First annual Bali Thanksgiving day enjoyed by guests from three continents

This year instead of celebrating my country Canada’s Thanksgiving Day, which is held in October or my friends Thanksgiving Day held in America I decided to hold the first annual Bali Thanksgiving Day.

After all, why is it only eight or nine countries in the world celebrate Thanksgiving.

We have a lot to be thankful for living in Bali, especially since it is ranked as one of the top Islands in the world for living standards and tourism.

It’s also one of the top islands in the world for real estate development and profits.

Every year for many years now I’ve held a Thanksgiving dinner at my home.

This time I decided to call it Bali Thanksgiving,

I invited my traditional close friends from Ireland, America, Indonesia, friends and relatives from Bali and Java. 

Throw in one Filipino family for good luck and myself of course from Canada and you have the makings of a very special first annual Bali Thanksgiving.

Normally our restaurant at our Emerald Villas does an excellent job on cooking a beautiful turkey along with all the traditional Thanksgiving trimmings.

This year when one of my best friends Patrick Murray, who worked previously as a chef at a Michelin restaurant offered to cook the turkey along with everything else including the desserts. I jumped at the opportunity.

I was concerned because our Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey dinners in the past have been flawless especially when mom was around to cook them.

This year my mom is going to turn over in her grave when she hears me say that it has been the best turkey dinner, I’ve had in my entire life, which is a very long time.

Patrick and his wife Joy now own a specialty meat shop in Seminyak the  "( Meat Mart Semer"  Jl Baliku No No.1, Kerobokan, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361.The first thing that makes for a memorable start of any good turkey meal is a high-quality turkey which was provided by their shop.

Hours: 

                                               Open

 ⋅ Closes 8PM

Phone: 0812-9327-5403gle maps)  Tel # 09162873190 

Then the turkey has to be treated with love, care and professionalism which is exactly what happened when Patrick pre-cooked everything at home and then brought it over and finished at our home on the beach in Bali Paradise Beach Estates.

His wife Joy and I were lurching over the meal as he prepared it because neither of us had had anything to eat prior to the estimated 3 PM dining time. 

Close friend and personal doctor Dr, Yudhy and his lovely wife Yohana were also present.

Add lots of help from a restaurant staff and our home staff including Komang our private housekeeper and final preparation went very smoothly.

 

From Right Azizah, Yohana, Patrick and Joy

From Left Joy,Clare,Patrick,Darius, Lawrence, Aziah, Yohana, Dr Yudhi

 While Patrick cooked the boys played pool along with my good friend of over 35 years, David Howell and cousin of my wife Fifi along with our two boys Xander and Darius plus Joy and Patrick’s son Aldon.

 Their cute little princess Angela who was in her last few months before being born living right here at this location was a hit with all.

Longtime American friend David Howell

Patrick cooking in the kitchen

Azizah and Yohana

 Patrick went all out and included everything from delicious Brussels sprouts., zucchini, carrots and potatoes to die for.

 The dressing, which we call stuffing in Canada, was exquisite.

 Finally, the meal was prepared, everything was perfectly heated, and the presentation was superb.

It was the kind of meal that even the next morning you wake up and your tummy is happy.

It was all topped off with some delicious homemade desserts including exotic fruits, apple pie, special puddings which I can’t remember the name of and you have what has been and may very well be the best turkey meal ever.

Before we began consuming this divine meal, I decided to ask everybody to hold hands.

Because of the multitude of religions at the table we decided not to have a prayer but asked each one to state verbally what they were thankful for during this first annual Bali Thanksgiving.

From left cousin FiFi son Darius son Zander and son of Patrick  Aldon

 Who knows. Word may spread when people realize that we in Bali also deserve to have a time that we put aside to be thankful for all the wonderful things that we have in our lives.

Especially the opportunity to live on such a beautiful island with such wonderful local people.

The only problem with such a special meal is how do you duplicate or out do it in the future.

We will certainly try next year. Hopefully Patrick will once again be the chef.

Many thanks to Patrick, Joy and their son Aldon who got up very early in the morning to start preparing this fantastic Thanksgiving meal. A fond memory indeed.