Food and Food

MAMMA MIA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Was suggested by a friend lately, an authentic Italian Restaurant in Ubud - Bali area. Located at the second S turning from Lod Tunduh village to Monkey Forest, this restaurant looks so simple.

It is not easy to get your car a park if you are using car. However the taste of the pizza and other Italian Food, wow ..... Mamma Mia, it just stays on your tongue.

We had Quattro Formaggio Pizza, Penne al Salmone and Spaghetti Marinara for lunch today. Freshly grated parmesan cheese shines on top of perfectly cooked al-dente penne. The freshness of the tomato sauce which claimed imported directly from Italy, tastes just right!

I am not trying to market the place, I just want to share if you are an Italian food lover like me, it is worth to give a try.

Enjoy!

MASHED POTATOES

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:09:00 +0000

As I wrote on my other blog: http://www.muziekforeveryone.com/2012/08/in-rememberance-dad.html, today is the anniversary of 10 years my dad passed away.

His favorite western dish is mashed potatoes especially the dutch style. However in many cases when my mom too busy in preparing other food for us, the Betty Crocker - Real Mashed Potatoes would also be fine :)

Please find herewith the link of nice creamy mashed potatoes recipe: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

Miss you so much daddy, time was never enough. You must be rest in peace with Him now.
Pray for us who are still struggling in this world.

THINGS that WE NAMED AS 'ATTENTION'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:06:00 +0000

I started my day very early today.
After arriving at my office - about 45 minutes later, as usual an office girl and an office boy do their cleaning task in my office.

They work based on roster, usually they work for several same offices for a couple of days, before transferred to other offices area.

I noticed the girl that work for 3 days up to today has a very nice smile. She is very polite and have a very well mannered.

I never have a chance to chat with these office girls and boys. Only exchanging smiles and say thank you for their assistance.

Today, since it is not too busy, I started a conversation with the girl.

Responding my question if she employed here or on the job training, she said that she is on the job training at my company. She took a year of housekeeping hospitality diploma program. One semester learning the theory and one semester on the job to mastering her knowledge.

I asked her, what is the reason for her to take one year diploma program instead of taking a program which can lead her into a brighter career in the future? She said that her uncle who suggested him to take the program and so on.

From her explanation I can read between the line, that funds is actually the problem for her to get a better education.

Then....., I continue my conversation. I asked if she speaks English. Her answer: she does not have the capability to communicate in English.

I feel pity for this girl. To enter the jungle of hospitality world, it is a must to be able to speak English. She took the one year program, for the reason to get job quicker. But how can she survive from the competition if she does not have English as one of the main 'weapon'? She is a very nice girl, her character will be suitable for service industry. But............??

I learn from my experience talking to the girl. Being too busy doing my job and self centered....... (still I guess), I did not pay enough attention to small things happened surround me.

At the end of our conversation, I suggested her to learn English, even I know, maybe the fund for it can still be a problem.

DINOYO KERAMIK

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:23:00 +0000

I was doing ceramic handcrafted many years back, but not anymore. However anything related to ceramics still has a place in my heart.

If you are a ceramic lover, you must have heard about Dinoyo Ceramic.
Dinoyo is actually a name of a region near Malang - East Java Regency where one of most popular ceramic center in Indonesia located, now you know how Dinoyo Ceramic obtains its name.

Never ask the history of how this ceramic craft happened in Dinoyo, no body knows.
The people of Dinoyo only can answer the question, "The craft has been there even before them."

Some say that this craft has been there since the era of Kanjuruhan Kingdom in the 8th century. And it survives till this modern era. The nuance of those ancient times still attached in the patron of the ceramic made in Dinoyo.

Uniquely some crafter still doing a special ritual before they start making ceramic. They believe by doing it, the ceramic being made will be more beautiful.

Interested to know further of Dinoyo Ceramic, I found an interesting websites which containing information related to Dinoyo Ceramic: http://www.dinoyo.com

Enjoy exploring.

