I mentioned in a previous JBR about arranging to visit my friend Billy to look at the new 'villas' he has built on his land in Tabanan. For those who aren't familiar with the location of Billy's restaurant in Legian, it is on Jalan Sahadewa [aka Garlic Lane], between Jalan Melasti and Padma.
We were finally able to settle on a day that suited us girls, Bill and Katak. September is a very busy month for the Balinese. There have been heaps of ceremonies. We also discovered in the coming days, there would be many weddings, as particular dates in late September 2006 are considered to be fortuitous for a long and happy marriage. Many friends had been quite busy with various commitments. First we had book day, then red pencil day, chalk day, machinery or metal day and then bloody engine day when people adorned their cars and motorbikes with decorations. Mind you I found even the Balinese are skeptical about some of these ceremonial days and are fed up with the costs involved. I have to tell you it was highly amusing watching the staff at the villa precariously trying to balance beautiful offerings on the engine of the pool pump / filter that is housed in a tiny little hot box. The things they go through for their gods and traditions.
We had arranged for Katak to drive to Tabanan in his Kijang and had asked him to be bright eyed and bushytailed for a 10.00am start. Allie and I were at the villa and Raels was now staying at Suri Wathi so she was waiting as agreed on the corner of Jalan Sahadewa and Padma streets at 9.30am. At 9.45 I rang Katak who assured me he was awake and would be there SOON! ..":Hon, don't forget to pick up Raels" ..were my last words. Truth be known Al and I were a little under the weather - now isn't that unusual. We had crawled into bed around 4am... I tried phoning Raels mobile to tell her Katak would be there SOON, but it was switched off. Remember this is a woman who packed 9 bras and forgot things like power adaptors and the battery charger for her camera so she was preserving the battery until she could recharge again.
At 10.15 Al and I both have the OMG where are they look on our faces. Maybe Katak can't find Raels, maybe he has gone back to sleep, maybe Raels is asleep. Why doesn't anybody phone or sms us? We eat breakfast and wait a little longer. At 10.30 I pick up my mobile and phone Katak. " Oh really, uhuh, mmmn, but who, and, oh well how long will you be, and where is Raels ??"
Did you know that the Balinese really don't like to fess up to when there is a problem? And the problem was? Just minor, like a brother is using the Kijang to attend a ceremony. Poor Katak has been trying to locate his brother to get the car back and can't find him. As time is ticking away and we are expected at Billy's home around 1.00pm for lunch, I say well just go hire a car for the day. About 30 minutes later Wayan, Katak and Raels arrive with hired Kijang and our road trip is underway.
We are heading to the Candi Kuning markets first, to purchase a bunny rabbit for Katak, plus neither Raels or Allie have been to the markets before and they would like to do a bit of shopping. Realizing our time frame is now impractical and it is likely we will be late for lunch, I sms Billy that we probably wont arrive until around 2.00pm. The markets are probably around 30 minutes further on than where Bill lives. Given that the entire island runs on jam karet [rubber time] an hour late should make us arriving just about on time. Haha!
We wander around the stalls and the guys head off on their secret men's business looking for rabbits. Al and Raels make a few purchases, tops, spices, thongs a wood carving, while I photograph the fruit and flowers. Katak & Wayan return unhappy with the selection of rabbits on sale. He says .." too small, we try somewhere else on the way back to Bill's house..." I round everyone up and we go have a drink in Crackers bar. After sitting back and relaxing I was surprised at how much time had passed and died when I realized we were now running really late. Katak was determined to get another rabbit, so we detoured not far from the markets. About 15 minutes later he appeared with a beautiful dark grey fluffy long eared wabbit. This fine specimen is promptly named Stu. The guys have no idea until we explain that Rabbit Stu [stew] is something some people eat. OMG NO ! exclaims Katak. The funniest part of this is that he had bought a male rabbit to mate with his female rabbit. Driving back down the hill, he suddenly starts muttering to himself...Kl@ng! Kl@nt! Kl@ng! [expletive deletive]. I am saying what on earth is wrong, why the big drama. ...."OMG Jill I just bought a male rabbit and I think I already have male rabbit at home, I got confused"... We are all laughing as he shakes his head in disbelief. We name the happy couple Bryce and Stu and tell him it won't make any difference they will still fornicate like the clappers regardless of what sex they are, just no babies.
Finally, we arrive at Billy's house some 2 hours late. Jam Karet ? Fashionably late ? Nah, just plain rude and we apologize profusely. Billy just shakes his head and says..." yeah bloody local's never on time"... and laughs. He leads us through the family compound to the newly built villas and I am quite simply amazed at what he has achieved. When I visited Billy in December 05 he had shown me the land he had bought at the rear of the family property and it was just a vacant block. In April the building was underway but the transformation in those few short months is nothing short of sensational.
