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If it’s rum that piques your fancy, Samai Distillery is one of the best spots in Phnom Penh to savour the spirit. Samai’s selection of rums are crafted using traditional rum-making techniques and aged and blended with uniquely Cambodian ingredients. This results in a flavour profile that’s uniquely Cambodian. Key among their offerings is the Samai Kampot Pepper Rum which offers a crisp sweetness with hints of eucalyptus and guava and a sharp spicy bite from the kampot pepper. For a more classic flavour profile, try the multi-award-winning Samai Gold Rum. Be sure to stop by on Thursdays for the lively parties Samai throws within their distillery space.
I take a tiny lift up the floors of a weathered industrial building. An airy, light-filled space greets me when the doors open. Its wide windows reveal a view of banyan trees standing tall and majestic, just by the Kallang river.
When my turn comes, I’m guided to a room with spartan white walls. Before me lies a futuristic-looking, egg-shaped pod. Within it, a pool of water phases from purple to green, red and blue, while ethereal music wafts in the background. The effect is hypnotic.
The futuristic saltwater pods of Palm Avenue Float Club. Photo: Palm Ave Float Club
I hold my breath and slide gently in. The warm water, thanks to the 600kg of Epsom salt dissolved in it, cradles my body. I’m suspended effortlessly as if floating in a womb-like alien cocoon. When I feel ready, I pull down the pod’s lid. The music stops, the light goes off and I’m plunged into an inky darkness. I focus on clearing my mind. I begin to notice areas of physical tension in my body, such as my neck, stiff from hours spent hunched over a laptop. I breathe in deeply and feel my heart rate slow. With my arms splayed out and eyes closed, I feel untethered, like a lone astronaut lost in the infinite abyss.
Flotation therapy for longer-lasting stress relief
This is all happening at Singapore’sPalm Ave Float Club, one of the early pioneers of the local wellness trend when it opened back in 2014. Founders Sarah Chan and Derrick Foo first learned about flotation therapy in 2013, while searching for ways to deal with their own stress.
First designed by an American neuroscientist, flotation tanks are thought toease mental anxiety, muscle tension and even symptoms of depression, by cutting out all external stimulation.
Float therapy sessions offer a space for self-discovery and to free one’s mind. Photo: Palm Ave Float Club
Chan and Foo found that the therapy gave them a natural state of calm, be more attuned to their surroundings and created a longer-lasting result than other wellness techniques they’d tried. They wanted to give their clients the same experience.
“Think of it likesavasana(the relaxation pose in yoga) on steroids,” says Chan. “We want visitors to feel a sense of freedom and inner transformation. After a float, everything seems lighter and brighter.”
Float Club is located in Kampong Bugis, next to the idyllic Kallang Riverside Park. It’s a mere five-minute drive from the busy Kampong Glam heritage district, but feels like a world away from the buzzing city centre.
The soothing interiors invite guests to idle their time away here. Photo: Palm Avenue Float Club
Reflecting on the business’ early years, the club’s founders say that it had been an interesting experience getting to know the early adopters of this activity. They found that there was a small community of like-minded individuals.
Some of them were what Foo called “truth seekers”, people who sought a more spiritual experience, or perhaps just something that rang true to them. “Bear in mind, back in the day the term wellness wasn’t even officially coined yet,” he adds. Another group were “bio-hackers”, a term he uses to describe people who wanted to improve their health and wellbeing by making changes to their bodies, diet and lifestyle. Today, this oasis of calm draws in many professionals who come simply to ease the aches and pains of the working day.
Singapore’s growing focus on wellness
Singapore has the unfortunate reputation of consistently ranking among the most stressed-out nations in global surveys. But that narrative has been gradually changing since the pandemic.
Locals are increasingly prioritising their wellbeing and paying more attention to self-care. A whole range of alternative wellness providers are springing up in the city-state, offering everything from forest bathing to reiki, cacao ceremonies to crystal healing. In 2022, Singapore held its inauguralWellness Festival, a symbol of the local explosion of interest in the wellness sector.
