May 15, 2013 - Relaxation and Goodbyes

We finally made it home today, but spent the last 1.5 days of our time relaxing with our friends and eating more food/sharing a few 'tangs. We met a couple from Chicago at breakfast - Jenny and Sean - who live about 2 miles from us in Chicago. On their honeymoon, Jenny asked David about his cubs hat while Sean sat there in a White Sox one. David had stalked them the prior day because of that hat, so if she hadn't struck up a conversation, he probably would have. Amanda and Ryan came into Ubud from the W in Semanyak for monkeys and the 6 of...

May 12, 2013 - Four Seasons

May 10th: We sat by the pool for the better part of the day. We also ate at a fab little restaurant called Kendi Kuning which was recommended to us by Amanda and Ryan (they went a few nights ago). A pretty special place, the owner will come pick you up and drop you off from your hotel with a reservation. The restaurant is located right on the beach, and as you walk in, you can see the fresh seafood in coolers up front. You can hand pick what you would like to have them prepare for you. We ordered the jumbo prawns and red snapper, both of...

May 9, 2013 - Auntie Puspa and Le Meridien Opening

PAON COOKING CLASS Our best day yet in Bali. This morning we arranged to take a cooking class in Ubud at the home of Puspa and Wayan (family name unknown). A cab picked us up at the hotel and took us into Ubud, about 1.5 hours away. We arrived at the local market in Ubud where we had a tour with a guide and about 12 others who were taking the class (from Australian, France, Belgium, Nepal, and the US). After seeing the stalls first hand and buying saffron at a remarkable price of 2.5 US dollars, we headed to the family's rice field where...

May 8, 2013 - Tour Fail

Today it rained. We still worked out and ate, but our morning was spent in the room rather than poolside. We arranged for a hotel car and tour guide to take us on a 1/2 day tour. The tour was supposed to include Tanah Lot, the Royal Temple (Taman Ayun), and the monkey forest. Unfortunately, the day was not spent so successfully. Ryan and Amanda decided to join us on the tour. As it is by hour and not by person, it was actually a perfect adjustment to our plans for both the company and the price. I now, however, feel a bit badly that they...

May 7, 2013 - Another day in paradise

After another early morning trip to the gym and massive breakfast, we spent the late morning/early afternoon with Amanda and Ryan. After some pool time, they took us up the beach to a small local restaurant where we ate whole fried fish, spring rolls, and Bintangs - it's always Tang o'clock somewhere. Prices here, like at Lia Cafe, were far more reasonable than the hotel. The fish, for example, cost $60,000 rupiah, or $6 US dollars. A small beer at the hotel was $6 US dollars and here only $3 for a large which is at least 2x bigger. We made...

Apr 28, 2013 - Indonesia - 28/4-

7/5/13 - Firstly, Indonesia blew me away from the word go. Arriving in Yogyakarta (pronounced Jogjakarta)it really did feel so different from all the other places I'd been to. Everyone was really friendly & the whole feel of the city was fab. As I hadn't been to this country before I wanted to throw myself in & so made my way to The Dieng Plataea a couple of days later by public transport to get a feel for the place. 130miles(not far) & 7hrs later(!) the charm had faded a little & I arrived up this mountain, surrounded by cloud & drizzle,...

Apr 15, 2013 - On Our Way

Our stay in Bali is short but it's a great way to start our adventure, we left Perth on Monday 15/4 at about 9.30am and arrived in Bali at about 1.00pm. Our old Friend Ronald was there to pick us up and take us to our hotel. It's our first stay at the Casa Padma and we are pleasantly surprised at how nice it is for only $90/night. We caught up with Alan & Jane Luke from Perth last night for a couple of drinks and a meal, after dinner Jules and I headed for a foot massage before heading to bed. This morning we had breakfast and a bit of a...

Mar 4, 2013 - Medan/Lembongan Island/Home Sweet Home

5 Lovely days in Tuk Tuk (yippy – a name I don’t have to memorise, then forget, then mispronounce, then forget again). Had the motor bike for 3 days, inspecting the surrounding villages, local markets and waterfalls. I think the fact that there’s hardly any tourists at the moment (it’s the rainy season) makes things that much nicer. Since Palau Weh we’ve been alternately bonding/moving on/reconnecting with quite a few other backpackers which is also very nice. One day, after biking around, stopped at our regular drinking hole and ordered...

Feb 19, 2013 - Bukit Lawang/Berastagi/Lake Toba

Reluctantly left Palau Weh, heading for Banda Aceh on the ferry. As we had a few hours to kill before our flight back to Medan, hired a (kind-of) taxi to drive us around town. He then showed us to an extremely battered, very ancient Bluebird (no door handles, no springs, everything that could be broken without actually disabling the vehicle was). Got in. After trying to start this heap of shit, the driver, in hysterics and apologising profusely, indicated that we had to get out and push. Happened several times but his embarrassment, coupled...

Feb 13, 2013 - The Island of Bali

Wednesday 14th February 2013 - Tanah Lot We left Java by Ferry for the Island of Bali on the 13th February arriving in Tanah lot after a long slow drive No scheduled activities today except for the option of watching sunset over the temple and then a dance performance, so a day of taking it easy. After breakfast we caught up with chores before going to the shore. The tide was in so it was mostly rock and full of tourists, many Japanese all having their photos taken with umbrellas for sunshades. The temple just off shore was surrounded...

Feb 5, 2013 - Ao Nang/Penang/Medan/Palau Weh(Sabang)

Next stop Ao Nang, which means in English “disconnect brain and relax”……nearly two weeks of just that, along with great snorkelling, too much beer. Back again at For You House which has been leased out to a Muslim lady. Unfortunately said lady has no English, sits behind the reception desk either picking her nose (a universal Asian practice) or watching very loud soapies on massages and TV. Makes such a difference if you bond with the staff – our regular lady, Braa, is leaving so should be interesting if we stay there again. Anyway, had a...

Feb 4, 2013 - Bangdung, Pandangaran, Yogyakarta, Seloliman, Mt. Bromo, Kalibaru, Tanah Lot, UbudJava,Indonesia

Monday 4th February 2013 - Jakarta to Bandung Group left hotel at 7am in taxis to Gambia Station for 8:25 am train to Bandung. Station busy with platforms above road level. Some trains coming through station with carriage doors open for ventilation and people almost hanging out. Women only carriages also evident. Train left 15 mins late. Reclining seats with foot rests and pillows; food service and sale of toys, puppets, wallets etc like duty free on aircraft. First sight of rice fields after leaving the city and the outskirts with lots of...