Our resort: Melia Bali, Nusa Dua
Note: all photos in this post are from my Instagram. I wouldn’t usually do this, but I only took happy snaps with my phone while in Bali – postcard snapshots, if you will!
I’ve repeatedly verbalised to my friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, and anyone unfortunate enough to be within ear shot, that have a serious aversion to hot temperatures. Which makes me laugh as the only countries I’ve travelled to are Fiji, India, and Bali. I also complain about the middle of winter, but I do prefer cooler temperatures.
No-one likes a negative whinger, but I feel my reasons are valid! Cool weather makes me feel awake, bright, and alive. Hot weather makes me tired, lethargic, and worst of all: swollen.
I did my best to lose some weight before my friend’s Bali wedding in a very short time-frame. I lost a total of 6kg and many centimetres from around my body, including -12cm from my hips. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Then after 1 day in the tropical heat of Bali, I expanded again with heat swelling. It could have been slightly caused by my gleeful consumption of Bintang and Nasi Goreng, but I’m blaming the heat.
All you can do is laugh, though it wasn’t funny when 3 of us were trying to force my swollen feet into my bridesmaid shoes after we’d taken them off for beach photos. Picture a trussed ham and you’ll get a rough idea of what my feet looked like in shoes.
In the end it didn’t matter how swollen I was, or how I looked. What mattered was having an amazing time with my best friends, and being part of such a beautiful wedding.
There were tears, emotional speeches, intense dancing to Spice Girls, infectious laughter, many bottles of water, an epic dessert buffet, but above all… and I’m going to get soppy here… love.
The bride & groom (Amanda‘s photo)
Gorgeous ceremony setting, and dress (Amanda‘s photo)
No idea what we were dancing to here, but we clearly loved it
Me mateys!
Dessert buffet! I went back for seconds.
We were only in Bali for 3 nights, but I still had a few opportunities to consume delicious food.
They say to avoid Bali Belly, it is best to steer clear of several things such as tap water, ice, uncooked meat, fish or vegetables, food from street vendors etc… So after arriving at our hotel at 5.30pm we decided to have sashimi for dinner on our first night. I’m quite certain I’ve got an iron stomach as I’ve never had travel or food sickness.
Sakura Japanese Restaurant is located inside the resort of Melia Bali, Nusa Dua, which is where we stayed. I was confident that their location within a resort meant their sashimi would be safe to eat – which it was, and it was the perfect fresh dinner in the heat. Despite being exceptionally full after our shared sashimi platter, once I spotted chocolate spring rolls on the dessert menu I had to have them.
Sashimi & chocolate spring rolls
I wish I’d taken photos of the buffet breakfast at the Melia, as there were so many options across 2 room areas. Have I mentioned that a buffet breakfast is one of my most favourite things in the world? I was literally like a child in a candy store. The buffet included made-to-order eggs, Indonesian dishes, streaky bacon, churros, noodles, cereals, and anything else you might want. I especially enjoyed the maple syrup over my streaky bacon and pancakes. Perhaps they contributed to my swelling too… 
One can’t really stay in Bali and not eat nasi goreng at least once. I could have tried something different, but how could I go past fried rice with chicken sate (satay), prawn crackers and a fried egg?
Nasi goreng at a beachside restaurant in Sanur
Nasi goreng at a shopping mall restaurant, Nusa Dua
On our last day in Bali, the day after the wedding, I relaxed. After sleeping in and missing breakfast we had a fantastic brunch at the tapas bar in Melia, followed by parking myself by the pool, under an umbrella of course. Sadly we had to fly home at 2am that night, and I realised the happy hour cocktails consumed by the pool weren’t my best idea.
Lunch on our final day, Sateria Tapas Bar, Melia Bali
Fresh ginger and mint mojito is delicious
And that was our whirlwind 4-day trip to Bali! I had such an awesome time regaining 2kg on my holiday. I let loose in spectacular fashion. But now that we’re back in comfortably chilly Sydney, I’m keen to continue eating healthier, and will lose a few more kilos in the process. Maybe 4kg. We’ll see.
Coming soon to the blog: quinoa and brown rice
Dear Chanel,
You look awesome as usual. I went to Bali for the first time in 2009 and I didn’t quite enjoy it as the heat was stifling. The consolation was laying by our private pool each day getting sunbaked and downing Bintang beers poured over ice.
Foodwise, I think some of the nasi gorengs in Sydney’s Indonesian restaurants would give the local ones a run for their money.
Hi Chopin – well, thank you for your kind words! I found the heat slightly more bearable when I was by the pool – next time I’ll have to get a private pool villa
Can you recommend some Indonesian restaurants in Sydney?
Bali is one place i’d love to visit. i always hear great things about the place. i’d love all the food as well
. I don’t mind hot weather as long as there’s a beach near by and my room has air con.
The food is great Simon, and so cheap. Even though we were at a fancier restaurant when I took the first nasi goreng photo, it was only $5.
I love the Ginger & mint Mojito. Had them on a cruise & they make you want more & more & more…..a really refreshing drink.
Hi Diana! That cocktail was so refreshing, and utterly delicious – I had 3.
Sounds like a fantastic whirlwind trip! And if you can’t let loose and eat some delicious things on holiday, then when can you? Love your dress for the wedding!
Thanks SarahKate! I fully support eating many delicious things whilst on holiday
You look amazing and well done for losing 6 kilos! that’s wonderful!
Thank you Lorraine
We’re off to Bali for 7 nights in July – CANNOT WAIT to lay by my private pool in our private villa with our maid to cook our breakfast and do our laundry (am a I sounding a bit Khardashian)? You’re trip looked wonderful…loved the dresses you gals wore.
Thanks Mel! You’ll have such an amazing time. Haha, and who cares if you sound like the K’s, I say go for it – live it up and have a ball
Im the same- i really dont like humid hot weather- its makes shopping and eating hard!
I was there less than a month ago and the weather wasnt too bad. I love bali so cheap and the service is amazing!
Haha yes it definitely makes eating, and drinking, difficult! I lose my hunger when I’m too hot.
Bali is so on my ‘have to visit’ list. What a wonderful wedding, You look wonderful.
Thanks Sara
Chanel you look absolutely amazing
Aw, thank you Nic!
Hello there! Thanks for sharing the beautiful post and the images… I just had my very first sashimi experience in Brazil… and it was quite something! would love to know what you think about the images/the way it was prepared… come by the post (whenever!
) and let me know your thoughts… i´m beginning to become an Asian food lover, and I do now appreciate all the work that´s put on a dish!!!
Greetings from Recife, Pernambuco!
http://3rdculturechildren.com/2012/06/06/sashimi-date/
Hi, thanks for your comment! I’ll check out your blog post
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I have loads of fond memories from going to Bali last month as well! We avoided Bali Belly for the first few days… but then felt braver and just went for it! Ice, street food, and all and we were absolutely fine!!! Bali was certainly a lovely place… next time I\’ll spend more time up in the mountains (Ubud and beyond). Congratulations to your friend!
Thanks Trisha! Ubud is gorgeous too. We only had a day trip there, so I’d love to explore more