Michelle Wollaston is a Life Directionist for established women founders who built something real and are now running it on fumes. With a background spanning senior government leadership, compliance, and adult education, she brings a structured analytical framework to a question most business advisors never ask — not what is wrong with your strategy, but what has shifted in you.

She identifies where the misalignment lives and what to do about it.

Amazon best-selling author, host of the Soul Loom podcast, and regular contributor to DWC Magazine.

Julie Hayes grew up wild on horseback in the Australian bush, where the rhythms of nature taught her to listen deeply and see clearly beneath the surface. She always knew she would teach. At 15, she founded her first riding school, intuitively drawn to children struggling with self-worth. With her husband David, she went on to create Australia's most awarded school for at-risk youth — thirty years of studying minds, decoding emotion and igniting growth through challenge, art and connection.

Now an award-winning sculptor working in wire and resin, she lives rurally, remaining deeply rooted — a teacher in soul and spirit.

Jamie Tedrick-Monroe is a trauma-aware coach and the founder of Safe2Talk2 Consulting, supporting individuals who are ready to move beyond surface-level coping and into real, sustainable change. With a background rooted in lived experience, coaching, and community building, she brings a grounded, practical approach to healing — one that centres honest conversation and self-leadership.

Jamie incorporates tools such as Human Design to help clients deepen personal insight and step more fully into who they are. She is the creator of transformational challenges and host of Safe2Talk2 Sessions: Real People, Real Stories — Jamieisms Included, a space where authentic conversation meets genuine connection.

Jamie is a contributor to DWC Magazine and the author of Mindset Mastery and The Ultimate Guide to Having a Terrible Mindset.

This mask came to us as part of the DWC Advent Calendar — one of many products that arrive throughout the year, put into the hands of real readers for honest review. This is one of them.

Right. Let me set the scene. It's 9pm. I've wrestled my way into my good dressing gown — the one I save for special occasions and minor surgery — poured myself a medicinal glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and decided tonight is the night I do something about my face.

Enter: the L'Oréal Glass Skin Hydrogel Glow Mask.

First, the packaging. Very purple. Very spa. Very "I'm not just someone's nan, I'm someone's glowing nan." I felt sophisticated just holding it.

Opening the sachet is where my dignity quietly left the room. The mask slid out like a wet jellyfish that had given up on life. Cold, translucent, floppy — and I had to somehow locate the eye holes and apply this to my face with purpose. I tried the mirror. I tried squinting. I ended up wearing it slightly sideways with one nostril exposed like a cartoon villain mid-transformation.

But here's the thing. Once it was on — and I'd stopped startling myself every time I caught my reflection — it actually felt extraordinary. Cool. Plump. Like my face had been wrapped in a tiny, hyaluronic cloud.

The packet says it turns clear in 90 minutes and releases all its lovely adenosine and glycerin into your skin. So I set a timer, sat down, and attempted to watch television. My family found me like that. Sitting in the lounge. Mask on. Wine in hand. Fully committed. My daughter screamed. My husband said, and I quote, "Are you alright, love, or should I ring someone?" I waved them away with the authority of a woman deep in her skincare era and pointed at the telly. We watched Vera in companionable silence, though I suspect they were watching me more than the programme.

Ninety minutes later, the mask had gone clear — honestly, a slightly eerie effect, like my face was slowly disappearing — and I peeled it off with the satisfaction of someone removing a very satisfying piece of cling film.

The serum. Good lord, the serum. There was enough left in that packet to moisturise me and a medium-sized labrador. I patted it in, pressed it in, and when I ran out of face I just started on my neck and décolletage because at 60, everything gets included in the skincare budget.

I went to bed looking like a glazed doughnut. I woke up looking — and I say this with absolutely no exaggeration — decent. Genuinely plumped. Quietly luminous. The kind of glow that makes people say "have you been sleeping better?" which, at our age, is basically "you look radiant."

Would I do it again? Yes. Would I warn houseguests first? Also yes.

Glass skin, it turns out, is achievable at 60. You just have to be willing to look completely unhinged for an hour and a half on a Tuesday night. Worth every second.

