Last time we visited Bali, we reported on the local delicacy called Babi Guling, or the ceremonial stuffed young pig. We tried hard to like it, sampling versions from different vendors. Despite our general love for the pig, we did not find this dish delicious. Too many uncomfortable colors, shapes textures -- gristly, gelatinous, crispy, orange, spheroid -- detracted from the taste, which was pretty run-of-the-mill pig with some fancy spices.
So far, we have opted against another platter-full. However, we did watch some guys preparing the babi guling before a ceremony in a village above Manggis, in East Bali. We felt uncomfortable.
We also admired pigs leading a more satisfying life on the beach at Amed. They had shade and ample slop. Beach Pigs on a Leash. Typically, we would walk quickly past a guesthouse that was next door to a pig farm on a beach, but maybe because of the fresh breezes, or the sand, they didn't smell at all. And, after we ordered a swine dish for dinner and saw the owner walk down the alley toward the pig farm, we knew dinner would be fresh.
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