Bali Part 4: Tanah Lot Temple and GWK

Previously:

Bali Part 3: Made's Warung 

Today is more like sightseeing outing.  We have visited two tourist spots: Tanah Lot Temple and GWK or Garuda Wisnu Kencana.  For Tanah Lot, there is a myth saying that couple who hasn't married shouldn't come here with your partner otherwise you might break up.  But it maybe just a myth though.  If you dare or you want to break up with your partner, just give it a try hahaha...

When the tide is low, you can actually walk to the temple crossing the wet rocky stones.  But it is also beautiful from the viewing platform.  

If you have been to Bali before, you have definitely noticed that they put offering nearly everywhere.  On the altar, in front of the door, in the middle of the street or like this one on the top of bush.  This daily offering is a symbolize of gratitude for their devotion to the Gods and prayer to maintain the harmony and balance in their lives.  Although it may not be something that you believe in, but it's good that you try to avoid stepping on it.  If in case, you are accidently stepping on it then you don't have to worry too much. 

If you are looking for some souvenirs, I would recommend the small market just outside this Tanah Lot Temple.  Many varieties, most of the sellers are nice and good bargain as well. 

Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK)

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 5: Naughty Nuri's Restaurant

Bali Part 3: Made's Warung

Previously:

Bali Part 2: Westin Resort Nusa Dua

At night, we went to have dinner at Made's Warung that is recommended by our driver.  The place is very spacious and it's kinda semi outdoor.  The down part was we couldn't really get away from smokers.  But their food were delicious and so many to choose from.  

Sate babi Rp. 70k (A$7)

We all love this pork skewer.  The meat is still very tender and full of spice with a smell of charred from charcoal.  They are gone in a flash. 

Sate ayam Rp. 60k (A$6)

The chicken version of skewer was good but I prefer the pork better.  Indonesian chicken satay will come with peanut sauce. 

Nasi campur babi guling Rp. 115k (A$11.5)

Babi guling or rolling pig is another Baliness specialty, it's a very popular dish in Bali.  The pig stuffed with spices and herbs and normally brushed with coconut water to keep the skin crispy then is roasted as a whole over open fire and it's slowly turning and turning until it's cooked and from time to time, they brush the skin with coconut water.  This roasted pork is usually served with lawar or vegetable dish.  

The one we had here in Made's warung tastes very ordinary.  There are other restaurants that serve very good babi guling dish.  One of them, would be in my later post.  So, please stay tuned guys. 

Nasi goreng ala Made Rp. 65k (A$6.5)

This is their signature fried rice dish that comes with a few sticks of pork satay, scrambled egg and sambal on the side.  It was surprisingly good too. 

Rujak Rp. 27K (A$ 2.7)

This rujak or Indonesian fruit salad consists of roughly chopped mixed fruits served with sort of sweet spicy shrimp paste sauce.  It is very refreshing and pungent at the same time.  I believe this was the winner dish around the table.

Made's Warung

Jl. Raya Seminyak No. 7, Seminyak, Bali

Ph; +62 361 732130

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 4: Tanah Lot Temple and GWK

Bali Part 2: Westin Resort Nusa Dua

Previously:
Bali Part 1: Krisna Kuliner

We were staying in the exclusive beach area of Bali, Nusa Dua for a couple of nights.  Mostly dominated by upmarket resorts and finest hotels that provide outstanding services but of course it comes with the price.  Westin Resort Nusa Dua is one of the 5-star hotels around there.  Their reception looks pretty grand.  A lot of wooden touch in their decoration.  They have 2 swimming pools, the main one is pretty huge and next to the beach. 

The room itself is quite spacious but what I love is their luggage room and their bathroom. 

I was really expecting their breakfast and yet they didn't disappoint me.  Great ranges from locals to western dishes.  And their fresh coffee was amazing, just like made by a top-notch barista. 

They serve specialty local dishes that rotating everyday.  What I got here was soto betawi.  Honestly, it looks terrible but tastes totally the opposite.  I was very surprised.  The soup was flavorsome and aromatic.  I had second serve of this.  It makes a good match with some steamed rice as well. 

Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali

Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua, ITDC Lot N-3,

Nusa Dua, Bali

Ph: +62 361 771906

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 3: Made's Warung

Bali Part 1: Krisna Kuliner

We did this Bali trip back a few months ago. I'm kinda a little delay to post this, guys. With all moving country thingy and settling thingy.  Ok, enough whinging and come back to the point.  

