Bali Famous Traditional Food

Welcome back to another story of my journey in Bali guys!

On this week blog topic, I will share several reference of Bali traditional food that must to try such as Bebek Tepi Sawah Ubud (Duck in the rice field), Sate Babi Bawah Pohon (Pork satay under the tree) and Nasi Pedas Bu Andika (Spicy Rice of Mrs. Andika).
 

Beke Tepi Sawah

When the first time came to this restaurant, I was mesmerized by the view which is literally besides the rice field. I ordered tepi sawah crispy or grilled duck that known as their favorite menu. Basically, it is traditional deep fried duck with Balinese vegetable and three choices Balinese sambal. It was such a good place to hang out and eat good food surrounded by nature.

Tepi Sawah Crispy (Grilled Duck)

State Babi bawah Pohn

Street food will always have a place in every foodies. Sate Babi Bawah Pohon is one of the most famous Bali’s street food that is located in the center of Kuta. Sate babi is a pork satay grilled with a unique sauce and served with rice cake. The combination of sweet and spicy makes the satay taste so delicious. Moreover, it also quite cheap. You will get 10 skewers and only cost you 20k or AUD $2. 

Nasi Padas Bu Andika

One the famous street food that never deserted by queuing of buyers is a dish that is freshly made by Mrs. Andika as the owner. In this place, you can choose your own dish so the price also depends on how many dishes are selected that normally around 10-12K (AUD $1-1.20).  Special things from this homemade is about the chili. It was very spicy that is perfect for spicy lovers. When you are in Bali, no one who doesn’t know Nasi Pedas Bu Andika due to the popularity. Hence, it’s worth to try!

Thank you for reading this blog and see you next week J

-Rhea-

Day Trips In Italy

Italy is one of the oldest and most amazing countries in the world. As such there's a lot of ground to cover and, most likely, not enough time. There are a few day trips though that are worth dedicating the time to. 

Lucca

Best visited when you're staying in Florence, Lucca is one of Italy's walled cities, surrounded entirely by a raised stone wall. There are some interesting to sights within the small city, including some piazzas and churches, but the most worthwhile thing to do is a bike ride. 

There's a lot of traffic inside the city so rent and take a bike to the wall, reserved only for pedestrians and bikes. The ride is fairly flat and the paths aren't too congested so you can really take the time to appreciate the city. 

When you get hungry there's a plethora of decent restaurants inside the city. And it's hard to feel guilty about a huge bowl of pasta after you've done an entire circuit of the city. 

Pompeii and Herculaneum

If you only have time for one day trip this is the one I'd recommend. The ancient historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are best accessed from somewhere along the coast, like Capri. 

A tour group is absolutely recommended, purely so that you get a good grasp of the historical significance of the cities. Don't be put off if your tour group is taken through a jewelers at the beginning, most tour groups have some sort of sponsor and the actual tours are amazing. 

The only real advice I can offer is to wear sensible shoes. I was witness to more than one tourist stacking it on the cobblestone and trenches in the paths, originally designed for carts. 

For any history buffs though, these sites are a must see. They've been maintained wonderfully, including the gardens, which have been grown in the hopes of recreating how they were before Mt Vesuvius erupted. 

Ana Capri

Ana Capri is one of the most beautiful sights in Italy. As you climb higher and higher into the city the view of the surrounding ocean becomes more and more incredible. 

Ana Capri is also the location of the 'Blue Grotto', a cave accessible only by boat which waters reflect a right blue light. Unfortunately this Grotto isn't always accessible and is dependant on the conditions of the ocean and any poor weather. I had to give it a miss and instead took a tour around Ana Capri by a larger boat. 

If you wanted to stroll down to the beach just be aware that you have a long walk back up to the top, so carve out enough time to make the trek, especially if you've got a tour group waiting on you. If you're planning on spending the majority of your time in Italy between Florence, Rome and the other metropolitan cities then Ana Capri is worth the trip, even if it's just for a day by the beautiful coast. 

Happy travels!
- Liv 

Dubrovnik - Must see Pt. 1

During our first day in Dubrovnik the locals told us of a bar called Buzu Bar or “hole in the wall”. At first we were unsure what we were going to find, but we followed their directions and headed to the bar.

On our way through the town to Buzu Bar we passed a small courtyard of markets, it is here that I had the most delicious raspberries I have ever had. The taste of them is something I will never forget, you would never think that a raspberry would have a different taste in other countries, but they do.

Fruit stand at the markets

The Markets

Past the markets we walked up some stairs and by some local crafts, we continued walking along the pathway that runs parallel to the cliff wall. It was only a little further up where we found quite literally a “hole in the wall”, which once through we discovered Buzu Bar.

Local craft and stairs leading up to Buzu Bar

Pathway along the cliff wall

"Hole in the wall" that leads to Buzu Bar

Buzu Bar is a must see when travelling to Dubrovnik, swimming in the clear blue water off the edge of the cliff is a bucket list experience - And don’t forget to pick up some fruit on your way down to eat on the rock ledge while admiring the view. 

