tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288705202024-03-07T14:18:56.589+05:30Asian SkyA warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does!Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-76096251384115086702012-11-08T08:52:00.000+05:302012-11-08T08:54:44.197+05:30DelDesigns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a couple of years since I did a blog entry. We moved from Indonesia to Germany and Asian Sky was on hold. Now we are back in Asia, living in Bangkok, Thailand and I have very good intentions to start blogging about Amazing Thailand. Watch this space! <br />
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In the mean time, I've kept myself busy with my DelDesigns and I would like to share it on here. Please take a look at my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DelDesigns">DelDesigns Page</a> on Facebook to see what it's all about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcYBLD_E81vOwwFJq6XAeouY73gZKH6SVta5bxgGwbqb8zkXaS16uv1n83mSbNr0823Z-IRdCz7DKKioDJiEgH6J8wVi3uscZ_EYXQmTTptmewF6EB8J8qARtNPFy_ulBE9Ra/s1600/DelDesign+Brochure+-+canvas+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcYBLD_E81vOwwFJq6XAeouY73gZKH6SVta5bxgGwbqb8zkXaS16uv1n83mSbNr0823Z-IRdCz7DKKioDJiEgH6J8wVi3uscZ_EYXQmTTptmewF6EB8J8qARtNPFy_ulBE9Ra/s320/DelDesign+Brochure+-+canvas+art.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCqEYF8boq6js5NHFsp6QT_H79ms9c99JcS3V379s7ZTbqluXxv68T-eagapLmBj03hIbWGjIZSwgcW0KLrAR-YZXvCEGYPPWrKEytvMPPlgmrt5zPlfU-qYC8ZevKE_KbhtZ/s1600/DelDesigns+-+Personalised+Stationery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCqEYF8boq6js5NHFsp6QT_H79ms9c99JcS3V379s7ZTbqluXxv68T-eagapLmBj03hIbWGjIZSwgcW0KLrAR-YZXvCEGYPPWrKEytvMPPlgmrt5zPlfU-qYC8ZevKE_KbhtZ/s320/DelDesigns+-+Personalised+Stationery.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Tailored to meet your specific needs, I design contemporary, personalised canvas art and stationery for any occasion:<br />
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Birth announcements,<br />
Birthday invitations,<br />
Christening or baptism invitations,<br />
Bridal and baby shower invitations,<br />
Matching thank you cards,<br />
Wedding invitations<br />
Greeting cards – Christmas, birthday and special occasions<br />
Flyers and event designs,<br />
Unique canvas art incl. subway art/bus scrolls,<br />
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It doesn't matter where you are in the world...<br />
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CANVAS ART:<br />
~ Subway art/buss scrolls - personalised Baby Status, favorite places, cities of the word, house rules and many others.<br />
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You provide a list of places, cities, phrases, words (anything really) and I will design it. If located in Bangkok: I can arrange printing. Anywhere else, I will email the high resolution image that you can have printed at your local print shop.<br />
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~ Other Canvas art incl. children's name canvases<br />
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All designs are customized in a range of colours, themes that suit your decor (child's personality). Canvases are perfect for hanging on a wall or leaning on top of a dresser or bookshelf. Available in different sizes. Email: Deldesigns2012@gmail.com for a quote or more details.<br />
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PERSONALISED INVITATIONS/STATIONERY:<br />
You provide high resolution photographs and complete a custom design request form with information e.g. theme, colour scheme etc.<br />
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Design Proof emailed within 2 working days.<br />
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Designs are priced between $5-$20 (You Print). <br />
* Will incl. matching thank you card designs with all invitation designs.<br />
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You will receive a high resolution “4x6” .jpeg file via email. Print just like a photo or send it as an Evite. Quick & Easy!<br />
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Email: Deldesigns2012@gmail.com for a quote or more details.<br />
or Visit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DelDesigns">https://www.facebook.com/DelDesigns</a></div>
Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-60213633394175479702011-05-04T14:35:00.008+05:302011-05-12T01:28:21.487+05:308-11 October 2010 - Trip to Manado (Last trip in Indo)<p class="mobile-photo">We couldn't leave Indo without squeezing in one last trip and it of course had to be a dive trip. We couldn't decide which location should be our last and after speaking to a couple of people that have visited North Sulawesi we decided on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manado">Manado</a>. We initially wanted to go to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunaken_National_Park">Bunaken National Park </a>on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunaken">Bunaken Island </a>but because we weren't so keen to take our (then 5 month old) baby on a boat we opted for a resort on the main land.<br /><br />Friday, 8 October 2010 - We arrived in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manado">Manado</a> at around 10am and were greeted by the driver from the <a href="http://www.cocotinos-manado.com/?page=24">Cocotinos resort</a> where we were booked to stay for 3 nights. It was only a short 20 min drive and we stopped outside the resort. <a href="http://www.cocotinos-manado.com/?page=24">Cocotinos</a> is the closest resort to the airport and this of course has it's pro's and con's. It meant that we didn't have to sit in the car for hours and could get straight to the relaxing part of our weekend break. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ6V6LgVzI_J-aTfc-a2VPblbaG0VaXnD65ccf8PFZqpiQlmF86yZdF6uY-fTwuwYXuobcUKyIHdCpLgoLZ-v4VF8-_8YpU8lPqtJw1YCiEayKkiLDMUdo8dGyRUZueHFKv8K/s1600/DSCF2482-766471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784694331364402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ6V6LgVzI_J-aTfc-a2VPblbaG0VaXnD65ccf8PFZqpiQlmF86yZdF6uY-fTwuwYXuobcUKyIHdCpLgoLZ-v4VF8-_8YpU8lPqtJw1YCiEayKkiLDMUdo8dGyRUZueHFKv8K/s400/DSCF2482-766471.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Za7P3-TwuZwoTYuHqdfN5VdRY47sewZulx_1OXtLysI-nXTRCmfgCd0cKVv_sIXcfwPMcoFz3_uhcgd3oANYmqYPkR_o-KrHle450cfNYAKGa7TwsNelaPNaUZxkdIdaX97/s1600/DSCF2493-770558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784715887839026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Za7P3-TwuZwoTYuHqdfN5VdRY47sewZulx_1OXtLysI-nXTRCmfgCd0cKVv_sIXcfwPMcoFz3_uhcgd3oANYmqYPkR_o-KrHle450cfNYAKGa7TwsNelaPNaUZxkdIdaX97/s400/DSCF2493-770558.JPG" /></a><br />The downside is that the resort is in the middle of a kampung (village) so don't expect a breathtaking view and definitely not piece and quite. I'm not actually sure about other resorts in North Sulawesi, maybe they are all like this but there were no other restaurants or shops around so once at the resort you stay there. <em>Quote from their website:</em> "Unless you want to go and explore a number of other villages nearby, where you can experience genuine local culture in the everyday life of the villages".</p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">This didn't bother us at all though. I just thought I should mention it as it wasn't quite what we expected from looking at the pictures on their website. I would describe this resort as a rustic but leisurely dive resort. Emphasis on dive...</p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">We thankfully booked the Posi-Posi suite, which is what made our stay at Cocotino's worth it (well for me at least). The room was very comfortable and ideal for me and Svea to hang out in while Marc was out diving.