KEMBANG GOELA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:09:00 +0000

I was invited for a lunch yesterday.
The place chosen was a nice Indonesian Restaurant named Kembang Goela located in Petitenget area.
You can find the place easily. Just follow the Petitenget road from the Kerobokan Traffic light. Kembang Goela is on the left side not very far from the traffic light. Its signboard with a lady in nonja style kebaya is very obvious taking attraction.

The restaurant picked a colonial interior style with some big size printed old photographs hung on its wall.
Several antique furniture also set as an interior component.
The restaurant overall is very clean and giving a pleasant feeling to enjoy your meals.

If you are looking for an authentic Indonesian cuisine signature, I must say that Kembang Goela have it. Even the service is a little bit slow and the up selling effort I feel sometime too pushy, they were still giving a top service category.

Their signature dish are their sausages and gulai ikan.
Price wise, considered ok for food selections, but not for the drinks - expensive.

"Sosis Om Yance or Uncle Yance's sausage" is a 75cm long sausages, served using a long wooden plate, especially to coupe the sausage. Mayonnaise, mustard and tomato sauce were the condiment to accompanied it.

"Sosis Sinyo Londo or Dutch Boy's sausage" served in a 'naughty' way........ :D
Check the picture below.

Rice is the main dish for Indonesian. And Kembang Goela develop the rice selection into 4 types of rice. The Yellow rice, Green Rice, Red or Brown rice and normal rice.
Yellow rice is rice colored with turmeric, and green rice having its green color from pandan leaves and daun kayu suji (I do not know the English word for daun kayu suji).

For you who like spicy food, their SambalKombinasi or Combination Chilli Sauce should get a two thumbs up. Consisted of Mango Chilli Sauce, Shrimp Paste Chilli Sauce or Sambal Terasi, and Gandaria Chilli Sauce. I wonder where did they get the Gandaria.
Gandaria is a name of a tree with greenish fruit. The fruit tastes sour but very good for sambal. The Gandaria trees is nearly extinct. To my knowledge the trees are only available in West Java.

Last but not least, I chosed cappucinno to complete my lunch.
The lunch finally ended at nearly 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Nyepi - 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:26:00 +0000

What makes Bali so unique, I think one amongst other uniqueness is the NYEPI DAY. Nyepi Day or Silence Day, when all activities are stopped, the day is used to do a self instropections.

Experiencing so many Nyepi Days, I still feel the great sensation. The island is truly purified during the day. No polution, very quiet ...... so wonderful.

Many people do not like Nyepi Day, but not myself.

Nyepi day this year, that will be fallen on 26th April 2009 will be different.
WHY?
We would not have any Ogoh-ogoh on the Pengerupukan (a day before Nyepi Day).
Ogoh-ogoh is a big statue reflecting bad spirits that should be beaten by good spirits.
The lose of bad spirits visualized by burning the Ogoh-ogoh after it carried surrounding the village.

Campaign that due in the same period as Nyepi Day, caused the government thought, it will be wise for not having Ogoh-ogoh for this year.

Well, I hope I will have the same great sensation experiencing Nyepi Day, although without Ogoh-ogoh and the noise following the parade on the Pengerupukan day.

GALUNGAN - a BALINESE Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:18:00 +0000

Today is a big holiday for Balinese people.
Recurring every 210 days, Galungan is a big celebration.
The ceremony lasts in 10 days, closed by a Kuningan Day.

The city of Denpasar feel like 'empty' during the day.
People are going back to their villages, visiting families and friends, after praying at the temple.
They also pray for family members who passed away but yet still not be cremated.

It is not easy to find a restaurant or food stalls selling tradisional Balinese food during this days.
At least for 3 days on the Galungan day you will have problems in finding food.

Balinese also erecting poles which have been decorated beautifully with coconut leaves and flowers, these poles giving an atmosphere of big festive for 10 days here in Bali.

This Galungan Day is very special as it is very close to other Balinese big holiday - NYEPI DAY.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA GALUNGAN!

BEDUGUL - Botanical Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:08:00 +0000

Since I was a little girl, I have already fallen in love with this place.
My dad often took me there (almost every weekend - if we were in Bali). Usually we walked in the forest, stepping a nature pathway, seeing various kind of plantation.
Those days, weather is a lot cooler compared to now. No many people like visiting Bedugul Botanical Garden like today.

