Our Travelations

Graffiti art at Merdeka Square at Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia in 2005

This picture is taken when we were travelling in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We were visiting the Merdeka (Freedom) Square when we chance upon this very unique graffiti of the most influential man in modern Malaysian history. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the longest serving Prime Minister in Malaysia. He spearheaded  a change and set the tempo to drive growth in Malaysia. He was the one who came up with the vision of making Malaysia a developed country by 2020. Dr Mahathir was the architect of many large-scale national projects like the once tallest building of the world, the Petronas Towers, which he helped design, the North-South Highway that links Thailand to Singapore and many more.

It was interesting to find this picture near the Merdeka Square. Don’t you think?

~ Jeff

We’re in the midst of  a wonderful trip to Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia at the moment. We have loads to share (especially on food), so stay tuned!

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

Sunrise at the Moken Village at Mu Koh Surin, Thailand in 2004

I took this picture a bit after 5am at the Moken Village at Mu Koh Surin in Thailand. I was there as part of a recce group for a Singapore International Foundation expedition to help and learn more about the sea gypsies living there. The Mokens are a group of people who live off the sea and are, traditionally, nomadic folk. But those in Phuket have been settled permanently within the Surin Island National Park.

They are a very giving lot of people and I was fortunate to be able to communicate a little with them, as the older folk speak Malay.

Read more about the Mokens on this Wikipedia article.

~ Esther

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

Butcher torching a pig's head in Tampines Round Market, Singapore, May 2010

We were just walking around the Tampines Round Market after an excellent lunch (braised pork rib noodle) at the adjoining hawker centre when we chanced upon this friendly butcher torching a huge (by Esther’s standards) pig head. The kind man explained to us that it was the preliminary step to removing the facial hair of the pig’s head. True enough, he later used a sharp knife to scrape off the charred bits. He further told us that each pig’s head is sold for $12. That’s quite a good deal!

But he also let on that only businessmen or loansharks buy these heads nowadays. The former commonly include a roasted pig’s head as part of his temple offerings. The latter? Well, to make sure debtors complete their “offerings” to him!

~ Jeff