Blissed out in Bali

Chic style at the Bali Goddess Villa living room.

The Bali Goddess Retreats Villa.

Shopping in Seminyak - baskets galore.

An Indonesian cookery class at the Tugu Hotel, Canguu.

Amanda rested and relaxed at the end of her trip.

This year almost everyone from the real living office has had a holiday in Bali, including me! It's become a fast fave of anyone who not only wants to have a relaxing break but also fit in a bit of great shopping too. I thought you might enjoy hearing about the highlight of a recent trip by deputy chief sub Amanda Hemmings-Barbezat took.

"After a recent holiday staying at The Bali Goddess Retreats (BGR) in Seminyak I’m back in Sydney feeling relaxed, looking sun-kissed and weighing 2kg less than before I left. Obviously the daily Yoga sessions, beach walks and treks through the rice paddies paid off as I certainly didn’t do any dieting or detoxing – all those delicious banana fritters made sure of that! This holiday was about fun, fitness, fabulous food and adventure. Not to mention lots of pampering.

"One of the highlights of my stay was a guided bike ride through the region of Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali. Start at Lake View Restaurant in Kintamani for brunch, with its breathtaking views of Lake Batur and Mt Batur, before taking a gentle downhill meander through pretty mountain villages, stopping at temple compounds, bamboo forests and small farms – it’s a great opportunity to meet the locals.

"I have to admit that in between the cycling, swimming and downtime relaxing in the gorgeous surrounds of the BGR, aka “the sanctuary” (picture a laidback luxe colonial-style villa flanked by lush tropical gardens and emerald pool), I shopped ‘til I dropped – literally. It’s hard not to when the streets in Seminyak are lined with so many beautiful boutiques and artisan stalls, selling everything from designer clothes to ikat cushions. Head to Jalan Raya and Jalan Kunti in Seminyak, and the main high street in Legian for lots of great finds (I bought enough beads and bangles to accessorise the whole of Sydney!). Avoid central Kuta if you don’t want to be surrounded by stalls overflowing with Bintang t-shirts and street hawkers.

"If you love cooking, or just love eating, then taking part in an Indonesian cookery class is a must. This is the real deal: a traditional outdoor Balinese kitchen in the magnificent gardens of the Tugu Bali Hotel in Canggu. Don an apron and start chopping, stirring and crushing. Make sure you don’t eat too much for brekkie because you’ll have a five-course banquet to devour by midday. My fave dish was the Sambal Goreng Udang (marinated shrimps, potatoes and green peas). Yum!

"Talking of food, the home-cooked meals at BGR were amazing, as in mouth-watering (I’m still dreaming of their chicken and lychee curry), but there’s also lots of great eateries to experience beyond the goddess gates. For high tea, head to Biku. This charming and character-filled colonial-style tea room serves loose-leaf tea in pretty porcelain cups, and their carrot cake is to die for! Café Bali has a similar vibe – Colonial-style chic with a white woody interior and vintage chandeliers. For a memorable evening meal try Sarong – the decor is dramatic and decadent, and the menu is divine. And all are just a short stroll from the Bali Goddess Retreats – yay!

"Now, you really can’t visit Bali without booking in for a massage (or three) – I had one a day! I know, it’s indulgent but BGR does have its own dial-in masseuse so how could I refuse? There are also a heap of spas in the area that offer great treatments at the fraction of what you’d pay in Australia. I had the most relaxing 90-min holistic body massage at Chill. But I was positively floating after the Hot Stone treatment at the luxurious Prana Spa. Oh, it’s a hard life being a goddess…"

Bali Goddess Retreats holds 2 retreats per month. Guests can choose to stay for 5 days of action, with the opportunity to do back to back retreats for 12-14 day stays. Packages start from $1295. Visit www.baligoddessretreats.com for more info. And if you feel like grabbing a board and trying your hand at surfing, check out the Surf Goddess Retreats – www.surfgoddessretreats.com.au