ABSORBING and delightful—Mr. Budi, a retired math teacher known for his antics, decided to take a vacation to Bali. This time, his goal was not to relax on the beach or enjoy a luxurious spa, but to go fishing in Tanjung Benoa. He had heard that the waters there were rich in exotic fish.
With burning enthusiasm, Mr. Budi rented a small boat and a local guide named Wayan. Wayan, a friendly and experienced Balinese man, was initially impressed by Mr. Budi’s enthusiasm. However, that impression soon turned to confusion and laughter.
“Mr. Budi, the bait you use is… white bread?” Wayan asked, holding back laughter.
“Of course, Wayan! These fish must be bored with worms and shrimp. White bread must be a pleasant surprise for them,” replied Mr. Budi confidently.
Of course, none of the fish were interested in Mr. Budi’s white bread. Meanwhile, other anglers around them managed to catch big fish using traditional bait.
“Mr. Budi, maybe we should try another bait?” suggested Wayan patiently.
“No, Wayan! I have a backup plan,” said Mr. Budi as he took out a calculator from his bag. “I will calculate the probability of the fish eating this bread. Using a mathematical formula, I will find the optimal point to cast the hook!”
Wayan could only shake his head while holding back laughter. He had never seen anyone fishing with a calculator.
After several hours without success, Mr. Budi finally gave up. “Okay, Wayan. Maybe the fish here prefer math to bread,” he said with a laugh.
An Unforgettable Culinary Adventure
After failing to fish, Mr. Budi and Wayan decided to look for lunch. Wayan recommended a famous seafood restaurant in Jimbaran.
“Here, you can enjoy fresh grilled fish with Balinese spices,” said Wayan.
Mr. Budi, who was still curious about the taste of Balinese fish, agreed. They ordered a large plate of grilled fish, fried squid, and plecing kangkung.
When the food arrived, Mr. Budi was surprised to see the size of the grilled fish. “Wayan, is this fish or dragon?” he asked jokingly.
Wayan laughed. “This is red snapper, sir. One of the best fish in Bali.”
Pak Budi began to taste the grilled fish with gusto. “Hmm, it tastes amazing! The seasoning is spicy and fresh. I’ve never eaten fish this delicious,” he said with a thumbs up.
However, Pak Budi’s culinary adventure did not stop there. When he tried the fried squid, his eyes suddenly widened. “Wayan, why does this squid taste sweet?” he asked in confusion.
Wayan explained that the fried squid at the stall was cooked with a little sugar to give it a unique sweet taste.
“Sweet? Squid is sweet? This must be a culinary conspiracy!” exclaimed Pak Budi with a laugh.
They both laughed out loud while enjoying the delicious food. Pak Budi realized that Bali not only offers natural beauty, but also unforgettable culinary uniqueness.
End of Story
Mr. Budi returned from Bali with many funny stories and unforgettable experiences. He promised to come back again, not to fish with a calculator, but to enjoy the natural beauty and delicious Balinese cuisines. And of course, to make Wayan laugh with his silly jokes. (*)
