The Gravy Train

hooray for kajane

Our room at Kajane Mua Villa in Ubud, Bali

After our stay in Cubadak Island, we journeyed on to Bali, on the eastern side of Indonesia.  We weren't sure what to expect, even though we know many people who have chosen the island for their honeymoon.  For whatever reason, I'd had visions of Bali being the kind of place where the hubby and I would get our picture taken standing under a paper flower archway with B-A-L-I spelled out in sequined letters.  I don't know, maybe something similar happened to me when I was in the ninth grade on a cruise with my family in Cozumel, and maybe that memory haunts me still.  

However, just moments after our arrival at Kajane Mua Villa (pronounced kuh-JAH-nay MOO-ah), we were Bali converts.  The villa is located in central Ubud, the tropical, mountainous region of Bali, and it's set back from the main road, charmingly named Monkey Forest Street due to its location, well, next to a forest full of monkeys. A little palm tree-lined trail leads you back to the villas, nestled among a ride paddy terrace.  

nobody puts cubadak in a corner

Our bungalow over water at Cubadak Island, at twilight

When the hubby and I were figuring out where to go on our honeymoon, our requirements were that: 1) it had to be a place that we'd almost be forced to relax, as neither the hubby nor I are naturally inclined to laze around (well, except for when I'm watching my guilty pop drama du jour, a la Gossip Girl or the O.C., and I consider that Very Important Research); and 2) the food had to be excellent. The hubby's research landed on Cubadak Island,in West Sumatra, Indonesia, from Eating Asia's post about the place from three years ago.  Italian-influenced (the resort's owner, Nanni, is from Turin) Indonesian seafood dishes?  A bungalow over water? Done and done.

The trip to Cubadak began by flying from Kuala Lumpur into the city of Padang, the capital city of the island of West Sumatra.  We arrived early in the morning and were greeted at the airport by one of Cubadak's drivers, who navigated us on a hair-raising journey through the mountains with the resort's burly Italian masseuse, Andrea, wedged into the front seat.  Andrea had recently been on break from the resort and needed a lift back to the island to work, because, as he informed us, the resort was going to be at capacity, with just 35 guests.

i fell in love, and then indonesia stole my heart

Above: relaxing in our bungalow over water on Cubadak Island

Last week, the hubby and I went on our long-awaited yet recently planned honeymoon.  We chose Indonesia because we'd heard it's a beautiful country with amazing food and convenient places to nap. And boy, we weren't disappointed. This week, I'll be sharing photo and stories from our experience there. Excuse me in advance if I sound like I'm crushing like a preteen girl.  Because I am. I ♥ Indonesia. So much.  I hope it will ask me to the big dance this Friday.

we think of ourselves more as ponch and jon, but...

While furniture shopping in Indonesia one morning last week (more to come on that), the sales clerk helpfully pulled out a sheet of blank labels and asked us our names.  "For me to remember what you like," he said.  I told him Ann & Gerry, because, well, those are our names.

Halfway through our spree, I turned back to re-examine one of the items the sales clerk had labeled for us. That's when I noticed it:

My fit of giggles lasted all the way to lunch.

little plate of happiness: satay

What's not to love about meat on a stick?  This vendor at Pandan Jaya Night Market sells grilled chicken smothered with sambal (chili sauce), beef, and a variety of satay in between.  Five sticks of the satay of your choice will set you back RM 2 (US $0.57), served with a homemade spicy peanut sauce on the side. 

Now if only I can convince people to make the tomato a hand fruit...

break time

Above photo taken from nataliedee.com

Blogging will be light while the hubby and I take a much-needed break.  I'm sure I'll have much to report next week!