Right, let's talk about this oil. It has quite the reputation — thousands of reviews, bold promises, and a devoted following who will tell you, unprompted, that it changed their hair. One reviewer reported turning around a decade of thinning. Another swears by three to six inches of new growth. Naturally, we had to find out for ourselves.

First thing to know: a little goes a very long way. Do not upend the bottle — a few drops will do.

For daily use, apply directly to the scalp and work through to the ends. No rinsing. Just style as normal and carry on. For a deeper scalp treatment, part the hair into sections, massage a small amount in, and leave it for at least 20 minutes before shampooing. Three times a week is plenty. For split ends, apply to the ends before washing, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse.

So — does it work? Yes. After two weeks of consistent use, shedding reduced noticeably and new baby hairs appeared along the hairline. Not a miracle, but a real and visible result.

The formula is packed with biotin and more than 30 essential oils, working together to improve scalp circulation, calm irritation, and combat dandruff. It is lightweight enough not to weigh hair down, and it works across all hair types — chemically treated, braided, natural, fine, thick. There is very little it will not suit.

If your hair has been quietly crying out for some attention, this is worth giving it.

We had heard of The Legian Village and decided to pop in — first for lunch at their Bar and Grill, which is open to everyone. What surprised us immediately was the atmosphere: trees and foliage interspersed with paths and water features, quiet and genuinely relaxing in a way you don't always expect in the heart of Legian. The menu is varied and well-priced; the chicken wings were excellent. Diners are welcome to use the pool, though no outside food or drink is permitted.

A conversation with duty manager Wally, and kindness from the owner, led to a couple of nights' stay. The room is well thought out — large double bed, TV, fridge, coffee facilities, bathroom with both bath and shower, and generous storage. That last detail makes sense once you understand the place: many guests stay for a month or more, forming a kind of extended vacation family with the staff, knowing everyone by name.

Breakfast (7–10am) is worth adding to your booking — buffet-style with a dedicated egg station manned by a chef, accompanied by gentle East Asian music that shifts to something livelier as the day goes on. Evenings bring live singers performing Western hits; quality varies, but the energy is warm.

The Legian Village is the kind of place that makes you feel welcome without trying too hard. If you want to be in the middle of everything but feel entirely away from it, this is the one.

One more thing: there are cats. A lot of them. Most lounge about with great authority. The kittens haven't quite mastered the unspoken rules yet. Sabbi — the resident matriarch, who was essentially adopted after guests insisted she stay — is apparently terrified of mice, which the others have taken as an open invitation to move in. Cat people will be very happy here.

Sofia is a Shift Facilitator who works with established entrepreneurs to identify and release the emotional patterns behind slow or inconsistent growth. Through precision energy work, she helps clients drop subconscious resistance so execution and outcomes become effortless. Based in Sintra, Portugal, she works with entrepreneurs globally through structured protocols.

shiffully.com

Cathy Jones is a Resilience Advocate behind Human and Trying — a space dedicated to the messy, honest work of change. She offers support, practical tools, and mindset shifts for people navigating the real challenges of everyday life, without the pretence that it should look any particular way.

humanandtrying.com.au

Karen Hall is a woman of faith, a humorous international keynote speaker, bestselling author, publicist, publisher, producer, Emotional Intelligence Leadership Coach, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Women's Journal and Latin Journal, podcast host, and event producer of global broadcasts and live experiences who helps leaders build trust, resilience, and influence through empathy, neuroscience, and authentic communication.

karenhallcoaching.com

Kathryn Toomey is a Massage and Wellbeing Consultant based in Melbourne, offering an art-inspired approach that weaves together bodywork, coaching, and creative influence. Her practice is built on the belief that physical care and personal wellbeing are inseparable.

kathryntoomeymassage.com

Lisa Aston Michael is a Psychic Medium, Energy Healer, and Animal Communicator based in Queensland, Australia. She works with people who wish to connect with their pets — both living and in spirit — while also guiding individuals through personal healing and the development of their own intuitive gifts.