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B5ylSy-n8i9zUUn-g4wQ2Z6hPSD_aB-lKienR2BPkXx6_wL6VN4gyU5L91iqyJFap0FZDiLNdV0x_P9v30YNvODNmjChyqAoFGZZleGjseGs-GjI2lUaAAPu5m5b1F3D-CdQ/s1600/DSCF2199-758098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784657258558290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B5ylSy-n8i9zUUn-g4wQ2Z6hPSD_aB-lKienR2BPkXx6_wL6VN4gyU5L91iqyJFap0FZDiLNdV0x_P9v30YNvODNmjChyqAoFGZZleGjseGs-GjI2lUaAAPu5m5b1F3D-CdQ/s400/DSCF2199-758098.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22ekCiiiGS6aaAHh0hcNDNcZLFRsboY-XMv5pQG92HEm7iOAdrr5K397bOyHFnhTXKLvu-cQDDXEBy-YQQ3JWraSDyX2l3gowc3Q6YDI5tb4H8U4MvVQNzhd11AYOm5RpoOH9/s1600/DSCF2201-759267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784662062739362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22ekCiiiGS6aaAHh0hcNDNcZLFRsboY-XMv5pQG92HEm7iOAdrr5K397bOyHFnhTXKLvu-cQDDXEBy-YQQ3JWraSDyX2l3gowc3Q6YDI5tb4H8U4MvVQNzhd11AYOm5RpoOH9/s400/DSCF2201-759267.JPG" /></a><br />Because of the very small pool (no kiddies pool) with no steps and non-descript pool and restaurant area, we spent most of our time in our room.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaZjY20-q6mnnBcWTIgSlbZiR7OTWp0EdESPq1Wd-ASq1nAKw_rhTT6vLU7yK0KArt9CGMjinHwmXOZJxw8oRksz0ny3tO7iMZp2so1x6ZJmV9dY8a20G42iPhKeAXm2ISyTI/s1600/DSCF2194-755123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784647152711282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaZjY20-q6mnnBcWTIgSlbZiR7OTWp0EdESPq1Wd-ASq1nAKw_rhTT6vLU7yK0KArt9CGMjinHwmXOZJxw8oRksz0ny3tO7iMZp2so1x6ZJmV9dY8a20G42iPhKeAXm2ISyTI/s400/DSCF2194-755123.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Our suite on the water's edge. The <a href="http://www.cocotinos-manado.com/?page=24">Posi-Posi suite </a>is a fantastic room and it does look exactly like it does in the pictures on their website.<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1x8FH6Luqahp1rHz3vcdTj8aB1MCoAyTfysEkfRxD0Ohiq-KuzMNc5y6sOTUsZ_13gGsTlwholBnEUYPZfTrLxzWHy-GU9AdRpLDAbr8a_D5TpaBYqVWRwmzZTIbLkAw4WPy/s1600/DSCF2191-753502.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784640558772290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1x8FH6Luqahp1rHz3vcdTj8aB1MCoAyTfysEkfRxD0Ohiq-KuzMNc5y6sOTUsZ_13gGsTlwholBnEUYPZfTrLxzWHy-GU9AdRpLDAbr8a_D5TpaBYqVWRwmzZTIbLkAw4WPy/s400/DSCF2191-753502.JPG" /></a><br /><em>The view to the right from our balcony.</em> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnp3mCE-8ihalB2HC9sbceYkNU6lm2VEPm_B-wLz7svDzrEKSJu5InzA2yKfPtvOPguRPstSC4-vHxn42bGEgiO3tn0t3rMbZRkfPkMsVjcNKR1Pku-dOkjMxlrM3cXDNphzC/s1600/DSCF2479.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605540601573606930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnp3mCE-8ihalB2HC9sbceYkNU6lm2VEPm_B-wLz7svDzrEKSJu5InzA2yKfPtvOPguRPstSC4-vHxn42bGEgiO3tn0t3rMbZRkfPkMsVjcNKR1Pku-dOkjMxlrM3cXDNphzC/s400/DSCF2479.JPG" /></a><br /><em>On the left, a ship yard which was quite an eye sore.<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvHEJvkmQMNhNIKX4jxdTOCcmJkKNrPgnHstnvWsBgTyh4IbAV-P5BKnkLHVLFGWIpCCrPdx_mWe9GTzEKfqNgJmpyk5JfgJFUMwS4iqfh1M3vG7Stlq8KCp9kZzZapZ08I2S/s1600/DSCF2457-764206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784686965127026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvHEJvkmQMNhNIKX4jxdTOCcmJkKNrPgnHstnvWsBgTyh4IbAV-P5BKnkLHVLFGWIpCCrPdx_mWe9GTzEKfqNgJmpyk5JfgJFUMwS4iqfh1M3vG7Stlq8KCp9kZzZapZ08I2S/s400/DSCF2457-764206.JPG" /></a><br /><em>View of a volcano, one of many in the area.<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseryvwa-0G2eWm3Os9IJTqTSRm2diXVJDRNMYDbA6Mih2K9ixGXx_To9eqKgt-sGNnFqSMmjvQG4i8_rJ5oXor-uk4d96BmSosJV0AWjUm-92kvAHNFj6N-dG-1063BYp77BJ/s1600/DSCF2198-756366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784649015506770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseryvwa-0G2eWm3Os9IJTqTSRm2diXVJDRNMYDbA6Mih2K9ixGXx_To9eqKgt-sGNnFqSMmjvQG4i8_rJ5oXor-uk4d96BmSosJV0AWjUm-92kvAHNFj6N-dG-1063BYp77BJ/s400/DSCF2198-756366.JPG" /></a><br />We went with an all inclusive package for approx. $200 per night, which in hindsight is very expensive for what we got. When there are more than 10 guests, meals are buffet style. But, because there were only 4 of us that weekend we chose meals from the a la carte menu and although the food was ok, I think the buffet would have at least been better value for money.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirTsQ6tqk7V2XxQsc3WVvksfo05vCBQmAdG_iW2r-yEgfTB6o0vLAjXBvEHoNoAaNzCfGDi0WLqhH4ngBjYwhTZWS0CiC-z59EPc6U48cjAddZvoaJgxzQ5WpuYbZ8U_TnJ7X/s1600/DSCF2366-760430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784669731620018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirTsQ6tqk7V2XxQsc3WVvksfo05vCBQmAdG_iW2r-yEgfTB6o0vLAjXBvEHoNoAaNzCfGDi0WLqhH4ngBjYwhTZWS0CiC-z59EPc6U48cjAddZvoaJgxzQ5WpuYbZ8U_TnJ7X/s400/DSCF2366-760430.JPG" /></a><br />It is a 20 min boat ride to the dive sights in the Bunaken National Park.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvzwn3ByAJDF9SjUIo3HnuaGOW0NsH2J85cAQU21kisej62Chw_f-eX0hmZTN6oCFnj87CF0Elkyt_GuO1F58G69-c4oeQn_vj88dBXUNdrM94s9esMWKFZLWU5CyVsCC8PAs/s1600/DSCF2467-765318.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784689821366146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvzwn3ByAJDF9SjUIo3HnuaGOW0NsH2J85cAQU21kisej62Chw_f-eX0hmZTN6oCFnj87CF0Elkyt_GuO1F58G69-c4oeQn_vj88dBXUNdrM94s9esMWKFZLWU5CyVsCC8PAs/s400/DSCF2467-765318.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_8OV2VBtgf9d1Plyvafv9pcbkh5LFN2JY6FTmVAIFo8S3fZOYzp7KjEVt0HXnY4Zg0Fn0N5gjsmVJ_sNz60pG4-UpTd6XZb_gthiBuqzUpa6cily7UM9ld7MEa5paHHgjWht/s1600/DSCF2488-768509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784702769311938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_8OV2VBtgf9d1Plyvafv9pcbkh5LFN2JY6FTmVAIFo8S3fZOYzp7KjEVt0HXnY4Zg0Fn0N5gjsmVJ_sNz60pG4-UpTd6XZb_gthiBuqzUpa6cily7UM9ld7MEa5paHHgjWht/s400/DSCF2488-768509.JPG" /></a><br />The Cocotino's pier.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO6F5S3vmwbG5W97gVj-7KJmPMT7ITPKg7jKJVEiZ1-gb7HcsNfvxxtjhMduI0eoFx2ojPxXuiO179rNwYl_xf57EZFaeZWU66-RuVOfMG1uSsuaBC8G5ABgEXbXjLajdguYw/s1600/DSCF2485-767523.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784699202219970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO6F5S3vmwbG5W97gVj-7KJmPMT7ITPKg7jKJVEiZ1-gb7HcsNfvxxtjhMduI0eoFx2ojPxXuiO179rNwYl_xf57EZFaeZWU66-RuVOfMG1uSsuaBC8G5ABgEXbXjLajdguYw/s400/DSCF2485-767523.JPG" /></a><br />The view of the resort from the pier.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gNmeq1HPJWlj3_pIZqyvvtX8EE7nzrSeAWXq7JWAol-2bNYJ4YWFYGdtyaHaIQ1KZi_N4MLdpS5On7hP9SnV4MIbEZupvYI5oCXTvDpS-ZbzYtq7b3nib2S8E8lLMzEWq-rg/s1600/DSCF2503-769457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784704554013746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gNmeq1HPJWlj3_pIZqyvvtX8EE7nzrSeAWXq7JWAol-2bNYJ4YWFYGdtyaHaIQ1KZi_N4MLdpS5On7hP9SnV4MIbEZupvYI5oCXTvDpS-ZbzYtq7b3nib2S8E8lLMzEWq-rg/s400/DSCF2503-769457.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8erTVCa8ZSSzY8z4bAuI2zEsAk56FuXEJVDYBN_B5P61j9tDWXL9vStEpDS_owYta6aTGL4ttVr3rNH1BvbJRjDlvj-pfusaz4Y8ZoWD4pPMwT_quqryh0zJE6mU8KLOVN5S/s1600/DSCF2435-763087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784680239972354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8erTVCa8ZSSzY8z4bAuI2zEsAk56FuXEJVDYBN_B5P61j9tDWXL9vStEpDS_owYta6aTGL4ttVr3rNH1BvbJRjDlvj-pfusaz4Y8ZoWD4pPMwT_quqryh0zJE6mU8KLOVN5S/s400/DSCF2435-763087.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpI3a6APXZ8jppxR2SlMtAYams-LbgULp0xIqvZMXdFZdccwTcIhymt03m89DpzkaRGvCA8g6BznmNYdoQxLVPtg5th5Cj4uUZgXlx4N_oHyeeapNwIX_CWsG4Uo8SKXvRmhf/s1600/DSCF2421-771704.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784718235934082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpI3a6APXZ8jppxR2SlMtAYams-LbgULp0xIqvZMXdFZdccwTcIhymt03m89DpzkaRGvCA8g6BznmNYdoQxLVPtg5th5Cj4uUZgXlx4N_oHyeeapNwIX_CWsG4Uo8SKXvRmhf/s400/DSCF2421-771704.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg16wja-zt4IBL3KmxgDz85rB4d3SyqV6Z9x9OQLIWiUzftMZRgizTA6ztbgpAGdUjU3fQ_808bbDrHDzhs0HNjhaAAw1C6Jh1NYvxOjChV9XfbmxmHdTaSyjpnekCFfNbJUK/s1600/DSCF2404-761893.