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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
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Forums and Workshops at CIA, Napa Valley
Being part of the World of Flavors 2012 was illuminating for me. Every chef I met that said the same. I should say it was the perfect combination of delicious food and great instructions with strong intellectual seminars and forums – but all well connected to each other. It made a lot of difference when I was amidst chefs and food related people as all conversations were of the same topic.
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At the Culinary Institute of America, Napa Valley
I was invited to the Worlds of Flavor 2012 International Conference & Festival, with the theme of Arc of Flavors: Re-imagining Culinary Exchange, from the Mediterranean and Middle East to Asia. The event was celebrated by exploring the movement of ingredients, dishes, techniques, and flavors from the first days of trade to today's fast-changing global palate. Chefs from all over the world were present along with me. The Culinary Institute of America’s annual three day forum is one of the most influential professional forum on world cuisines, food cultures and flavour trends.
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Old Sacremento
Sacramento is on northeast of San Francisco. I found a number of interesting museums, and Old Sacramento, with its historic buildings, shopping, and dining, is a great place for tourists to do some sightseeing or simply relax. The Old Sacramento runs along the Sacramento River, an area that was seen as a great commercial center for the new city in the mid-19th Century. Historic buildings, are now occupied by shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums.
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Autumn Walk in Napa Valley
This is the first time I am in a country during autumn! Autumn colour is everywhere! It makes a beautiful backdrop for photos and the roads are strewn with orange, red, brown and rust coloured leaves. As I walked on those leaves I could feel the ground crunch under my feet. I know that they will decompose and replenish the soil with nutrients. It was so beautiful to see the sunlight coming through the leave as it just heightens the yellow colour of some of the leaves and makes it glow. Napa Valley and Greystone are all about vineyards, apple, orange, persimmon and orange trees.
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Cooking at Lemon Grass Restaurant, Sacramento
Restaurateur-chef Mai Pham has worked her cooking magic in Sacramento since 1988, when she debuted Lemon Grass restaurant at 601 Munroe St. It continues to serve some of the best Southeast Asian cuisine anywhere. I had the privilege of preparing a multi-course meal at her restaurant. It was a very successful event with two rounds of guests and everyone enjoyed their food. Thanks to the well trained staff of Lemon Grass and Chef Mai Pham.
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Cooking at the Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo
I was invited to cook and teach some seafood dishes to the chefs at the Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo. This hotel is about 45 minutes drive from Colombo and was my last stop this time around. The admirable architecture of the resort, which was originally designed by a world renowned architect named Geoffrey Bawa. The resort lies on a thin strip of land between the Indian Ocean and the large Negombo’ lagoon, and due to its water features the property boasts of a very relaxed and tranquil resort in the western coast of Sri Lanka and you can witness an awesome sunset every evening!
