Safe SeaFood
This widget is from The End of the Line (a documentary film I'm keen to see, but there aren't likely to be any screenings in Papua for quite some time, so I may have to wait!?).
For those of you who have ever wondered about how to become a more sustainable seafood consumer... this might be an easy place to start!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Lost in Translation
There are many pearl farms in the bird's head of Papua, and although most of their wares are exported internationally, some are for sale at the Sorong airport.
This is the sign advertising salt-water pearls and fresh-water pearls... the word for fresh-water in indonesian is "air tawar", however the word for bargain/trade/offer is also "tawar". I guess somebody just chose the wrong dictionary entry!?
There are many pearl farms in the bird's head of Papua, and although most of their wares are exported internationally, some are for sale at the Sorong airport.
This is the sign advertising salt-water pearls and fresh-water pearls... the word for fresh-water in indonesian is "air tawar", however the word for bargain/trade/offer is also "tawar". I guess somebody just chose the wrong dictionary entry!?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Jalan-jalan with Uncle Bruce & Aunt Bobby
After getting slightly turned around finding my way to their lovely hotel in the morning, I picked Bruce & Bobby up and we got on the road for what was to be a full and fun-filled day of touring around Bali...
We started off in the general direction of the great sea temple of Ulu Watu, and did arrive there around mid-day after a quick visit to the post-office, and a side-trip to Dreamland Beach (which has huge developments in progress and unfortunately is nothing of the secret isolated dreamland it once was!?). The Pinctu statues, which would dwarf Goliath, were the most impressive thing about that area.
Ulu Watu -- Luhur Ulu Watu (literally "Heavenly Rock Headland") is one of the six sea temples of Bali. Teetering on sheer cliffs over the Indian Ocean on the most south-westerly point on the island, the temple's dramatic backdrop makes it feel like a place of immense importance. We didn't have any issues with the monkeys... but there are plenty of signs warning of their potential aggressive behaviour! I think it was siesta time, and with the intense heat, they were hiding out in the cool shade of the bushes. Ulu Watu was also B&B's introduction to geocaching! There was an Earthcache there which Bobby led us to like an expert gps-user (I realize that an Earthcache is not the best introduction to geocaching, since there is no actual cache... just a series of questions to find the answers to)! (Of course, we tried another one later in the day as well, at Tanah Lot, and it was a bust as well - I hope they'll get a chance to try another some time - especially with all the traveling they do, it'll probably take them to a lot of neat places they wouldn't otherwise know about!)
On the way to Tanah Lot we passed a few rice fields that were in the process of harvest... so we stopped to get a close-up view. Although I'm not much of a tour-guide for Bali (having only been here about a month myself!), at least I can speak the language and translate to ask questions of the people we met along the way! The rice they are currently farming in Bali is the new 'improved' species which yields three harvests per year (the traditional rice yielded only two, although they say it was of a better quality). Interestingly enough, migrant workers come from Java for the harvests, since they will work for lower wages than the Balinese!
We arrived at Tanah Lot just in time for a sunset that was not to be (although we were treated to a beautiful deep red eye in the sky just before it slipped over the horizon, the clouds prevented us from seeing the glorious post-card picture Tanah Lot). It also happened to be high tide, and we can now understand where Tanah Lot got it's name (literally "Land in the middle of the sea"): the temple itself is seated on a rock out-cropping that is isolated by the sea at high tide... but we enjoyed the view of it, and B&B bought some beautiful kites (or as Bruce called them, his 'new packing challenges'!).
On the way home we stopped for a sea-side dinner in Jimbaran, the traditional fishing village that has turned into THE fresh sea-food dining area of Bali. Our table was literally less than 15 meters from the surf, and B&B spoiled me to a delicious lobster and squid (and chicken) dinner.
I guess you can tell by the length of this entry that it was a fabulous day - so enjoyable hanging out, and visiting all day. How exciting to meet up with family so far from home! I can't wait 'till B&B plan their next trip, and perhaps come back to visit again! We should be getting a house of our own soon, with an extra room (nudge nudge wink wink hint hint), to entice more family to come visit!
It was after 12 when I arrived home to the news that my departure to Sorong was the next morning. Having not yet packed for the trip, and with a few loose-ends to tie up before leaving, needless to say, I was a little short on sleep by the time I was off to the airport at 6 am!!! Luckily I got a super-comfy hotel room for my transit in Makassar, and arrived in Sorong fit-as-a-fiddle!
B&B even introduced ME to something new: the ginger fizz... yummy!