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602784674969740290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg16wja-zt4IBL3KmxgDz85rB4d3SyqV6Z9x9OQLIWiUzftMZRgizTA6ztbgpAGdUjU3fQ_808bbDrHDzhs0HNjhaAAw1C6Jh1NYvxOjChV9XfbmxmHdTaSyjpnekCFfNbJUK/s400/DSCF2404-761893.JPG" /></a><br />Over all we did have a very nice and relaxing weekend. Marc, as always enjoyed the diving so he was happy with the choice in the end. I however, definitely wouldn't recommend this resort for non-divers. </p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-35356736385542871372011-05-03T19:59:00.007+05:302011-05-04T14:46:43.943+05:3016-21 September 2010 - Last trip to Bali<p>This post is looooooooooooong overdue. But rather late than never! The reason I haven't been blogging is because we no longer live in Jakarta. Maybe having had a baby (now 1 year old) might also have something to do with my lack of blogging.<br /><br />We moved to Neu-Isenburg, Germany (10km from Frankfurt) in October and sadly Asian Sky is no more ;-(. But, I feel like I have to finalise the blog and end off our time in Indo though and the below post is on our last trip to Bali.<br /><br />Thursday, 16 September - We were met at the airport by our trusty driver, Nyoman that drove us around for the 6 days we spent in Bali. Like the previous times we used him, he was always on time, friendly, helpful and a pleasure to have as a driver. I would highly recommend booking Nyoman for your next trip to Bali. His rates are really reasonable and very competitive. Contact: <a href="http://www.santorinibalitours.com/">http://www.santorinibalitours.com/</a> or Tel: +62 361 9194412<br /><br />It was approx. 1 hour 30 min drive to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedugul">Bedugul</a> where we spent one night at the highest golf course in Indonesia, <a href="http://www.balihandarakosaido.com/">Bali Handara</a>. Marc really enjoyed the golf and I particularly enjoyed the colder climate.<br /><br />The hotel however was a disappointment, really old and dated. We checked in and was rather annoyed and put off by how dirty the room was. The curtains were grey and dusty, the bed sheets tatty and it didn't look like they had vacuumed the room in weeks not to mention the big flies flying around that we couldn't seem to get rid of.<br /><br />Thankfully the staff were very accommodating and did their best to clean the room up. It is amazing what a good wipe with some disinfectant, a dust cloth, a good vacuum and clean curtains and bed sheets can do. Which is kind of what one expects for $90 per night? Unless this hotel has improved drastically in the past couple of months, I wouldn't recommend it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitctMV-aN2KQPyneQjYd8UWAQTpjGDWaoEaRQVs48Uh7QpyIky4bMnaKazCvXD7S1wRymj1OGwujVTnBQr0O2iPYxM3i6WfueEZwXQ1no_FsvxoXihVrd5qOR_XseaTn2pwRXU/s1600/DSC09136-760714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496907416416050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitctMV-aN2KQPyneQjYd8UWAQTpjGDWaoEaRQVs48Uh7QpyIky4bMnaKazCvXD7S1wRymj1OGwujVTnBQr0O2iPYxM3i6WfueEZwXQ1no_FsvxoXihVrd5qOR_XseaTn2pwRXU/s400/DSC09136-760714.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Wd_vur5yyji9gRcf9Ww4aR4ATDxNVNVPfDLKNU9vNoA-6D0orYO0AADwlpxCie9NvH8bVbZ6ssh8zOhI6RLHCZeMz32yiXT47GjwiBNpBO-4flkcSTstMtucC9NtGUz38J2W/s1600/DSC09133-762214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496914887852178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Wd_vur5yyji9gRcf9Ww4aR4ATDxNVNVPfDLKNU9vNoA-6D0orYO0AADwlpxCie9NvH8bVbZ6ssh8zOhI6RLHCZeMz32yiXT47GjwiBNpBO-4flkcSTstMtucC9NtGUz38J2W/s400/DSC09133-762214.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAVQQeoOzuX0LnG42gfJvOUNZXSyzeIjqAA1Z8Bo1lWD2KMWuQCfh2cl308qgxXbMkfkam_8HHsFQfztUJV-9Qd79e82Bw8rsPUuXWxfJkwWLGjhGwMcNTOYZgkJhxjkP0DxM/s1600/DSC09148-763171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496918814115890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAVQQeoOzuX0LnG42gfJvOUNZXSyzeIjqAA1Z8Bo1lWD2KMWuQCfh2cl308qgxXbMkfkam_8HHsFQfztUJV-9Qd79e82Bw8rsPUuXWxfJkwWLGjhGwMcNTOYZgkJhxjkP0DxM/s400/DSC09148-763171.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-Paq-6AqdYGUgGqrCaxEFZH0IE-N_C4sq2DIredoWp9gw-zI4Kjv-gKpSL2LvWZfWNwwOQqiHEVF80rDUGCIccWo7HdIvBRUP2U8N0NTyXxIbYp6ENhdsF-2maXZHJYY4A9X/s1600/DSC09155-764264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496920649869618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-Paq-6AqdYGUgGqrCaxEFZH0IE-N_C4sq2DIredoWp9gw-zI4Kjv-gKpSL2LvWZfWNwwOQqiHEVF80rDUGCIccWo7HdIvBRUP2U8N0NTyXxIbYp6ENhdsF-2maXZHJYY4A9X/s400/DSC09155-764264.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQe-T52-5bcIhfsfxvslHweksL0rYV0loGkh1Y_w4-9Xb764cUjg-zcQpvdFvG2WciaIupGduGifTUnStOwkeM4t8TD9reruNxyn-D92CcFkiYNZ6fbCMGpQCuSTvoXSrQYjC/s1600/DSC09156-765535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496927598211010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQe-T52-5bcIhfsfxvslHweksL0rYV0loGkh1Y_w4-9Xb764cUjg-zcQpvdFvG2WciaIupGduGifTUnStOwkeM4t8TD9reruNxyn-D92CcFkiYNZ6fbCMGpQCuSTvoXSrQYjC/s400/DSC09156-765535.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eQ-zlrLJtytri8bqdtAl50aSaAvRiEi_7IGHyeC21YtvrY3odY0y3UZ34-YcZifcxzR2ay-TniYz420QaP9g4EDUKH52eueQFX9b43_N1PdD1RcRsOahyWMOzUhMHVTKEj8L/s1600/DSCF1987-766732.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496934568989650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eQ-zlrLJtytri8bqdtAl50aSaAvRiEi_7IGHyeC21YtvrY3odY0y3UZ34-YcZifcxzR2ay-TniYz420QaP9g4EDUKH52eueQFX9b43_N1PdD1RcRsOahyWMOzUhMHVTKEj8L/s400/DSCF1987-766732.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkXn4aM9ijPG4f-IDe_IMEIMnFczt4jIcJrdz2ZT0iEIOLo9wf73g4WyTzT5VONzeBAHxhz6sng2ElFki19rJfrWpqvQESxgs4jY3Hs-PgoEJRafdh8Co9WkogLasSMs4SKbV/s1600/DSCF1993-767733.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496937550547330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkXn4aM9ijPG4f-IDe_IMEIMnFczt4jIcJrdz2ZT0iEIOLo9wf73g4WyTzT5VONzeBAHxhz6sng2ElFki19rJfrWpqvQESxgs4jY3Hs-PgoEJRafdh8Co9WkogLasSMs4SKbV/s400/DSCF1993-767733.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcokFKKuCTQL7jIfQq6bDEp1NEKOqe58NXqQ_U3oAnEltazmBFotXCm1Qc8Sb50o1IjTjaKvywSeGzH64qHLEnlTbTx9ZjLwaM8zvjfv_bRp6gumdBiOvZgBHdQrdiUFmJYle/s1600/DSCF1995-768964.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496942829541778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcokFKKuCTQL7jIfQq6bDEp1NEKOqe58NXqQ_U3oAnEltazmBFotXCm1Qc8Sb50o1IjTjaKvywSeGzH64qHLEnlTbTx9ZjLwaM8zvjfv_bRp6gumdBiOvZgBHdQrdiUFmJYle/s400/DSCF1995-768964.JPG" /></a><br />The best thing about this hotel was the golf (according to my Marc and the beautiful scenic views all around.<br /><br />Friday, 17 September - We were up early and after a deciding bad breakfast we were happy to be on our way to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Seminyak">Seminyak</a>. We arrived at the <a href="http://bali-agung.com/">Bali Agung Village</a> at around 10:30, and were lucky enough to check in early. We were booked into a garden view room which with a baby was just not suitable as there was no space to move around. Luckily they did have an Ocean view bungalow available which we quickly upgraded to. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0faw_iY_pGb8ESnO8O5qVpH-dgPsV0Vg4zZCFN8uwUBxf9Cx-tBsyoVKOeBTLs_wVTlpDDLwZY_EVq_XbNN6Ejff68PL5ftnmi-BLNaDOwjmEkyJOByasWiv9ilHV3VAdsZac/s1600/DSC09429-785571.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497016025653794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0faw_iY_pGb8ESnO8O5qVpH-dgPsV0Vg4zZCFN8uwUBxf9Cx-tBsyoVKOeBTLs_wVTlpDDLwZY_EVq_XbNN6Ejff68PL5ftnmi-BLNaDOwjmEkyJOByasWiv9ilHV3VAdsZac/s400/DSC09429-785571.JPG" /></a><br />We were happy to have more space for the baby bed and of course the added bonus of a sea view.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuhuA1jAo1r-a_F9KxMxYNabFdkTlanJH7JdYRNt4u-auXXK2r2e6bFhQad-sHheQuTV678u-W3oiKdxI_xgll0Sd_csgUmL3HyExHbFKk47l1tKGSO_qdfrxZdmPE99-isru/s1600/DSC09211-769984.