lisaastonmichael.com

Monique Yukich is the Managing Director of Efficient Finance, based on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Her approach is deliberately uncomplicated — cutting through the noise to give clients the clear, practical finance support they need, without the fuss.

efficientfinance.com.au

Cătălina Popoveniuc is a psychotherapist, international speaker, and founder of #AliveInHer®. With over 23 years of experience and a life shaped by her own transformation, she works with women across the world to help them heal, rise, and step back into their own voice. Her presence reflects courage, warmth, and the quiet power of becoming.

catalinapopoveniuc.com

Beth Meek is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Expert and Health Coach who works with midlife women caregivers — often running on empty — to renew their energy and reclaim their health. Her mindset-first approach brings nutrition and practical habits into even the most unpredictable days, built on a single conviction: self-care is essential, not selfish.

bethmeekcoach.com

Terry-Anne McPhail is a Registered BAS Agent and founder of Qwerty Plus, based on the NSW Central Coast. With over 20 years in bookkeeping, business management, and business support, she helps small businesses simplify the chaos, improve cash flow clarity, and put systems and processes in place so everything runs smoother, smarter, and more professionally.

qwertyplus.com.au

Katische Dionne Haberfield offers Direct Transmission Channeling for those moments when you're simply too close to your own situation to see it clearly. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, her work provides a direct and grounded channel for insight, particularly for those navigating personal or professional crossroads.

katische.com

Some restaurants just get it. Siam Social is one of them.

I had the privilege of being among the first to sample their new menu — introduced ahead of Chinese New Year, a reminder that the best kitchens never stop evolving. What followed was one of those evenings that sets a standard.

The Thai Beef Salad opened proceedings: tenderised strips in a zesty, mildly spiced glaze, yielding to the touch. Claypot prawns with glass noodles came next, lifted by the addition of lemongrass. Then the Lobster Platter — generous enough for three or four — arrived with so much happening on the plate that it demanded attention; the butter chicken element was simply exemplary. Grilled Salmon with Lemongrass melted, the sauce placed with precision. A substantial Lamb Shank followed on creamed potato and spinach. And then the Angus Beef Fried Rice — deceptively simple, every grain seasoned perfectly — which may be the finest fried rice I can recall.

I thought we had finished. Coconut ice cream arrived. Full as I was, there was room. The addition of ice-cold cooked sweetcorn should not have worked. It did.

All of it accompanied by a bottle of red wine, or two. A feast that earned every one of its five stars.

Eleven years on Legian Street, and The PaD knows exactly what it is — and does it very well. It claims to serve the best coffee in Bali. We have not been everywhere, but we can say with confidence it is the best we have had here. Order one. Then order another.

The menu is traditional Australian pub fare with an Indonesian touch, and it gets busy — which tells you something. The fish and chips were excellent in both taste and value. We were close to the beef pie and do not entirely regret choosing otherwise, though the tartare sauce could do with a rethink; it is not a complicated thing to get right. The banana milkshake — large, thick, creamy — arrived exactly as a milkshake should. Their cooked breakfasts are generously sized, and the Hangover Burger earns its name. Not particularly hungry? They will happily serve an adult a child's portion, which is a refreshing attitude.

On one visit, a complimentary Lamington appeared. It was appreciated more than they perhaps knew.

A particular mention for Shannon, who manages the floor with genuine warmth and took excellent care of us. Shannon also runs Bali Wheelchair and Travel, a service supporting disabled visitors to the island — worth knowing if you or someone you are travelling with needs that kind of support.

Grand Sinar Indah certainly looks the part — four pools, one with a swim-up bar (run independently by a third party), set within well-kept gardens. Look a little closer, though, and it becomes clear the property sorely needs updating. New management has reportedly taken over, though this turned out not to be entirely accurate when we looked into it further. That said, we did see a room being repainted, which suggests the process is at least underway.

Breakfast was a disappointment and we dropped it after a couple of days. Right by the entrance is Olips restaurant — more on them in a future review — and you would be far better served ordering room service from there, or better yet, simply eating in.

The staff, however, are genuinely exceptional. Every single one greets you as they pass, and nothing is too much trouble. When the TV signal dropped, they resolved it promptly despite it being far from straightforward. That kind of attentiveness is not something you can manufacture, and it counts for a great deal.

