Bali and don't forget the Noodles!!!!!

Bali, Indonesia is a few hours from Australia by plane. A beautiful lush, green and tropical island. 

This is a good website http://www.bali-paradise.com/

I first went there over 30 years ago when Bali was very different from today. It was quiet and not commercial.

You moved around the island in strange little taxis called "bimos."

One of the main places to stay was the "Bali Beach Hotel."

You shopped at Kuta Beach, there were not many places then. When I went shopping the women did not want local currency (Rupiah), they wanted to sell clothes and other souvenirs for my lipsticks and perfume. It was strange, but it was great and I proved my skill at bartering!!
 
One day, I caught a sail boat from Bali to an island not far away, "Turtle Island". There was not much on the island other than large turtles and sand! Going over was great, there was pleanty of breeze to keep the sails going. On the way back, the breeze dropped and we ended up having to take turns with the paddle (Note for next time: Take a motor boat!). 

The hillsides are beautiful and green. A trip to the mountains is a must.

Even though Bali has changed over the years, it still is a lovely place to visit with many places and retreats to stay.

Bernadette Rice Noodles

Ingredients

100grams of rice vermicelli noodles
1 large onion, sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
2 sticks of celery, diced
10 large fresh green peeled prawns
1 tablespoon fresh crushed garlic
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
1 tablespoon of sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon soya sauce
Chopped shallots for decoration 
Vegetable oil

Method

In a large bowl, place the dry noodles and cover with boiling water, leave to one side.

Place a large, non stick fry pan or wok on the stove on medium heat. Put in the oil and then add the garlic, onion, carrot and celery. Cook until tender, then add prawns and keep stirring for a few minutes until pink. Take pan off stove.

Drain the noodles, then add to the prawns and vegetable mixture. Return pan to stove and add the oyster, soya and sweet chilli sauces. This should only take a few seconds to mix through. Keep stirring so it doesn't stick to the pan.

Take off stove and serve in nice, individual bowls and decorate with shallots. Chopsticks are a good idea too.