On The Road Now

February 15, 2024February 15, 2024

JIUFEN – A Mountain Jewel in Taiwan

Last month we spent several days in Taiwan, sightseeing, shopping and taking care of a couple of important errands.

Most of our stay was spent in Taipei, but we did manage a day trip to the historic mining town of Jiufen, now a popular tourist destination in the mountains northeast of Taipei.

With scenic panoramic views, dozens of curious shops and galleries, and more eateries than any two people could sample in a month, the picturesque village provided a fascinating getaway from the urban bustle of Taipei.

Here are some of the colorful sights from our daylong adventure.

click on each thumbnail for more information about the image

August 31, 2023August 30, 2023

Pumpkin spice: More than cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger

BALI, INDONESIA – Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks. And a week or so earlier, Dunkin Donuts announced the return of their own pumpkin spice coffee drinks.

Honestly, I’ve never tried either one of their flavored drinks. I prefer my pumpkin spice in its original form – fresh-baked pumpkin pie! It’s been my favorite dessert since I was a kid growing up in Ohio.

Since moving to Indonesia, I’ve discovered a surprising link between Starbucks, my favorite Midwest childhood dessert and a group of tiny islands in eastern Indonesia. Curious?

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August 12, 2023

Kuningan procession in Bali, Indonesia

Here’s a short video of a Kuningan procession passing by our villa in Ubud, Bali.

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023

Galungan-Kuningan: A feast for the eyes in Bali

Penjors line the street in Bali Indonesia during the Galungan-Kuningan holiday

BALI, INDONESIA – Galungan gets underway this week here in Bali.

A major holiday celebrated by Balinese Hindu people, Galungan marks the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness). It’s a time when the spirits of the ancestors return to the Earth and are present among the living.

The ancestral spirits will return to the afterlife on Kuningan day, at the end of the 10-day holiday period.

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May 5, 2023May 5, 2023

Sago Cakes – a traditional Spice Island taste treat

Cut into individual segments, the sago cakes are ready to eat — Fresh, hot palm sugar-filled sago cakes, ready to eat

SAPARUA ISLAND, INDONESIA – A short caravan of funky minibuses hauled our group on a bumpy ride through the jungle. We were headed from our beachside landing to our morning destination in a rural island village.

The road had been paved with concrete sometime in the last century and was sorely in need of resurfacing. But the bouncy ride was all just part of the adventure.

We had come to watch our hostess, Oma Nelly (oma means grandma in the local language), demonstrate how she makes traditional sago cakes. Our guide, Leo, explained each step of the process.

Continue reading “Sago Cakes – a traditional Spice Island taste treat”