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496950126903122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuhuA1jAo1r-a_F9KxMxYNabFdkTlanJH7JdYRNt4u-auXXK2r2e6bFhQad-sHheQuTV678u-W3oiKdxI_xgll0Sd_csgUmL3HyExHbFKk47l1tKGSO_qdfrxZdmPE99-isru/s400/DSC09211-769984.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShpv3X4naVKeqlJFV6EsRXZDZ9N9AwU4odBH_IhU41iwMyeCE2R9anwQVvP9A3zJGJQbKMLpjS7F-T6CelBF1IU-MsiXFbPCAp08kimuHP5LUdMgrPazc1Eh_FxBE57qH9ZGG/s1600/DSC09215-771094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496950909015026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShpv3X4naVKeqlJFV6EsRXZDZ9N9AwU4odBH_IhU41iwMyeCE2R9anwQVvP9A3zJGJQbKMLpjS7F-T6CelBF1IU-MsiXFbPCAp08kimuHP5LUdMgrPazc1Eh_FxBE57qH9ZGG/s400/DSC09215-771094.JPG" /></a><br />The gazebo right outside our bungalow.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO92zj4C2-3kn3aX3upD77027gXTw81ltUqMlJPkWm4Pjefpo25WG2_7oQVr_4rV0LRJzG8hlWb7C7e57h8rFRBLAmeHFqiRk9asA9x2VFNRqMdgSTRwf0gMWrjGZw15q4C9ks/s1600/DSC09231-772345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496954751284034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO92zj4C2-3kn3aX3upD77027gXTw81ltUqMlJPkWm4Pjefpo25WG2_7oQVr_4rV0LRJzG8hlWb7C7e57h8rFRBLAmeHFqiRk9asA9x2VFNRqMdgSTRwf0gMWrjGZw15q4C9ks/s400/DSC09231-772345.JPG" /></a><br />The pool is great. It also has a kiddies pool which was perfect for Svea's first swim.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8lUgVPBAkKjagCU_d0avPHvdx2Z_O9qPUXPbaZoiJeqhN38BCgm26wEld8eU_JJThBroydr0J5xuUJI0lva460AsDI4FZnVZnLAcqwhu7c4Ry9jMVCTu7TfIMUJLbe2Eo3YT/s1600/DSC09245-776396.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496976016430034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8lUgVPBAkKjagCU_d0avPHvdx2Z_O9qPUXPbaZoiJeqhN38BCgm26wEld8eU_JJThBroydr0J5xuUJI0lva460AsDI4FZnVZnLAcqwhu7c4Ry9jMVCTu7TfIMUJLbe2Eo3YT/s400/DSC09245-776396.JPG" /></a><br />The restaurant serves a good selection of western and Asian food. It is also a great place to sit and watch the waves rolling in, especially if it's a rainy day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JO4s6LOVqjqpfvWhuOCjFIx1g8n5Ealdc1QGdJqp6TmCkFd4lJAbD77Euj-n_2tBHfEeRETK6kgjipAZsrO574oaPRVyvhjqwI1VS33T0Bydu53kfLol3_1U-Ln50O78jMTe/s1600/DSC09264-778543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496982074185794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JO4s6LOVqjqpfvWhuOCjFIx1g8n5Ealdc1QGdJqp6TmCkFd4lJAbD77Euj-n_2tBHfEeRETK6kgjipAZsrO574oaPRVyvhjqwI1VS33T0Bydu53kfLol3_1U-Ln50O78jMTe/s400/DSC09264-778543.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RAPBZuJKM22dJrcL5vtoKOuvtG7cjCwIlnWvEGp8eJ9dCxFjVmPoYTZ2pV1rGq_BlhWpi0eOPb-EGNoDIXFaZDmKuzRPg4aoBD2XTScyYZAcKaYOXB2WhYmshkcrxy0gnuyR/s1600/DSC09306-779691.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496991790602866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RAPBZuJKM22dJrcL5vtoKOuvtG7cjCwIlnWvEGp8eJ9dCxFjVmPoYTZ2pV1rGq_BlhWpi0eOPb-EGNoDIXFaZDmKuzRPg4aoBD2XTScyYZAcKaYOXB2WhYmshkcrxy0gnuyR/s400/DSC09306-779691.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZI3zsMfJrlMDmEQamLaS9F51LpKJFRqGGdjj8ScM3kY67hjAZP6r4o677v_zaOamQFL60AhVluhCwjnJc3TEr-nGJpsNaQv7H61hKeMLP1jdvNJWiK_6AYdDzgk0QJzFdNZM2/s1600/DSC09312-780727.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496997077058146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZI3zsMfJrlMDmEQamLaS9F51LpKJFRqGGdjj8ScM3kY67hjAZP6r4o677v_zaOamQFL60AhVluhCwjnJc3TEr-nGJpsNaQv7H61hKeMLP1jdvNJWiK_6AYdDzgk0QJzFdNZM2/s400/DSC09312-780727.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYb8ZTCNol8scr3VkfvTZILB7iwk1jqrLZkYgKuu1nk8-pX5MQFxL1PoR7Jw8DEnD4JZPBSvva7hDHy60oL30Iu311bSeAKV7VP-nQozkv0Mj1LKyeBYexV5SXl__eUd8DI6e/s1600/DSC09346-781724.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602496997815624130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYb8ZTCNol8scr3VkfvTZILB7iwk1jqrLZkYgKuu1nk8-pX5MQFxL1PoR7Jw8DEnD4JZPBSvva7hDHy60oL30Iu311bSeAKV7VP-nQozkv0Mj1LKyeBYexV5SXl__eUd8DI6e/s400/DSC09346-781724.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDKBMPYBxNgDuGO2G0MFZoZQmW3NWb2Q_Sl3vuovP9vqsLspHj7pfRp9J_16DD4nnjvWgBTBeniEDqa5w-FRMN0yoRqAJAfXhGAD62zm4JjNgnsMGV1S5aQaHjwsbPLlDCNQl/s1600/DSC09395-782796.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497005682241602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDKBMPYBxNgDuGO2G0MFZoZQmW3NWb2Q_Sl3vuovP9vqsLspHj7pfRp9J_16DD4nnjvWgBTBeniEDqa5w-FRMN0yoRqAJAfXhGAD62zm4JjNgnsMGV1S5aQaHjwsbPLlDCNQl/s400/DSC09395-782796.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ8p2hrUD8F0TTIbNUM6Yt9yzptEBGkfVsoRCriNTaNEVU9z0wZ7rTpbxhukD0hp_yr2B2GtYnksjWeW0pFTDO7-B7R_3tk3QwzNCrmwmbWsnGr-fRkTGgj_k9a5BrP6AjpSE/s1600/DSC09409-784479.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497009127899394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ8p2hrUD8F0TTIbNUM6Yt9yzptEBGkfVsoRCriNTaNEVU9z0wZ7rTpbxhukD0hp_yr2B2GtYnksjWeW0pFTDO7-B7R_3tk3QwzNCrmwmbWsnGr-fRkTGgj_k9a5BrP6AjpSE/s400/DSC09409-784479.JPG" /></a><br />The dive centre right next door to the hotel was very convenient and Marc thoroughly enjoyed the diving.<br /><br />We really enjoyed our 3 night stay at Bali Agung Villiage and the streets of Seminyak with a selection of restaurants and fantastic shopping was great.<br /><br />Monday, 20 September - We decided to end our Bali trip off in <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Sanur">Sanur</a> at the <a href="http://www.tandjungsarihotel.com/">Tajung Sari Hotel</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuF5O34hy5xXMcY_Ecb_7AN0fGg2mMQiq1LuXJblyJqvnoyFLVxY-wRDLqFQP0iyLZ7FCQVzkQsDXDBA2kILXOJT-wjrtOgOO73np1VDwOI3aXZX_jjtR2bDtSNd5nOthlpEq/s1600/DSCF2011-708645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497115588520178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuF5O34hy5xXMcY_Ecb_7AN0fGg2mMQiq1LuXJblyJqvnoyFLVxY-wRDLqFQP0iyLZ7FCQVzkQsDXDBA2kILXOJT-wjrtOgOO73np1VDwOI3aXZX_jjtR2bDtSNd5nOthlpEq/s400/DSCF2011-708645.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-KqNLDpGsTPkLHgh1sYuLprHcJoFX19Uq-gPHJUmf7604BcwY2EZ6LPzpywvTXBf500P1dGR6RbdeR8B2rDk7LUpvJqGgqPq44NaxengApCQ2QtlE-wI7_1_NIjMbANm-e-6/s1600/DSCF2020-710471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497125909749522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-KqNLDpGsTPkLHgh1sYuLprHcJoFX19Uq-gPHJUmf7604BcwY2EZ6LPzpywvTXBf500P1dGR6RbdeR8B2rDk7LUpvJqGgqPq44NaxengApCQ2QtlE-wI7_1_NIjMbANm-e-6/s400/DSCF2020-710471.JPG" /></a><br />This hotel has a real old world charm and ensures for a relaxed. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC1nf-ZmHFYDIxndNhrytPUWcuFNTLZFKi9qEHF5oEeawcfYz1xtwK6clJIru-CfjLQO3gRBNa_AuWTN_L_tU8BmyRDSGA4uEqCtdNPFKIumQBxFcyjON-g8Wqb9l3iMZPKEh/s1600/DSC09441-789086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497030856248994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC1nf-ZmHFYDIxndNhrytPUWcuFNTLZFKi9qEHF5oEeawcfYz1xtwK6clJIru-CfjLQO3gRBNa_AuWTN_L_tU8BmyRDSGA4uEqCtdNPFKIumQBxFcyjON-g8Wqb9l3iMZPKEh/s400/DSC09441-789086.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWHEV2bKouUrFsV24WFhVOi3PMGDFhrVxbqFbqCZGg6AnbVGc7Z2fI7fK5QOBzv2kB_3utV10LIdMyzUmSqQtc3zYuQd3ojwLFxDt2AGLwIubnC_9vanDm0LYUwcV4mmhu59D/s1600/DSC09444-790417.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497034574363058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWHEV2bKouUrFsV24WFhVOi3PMGDFhrVxbqFbqCZGg6AnbVGc7Z2fI7fK5QOBzv2kB_3utV10LIdMyzUmSqQtc3zYuQd3ojwLFxDt2AGLwIubnC_9vanDm0LYUwcV4mmhu59D/s400/DSC09444-790417.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UUfSI8PxWjrSXq9skt0EDcxLwAeW2X_LdkEr5qXxJnLtVw6w3e1zyhxsTuHH1rmPSKddfhFJNNdbJZdyfAJgSVDFTJU7nGgFuOdl3HwTFOLiE8sUX-gsQtmxhKGfXBgDBSuk/s1600/DSC09446-792325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497043358223682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UUfSI8PxWjrSXq9skt0EDcxLwAeW2X_LdkEr5qXxJnLtVw6w3e1zyhxsTuHH1rmPSKddfhFJNNdbJZdyfAJgSVDFTJU7nGgFuOdl3HwTFOLiE8sUX-gsQtmxhKGfXBgDBSuk/s400/DSC09446-792325.