Bali Travel: An Artistic Day at Bidadari Art Gallery, Ubud

Hello everyone! Do you know that other than its gold and silversmiths, Ubud is also famous for its wood sculpture arts? We did not really know about this fact until we stepped inside one of the many art galleries in Ubud, Bidadari Art Gallery.

Oh wow, looks at that mask. Now, this will make a good accessories for a masquerade banquet, isn't it? =P

Bidadari Art Gallery functions as exhibition hall, art store and a sculpture workshop. We can see these men sculpturing the wooden statues.

You will really need both delicacy and accuracy when you are sculpturing a statue which has a lot of details. 

The wooden statue of a woman. This kinda remind me of a similar wood statue that my mum kept in her old bedroom. 

The sculpture of traditional Balinese dancer. 

In another room, we can see a lot of wooden mask and even wooden painting. These art pieces do not come cheap though as it needs a lot of preparation and skill to create one. 

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Taiwan Travel: The Great Buddha at Fo Guang Shan Memorial Center, Kaohsiung

One bus stop away from Fo Guang Shan Monastery lies the Fo Guang Shan Memorial Center. This place is always crowded everyday with both local and foreign visitors. Most tour operators around the world will include Fo Guang Shan Memorial Center as one of the destination to go in the tour itinerary. 

If you think Fo Guang Shan Memorial Center is gonna be like those old or ancient places, well, you are going to be surprised looking at the inside of the memorial center. It looks so modern it even has Starbucks inside the memorial center hall. There is also a vegetarian restaurant inside the hall. 

There are a total of 8 pagodas located at the front complex with a giant bronze Buddha statue located at the end of the complex. It was raining that day and hence, we did not see anyone roaming around the complex. 

Thankfully, there is a sheltered pathway leading to the Front Hall where the Big Buddha status is sitting on. When we were nearer to the Front Hall, the rain has cleared up so we were able to roam around the area in front of the hall.

There is no photography allowed inside the hall beneath the Big Buddha because it is a sacred place. Visitors are allowed to pray inside too.

Having spent a few hours here, I guess I did not regret coming to Fo Guang Shan at all, despite the pouring rain.

Taiwan Travel: The Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Kaohsiung

On the last day of our school break trip to Kaohsiung, my friend insisted that we must go to Fo Guang Shan. I am not a Buddhist so I don't really know about it nor feel interesting about coming to a monastery. But since she's my friend and I have no other option on other places to visit in Kaohsiung, I just decided to tag along. We reached Fo Guang Shan Monastery in the early morning around 10. There is this tranquil peaceful feeling that you will experience when you are walking aroung in the monastery premise. 

A small garden is located in the middle of the monastery. Here and there you will meet friendly apprentice monks in this area. You can ask them any questions if you need help or assistance in finding a certain place. Or if you have general question about Buddha.

Fo Guang Shan Monastery is apparently the biggest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. Its name literally means "Buddha's Light Mountain". In 1975, a 36-meter tall state of Amitabha Buddha was established. Do note that in order to see Amitabha Buddha, you need to walk uphill for approximate 8 - 10 minutes, depending on your pace. I was kinda breathless when I finally reached the top. #lackofexercise

Later on in 1981, the Great Hero Hall was also established. We kinda gave up counting how many smaller statues surrounding the Amitabha Buddha. XD

The view from the top (just behind the Amitabha Buddha) is breath-taking. Lovely morning view from Fo Guang Shan! 

If you have more time, you should visit the main complex of Fo Guang Shan Temple, which is only one bus stop away from the Monastery. You will not regret it.

Singapore Eats: Chicken Parmigiana Lunch Set at Tanuki Raw Bar, Orchard Central

Well, to be honest with you, I often go to Orchard and yet, I seldom step into Orchard Central. When I was looking for my friend, who is apparently already dozing off at one of Quiznos' sofa, I spotted this restaurant called Tanuki Raw Bar. 

Tanuki Raw Bar serves lunch set everyday. This seems to be very popular with the nearby office crowd (although not many). I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana Lunch Set which comes with white sesame rice and miso soup. 

The Chicken Parmigiana tastes kinda oily although it is not bad in general. I wish it can be less oily. And hence, makes me less guilty after finishing it. 

