Our Travelations

A lot of backlog, people. Bear with us. And yes, many apologies!

First up, let me tell you about Green School Bali, which I had the privilege of finally visiting in April.

I had known about Green School since last year in my previous job, but only recently did I manage to visit. We were hosted by the warm and friendly Ron Stones, Green School’s consultant director.

With its tagline, “Equipping Children for 2025″, this school is seriously a school for the future. It is almost entirely made of bamboo and is such an interesting, inspiring place to learn. Famed Canadian jeweller John Hardy and his wife, Cynthia, built this school because they wanted to teach children about sustainable living – they also built what could possibly be the world’s largest bamboo building, the Heart of School, a grand, imposing, three-storey structure, located within the school grounds.

Miniature model of Heart of School, made out of bamboo

Besides teaching the standard International Baccalaureate (IB) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) syllabus, there is also a Green Studies programme, which includes topics like carbon footprint analysis, water studies and even, organic farming and gardening.

Within the Creative Arts and physical education programmes, students delve into yoga and batik painting using natural dyes made from vegetation on site, and martial arts, with the Balinese traditional art of Mepantingan being an important component. Students, aged between three and 15, learn by doing, with each child tending to their very own vegetable patch.

I wrote about the Green School at the SE Forum site, so feel free to click on the link to find out more.

Jeff wasn’t with me on this trip – oh, how I wished he could have seen the school with his own eyes – so, this post is as much for him as it is for you, dear readers! Enjoy!

Part of Heart of School, entirely made of bamboo

School football field

The students' tomato patch

Students are encouraged to use reusable water bottles to collect the spring water that is made conveniently available from water points within the school compound. Do not use plastic. Make a choice.

Hydro-energy harnessed from the fast flowing Ayung River which divides the school

View from the bridge at the entrance of the school

A beautiful set of photos (not taken by me) of the school can be found here.

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• Green School Bali is located at Jalan Raya Sibang Kaja, Banjar Saren, Abiansemal, Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia.

*****

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?

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• 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