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg5G-z7nfS5VgUNPZF8d1dvnmSwRf-cFVzO0Bo-wT1SHxoQRb2nWgkFNWpVlRTcWRVr346ph51nMOJQg2DAbtIY_NQ59EeJdISLgiId4KDbNJvpTGaE2Zl4UHTzSRmawUwnvX/s1600/DSC09447-794321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497056341539666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg5G-z7nfS5VgUNPZF8d1dvnmSwRf-cFVzO0Bo-wT1SHxoQRb2nWgkFNWpVlRTcWRVr346ph51nMOJQg2DAbtIY_NQ59EeJdISLgiId4KDbNJvpTGaE2Zl4UHTzSRmawUwnvX/s400/DSC09447-794321.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXbRCFUbfwEdGLc6TmxzThNEncaK_HZ9a26lP2gS0za9z9uVFW0MAjAYDgYOxTK9tzpZM5IjWWXrxZ17mmV0QHlNyS4-C42zxCsD-3jWOz7lhwxqXeKfaJqeOk4dDPE1lDqXx/s1600/DSC09470-796618.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497063857069954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXbRCFUbfwEdGLc6TmxzThNEncaK_HZ9a26lP2gS0za9z9uVFW0MAjAYDgYOxTK9tzpZM5IjWWXrxZ17mmV0QHlNyS4-C42zxCsD-3jWOz7lhwxqXeKfaJqeOk4dDPE1lDqXx/s400/DSC09470-796618.JPG" /></a><br />We stayed in the Village Baru bungalow, which was a real treat with it's lovely private gazibo where we enjoyed a great dinner, fantastic outdoor shower not to mention all the space in the room.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iVL0FTzQnnPqvubQNw7_twVJGfjULcXJ0enfirZ3eZiQnENJH3PzyGfj-rYwKVUF_tYAxLkxWpchB49foF_aW0zSw8w8LRU-VFtC0QBpjs9JppPSX-0kN7fGcLrRSQaPohgS/s1600/DSCF2006-701500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497079693916370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iVL0FTzQnnPqvubQNw7_twVJGfjULcXJ0enfirZ3eZiQnENJH3PzyGfj-rYwKVUF_tYAxLkxWpchB49foF_aW0zSw8w8LRU-VFtC0QBpjs9JppPSX-0kN7fGcLrRSQaPohgS/s400/DSCF2006-701500.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9_wBxWyN2nJFolE61ab_cDC6_CO0RnRZvKKmO4a7UhJvuICQD0it55eACWjzxkaCt0RJi7gC4V_SEAioeS1-2RpnsC_jhle6e2tl-eNDGZdfEpQvWorSSjZKBjpl35hU_XDQ/s1600/DSCF2009-703222.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497089858494802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9_wBxWyN2nJFolE61ab_cDC6_CO0RnRZvKKmO4a7UhJvuICQD0it55eACWjzxkaCt0RJi7gC4V_SEAioeS1-2RpnsC_jhle6e2tl-eNDGZdfEpQvWorSSjZKBjpl35hU_XDQ/s400/DSCF2009-703222.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_50ls6DAGg1aEL4cWOcPKQ10cGKFJ0QOhi5q1HkjZTGMG5lT6xbvywZPu0iuU7ep8WbbhjXpkELxRWzHdG228pWXalvV4b_Dhpz7qFmEzEtv-pW8oF4CCnEYuROrD_PrErjDf/s1600/DSCF2065-721474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497186353281410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_50ls6DAGg1aEL4cWOcPKQ10cGKFJ0QOhi5q1HkjZTGMG5lT6xbvywZPu0iuU7ep8WbbhjXpkELxRWzHdG228pWXalvV4b_Dhpz7qFmEzEtv-pW8oF4CCnEYuROrD_PrErjDf/s400/DSCF2065-721474.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUmVIv5nkxJXSgVmorXXu3EUafx8b2p3V1m1-EzWG-n9VuJrCe4edo-LVXvWHLOPXvOJUKZv75VIIHHMl-Ec7VhyNSefSY6ownq1zgCVqQVRbCdDaguo-prXYP_FCHm3zu-wE/s1600/DSCF2089-726207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497187157418162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUmVIv5nkxJXSgVmorXXu3EUafx8b2p3V1m1-EzWG-n9VuJrCe4edo-LVXvWHLOPXvOJUKZv75VIIHHMl-Ec7VhyNSefSY6ownq1zgCVqQVRbCdDaguo-prXYP_FCHm3zu-wE/s400/DSCF2089-726207.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrrwk3CGVHOHnzU2B1x9FWkolmb_DP5zopgXTY9yX9gM-FY-8mQAZ9hxWDggAnfCs4Wz6Edz9nfi9-DoAgpSG3RF4FpuYjeV7KnK6d4TMB0CdofzkEUAPtAlX5t3lGgjwhGe5/s1600/DSCF2003-799493.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497073276619714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrrwk3CGVHOHnzU2B1x9FWkolmb_DP5zopgXTY9yX9gM-FY-8mQAZ9hxWDggAnfCs4Wz6Edz9nfi9-DoAgpSG3RF4FpuYjeV7KnK6d4TMB0CdofzkEUAPtAlX5t3lGgjwhGe5/s400/DSCF2003-799493.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIhUEN-Y9w_CM0tsre7210zJkNv2p9KCqQujE0VQHbabmko9_9jccI2j3BnM9gB5i2hUrZaATWUB0ExogK3z4wJI7QwIUbHN5sx5jtez7AqWZnUN6kwz_9uCasSYIcmZlHebI/s1600/DSCF2046-718244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602497155384735890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIhUEN-Y9w_CM0tsre7210zJkNv2p9KCqQujE0VQHbabmko9_9jccI2j3BnM9gB5i2hUrZaATWUB0ExogK3z4wJI7QwIUbHN5sx5jtez7AqWZnUN6kwz_9uCasSYIcmZlHebI/s400/DSCF2046-718244.JPG" /></a><br />The pool area is basically an extention of the beach. Sitting on the terrace felt like being on the beach which was great.<br /><br />We were sad to end our trip, knowing that we were going to leave Indo in a couple of weeks. We do hope to return in the future though, as Bali still is on the top of our "Great holiday destinations" list. </p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-3609350676838122122010-08-02T06:56:00.021+05:302010-09-24T11:01:42.471+05:30My mom's visit - Trip to Bali, and Singapore<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_EUXyDVWL5Rnwi1s0Fu7M1YCD2xM9JfrfaI9V21Ij5lUzSKDCucnn7xh2-72i6pJl2U_mURbbeHs0VVUbYeCeEOZ8YB_Ea7vVLuY76NbXySBMT-gFbzxfGvUgZVuai2m-Ph2/s1600/DSC08170.jpg"></a><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOkxbi_fUiJog5gvhsZGFS0t32SSSFhos6MEQ5M7Ff0Sug41EvIqiQDbE4MXZNW7MgOjWcz7pIgCTg9RSadHncDxa97jiErDUEDKnUsJuBoDW12HZnWnaDe1hbMrAYmsbor_V/s1600/DSC08116.jpg"></a><div><div><div>We returned from Singapore with our 12 day old, bundle of joy on Monday, 9 May. Life as we knew it had officially changed and we love every minute of it.<br /></div><p class="mobile-photo">On Monday, 7 June my mom arrived from South Africa and as you can imagine she was over the moon meeting her first grand daughter. My mom arrived with a 20kg suitcase but only about 3kg of that belonged to her... the rest was all for little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9Du4u4iitktuz_w0pL_-wKTz-X0UkGy2_pw5LtWKH_zf5mi_y4afQ06Sb0fKSd4GJdELZN2NbRTFffP8gS1tJ64rXLhcP9ZsHDBkSbG668H2D4HiwW9u40aBBCluEgGP7M4p/s1600/Thank+You+very+much.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 383px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502560571498081938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9Du4u4iitktuz_w0pL_-wKTz-X0UkGy2_pw5LtWKH_zf5mi_y4afQ06Sb0fKSd4GJdELZN2NbRTFffP8gS1tJ64rXLhcP9ZsHDBkSbG668H2D4HiwW9u40aBBCluEgGP7M4p/s400/Thank+You+very+much.jpg" /></a><br />We loved spending time at home just "catching up" as we haven't seen each other for more than a year. Most of our time was spent just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oh'ing</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ah'ing</span> over the latest addition to our family. </p><p class="mobile-photo">My mom did get to see a little bit of Jakarta and we spend 6 days in Bali, a weekend at Ocean Queen and 2 days in Singapore. All in All a trip to remember...even if for the most part it consisted of nappy changes, bath time, nap time, preparing breakfasts, cooking dinner and washing dishes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9fqv_OFq_eBwQlN-784VNOzns99JAMFLPQOtN5RlHl-rX22JDXq3hGE4jgLHdmpc1F5cbjVCScO-52JmrM9BDztKfNMx02XSjwG5_O8VlTnBWFRTRPPflx-jqe_q3pMGKKTg/s1600/DSC07660-702025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617883823567298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9fqv_OFq_eBwQlN-784VNOzns99JAMFLPQOtN5RlHl-rX22JDXq3hGE4jgLHdmpc1F5cbjVCScO-52JmrM9BDztKfNMx02XSjwG5_O8VlTnBWFRTRPPflx-jqe_q3pMGKKTg/s400/DSC07660-702025.JPG" /></a><br />"I miss you, mom"! One thing for sure, one only come to "really" appreciate your own mother when you are a mother yourself. It was so nice to have my mom here and it was bliss, having an extra pair of hands in those early weeks. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for everything you did, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mamma</span>!</p><p class="mobile-photo">Below is a brief photographic account of our trip to Bali and Singapore and around Jakarta:</p><p class="mobile-photo">On Wednesday, 16 June my mom and I left for Bali and Marc joined us the next day. Our fist destination was the scenic and very relaxing <a href="http://www.ubud.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ubud</span></a> where we spend 2 nights just "chilling" at our bungalow and of course shopping for the many gifts my mom took back with her.