Balinese Food: Babi Guling

by Barrie | March 23rd, 2011   Tweet

Any traveller or tourist visiting Bali should endeavour to try a local delicacy called Babi Guling or roasted suckling pig. It is one of the most famous dishes on the island and is a mouth-watering feast not to be missed. A young suckling pig is used because of its tenderness and spit-roasted to perfection.

There are a few warungs and restaurants in the tourist areas that advertise on their menu this delicious food fare. Considering it takes a while to prepare it is not really a dish most foreigners will ask for. However, head up country away from the tourist areas to places like Mengwi and Ubud and you will soon notice in the larger villages babi guling stands virtually everywhere.

A babi guling stand will have the whole pig in the front window and a lady busily cutting bits into chunks. When you ask for a plate of babi guling you get a couple of slices of meat, some fat, skin, intestines, virtually everything that can be eaten. You’ll get a small portion of rice to accompany your pork, which is not especially spicy.

According to an article I was reading in the Bali Discovery, the production of babi guling is on the increase and prices are reasonable considering the delicacy you will be eating: The least expensive and smaller babi guling can sell for as little as Rp. 300,000 (US$34) with most people purchasing a roasted pig selling for Rp. 400,000 (US$44) to Rp. 500,000 (US$55). Meanwhile, a large suckling pig sold during peak periods can go for Rp. 900,000 (US$100) to Rp. 1.2 million (US$133).

The best babi guling I have ever tasted was at Ibu Oka’s in Ubud. If you head up to Ubud then don’t miss out on the opportunity to stop in there for lunch, in fact, anytime.

If you are interested in trying your hand at cooking babi guling then here is an excellent recipe complete with ingredients:

Ingredients:
1 suckling pig, weighing about 6-8 kg (13-17 lb)
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
10 shallots, peeled and sliced
6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
5 cm (2 in) ginger, peeled and chopped
15 candlenuts, chopped
10 cm (4 in) fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons coriander seeds, crushed
5 cm (2 in) laosfinely chopped
25-30 bird’s-eye chillies
10 stalks lemon grass, sliced
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, crushed
1 teaspoon dried shrimp paste, roasted
5 fragrant lime leaves, finely shredded
2 salamleaves
2 1/2 tablespoons oil
4 tablespoons turmeric water

Instructions:

Ensure the inside of the suckling pig is completely cleaned out. Season inside and outside with salt. Combine all other ingredients, except turmeric water, and mix thoroughly. Fill the inside of the suckling pig with this mixture, close the belly with string or thin satay skewers. Rub the outside of the pig with turmeric water until the skin is shiny yellow.

Bake on a spit over a charcoal fire or in a moderately hot oven for 2.1/2 hours. Test if the meat is done by inserting a skewer into the thickest part. If the liquid runs clear the piglet is cooked. Baste with oil during cooking. Serve slices of pork with white rice and a hot tomato and chili sambal.

If preparing a larger pig, increase the amounts of ingredients accordingly and allow extra cooking time. Alternatively place the suckling pig on a roasting rack and roast in hot oven (220°C/425°F) for approximately one hour. Rest for 10 minutes in warm place before serving.
Serving babi guling:

When serving, first remove the crisp skin with a strong carving knife, then loosen meat from the bones and cut into even dice or slices. Place a heaped tablespoon of stuffing on each serving plate, then top with meat and skin. Traditionally this dish is eaten with Jukut Nangka Mekuah and steamed rice.

Photo Courtesy: travel.webshots.com

Taxis in Bali

by Barrie | March 22nd, 2011   Tweet

Getting around the tourist areas in Bali, and into the country if you wish, is easy. Taxis in Bali abound and are as easy as obtaining simply by stepping into the street and raising your hand when you see one pass by. Since there are a plethora of taxi companies in Bali selecting the right one is, believe it or not, important to a certain degree.

The reason for this is that a lot of taxis will not use the meter and prefer to bargain the price before you get into the cab. Avoid these taxis like the plague! The majoiry of tourists in Bali use the most established company, Bluebird, based in Jakarta. Bluebird has light blue colored cars and a good reputation. It doesn’t mean that you avoid all other taxis. On the contrary, if you are happy with a fixed price then go for it.

Taxis in Bali will often allow more than 4 passengers to ride, one sitting on the other’s lap. This is helpful if you don’t want to get 2 taxis. All metered taxis in Bali charge the same rate. There is a fixed flagfall and amount per kilometre.There are a few things one should know about using taxis in Bali that might be helpful. The first of course is to have plenty of change on you. Some drivers often claim not to have change, hoping you will give them to keep the difference.

Importantly, ensure the taxi driver turns on the meter and make sure the driver understands where you want to go. Also, f you know a fast way of getting somewhere then tell the driver. Some drivers will start out with no idea where you intend to go.

