Pasir Putih, the White Sands Beach

On Sundays mornings, Komang and I wake up with the sunrise and after a cup of coffee, head down to Pasir Putih, a short bike drive from our house.

At that time, we have the beach to ourselves, sand untouched,  turquoise water glistening in the morning sun. This is a place of serene beauty, unspoiled, peaceful, close to my heart and where I always want to return to.

Pasir Putih is a natural harbor, safely guarded by high cliffs of volcanic stone where many fishermen keep their boats. I love walking on the beach and looking at these beautiful little boats with their carved fish heads and brightly painted eyes to guide the fishermen through the night.

When we see the jukungs coming back towards the shore, we go to meet them and buy some of the fish they just caught.

Most of the time, it is awan (a kind of mackerel) 

but sometimes, we are in luck and they have caught snapper or umah umah, the most delicious fish for grilling.

Small warungs dot the beach, they are simple places where the freshest fish and seafood is served grilled and accompanied by the mandatory mie goreng (fried noodles) or nasi goreng (fried rice) with sambal and iced tea.

Mie Goreng with Prawns

Serves 2

4 raw prawns, peeled and chopped

1 carrot, julienned

1 1/2 cup of julienned cabbage

3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

2 shallots, peeled and chopped

2 bird's eye chlies finely sliced

1 tsp fish sauce

1 tsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) 

1 tsp kecap asin (light soy sauce)

1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil

1 scallion, finely sliced for garnish

1 package of  ramen style noodles

Boil the noodles for 3 or 4 minutes, drain. Blanch the cabbage and carrot for 1 minute, drain. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok and sauté the shallots, garlic and prawns until fragrant, add the kecap manis, kecap asin, fish sauce and sesame oil. Add the noodles, hot sauce and chilies. garnish with the scallion and serve.