From late September to early October 2023, Aesop organised Khronos: a Skin Odyssey,a sensory art installation and series of wellbeing-centric workshops. Photo: Aesop
Other mindfulness and self-care events soon followed. Recently, luxury skincare brand Aesop organisedKhronos: a Skin Odyssey– a sensory art installation and series of workshops that included sound baths and mat pilates with a focus on breathwork, which celebrated the link between skin and wellbeing.The Conscious Festival at South Beach promoted health, wellness and sustainability with talks, panels and more workshops. Diana Ng, a somatic therapist and embodiment guide who has been working in the wellness space in the past 20 years, observes a growing consciousness towards the importance of wellness, as well as a demand for more intentionally curated experiences.
“Our culture has tended to value mind over matter and pushing through. The lockdown gave people a chance to reconnect to their own needs and realise what might be misaligned in their life,” she said. She notes that a sense of community has sprung up at emerging wellness clusters at Pearl’s Hill Terrace in Chinatown and the recently-defunct Altered States, also founded by Chan and Foo at the same Kampong Bugis location.
An increasing number of practitioners are offering experiences such as sound baths. Photo: Shutterstock
Yoga aside, an increasing number of practitioners are exploring other modalities such as breathwork, sound baths, movement and forest therapy. “When people come for my sessions to relieve stress, they realise that fellow participants may also be going through something challenging. Through the guided movements, they learn to quiet their mind and reconnect with their body, alongside other people, without finding it taboo. That’s what makes such spaces so valuable.”
Restaurants serving ‘dirty clean’ healthy but tasty food
But wellness isn’t just about learning, listening or switching off. It’s about fun, too.
There’s been a growing interest in healthy eating on this island over the past few years. Healthy, accessible and tasty mini-chains, such asThe Daily CutandBamboo Bowlsoffer an alternative to Singapore’s traditional, low-cost street food and its thriving fine-dining scene.
COOP COOP offers a new ‘Cheeky chicken’ concept, serving mouth-watering roasted chicken with beautiful Mediterranean inspired sides. Photo: COOP COOP
The Kallang Rivergreen building, home to the Palm Ave Float Club, also houses a new vegetable-forward rotisserie restaurantCOOP COOPon its ground floor patio. Promising fun and casual vibes, this pet-friendly space is designed to encourage group get-togethers. The star dish, rotisserie chicken drizzled with garlic sauce and crisp chilli oil, invites everyone to dig in and get their hands dirty. The menu leans towards Middle Eastern flavours with a hint of Asian. Expect veggie dips, salads, sharing mezze plates and grilled items.
“A meal that’s indulgent and where you get your hands dirty but ultimately, you are eating well”
Javier Perez of Yonder Hospitality, the group behind COOP COOP, enthuses that this mix of hearty fare and fresh vegetables helps keep everything balanced. “We like to call it ‘Dirty Clean’, a meal that’s indulgent and where you get your hands dirty but ultimately, you are eating well,” he says.
Learning to linger and just do nothing
When I end my float session, I emerge from the darkness and find myself back in the lounge area, where the staff invite me to stay for as long as I like.
I wander the space, examining the therapy tool-kits and self-help books, before I finally make myself at home amongst the throw cushions. I savour a cup of hot ginger tea and a Thai coconut and chocolate ice cream. Time unspools lazily as I watch the world outside go by. In the distance, a fleet of kayakers paddle in the waters around the Singapore Sports Hub.
“Many of us have forgotten how to do nothing”
Chan and Foo have made space for idleness as an antidote for modern life. As Foo puts it, “We’ve learnt that people just want to chill and keep it real. You’d think it’s funny that people would need to learn how to be idle. But modern societies are filled with distractions, and many of us have forgotten how to do nothing.”