We stayed first on the top floor with a balcony, then moved to a poolside room — identical in layout but with no stairs and immediate pool access. The WiFi improved slightly in the poolside room, though it still cut out on occasion. The only adjustment was remembering to bring everything inside rather than leaving it on the balcony as we had before.

There is an on-site spa that operates on a cash-only basis, with very reasonable rates. Currency exchange is available at reception, though their rates are low — countless better options exist nearby. And a small but baffling detail: both kettles in both rooms took around ten minutes to boil even a single cup's worth of water. Different kettles, same result. No explanation presented itself.

The booking also indicated that poolside rooms include an on-demand channel. They do not, or at least we did not have access to one.

Set away from the busier bars and traffic — though only minutes from them — the hotel was consistently quiet, save for one afternoon when a local festival next door made itself very loudly known. It stopped around 6pm.

Overall: good value, outstanding staff, and a property with genuine potential. Worth watching as the updates progress. Olips restaurant, located at the entrance, will feature in an upcoming review.

If you need the perfect excuse to grab your best girlfriends, get a little bit dressed up, and enjoy a gorgeous night out, 8 at Trinity at Morisset Park is it. Situated right on the water at Lake Macquarie with views of the Trinity Point marina, it is a beautiful, comfortable spot that instantly makes an ordinary Sunday evening feel special. The vibe is lovely—stylish but completely relaxed—making it a standout choice if you are looking for top dining spots in the Hunter and Lake Macquarie region.

Three of us booked in for their Winter Menu, which is an absolute steal at sixty-nine dollars per person for a three-course lunch or dinner. It is a fantastic way to enjoy a premium waterfront dining experience without a crazy price tag.

We started the night with their Limoncello Daiquiris, and honestly, they stole the show. They come served with a huge, dramatic tower of lemon sorbet that packs a serious punch. They look incredible and taste even better, setting a fun, vibrant tone for the rest of our catch-up.

When it came to the food, the menu had plenty of great choices. For entrees, I ordered the half-dozen fresh, chilled Sydney Rock Oysters served on crushed ice, while the girls went for the Split King Prawns and the Seared Salmon Mentaiko Aburi Sushi. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and looked beautiful when it hit the table.

For mains, I had the Crumbed Lamb Cutlets, which were absolutely delicious—incredibly tender, juicy, and served with a silky smooth potato purée and a rich gravy. Across the table, the Barramundi was also a hit, cooked perfectly with a nice crisp skin and a flavorful sauce.

By the time dessert rolled around, we were completely unified. We all ordered the Croissant Bread and Butter Pudding, which is a three-dollar upgrade on the set menu and worth every single cent. It was warm, flaky, golden-brown, and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and warm custard. It is the ultimate winter comfort food done with a really nice, elegant twist.

With a great wine list and staff who were genuinely friendly and attentive without being stuffy, 8 at Trinity gave us a wonderful lakeside evening. For sixty-nine dollars a head for three courses of food this good, it's an absolute must-do for a luxury night out with your friends. We had a brilliant time and will definitely be back.

When we decide upon going somewhere to eat, the first port of call is usually bringing up restaurants in that area and then quickly going through them. The fantastic name aside that was just begging for a visit, it was the simple fact that they had menus available on Google Maps that were only three months old. The number of places that have menus a year old, three years old, and one of them - and we kid you not - a staggering eight years old, makes you wonder who is running these places.

However, in we went, and it is safe to say it was definitely a good choice.

'Australian owned' it proudly states, although we don't think we ever saw one, and has been the usual case of late everywhere, pretty much empty for the daytime.

The menu is a nice size - not trying to offer everything, and never quite hitting the mark on anything - and it was the Sweet 'n' Sour Chicken that caught our eye, primarily because it was listed as a Chef's Speciality.

Now this ex-chef knows that phrase has two meanings: it is true, but it can also mean the place in question can always get the ingredients for very little, meaning 'sell lots and we make money'. Thankfully it seemed to be the former because whilst it could have done with a touch more star anise and maybe some fennel, it was very good indeed.