If you are looking for a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and would like to experience staying within a traditional Balinese family compound, then this maybe an ideal opportunity. I would suggest that Hill Billy's is designed and situated as an overnight/two night "getaway/retreat" option. The location is great, roughly an hour out of Legian, about 20 minutes from Ubud and about 30 minutes from the Candi Kuning markets. A little further up the road is Lake Bratan so the opportunity to explore without having to venture far is also a plus.
Entry to the villa compound is over a small bridge complete with running water and waterfall. The beautifully manicured gardens are an oasis in this peaceful retreat. Traditional Balinese hand carved, hand painted double doors adorn the entrance to each villa. The 'villas' comprise of 2 ground floor and one upstairs. Each 'villa' has a king size bed, television and dvd player. The bathrooms each have a toilet, hand basin, bath and separate shower.
There is a separate undercover bar and bbq area on the property for relaxing the night away. A stunning lagoon swimming pool and spa sit in front of the 2 ground floor rooms. The upstairs villa has a wonderful view over the adjacent rice fields.
After having a good look around we sit in the bar area sipping on a cold drink. The guys have a fishing rod hanging over the back wall as there are carp in the pond which forms part of the 'river' that runs under the bridge at the entrance. Billy's lovely wife has started bringing out trays of food for us for our belated lunch. It is mouth wateringly delicious. We have grilled chicken in spices, rice and this wonderful curried soup that is actually made from banana tree. We were all suitably impressed with the food and Billy explains that he hopes that guests staying at Hill Billy's will want to eat traditional home cooked Balinese meals such as this. I cant imagine why anyone wouldn't want to. It was a real treat to try something entirely different to what tourists are normally served up.
Unfortunately, Hill Billy's was not completed while I was in Bali, but it is now. The rooms were not yet furnished and the pool was about to be tiled. I spoke to Billy last week and everything is now done. I will most definitely be heading up to stay for a bit of r&r when I return. I think it will be a truly unique experience, total relaxation. My thanks to Mic who has kindly uploaded my photos and overview from this JBR along with contact details etc, and I believe she will post the link for me, thanks again mate.
Around 5.30pm, all totally relaxed and not wanting to leave we thank Billy and his family for their hospitality and bid them farewell. We arrive back in Legian in just over one hour. But it's not long before we are out again and this time in Billy's bar in Legian to catch up with Sticky Licky, Caz and randy Mandy from Sandy Crutch Bay just around the bend from rough rider rapids... and nup! that story and how the name came about is staying in Bali for sure.
A week or so later Katak and I sit in Bali Cyber Café downloading some information. I do a quick google search and print the following page for him to read. He is totally aghast as he looks at the sheet of paper. I am told in no uncertain terms the rabbits are pets Jill not for makan......I guess you had to be there but I still laugh at the look on his face.... :- )
Rabbit 'Stu'[Stew] Recipe
Ingredients:
1. 1 rabbit, quartered
2. 1 cup red wine
3. 1/2 cup whole grain mustard
4. salt, pepper, fresh or dried thyme, fresh dill, to taste
5. 1/4 cup olive oil / 1/2 cup chicken broth
6. 2 onions, sliced / 4 carrots quareted
7. 4 celery stalks, & 4 parsnips quartered
8. 2 cloves garlic, minced
9. 1/4 cup of each worcester sauce / chopped fresh parsley & dill
Directions:
1. Season rabbit, rub with mustard, cover with wine and marinate overnight.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350'.
3. Remove rabbit from marinade, lightly coat with flour, save marinade.
4. Heat olive oil in large pan and brown rabbit on all sides, set aside.
5. Sauté vegetables, onions and garlic in hot oil for five minutes, until slightly browned.
6. Place rabbit, sautéed vegetables, marinade, worcester sauce and chicken broth in large baking dish.
7. Add salt, pepper and herbs, to taste.
8. Cover and bake for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, depending on size of rabbit.
9. Remove from oven, remove cover, let it sit for 15 minutes.
10. Taste broth, add more mustard and worcester sauce, if necessary.
11. Sprinkle with parsley and dill .Serve with crusty bread and soft cheeses.
NOTE:
Owing to other commitments at the moment I have cut this jbr short rather than delay posting any longer. I hope the last JBR's will be done by or on the weekend Those will cover the birthdays etc, Hope you enjoy this one. Cheers :- )