Flipping through the Float Club’s visitors book, I find previous floaters have left all sorts of doodles, sketches and reflections in colourful markers. Some are trippy and quirky; others are pensive, heartfelt and raw. “I became part of a large dark pond, my hands were like gentle rockets pulsing and then I had a really great nap,” wrote one guest.
In a world so over-stimulated and frantically paced, it’s heartening to know that spaces like this exist – a safe retreat that allows time for wonder and reflection in the middle of ordinary moments.
Where to find similar wellness experiences in Singapore
At Yunomori Onsen & Spa, soak your worries away in the mineral-rich, warm waters at this space that marries traditional Japanese Onsen therapies and Thai spa treatments.
Trapeze Rec. Clubis a wellness club that comprises a boutique gym, a variety of health, fitness and wellness treatments and a café in the heart of Singapore’s central business district.
Indulge in a one-of-a-kind halotherapy (salt therapy) experience at Pablo Blau, Singapore’s first luxury salt spa.
Pablo Blau’s salt waiting room. Photo: Pablo Blau
From saunas, ice baths, float tanks and acupressure massage to counselling, all this and more is available at Soma House, a studio in Singapore’s beloved Eastside neighbourhood Joo Chiat.
Nestled within Bukit Timah’s lush greenery, Herd Singapore harnesses the gentle healing power of horses through Equine-Assisted Intervention therapy sessions.
Space 2B is a collective of mindfulness mentors who lead over 30 sound-healing, meditation and somatic experiences each week, using meditation and sound’s therapeutic qualities.
Gentle Walksconducts local forest walks for people toexperience a slower way of life and soak in the goodness of the forest.
Glow’s wellness-centric menu prioritises fresh organic ingredients. Photo: Glow
Glow by Supernature is an all-organic and natural retail and dining space on Dempsey, with a tempting range of freshly prepared salads, energising juices and warming soups.
Since opening in 2011, The Living Café in Bukit Timah has been at the forefront of raw and plant-based cuisine in Singapore.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Singapore, visit the official website.
A chorus of birdsong and frog croaks echoes around me as I follow the wooded path through Earth Sanctuary, a privately owned sculpture park on Whidbey Island, 20 minutes by ferry from Seattle, Washington State. In the distance, a family of wood ducks glide across a pond and a great blue heron peeks out of the marshes. I deposit my $7 fee in the honesty box at the car park (you can also pay in advance online) and head past the trailhead, where a bell sways from an old fir tree. Nearby, a prayer wheel turns in the gentle breeze.
Earth Sanctuary founder Chuck Pettis is waiting to guide me through his 29-hectare reserve. An author and environmental artist, Pettis designed this private park with wildlife preservation in mind. Since founding the Sanctuary in 2000, his vision has been to create a place where spirituality and nature converge.
“Earth Sanctuary is a refuge from the constant chaotic onslaught of a world in transition,” says Pettis. “It’s a protected ecosystem for birds, insects, trees, plants and fungi, and it purifies the Useless Bay water table. Earth Sanctuary is preserving, protecting and sustaining what we most love about Whidbey Island.”
A family of hooded Merganser chicks. Photo: Michael Stadler
Landscape art inspired by ancient monuments
A practising Buddhist, Pettis is a spiritual man, with a particular interest in ley lines, the networks of energy that some believe weave around the planet. He believes that Whidbey Island possesses the largest collection of ley lines and spiritual nexuses in the world. This inspired him to create spaces and art pieces on his land that “honour these energies”. He takes inspiration from ancient monuments such as Neolithic dolmen, stone tombs and stone circles, structures from various faiths such as the Buddhist stupa and Native American medicine wheel, as well as physics and mathematics.
Earth Sanctuary founder Chuck Pettis. Photo: Earth SanctuaryCairn sculptures at Fen Viewpoint at Earth Sanctuary. Photo: Michael Stadler
Following delicately stacked stone cairns, we reach Ley Line Sculpture, an arrangement of charred driftwood that marks what Pettis believes to be powerful earth energies that inspire spiritual experiences. In the distance, a bald eagle perches on a red alder. All around me, the lush woodland’s native flowers exude a gentle fragrance.