It was a little after 6pm when we arrived, and yet despite not many in it the time, it was loud with a capital LOUD.

However, we came for the food, and we had to try their Nasi Goreng, and their seafood version comes with deep-fried calamari, so why not.

And the calamari was pretty good. Unfortunately that's pretty much where the good ended. We mean, it was okay, but they care nothing for presentation, and whilst that ultimately does not matter once you tuck in, it basically filled you up and that was it.

It was just all a bit flat, and whilst there are no regrets, it will not be something we will be doing again. Maybe we have just been spoiled elsewhere, or maybe we know how to make a good one (decades of cheffing does that).

Nice try, but no cigar.

Hotels can be odd at times. Granted it's usually just your room you see the most of, after that probably the pool, restaurant/bar, and reception. The rest of it is just filler.

The BOSS Legian is a mix of modern and well, like you are in a different hotel completely. The room although perhaps a little on the small side, has a decent bed (that was better than we realised), a flat screen TV a large safe, lovely bathroom with enclosed shower, and tea and coffee; there was, however, no fridge. Although the WiFi is exceptional and could handle anything I threw at it.

The rooftop pool area is quite spacious and has great wicker seating, with a restaurant adjacent, which you can travel up to by a fast elevator (there are two, but one is broken, and apparently they stop altogether at 23:00 until the morning).

There's also a spacious coffee/bistro type situation going on near the reception, plus murals on large vacant walls throughout.

Then we have the corridors and balconies. The former take on the feel of a large everyday city apartment block built in the 60s, and the latter... Every single balcony faces inwards, not outwards, either looking upon or down on AstroTurf and plastic plants.

But it doesn't stop there. A plug socket that doubles as an Indonesian and a British type one, but there's only one free socket in the entire room (although the safe, which is beside the bed, can be unplugged, which is a standard Indonesian socket). Luxurious thick towels and quality toilet paper, but the shower cubicle sorely needs replacing, a mattress that is a staggering 40cm deep with pristine sheets, but sits on a frame that at best is rustic and worst is just firewood, a flat screen TV so old it has standard RGB sockets, mirrors everywhere but units that saw their last good day several years ago, both imitation marble and bare plasterboard, actual Nescafé coffee granules, but only brown sugar and no creamer at all. Not to mention because all tiny balconies face inwards, and house your a/c unit taking up precious space on the floor, at night there is the incessant humming from dozens of these echoing throughout. It's all just so weird.

The whole place is a hodge podge of different hotels all pieced together; none of which are like the others, as though a half dozen designers just did their thing in only one area not paying attention to what anyone else was doing.

It is actually a nice enough hotel, and guests seem to like it with favourable reviews and we can understand this, but we just can't shake the feeling that moving a few meters, or travelling up or down results in you thinking you're suddenly in the wrong hotel or have travelled back to the past a few years. We don't think we have ever seen anything quite like it.

Guest Houses are not hotels. They tend to be smaller, a little less noisy and far more cosy, and they fill you with a sense of being 'home', as opposed to feeling 'away'. So it is of the utmost importance that these establishments get the little things right; they do not need grandiose pools with a bar, they do not need live music, and they certainly do not need anything elaborate.

Guest Houses go for simplicity and the personal touch that so often gets lost in hotels, and the Dukah Segara, whilst giving you a plush bed you just want to sink into within a spacious room replete with smart TV, and fridge, it just feels they overlook getting the basics just right. It should be noted that this is part of the Collection O group.

It won't take away from your enjoyment, nor will it distract you from the courtyard filled with chirping and song-filled birds (which are caged - a personal dislike of mine), and small but well kept pool.

But other places do get these things correct, and it leaves you wondering that they should be doing if they desire to personally own their four star rating. And it could do with a paint job here and there to match the loveliness of the courtyard. It also has a feeling of it not taking itself seriously, and that's not a compliment.

