#16 Southern Bali – Among Expats, Surfers, and Torrential Rains

Jumaa
Mar 3
2 min read

We left central Bali to gradually move closer to the airport and explore a region we hadn’t visited yet: Canggu-Seminyak.

Before arriving, the feedback we received—from both locals and travelers—was unanimous:"Oulala, it’s crowded, full of parties, and packed with scooters..."

We knew that, traveling with kids, we wouldn’t be testing the nightlife, but we still wanted to see what the hype was all about. Plus, we had found a nice little villa that looked promising.

First Impressions: A Mix of Instagrammers and Incredible Food

Our first three days in the south were... a mixed experience.

What stands out immediately? The sheer number of expats, digital nomads, and influencers hunting for the perfect Instagram shot. Okay, maybe that’s not the nicest way to put it, but it’s hard to ignore.

That being said, there’s one big plus: the food! 🍽️Honestly, we’re eating better here than in Belgium, with varied menus and delicious dishes everywhere.

However, the area near our villa isn’t ideal for walking:🚶 No sidewalks🏍️ Non-stop scooter traffic🚧 Constant construction sites

Google Maps isn’t always up to date, and small alleys often lead to dead ends. Walking is tough, so we’ve opted for Grab/taxis to get around.

An Afternoon Under the Tropics

With rainy season kicking in, the downpours are becoming more frequent. But the good news? They usually last only 15 to 20 minutes before the sun reappears for the rest of the day.

But on our first day in Canggu, we got hit by a massive tropical storm. And when I say rain, I mean the kind that shuts down highways! #DydyLePompier 😉

So, we took shelter in a super modern mall. The prices were European, but the kids had fun, and we had a great time together.

Heading to the Beach

The next day, we decided to check out the coast.

A Grab ride later (10 minutes for what looked like a much shorter distance—thanks to the confusing street layout), we found ourselves in a totally different part of Canggu.

🌊 It felt like an Australian surf town—surfers everywhere, beachside bars, and of course, rolling waves!

Seeing it all, I suddenly had the urge to catch a few waves, but… oops, we forgot our swimsuits!

No worries—we’ll be back. In the meantime, we stopped at a '70s-style restaurant-bar, which was incredibly good, with an ambiance straight out of another era.

We ended the day with a visit to the local market, Love Anchor, where stalls were overflowing with handmade crafts, clothing, and jewelry—a perfect mix of souvenirs and local charm.

What’s Next?

There’s still more of Southern Bali to explore, and we’re curious to see if it will win us over. Stay tuned for more discoveries, surprises, and of course… food!

As we walked around, we noticed signs indicating evacuation routes in case of earthquakes or tsunamis. These constant reminders made us aware that we are indeed on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region with high seismic activity.

In fact, just a bit further east, Mount Lewotobi recently erupted, sending ash columns up to 9 kilometers high and forcing mass evacuations…