60 / US$7 for two persons

Some other dishes we tried on other visits:
– Mie Goreng 18,000 IDR / €1 / US$1.30 Same as above but without the chicken piece
– Vanilla milkshake 20,000 IDR / €1.10 / US$1.50 Delightfully old fashioned
– Banana milkshake 20,000 IDR / €1.10 / US$1.50  Also amazing
– Mango Granita 20,000 IDR / €1.10 / US$1.50 A tangy treat
– Clubhouse with fries 35,000 IDR / €2 / US$2.60 Scrumptious

– Cheeseburger 45,000 IDR / €2.50 / US$3.30  Quite possibly the best cheese burger in Bali, can rival an American burger

– Vegetarian spring rolls 19,000 IDR / €1.10 / US$1.40 Crispy perfection

Do I recommend it?  Yes, great little relaxed place with super service, delicious food and fabulous food prices. Make sure you try the cheeseburger!

Opening Hours: 8 am to 9 pm
Contact: Tel 0818-0562-9633, Website

Get There:

Other Canggu Links of Possible Interest:
→ Canggu
….⇒ Stay: Sleepy Gecko Guest House
    …..→Eat: Breakers Tavern 
    …..→Eat: My Wahrung
    …..→Eat: Wahrung D’ Pererenan
 …..→Drink: Where to Drink / Happy Hour
…..⇒ Go: Temples Tanah Lot & Batu Balong
…..⇒ Do: Top Fun Things to Do 

Location: Asia > SouthEast Asia > Indondesia > Bali Island > Badung > Canggu > Kuta Utara > Jl Pantai Batu Mejan > La Pan Nam Warung

Happy Hour Drinking Canggu, Bali

Looking for the perfect Sunset Happy Hour Drinks combo in Canggu?

Admittedly, perfection for one can be hell for another.  We have done a small list of bars for Happy Hour as well as Sunset Combos.  Happy Days! Happy Nights!

I will start with our personal favorite.
Cabe Cafe
Happy Hour = 3 Bintang for 50,000 IDR / €3 / US$3.50 from 5 pm to 7 pm
Sitting directly on Echo Beach, the sunsets are perfect.  Watch the surfers, sip a cold one and be careful to not get splashed by the waves!
Address: Canggu, Kuta Utara, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia (Echo Beach)

Get There:

Second on our list is The Grass Terrace who boast an all day happy hour Mojito.  This is not on the beach and you can not see the sunset unless you stare deep into your third mojito, but the vibe is awesome and the service is great!  If you like mojitos, hit this place up at some point!  60,000 IDR / €3.50 / US$4.20 for 2 Mojitos
Address: Jl. Munduk Catu, Canggu, Badung 80361, Indonesia

Get There:

Our final spot is perfect for Hipsters, Rich, Wannabes and Instagrammers.  This is where you get that perfect Sunset Instagram photo that everybody wants to see and believe Bali is all about!

The Lawn, a breezy seaside restaurant bar with a club atmosphere and pricey menu.  This place is always packed with pretty people in the gorgeous lounge overlooking the beach. An infinity pool adds to the leisurely pleasures where you can watch the sunset while socializing.
Address:  Jl. Pura Dalem, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia

Get There:

Another favourite way to watch the sunset, in stark contrast to the above is the Self Made drink and watch.  Hit a supermarket, buy your drinks and get to the beach.  Find a good spot before someone else steals it and enjoy the views for a fraction of the cost!  Happy Days!

I started the list; if you have a favourite sunset, happy hour or drinking place to add, please leave it in the comments section below!

Other Canggu Links of Possible Interest:
→ Canggu
….⇒ Stay: Sleepy Gecko Guest House
    …..→Eat: Breakers Tavern 
    …..→Eat: La Pan Nam Warung Restaurant
    …..→Eat: My Wahrung
    …..→Eat: Wahrung D’ Pererenan
…..⇒ Go: Temples Tanah Lot & Batu Balong
…..⇒ Do: Top Fun Things to Do 

Breakers Tavern | One More Poolside Bar

Looking for Affordable Food with a Clean Kitchen in Canggu, Bali.

Restaurant Name: Breakers Tavern, also known as One More Poolside Bar
Address: Jl. Batu Bolong, Br. Pipitian, Canggu, Bali

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my personal experience.

Finding affordable food in Canggu Bali is not always easy.  We decided to check out a random restaurant slightly off the beaten path, which we saw on our way to the Pepito Supermarket. There was not one single person sitting in the place when we arrived, but a quick glance at the menu indicated good prices.

A Smiley server greeted us and made some recommendations as we glanced through the menu. Cautiously, I asked if I could please see the kitchen – so many locals told us you must be very careful when eating in local establishments because they are often dirty. This kitchen was not stainless steel elegance, but it was clean and had proper washing facilities.

We grabbed a table and watched local kids splashing in a small waterpark below.  The casual atmosphere allows for one to interpret it as a bar, a cafe and a restaurant all rolled into one.  Fans cool the lower area, while poolside views and gentle breezes are on the upper level.

The Menu has All day Breakfast, snacks, Indonesian food, Western food, Seafood and Desserts.  We finally settled on:
– 1 beer 25,000
– 1 water 6,000
– Vegetarian Spring Rolls 30,000
– Honey Lime Chicken 40,000
– a side of white rice 5,000
– Mie Goreng Chicken 35,000

Total: 141,000 IDR / €7.95 / US$9.87

The meal was delicious, right down to the last bite, service was excellent and it was clean.
Would I recommend it? Definitely.  Delectable food and good prices.

Opening Hours: 12 pm (noon) to 12 am (midnight)

Get There:

Other Canggu Links of Possible Interest:
→ Canggu
….⇒ Stay: Sleepy Gecko Guest House
    …..→Eat: La Pan Nam Warung Restaurant
    …..→Eat: My Wahrung
    …..→Eat: Wahrung D’ Pererenan
 …..→Drink: Where to Drink / Happy Hour
…..⇒ Go: Temples Tanah Lot & Batu Balong
…..⇒ Do: Top Fun Things to Do 

Location: Asia > SouthEast Asia > Indondesia > Bali Island > Badung > Canggu > Kuta Utara > Jl. Batu Bolong > Breakers Tavern