A couple of albeit small stains on the bedsheets, a cracked mirror, an unfinished drink left in the fridge, one of the shower heads not working. None of these take away from your relaxing stay, but again, this is a guest house in style, and as such these basics should be paramount and paid attention to, in addition to the fantastic bed, smart TV, and chirping birds - although they do have a rooster, which does it's rooster thing from about 5am. Plus there seems to be (semi?) permanent residents in some rooms.

Overall though, it is a surprisingly quiet place despite it's location - because as soon as you walk out the main (huge) gates, you suddenly remember you are in the middle of *everything*.

However many thanks to Andi, and Jay, who did not sign out of their respective Netflix and Prime Video accounts. But that bed though...

Obviously you have to have a Mie (noodles) or Nasi (rice) Goreng when here, so off we went to search for one that wasn't basic but wasn't stupidly expensive either, which obviously either you can get if you so wish; we landed upon Nasi Bali Restaurant.

Why? No reason really. Much like everywhere at the moment (April-May '26), it was empty; we just got a vibe from it and the menu.

Open-plan, as is often the case, but this backed onto a pool - replete with a waterfall - that belonged to the hotel behind it; we can only presume they have some sort of an agreement with each other.

Now we have had a Goreng before, but the Nasi we had there - and for the price - was exceptional, and possibly the best meal we have had in Bali, to the extent we personally went up thanked the chefs in Indonesian (this should happen more often - floor staff do not make the food and yet receive all the thanks).

It had a slight spicy heat to it that built up throughout, but never got to a level that detracted from the dish. Plus the accompaniments just added nicely to the whole plate.

Thoroughly recommended without question.

Oddly one of our favourites wasn't technically a restaurant as it is more of a bar, but one that serves food: The Legian Pub Bali. Sometimes quiet with sports on the big screens, sometimes loud with karaoke, but always value for money and friendly.

Their Italian stone baked pizzas come highly recommended (a foot long!), and with a large beer comes in at around Rp200,000 or less. The number of passers-by who paused briefly to see the size of it as we sat at the bar-style table overlooking the street were too numerous to count (shout out to the poor gentleman who was hastily rushed along by his other half, who wore the look of 'you've had enough'). So good in fact we went back three days and got another one.

Actually all their prices are very reasonable, even for the steaks, which are the priciest items on the menu.

Note that the menus on Google Maps are out of date but still reflect what essentially is still available.

We must, however, say a big thank you to the lovely - but shy - Sugi, who is an absolute delight, and practically demanded we return again, which we did. Four times in fact.

Beer buses should be a thing everywhere. It is a simple premise: buy a ticket, get on board, drink free-flowing beer for a couple of hours whilst listening to loud music and being driven around town, and then get off and stumble off somewhere.

This is why it is a very simple premise but one that works surprisingly well, hence why we think they should be a thing everywhere.

We were in Bali for all of three days before seeing one going down the street, and then we saw them everywhere. Purpose built beer buses, converted buses, themed buses, you name it, there's one for you.

They cost somewhere in the region of 6-800,000Rp, and fear not they do buckle you in, just in case you drunkenly fall off your barstool. Plus they have WiFi, mainly for the music streaming from Spotify, and, yes, they do have rules: no abuse, no intoxication (oddly), and that includes before you get on board, which is why the 'Bus Bouncer' is there.

You also have to sign a disclaimer in case your drunken debauchery causes injury.

We went on one - The Bali Beer Cycle - where you actually do not have to cycle at all. The pedals are there, but they're more for show as they don't actually do anything, because the bus has an engine. Let's face it, you can't have a dozen drunk people in charge of a 1 ton bus can you?

It took us south through Kuta and straight to the beach for a toilet break before heading back up the coastline. You will miss most of the scenery, however, because you will be drinking/drunk.

If you like your beer and you are in Bali then you must find one of these and take a trip.

Our second hotel was one step up from a hostel: Collection O at Jalan Padma near Legian Beach (Collection O has many various hotels in the region). This was a bare basics hotel; a large bed, private shower (more of a wet room), air conditioning, safe, WiFi, and that was it. There is a community fridge and kitchen area available and an Indonesian breakfast could also be added. We did get this breakfast but it really wasn't anything special, and arrived in a takeaway box with a name slapped on it and left on the table.

