Bali will always have a special place in my heart.
Perhaps it’s because it proposes a hundred different kinds of picture-perfect of sunsets depending on where you are in the island, or maybe because of my love for arts and crafts, but I do truly believe that the Balinese people have a natural sense of aesthetic. I am also completely enamored and enthralled by the Balinese food culture and cuisine. One thing for sure is that my memorable Balinese experience was even made more extraordinary by my day spent coming across this wonderful family who showed me an experience I will never forget.
Style Details
Top & Denim Shorts | FROM MANILA
Shoes | ALEXANDER WANG
Sunglasses | CÉLINE
Rumah Desa, in Bali, offers a wonderful day encounter spent learning how to make a truly genuine Balinese fare.
Now, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you’ll know that I am an absolute food connoisseur. For me, a city, a town or a country can best be told through an authentic local meal. So you can imagine my excitement when Rumah Desa opened up their family home to allow Styleat30 to experience their bona fide Balinese Cooking Studio. Together with my team, my girls Celestine who’s based in Singapore, and Kartika who’s based in Jakarta, we ventured on to a new adventure inside the compounds of Rumah Desa.
Wayan, our official Rumah Desa guide and interpreter, picked us up in our beautiful villa at the Viceroy Bali (see Styleat30’s official Villa in Bali here & here). Another guest, a tourist from Germany, joined us and we watched in awe how Wayan was able to switch and speak in different languages and interpret everyone’s comments so everyone can participate in the conversation. We later learned that he was self-taught and his skill has truly helped Rumah Desa become a global sensation it is today.
Rumah Desa left us a breathtaking first impression. I’ve always wanted to follow suit Julia Robert’s Balinese moment in the blockbuster film “Eat Pray Love” and here in Rumah Desa with its stunning gardens and its simple yet impressive architecture, that moment happened for us. Rumah Desa’s setting was in the most authentic of Balinese villages. Wayan even toured us around the neighborhood and allowed us to hike in the lushest Balinese forest, and unto a nearby rice field where we saw first-hand what a daily life of a local villager would be like. Back in the studio, we were showed how spices are made into a paste that serves as a flavorful base for Balinese dishes.
After a diligent and energetic day working the kitchen, we then all gathered around the table and enjoyed the courses we prepared for the day and enjoy an authentic Balinese meal that was prepared by none other than us!
Fruitful was the only word that I can think of to describe what we did today, as we got to know the locals in the most enthusiastic and dynamic of ways. I’ve always been a city girl but lately, I have really been so much more appreciative in the unique ways the countryside has charmed me. It is true what they say: The way to a person’s heart is through the stomach. Here in Rumah Desa, expect to be culturally enthralled – body, mind and soul.
Thanks to Rumah Desa | Jl. Raya Marga-Apuan KM. 8, Banjar Baru, Desa Baru, Kecamatan Marga, Kec. Tabanan, Bali 82181, Indonesia | +62 812-3954-987