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_uJjeJzf00NDDv6SQdKPQSdoAhgpanMIVLj15GH4E04SpmBozaIUHI8PfVThiqNjTz77jlz4n2tBVDYRIAS7oelzyK2EFcG8DgOnvBigu3Zy2b9oUB18XUSREi7ouFXaDh0s/s1600/DSC07690-703142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617887879955874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_uJjeJzf00NDDv6SQdKPQSdoAhgpanMIVLj15GH4E04SpmBozaIUHI8PfVThiqNjTz77jlz4n2tBVDYRIAS7oelzyK2EFcG8DgOnvBigu3Zy2b9oUB18XUSREi7ouFXaDh0s/s400/DSC07690-703142.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxV3rBms8lxvdYlX5ijXNoZq3KssHL0M24k2IejazkUqeDNQi1ObOJAJ6MONdFVQT1DfclDAMicubrJpAur-_HM4mKdu5GLlhcMBcXhptIhzQIm2yHAT6X0AwL1rPP8s9ei-A/s1600/DSC07699-704763.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617891214532386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxV3rBms8lxvdYlX5ijXNoZq3KssHL0M24k2IejazkUqeDNQi1ObOJAJ6MONdFVQT1DfclDAMicubrJpAur-_HM4mKdu5GLlhcMBcXhptIhzQIm2yHAT6X0AwL1rPP8s9ei-A/s400/DSC07699-704763.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszdBBLIe2bUt6Q-1X1pflX56usY0c51F3PR8mMS96wbLdRhShSlw5ULA2b_BrMwb39CMoJiW31MA1F9h_a1tw9HZ669RuK3_Hd2kEatDLJaJ-qneJg0D_sa_3iUNX4WaNR1jF/s1600/DSC07710-705953.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617899677176754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszdBBLIe2bUt6Q-1X1pflX56usY0c51F3PR8mMS96wbLdRhShSlw5ULA2b_BrMwb39CMoJiW31MA1F9h_a1tw9HZ669RuK3_Hd2kEatDLJaJ-qneJg0D_sa_3iUNX4WaNR1jF/s400/DSC07710-705953.JPG" /></a><br />We stayed at <a href="http://www.agungraka.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Agung</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Raka</span> Bungalows</a>. It was a comfortable but a very rustic stay. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UkVk7jRZbZx3cLurweku1Qoh4RS3uIeGJ-MgGIVV8XcggHtCTXSk0J58ohhHp1a74IHYBbh6hXej0DhYmw6jmGw95gwlkTA68eaE_lomNUlqrk0Diu8V9gRQxcQDZNdaCXej/s1600/DSC07721-706837.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617901004844018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UkVk7jRZbZx3cLurweku1Qoh4RS3uIeGJ-MgGIVV8XcggHtCTXSk0J58ohhHp1a74IHYBbh6hXej0DhYmw6jmGw95gwlkTA68eaE_lomNUlqrk0Diu8V9gRQxcQDZNdaCXej/s400/DSC07721-706837.JPG" /></a><br />Lunch at Bali Pesto.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hELMt2CaoBX6jgpCgtKb2MOqjhyhX1-ePnlgUFgyMvqVepfNQrzY3219qNtkmXq2z60mjKSGEKKLtGoLjZkG1DQ1iJNUi1623tJwlHX9J4VWiAOUwz7pEKH2Qlpme2vD6Ezz/s1600/DSC07728-710966.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617921715571618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hELMt2CaoBX6jgpCgtKb2MOqjhyhX1-ePnlgUFgyMvqVepfNQrzY3219qNtkmXq2z60mjKSGEKKLtGoLjZkG1DQ1iJNUi1623tJwlHX9J4VWiAOUwz7pEKH2Qlpme2vD6Ezz/s400/DSC07728-710966.JPG" /></a><br />Mom: "I have an empty suitcase, let's see if I can fill it"....And she did ;-)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRK3cPthBhqQhZRaqdYmxVQ4jNQWDDQSQq00tlZ7oXfJ0AY5rrsTx8V5JqGqbtp1FgCAmFZWWnR-JtQT6vIrT-ZQs3xuS8h7iZRuRW_oGmozVE8lEDll0lRpq3GLHTMsBAfqh/s1600/DSC07773-712230.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617928001200914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRK3cPthBhqQhZRaqdYmxVQ4jNQWDDQSQq00tlZ7oXfJ0AY5rrsTx8V5JqGqbtp1FgCAmFZWWnR-JtQT6vIrT-ZQs3xuS8h7iZRuRW_oGmozVE8lEDll0lRpq3GLHTMsBAfqh/s400/DSC07773-712230.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1sYgduFn00R8B6KrirjvDYW8IusMkwtAqH3eXERoISUZezkYfPcqAsvYRxYycQY56E8-X2k3mIJo1Dxoc7Q9R5yG4V3ZZCsK7OHd8n3Pnb3MkoAkayQsf7etusQo7T3Q6E1V/s1600/DSC07775-713119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617931889428642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1sYgduFn00R8B6KrirjvDYW8IusMkwtAqH3eXERoISUZezkYfPcqAsvYRxYycQY56E8-X2k3mIJo1Dxoc7Q9R5yG4V3ZZCsK7OHd8n3Pnb3MkoAkayQsf7etusQo7T3Q6E1V/s400/DSC07775-713119.JPG" /></a><br />On Friday, 18 June we made our way to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Nusa_Dua"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nusa</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dua</span></a>. We stopped off at the fantastic ceramic shop <a href="http://www.jenggala-bali.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jenggala</span></a> . Worth a visit if you are looking to buy ceramic ware. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2TbRVl5UTIw5IVBmjGgBLbuGoTjlkYX0-QAkFgKA7Nz4fvz4DIegY-abvIvp0-dlcfKgfSot75b3woQlRM8gIF5q_B4JuojLLBsi5gqIGNZFon9bwi3vt71lDrmQT06F9-_-/s1600/DSC07789-714219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617937459536418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2TbRVl5UTIw5IVBmjGgBLbuGoTjlkYX0-QAkFgKA7Nz4fvz4DIegY-abvIvp0-dlcfKgfSot75b3woQlRM8gIF5q_B4JuojLLBsi5gqIGNZFon9bwi3vt71lDrmQT06F9-_-/s400/DSC07789-714219.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4fJg03ktKO1my0VtOS6aFlqr8ecw3RLejn9uKoCyueOa7cj_RDbP2V_W9JHZGtRKl740G6jct5DxTSqgY28KV-Rcx3j5_jFut9Y9ifUilFqCbs5Ppz9l0ttuD3PF758f6wH0/s1600/DSC07791-716222.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617943479659250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4fJg03ktKO1my0VtOS6aFlqr8ecw3RLejn9uKoCyueOa7cj_RDbP2V_W9JHZGtRKl740G6jct5DxTSqgY28KV-Rcx3j5_jFut9Y9ifUilFqCbs5Ppz9l0ttuD3PF758f6wH0/s400/DSC07791-716222.JPG" /></a><br />We stayed at the <a href="http://www.nusaduahotel.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nusa</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dua</span> Beach Resort</a>, what a treat! Although I really do not mind the occasional rustic get away, there is just something about staying in luxury.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59wBGKwwSRFRGXZ4coQqSXc_unQvW8Emw1ydR3rLw-EkZR_5fnbnq8HTQiW4VAvUs5HxY29mEqJdg7ZQHkj28LGLCUblSPz-0ScLvSWB3G0yelgZsSUOABLRdMwApRVYf7WcX/s1600/DSC07847-718780.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617953658766578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59wBGKwwSRFRGXZ4coQqSXc_unQvW8Emw1ydR3rLw-EkZR_5fnbnq8HTQiW4VAvUs5HxY29mEqJdg7ZQHkj28LGLCUblSPz-0ScLvSWB3G0yelgZsSUOABLRdMwApRVYf7WcX/s400/DSC07847-718780.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span> getting a morning cuddle from her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">ouma</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1w8qL-D50Oas06Yq1ALHMRfEaAZDY9pD_qxy-lkSGJBTT3nLWMRC9CGdL7MHUGLIf_1XrWcbiYQXZnObqNMg1XzNeIN91Xw9Oqnt_WBcndW-LCvkXxGfg8zZ35J3WllXOpc_/s1600/DSCF1310-727973.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617998119124898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1w8qL-D50Oas06Yq1ALHMRfEaAZDY9pD_qxy-lkSGJBTT3nLWMRC9CGdL7MHUGLIf_1XrWcbiYQXZnObqNMg1XzNeIN91Xw9Oqnt_WBcndW-LCvkXxGfg8zZ35J3WllXOpc_/s400/DSCF1310-727973.JPG" /></a><br />My Mom and Marc with our driver <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nyoman</span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eFvNEs6S0nlsGnA8fzYmEPR0JoZlRIeM0tbhYmdKFUzn4-ylkQcvdMcmk6WdvIwO8oSAhXZC3G0AMLzdLeFiK1ZOTNlf2Kb5YDNZoR2mnCntwGq0R9eOQ9mubp4bBw1aknN5/s1600/DSCF1325-729887.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500618002274894098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eFvNEs6S0nlsGnA8fzYmEPR0JoZlRIeM0tbhYmdKFUzn4-ylkQcvdMcmk6WdvIwO8oSAhXZC3G0AMLzdLeFiK1ZOTNlf2Kb5YDNZoR2mnCntwGq0R9eOQ9mubp4bBw1aknN5/s400/DSCF1325-729887.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLD6650s5IDyrfY64UPC4-Wcbk4QsBtPZCrk_IPRfiN2Hb5Yv-WiTUXZB6z9P89PoYM59avrRzuqkJvaYpFG7hx2g4WD1X2RHR0tDd8YdOq07U-zY7FxYEHaAEkysyRSrbGAD/s1600/DSC07810-717947.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617953651751186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLD6650s5IDyrfY64UPC4-Wcbk4QsBtPZCrk_IPRfiN2Hb5Yv-WiTUXZB6z9P89PoYM59avrRzuqkJvaYpFG7hx2g4WD1X2RHR0tDd8YdOq07U-zY7FxYEHaAEkysyRSrbGAD/s400/DSC07810-717947.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXGZzNgJchmT3T-FwFgZRAnhl-L1pR5jbqKfjD3AcmaVGw1Yyk9OlVdnLoK_YURoyDYO13nvxcfSrgpQlIl95QYYcWNijm8AD5qsuoU2g3fvKRmjbqnYjnzasxn8iBlVnCHLq/s1600/DSCF1396.