'Displaced' Asian

Want a postcard from Bali?

2010-01-14T11:35:00.003+08:00

If you do, leave your postal address here and I will send you one. It will be a photograph of scenery or a location in Bali.Do not be shy, give me those addresses now!

Discovering Han Snel Bungalows in Ubud

2010-01-08T13:43:00.004+08:00

When we first moved to Ubud, we quickly discovered one of its hidden secrets and totally quite by accident.We were invited to a roast lunch, hosted by the S.O's friend, at a place called Han Snel.The Sunday roast lunch we enjoyed.Having no idea what it was - A restuarant? A warung? Someone's home? - we had to call the organiser for directions, before and even during our journey down to the venue,

Rain, rain, come again today!

2010-01-06T17:59:00.000+08:00

It is supposed to be raining season in Bali now. The season was supposed to have begun in late October or early November and end only in early March.In past years, approximately at this time, we are enjoying the warm and dry weather somewhere in Thailand while heavy downpours cover the island of the Gods.However, when rain arrives, it has been sparse. It is a rain consisting of moderate, thin and

New year, new look at our adopted home

2010-01-03T16:02:00.002+08:00

Hello everyone, I have been extremely slack in updating this blog of mine, considering that there are so many wonderful things and events that happen daily in Bali.For the new year, I have decided on this plan:1) Shift the blog to a new platform - will inform you of the new URL to bookmark.2) Update the blog at least once a week.3) Update to cover at one of these areas of interest for visitors of

Belated birthday wishes for a professional photographer friend

2009-11-15T21:36:00.000+08:00

During my first visit to Ubud - and Bali - three and a half years ago, I entered the photography gallery of Rio Helmi along Jalan Suweta. Actually, at first look, every piece on display looked like paintings. Such was the high quality of the prints. Later, I would learn that not only is Rio Helmi a professional photographer who has a keen eye for details, he also insists on using only the best

Harvest time again

2009-11-02T11:31:00.002+08:00

As I approached my work space at home, a familiar sound greeted me - the thrashing of dried rice stalks.Yes, it is harvest time again in the rice fields behind our rented home in Ubud. The last time the ibus (women) harvested the rice from these same fields was in April, and I took some pictures of them in action.The sight and sound of them working is always pleasant. It tells me that the earth

Why September went by so quickly

2009-09-24T11:50:00.004+08:00

It has been quite a month, September. Whatever happened from the 1st to the 7th of the month is a hazy memory for me. However, I think some part of the time was spent sending word out that we needed a maid to help take care of the home during the two weeks when our usual maid returns to Bangiwangi, East Java for the Idul Fitri holidays.There was also an unusual amount of rain spread over three to

Back, but busy

2009-07-23T15:02:00.002+08:00

We have been away - Singapore; Mestre (Italy); Sicily (Italy); London (England) - for a well-deserved family vacation. During this time there was either a lack of Internet connection or lack of time to go online because I was being a full-time nanny to my son. Hence the lack of updates on all my blogs.We have been back in Bali since July 10 (the S.O.) and July 13 (myself), but have been thrown in

Basic Indonesian - for shopping

2009-04-28T17:58:00.001+08:00

Here are some useful Indonesian phrases when you go shopping in Bali.I am looking for...: Saya mau cari...Baskets/ placemats/ sandals/ sarong/ pillow: Keranjang (say 'keh-rahn-jahng')/ placemats/ sandal (say 'sahn-dahl')/ sarong/ bantal (say 'bahn-tile')If I take many, can give me a better price?: Kalau saya ambil banyak, harganya bisa kurang?Any other colours?: Ada warna lain?Any other sizes?:

Lembongan Island escape

2009-04-27T16:31:00.000+08:00

We spent the weekend at Nusa (island) Lembongan off the east coast of Bali, accessible via a one-and-half-hour fast ferry ride from Benoa Harbour in Bali.There are many companies operating transfers to Lembongan island, but we opted to go with Bali Hai Cruises as they had options of a day-only cruise (Beach Club Cruise, Reef Cruise, Aristocat Nusa Lembongan Cruise) or inclusive of an overnight

Random images of April 2009

2009-04-16T15:26:00.014+08:00

Insect under a leaf. (Taken on April 3 with my iPhone.)A view from the path snaking in to the rice paddies behind our home. (Taken on April 8.)Brought our two dogs along for the walk and they make interesting contrasts of colour and height. (Taken on April 8.)Fancy stopping for a cuppa and a chat among nature? (Taken on April 8.)Decorations made for the Balinese festival of Galungan, left to

Pasar (market) shopping

2009-04-11T15:39:00.007+08:00

Since beginning of this February, we have finally moved to the place in Bali that pulled me from Singapore - Ubud. I remember sitting on the porch of a villa in Nyuh Kuning, listening to the birds singing, and absorbing the picturesque garden surrounding us, and thinking: "I could move here, I could live in Bali!"Jimbaran was a different story, but Ubud is my dream come true. Not just because we

"Bisa kurang?"

