Local blogger Lani is not afraid to go where others won’t, her posts are sometimes cheeky, and always fun, and feel as if you’ve got a friend in the know giving you the local scoop. As founder of the Gu Guide blog, she’s a wealth of knowledge about the Canggu neighbourhood she loves to call home, as well as life in Bali in general.

How would you spend your perfect “Bali day”?

A dreamy sleep-in.. I live in the most beautiful little white timber cottage with strong air con and mosquito nets draped over my bed.. I love waking up without an alarm.. pretty much why I moved to Bali
Breakfast at Milk & Madu, the smashed peas and poached eggs with a large long black to start my day with a good buzz.
Jump on my white pushbike and cruise around the village, snapping photos of things that inspire me..
Stop in to visit the local children in Berawa. Play with them in the rice fields, and take them for ice cream at Creamery.
Late afternoon Pilates class at Bali Fit, with breezes coming in from the beach.
Then coconuts and bbq corn down on the beach at Old Mans with my sayang.
Home for dinner and a swim in the pool.

Image via Old Man’s Bali

What are your favourite spots to see on the island when going a bit further afield?

The swing down on the beach at Karangasem.
My friends joglo overlooking rice terraces far North in Sudaji (near Singaraja) called Sunset Sala. No wifi. Just you, some books and a deck of Uno cards. Wake early in the morning for a Dolphin tour in small local fishing boats. Finding baby dolphins in the Ocean as the sun rises.

What are the best souvenirs to bring home?

Luwak coffee always gets a laugh. Bali’s famous “Cat-poo-cino”
Anything from Ivy Bali at Echo Beach or Bungalow Homewares Gallery in Berawa

What do you always ask visitors from home (Australia) to bring?

Makeup, Dry Shampoo,Tampons, Undies and Australian lollies.

Your five must follow Instagram accounts?

@guguidebali *wink emoticon*
@innikachoo
@jetsetmama
@bestinbali
@ayox_canggu

Quick list: Canggu

Best coffee: Long black from Shelter in Dojo Bali, fires us up as we work from our office space in the morning
Best brunch: Watercress on Batu Belig. Those corn fritters! I love they have an all-day breakfast menu, and their lunch buffet is all-time. Wash it all down with a wine glass full of Kombucha.
Best sunset: Coconuts and Corn on the stairs at Batu Bolong.
Best cocktail: Jalapeno Margarita at Lacalita on Batu Bolong.
Best massage: Your Time Spa – 90 minute massage only 195k – ask for the therapist Noir.
Best manicure: Definitely Goldust Beauty Spa. Any mani/pedi that includes a shoulder massage as your polish dries gets my vote! I am obsessed with their boutique as well. Grab a bottle of their signature facial serum and thank me later.