Buzu Bar - Perfect for sunset drinks

Swimming off the rocks at Buzu Bar

After checking out Buzu Bar we walked back through the town to go and explore Banje Beach, another tip given to us by the locals. To get to Banje Beach you have to walk back through to the other side of Old Town and go outside the town walls. Once out, you look back towards Old town and see an amazing view of the harbor and the town walls.

Walk to Banje Beach

Walk to Banje Beach - looking back at the town walls

Once you are out of the town walls you continue to walk along the coast line until you turn the corner and see Banje Beach. This beach was my favorite beach that I visited during my European travels, I would recommend hiring a beach chair and enjoying some cocktails from the waited services while swimming in the crystal clear water. 

Banje Beach

Keep an eye out for my next post filled with more tips on the must see's and do's of Dubrovnik. 

- Alice -

Tokyo At A Glance

'Wandering in a smart Tokyo neighborhood is like wandering in a box of Quality Street: everything is different, everything tastes the same.' - Donald Richie 

Mr Richie got it right exactly how I felt when I first stepped into that fascinating land. For years and years fantasizing about one day visiting Japan, reading their manga and watching anime, it stroke right at my heart that this would be the country I would fall in love with. I finally made it to Tokyo last July and determined a goal to come back their at least once a year haha. You see how deeply in love I am with Japan.

Me at Meiji Jingu

It is true that no matter how much I heard about the Japanese people, I was still struck by how immaculate and professional they were right when I arrived at the airport. Everything was white, clean and shiny. With a minimalism freak like me, this kind of architecture really gave me somehow exciting satisfaction. The staffs there were the friendliest customs I had ever dealt with. Good impression right from the start.

Inside a subway carriage

Another thing that impressed was their train system. Trains arrived literally every few minutes and you would not have the feeling that you have been waiting for ages like here in Sydney and most importantly, THEY WERE NEVER LATE. Even though it was peak hour, people were stuffed inside one carriage but still very organized and people were exceptionally quiet and polite. You would not find people pushing each other on the train. I was always wondering why while Japanese hustling during peak hour to catch the train, they were always staring at their feet, this really gave me the feeling that these Japanese people are sad and depressed. Until a month ago, I read 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of His Years of Pilgrimage' by Haruki Murakami, and I finally found the answer. It is simply that they just don't want to lose their shoes. How interesting it is!

On the way from the airport to city central

Tokyo is beautiful both at day and night. I seriously cannot stop praising about my adoration for this city. I think I'd better save it for the next posts. My intended plan is to go through everything from very touristy spots to some hidden secret places I discovered. Stay tuned for some more interesting tips and reviews.

Tokyo to me is full of unsolvable enigmas and beautiful endless melancholy 

Till next time guys!

-Anne-

Kandy

Travels in Lanka  

A blissful time in Srilanka,I know the Island well having explored many parts of it. Over the coming weeks I am going to share with you some of the best places to travel to experience the culture, food and all round majestic scenery.  From Kandy with its green luscious mountains to Colombo the capital with its hidden travel hotspots and in between were natural wonders lie like elephants and monkeys in the wild.

Kandy a Must see.

Kandy and its surroundings, have a lot to offer. It is a place with great heritage and history. I hope to provide you with your own fantastic experience of Kandy through tales of my journey in Kandy. 

Hunas Falls

Hunas Falls is only a one hour drive away from Kandy, and is a little hidden gem among the mountains.  It is surrounded by tranquil landscape which is a true escape from a busy life style back in Sydney. I was stunned by its beauty, sitting in the warm spring waters looking at the amazing backdrop of green lush land home to wild life including deer, monkeys, wild boar, and the water is alive with fish.

 

Cyelon tea plantation/ Museum

 

If you love tea this is a must see for you. I love the taste of Ceylon tea especially fresh from Kandy. It is sensational and I could have had it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The tea plantations are still very traditional.  I recommend if you have time also visit the tea plantations near Nuwara Eliya. Most of them offer guided visits, which include walks through the tea fields, tours of the factories themselves and, of course, complimentary tea tastings. 

 

Sri Dalada Maligwa (Temple of the sacred tooth relic)

If you love to learn about the culture and religious history of Srilanka then I recommend visiting Sri Dalada Maligawa this is one of the most prestigious Buddhist temples of the Region. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. A great time of the year to visit this temple and its surrounding areas is during May the month of Vesak (the month the Buddha was born) as the city lights up in celebration of his birth.

  Rockview Restaurant 

While in Kandy  I recommend stopping at the Rockview Restaurant for a bite to eat. The view from the terrace is spectacular set in a rural lane outside the city. Try the Buffet as it allows you to taste a range of there highly recommended dishes all in one sitting.

  Kandy Esala Perahera

I hear that the Kandy Esala Perahera is an amazing display of Srilankan culture. It runs in the months of July and August.  During celebrations dancers fill the street dancing to the beat of the bongo and people ride elephants dressed in glamorous costumes. I would love to one day visit Kandy in time to witness the magic of the festival myself.

Kandy was a place I wish I had more time to explore.

Shamila