I always love Bali and so do many tourists around the world as well.  The scenery here is absolutely amazing, friendly people and great hospitality, and of course delicious delicious local cuisine.  Right after we landed, we headed to Krisna Kuliner to have our first meal in this beautiful paradise.  They serve local cuisine here with some western dishes as well and it is located not so far from Ngurah Rai airport. 

Ayam betutu kuah Rp. 105k (A$ 10.50)

Ayam betutu is a traditional Balinese dish.  It is cooked by stewing/baking a whole chicken for hours with full on aromatic spices like nutmeg, coriander seeds, turmeric, candlenuts, lemongrass and so on.  It is very rich, spicy and full of flavours.  You can imagine, how tender and juicy the chicken is.  They also come in fried as well but of course, this form is much better.  So far as I know, there is bebek betutu which is the duck version. 

Mixed tahu tempe Rp. 29K (A$ 3)

Fried tofu and tempe, my favorite childhood dish.  It comes with spicy kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) for dipping.

Kangkung plecing Rp. 34k (A$ 3.50)

This kangkung or water spinach dish can be found in these 2 islands: Bali and Lombok.  It's normally made by blanching water spinach then topped with homemade sambal.  It's cooked to perfection.  They still have the right crunchiness in their texture and their sambal was spot on too.

Side dish

When you order Ayam betutu, it comes with this vegetable side dish and extra sambal too.  

Gurami asam manis Rp. 80k (A$ 8)

Deep fried Gourami fish then topped with sweet and sour sauce.  It is crispy, flavorsome and refreshing.

 

Onion rings Rp. 27k (A$ 2.75)

Avocado juice Rp.30k (A$ 3)

Avocado juice is very common in Southeast Asian.  But what not common is and even better, we Indonesian, will mix them with chocolate condensed milk or coffee.  I totally recommend this drink.

Another must-try drink while you're in Indonesia is this country pride Teh Botol.  It's sweetened jasmine tea and best served cold.  You will taste slightly bitterness in your first sip but then sweet aftertaste.  Very very refreshing drink. 

Krisna Kuliner

Raya Tuban Road, Badung, Bali

Ph: +62 822 3774 1095

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 2: Westin Resort Nusa Dua

L'Elephant Restaurant, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Luang Prabang Walking Street and Food Market

For our last night in Luang Prabang, at first we wanted to eat at Tamarind restaurant as we had them twice last time and we're still longing for more (check out the reason why in my previous blog, click here).  Unfortunately, the shop closed on that day and we wandered around the city and we found another seemingly a nice restaurant nearby.  It is called L'Elephant Restaurant that serves French and Lao cuisines. 

Tum Luang Prabang

I wasn't so sure to order this dish at first.  Because it's kinda hard to get the right taste of a homey hearty dish in a fine restaurant.  However, this papaya salad was pretty good.  It changed my perception. Although it is slightly lighter compared to the one from Je Tim restaurant, but it has a nice balance of flavour and their vegetables are very fresh.

Sundried pork

Lao appetizer set

Of course, you haven't been to Luang Prabang if you haven't tried their kai pen or fresh water green algae.  It is like a seaweed sheet with some sesame seeds and a little bit of sliced garlic on top.  It needs to be eaten together with jeow bong or chili paste.  The appetizer set also comes with Lao sausage and sundried beef.  Taste wise, it was good but not up to a great-standard yet.  Kai pen from Tamarind restaurant, for me, is much better.

We ended our meal with a coconut creme brulee. 

Luang Prabang airport

Our flight was 10am, so as normal we always arrive airport about 3 hours before departure especially after covid, it takes longer in checking passenger travelling documents.  So we arrived in Luang Prabang airport at around 7am and at that time, the main glass door was opened but there were no one there, litterally not a single person there, not even the security.  Apparently, the airport opens at 8am.  The airport is pretty small so arriving here 2 hours before your flight will still leave you plenty of time.  

simple breakfast from airport shop

WOW!! So impressed with their snack box from Joma cafe

Good bye Luang Prabang and Octie Appetie all.....

L'Elephant Restaurant

Open: Everyday 12pm-2pm and 6pm-10pm

Ph: +856 71 252482