The WiFi was positively shocking; the hotel is broken into WiFi sections supposedly for a strong signal no matter where you were, despite it not being large at all, but it was constantly breaking and changing to another network, only to swap to another and then another - all of which needed a different password, often not the one you were given - but never quite connecting to any of them. Admittedly we need the internet for work, and not just to post photos, so keep this in mind if that is important to you.

For the cost, it was okay, and if you are on a bare basics budget and just need/want a bedroom, then by all means this one fits the bill perfectly, but I can't imagine we'll ever go back.

We usually order via GrabFood, and it has quickly become one of our reliable go-to options when we want something comforting and full of flavour.

The crab fried rice is consistently excellent, generously portioned and rich without feeling heavy, while the green curry (chicken) strikes a lovely balance between creamy and fragrant with just the right level of spice.

Their tomyam is also impressively authentic, with that signature tangy, spicy depth that's hard to get right. It IS spicy so order only if you enjoy spicy foosld.

Overall, a dependable choice for satisfying Thai cuisine delivered straight to your doorstep.

The first hotel we stayed at was The Palette Hotel, a standard three-star property comparable to a chain such as Premier Inn or Holiday Inn Express. It offered exactly what one would expect without anything excessive, providing a clean, friendly, and spacious environment with all the essentials. The facilities included a television, fridge, private bathroom, air conditioning, pool, WiFi, bar, and restaurant, covering everything needed for a comfortable stay.

We stayed for a few days and would strongly recommend including breakfast in the booking. The selection was varied and satisfying, although individual dishes could also be purchased separately. Overall, we had no complaints regarding the food or service.

During our stay, Nyepi took place. While large tarpaulin curtains were installed around the open-plan bar and restaurant areas, these spaces remained accessible to guests, as did the rooftop infinity pool. It was from this vantage point that we experienced a remarkable view of the Milky Way, unlike anything we had seen before.

Considering its price point and convenient location just 6 km from the airport, The Palette Hotel serves as an ideal choice for a first, or even sole, stopover. The beach is approximately a 12-minute walk away, and the surrounding area offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, and convenience stores, along with an indoor ATM directly across the road.

Thank you to the staff of The Palette hotel for a warm and comfortable stay.

Among everything we have tried, the square cake options in single-serve sizes have become our particular favourites. Each piece is neatly presented, offering just the right portion for a moment of sweetness without overwhelming. The Black Forest square cake stands out even among these delights. Its layers of rich chocolate, airy cream and just a hint of cherry last on the palate in the best possible way, bringing together nostalgia and a refined sense of balance that makes it hard to resist ordering again.

While the bakery itself is a lovely place to visit, we have found that we usually prefer delivery for convenience, and Bread History makes that choice especially rewarding. Every item arrives in excellent condition, with care evident in how each cake and pastry is protected for the journey.

There is something immediately comforting about the familiar aroma of coffee drifting through the space, paired with a menu that celebrates well-known Malaysian favourites without trying too hard to reinvent them. The setting is bright and welcoming, making it an easy choice whether you are settling in for a proper meal or simply taking a break between errands.

We ordered a spread that covered both classics and comfort food, including nasi lemak, a variety of toast, chicken rice and several coffee drinks. The nasi lemak was fragrant and satisfying, with well-balanced flavours that felt reassuringly traditional. The toast selection was especially enjoyable, crisp on the outside and generously filled, perfect alongside a hot cup of coffee. The chicken rice was well executed, exactly what you want when you are craving something familiar and filling.

What stood out just as much as the food was the service. Despite the crowd, the staff remained attentive, calm and efficient, which made the experience feel far more relaxed than you might expect during busy periods. Prices are reasonable, particularly considering the location and portion sizes, and it feels like good value for a satisfying, well-rounded meal. It is worth noting that queues are common during peak hours, so a little patience is required, but once seated, the overall experience makes the wait understandable.

Oriental Kopi at Sunway Carnival Mall delivers exactly what it promises: comforting flavours, reliable quality and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back. It is the sort of place you choose when you want food that feels familiar, unpretentious and quietly enjoyable, and it does that very well.