Other things to remember are when you are aligning from a taxi be careful of your footing as often taxis will park too close to kerbs or over holes in the sidewalk. Always get out of the cab on the passengers side and not the drivers side – doors are easily ripped off!

A Few Taxi Companies in Bali:

Bluebird (Bali Praja Transportasi) (0361)701111
Geka PT
Gelora PT
Koperasi Taksi Kowinu Bali
Koperasi Taksi Ngurah Rai
Ngurah Rai Taxi
Pan Wirthi Taxi PT
Rajawali Taxi
Ramayana
Kompi Bandara International Ngurah Rai

Airports in Bali

by Barrie | March 18th, 2011   Tweet

There is only one airport in Bali; Ngurah Rai International. The airport is also known as Denpasar International Airport, is located in southern Bali, 13 km south of Denpasar and a 10 minute drive from the Kuta area. It is Indonesia’s third-busiest international airport. There are suggestions another airport be built in northern Bali to increase the tourism. As yet, these pans have not materialised.

Ngurah Rai International Airport is Indonesia’s second-biggest airport and provides an essential gateway for holidaymakers and services millions of tourists per year. The Domestic Terminal is located in the old building, while the International Terminal is located in an L shaped terminal. The airport is extensive and has 17 gates. The Domestic Terminal has 35 check in counters, and 2 baggage carousels.

Public buses run to the bus station in Denpasar, or alternatively there are taxis, commercial shuttles, courtesy shuttles and luxury limousine services to take you to your destination quickly and comfortably. A good selection of car rental companies are also on hand and include some internationally recognised names.

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

All tourists staying 30 days or less must pay USD$25 for an entry visa into Bali. Once you disembark from the plane and walk the short distance to the immigration hall you will see several counters where you pay for your visa and it is stamped in your passport. You then proceed to the baggage hall to collect your luggage and then to the Customs counter.

Transportation

Taxis: It is advisable to use the pre-paid Airport Taxi Service, which is located to the right of the international terminal exit, as you come out. Prices for this service are fixed and depend on location (passengers can buy a ticket at the desk 10 meters to the right of the International Arrivals exit), whereas other taxi drivers tend to haggle; passengers should insist that a meter is used. Prices for the airport taxis are displayed outside the terminal buildings and give passengers a rough indication of how much to expect to pay for a taxi hailed on the street.

Bus: Buses run frequently between Tegal bus station in Denpasar and the airport (journey time: 50 minutes). Passengers can also travel by bemo (a chartered vehicle with driver which can carry up to 10 people). Bemos have to pay a fee to enter the airport grounds, so it is often cheaper to walk outside the airport gates and wait, however, the taxi drivers there will haggle and try to get a high price. Sometimes its not worth the effort. This is the same with taxis. Bemos wait in an area located to the left of the airport gates. Bemos are the cheapest way to go.

Airport Facilities

Information and Help Desks: There are information desks located in both terminals (0361) 751 011, ext. 1313 and 1314. Tourist information and hotel reservation are available in International Arrivals.

Money and Communications: There are banks and moneychangers in both terminals.

Post Office: is located near the Domestic Departures area. Telephones are situated throughout the airport.

Eating and drinking: Restaurants and cafeterias are generally open 0600 to the last flight last flight in both International and Domestic Departure areas. There is a McDonalds at the International terminal. Probably the best food is the outside place at the International terminal selling Indonesian food, all the flight crews go there.

Shopping: The airport has a variety of shops, including duty-free in the Plaza Bali outlet in International Departures. There is also a book shop, which is very handy if you are looking for a gift. There are many small drink stands, selling Bintang, Coke and other soft drinks.

Luggage: There is a left-luggage counter next to the International Departures Terminal entrance.

Car Hire: Car hire companies at the airport are Koperasi Taxi, Hertz, Toyota Rent a Car and Thrifty. You can find car rental counters in both terminals. Vehicles can be hired on a daily basis. Blue Bird Taxi company offers luxury chauffeur-driven cars.

Selected Information Source: http://www.baliairport.com/

Earth Hour 2011 in Bali

by Barrie | March 26th, 2011   Tweet

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries and territories participating, according to Wikipedia.

This global event is organized by WWF; World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually. In a coordinated movement, the world will go calm and dark for one hour at 8:30 pm on this day March 26, 2011. There are some 1,882 cities are scheduled to turn off the lights. In Indonesia, office buildings and hotels in Bali and Jakarta will join the Earth Hour movement.

It is expected that at least five major cities across Indonesia including Bali will dim the lights, so to speak. Of course in Bali it will be a tad difficult to blacken-out the tourist strip on a partying Saturday night but, I’m pretty confident a majority of the lights will be turned off or dimmed.