P.S. Bobby, I hope you haven't been getting eaten alive by mosquitoes... I found your bug spray in my bag on the way to the airport!
After getting slightly turned around finding my way to their lovely hotel in the morning, I picked Bruce & Bobby up and we got on the road for what was to be a full and fun-filled day of touring around Bali...
We started off in the general direction of the great sea temple of Ulu Watu, and did arrive there around mid-day after a quick visit to the post-office, and a side-trip to Dreamland Beach (which has huge developments in progress and unfortunately is nothing of the secret isolated dreamland it once was!?). The Pinctu statues, which would dwarf Goliath, were the most impressive thing about that area.
Ulu Watu -- Luhur Ulu Watu (literally "Heavenly Rock Headland") is one of the six sea temples of Bali. Teetering on sheer cliffs over the Indian Ocean on the most south-westerly point on the island, the temple's dramatic backdrop makes it feel like a place of immense importance. We didn't have any issues with the monkeys... but there are plenty of signs warning of their potential aggressive behaviour! I think it was siesta time, and with the intense heat, they were hiding out in the cool shade of the bushes. Ulu Watu was also B&B's introduction to geocaching! There was an Earthcache there which Bobby led us to like an expert gps-user (I realize that an Earthcache is not the best introduction to geocaching, since there is no actual cache... just a series of questions to find the answers to)! (Of course, we tried another one later in the day as well, at Tanah Lot, and it was a bust as well - I hope they'll get a chance to try another some time - especially with all the traveling they do, it'll probably take them to a lot of neat places they wouldn't otherwise know about!)
On the way to Tanah Lot we passed a few rice fields that were in the process of harvest... so we stopped to get a close-up view. Although I'm not much of a tour-guide for Bali (having only been here about a month myself!), at least I can speak the language and translate to ask questions of the people we met along the way! The rice they are currently farming in Bali is the new 'improved' species which yields three harvests per year (the traditional rice yielded only two, although they say it was of a better quality). Interestingly enough, migrant workers come from Java for the harvests, since they will work for lower wages than the Balinese!
We arrived at Tanah Lot just in time for a sunset that was not to be (although we were treated to a beautiful deep red eye in the sky just before it slipped over the horizon, the clouds prevented us from seeing the glorious post-card picture Tanah Lot). It also happened to be high tide, and we can now understand where Tanah Lot got it's name (literally "Land in the middle of the sea"): the temple itself is seated on a rock out-cropping that is isolated by the sea at high tide... but we enjoyed the view of it, and B&B bought some beautiful kites (or as Bruce called them, his 'new packing challenges'!).
On the way home we stopped for a sea-side dinner in Jimbaran, the traditional fishing village that has turned into THE fresh sea-food dining area of Bali. Our table was literally less than 15 meters from the surf, and B&B spoiled me to a delicious lobster and squid (and chicken) dinner.
I guess you can tell by the length of this entry that it was a fabulous day - so enjoyable hanging out, and visiting all day. How exciting to meet up with family so far from home! I can't wait 'till B&B plan their next trip, and perhaps come back to visit again! We should be getting a house of our own soon, with an extra room (nudge nudge wink wink hint hint), to entice more family to come visit!
It was after 12 when I arrived home to the news that my departure to Sorong was the next morning. Having not yet packed for the trip, and with a few loose-ends to tie up before leaving, needless to say, I was a little short on sleep by the time I was off to the airport at 6 am!!! Luckily I got a super-comfy hotel room for my transit in Makassar, and arrived in Sorong fit-as-a-fiddle!
B&B even introduced ME to something new: the ginger fizz... yummy!
P.S. Bobby, I hope you haven't been getting eaten alive by mosquitoes... I found your bug spray in my bag on the way to the airport!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Best shampoo advert yet!
Isn’t this the best shampoo advertisement? No shiny locks, smooth or curly, black or blonde... and in a country where 90% of the population is muslim, i'm sure this marketing technique is quite successful! And besides... are any of us really fooled into thinking that if we use a brand of shampoo sporting a picture of a gorgeous head of hair on the label, that we'll miraculously be transformed!?
Isn’t this the best shampoo advertisement? No shiny locks, smooth or curly, black or blonde... and in a country where 90% of the population is muslim, i'm sure this marketing technique is quite successful! And besides... are any of us really fooled into thinking that if we use a brand of shampoo sporting a picture of a gorgeous head of hair on the label, that we'll miraculously be transformed!?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
What gives...???
