Behind the Mast: December 2012

Face on the wall .

Indonesia is synonymous with adventure. Had I discovered these lands in my 20's, the only limitation would have been how many of the 17,000 islands could I reach before exhausting my visa. Following the equator, Indonesia stretches between Malaysia and Australia in a long intoxicating sweep. The diversity is staggering, alluring, and inspiring. There are snow capped mountains, dense jungle, sandalwood forests, deep green rice paddies, Borneo, Bali, and of course, the Kamodo Dragons. The diversity is a travelers fantasy, but it's the mixture of people and cultures that's most appealing. Bali leads off the adventure but only now, have I realized how much more there is to explore. Whether it's a dreamy remote beach, monkey forest, or Bali all-nighter, this place really scores! And lets not forget the fabulous food. If time permits, I plan on taking one of the many Balinese cooking classes offered at several of the local restaurants.

Mr. Sudarma leads the way. Trina followed along through the ritual but was not allowed in the spring waters.

The Balinese Hindu's make a visit twice a year to the Holy Springs Temple, located in northern Bali. We decided to go along with Mr. Sudarma and I asked if I could participate in the rituals and prayers. The answer was yes and the water was clear and very cold!

Mr. Sudarma brought the offerings and I followed his lead.

The ritual involves flowers, which you crumble in your hands and place in your hair and behind your ears. There is food and money placed at the alter, lots of incense, and prayers. The Hindu's pray for things, such as; their children to be good people with strong hearts, and health, and prosperity.
Once in the pool of spring water you pass each spout of flowing spring water and dose your head under while praying for whatever it is you are requesting from the universe. The Balinese Hindu's believe God has many names but is always the same one God. Very Cool.

At the Alter

Berrrr. The water was icy cold.

These young men were culinary trainees from the large cruise lines. We chatted in the line and they took to calling me "chef".

Ron and a wet cold cookie

Dragon head at the fish pool. Not part of the holy spring.

Banana Lady; Love the way they carry things on their head.

After praying and purifying in the holy waters it began to rain, (the worshipers take this as a good omen) so we headed back to Denespar to shop for Thanksgiving. Turns out, the watermelon we bought was yellow! Very delicious and sweet. Isi was amazed by the seedless wonder and hoped to find a package of seeds somewhere to take back to Fiji, so her father could grow the yellow anomaly.

The Feast

Thanksgiving was a few days after the fact, but we had to make it on a Sunday so our 25 Indonesian guests could attend. 12 of those guests were from the police headquarters, as their Captain had helped me with a difficult situation with our previous delivery crew. I won't go into it as it is not worth talking about that particular Swedish "meatball". I was so happy to find Turkey at the mega market in town. I tried something different this year with the turkey and by god, this was the juiciest most delicious turkey I have ever prepared. I submerged the turkey in salt water for 12 hours, (Not in the ocean-ha ha) rinsed it, dried it, and prepared it as usual, with the exception of placing it breast down in the roasting pan and turning it only one time after 3 hours in a 325 degree oven. The bird was 14 pounds and roasted uncovered. When I placed it breast up, I basted it only that one time. It was browned, juicy, and super moist. I have always wanted to try this technique but was dubious as to the outcome. Also, leaving poultry out at room temperature for 12 hours seems like it would cause food poisoning. No so! I am doing my bird this way every time!

THE MENU:

Turkey, Mexican Quiche, Green Salad, Sweet Potatoes with Cashews and Apples, Cranberry Relish, Stuffing, Gravy, Grilled Tuna (compliments of police Chief Subiran) Fruit Salsa, Tomato Salsa with Corn Chips, as appetizer, Pumpkin Pie from a real pumpkin (they don't sell it in a can) Banana Bread, Fruit Platter, and Flourless Chocolate Tort.

Desert table, but the Flourless Chocolate Tort had not been brought out yet, due to the high heat factor.

Ron and I jumped a small plane to Labuanbajo, to see the Kamodo Dragons. After all, you can't be this close to something so wondrous and not go see them. Kamodo Dragons are the largest living lizards in the world and the most venomous. They once existed in other parts of the world but were killed off. Indonesia has protected them and thus kept them from extinction. There was a time when Indonesia sent it's criminals to Kamodo, much as England sent their criminals to Australia. There is still a small village on Kamodo where the inhabitants live in harmony with the Dragons. Their houses are on stilts to protect them from the creatures and when they kill a deer they will leave certain parts for the Dragons to eat. Dragons can recognize specific people. Who would have thought? The Dragons, mate once a year in June. The males fight for a female and some mate for life. Check out the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/petterlindgren/2872503990/ A Dragon can live to be 50 years old. The female makes a nest in the dirt consisting of several holes. She lays up to 25 egg,s, placing 3 in each hole and guards the nest for 9 months, leaving her nest, only to find a meal. Yes, Dragons have a gestation period, like humans, it takes 9 months. Only 3 out of 25 will survive, as predators will eat them and male Dragons will also eat them,because they are cannibals. The young Dragons are about a foot long and live in the trees to survive, eating small insects, birds, and whatever else crawls by. They also find holes in the trees in which to hide by night. Dragons hunt by day and can swallow an entire large wild pig at one time. They regurgitate the hair and bones after digestion. Dragons lay in the sun after a huge meal, to aid in digestion, as the meal could turn toxic, because their digestive systems work very slowly. Dragons eat only once a month.