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Singapore Eats: Singapore Chicken Rice at Boon Tong Kee, Balestier Road

When I was a teenager, whenever my parents brought me for a trip to Singapore, we definitely had the hainanese chicken rice. We did not specifically go to certain restaurant, even the one sold at food court would do just fine. Now, after staying in Singapore for a few years, I heard about some of the famous chicken rice restaurants in Singapore and finally, I tried one place in that list called Boon Tong Kee.

When we reached the restaurant, we saw a long queue outside the door. You need to tell the person-in-charge of the queue how many people is dining in. After that, you will get a queue number and all you need to do is wait until your number is being called. 

We waited for an approximately 10 minutes before our number is being called. As we were already hungry, we ordered three dishes to share among the two of us. Greedy greedy. 

1. Stuffed beancurd

The beancurd is quite nice and stuffed with minced meat. But we forgot that beancurds are somewhat filling you quite fast. This is probably the culprit of what ended up as an overeating adventure.

2. Spinach cooked with chicken egg, salted duck eggs and century eggs in a broth

Okay, that is really a long name for the dish. Egg lovers will love this dish because there are three kind of eggs in a bowl. With a touch of green of course.

3. Steamed Chicken 

Lastly, the main star of Boon Tong Kee, the steamed chicken! I like the chicken and it taste great when dipped into soya sauce and eaten together with the hainanese rice. The portion for the steamed chicken is quite big for two people though. 

Overall, I think it is worth to go to Boon Tong Kee to eat the yummy chicken rice if you don't mind the queue. =)

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Bali Travel: Celuk Village, where the Gold and silversmiths live

After coming out from Bebek Joni with an added weight, we thought the next thing that we need to enjoy in Ubud is limited to the beautiful rice terraces. I started to think we should just pull the car aside, make a stop then stare into the beautiful scenery for eternity...

...until our driver told us that we are going to visit Celuk Village, to see how the Balinese create gold and silver accessories. Hmm, that did not sound bad either so off we went. We went into a store which also functions as a workshop for the gold and silversmiths. 

Inside the workshop, you can see how the store workers are making the accessories. For example, the lady here is currently making earrings.

You need certain degree of accuracy and patience when you are assembling the small pieces of silver beads into your earrings structure. Totally not my career choice. Hahaha.

The final product. Ta-dah! Amazing craft skill. 

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Singapore Eats: Daebak experience over at Wang Dae Bak, China Square

It's always a challenge to find a place to eat lunch in CBD whenever we are unable to come out from office before 12pm. So in those rare occasions when we can leave office earlier around 11.30 - 11.40ish, we can try out those restaurants which usually has a long queue in front of its door. And for today, it's time to go to Wang Dae Bak. 

First food on the table is the seafood pajeon (re: pancake). Be warned that the portion of the pancake is BIG. I suppose this is enough to feed 4 people at least. Both of us could not finish the whole plate.

My colleague ordered bulgogi soup. This is so nice to eat in a cold weather. But Singapore is so hot...you will end up sweating outside. Hahaha. Oh Wang Dae Bak is fully air-conned though also you may come out a bit smelly.

My favorite dish from bibimbap has to be the bibimbap. Although I admit the secret ingredients in every bibimbap is the gochujang sauce. Ultimate sauce which makes the whole bowl taste great. XD

If Wang Dae Bak is too far from your place, you may try another Korean food alternative at Dal In (which is located nearer to Telok Ayer MRT Station).

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Singapore Cafe: Gateaux Party in Patisserie G, Millenia Walk

Work has been kinda tiring lately and there's nothing better than a perfect night chat in a cafe on a Monday night. Mimi and I decided to share a cake at a cafe which both of us always want to try, Patisserie G. The cafe looks bright and so welcoming from outside. 

Patisserie G offers a lot of yummy-looking cakes. Is it just me or the cakes here are mostly round in shapes? Well there is a reason for that which happens to be the name behind the alphabet "G". These elaborate cakes which are layered with cream are referred to as "gateaux". 

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I forget what is this cute little thing is called so I am just gonna improvise and name it myself. Let's call it the dotty G. Dotty G is glazed with caramel on the outside but on the inside it's chocolatey. Yummy! =)

These pretty little Gateaux are not cheap but taste-wise, they are delicious. We also love the ambience of the cafe which is quite cozy in general. 

