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Jamu – the Indonesian way to Health
Many women won’t start their day without a shot of jamu! You can find people selling jamu in markets, creating special blends to help with different health needs. These sellers often learned their recipes from their ancestors, making the tonics very authentic and effective. Yogyakarta’s bustling jamu scene shows how connected they are to nature, health, and their traditions.
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Awe-Inspiring Summit
Borobudur is designed with nine stacked platforms. The first six are square, and the top three are circular, ending in the central stupa at the summit. This layout symbolizes the path to enlightenment in Buddhist cosmology, moving from the earthly realm at the base to the spiritual realm at the top.
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An Educational Experience at Borobudur
The detailed bas-reliefs of Borobudur depict scenes from daily life in 9th-century Java, including the use of various spices and medicinal plants. These reliefs show the advanced knowledge of herbal medicine and the importance of spices in the social and economic life of that time.
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Sea Bass with Sambal Belado
The preparation method might slightly vary based on regions or personal preferences, but generally, it involves pounding or blending the ingredients together to form a coarse or smooth paste. Sambal Belado is known for its spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavour profile, making it a fantastic accompaniment to various dishes, such as fried fish, chicken, eggs, fried tofu or tempeh or as a condiment for rice.
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Indonesian Long Red Chilli
The smell of Cabe Merah Panjang is somewhat fruity and slightly earthy, with a mild aroma compared to other chili peppers. Their texture is firm and glossy, with thin walls and a smooth surface. Inside, they contain seeds that contribute to their heat but are relatively easy to remove if a milder flavor is desired.
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People Watching in Seminyak
Balinese people including the expats who are staying there are warm and friendly and most of them go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. The Balinese love children…it is rare to hear a Balinese adult shout or scream at the kids. I realize the Balinese don’t focus on negativities and so very positive.
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Villa Life in Bali
We had a comfortable and enjoyable stay in a villa in Seminyak. The villa was extremely well taken care of, and was perfect for my holiday. There are plenty of small restaurants within walking distance from the villa, as well as shops for shopping and window shopping. The staff are very friendly efficient and unobtrusive. The swimming pool is very private and a lot bigger than the usual pool provided at other locations.
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Temples and Shrines Everywhere
Bali is also known as the Island of Thousand temples! You get to see a temple or a small shrine everywhere you turn with regular prayers and rituals spanning life from birth to death. The temples are unique in architecture and design. The temples are clean and well maintained and very popular with tourists from all over the world. Do not wear shorts or a sleeveless blouse or shirt to the temples.
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Sambals and Warungs
Bali’s staple food is rice and it is served with mild to spicy dishes. Though Balinese are mostly Hindus, they do eat beef and some of the Muslim Balinese eat pork too. Spicy condiments like sambal are always served as accompaniment to the dishes. If you are not cooking at home, there are the street food stalls called “warungs” and you can get about everything you need to fill up your stomach. Bali also has several nasi padang stalls from Sumatra