2009-04-05T12:00:00.003+08:00

(translation: ""Can better price?")That is one additonal phrase that any visitor to Bali should know, besides the usual thank you (terima kasih), numbers one to 10 (satu ke sepuluh), how are you (apa khabar), and harga berapa (price how much)."Bisa kurang" is a useful phrase to wield when shopping in Bali, especially at the pasars (markets) and some shops. It is a taken that you have to bargain

Out fo sorts *

2009-03-09T16:21:00.003+08:00

It has been 31 days since we moved from Jimbaran in the south, to Ubud in the centre of Bali. Will you believe it if I said that we are still living out of boxes?Well, we have basic furnishing in the house, such as tables to dine and work at; chairs to sit on; bed frame and mattress to sleep on; small wardrobe; refrigerator; water dispensor; you get the idea.However, we lack other things like

Bali sights

2009-03-03T21:42:00.006+08:00

Construction, Bali style. (Taken February 08 in Ubud)Transporting mattress, our style. (Taken February 08 in Ubud)Those canang (Balinese offering) must be really yummy, looking at how that group of ducks are gobbling (pun not intended) everything up! (Taken February 11 in Ubud)The view from where I work in the house. (Taken February 23 in Ubud)View from our bedroom window. (Taken February 23 in

Big and bigger-er

2009-01-28T16:28:00.002+08:00

This 'displaced' Asian is in a quandry: the Singaporean in me rub my hands with glee at the convenience of the mega supermarkets that have been popping up on the island ever since returning here in October 2007, yet the faux hippie side of me mourns the loss of greenary on this paradise island.The mega supermarkets - Carrefour on Sunset Road, Carrefour on Jl. Iman Bonjol (former Alfa supermarket)

Impoverished? Or just an impression?

2009-01-27T14:40:00.006+08:00

Being an island of Indonesia, Bali is also included whenever someone comments that the nation is a "developing country".Interestingly, Indonesians from Jakarta whom I know refer to Bali as a kampung (Malay/Indonesian word for country or village). Before making the journey from Jakarta to Bali for holiday or work, most will head to their doctor for a host of vaccinations.This is quite

Bali is Hindu, not Muslim

2009-01-27T14:14:00.002+08:00

There seems to be a widespread believe that Bali is a Muslim state. Quite understandable, considering that Bali is one of more than 17,000 islands comprising Indonesia, which is - according to this Wikipedia entry - the world's "most populous Muslim-majority nation".While there are Muslim Indonesians from other Indonesian islands such as Java, Lombok and Sumbawa working in Bali, their number does

This is what makes Bali scenic

2008-12-28T21:46:00.001+08:00

Rice paddies, and farmers planting rice.

Home news

2008-12-04T22:38:00.004+08:00

It had to happen to us soon: the nanny disappearing with cash that was entrusted to her while we were away in Jakarta on business. Thank goodness it was just some cash and not other items such as laptop, computer, Nintendo Wii, the DVD player or other electronic stuff.A girl friend of mine said we should never entrust money to any of the locals. This, from someone whose husband is Indonesian, and

The let-down by Il Cielo in Kuta

2008-11-16T17:01:00.006+08:00

We turned dinner last night in to a family outing at Kuta. Walking along Jalan Katika Plaza, the S.O. commented, "You know, if I try and imagine it, I can believe that I am on holiday in Bangkok or Koh Phangan!"We were undecided on what fare to fill our tummies with: Indonesian dishes from Warung Warung, or Italian from Il Cielo. The S.O. decided on the latter, sold by the traditional names of

That warm, fuzzy feeling

2008-10-29T11:36:00.003+08:00

Was stepping out of the shower this morning when I finally began to appreciate something that I had brought over to Bali from Singapore: the bath and face towels from Aussino that were given as a departure present two years ago from colleagues at my last job posting.The softness of the face towel as I pulled it across my face, and the warmth that enveloped me as I wrapped the bath towel around me

Pura Nusa Dharma

2008-10-27T14:51:00.011+08:00

Currently, I am at home with only my infant son, his nanny and our domestic help as the hubby is in Jakarta until Tuesday for some business meetings.So to make sure that I do not end up holed in the house during the entire time, I decided to visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, which is less than five minutes drive from our house in Jimbaran yesterday.However, upon arrival at its

The slow death of Bali's rice fields

2008-10-26T14:29:00.005+08:00

These pictures were taken as recent as October 19, when we stopped at Roberto's favourite Indian restaurant in Ubud for an early dinner. We have no idea what they are building but whatever it is, the wonderful view of the rice field will be blocked by yet another row of buildings.The construction:The farmer working on one of the remaining plots just behind the construction:The rest of rice field

A familiar logo

2008-10-18T09:58:00.003+08:00

Spotted along the Bypass Ngurah Rai, just before the turn to Benoa when travelling from Sanur to Jimbaran: a small reminder of Singapore.