FIFA Fanfestival 2023 Darling Harbour

 

This FREE festival sets up in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour just until FIFA Women's World Cup final which is 20 August 2023.  There are foods, merchandise shop, museum, music, games to play and of course watching every match of the World Cup on giant screens.  However, the highlight for me was this McDonald pop-up fries-like stall.  It's like you come inside the giant box of fries, very cool design.  But, they only serve medium size fries for $3.95 with a sauce of your choice.  You can choose between truffle flavoured mayo or spicy buffalo sauce.  Check out for the events and timetables here.  Better be hurry as it’s only a week left.

After that, we drop by at the old school Pancake on the Rocks for some desserts.  We had the ultimate which is crepes filled with cream cheese, raspberry coulis and a single serve of vanilla ice cream.  Then we also had black forest cherry pancake with extra chocolate ice creams.  In this dish, more is definitely more.  Yummmmm

Bali Part 9: Bidadari Private Villas and Retreat

Previously:

Bali Part 8: Ibu Oka Suckling Pig Restaurant

In Ubud, we stayed in a private pool villa at Bidadari Villas and Retreat.  The place is extremely beautiful, serene and so peaceful.  We booked the 4 bedrooms with private pool villa.  The villa is massive and absolutely magnificent with a semi-open lounge overlooking the valley.  There are 4 bathrooms as well so very convenient even though you come in a big group.  Not only that, their service was also exceptional and everyone was very helpful and attentive.  

While we're there, we had some unfortunate personal event occurred, so we needed to cut short our trip and left home early.  Therefore, we didn't really maximise our stay in Bidadari villa also in Ubud which was very upsetting.  Anyhow, we definitely will come back here again, surely when we have a chance. 

We checked-in in the late evening and welcome drinks and nibbles have already been ready for us on our lounge.

Master bedroom overlooking the pool

Bedroom with valley view

Spacious bathroom

Semi-open lounge/dining area overlooking the greens

Private pool

Breakfast is served in our own private villa

With the breakfast, you need to let receptionists know a day before about the menus and time you want it to be served.  The next morning, the food are all ready on a dining table at your own private villa.  The main meal comes with freshly cut fruits, cold water, juice, tea/coffee for each person.  

Indonesian mie goreng with satay

Chicken congee

Egg benedict

Hi readers, thank you so much for following my blog.  See you on my next trip.  Stay safe and Octie Appetie everyone...

Bidadari Private Villas and Retreat

Jl. Kelabang-Moding, Ubud

Ph: +62 361 9000401

Bali Part 8: Ibu Oka Suckling Pig Restaurant

Previously:

Bali Part 7: Monkey Forest, Ubud and Tirta Empul

This is the one I've mentioned earlier, the legendary shop selling babi guling or suckling pig in Bali.  Started with just a small warung in her home, now she has 3 shops around South Bali.  One of the best restaurants in Bali and they definitely deserve this title.  They only serve babi guling menu with some side dishes in the house.  The special set has shredded pork, lawar (vegetable dish), and crispy skin served on a bamboo dish. 

Do come early as they might run out of pork skins, as this is the most famous item in the shop.  Like what happened to us that day and they gave us deep fried skins instead.  A little disappointed tough but what can we do.  We did try their crispy skins previously and it was fabulous.  

Special set Rp. 55k ($5.50)

Happy soda or soda gembira Rp. 20k ($2)

Happy soda consists of rose syrup, condensed milk and soda.  I don't know why Indonesian call it a happy soda, but I'm guessing that it transforms you to be a happy person once you drank it 😋 Correct or not, I'm not sure but this drink is very refreshing.

Woman is performing Hindu daily ritual

Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka 3

Jl. Tegal Sari No. 2, Ubud.