The garden named EKA KARYA Botanical Garden.
Located about 60 kms up north on the way to Singaraja from the capital city of Bali - Denpasar.
They have nearly 16.000 types of plantation scattered on about 155 hectares area.

Bedugul Botanical Garden is a perfect place to bring your family for a short weekend holiday.
You can bring your food and have the children playing freely while enjoying the nice and clean air.

MAN MARU - A Japanese Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:48:00 +0000

Last Saturday, without planning I went back to Ubud.
Went back? Yes, after spending 5 hours at my office in Ubud, return to Denpasar, then we decided to have dinner in Ubud.

We picked Man Maru, a Japanese restaurant located at Jalan Raya Sanggingan.
Several times passing the road of Sanggingan we have never seen this restaurant being busy.
Usually restaurant that quiet pack offer good quality of food or......... maybe good price.
Good quality + good price = very busy.
Good quality + expensive price = limited clients
Bad quality + cheap price = sometimes busy
Bad quality + expensive price = disaster
(LOL)

But since Man Maru is recommended by several friends, we thought that we should give a try.
"The quality of the food is better compared to Japanese Restaurant X, "my friend explained.
"But......, the price is a lot higher too!" he continued.

Then, we have already been in the restaurant.
We took a Japanese traditional table at the corner, closed area, divided by bamboo partition to other area of the restaurant.

We take a look at the menu, they have many variations of menus.
And true, price is lot higher compared to our favorite Japanese Restaurant.

After scrutinizing the list of menu, I decided to order ebi tempura sushi with black sesame seeds to be shared with my love ones. I never can eat a lot due to stomach problem.
They have a katsu and teriyaki. We also have a bowl of boiled eda mame, which unfortunately slightly overcooked, and it lost its crunchiness.

I choosed hot Ocha as my beverage, it is served in a nice traditional glass. Expensive! - Rp. 18.000 per pot.

They served bean sprout with sesame oil and a kind of slightly hot sauce as the appetizer.
Finally our order served. It is true, the food is very good!
The ingredients is very fresh and cooked nicely.

We will recommend this restaurant to our friends too. That is why I posted my experience having dinner there in my blog!

BALI SAFARI & MARINE PARK

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:19:00 +0000

Last Sunday, my love one joined a caricature competition.
It was the first time he agreed to join such competition.
He is very talented but always refuse to join a competition.

The competition took place at Bali Safari & Marine Park.
It was for the first time for us visiting the park.

Entering the park we were given a bracelet showing that we are entitled to enter the park.
There are 3 types of bracelets (I guess), differentiate by colors.
We got the green one which meaning we still have to pay if we want to enter the fun park.

From the main gate, we were taken to Barong Lobby by bus (they called it trem).
Passing the Barong Lobby we will find shops area and Uma Restaurant. There is also a wantilan (kind of open partition building) where traditional Balinese dance are performed on schedule.

Crossing the Dragon Bridge you will find several beautiful Cockatoo birds.
They are very gentle, you can take pictures with them.
On the opposite side of the cockatoo there is a place where you can take picture with orang utan.
You will need to pay some fee to get your picture with the orang utan.
They are so cuteeee!!

Passing the Cockatoo and Orang Utan place you will arrive at Hanoman Stage, where the Bird and Dogs performance showed on schedule.

Across Hanoman Stage there is a pond where elephants taking bath. The elephants marching to their bathing pond. Pay a bunch of banana for Rp. 10.000 and you can feed the elephants while they are taking a bath.

Walking across the unfinished Ganesha Court (wondering what that place is going to be); you will find the trem station, where you can start your journey exploring the park, seeing their wild animals collection.

If you wish to spend night there, they also have lodge, but we did not see inside.
Maybe it will be fun too staying a night there. The rate started from USD 160++.
See the picture below, that is the style of the accommodation in the park.