Balinese Names and the Confusion for First Time Travellers

by Barrie | March 30th, 2011   Tweet

When you first travel to Bali and meet the friendly Balinese people it can be very confusing in some respects and mainly concerning their names. It will seem that every second person has the same name! There are a tremendous amount of Wayans and Mades in Bali. Unlike in western countries where individual names are commonplace, the people of Bali stick to a protocol for naming their children.

Of course you will not find this protocol in the other islands of Indonesia except in the Hindu parts of Lombok. Actually it’s quite intriguing and a delightful way of naming your children but I couldn’t imagine the confusion if the family comprised of a baker’s dozen.

Basically the naming protocol is as follows:

Wayan, Putu, Gede for 1st born male child

Wayan, Putu, Iluh for 1st born female child

Made, Kadek for 2nd born male child

Made, Kadek, Nengah for 2nd born female child.

Nyoman, Komang for 3rd born male and female children

Ketut for 4th born male or female children.

The 5th born reverts back to the list for 1st born children. Last names are also given names.

Seems quite simple. I guess this makes me a Made or Kadek!

World Mask Festival to be Held in Bali

by Barrie | March 28th, 2011   Tweet

In Bahasa Indonesia they are known as topeng and indeed there are quite a variety and colour as well as expression to be found in Bali. Over the decades I have collected around sixty masks from across the archipelago and, if you are a collector of cultural items then there are many places to seek these out in Bali. In particular around the areas of Ubud.

Alternatively, you could attend the upcoming World Mask Festival which is to be held later on this year in the Buleleng region during November. The proposed dates are the 23rd-26th of that month. For those of you that have visited the Bali Arts Festival you will know of the cultural significance of topeng in dance drama.

Topeng is an Indonesian form of dance drama in which one or more dancers wear masks and perform ancient stories, often concerning ancient or mythical kings and heroes. It has its origins in the 17th century. Topeng dances are most prevalent in Bali and Java but are also found in other Indonesian islands such as Madura (off the coast of East Java). The dance is accompanied by gamelan music.

It is believed that the use of masks is related to the cult of the ancestors, which considered dancers the interpreters of the gods. Topeng performances open with a series of non-speaking, dancing masked characters that may not be related to the story that will be performed.

The (International Mask Culture and Arts Organization or IMACO regard masks as a cultural part of any culture and therefore support any mask festival occurring in the world.

Ogoh-Ogoh Parades in Bali

by Barrie | February 22nd, 2011   Tweet

Nyepi will soon be upon us (5th March) and already you will notice, if you have been walking around the backstreets, the Balinese busy making their effigies for the parade. A lot of tourists plan their holiday so that they avoid the ‘day of silence’; Nyepi. It’s understandable because it is the day when they are not allowed out of their hotel or the place they are staying at and must avoid using rowdy noise or even lighting. So in effect, tourists see this a day out of their holidays.

However, the night before Nyepi (and the day after) are great times to be in Bali and especially tonight because it is a night of wild revelry on the streets of Kuta/Legian and in fact, all over Bali. Over the past month or so the Balinese from the local banjars have been constructing large ogoh-ogoh floats or huge Papier Mâchè effigies.

On the night before Nyepi these Ogoh Ogoh are proudly paraded through the streets and is quite a spectacle and one not to be missed. The ogoh ogoh’s are carried on bamboo platforms by young guys, who often are a little tipsy after drinking arak. At streetside a panel of banjar judges, give points to the best ogoh ogoh.

Seeing the Ogoh-Ogoh parades is quite a spectacle. At one time they used to parade down Jalan Legian in Kuta. Last year they decided against this and turned down Jalan Benesari. However, this year Jalan Uluwatu I in Jimbaran will be closed to all traffic on Friday, March 4, 2011, to allow a massive Ogoh Ogoh and baleganjur orchestra parade and competition on the day before the Bali-Hindu New Year celebration of Nyepi according to an article in the Bali Discovery.

So, if you are in Bali for Nyepi then treat this day as one of your lay-days when you chill-out and relax around the pool or have a few drinks with friends.

Photo of the Day: Mountainous Bali

by Barrie | February 27th, 2011   Tweet

I have always been a great lover of the mountains wherever I have travelled in the world. Besides being great vantage points to view the surrounding areas, they also offer up some beautiful examples of flora and fauna. Bali as an island, albeit small in comparison with the rest of the islands in the archipelago, has some stunning mountainous areas.

Whether you are driving, cycling or just hiking in these areas it is always amazing what you come across. I would venture to say that the greatest attraction Bali has to offer is its environment. The incredible panoramas are amazing and breathtaking. But, it’s the things you come across on your travels in the mountains that I take so much delight in.