Traveler in a Suitcase!

Bali

Jala Food Court, Renon: December Blues, Overcooked Grilled Chicken, and the Crispy Savior

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Bali

Nalu Bowls Seminyak: Macaronis vs. Uluwatu, Add-On Math, and Why Your IG Pic Needs Extra Fruit

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72 Hours in Bangkok: Street Food Pilgrimage, Som Tam Feelings, and Getting Lost on Purpose

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Bali

Goodbye, Moka & Jiro: A Mango-Tree Memorial (and a Love Letter to “Just Local Dogs”)

I wanted December to be soft. Christmas lights, not this.
Instead I’m standing by the mango tree, naming the ground.

The beginning (Putih, Google, and seven tiny storms)

Putih showed up first: skinny, stubborn, collar on, shower-hating, loved by the lane. One day he wandered and never came home.
We adopted a pregnant stray we called Coklat (my cousin, chaotic neutral, renamed her Google).
She had seven puppies: six boys, one girl. Rehoming local pups was hard, but kind adopters found four. We kept Moka (mocha fur), Jiro (don’t ask why: family lore), and Kinpoy (kinpatsu hair, anime brain).

I left for Japan two weeks. I came back; Google was gone. Soon after, Kinpoy died in an accident. The person apologized properly. I still hated reality. Grief and logic rarely shake hands.

Two brothers who fought over food (and everything else)

Moka and Jiro stayed. They argued like siblings, loved like siblings.
Moka had a bad accident once. We ran to the vet with swollen eyes and no pride. It cost a lot. It was worth it. He lived, limping and determined.

We trained them not to roam. Jiro preferred the garage, Moka still flirted with freedom like Putih did. Our street sits too close to the main road. People see; not everyone understands.

The two goodbyes

In November, I found Moka lying by our door the same way he had during the first accident. Except this time, there was no breath to call back. We buried him by the mango tree.

Yesterday, I bathed Jiro, combed his fleas, hugged him a ridiculous number of times. He smelled like soap and second chances. Today I came home with treats and found him sleeping near my car, the kind of quiet you can’t wake.

Now they’re together. I’m trying to be okay with sentences that end there.

Things I wish people knew (about “just local dogs”)

Collars and vaccines matter. Mine had both. They weren’t “strays.”
Local doesn’t mean less. It means ours.
Culling is common here. Fear of rabies becomes fear of any dog.
Please notice the collar before you raise a hand.
Please notice the person who loves them.

I’m not here to blame a stranger and carry that weight forever. I’m here to say I loved them, and losing them this way hurts worse than age or illness. It feels preventable, even when I can’t point to a single villain.

What I can do next (and maybe you can, too)

Keep pets inside/secured near busy roads. Freedom with fences.
Tag collars with name + phone. Make it obvious: someone’s family.
Talk to neighbors/security about vaccinated community pets.
Support local rescues; share adoption posts for local dogs (they’re the last picked and the first lost).
Teach kids to read dog body language. Fear shrinks when knowledge grows.

For Moka & Jiro (and Putih, and Kinpoy)

You waited by the garage for the sound of our keys. You ate like the world would steal your bowl. You learned “no,” “stay,” and my footsteps. I didn’t protect you perfectly. I wish I had. I hope puppyland has mango shade and zero traffic.

I’m still deciding about adopting again. Love is brave; I’m tired.

For now, I’ll water the mango tree and say your names until they sound like thank you.

ikkel

, by travelerinasuitcase

Bali

The Harvest Pattisier & Chocolatier Sunset Road Bali

Bali finally rained after two months of sauna cosplay. Night temps ~28°C, which is basically winter to my pores. I can sleep again. My Wi-Fi? Worse than ever. My camera roll? Full of food I forgot I ate. Balance.

December also means birthday season for 80% of my friends, which turns me into a confused personal shopper. One thing I can always pick: cake. So we went to Harvest.

Step one: inspect.

Step two: pretend to be decisive.

Step three: leave with snacks you didn’t plan to buy.

What we ordered (prices I paid)

🥐 Vanilla Cronut IDR 25.000

My snack-at-home choice. Flaky, buttery, lightly sweet, Dangerous if you have movie marathon.

before we buy, we inspect first lololol

🍰 Oreo Cheesecake IDR 28.000

Taste: solid Oreo cheesecake, not cloying.
Look: the strawberry garnish had a Monday. Flavor wins, presentation needs caffeine.

🍫 Choco Cheesecake IDR 28.000

Chocolate-forward, not too sweet (I like).
Macaron color? Chaotic. Please pick a lane, little cookie.

🥧 Quiche Lorraine IDR 14.000

Savory intermission so we don’t pass out from sugar. Tasty, neat portion.

🥤 Drinks (two humans, three beverages = math)

Frozen Green Tea IDR 35.000 (sweet; ask for less sugar)
Faluda IDR 38.000 (also sweet-sweet)
Iced Lemon Tea IDR 25.000 (the adult in the room)

If I complain about weight later, please cite this paragraph back to me.

Vibe check

Store design: elegant. Marble/clean lines/“take photos of me.”
Plating on some items: not as elegant as the room (still tasty).
Rain outside + AC inside = correct December mood.

Pros & cons (quick scan)

Pros

💸 Cronut at IDR 25k = reliable joy
🍰 Cakes are not overly sweet (bless)
🥧 Quiche as a salty reset
☔ Cozy spot for rainy-day dessert runs

Cons

🎨 Some garnish/colors look mismatched vs the fancy interior
🧊 Green tea/faluda run sweet by default, ask for less sugar

Tips if you go

If you’re sugar-sensitive: say “less sugar” on frozen drinks.
Balanced haul = 1 sweet + 1 savory (quiche) + water so you can still blink.

Happy December fellas! I still inlove with this month
ikkery pamyu pamyu

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Monomola “Sexy Red” Lip Tattoo Review

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Bali

Bali Heat, No Rain, and the Upside-Down Ice Cream That Didn’t Fall: Dairy Queen (Mall Bali Galeria) Review

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