Well, it was a fun day for us. My love one won the last prize for his category, he was happy.
Spending nearly a day there, sweating walking around the park.
But if you visit it near time, the marine park is not finished yet, will be ready in 2009.
We will back there by then!

One more thing! You won't be allowed bringing food from outside. The price of the food sold in the restaurant is quiet reasonable, but don't be surprised, the beverage price is 2 - 3 times more expensive compared to the price in the market. So get ready ;-)!

LOVINA TRIP

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:18:00 +0000

It was truly an un-planned trip.
I was not prepared to go, but my love one having problem with his left foot (swollen) and can not drive. So I have to take his duty to drive my in law to attend a wedding party in Singaraja.

Singaraja was previously the capital of Bali before it is moved to Denpasar.
It is located on the north part of Bali about 80 kms from Denpasar, having a warm and humid climate.

The wedding party was held about 18.00, but we left Denpasar early morning as my in law wanted to attend the marriage rite at the church. We dropped them at the bride's home and we headed to Lovina, a tourism area in Singaraja.

We spend our time at Bali Taman Resort & Spa.
The hotel is very well maintained, yet clean and tidy.

Since it was too hot to swim when we arrived at the hotel, we decided to have a drink at the restaurant. The restaurant is empty as it was already around 11.00 in the afternoon.
Breakfast already past while lunch was bit too early. I ordered a cup of Balinese coffee, my love one had a glass of ice lemon tea and a plate of fried banana for both of us.

The fried banana was served with palm sugar syrup.
The batter was crunchy but unfortunately, the banana was not riped enough.

I recommended this hotel, I would stay there again one day. The staff is friendly, and also honest! My in law left her precious necklace in the bathroom, but it kept save by the staff.
When she realized she did not have it and rang me to go back to the hotel, I found it kept at the safety deposit box at the front desk. Thank you so much!

It is also easy for you to go for snorkeling or if you want to take a dolphin tour in the early morning. The journey start right on the beach in front of the hotel!

SWEET ORANGES

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:55:00 +0000

I was re-arranging my e-photo album, when I found this picture.
Taken 2003. The fruit is from the orange tree at our land located in Kintamani.
It is not a serious managed orange plantation, we have it as it is already there.

It is quiet weird........, when first visiting the place after my love one bought it, it was just the harvest time. We tasted the orange from all trees at the first layer terrace. We just left un-eaten the orange which is not taste sweet :-(. Feel sorry right now, it is not good isn't it. What a waste!

Right now, we just collected all fruits. The one that are taken from the tree which marked not sweet, collected separately, and it goes to a blender ------> output : ORANGE JUICE!
The sweet one, we ate it directly, put the left over in the refrigerator. If there are too many left over, it went out to our friends house.

Actually the harvest time itself is really enjoyable. Taking the fruit one by one, smell its freshness while the mountain breeze softly caress our skin. Exchanging jokes, sometimes throwing small undeveloped orange each other.

I'am happy.

This is the view from my land at Kintamani.
Actually I and my love one want to sell it, we want to move to the north part of Bali.
It is not big, only 2.300 m2, but the view is 'undisturbed'.
Nobody can build something in front of the land, as it is located on the slop.
If you are interested please contact me by post a comment.

DESA DUSUN - a Must to Try

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:56:00 +0000

Many times we went out for eating not because of the food but because of the place it self.
Few weeks ago we found a nice place in the middle of the city. Located on a river bank - Ayung River, the place offered a romantic Javanese touch.

Entering the place we will pass a mini library, I have never checked what kind of books are in their collection, as I usually bring my own. Next to the library there is a collection of artworks, many items displayed there that I do like too. The place called DESA DUSUN, if you are passing the Gatot Subroto Road in Denpasar, the place is on the east part of Gatot Subroto, not far from the elite housing called TERAS AYUNG.

DESA DUSUN is the place where we like not because of the food. The food is good, but what I mean, you still can get the food at the same quality in other places or even a better quality, but you won't get the same atmosphere in other place like there.