Even if you don’t share Pettis’s beliefs, the atmosphere he has created at the Sanctuary is a healing balm that encourages you to connect with nature, slow down and forget about life’s stresses.
“My hope is that when people come to Earth Sanctuary, they feel relaxed, more mindful. I want their worries to fall away,” he shares.
Honouring Indigenous culture
We amble across the 3km dirt trail that loops around Earth Sanctuary and pass a medicine wheel created from a consecrated baby grey whale skull by shaman Klaw-osht of the Nuu-chah-nulth tribe of Vancouver Island. I follow Pettis up to the wheel and remove my shoes as a show of respect. I appreciate that Pettis asked an Indigenous artist to create this, honouring the cultural heritage of the Snohomish, the tribe on whose land I now tread.
A boy explores the Cottonwood stone circle. Photo: Michael Stadler
A sanctuary that protects wildlife
Pettis is working to restore the land environmentally as well as spiritually. He has planted 70 native species of trees and well over 100 other plants and shrubs in Earth Sanctuary to date. His goal is to combine the best in ecological management with art and spirituality to create a sanctuary for wildlife as well as people.
“My hope is that when people come to Earth Sanctuary, they feel relaxed, more mindful. I want their worries to fall away”
“I’ve done a lot of work with non-profit environmental groups and I know bad things are going on with the environment everywhere that I have no control over. I decided to focus on Earth Sanctuary’s 29 hectares and design with nature rather than against it,” Pettis says. “I hope to restore an old-growth forest, making space for art and spirituality, to create a magical and peaceful place that uplifts its visitors.”
Investigating the prayer wheels at the Buddhist stupa monument. Photo: Michael Stadler
Pettis and I climb the trail to the Buddhist stupa monument with its long line of prayer wheels spinning in the breeze. We make our way back out to the parking lot through a winding trail, where Douglas firs reach to the sky and bigleaf maple trees create a canopy over ferns, mosses and mushrooms.
I end my walk back where I started, at the car park. Although I’ve gone full circle, I’m somehow not the same.
Visiting Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is an hour’s drive over the iconic Deception Pass, or a 20-minute ferry ride from Seattle. The Whidbey SeaTac shuttle takes you directly to the island from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
The picturesque Deception Pass, between Seattle and Whidbey Island. Photo: Jayson Moorman
Where to stay on Whidbey Island
Comforts of Whidbey is a six-room bed and breakfast in a winery. Overlooking Puget Sound, it’s just 13km from Earth Sanctuary’s peaceful environs. The ample breakfast fuels you for island adventures.
Captain Whidbey Inn, 30-minutes by car from Earth Sanctuary, features Scandinavian décor in its Lagoon Rooms, rustic but cosy rooms in its Historic Lodge and whale-spotting views from its Penn Cove Cabins, all nestled along the shoreline amid old-growth firs.
Whidwood On Whidbey Island has a charming sun-filled apartment and cosy cabin, 40-minutes’ drive north of Earth Sanctuary. Both are filled with books which you can borrow and read in a pleasant corner of Whidwood’s beautiful gardens.
Where to eat on Whidbey Island
Orchard Kitchen, a few minutes’ drive from Earth Sanctuary, sits in the middle of a farm. This supplies most of the ingredients for Chef Vincent Nattress’s creative fine-dining tasting menus, which change every night and are never repeated.
Seabiscuit Bakery, a short drive from Earth Sanctuary, lies hidden in the woods. But once you find it, you’ll want to stay a while sampling their decadent pastries, cookies and quiches. Grab a freshly made sandwich for the ferry ride back to Seattle.
Saltwater Fishhouse and Oyster Bar, in downtown Langley, is where you’ll find the famous local Penn Cove mussels steamed in Seattle’s Rainier beer. Don’t leave without trying their local clams and oysters too.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Seattle, visit the official website.