Two of the teachers from Realia Language school in Jogja (the school where Martin and I started our Indonesian adventures) came to Sorong to provide English classes to CI staff. (This was way back in June, I think - and I have been meaning to post this pic since then!)
Anyway, we were not very clued-in when we invited Tutut and Wawan out for dinner in Sorong... to Malioboro Warung (our favourite on the tembok)! Malioboro is the name of probably the most famous street in Jogja, where great shopping (and food) is to be found! Oops... we pretended it was in an effort to make them feel at home! Haha!
Two of the teachers from Realia Language school in Jogja (the school where Martin and I started our Indonesian adventures) came to Sorong to provide English classes to CI staff. (This was way back in June, I think - and I have been meaning to post this pic since then!)
Anyway, we were not very clued-in when we invited Tutut and Wawan out for dinner in Sorong... to Malioboro Warung (our favourite on the tembok)! Malioboro is the name of probably the most famous street in Jogja, where great shopping (and food) is to be found! Oops... we pretended it was in an effort to make them feel at home! Haha!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I got totally fed up with just blobbing on the beach, listening to podcasts and taking pictures of Martin surfing… so I'm getting myself a body board, and I’m learning as well! I certainly can’t do any of the fancy tricks that Martin does, but at least I’m out there getting a little exercise, and enjoying the thrill of catching the odd wave!
+-+lr.jpg)
I would have liked to continue on with my long-boarding (which all began with a lesson with the girls back in Jaco, CostaRica about 4 years ago!), but unfortunately the waves on Bali are just too packed with people, and I'm afraid I'll crash into all the other novices!
+-+lr.jpg)
I would have liked to continue on with my long-boarding (which all began with a lesson with the girls back in Jaco, CostaRica about 4 years ago!), but unfortunately the waves on Bali are just too packed with people, and I'm afraid I'll crash into all the other novices!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
HASH!
Martin and I went with our friend Helen to our very first "Hash" on Saturday afternoon... and WHAT A BLAST!
The Hash House Harriers have been around for decades, apparently, but before coming to Indonesia I had never heard of it! The Bali group is a very interesting cross-section of people... all into getting out into the 'real' Bali, getting some exercise, and having some wacky, silly, fun... and not to mention, a few beers!
The route for the run, marked with shredded paper, was up, down, and all around; across rice paddies and drainage ditches, past local baths and temples, through back alleys and fields of sweet-smelling flowers for temple offerings; we waded through rivers, and clambered up slippery slopes! It absolutely POURED rain as well, so we were soaked within minutes, and it sometimes washed away the trail-marking-paper, but it kept us nice and cool! One time we passed by one communities women's traditional bath, there was a lady having her afternoon 'mandi', and amiably asked us if we would like to join her! (I guess we probably looked a site - covered in mud!) The scenery was absolutely stunning, and the false markers to throw you off-course only added to the fun!
Oh yes, and did I mention... as 'virgin' Hashers, we had to do a "Down Down" (ie chug a beer) in the middle of the ceremonial circle as part of our initiation!?! Haha!
I think we may become members, and take up 'hashing'! - the main thing about it that attracts me is the same as geocaching - it takes you to all kinds of places you would never otherwise know about!
Sorry no pics to accompany this post, but I'm glad I didn't take my camera, since it rained the entire time! And, as a side note, it hasn't stopped raining since, and some of the worst flooding yet this year has been seen today! I feel badly for Bruce and Bobby on their tropical vacation to Bali - they're waiting for it to stop raining!
Martin and I went with our friend Helen to our very first "Hash" on Saturday afternoon... and WHAT A BLAST!
The Hash House Harriers have been around for decades, apparently, but before coming to Indonesia I had never heard of it! The Bali group is a very interesting cross-section of people... all into getting out into the 'real' Bali, getting some exercise, and having some wacky, silly, fun... and not to mention, a few beers!
The route for the run, marked with shredded paper, was up, down, and all around; across rice paddies and drainage ditches, past local baths and temples, through back alleys and fields of sweet-smelling flowers for temple offerings; we waded through rivers, and clambered up slippery slopes! It absolutely POURED rain as well, so we were soaked within minutes, and it sometimes washed away the trail-marking-paper, but it kept us nice and cool! One time we passed by one communities women's traditional bath, there was a lady having her afternoon 'mandi', and amiably asked us if we would like to join her! (I guess we probably looked a site - covered in mud!) The scenery was absolutely stunning, and the false markers to throw you off-course only added to the fun!