Two days ago we went there for a dinner. During night time, they enlight many torches along the pathway, giving a different feeling and touch to the place. They are using a combination of brown textile and batik as the table cloth. Cuteleries are placed in an ata box. Ata is a kind of wild root which is woven becoming various designs from place mat to hand bags.

My love ones preferred to order Chicken Mushroom Steak and Beef in Black Bean Sauce and a portion of Asinan Desa Dusun for myself.

We never miss to order Fried Banana as the dessert. Their fried banana uniquely served with a combination of sugar and cinnamon. They are using Pisang Raja not Pisang Kepok the usual banana for fried banana. The sweetness of Pisang Raja gave a nice combination with the batter.

Last but not least, please consider to have separated sugar or syrup if you order sweet drinks. It tends to be too sweet. I have a sweet tooth but I always taste their beverages are too sweet.

MY BUDDHA STATUE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:01:00 +0000

What do you think of that statue?
I like it very much. After thinking '1000' times................, I decided to buy.
And I never feel boring seeing it. I put it on a temporary desk.
Actually it should be placed in my room, but it still being renovated.

It is not a real antique, but somehow........ the first time saw that statue, I have already fallen in love. It just looked perfect! The proportion, the broken arm and legs.

If you want to buy that kind of statue just drive along Sayan Village, near the Four Season Resort you will find several art shops, take a look! I am sure you will find something that you really like.

LAKE TAMBLINGAN

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:05:00 +0000

We know there are 3 lakes actually located in the North part of Bali. The famous Lake Beratan where the most photographed temple 'Pura Ulun Danu' is located; then Lake Buyan (the biggest of the 3 lakes) and the last is called Lake Tamblingan. The last lake........ we have never explored before.

That Sunday we decided to go to see Lake Tamblingan closely which is not as popular as the other two lakes, but we thought it must be something interesting that we can find there.

As usual on the way up, we stopped at our favorite little bakery, visiting Pak Ketut and had some croissants. It was a luck! We got a fresh baked meat pie. We watched Pak Ketut's talented hands forming the pie. Yummy..........!

To go to Lake Tamblingan, you just drive climbing up the hill following the road headed to Singaraja. After the Monkeys place, be prepared to turn left. There is a sharp left turning before the fruits kiosk where people usually stop and buy fruits. There you can also feed the monkeys.

After turning left just follow the road, signs that showing direction to Lake Tamblingan are very easily to find. Driving slowly! As you will be amazed by the view started after five minutes driving along the road.

Below is the picture of Lake Buyan. Actually the two lakes Tamblingan and Buyan are located side by side with a hill as a boundary.

We parked our car at an empty land in front of a no more operating restaurant. We took a walk down following a small village gang. The air was really fresh. On the side villager planting vegetables, fruits and flowers.

The panoramic view of mountain series in its glorious blue color was really stunning! Creating an image that we stand over clouds, but truly we did (see my picture below)! My love one told me, he ever passed the place very early morning, when the sun started rising.

"The combination of blue, orange and white that day performing an incredible natural painting just can not be explained, " he continued his story.

We continued our trip heading further north. At the last intersection, take the left turning, the road became more narrow, a typical village asphalt road, with many holes here and there. Not too long driving, the road started sloping down. You could see Lake Tamblingan on your left side.

Park your car at the parking lot in front of the conservation forest. Take a walk following a clean path crossing a very well kept forest. The pathway will take you to the Lake. The mountain breeze................., the smell of freshness after a shower of the rain.................., gave a very pleasant feeling for us. It was still raining a little bit....., but we just did not care!

If you like fishing, do fishing there! Don't expect to catch big fish, there is no big fish, just catch the happy feeling being in a wonderful place. There are 2 houses of the villagers with a small shop in front of each house selling simple snacks and drinks. Best is taking your own meal, do a barbecue or whatever to feed your hungry stomach which easily happened in a cool weather.

We spent our time until the sun went down. Driving back home we still got a beautiful view. Unfortunately........, the sky was not really clear. I can imagine how beautiful it will be if the sky is clear.