When planning a European holiday, capitals such as Paris, London and Barcelona may readily come to mind. But unbeknownst to many, Brussels features superb shopping and a rapidly evolving F&B scene, on top of its already world-famous architecture and famed exports. Look beyond the EU seat’s chocolate and waffles to find out what else the city offers, whether it’s natural wine bars or Michelin-starred plant-based dining.
Most of your time will be spent exploring the city centre, which is divided into the stately Upper Town – home to museums and government buildings – and the thriving Lower Town, home to the city’s commercial quarter and medieval square Grand-Place. But you’ll also want to venture further afield to the happening communes (neighbourhoods) of Ixelles and Saint-Gilles. The best bit is that owing to its compact size, exploring such riches on foot is a breeze.
Singapore Airlines will fly to Brussels four times a week, starting 5 April 2024. Take a peek at what you can expect from the city, and where to plan your stay.
Where to stay in Brussels
Juliana Hotel
Between its setting on a Neoclassical city-centre square and its majestic white façade, newcomer Juliana Hotel – part of the Small Luxury Hotels group – certainly makes a big first impression. The interiors quickly confirm its ambitions in the style stakes too: here a Philippe Starck mirror, there an Hermès-inspired corridor and everywhere a dramatic colour palette. The peacocking doesn’t stop in the spa (replete with hammam) either, as guests can do laps while admiring the Le Corbusier-esque murals bedecking its walls.
Photo: Juliana Hotel
The Hoxton, Brussels
Occupying an impressive Brutalist building – IBM’s former headquarters – in the city’s botanical garden, the fashionable London-born chain’s first Belgian outpost has been shaking up the local scene since its June 2023 opening. The Hoxton’s interiors do that ’70s thing (think velvet sofas, and circular baths in some rooms) while the food slants Latin American. Downstairs is a Peruvian joint offering punchy plates and a raw bar, while the stunning rooftop restaurant is the place for Mexican tacos and mezcal-based cocktails.
Photo: The Hoxton, Brussels
Hotel Amigo
Part of the Rocco Forte empire, the city’s reigning grande dame sits on the former site of a prison – but these days everyone from politicians to stars is lining up to check in. Hotel Amigo’s ultra-plush rooms and suites tap Belgium’s heritage, from Magritte-inspired objets d’art to a suite fêting homegrown fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg. Add in a fine Italian restaurant and a location yards from the Grand-Place, and it’s easy to see the appeal.
Photo: Hotel Amigo
Where to eat in Brussels
Barge
Near the Brussels Canal, chef Grégoire Gillard (ex-of local icon Comme chez Soi, among others) is behind Barge, a trendy one-Michelin-star restaurant with exposed-brick walls and an impressive commitment to sustainability. Produce from Brussels and the region feeds into tasting menus (and a more affordable Friday lunch) which are notable for their intense flavour combinations. Stars include trout with verbena tzatziki, cucumber scales, gooseberry, ice plant and borage, or their celebrated fusion of artichokes and truffle.
Barge. Photo: Equinox Light Photo
Humus x Hortense
The upmarket Ixelles quarter makes a fittingly elegant backdrop to this game-changing establishment: the first 100% plant-based restaurant in Belgium to get a Michelin star. To describe Humus x Hortense as vegan would be to undersell visionary founders Nicolas Decloedt and Caroline Baerten’s self-dubbed “botanical gastronomy”, where foraging-happy tasting menus are abetted by zero-waste cocktails. Given that Belgium skews heavily carnivore, its focus on meat-free cooking and sustainability is all the more revelatory.
Humus x Hortense. Photo: Equinox Light Photo
Frites Atelier
Visiting one of Brussels’ fries kiosks (fritkots) is a joy, but for a classier spin on the genre, try Frites Atelier, by chef Sergio Herman (formerly of three-Michelin-star Oud Sluis fame) in foodie hub Sainte-Catherine. As few know, the Belgians invented fries – sorry, France – and here Herman reinvents them, adding gourmet toppings like Flemish beef stew or Indo peanut to the mix. While the fries are the obvious go-to when here, they also serve burgers and other snacks.
