Indonesia Archives - On The Road Now

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.

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.

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