Indonesia

Best of Indonesia

January 25, 2013 /

Indonesia is a diverse country consisting of more than 17,000 islands between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean. We stayed a week in the island of Bali, the largest tourist destination in the nation. Although Indonesia is the most populated Muslim country in the world, the 2000 census revealed that 92% of Bali’s population adhered to Hinduism.

We visited the areas around Kuta and Ubud. Ubud with many traditional experiences and an enchanting way of embracing us was by far our favorite. Many of these experiences included vibrant Balinese performances, beautiful temples, an unforgettable Monkey Sanctuary, relaxing rice fields, delicious food, kind people, and spectacular views of Mt Agung and Mt Batur. Our trip to Bali was just a little taste of all the diversity Indonesia has to offer and we will definitely have to come back one day.

Macaque Monkey Playing

Macaque Monkeys Jumping in the Sanctuary

Below are other great things we enjoyed about Bali, Indonesia:

Food and Drinks

  • Bintang Beer

  • Chicken Pepes: chicken made inside banana leaves

  • Nasi Kuning: mixed meats – chicken satay, pork, calamari, breaded chicken – with ginger rice

  • Grilled Tiger Prawns

  • Grilled Pork Spare Ribs

  • Snake Skin Fruit

  • Bali Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Ginseng Coffee, Mocha Coffee, Coconut Coffee, Lemon Tea, and Ginger Tea

  • Tomato Fruit Tree

  • Jack Fruit

  • Fresh Mint Lemon Juice

  • Plain Arak: alcohol made from the flower of coconut trees

  • Arak Madu: arak, honey, lemon, and ice

  • Papaya

  • Coconut Water

  • Suckling Pig

  • Banana Pancakes

  • Urutan Goreng: fried Balinese pork sausage with marinated cabbage

  • Sate Babi: pork satay

  • Lawar Babi: Pork mixed with grated coconuts and Balinese spices

  • Ayam Pelalah: Chicken with Balinese sauce

  • Babi Kecap: Stir fried pork with sweet soy sauce

Favortie Sights and Activities

  • Walking around the Ubud Rice Fields

  • Mandal Wisata Wenara Wana: The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

  • Kecak, fire, and Trance Dance in Padangtegal Kelod – Taman Sari Temple

People

  • Wayan: local organic rice farmer we met walking near the rice fields. He became our guide around the Ubud rice fields

  • Brata 2 Homestay: we stayed on the 2nd floor of a house where a family lived downstairs. They were very friendly, made sure we were ok at all times, and were willing to share with us about their traditions. They would provide breakfast for us and book any tours or transportation we desired.

Animals Viewed

  • Macaque Monkeys

  • Ducks

  • Balinese Blue Bird

Native Words

  • Warung = Food stalls, Restaurants

  • Gunung = Mountain

  • Pura = Temple

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