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503301609569129554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXGZzNgJchmT3T-FwFgZRAnhl-L1pR5jbqKfjD3AcmaVGw1Yyk9OlVdnLoK_YURoyDYO13nvxcfSrgpQlIl95QYYcWNijm8AD5qsuoU2g3fvKRmjbqnYjnzasxn8iBlVnCHLq/s400/DSCF1396.JPG" /></a><br />We decided to follow the tourist trail and visited the <a href="http://www.uluwatu.org/uluwatu.shtml"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uluwatu</span> Temple </a>where we watched the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kecak"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kecak</span> Dance </a>performance at sunset. Hours later we still had the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">chaka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">CHAK</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">CHAK</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">CHAK</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">CHAK</span> sound reverberating in our heads! Well worth seeing if you are in the area.</p><p class="mobile-photo">On Sunday, 2o June we made our way to <a href="http://www.baliblog.com/travel-tips/tabanan-bali.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tabanan</span></a>. The 1 hour drive from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nusa</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dua</span> was very scenic with beautiful rice terraces stretching for kilometers.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlIxjKrDY7vVK7Pd5E2GSjVSgmVV63iIE9D5tvC3ZjTU0NpH_2Z28KuyI3AzU9wE5VE34xeYSBD76qfFYFFRb9mwgyoqcTFp6zO3S7c-Tbrga_VIJNoRHVoPaF4KLO6KEeaNV/s1600/DSC07954.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503301615554789298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlIxjKrDY7vVK7Pd5E2GSjVSgmVV63iIE9D5tvC3ZjTU0NpH_2Z28KuyI3AzU9wE5VE34xeYSBD76qfFYFFRb9mwgyoqcTFp6zO3S7c-Tbrga_VIJNoRHVoPaF4KLO6KEeaNV/s400/DSC07954.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OhKcNlgWkKHg4a4jg5166ues_c77LojZ4kNooXipyZGEvwreNcmVoTNMVay7Dap5E-TxHWlGfgiB862Mz8Q0gnb_DrZJODpcv8OBkMJprqCbQj3UAGb8Rkb5Mz98tNDBga4z/s1600/DSC07949.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503301624297597682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OhKcNlgWkKHg4a4jg5166ues_c77LojZ4kNooXipyZGEvwreNcmVoTNMVay7Dap5E-TxHWlGfgiB862Mz8Q0gnb_DrZJODpcv8OBkMJprqCbQj3UAGb8Rkb5Mz98tNDBga4z/s400/DSC07949.jpg" /></a><br />Marc was super excited about our stay at <a href="http://www.nirwanabaligolf.com/english/welcome.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nirwana</span></a> because he got to play golf on this amazing course right next to the ocean. On the 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> hole he had to hit his tee shot over the sea. He was very happy that he didn't sacrifice any balls to the sea Gods ;-).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99D4PsMwdlnNri5aHsadMHMn-zqts9yCjxwL1EpdbS_K8plX7LK277RB8hEg4wR6Tmu4z4Eol3dHmOC8_2mW0Usi-snNe7gJ9R8bkAs9pqKrip1FClAeh6JWkXHpnNIIg4RSz/s1600/DSCF1428.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503301598143518754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99D4PsMwdlnNri5aHsadMHMn-zqts9yCjxwL1EpdbS_K8plX7LK277RB8hEg4wR6Tmu4z4Eol3dHmOC8_2mW0Usi-snNe7gJ9R8bkAs9pqKrip1FClAeh6JWkXHpnNIIg4RSz/s400/DSCF1428.JPG" /></a><br />We thoroughly enjoyed the walk on the golf course (after 5:30pm only) to the viewing area overlooking the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanah_Lot"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tanah</span> Lot </a>temple.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFunClKsdPgI51sFHlYjHvmE6keFrAAegEMVS6I83wuo-JFkRVkuagGCl-7XLWF_jXAl9o1hlPhA0N2ChdCZcXA-JMsx9FijLWQUuRqFCkm07jOluOWNpAVam3UoV4493S_vC/s1600/DSCF1493.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503303818295575938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFunClKsdPgI51sFHlYjHvmE6keFrAAegEMVS6I83wuo-JFkRVkuagGCl-7XLWF_jXAl9o1hlPhA0N2ChdCZcXA-JMsx9FijLWQUuRqFCkm07jOluOWNpAVam3UoV4493S_vC/s400/DSCF1493.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqJeFpGrxikLdY_VVGodvRby3HAfcRSoiwd1dJGUeukr4yAZKAqxzPI-8p8xaFeQdedaQq2iP4t-MDsyJI_JiSk8-Mu9oOf7T_6V3pplAstwBMBdKoE0RzFjqDdyVEhZ1we2G/s1600/DSC07976.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503301611217690722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqJeFpGrxikLdY_VVGodvRby3HAfcRSoiwd1dJGUeukr4yAZKAqxzPI-8p8xaFeQdedaQq2iP4t-MDsyJI_JiSk8-Mu9oOf7T_6V3pplAstwBMBdKoE0RzFjqDdyVEhZ1we2G/s400/DSC07976.JPG" /></a><br />We watched the breathtaking sunset over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanah_Lot"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tanah</span> Lot </a>. Even <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span> managed to sneak a peak...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8LV4LI_LPQBxNMN4i4MwyrXtgh_6zj3LNkUqUCRBDlzkdmT3WkCJ105D9j3utrZSGbtKHzX1a7f3iVyegvdaSw23peEvfVUgDespbgX_0kkHqJvnV-0OhcRjf8CuJ30HHJGq/s1600/DSC07982.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503303828587173138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8LV4LI_LPQBxNMN4i4MwyrXtgh_6zj3LNkUqUCRBDlzkdmT3WkCJ105D9j3utrZSGbtKHzX1a7f3iVyegvdaSw23peEvfVUgDespbgX_0kkHqJvnV-0OhcRjf8CuJ30HHJGq/s400/DSC07982.JPG" /></a><br />On Monday, 21 June we had a great buffet breakfast, overlooking the golf course with a view of the ocean. At around 10:30 we made our way to the airport to catch our 2pm flight back to Jakarta.</p><p class="mobile-photo">As always, we had a fantastic time in Bali and I do believe my mom got to see and experience Indonesia at it's best. </p><p class="mobile-photo">A special thanks to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nyoman</span> that was not just our driver but also our tour guide. I would highly recommend booking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nyoman</span> for your next trip to Bali. His rates are really competitive at Rp.350.000 for full day. Contact: <a href="http://www.santorinibalitours.com/">http://www.santorinibalitours.com/</a> or Tel: +62 361 9194412</p><p class="mobile-photo">The next week was spent at home and around Jakarta, visiting friends, lunches, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">BBQ's</span> and of cause more shopping...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYa5qXOTD2-rLAZpjjEiKLy9soqSNF609kHrXmlDIdfttw33H5oL1k4_oBFxWK2AXkxRmpN9P8o_3hSpVgAVyvYjuMsTt64iEPysCQcgrui4X1Mggrv8ZU0baT7s4a2loboo9/s1600/DSC07997-719786.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617956197696610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYa5qXOTD2-rLAZpjjEiKLy9soqSNF609kHrXmlDIdfttw33H5oL1k4_oBFxWK2AXkxRmpN9P8o_3hSpVgAVyvYjuMsTt64iEPysCQcgrui4X1Mggrv8ZU0baT7s4a2loboo9/s400/DSC07997-719786.JPG" /></a><br />"What a beautiful mom, I have".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSIbFXJwz5qJ7_NSBYYg-mHlNmSmBUuNkYK7-i2q_GVJYC9qFw_75O19OxquIPGCCCXGzxq_iLJWpk2DWHKrg2xZ7V_4PbzBM_SsW6tSYAcK1IrP9y8KQZIHeDMgE6A73b1Fd/s1600/DSC08054-720656.JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617962450268850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSIbFXJwz5qJ7_NSBYYg-mHlNmSmBUuNkYK7-i2q_GVJYC9qFw_75O19OxquIPGCCCXGzxq_iLJWpk2DWHKrg2xZ7V_4PbzBM_SsW6tSYAcK1IrP9y8KQZIHeDMgE6A73b1Fd/s400/DSC08054-720656.JPG" /></a><br />A cuddle with little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span>, every chance we get.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNIgM6m79Alqdu2dIrNcjsOQpPF54aX4zvWM1cad0mDs5rTBHxVVEfL2gFUyBGswCUHWweQuRPKTB36wLCMKBdTtbCALr7SPLuWlYOxhuLSXhM11J-BKkEeqmR1QeNjZ8SvQL/s1600/DSC07626.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503317202749682674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNIgM6m79Alqdu2dIrNcjsOQpPF54aX4zvWM1cad0mDs5rTBHxVVEfL2gFUyBGswCUHWweQuRPKTB36wLCMKBdTtbCALr7SPLuWlYOxhuLSXhM11J-BKkEeqmR1QeNjZ8SvQL/s400/DSC07626.JPG" /></a><br />Lunch at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294229-d816716-Reviews-Payon-Jakarta_Java.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Payon</span></a> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kemang</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Raya</span>.