Oh yes, and did I mention... as 'virgin' Hashers, we had to do a "Down Down" (ie chug a beer) in the middle of the ceremonial circle as part of our initiation!?! Haha!
I think we may become members, and take up 'hashing'! - the main thing about it that attracts me is the same as geocaching - it takes you to all kinds of places you would never otherwise know about!
Sorry no pics to accompany this post, but I'm glad I didn't take my camera, since it rained the entire time! And, as a side note, it hasn't stopped raining since, and some of the worst flooding yet this year has been seen today! I feel badly for Bruce and Bobby on their tropical vacation to Bali - they're waiting for it to stop raining!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Banana leaf Bungkus
My favourite way of getting food "to go" is in the traditional style, often still used by smaller warungs (vendors)... they use a banana leaf to wrap your food in....
No plastic - yay! I feel that the major problem with plastics garbage in tropical countries is actually due to this tradition... it was fine to simply toss your banana leaf after consuming your food, or whatever was wrapped in it in the past, but with the advent of plastics, and NO socialization/education, people are simply ignorant to the fact that a banana leaf degrades in days whereas a plastic bags takes hundreds of years... so they keep tossin'!
My favourite way of getting food "to go" is in the traditional style, often still used by smaller warungs (vendors)... they use a banana leaf to wrap your food in....
No plastic - yay! I feel that the major problem with plastics garbage in tropical countries is actually due to this tradition... it was fine to simply toss your banana leaf after consuming your food, or whatever was wrapped in it in the past, but with the advent of plastics, and NO socialization/education, people are simply ignorant to the fact that a banana leaf degrades in days whereas a plastic bags takes hundreds of years... so they keep tossin'!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Paket tude bakar…
Our recent short visit back to Manado made us reminiscent of our time there… One of our favourite foods, and in fact the first traditional Manadonese meal we had upon our arrival in Manado back in June 2006, is this simple packet deal.
Grilled fish (in this case, Tude, which I have no idea of the translation for!), rice, garlic kangkung (my favourite veggie in Indo, I call it water-spinach or morning glory in Enligh), and dabu-dabu (my favourite sambal ("hot sauce") in Indonesia hands-down).
Martin (and anyone else in the restaurant, actually) usually make fun on me while eating my fish, since I am little slow at shifting through the bones to get at the meat… and because I remove everything that isn’t meat (ie. skin, etc)… but I enjoy it just the same!
During our recent visit, Manado seemed to be unusually abuzz… but this seemed to be more than just the hustle-and-bustle of Christmas… and, as we found out upon our departure, it was… the present is coming tomorrow! The road from the airport was being widened to twice it’s usual size, and the police and military were doing drills for the escort around town; the usual advertisements for cup-a-noodles and cigarettes along the road from the airport into town were covered over with banners proclaiming Manado’s love for their president, and how proud they are to be his people, etc!
Our recent short visit back to Manado made us reminiscent of our time there… One of our favourite foods, and in fact the first traditional Manadonese meal we had upon our arrival in Manado back in June 2006, is this simple packet deal.
Grilled fish (in this case, Tude, which I have no idea of the translation for!), rice, garlic kangkung (my favourite veggie in Indo, I call it water-spinach or morning glory in Enligh), and dabu-dabu (my favourite sambal ("hot sauce") in Indonesia hands-down).
Martin (and anyone else in the restaurant, actually) usually make fun on me while eating my fish, since I am little slow at shifting through the bones to get at the meat… and because I remove everything that isn’t meat (ie. skin, etc)… but I enjoy it just the same!
During our recent visit, Manado seemed to be unusually abuzz… but this seemed to be more than just the hustle-and-bustle of Christmas… and, as we found out upon our departure, it was… the present is coming tomorrow! The road from the airport was being widened to twice it’s usual size, and the police and military were doing drills for the escort around town; the usual advertisements for cup-a-noodles and cigarettes along the road from the airport into town were covered over with banners proclaiming Manado’s love for their president, and how proud they are to be his people, etc!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
New Year's Day!
What a different scene the beach in Sanur was on the first day of 2009! Usually this area is called 'sleepy Sanur', because it's so laid back, but not the other day! It was PACKED with people... mostly locals by the look of it, but lots of foreign tourists as well...
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! Hope it is full of peace, love and happiness!
What a different scene the beach in Sanur was on the first day of 2009! Usually this area is called 'sleepy Sanur', because it's so laid back, but not the other day! It was PACKED with people... mostly locals by the look of it, but lots of foreign tourists as well...
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! Hope it is full of peace, love and happiness!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
