Take it Slow

I'm kind of at a loss for words to explain exactly how Canggu is different from the picture I had painted in my head – all those hours laying on my couch, dreaming of a tropical holiday, and doing my due diligence of places to eat – and zen-inducing, boutique accommodation to stay. Finally arriving in Bali about four months after booking my trip, my first stop was The Slow, and while my pre-notion of Canggu as an area might have been slightly off key, everything about the The Slow was perfectly spot on. 

The hotel is a designer's delight. The minimalism, consisting of brutal concrete and sleek wood, in contrast with the blue hues of the pool and lush greenery, was nothing but sublime. So much so, I figured the hotel deserved its very own blogpost. 

I was so lucky as to stay in a pool suite, not only having such an immaculate room all to myself – but with the most jaw-dropping private pool to boot. Not to mention the kingsize bed so comfy you'll forget about jetlag, the rain shower surrounded by leafy greens swaying gently in the wind, and the daybed perfectly designed for lounging away – sipping on a morning cappuccino, or indulging in a nightcap after a long day out.

Because of course the hotel has a restaurant to match its rooms, and friendly room service to bring you the goods. You just place your order through WhatsApp, think to yourself "how convenient!", and before you know it – there's a knock on your door. Having a beautiful breakfast chilling by your private pool certainly is that of dreams, and I truly recommend you try the market fish – perfectly grilled, drizzled with some green goddess sauce, resting on top of some al dente greens, and topped with a runny, yet firm poached egg. The kale salad is also particularly awesome and wholesome, with an unexpected touch of sunflower seed tahini and chili jam almonds. In addition, The Slow also infuses, presses and ferments most of their own drinks, like the T-03, which is a tonic of apple, white turmeric and pineapple vinegar – perfect for that immune boost you'll need after a long flight!

If you are not staying at the hotel, you can always enjoy your drink in the equally stunning bar and restaurant space, or bring it up to the roof for some magnificent views of that magical Canggu sunset. Never before have I seen a sun this big, and with such intensity of its orange hue. Only slightly over exaggerating, it's so spectacular it even beats the nifty artworks scattered all around the premises, for yes – The Slow is the home of an art gallery too! Just when you thought this hotel couldn't get any cooler...

But going back to my first impression of Canggu, it has evolved during my days here – as I am writing the first, and this final, paragraph, a few days a part. I think what surprised me the most was how busy everything is, combined with the vast size of the place – which I somehow thought would have more of a small village feel to it. But not only are the tiny, dirt roads over-crowded with cars and motorbikes – causing cruciating traffic jams, but the places I had pinned to my map is not nearly located next to each other, but rather scattered around – with great distances in between. A little inconvenient for someone not comfortable riding a motorbike. I am not complaining though, off key pre-conceptions are to be expected, and they are also half the fun. You can't go on a journey and expect everything to be as you had pictured it, you have to expect the unexpected, and even seek it at times. Having said that, I have hardly ever felt as boring (not bored, mind you) as I have on this trip, staying in the most beautiful of hotels, eating healthy, doing yoga, not staying out late at night, nor doing any mind-opening excursions. But it's ok, because sometimes you have to put your health first, though I do think my mental well-being would benefit from experiencing some "authentic" Balinese culture very soon. We'll see, maybe when I reach Ubud. In the meantime, through my growing guilt, I find solace in the fact that the Balinese talk a lot about healing, and probably understand more than most my current need to just take it slow. 

Words: Lene Haugerud, first published on The Travelener