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April 2024
After two nights in Nusa Penida, Terry and I returned to Bali for one final stop before continuing our journey. We chose Canggu. Of all the places we visited in Bali, Canggu felt the most modern and westernized. Stylish cafes, upscale restaurants, boutique shopping, beach clubs, and beautifully designed hotels seemed to occupy nearly every corner. It was also home to my favorite hotel of the trip.
The property blended indoor and outdoor spaces, tropical landscaping, natural materials, and open-air architecture in a way that felt distinctly Balinese while still offering every modern comfort. After weeks of travel, it was a wonderful place to spend our final night.
Canggu also had some of the best food we encountered during the entire trip.
After many meals built around rice, chicken, and local specialties, it was refreshing to have access to a wider range of dining options. We spent much of our short stay doing exactly that, enjoying good restaurants, browsing shops, and taking advantage of a slower schedule before the long journey ahead.
One thing that became clear very quickly was that Canggu has become one of Bali’s trendiest destinations.
The restaurants were excellent, the shopping was fun, and the overall atmosphere felt energetic without being overwhelming.
Our final afternoon was spent at Hula Hula Beach Club, one of the area’s most popular beach clubs and a convenient place to spend the hours before a late-night flight.
We booked one of the large lounging areas overlooking the ocean, giving us plenty of room to spread out, relax, and enjoy our final day in Bali.
The pools overlooked the water, music played throughout the property, drinks flowed freely, and people seemed determined to squeeze every last bit of fun out of their vacation before heading home.
From our lounging area, we could watch planes taking off and landing in the distance, a constant reminder that our own departure was getting closer.
Terry and I approached the experience somewhat differently.
While people around us danced, celebrated, took shots, and generally embraced the party atmosphere, Terry found a comfortable place to relax and promptly fell asleep.
Around her, the music played on.
The party continued.
Nobody seemed to notice.
Meanwhile, we enjoyed the pools, the food, and the opportunity to unwind before the next leg of our journey.
Looking back, I probably wouldn’t tell first-time visitors to spend a large portion of their Bali vacation in Canggu. If you only have a week, I would prioritize Ubud, Nusa Penida, and some of the experiences that feel uniquely Balinese.
That said, Canggu was an excellent place to end our time in Bali.
- Comfortable hotels.
- Great food.
- Good shopping.
Eventually we returned to the hotel, showered, finished packing, and waited for our driver to take us to the airport.
The drive did not end the way I expected.
While traveling through the darkness, a black dog ran into the road. There was no time for the driver to react. We struck and killed it instantly. It was heartbreaking. Even now, it remains one of the strongest memories from that final evening and one I would gladly trade for something else.
Travel memories are rarely made up entirely of sunsets, great meals, and beautiful scenery. Sometimes they include moments you wish had never happened at all.
A few hours later, we were at the airport beginning the journey back. Well, part of the journey back. Rather than flying straight home, Terry and I had planned a 24-hour layover in South Korea to break up the long trip across the Pacific.
Not a bad way to spend a few weeks…but before heading home, there was still one more country to visit…