Frites Atelier Brussels
Where to drink in Brussels
Classic Flemish bruin café, or “brown bars” such as Au Daringman typify the bar experience in Brussels. Named for their tobacco-stained walls, these bohemian hang-outs exude a certain Old World charm. But if you’re looking for something that hits a little different, the following are some solid options:
Arthur Orlans
A former fashion house on the stylish Rue Antoine Dansaert, Arthur Orlans has morphed into one of the city’s most glamorous speakeasies. Ring the bell for entry and be wowed by the eclectic interiors – not least the Tartan carpet. The limited cocktail list (often gin-based) is superbly creative, with libations like “Mexico to Marseille” seamlessly blending mezcal and Noilly Prat vermouth (you can also order off-menu without a problem if nothing tempts). Bonus points for the music: on-point and not too loud for a chat.
Photo: Arthur Orlans
Brussels Beer Project
Sidestep the tourists packing out the famous Delirium Café in favour of this upstart, whose dynamic Dansaert outpost is the pick of their growing local empire. The Brussels Beer Project taproom offers 24 beers – a mix of their greatest hits, specials (they’re known for collaborations with equally hip international brewers) and Lambic beers. If you’re intrigued, you can do a flash tour of the cellar to learn about Lambic brewing and Gueuze blending. There’s also a shop stocking their beautifully packaged wares.
Photo: Brussels Beer Project
Calmos
Currently the city’s most intriguing neighbourhood for nightlife, Saint-Gilles has an embarrassment of superb bars – including natural wine specialists like this corner joint. The photographer and graphic designer who launched it have gone for appealing French bistro stylings: grab a seat at one of the red tables and peruse the blackboard, advertising a dozen wines by the glass and tried-and-true snacks like charcuterie and cheese. For a bar crawl, fold nearby wine bar Rubis and beer icon Moeder Lambic Original into your plans.
Photo: Calmos
Where to shop in Brussels
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Ideally situated between Central Station and the Grand-Place, Europe’s first shopping mall Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is actually three separate glazed arcades: the King’s Gallery, Queen’s Gallery and Princes’ Gallery. Completed in 1847, the ultra-genteel spot has shopping to match – be it Belgium’s top leather house, Delvaux; chocolatier Neuhaus, inventor of the praline no less; or trendy shoe brand Camper. The superbly stocked bookstore Tropismes is another must-visit, and there’s also an arthouse cinema if you want to linger.
In the fashion-forward Rue Dansaert – and partly responsible for its rise – this pioneering boutique was one of the early purveyors of Belgian cool. Today Stijl’s razor-sharp edit of womenswear continues to favour the so-called Antwerp Six: a group of avant-garde designers who stormed the fashion world in the 1980s, including the famed Dries van Noten. You’ll also find clothes by newer waves of Belgian grads and likeminded experimentalists such as Rick Owens.
Photo: Stijl
For our full list on things to do and places to see in Brussels, check out our Brussels City Guide.To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Brussels, visit the official website.
Unparalleled surf first put Uluwatu on the map back in the 1970s, but there’s much more to be discovered at this cliffside community in Bali than just spectacular waves. The neighbourhood has been developing at a rapid clip since the pandemic, and every couple of months, a new crop of concept stores, yoga studios, restaurants and bars open their doors along its dramatic limestone cliffs.
In light of this influx of energy it’s perhaps funny to reflect on Uluwatu’s name, an Indonesian portmanteau combiningulu(land’s end) andwatu(rock) that was originally used to refer to its 11th-century temple. For here on the southwestern tip of Bali, a burgeoning neighbourhood makes the edge of the world feel like its centre.
Where to stay in Uluwatu
Uluwatu Surf Villas
Surfers like Kelly Slater, Gerry Lopez and Mason Ho are among the many pros who callUluwatu Surf Villastheir base when visiting Bali, since they can easily bring their boards down the private staircase to the famous surf breaks below.
