Subak: Rice Farming in Bali

A lot of Asians -- myself included -- won’t feel full without eating rice thanks to being brought up with the typical Asian diet of eating rice at least twice a day. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m addicted, but I certainly can’t picture my life without it. Last year in an effort to better my nutrition value, I’ve started adding grains, seeds and beans such as chia seeds, barley, soaked mung beans, etc. to make multi-grain rice. While I’m pretty much used to eating it without noticeable difference, once in a while I like to cook the pure unadulterated stuff. There’s this inexplicably satisfying feeling I get digging into a steaming bowl of fluffy white rice that multi-grain rice simply can’t give.

(more) duck in québec

We visited Île d'Orléans in winter’s last breath, there’s no more ice on the ground, but cold enough to freeze you up if you don’t wear a thick jacket. Everything in the island is pretty much on reduced hours or closed. We went to a few venues, they were either on reduced hours or closed for an event.

preserved duck in vieux québec

Preserved duck. The image of duck jerky is conjured up in my head, it doesn’t sound appetising. Salted then drowned in its own fat. That sounds even more disgusting.

It’s quite a feat for French Women to not Get Fat. Considering how butter laden, fat drenched, delectable dessert aplenty French cuisine can be. Our guide for the Québec walking tour recommended to us the Bistro Sous le Fort, a modern yet cosy little bistro, where we ordered the beef spare ribs and the duck confit.

a day in québec's eastern townships

Instead of taking the straight and most efficient route from Montréal to Québec City, we decided to spend a day exploring the eastern townships instead. First we went for a duck brunch at Le Relais in Knowlton. The nearby Lac Brome is famous for its ducks.

a story of bali & a review of bebek betutu pak man

Ayam Betutu - Rp 20,000 per piece

Bali, the island of the Gods, or better known to you and you as that place where Elizabeth Gilbert (picture Julia Roberts) found the Love part (in the form of dreamy Javier Bardem) in the book/movie/extravaganza that is Eat, Pray, Love. I haven't actually read the book, but I did watch the movie because everyone else was talking about is so much.

charles inn dining room roasted breast of magret duck

We recently had our civil ceremony in this beautiful British inn called the Charles Inn. We had the place virtually to ourselves as it was the low season. The hotel staff was attentive, courteous and friendly. Eventhough the weather wasn't on our side (it was pouring buckets), I couldn't have asked for a better day.

We were so pre-occupied the whole day that we went straight to dinner without having lunch. We were starving. Luckily, we were the first to arrive for dinner. The waiter was attentive, prompt and cheerful, he took the time to explain everything to us.

The Charles Inn Dining Room, like the rest of the hotel, was decorated in this tasteful, elegant way, with crystal chandeliers hanging on the ceiling.

congee dynasty shredded chicken & duck with egg super bowl congee

I've tried Congee Wong a few times before and found the food to be great but service poor. This time, I tried Congee Dynasty because it's close by. Similar to Congee Wong, Congee Dynasty's food is hearty and its portion huge.


Our shredded chicken & duck with egg super bowl congee came quite promptly. I loved the roast duck in the congee, making it something special. It was just the two of us eating and when we were finished we had two container-full of congee left, and we are no lightweights either. I was not exaggerating when I said the portion is huge.