Our Travelations

As it was the week of the Perth Fashion Festival when we arrived in the capital of Western Australia, we attended several events including Restyle.

Restyled fashion at the Perth Fashion Festival 2010

Restyle, a catwalk cum workshop, features clothes sourced from various op shops (short for opportunity shops), also known to some people as charity shops, in Perth. They were combined together stylishly and put on real models, and honestly, did not look like rejects at all! In fact, we learnt that great bargains and sometimes, even that rare designer or vintage item, can be found in op shops. The trick is to develop a keen eye and lots of patience.

Read more in an op shop/Restyle piece I wrote for My Paper. Jeff’s pretty pleased with how his fashion photos turned out too.

Esther

We’re back from the most fantastic, eye-opening trip ever!

We went on a self-drive up the Coral Coast of Western Australia – from Perth, to Cervantes, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Denham and finally, Monkey Mia!

Thanks to the kind sponsorship and arrangements made by Tourism Western Australia, Red Spot Car Rentals and Jetstar, we experienced and saw so many fascinating things that we can’t wait to share with you all. We also met tremendously friendly people who were all so passionate about what they do – like Capes the aboriginal tour guide, Nic the manager at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Brianna and David from Australia’s Coral Coast, Barbara at the tourist information office at Kalbarri, and many more.

Here’s a small preview collage of some nature photos I took on my iPhone. Enjoy! There’s more to come!

Inspired by nature (from top left): A beautiful spring scene in the Chapman Valley; Hutt Lagoon (yes, it's really pink!), on the way to Port Gregory; the Murchison River in Kalbarri National Park; leaning tree along the road on the way to Geraldton. All taken in Western Australia, September 2010.

Esther

Xi Tang, just outside Shanghai, China in 2005

Xi Tang is a small water town that has nine rivers that snake around and overlap each other. It is in Zhejiang province, just a couple of hours away from the busy and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Here you will find old-styled crafted stone bridges that link the different parts of the town. People use the waters running through these canals for cooking and daily consumption; furthermore, residents use these waterways to travel to other parts of town and for merchants to transport their goods. The town was made even more famous when the action sequel, Mission Impossible III (which featured Tom Cruise) was shot along the banks of this tranquil town.

Here the people are nice and tourism then in 2005 had not really arrived. Hopefully, it will remain a scenic and historic area for the residents who still enjoy the tranquil serenity of the place. Choose to stay with one of the residents and thoroughly immerse yourself in this very interesting and peaceful place.

~ Jeff

Esther

Freshly caught fish glistening in the sun at a market in Manado, Indonesia in 2004

Esther and I are avid divers and whenever we have a chance during our dive trips, we would visit the local fish market at our destination. It’s interesting to see what type of local dish are caught and sold. This picture was taken in the wee hours of the morning when the fish are laid out before day break. That’s when masses of people from the local restaurants, hotels and residents come down to savour the fresh catch.

In Manado, Indonesia – which is famous for its great diving – the sea life is abundant due to the rich volcanic sand of the Lembeh Straits. This market is the best and biggest wet market in Manado and is known as Pasar Bersehati Manado. Go visit if you have time to spare and be pleasantly surprised by the friendly fishmongers.

~ Jeff

Esther

Babi Guling at Warung Ibu Oka

I never really liked roast pork, but after a meal at Ibu Oka’s warung in Bali last month, I became an instant convert.

Only to her style of spit-roasted suckling pig, however.

You see, the cavity of each pig is stuffed with a secret blend of spices and gravy before being lovingly roasted for five hours. The result is paper-thin crackling and flesh that is tender, moist and fall-off-the-bone delicious. The meat is smooth and very umami and the special chilli that accompanies it gives it a certain “zing”. It was my best meal in Bali and I dare say, it was my best meal in a while. Mmmm… I haven’t been this excited about meat in a long, long time.

Warung Ibu Oka, popular with both locals and tourists

Teeming with diners

Situated opposite the Ubud Royal Palace, the warung (cafe) does a roaring trade from 11am to 3pm daily and a lady there told me that they sell about six pigs a day (that’s about 600 plates of babi guling sets). Speaking of sets, that should be what you should order if you visit – it’s made up of steamed rice, tender pieces of roast pork, a piece of skin, blood sausage and a portion of a local spicy vegetable dish. This will set you back about Rp20,000 (S$3 or US$2).

A babi guling set seen through a display case

Besides li’l ol’ me, famous celebrity chefs who have raved about Warung Ibu Oka include Anthony Bourdain, Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein. Apparently, the latter managed to get Ibu Oka’s recipe and I’ve read that it’s included in his book, Far Eastern Odyssey. I have to check it out at the bookshop when I’ve the chance!

Jeff wasn’t with me on this particular trip to Bali and so, didn’t get to taste this magical dish. I’m keen to bring him, of course. And isn’t that just the perfect reason to make another trip back to Bali?

*****

• Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka is located at Jalan Tegal Sari #2, Ubud. Tel: (0361) 976345.
• Don’t worry if you don’t know how to find it, just ask any driver or local. It really is that famous!

*****

Esther