Gluten Free in Nusa Dua, Bali

      Fancy a trip to Bali?  Fearful that you'll starve while you're there?  Not likely.  It's a great South East Asian destination if you plan on eating gluten free.  So many of the restaurants have an 'allergy awareness' that they don't necessarily advertise, but obviously are trained in when approached.  My husband and I took a spontaneous trip to Bali with another couple a few weeks ago, and although we were there less than 48 hours, we all returned relaxed and refreshed, and I felt "fed up" in the most absolutely wonderful way.
      Most of our eating adventures took place in the Nusa Dua NovaTel, but in the past I have had positive eating experiences elsewhere.  I always recommend taking along a few things to eat in case there's nothing available, but fresh fruit is never far away.  The first stop you want to make is the CarreFour.  I always thought that there was just one, in Denpasar, but when I googled the address, it seems that there are 2 more!  There you can find a whole variety of GF things to eat.  Another supermarket that we discovered on our last visit there with family is Hardy's, and again, it had GF goodies tucked all throughout the shelves.  It always pays to walk up and down the aisles and take a good look among all the forbidden foods.  Something good is bound to pop out!
     The inspiration to this post is my Nusa Dua NovaTel experience, where we took advantage of the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.  Of course, I brought my own bread and mostly ate fruit and salad (it's a breakfast option there...). I approached a number of people, asking if there were any small packages of jam, so that I didn't have to use the public spoon and jar option, but no one quite understood what I wanted.  Of course, I was speaking Indonesian, and that always confuses people, but I also was asking for something a little odd for this area.  At least I thought so, until the manager came up and asked me what it was I was looking for, and when I said what I wanted, he replied, "do you need gluten-free?"
Dumb me.  I should have just asked for that in the first place, considering this is a hotel that caters to expats.

      After a bit of a chat, I ordered gluten free muffins for the next morning's breakfast, and look what came to me the next day instead!  GF banana pancakes (just like Jack Johnson sings about on Curious George!), crepes, and 3 mini muffins.  Although it was quite a plate of beige, I felt very catered to, and was quite happy about the whole deal.  I would recommend a stay at the NovaTel Nusa Dua, Bali, if you are ever headed that way.

Thanks for reading.