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Bali Travel: Beautiful Volcano and Crater Lake at Mount Batur, Kintamani

If you think you can only see the white sands and blue sea in Bali, you are so mistaken. Bali also has mountainous terrain just like in Kintamani region. The mountainous region around Kintamani is centering on the volcanic caldera of Mount Batur. I was kinda imagining an active volcano which hot lava and ongoing smoke on the crater when we are going to Mount Batur. After all, Mount Batur is an active volcano. When we arrived at Mount Batur though, there is no lava in sight, which made me so grateful. Hahaha. 

The iconic view of Mount Batur is it spectacular deep creater lake and bubbling hot springs. If you are adventurous, you can sign up for the trekking trip to Mount Batur. But as for me and my family, we were already content seeing Mount Batur and its crater lake from afar. #easilypleased

There are a lot of lodgings provided near the lake. I suppose it will be nice to spend a night near the lake before and after you are done with the trekking. 

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Managed to take a panoramic view of Mount and Lake Batur. Awesome scene. I love Indonesian nature so much. 

If spending the night at the lakeside does not really excite you, how about spending the night on the mountainous terrain? =P

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Singapore Eats: Yummy Roasted Meat Rice at Guan Chee, Star Vista

Whenever I have to eat alone, I usually prefer to take away the food so that I can enjoy my lunch/ dinner in front of my laptop watching stuffs (not to the extent of watching another person eating in my laptop although hey I should probably try that since it's trending #eh #what).

The best place to take away food home in Singapore is of course the food court or hawker centre. If you take away from restaurants, the food will be more expensive so food court/ hawker centre will be my first choice of take-away-food. Second is the fast food joints. And guess what, you can find yummy food in the food court too, just like this Guan Chee HK Roasted Duck Pte Ltd which stall is located at the Kitchen, Star Visa (i.e. the food court).

Looking at where the branches of Guan Chee is located from the top of the food container, it is apparently a famous franchise amongst food court in Singapore. Well I have to say that the roasted pork is so yummy. Do ask for a lot of sauce to make them even tastier. The whole meal costs S$5.00. 

Now I know where to go to have a fix of roasted meats. =P

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Bali Eats: Eating at Rice field experience at Bebek Joni, Ubud

Ubud is a well known area in Bali for the beautiful view of rice fields and of course, the traditional Balinese fried duck. We have tried Bebek Tepi Sawah and Bebek Bengil in our previous trips to Bali before. The setting of the restaurant kinda looks familiar somehow. 

Just like at Bebek Tepi Sawah, there is also a statue of Dewi Sri (re: goddess Sri) at Bebek Joni. The Balinese worship Dewi Sri as the goddess of rice and prosperity. 

The view of the rice field is breath taking. When I visited Bebek Bengil before, the rice field was just harvested the day before so the sight is not as beautiful as the rice field now at Bebek Joni.

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After we had enough fun in the rice field, we walked back to our designated table. Yup, if you are wondering, you will eat your food at one of the huts over there. Pretty cool, right?

Here comes our favorite Balinese deep fried duck. So crispy, so rich in flavor, so good. 

We also ordered Balinese fried rice which is served with fried egg, satay and chicken. Don't forget the crackers. 

Overall, I enjoyed my lunch here at Bebek Joni. This is one great alternative to the other duck restaurants in Ubud. 

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Singapore Eats: Our Humble Dinner at My Little Spanish Place, Bukit Timah

When we came in to My Little Spanish Place, we had this feeling like we were entering someone's house. Located at the shophouses row in Bukit Timah, My Little Spanish Place offers a dining experience in a homey setting. That does not mean that My Little Spanish Place is not serious about its dinner menu. For instance, there are 50 types of Spanish wine you can choose from the humble-looking wine cabinet. 

My Little Spanish Place also has its own Spanish cured meat station. 

We've never tried Spanish cured meats before so we ordered Tabla de Embutidos which is a selection of Spanish cured meats and sausages (S$21). The cured meats are served with olives. 

When you go to a Spanish restaurant, ordering tapas is a must. So we shared Croquetas (S$12). This is basically a croquette stuffed with Jamon (i.e. ham). They are so creamy, I love them!

For the mains, of course we ordered one of the paellas. We tried Paella de Marisco (S$42 for small or S$74 for medium) which is basically a seafood paella. It has prawns, squid, black mussels, clams and fish in it.

For our dessert, we went the chocolate route and ordered Tarta de Chocolate (S$14). Cute chocolate tartlets served with strawberry sorbet. Yum!

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