Now that I have finally had a chance to collect my thoughts after a massive couple of weeks in Bali and Port Douglas I finally had time to sit down and put pen to paper and write a wrap up post for the Bali Foodie Tour 2017.

Firstly I want to say that this tour was a collaborative effort between myself and Mercedes from Mercedes Gonzalez Travel Management. After I got back from my trip to Europe last year Mercedes approached me and asked me if I would be interested in hosting a food tour with her. Was I ever?!  That’s every bloggers dream isn’t it? We met for coffee and we were so excited about the prospect of working together on this tour that we hit the ground running and began organising.

Just a small portion of the offerings at Starfish Bloo’s Sunday Brunch

The Bali Foodie Tour was in fact my first trip to Bali so Mercedes was my eyes and ears when planning the food tour.  As she has visited Bali over 30 times there is no one more qualified to show us the sights and sounds of Bali. As co-host of the tour I was lucky enough to have my flights and accommodation covered by Mercedes Gonzalez Travel Management. She organised flights, accommodation, travel insurance, transfers, massages and cocktails for the group for 12 while I worked on the food component.

Sunset cocktails at La Plancha -YES PLEASE!

Originally the tour was going to be in Melbourne but a few logistical and cost concerns had Mercedes suggest the idea of Bali to me. I’ll be honest, prior to this trip Bali was never on my list of destinations I wanted to visit but around that time I had some read articles in Delicious and Gourmet Traveller about the increasingly sophisticated food scene that has emerged in Bali over the last few years. Just to mention a few, Frank Camorra of Movida fame in Melbourne had opened his first overseas outpost at the much hyped Potato Head Beach Club. In November owner of Bondi Icebergs in Sydney Maurice Terzini brought the Amalfi Coast to Bali with the opening of his first Bali restaurant Da Maria and Adrian Reed opening Motel Mexicola. I wondered if maybe it was time for me to finally make my way to the Island of Smiles and when Mercedes suggested  Bali for the foodie tour I figured it was fate.

Indonesian food at Kaum, Potato Head Beach Club

I researched my little butt off to put together an itinerary that would be not only tour some of the best new eating and drinking spots in Bali but also some of the hidden gems and local haunts (Warung’s)where one can dine on a huge plate of Nasi Campur for little more than AU$3. I’m not gonna lie, but now that it’s all said and done we did visit some seriously awesome places and ate some even more awesome food. The price of ‘high end’ food in Bali is roughly half of what you would pay in Australia and it’s true when they say you can eat like kings (and Queens) in Bali for a fraction of the cost. It’s not just the price of food in Bali but the quality of the food in many of these restaurants and cafes is second to none. And I know you’re probably wondering did anyone get the dreaded Bali Belly on the tour? The answer is yes – but certainly not from anywhere that I recommended.

Handmade donuts while shopping up a storm at Kuta Beach

After 5 days of eating we barely scraped the surface and there are so many more restaurants I want to tick off my list. Unfortunately one can only eat so much – even though I was called a ‘bottomless pit’ by one of the ladies on the tour. So I guess that means I will just have to go back and admittedly I am already on high alert for cheap Bali flights on Jetstar.

Welcome drinks before the Paon Cooking Class in Ubud

I’m beyond grateful to Mercedes for the opportunity to co-host this tour with her. In fact this tour would never have gone ahead if it wasn’t for Mercedes putting it together.  I enjoyed my trip to Bali more than I ever thought I would but not just because of the place and the food but also because of the fabulous group of ladies that came on the tour. Alana, Shannon, Jesse, Keithea, Andrea, Cara, Lauren, Lindie, Mercedes and the two Katrina’s -thanks for an unforgettable 5 days! I’m looking forward to our reunion dinner in a few weeks time. And lastly will I be doing another tour? Hell yeah!

Important Info:

Contact Mercedes Gonzalez Travel Management for all your travel needs. You can find her on Facebook or contact her direct on 0488 223 685.

We stayed at the quirky Dash Hotel right in the heart of Seminyak. You cannot beat this place in terms of located (literally we were right across the road from Potato Head). The beds were comfy, there’s a spa onsite, a rooftop bar and the brekkies are pretty darn good.

Each time Mercedes travels to Bali she uses Made Suarjana from Prestige Driving Service (Ph: +628123952745). He’s friendly, reliable and has a well stocked esky onboard. I will definitely be using him again when I return.