This blog post is really overdue. It was supposed to be published like late last year, but I kinda procrastinate.
It’s not often that I traveled. I could conjure the places I’ve been to other than Malaysia with my one hand itself, and count with my fingers. Yeah I’m such a pathetic frog under the rock.
I managed to visit Indonesia in 2011, and it was a fun trip. Although it was more work related, I tried my best to soak up the experience and culture, especially the food.
Anyway I wasn’t a receptive tourist, I traveled with a group, and the work I had to do bogs me down. I was kinda grumpy most of the time. But as soon I saw food, that cheered me up, haha.
Like OMG, I love this Rotiboy Bread. One of my fellow traveler bought it at the airport and I got hooked. She offered me hers, and I gladly ate it, LOL.
When I was returning home at the end of the trip, I was looking for Rotiboy, to buy a handful to eat in Singapore, well sad to say I can’t find it in time. We had a short window as we were hurriedly transferring to our flight.
This was the view from my hotel. Palembang is like Malaysia, the kampung side. Lots of low-level housing and very few high-rise buildings.
I was told a lot of high crime rate here, and we were not recommended to go out alone. But I broke the rule, hehe. Because I look like a local, and I need to keep fit lah. I was the only one found jogging on the streets of Palembang, as everyone here either drives, or have a motorcycle.
Nobody walks!
This is Indonesia’s version of Ayam Penyet. If you were to compare the size of the chicken with the can, you can tell it’s really small.
We were laughing our ass off when this dish arrived. We were amazed at how small it was. We joked that I probably could swallow it one bite, and the dish probably killed a baby chick rather than an adult chicken for our belly pleasure.
Santai a local lingo meaning relax in English. And it’s appropriate that the poster was in my room, but of course it’s a contradiction with my very purpose of being there as I need to work, and relaxing was way down my priority.
All the photos taken here was with my iPhone, so forgive me if the quality is crappy yeah.
This is the corridor from my room leading to the lift. One of my fellow traveler from my group was also a health freak like me. So she found an innovative way to do cardio. That is to run up and down this hallway.
I guess as long nobody complains, just go ahead.
Anyway the hotel I was residing didn’t have a gym. So I had to improvised. I did lots of pushups in my room. I did so much, I was sick of it. I stayed off that particular exercise when I got back home for awhile.
Pushups are great, but nothing beats resisting a weighted barbell or dumbbell.
Two of my fellow traveling companion taking a respite under the shade. Although it doesn’t seem so in the photo, it was blazing hot. And don’t get me started on the humidity. Wow!
We all had our own jobs today, and when traveling it’s always wise to keep in check the boundaries you can cross, and which might just get you some barking orders from me to fcuk off.
The local public transport is very flexible but chaotic. If you get a honest driver, you’re in luck. So it’s wise to sort and book your traveling needs before coming here.
Also the traffic here is like any other place. Peak hours are impossible to travel, so you’ve to be up early to beat the morning crowd.
I had fun riding this beca. It was provided free by the sports organiser, to showcase local culture.
This was a common sight for us sitting around a table of food. If there’s an interesting restaurant, or food on display, we’ll be there with our ever increasing bulging belly in tow.
Looking at this photo above, at how ‘skinny’ I was, and compare to my size now, I’m amazed at my gains.
Well this is another place we makan. The prata there compared to here and Singapore is totally different. For one the gravy is totally not nice.
Only Indians can make the real thing, curry. I’m not stereotyping, but complementing.
Another thing the prata is damn thick, looks odd but surprisingly soft and great to munch on.
A typical dwelling at the city. Looks like Malaysia right.
Everything is so enclosed in the city, while there’s lots of land in rural areas. Again just like Malaysia. It’s like I’m visiting Johor, haha.
I had my first taste of deer meat, and it wasn’t nice at all. I didn’t enjoy the deer noodle meal. It kinda irks me just thinking about as the waiter cheat my feelings only, saying it’s their bestselling meal.
My readers out there, if you happen to disagree and had a great experience eating deer meat yourself, oh well looks like I’ve got the short end of the stick. A bad cook perhaps.
I believe this was our last big meal before we left Indonesia. It was at a restaurant where different food are found on your table. You will only pay for the plates of food that you consumed.
Yeah abit like how our local sushi restaurant works.
We all loved it, as there’s so many kinds of dishes to cater to our different tastebuds. We went twice in total, and would have gone more if we had more time.
As for me, I whack practically every food there is on the table. The food there is cheap, and I’m willing to spend. Never ever get short when it comes to appeasing your cravings, just eat.
I’ve a high metabolism anyway, so don’t hate me.
Well that’s the end of my entry. Here’s a last shot of the airport at Palembang. See you again Indonesia.
