Spent most of March in Singapore. Highlight numero uno was the food. A taste: 1. Soto ayam porridge, Bali Dream Villas. 2. Mutant banana at Tiong Bahru market. 3. Sticky Date Pudding slathered in toffee at PS Cafe. 4. Davidson and Neil try to read Chinese signs at the Holland Road zhi char stall. 5. Freshly squeezed lime juice is everywhere. 6. Decent-enough babi guling in Bali.
Thanks mum. We kinda are still pinching ourselves. Did we really just spend time in an airy villa, equipped with our own chef and driver? Sorry pals, this is boasty and I would normally find that offensively rude too. But I don’t think I’ll experience this kinda thing for a while. And renting out Villa Kakatua in Bali really isn’t more costly than a bunch of hotel rooms. So totally recommended.
Pool time means, and meant, many things to me—boisterous sundays with cousins, calming solitary swims, something to do instead of cramming for exams. I could go on but really, how boring. Now, time at Villa Kakatua’s pool makes the list.
No one should leave Bali without paying Ibu Oka a visit. Their signature is Babi Guling, otherwise known as the best tasting pig on a stick. I’m pretty sure that Davidson, my aunt and uncle, and I have never had pork flesh this melty. Did I mention they bring out a square of crispy, oily skin to seriously amp up the enjoyment? Oh yes, you have to de-shoe and sit on the floor to partake. Sure does add to the authenticity. Uncle Su Min was so blown away that he had to shake the owner’s hand and get a picture with her. She’s like, a genius.
Ubud has got plenty of temples, and we visited this one. It was quite beautiful and we had to cover our legs to get in. If we had more time in Bali, I would have liked to stroll through more sacred and royal sites. And maybe bone up on my Southeast Asian civilization history to fully appreciate it. While the guide was giving his speech, I was having very faint deja vu since this was in the “A” level syllabus.
I forgot everything I learned in Costa Rica, so I figured it was time for a refresher course in surfology. And I’m usually a coward when I try to be brave, so it seemed important to have some experienced surfers out there to give me pointers. It did all come back to me eventually through that memory-enhancing helmet.
Good grief, it gets me every time.
Mum springs for a three-day Bali pop over. I know, how lucky to be in paradise. And the family comes with! Here we are, checking out the beach at Canggu. Who knows the name of this red Hindu god? Anyone?