MUSEUM PURI LUKISAN

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:56:00 +0000

During my kidz to my teenage time, my father often took me seeing many beautiful places in Bali.
Museums were included in the places of our interests. Museum Puri Lukisan located in the main street of Ubud, Gianyar Bali which is managed under the Foundation of Ratna Wartha was one of my favorite.

Still very clearly in my mind, it has a beautiful little old bridge over a small stream as the entrance to the museum area. There was a nice grass lawn which was trimmed regularly in front of the building.

Last Sunday, continuing the tradition we took our love one visiting the museum. A bit sad, I did not find it being taken care as it was during those days. The small stream ......... gone! There is plenty of debris being dumbed there. Wild plantation grow on top of it, gave a dirty image of the place.

After paying Rp. 20.000 / person, we continued entering the museum.
There is another bridge crossing a pond after we climb steps to the museum. It still like my imagination.

I took many pictures there, unfortunately it was a bit too late (it was 12.30 when we arrived there). Too bright already to take the garden picture. However, yesterday I found the statue that placed in the middle of the pond, has a really good shape and expression.

I feel the safety and security towards the collection exhibited permanently there was not that good. I tried to see if there is a security cameras installed, but could not find one.
The value of the collections could not be valued in money. It is simply too worthy.

I found a sign mentioning that visitors may not taking pictures in any forms (still picture/videos) over the collections inside the exhibition rooms, but nobody there watching the visitors. I brought my camera, and being reminded by an old man (the gardener I guess) who was sitting in front of the Building for not taking picture inside. Then I walked inside following my love ones, surprisingly I saw a foreigner taking picture inside Exhibition Building I. He..he..he.....

We ended our journey in Ryoshi a Japanese Restaurant next to the Museum. There is a new lines of sushi menu, I ordered Oden Set, and the broth was really delicious!

A nice trip to be remarked!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:29:00 +0000

one corner before the main 'joglo' exhibition

The first day of 2008, I and my love ones decided to go to Ubud - Our favorite village in Bali where culture and art is in the blood of the people there. Once you are there you can immediately feel it.

A friend of mine told us that there was an artist community located in Kubu Bingin, about 3 or 4 kilometers before Ubud, where a one year masks & puppets exhibition is being held. That is our first to visit.

The Kubu Bingin Artist Community located in a 3 hectares land, surrounded by beautiful rice fields. I do like the place.

(the view from the main joglo exhibition)

There are 2 Demak Joglo (traditional java house from Demak - Central Java) which build in one section. Traditional and antique masks collection were exhibited in these joglo House. While the other East Java Joglo which located in the opposite section packed of thousand of puppet collections. The colorful the puppets exhibited made me stunning.

Their collections represented art and culture from all parts of Indonesia and the world. According to Bpk. Prayitno - the manager of the place, it is only 1/3 of their collections that were exhibited.

Very kind he showed us their stores where other collections kept, and he said there are still many more which has not been sent to Bali.

I do admire people who do things with sincere and love.

Please visit the place, and I believe you will find the happiness as I am.

STILL RELATED TO SUSHI

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:37:00 +0000

Still related to Sushi.........., I remembered a funny story by a friend of mine.
He told me in his office where people always in rush, they often have to have their breakfast in the office.
But he said, "Never leave any food un-watched on your desk, it will disappear as soon as you turn your head back!"

So his story began, his sandwich was missing that day. He was unlucky. When he was about to eat his sandwich, the boss called. When he back, the sandwich including the plastic wrap gone........., just gone, without leaving any trails.

He said during that month he lost his breakfast 4 times. That morning, he bought a sandwich in the canteen at the basement. He saw a 'local sandwich' - a spread of coconut jelly (in green color) on bread. A naughty think popped up on his mind, he bought it and planned to make a 'mouse trap'.

Silently, on his desk he spread wasabi on top of the coconut jelly and then put bread back. Pretending need to go to the toilet, he left the trap on the desk.

And................, big smile! The mouse ate the trap. He waited patiently and looked around, a friend of him came out from the toilet with a red nose! That is the 'mouse' he..he..he....

You know, wasabi is a green paste that has a hot taste. If you take it too much, it will directly hit your nerve in your nose!

