INSTAGRAM DIARY: BALI

If you follow me me on Instagram, you would know I was extremely lucky to travel to The Mulia Resort & Villas located in Nusa Dua on Bali’s south coast for #InstaMeet – a gathering of social media personalities.

Together with fashion blogger Nadia Bartel, hottest-mother-on-Earth Lindy Klim, Big Brother contestant Tully Smyth, health and lifestyle guru Miann Scanlan and fashion designer, Lottie Hall; we basked in the Bali sun, sipped on fresh coconuts and got to know one another over four blissful days.

On day one, upon settling into our Royal Ocean Court Suites, unpacking and yes, Instagramming a lot, we made our way to Soleil – one of The Mulia’s many bar and restaurant offerings – for sunset lychee mojitos.

Over the short stay, these beautiful, kind and inspiring women and I discussed the fast-pace world of social media and the power of a good filtering app (Snapseed for the win!). In between, our bellies were spoilt with delicious and exceptionally fresh produce at Edogin – The Mulia’s teppankyaki restaurant which I’m still thinking about! For lunch each day, I found myself going back to Soleil for the incredible tuna nicoise salad. I’m not normally a meal repeater but seriously, it was that good I ate it three times.

While the girls made the most of Bali’s balmy 30°C heat by one of The Mulia’s four pools, Lindy – who is really like the big sister I never had – joined me in on adventures. We decided to hire a kayak and cruise along Nusa Dua’s breathtaking coastline, discovering hidden beaches, temples and caves. Then, to work off our buffet breakfast at The Cafe, we participated in aqua aerobics classes. Looking back, it was probably the constant laughing at ourselves that helped me digest.

Before the end of the Balinese sojourn, our bodies discovered what relaxation truly meant at The Mulia Spa. Now, I’m lucky to have experienced many a massage in my time, and when had regularly, it’s something I strongly believe helps keep both your body and mind centred. However, The Mulia Bali Wellness Therapy treatment was truly something else. Shortly after experiencing the oxygenated hydrotonic pool, the steam room and ice room (the only in Asia Pacific), which is designed to change your body temperature from hot to cold and vice versa and benefit your metabolism, I slipped into one of The Mulia’s blue robes. My massage therapist escorted me to one of the massage rooms, where a large bowl filled with flowers was awaiting my excited feet. The rooms – which has both Balinese and Western styled nuances – evoke relaxation immediately upon entering. Perhaps it’s the music or the appropriately dimmed lights, but after having my feet washed, exfoliated and dried, I was already in a somewhat sedated state before laying down to experience 90 minutes of heaven.

And if, like me, you’re one of those people who runs through the shopping list, to-do list and what to plan for dinner that night mid-massage, then this spa treatment will change all that. Within 15 minutes, I had completely given into the “Dreamtime” blend of vetiver, neroli, lavender and frangipani oils I had selected before my treatment and my therapist’s healing hands. So much so, I had one of those moments where you catch yourself falling asleep and keep your eyes shut out of embarrassment in the hope that you didn’t snore for a second. Yeah, this massage really was all time.

So if you’re looking for an idyllic winter escape, make way for The Mulia Resort & Villas – just a 6 hour flight from Sydney. It can be your own slice of tropical paradise, fringed by powdery soft-sand beaches, impossibly clear waters and an impeccable variety of cuisines.