Sleep in a cliffside villa overlooking the ocean at Uluwatu Surf Villas. Photo: Uluwatu Surf Villas
Opened back in 2001, Uluwatu Surf Villas can be said to be instrumental in helping to redefine the neighbourhood’s once-rustic reputation. Its 25 villas are crafted from reclaimed Javanese teak and ironwood. They vary from Balinese-style thatched-roof bungalows outfitted in locally sourced antiques, to more contemporary designs with infinity saltwater pools overlooking the ocean. Borrow one of the surfboards designed specifically for Uluwatu’s waves and spend your days out on the water – or join visiting world championBrad Gerlachon a multi-day surf retreat learning tricks from the former pro.
The Asa Maia
A quick stroll from Thomas Beach, a quieter surf spot that locals favour,The Asa Maiais a design and wellness sanctuary that defines barefoot luxury. Ten century-old timbergladaks(traditional Eastern Javanese homes) were handpicked in Java by owner Martha Booke and reassembled at the resort. There, local artisans constructed bamboo roofs by hand and sculpted Belgian bluestone into sinks and baths. Wellness experiences range the gamut from breathwork and ancient naturopathic medicine to facials with Balinese beauty brand Sensatia Botanicals.
The Asa Maia’s timber gladaks were sourced in Java. Photo: The Asa Maia
Where to eat in Uluwatu
While some may gravitate towardYeyes Warungfor traditional rice-basednasi campurorWarung Localfor modern Indonesian eats, here are some of the newer, internationally influenced spots that are currently the talk of the town.
Mason
The sister of the Canggu woodfire-focused eatery of the same name,Masonmarries touches of the Mediterranean with a minimalist-chic aesthetic – think Scandinavian-style wooden tables and stools, terracotta brick and touches of steel. Sit by the bar to watch the team in the open kitchen, where they whip up flatbreads with burnt chili hummus and smoked tuna dip with olive oil and lemon zest, on custom grills and a wood-fired oven.
Mason’s spread of starters includes pickled vegetables and cured meat. Photo: Mason
Drifter Café
This combination surf shop and café is a popular place to post up with a laptop on the open-air patio while you sip an artisanal coffee. Take your pick ofDrifter Café’siced chai masala, energising cacao or traditional Indonesianjamujuice with tamarind and turmeric. You can also indulge in an all-day breakfast with a mix of healthy and hearty plates like açai bowls and avocado benedict. Vegans can look to their vegan burrito supreme with scrambled tofu as well as other plant-based options. Don’t leave without eyeing the desserts on display inside — it’s never a bad call to snag a sea salt chocolate bar or goji berry slice to-go.
Stock up on surf supplies after breakfast at Drifter. Photo: Drifter
Ulu Artisan
This buzzy eatery spills out onto a sidewalk terrace, giving it an open-air, laid-back feel. A go-to in Uluwatu for bagels and baked goods like red velvet croissants,Ulu Artisanis also a popular lunch pick thanks to a menu of customisable bowls of rotisserie chicken or barbecue-glazed tofu. It also has a standout sandwich selection that includes charcoal-roasted aubergine with grilled mushrooms, burrata and prosciutto and pan-fried local sardines with capers and red onion gremolata. Enjoy them served on sesame ciabatta or focaccia bread, baked in-house daily.
Green eggs with tahini and sourdough toast is one of Ulu Artisan’s breakfast highlights. Photo: Ulu Artisan
Where to drink in Uluwatu
Ulu Cliffhouse
Palm trees and warm lights strung over the pool give this seaside spot a romantic vibe, especially come sunset, when you’ll take in prime views of the Indian Ocean from the deck. Situated on one of Uluwatu’s characteristic cliffs,Ulu Cliffhouse’smid-century touches are a nod to Palm Beach while its cocktail menu is very much Balinese in style. The Cliff Colada is a riff on the classic, mixed with local coconut water and topped with flamed coconut meringue, while the Roasted Pineapple Margarita is a gastronomic version of the Mexican favourite, composed of oven-roasted pineapple blended with tequila and topped with pineapple foam. International DJs are a regular sight at the pool deck, their takeovers transforming the space into an open-air club that reminds of Ibiza.