A DATE IN A SUSHI RESTAURANT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:34:00 +0000

Had a date with my love one last Saturday. Since early afternoon that day, I really wanted to eat sushi. Any kind of sushi has flied in front of my mind disturbing my day.........huh! Producing more saliva..........oh no!

After work, quickly I called my love one, ask him if he can go out for dinner together. Sometimes, he has already had arranged an agenda for us. Luckily, he did not!

Arriving there nearly 20.00, we ordered sushi & tempura. As an opening food we chose Gomae, kind of vegetables with sesame seed sauce. I had a hot ocha and my love one preferred to have a lemon tea.

Not long after we had our first bites of our sushi, a couple went in. Quiet young. They sat opposite of our table, a bit in a cross direction. I have a very clear view towards that young couple.

I noticed since entering the restaurant, the man kept on talking on his cell phone. After finish with one conversation, he continued with another new conversation.

He..he..he..., about half an hour, my love one started to pay attention, since the voice of the man of that young couple raised.

My love one turn his face back and for seconds observing the young couple. Then, he whispered........, "If I'm being the date.........., I will already leave him!"

I smiled at him, and explained if the girl seemed like dictating what to say to the man, so she is also involved indirectly in that looooooooooong conversation!

We hardly hold our laugh......since the man started to use idioms and wise words in his conversation, he had a dispute with the person he talked to, and tried to sort things out.

Oh man.........! If we really look our surroundings, we can find many things that actually can save us from bored.

TAMARILLO JAM

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:28:00 +0000

Yesterday, was the first time I tasted tamarillo. I like it, sour and a bit sweet taste.
Cultivated a lot in the mountain area of Bali like Bedugul and Kintamani.
Costs Rp. 7.500 / kg, I got the feeling that it is a bit expensive the price we paid yesterday!
I should check next time when I have a chance going up again.

I bought 2 kgs of tamarillos. Stealing one to taste for the first time, the rests I peeled, took out the seeds and scoped the fruit. Chopped it roughly - I used hand blender. I added 600 grm of sugar + one stick of cinnamon, and started to simmer it.

After nearly 40 minutes, I got a beautiful thick tamarillos jam. It has a very beautiful red color, and taste yummy!

SANUR FISHERMEN

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 01:21:00 +0000

Went to Sanur (a beach area east to Denpasar) quiet early morning 2 hours ago with my love one. Hope to get fresh fish from his fishermen friends.

Unfortunately, they came back with empty hands. Traditional fishermen's life is very hard. Taking the risk going down to the deep sea area when we are all having our nice sleep, trying to catch fish for continuing their family life, giving education to their kids, etc. Many times get good catch, but many times get nothing.

If you wish to get really fresh fish, go to Sanur early in the morning, wait for the fishermen who just come back from their night journey. Once you experienced having those fresh fish, the fish which claimed also fresh sold in the supermarket will become tasteless!

ARBEI

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:40:00 +0000

I took this picture on my latest journey up to the mountain, to a yet un-explored area. I was really surprised seeing this arbei (that is what we called the berries here) plant, it brought my memory back to my childhood time.

During my childhood time to my teenage period, it was being a routine for my family to spend our holiday season in the village where my dad originally from. Staying there for nearly a month. Going fishing, cycling and exploring many exotic places - mostly out of crowd.

On my grandma's yard there was arbei bushes carrying lots of fruits. After playing in a hot day we (myself and my cousins) used to take a rest, sitting near the bushes and busy picked up riped berries to cure our thirsty.

My cousin who elder than I am explained that the silkworm eats that kind of berries leaves.

The berries I found last week was not as sweet as the berries on my grandma's yard. But it gave me a pleasant feeling.

ENVIRONMENT CONCERN - Maya Ubud Resort & Spa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:18:00 +0000

I visit regularly a beautiful resort located in Ubud, which I knew very well has always improving quality of service, facility and activity programs extended to their guests.

