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If you like your bars a little rough and ready, completely casual, and seriously boozy, don’t miss Alleycats on Poppies II in Kuta. Day and night there are people hanging out, tucking into excellent hangover food and playing pool. To really become an Alley Cat you have to get their logo tattooed somewhere on your body (yes, quite a few people have done this) and have a picture of your tattoo pinned to their wall of fame. You can also do food and drinking challenges to earn your place on the wall. I’m not necessarily recommending you do any of this, but you’re sure to meet some fun people and have a great night out at Alleycats.

One of the best places to watch the sun set is from the cliffs of Pura Luhur Uluwatu, or the site of the old Uluwatu Temple on the island of Bali. The dramatic cliffs overlook the ocean, and arriving before sunset allows you to explore before dark. The temple grounds are inhabited by a large number of monkeys, which are fun to watch but can be aggressive, so avoid wearing sunglasses or jewelry and bringing food, and be careful with your camera. Expect to wear a provided sarong over your pants/skirt/shorts, which is a sign of respect at religious sites in Indonesia (true here for men and women). At one end of Uluwatu, the rhythmic Kecak dance is performed nightly at sunset, and if you plan to stay, expect a crowd. Uluwatu is easily reached by car from most places on the southern part of the island. Drivers can be hired from hotels or villas.

Day or night, the Lawn is a favorite Canggu hangout. With the grassy expanse and mats to lounge on, a small pool facing the beach, a dining area, and a covered bar, this sunset spot has enough room for everyone. No need to jostle for space. Groups of friends and families enjoy long, lazy brunches, lunches, and dinners, the meals sometimes merging into a fantastically relaxed day. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Balinese-style babi guling pizzetta, or order a bit of everything from the grazing menu, which offers smaller dishes like crispy lemon squid and fresh rice paper rolls to share. The food is a bit expensive for those traveling on a budget, but the variety of dishes and the fresh ingredients make it splurge-worthy.

One of the first upscale beach restaurants on the well-developed stretch of Seminyak beach (and now one of several fine Italian options in the area), La Lucciola draws crowds to its beautiful frangipani-tree-scented beachfront to enjoy Italian-inspired fare and refreshing granitas (blended fruit and ice drinks, with or without alcohol). The thatched, two-story building offers many vantage points from which guests can watch the sun set over the water. Jalan Petitenget Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia 62/(0) 361 730838.

Set on cliffs above the Indian Ocean, this posh resort is made up of 59 spacious villas that blend local stone and wood with Bulgari-made fabrics. It’s a luxurious combination of contemporary Italian design and Balinese traditional architecture. From $880. 62/(0) 361-847-1000.

It was love at first sight when I saw the Ayana. The beauty of the way the buildings fit around the nature, the vast sparkling pools, the view of Jimbaran bay...sigh...Lovesick is the only way to describe being away from the Ayana. It’s just too lovely there. The staff are amazing, the Rock Bar stunning, and the food delicious. The seawater aquatherapy pool and the Spa on the Rocks are the epitome of luxury relaxation. If you must do something other than lounge by one of the many pools, there is a golf course, tennis courts and a one-mile running, walking, and cycling path. A kids club and pool with slides entertains the kiddos, and there’s a private beach for everyone.

I’m not sure what the name has to do with the shop, but The Prisoners of St Petersburg is a small but packed full of goodies boutique on Jl. Laksmana/Oberoi in the heart of fashionable Seminyak. It’s one of those shops where your eyes can’t take in everything fast enough and you leave wondering which items you actually bought (and which you’ll need to go back for later). The selection of vintage designer sunglasses is pretty amazing and there are so many other great accessories to choose from you can spend hours looking and trying things on. An absolute must on the Seminyak boutique trail!

Joy Jewellery is fun, funky and all hand made in Bali. The shop on Jalan Oberoi in Seminyak is small but packed full of great bracelets, necklaces and rings that you can’t buy just one of. They make excellent gifts, but I promise you’ll buy more for yourself than your friends.

Vi Ai Pi is a mix of everything really. Located right on the Legian party strip, it boasts a nightclub, underground bar, restaurant and live music venue. Most people I know skip the rest and head straight for the party and cocktails, but that might just be the people I know...

On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, catch a performance of Devdan—Treasure of the Archipelago. The 90-minute show, inspired by Indonesia’s cultural diversity, is a kind of Balinese Cirque du Soleil. It features a fusion of traditional Indonesian dance with modern contemporary dance and aerial acrobatics. While highly entertaining, the show also offers an insightful introduction to the history and diversity of the cultures of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Papua.

Kecak Dance is a traditional performing dance and theatrical art, it has a story about Ramayana, an epic history of Rama and Shinta. The show is held in Uluwatu temple at the evening hour, and if you’re lucky you will spot an amazing sunset over the hills. The show will start at 6pm, be sure you set your seat beforehand, because it will get crowded, and you don’t want to miss the story.

The Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort & Spa has become an icon of Bali‘s new wave of luxurious resorts that incorporate modern architecture with the natural beauty of the island. The bar teeters over the edge of the precipitous cliffs facing out into Jimbaran Bay, which is one of the best places in Bali to watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean. The Rock Bar is by no means cheap, but it is worth going once for the experience and to make your friends back home really jealous. Smart dress is required at the Rock Bar, so don’t turn up in board shorts or you’ll be turned away from the inclinator which carries guests down the cliffs to the bar. The line for the inclinator can get busy before sunset, so arrive early to get to the bar in time.

This surfer’s cafe is hailed as one of the best restaurants in Bali. Think simple grilled food served right on Geger Beach. It’s not possible to find fresher seafood. You can reach it by heading west of the Nusa Dua enclave and turning south off the main road to the Nikko Hotel. Or give them a call, they’re happy to pick you up (03617434779).

Warisan, which translates as ‘a legacy’ really is just that after over 20 years on the fine dining scene in Bali. Their menu might not have much to do with Balinese food, but it is delicious and the atmosphere is beautiful despite how built up the surroundings have become over the years since they first opened. It isn’t the most trendy restaurant anymore, but customers come back time and time again which proves they don’t need any more than excellent food, service and a great wine selection. Warisan also have a gallery and shop selling furniture and antiques from around Indonesia.

Catching the sunrise at Pandawa Beach, also known as the “Secret Beach” in South Bali, was an adventure from beginning to end. After learning about it from Rob, the owner of Suara Ombak Cottages (www.wavevoice.com) where we stayed during our SURF LIFE retreat, we woke up before the sun, hopped on our motorbikes and headed for the unknown paradise. Once there, we first stopped to admire the massive sculptures being carved out of the cliffs along the path to the beach. Then, down on the sand, as we waited and appreciated the natural beauty around us with only us three and some local fisherman, we witnessed the most magnificent sunrise that looked as if the sky was lit on fire. Riding our motorbikes to catch the sunrise at Pandawa Beach was spontaneous, powerful, unforgettable, and felt like our own treasured secret adventure.