Uluwatu Cliffhouse is known for its stunning sea views and DJ sessions. Photo: Ulu Cliffhouse
La Terrazza
Peering over the ocean, this cliffside Italian-inspired restaurant is a popular hangout at sunset. The Tuscany-born duo behindLa Terrazza’sconcept bring authentic elements of their homeland in the form of homemade gnocchi and some of the best pizza you’ll find on the island. There are also plenty of street food-style appetisers like arancini and bruschetta that make for the perfect aperitivo.
Head to La Terrazza for a sunset aperitivo. Photo: La Terrazza
What to do in Uluwatu
The namesake HinduUluwatu Temple– locally known asPura Luhur Uluwatu – carved into the cliffs 70 metres above the sea is one of Bali’s must-visit temples. While the view of the sunset and traditional kecak and fire dance performance are iconic of the region, here are two other quintessential activities to try your hand at while here.
Surfing at Uluwatu Beach
The barrels and breaks in Uluwatu are truly not to be missed. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to start small at Thomas Beach, where you’ll have plenty of room on the water (and foam boards available for rent) to learn on decently sized swells.
Along Uluwatu Beach, more advanced surfers and pros ride waves from sunrise to sunset at surf breaks like Temples, Racetracks and The Bombie, home to some of Indonesia’s largest waves. If you’d rather watch the show from above, take a seat in a Java teak daybed poolside at restaurant Mana. Otherwise, head to cliffside beach bar Single Fin for sunset Bintang beers overlooking one of the most famous surf breaks.
Stunning surf breaks line Uluwatu’s coast. Photo: Uluwatu Surf Villas
Morning Light Yoga Studio
In Uluwatu, it seems that new yoga and Pilates studios are a dime a dozen now that wellness retreats have become one of the island’s major draws. ButMorning Light Yoga Studiois one of the OGs, and continues to hold its own amid the booming scene. This open-air yoga shala is propped between the jungle and waves, ensconcing one in the sights and sounds of nature. Its 75-minute morning classes in the reclaimed teak temple change each day and range between dynamic flows and softer sequences. Its restorative practice are perfect for stretching and unwinding between surf sessions.
Savasana while ensconced in nature at Morning Light Yoga Studio. Photo: Morning Light Yoga Studio
If you’re looking to sample some of the newcomers, book a high-energy Pilates class atFlow & Formor slow flow yoga in one of the two bamboo shalas atThe Spacein Bingin.
Where to shop in Uluwatu
The Find
The cotton candy-pink façade framed by cacti makes the concept shop feel like it was plucked out of Mexico, but the curated collection of housewares, clothing, jewellery and accessories at The Find champions some of Bali’s most talented artisans and makers. The result is a bohemian-chic aesthetic with a selection of flowy linen dresses, signet rings inspired by traditional Indonesian carving and ceramics reminiscent of Namibia’s sand dunes.
The Find is a treasure trove of accessories, clothing and home decor. Photo: The Find
Fields of Yarrow
Fields of Yarrow is a Bali-based skincare brand whose small-batch products are crafted from organically sourced local plants. Tucked between a swimwear shop and a Pilates studio not far from Padang Padang beach, it’s one of the first in Bali to offer all-natural facials. South of France-raised founder Souhela Ferrah designed the botanical-based, seed-to-skin line around natural ingredients like moringa oil and jicama extract, in collaboration with some of the country’s best batch masters and scientists. Here, you can book a customisable Wild Rose classic facial or acupressure glow face massage that takes place in the tranquil treatment room in the back of the boutique.
Sample Balinese botanicals with a facial at Fields of Yarrow. Photo: Fields of Yarrow
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Bali, visit the official website.