The latest program they have just launched is "TREE PLANTING"
Please find below the media release I have just had:

Plant a Tree and Enhance the Environment

Ubud, Bali – Since its inception six years ago Maya Ubud Resort & Spa (http://www.mayaubud.com)has been very concerned in preserving and protecting the environment surrounding the resort. To enhance these efforts the resort has introduced a program inviting guests to plant a tree along the resort’s riverside nature walk so they may be part of the environmental protection project of the resort. A small fee is charged with the proceeds being donated to an environmental protection agency in Bali.

Guests may choose from a variety of trees available from the resort’s nursery. These include mango, coconut, clove, guava, jackfruit, breadfruit, mangosteen, water apple and coffee to name but a few of the indigenous trees available for selection.

With more than three hectares of land are available along the riverside nature walk, guests may also choose the spot where they would like to plant their tree assisted by a Resort Guide. Each tree planted will then be tagged with the guest’s name and date of planting. They may also add a few special words to the tag as a memento of their visit to Bali.

Mr & Mrs Wolfgang Baermann from Germany on the occasion of their eighth visit to the resort commented while planting the first tree, “We have tried to grow tropical trees we have brought from Bali back in our home town, but have had no success. Now we will have our own mango tree here in Bali and will look forward to seeing how it develops on future visits”

”We are fortunate in having such an amazing site of over ten hectares of land surrounded by rice fields and tropical rainforest, with the resort buildings occupying only ten percent of this land area. The remainder is devoted to lush cultivated tropical gardens and the riverside walk, enabling guests to be at one with nature” commented Paul Blake, General Manager of the resort.

The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, sits majestically high above the banks of the legendary Petanu River, across from charming historical villages of Bedulu and Pejeng and within walking distance of the vibrant artist centre of Ubud.

For further information please contact:

Ayu Martiasih
Marketing Communications Manager
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa
email : marketing@mayaubud.com

It is good to know if somebody do something nice for the environment. Our world has already been 'screwed' by us. The paradise has faded leaving ruined forests, pollution, and poverty at the end.

Hope the program held by them will run successfully. So in my future visit to the property I can see many more fruits plantation there.

BALI - TRADITIONAL FOOD (3)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:12:00 +0000

People said - Buleleng region (North Part of Bali) is a place where many traditional delicious food available. I went there yesterday and had a chance taste a traditional food called: SATE PLECING. It is a variety of satay (pork and or fish) with sweet or hot sauce.

The sweet sauce made of fermented bean paste, and the hot sauce made of red chillies. Some people like to combine both sauce sauce which give a nice sweet, salty and hot taste.

It is served with slices of cucumber + sambal.

For the soup you will have 2 options, vegetable soup (a clear soup) and SEMUR.
I won't explore further the vegetable soup, it is just a normal clear soup with carrot, diced potato, and green bean.
I like this SEMUR soup very much.
A very thick stock consisted of slices of pork and potatoes. Taste like tomato soup but it has a different smell due to spices they use to cook. There is cloves, nutmeg, pepper and salt all cooked in a perfect balance.

The drink is also very unique, they named it ES BEER, es = ice; beer is beer.
But do not expect you will get a normal beer as the western world understanding.
This special beer is made of grated young coconut + coconut water + simple syrup and splash of
lemon. Normally it is served in a big bulky glass which can make your stomach really full if you finish it. In this Sate plecing stall it is served with a normal glass! :-D

So............, next time if you have a chance wandering around Buleleng region, do not forget to find a SATE PLECING stall. The one that I had yesterday is located near Hardy's Supermarket at Jln. Ngurah Rai.

PICKLES........PICKLES

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 01:07:00 +0000

When found this picture, I remembered my 'journey' during my teens period.
My friends and I are noodles lover. There was a small noodle stall in our town, selling Mie Ayam Jakarta. The noodle is made fresh everyday, which occurred a nice smell.

But.........best of the best.... is their pickles! Very thin slices of cucumber combined with vinegar, salt & sugar to taste, but in a very balance way. Really good!

So....., we were famous in 'cleaning' their pickles on those days. If we visited the place, the waiters will starring at us, watching their pickles being 'cleaned' to our stomach.

What....................... a wonderful memory!