Feb 26, 2018 - Semarang (Java) Indonesia

History: Long a center of Hindu-Buddhist empires and an important trade center of the Dutch east India company in the 17th and18th centuries, the island of Java is Indonesia “s repository of history and culture. The bustling port of Semarang was founded by the Dutch and the island shows their colonists past. Not as pretty as Bali, city shows The problems of over population, living conditions not very pleasing. Many walk around barefoot and urinate/deficate wherever is convient, very sad. Average wage is $200 per month.

Feb 26, 2018 - Java, Borobudur Monument and police escort

OMG!! What a bus ride from Borobudur to Semarang! We had a police escort for our convoy of 8 buses, to and from the port and Borobudur. According to Ade, our Indonesian cabin attendant, it’s the only way to cover the 60 miles distance in any reasonable amount of time. We had police cars, lights and sirens, in front and behind, clearing traffic. Also, at major right hand turns (think left turn in US) there was a flagman holding traffic for us. We were bus #8, the last one. At one point we got separated from the pack (not sure how) and our...

Feb 24, 2018 - Bali Indonesia (half way on our journey)

History: Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty. The island”s rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all natural things- from mountains to streams to sand on the beach, lending the island a very peaceful air. Denpasar is the capital and is filled with temples carved from white coral. The harbor was filled with so many boats all going full speed in all directions. Unbelievable and so fun to watch. One hundred US dollars equaled $1,350,000 rupiahs Michele had a great time in all the shops.

Feb 24, 2018 - Bali, Land of Temples

Very different sailing into Benoa, Bali, Indonesia today than the other places we have been. First, we arrived at noon instead of 7 or 8 in the morning. Second the harbor is noisy, buzzing with holiday activity. People are waving, yelling and screaming as speed boats pull Parasailers, big inflatable rafts and banana tubes. Next is the jet skiers buzzing around… all of this sharing the narrow channel we are in. Lastly, every 10 minutes a big passenger jet flies overhead on final approach to the airport across the harbor. The hustle and...

Feb 23, 2018 - Komodo - There be dragons!

Komodo Island National Park comprises 3 islands, with about 1,000 dragons on each of the islands. There are also 5 other islands with dragons with another 500 or so. First thing we notice ,is the only sign of habitation is a small a town nestled by the beach in one valley. Our ship sails by the town to a lonely looking pier a couple of valleys away. We are wondering where is the everyone. Dragons ate them? Some boats start to show up and finally we can see some buildings back in the trees near the pier. There are surprises as we prepare...

Dec 31, 2017 - Happy New Year

Here we are, New Year's Eve and we're now into part two of our cruise. Our ship returned to Singapore yesterday where some 2,400 of our fellow passengers disembarked and we were joined by 2,400 new travellers. Around 400 guests remained on board for this second stage. Since our last update we'd been taking things easy while cruising the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand until our arrival in Thailand to allow us a visit to Bangkok, the first time for us. The ship docked about 2 hours from Bangkok so it was a long drive there (and...

Dec 13, 2017 - Samosir Island and onwards to Java

Samosir Island on Lake Toba Sunday 2nd December to Thursday 6th December We had planned a four day stay on beautiful Samosir Island, an island in the middle of the vast Lake Toba, reminiscent of the Italian Lakes.The aim was relaxation after our energetic bursts at Bukit Lawang and the volcanoes at Berestagi. The trip across to the Island was quite remarkable we were met at the jetty before getting on the boat at Parapet and our luggage was carried down a very narrow and rickety gang plank for us, when we reached the Island 30 minutes later...

Dec 13, 2017 - The Island of Java, Jakarta and Yogayakarta

Java We flew into Jakarta airport arriving later than expected around 10 pm after a two hour flight on which we were the only Europeans. We negotiated the ticketed taxi service and headed into Jakarta to our hotel the Ibis. It was clear our driver who spoke to the taxi fixer as we got in that he really was not sure where we were going. He spoke no english and we had difficulty trying to help him, google maps is often a mystery to us, it certainly was something above and beyond mystery to him.it was a 40 minute ride along one of the very few...

Oct 3, 2017 - Pulau Sempu Nan Mempesona

Pagi itu jadi pagi yang cerah dan membahagikan untukku, karena baru pertama kalinya aku pergi ke kota malang yang awalnya kukira tak memiliki pantai. nggak nyangka aja ternyata pantai di malang itu sangatlah indah, apalagi salah satu pantai yang menurut saya unik. jadi ada pantai di dalam sebuah pulau. hah!!!! serius ada pantai di dalam pulau, bukannya kalau di dalam pulau namanya danau. bukan yang ini beneran pantai di dalam pulau. jadi ada pulau yang namanya pulau semp udi malang dan di dalamnya ada pantai yang namanya segaranakan. Untuk...

Oct 3, 2017 - Arc The Triomphe

kalau kamu pengen pergi ke paris dan pengen afirmasi jangan lupa mampir ke kediri, disana ada gumul yang mirip sama arc the triomphe di paris. nggak percaya? pokoknya keren, jadi gumul itu adalah persimpagnan yagn ad adi kota kediri, seperti putaran gitu, dan ditengahnya ada bagunan yang mirip dengan arc the triomphe i paris.kalau kamu mau masuk kesana dan bawa kendaraan pun harus parkir di parkiran yang ada di sebrang gedung gumul dan ada di pinggir jalan masuk ke bawah gitu, nanti akses ke gumulnya kamu bisa lewat bawah tanah dan tembs...

Aug 14, 2017 - Delightful Indonesia

My trip to Indonesia Location: South-East Asia Currency Used: IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) Main language: Indonesian From the exotic white sands in Bali to the vibrant city of Jakarta, Indonesia has something unique to offer everyone. With extremely inexpensive accommodation and local food, its no wonder Indonesia is a popular tourist location. I hope you use my experience in this guide to plan an amazing trip to Indonesia. Be sure to visit some of the lesser known areas in the country and just not stick to Bali and Thousand Islands! Indonesia...

Jul 24, 2017 - Ulun Danu Temple

For today, I booked a tour that would go to the North side of the island. I ended up paying significantly more but I got the car to myself and sort of was glad not to have to go with any tourists from China or something. I was surprised when the car arrived. I was expecting a small car and driver. What showed up was a large van, a driver, and a guide. Then, before we could get out of the Taxa Uma parking space, the salesmen who booked my trip showed up to check on his boys and make sure I was ok. They were boys. The driver was Puta and I'm...