Flowers in Ubud

Balinese dancers prepare for the traditional Barong & Kris Dance.

A tenant of the royal Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi.

Relaxing at the Ubud Inn.

Klapa infinity pool overlooking Dreamland Beach.

Sunset at Tanah Lot.

A meatball food cart.

More pictures on flickr.  Enjoy!

Leslie

There is no mass transportation in Bali, so a car, motorbike or guided tour is the only way to discover the island’s beauty.  Just 95 miles wide – it is worth venturing off the pristine beaches to take in the island’s culture and deep rooted traditions.

Here is a small glimpse of some of the sites I was very lucky to see.

Lush rice paddy terraces offer some of the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever seen.

The congested city of Kuta brings together locals and visitors as tourist central. Servicing visitors with hotels, guided tours, restaurants, shopping, motorbike rentals and famed beaches.  I was overwhelmed by all the scooters that function as cheap transportation for both visitors and locals.

Volcanic Mount Batur, Abane and Agung, and the northern lakes are a paradise for hikers or visitors seeking spectacular views.

Fashionable venues as the Klapa Beach Center offer pristine pools, romantic views and a cool reprieve from the heat.

Balinese temples as the royal Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi and traditional dance performances are fascinating as Balinese Hindu traditions remain an integral part of the culture.

Our guide from Bali Kontak was great.  French and English speaking Bali Kontak provides customized tours for small groups.  Their services are personalized so whether you are a student on a budget, importing local goods, or relocating to Bali, Bali Kontak can help.

For French speakers the company uses the name Bali Contact.

The long trip to Bali isn’t for everyone but for those of you up for the adventure enjoy!  And for those of you traveling via computer screen, I hope these images transport you away, even for just a few minutes of your busy day.

Enjoy!

Leslie

It’s no secret I enjoy food and Indonesians are serious eaters.  Like Europeans they are highly concerned with quality and taste.

Nasi (Rice) is their daily bread.  It’s eaten at every meal, including breakfast. From mild to scorching hot, spicy flavoring is also an integral part of the local fare. Served in the form of a sauce or integrated with peppers into a dish, these sweat producing flavors help maintain an appetite in the melting climate.

I’m not sure the spicy chili sauces increased my appetite, but they definitely made me sweat.

Food is often enjoyed at Warungs (Restaurant or Food Stalls selling traditional Indonesian fare) and Indonesians are typically dedicated to their favorite Warung.

My first meal was at Warung Wardani, in Denpasar.  I dove in with the recommended Indonesian staple Nasi Campur (literally Mixed Rice) rice with various meats, vegetables, peanuts, egg and fried-shrimp chips - chili sauce optional.

From there it was a plethora of adventures including, crab with preserved egg, brains, pork rind, Babi Guling (Suckling Pig), oxtail soup, Es Dowet (Coconut Milk with Brown Sugar and Tapioka) and other fare whose origins I may never know.

More familiar dishes included Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice), that may be accompanied by an egg, vegetable chips, and prawns, Pisang Goreng (Fried Banana – Yum!), Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken), Mie Ayam (Noodles with Chicken), Bakso (Fish, Chicken or Beef Meatballs), Soto Ayam (Indonesian Chicken Soup), and Barbecued Ribs. 

I have a low tolerance for spicy, but the local chili sauces come in a variety of strengths and add incredible flavor to dishes.  I enjoyed everything, with water and rice on standbye in case of a fire on my palette.

But what I really enjoyed was the variety of flavors and textures in each dish.  Nasi Campur has soft rice, crunchy peanuts, snapping shrimp chips and more, to keep your palette busy with changing  sensations.

I also loved the quantity and variety of Indonesian vegetable and shrimp chips.  Packaged in clear plastic bags, they are everywhere and delicious.

And perhaps a cultural difference or an obsession with cleanliness, but sinks are often found in the dining area of most restaurants.  A convenient way for clients to clean their hands before or after a meal, especially if eating with their hands.

Hope you are hungry!  Enjoy!

Leslie

Offerings are made by locals several times a day.  They are small baskets filled with flowers, rice, crackers, money or an occasional candy bar.  A fragrant stick of inscense is often burning next to them.

These carefully arranged baskets are a ritual of giving back what has been given to you by the Gods, a demonstration of gratitude to the richness of life.  Offerings appease the spirits and bring prosperity and good health.

For the Balinese this ritual, a duty and an honor, helps ensure a balanced life is maintained through harmonious relationships between people, spirits and nature.

How beautiful!

Enjoy!

Leslie

It’s the furthest I’ve ever traveled from the states, with nearly twenty hours of travel time to get here. And thanks to local friends I’m getting an insider’s guide to the food and culture.

Minus the twenty hours of travel, here is a picture preview of this faraway destination.

Enjoy!

Leslie