“What better way to recover from flying half way around the world then lying by the pool or on a beach for a couple of days? If we are jetlagged and don’t know what time we will wake up then isn’t somewhere famous for brunch just perfect?” That’s how Debbie persuaded me that our first stop in Bali should be Canggu.

42 hours after leaving home we arrived in Canggu at Theanna Eco Villas and Spa. First impressions were very positive; a paved path led from the reception area to a thatched, open air, dining area next to the pool. The private villas were each behind a wall with a door in and when we opened ours we found our own little oasis of calm with a private plunge pooland outside kitchen area. The villa was beautifully laid out with a large bedroom and a bathroom with doors opening onto the pool. A flower bath had already been prepared for us.

With all this luxury it was tempting to just relax in and around our villa, but we were keen to explore Canggu.

The hotel was about a mile inland from the beach, but this wasn’t a problem because a shuttle minibus ran every three hours from 8am to 8pm and it was a nice stroll in between. There were also several informal restaurants (warung) along the road within a short walk of the hotel.

The first evening we decided to walk into Canggu and found it was buzzing, with loads of bars and warung. We found one with an indie band belting out Foo Fighters tracks and thought it would suit us nicely so settled in for a few Bintangs. Maybe that was why, when we walked back a few hours later, Debbie stumbled into the roadside gutter in the dark and lost her prescription sunglasses. Don’t ask why she needed to be balancing sunglasses on her head in the dark but she has a habit of using them as a hairband! When we got back we enjoyed a refreshing dip in our private pool before bed.

Breakfasts

One thing we particularly enjoyed about our hotel was the breakfasts. There was a great choice of fruit, juices, cereal, toast and both western and local cooked delicacies, including the hipster favourite poached eggs on smashed avocado on toast. Debbie enjoyed a breakfast fruit bowl that literally had her name on.

In Bali floating breakfasts are a “thing” so you can also have breakfast brought to your room and served on a floating tray in your pool. Unfortunately the day we booked ours it was pouring with rain so we ended up eating under cover in the main restaurant.

The Beaches

Canggu has three beaches; Echo Beach, Batu Balong Beach and Netatan Beach although it is hard to know where one ends and the next begins. They are lined with wooden shacks supplying snacks and drinks, and renting sun loungers with the proprietors doing their best to tempt you to stop at their establishment for a massage or surf lesson. We were happy just to watch the surfers and then later enjoy the spectacular sunsets.

Debbie was right. Canggu is a fabulous place to relax and unwind and after a few days we were ready to continue our journey with a private car journey up into the mountains to our next stop, Ubud.