Amed, my Love

I have fallen in love with Bali. Not the Bali of drunk Aussies but the Bali of Amed, on the north-eastern coast. It is a place of scalloped black-sand beaches, lapping waves, tranquil breezes and mountain villages in the distance. It is paradise.

All for $12 a night (including breakfast) in a hotel with a private beachside pool, semi-private beach and wifi. Take that Hilton Waikiki.

I'm working on my tan lines, getting $7 poolside massages and going on walks in the lush mountainside behind the beach that is full of happy locals proudly displaying their fighting roosters and inviting me in for tea.

I'm happy.