Open daily from 11am - 6pm

Ph: +62 361 976345

Ibu Oka 2 is in Jl. Raya Mas No. 191, Ubud

Ibu Oka 1 is in Jl. Suweta No. 1, Ubud

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 9: Bidadari Private Villas and Retreat

Bali Part 7: Monkey Forest, Ubud and Tirta Empul

Previously:

Bali Part 6: Ganesha Cafe, Jimbaran and Indoroland Martabak

Legong Batik

You can find finer grade batik products from this store for adding your own collection or it can be a great souvenir as well.

So, not only to have a close encounter with wild monkeys but there are temples and exhibition that you can visit too in this area.  The place is actually quite massive.  If you really into it and want to cover most of the spots, spare at least 2-3 hours in here.  What's more, taking a photo with monkeys will make a memorable experience. 

Three monkeys 😆

Changing room at Tirta Empul

Tirta Empul is a sacred temple believed by Balinese Hindus.  They believe that the holy springs have been created by The God Indra and the blessed water could purify the body and soul of people who bathe there. 

Going to Cat-Poo Chino

Roasting the coffee beans

Kopi luwak (Luwak coffee) and tea tasting

Wonderful view

Legong Batik

Jl. Supratman 312, Tohpati, Bali

Ph: +62 361 461547

Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud

Open daily: 9 am - 6pm

Pura Tirta Empul

Open daily: 8am -6pm

It would be easier to come here, while you stay in Ubud as it is located around 30 minutes drive from Ubud Town Centre

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 8: Ibu Oka Suckling Pig Restaurant

Bali Part 6: Ganesha Cafe, Jimbaran and Indoroland Martabak

Previously: 

Bali Part 5: Naughty Nuri's Restaurant

Having a seafood dinner on the beach is one of the experiences you need to try while you were in Bali.  Jimbaran beach is a very popular location to do this.  There are lots of restaurants along the Pantai Kedongan street.  For me, it is quite pricey though but we pay for the nice ambience and the excitement here.  And that experience is definitely priceless.  We tried the restaurant called Ganesha, again my driver recommended this place.  However, I wouldn't say that this is the best place because simply we haven't tried other restaurants.  If anyone found a place that I should try in Jimbaran, please let me know in the comment below, I would definitely like to try it someday 😋

What we need to do firstly is to pick your seafood type, they also have some live seafood as well in the house.  Then decide how you want it to be cooked.  After that, just wait until they serve it to your table.  It didn't take long at all.  

We were happy with their oyster, fresh and plump.  For me, the best way to enjoy oyster is to have it raw with a splash of lemon.  We can taste the natural sea smell, slightly sweet and salty. 

All the dishes that we got have this spiciness pronounce on each dish.  Probably, because we didn't mention anything or maybe just the way how it cooked.  Besides, all the seafood were fresh and well cooked. 

Balinese traditional dancing show

I suggest that you come a little early just before the peak dinner rush kicks in to secure your best spot or make a reservation in advance. Because people normally come here, not only to have dinner but they also come to enjoy the sunset. 

Although we were extremely full by the time we finished our seafood dinner, we needed to get this my all-time-favourite sweet.  It is called martabak manis or in my hometown, Surabaya, we call it terang bulan.  It is like a super thick pancake filled with all the sweet goodies.  We ordered the traditional one with chocolate, peanut, and cheese filling.  I highly highly recommend you all to try this sweet, it will change your perception of how pancake should be served. 

This wasn't the best picture.  But it tastes a lot better than it looks.  When we opened the box, the smell was divine.  Calling me to dig into it.  The pancake was ultra soft and bouncy, very buttery.  Plus those melting cheese, chocolate as well as crunchy peanut and condensed milk, all those flavours just do the happy dancing in my mouth.  Please do try this martabak manis, however a little warning because the sweetness degree is pretty high and could drag your cholesterol level above the bar.  

For those who not into sweet, you could try their savoury martabak and it's called martabak telur.  It made from thin pancake sheet on the outside and filled with eggs, green onions and meat of your choice.  Then they pan fried until the sheet is crisp.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bali:

Bali Part 7: Monkey Forest, Ubud and Tirta Empul