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Locals smell business at Games
Feeling worn-out and hungry at the Asian Beach Games' sailing and windsurfing venues on Serangan Island? Maybe you should try a traditional roasted seafood dish with a side of seaweed salad
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Feeling worn-out and hungry at the Asian Beach Games' sailing and windsurfing venues on Serangan Island? Maybe you should try a traditional roasted seafood dish with a side of seaweed salad.
Serangan Island, also known as Turtle Island, is located about 10 kilometers south of downtown Kuta. The area is quiet, high in humidity and far from beaches furnished for international tourists.
Ibu I Wayan Suki and Ibu I Wayan Hariasih are the only two vendors selling roasted fish there. The two humble eateries sit side by side in bamboo huts.
The two have been selling roasted baronang, tuna, kembung (mackerel) and jangki (white snapper) since the Games began last Saturday. They also sell seaweed salad (locally called bulung) and fruit salad with mango and cucumber.
"(The eatery business) is just for extra (money) on top of my main job as a seaweed farmer. It seems guests come here to enjoy my dishes,"Wayan Suki said while roasting a 2-kilogram baronang fish.
The prices of the barbequed fish's range from Rp 6,000 (US 60 cents) to Rp 15,000, while the seaweed and fruit salads are Rp 3,000 per plate. The baronang is the most expensive dish on the menu.
All fish are fresh from the sea and roasted without any additional seasoning. To add more spice, sambal (chili) is served along with warm steamed rice. Meanwhile, the seaweed salad is served with simple seasoning: grated coconut mixed with spices, salt and citrus juice.
Wayan Suki plans to keep on selling the local dishes until the Games end. Wayan Suki does not know what event exactly is being held near her village.
"All I know is many people come here to race (sailing and windsurfing),"Wayan Suki said.
Wayan Suki said she could earn Rp 200,000 a day when her hut was packed with visitors and Rp 50,000 on a calmer day.
Games officials Wali, Surya and Indra took a break time at Wayan Suki's hut for lunch.