<br /><br />On Tuesday, 29 June our friend Anne arrived from Singapore and besides being happy to see her of course I was really happy to be able to send my mom and her off to do a bit of sight seeing around Jakarta as I didn't really feel up to doing it with a 5 week old. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kjOzFsoZjQ7TSu4Aw5hNcG444JDhyfhOX5K6OcCRtva5po5Jto1rsD-QfpJHyp5M70ecatVaso2AoMJ6etjjADZlF20OvsWGx9C3UUAUOyUXspMR98kgM2Ysdk6Q7tMbCilC/s1600/SV300059.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503317214514239746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kjOzFsoZjQ7TSu4Aw5hNcG444JDhyfhOX5K6OcCRtva5po5Jto1rsD-QfpJHyp5M70ecatVaso2AoMJ6etjjADZlF20OvsWGx9C3UUAUOyUXspMR98kgM2Ysdk6Q7tMbCilC/s400/SV300059.JPG" /></a><br />Anne and my mom had a fun day exploring the city. The rest of the week consisted of more shopping trips, spa treatments and on Friday, 2 July we went to <a href="http://www.oceanqueenresort.com/">Ocean Queen </a>in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelabuhan_Ratu"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pelabuhan</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ratu</span></a>. Only 4 hours drive from Jakarta, Ocean Queen is the ideal spot to unwind. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SDkadoCPaFn87w6wSlztpqKeOhPZRypphQJBbdX7dC0i_FF27kfGXvSDYacYrYejc_gdMkmCBW-c9IBV2iu-U_M2NxAVbqUsJrt1ou3S6QQ3FVqpzSraCVUEV14PwzuKeU5E/s1600/DSC08127.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520331929460304194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SDkadoCPaFn87w6wSlztpqKeOhPZRypphQJBbdX7dC0i_FF27kfGXvSDYacYrYejc_gdMkmCBW-c9IBV2iu-U_M2NxAVbqUsJrt1ou3S6QQ3FVqpzSraCVUEV14PwzuKeU5E/s400/DSC08127.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCsEHSc6iSLt_BqdMaoVckEDCzaXrKaMgd64TVJEtuIhPzzcw4pujEIcG1J5NYqxdKXj2Vb9lYRLjGPj_U9riahsC028cXhNCKg9oaLLDcHTihwByHCo6BaSkB14n-nhiOFok/s1600/DSC08068.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520331888045995538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCsEHSc6iSLt_BqdMaoVckEDCzaXrKaMgd64TVJEtuIhPzzcw4pujEIcG1J5NYqxdKXj2Vb9lYRLjGPj_U9riahsC028cXhNCKg9oaLLDcHTihwByHCo6BaSkB14n-nhiOFok/s400/DSC08068.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOkxbi_fUiJog5gvhsZGFS0t32SSSFhos6MEQ5M7Ff0Sug41EvIqiQDbE4MXZNW7MgOjWcz7pIgCTg9RSadHncDxa97jiErDUEDKnUsJuBoDW12HZnWnaDe1hbMrAYmsbor_V/s1600/DSC08116.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520331910418936386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOkxbi_fUiJog5gvhsZGFS0t32SSSFhos6MEQ5M7Ff0Sug41EvIqiQDbE4MXZNW7MgOjWcz7pIgCTg9RSadHncDxa97jiErDUEDKnUsJuBoDW12HZnWnaDe1hbMrAYmsbor_V/s400/DSC08116.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNwSzqhh_rErNlzxAwpUEsqP3f7VZL2QaAgSjImb0WUFlJT7AF3buk0SGmZ14egy-UBNjfWg7bRC57EumpB9BWsbyjgdEWwKPoP3qrrsqifaXGJIc71Nh6qHBFdJLik7PDK53/s1600/DSC08120.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520331923056901266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNwSzqhh_rErNlzxAwpUEsqP3f7VZL2QaAgSjImb0WUFlJT7AF3buk0SGmZ14egy-UBNjfWg7bRC57EumpB9BWsbyjgdEWwKPoP3qrrsqifaXGJIc71Nh6qHBFdJLik7PDK53/s400/DSC08120.jpg" /></a><br />We lazed around listening to the sound of the ocean. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_EUXyDVWL5Rnwi1s0Fu7M1YCD2xM9JfrfaI9V21Ij5lUzSKDCucnn7xh2-72i6pJl2U_mURbbeHs0VVUbYeCeEOZ8YB_Ea7vVLuY76NbXySBMT-gFbzxfGvUgZVuai2m-Ph2/s1600/DSC08170.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332875158458402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_EUXyDVWL5Rnwi1s0Fu7M1YCD2xM9JfrfaI9V21Ij5lUzSKDCucnn7xh2-72i6pJl2U_mURbbeHs0VVUbYeCeEOZ8YB_Ea7vVLuY76NbXySBMT-gFbzxfGvUgZVuai2m-Ph2/s400/DSC08170.jpg" /></a><br />Enjoyed fantastic 1hour massages for only Rp.50 on the beach.<img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520331897151254386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZcBk12KuEto3n3GFyV6kLD7BSBmeqRai7fBXKSFeVpuSNCnnZ7ROl7_-DdU04iXCw6HFOEMTEHt0MUq2emh_7FAcQukj53YFkHCh9-BTBvgKKTzvrJtXerVQG3ixWSPC68bE/s400/DSC08070.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDf0DWy5BueG4sHUOYJsTXrnhKare-lxOCIQEdBb0WSwsqTw_j1h6emIQAaB0xa4JVxli_cRvVyh3vHrbjRchzLQ56nR9ZtRAeapLOveobii4M3PbGp3SXVRbyvSKeeNhLjug/s1600/DSC08161.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332866581444994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDf0DWy5BueG4sHUOYJsTXrnhKare-lxOCIQEdBb0WSwsqTw_j1h6emIQAaB0xa4JVxli_cRvVyh3vHrbjRchzLQ56nR9ZtRAeapLOveobii4M3PbGp3SXVRbyvSKeeNhLjug/s400/DSC08161.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVARqtifY1kkOmAD3oQF8wJKgUfxmgsXqJfZ_X8mwQZO9viJr_h1MmFTMLTy5WqYDxHgg_Bs6dpsD6-grM5ULz_2ADX_AzgLEb52slYXOTGNki5FHVt_laMuuK469YuondhJqT/s1600/DSC08143.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332861414609058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVARqtifY1kkOmAD3oQF8wJKgUfxmgsXqJfZ_X8mwQZO9viJr_h1MmFTMLTy5WqYDxHgg_Bs6dpsD6-grM5ULz_2ADX_AzgLEb52slYXOTGNki5FHVt_laMuuK469YuondhJqT/s400/DSC08143.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUB9aNaAYmqZasKgZ5CUt1kel327IqFIPFpb3HU6xvZvdwV4t2nklB2W-Ow_ObeV2drAIwyBcIU42FhOnnI7r05Z-mRy8hQ72dTqEz8j72x3EaqvLK4bvZZ_fv9FCFi7YX_R9/s1600/DSC08141.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332859455164690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUB9aNaAYmqZasKgZ5CUt1kel327IqFIPFpb3HU6xvZvdwV4t2nklB2W-Ow_ObeV2drAIwyBcIU42FhOnnI7r05Z-mRy8hQ72dTqEz8j72x3EaqvLK4bvZZ_fv9FCFi7YX_R9/s400/DSC08141.jpg" /></a><br />And Marc and Anne also tried surfing for the first time and although they came back with a couple of scrapes and bruses and a surfboard rash they thoroughly enjoyed it and can now say that they've surfed ;-)<br /><br />On Monday, 5 July Anne returned to Singapore and the next day my mom and I followed on a visa run for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span>. We spent one night in Singapore at the <a href="http://www.robertsonquayhotel.com.sg/">Robertson <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">Quey</span> Hotel</a> and squeezed in a bit of sight seeing:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Boylea8SatpR7REcl0FkiO7zc1cTYknl-fsrvcCcoTY5Ci_hxoFe-mNKTCLYKjC0g-iIg3m713MkRxn-1OmXM9w_-hSNlNmttWPDEgYTkF_9p_yK9I4IC7zJLOccInOESQ3a/s1600/DSC08206-721545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617964032804754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Boylea8SatpR7REcl0FkiO7zc1cTYknl-fsrvcCcoTY5Ci_hxoFe-mNKTCLYKjC0g-iIg3m713MkRxn-1OmXM9w_-hSNlNmttWPDEgYTkF_9p_yK9I4IC7zJLOccInOESQ3a/s400/DSC08206-721545.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvd640m_7UmHEhVXbTSwkKChaX59sE6NofYwe0ZcakSeI43cr9oNsPSs6lmpKHFw8T9GmOBy-CReShRrjxcTyY5VaeSF2h3wfR2SInS-8PuCaGcG39Bl9WLBl4aBtBBFeWcN8/s1600/DSC08208-723506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617974604775154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvd640m_7UmHEhVXbTSwkKChaX59sE6NofYwe0ZcakSeI43cr9oNsPSs6lmpKHFw8T9GmOBy-CReShRrjxcTyY5VaeSF2h3wfR2SInS-8PuCaGcG39Bl9WLBl4aBtBBFeWcN8/s400/DSC08208-723506.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX66kOI7HvF76BhMAjaUWI2sdZkf0y9INvZxDCTrX7J6QtHdtdK1yxe6InFl0nGil_rO-IBcrheVbBhj1lhDFVn37I2CPKI6SbpEgGhWW94ttCa85CzMsZys2MzGfs719Z_Yrz/s1600/DSC08215-724936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617981151604754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX66kOI7HvF76BhMAjaUWI2sdZkf0y9INvZxDCTrX7J6QtHdtdK1yxe6InFl0nGil_rO-IBcrheVbBhj1lhDFVn37I2CPKI6SbpEgGhWW94ttCa85CzMsZys2MzGfs719Z_Yrz/s400/DSC08215-724936.JPG" /></a><br />Shopping and visiting temples in China Town.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrCb7TWS6R7iLOOMXo40Tl4gy5iR1sfL4e9WdHygplTbI7wCeYy8Kyzz01lXUpzCf2lEyiTgE_oRJgCLapHpcGHkqKATAJiPMD3TtjCNfkqi26OudwutjuUG9LoHyBivVkrM-/s1600/DSC08283-725883.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500617982582842066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrCb7TWS6R7iLOOMXo40Tl4gy5iR1sfL4e9WdHygplTbI7wCeYy8Kyzz01lXUpzCf2lEyiTgE_oRJgCLapHpcGHkqKATAJiPMD3TtjCNfkqi26OudwutjuUG9LoHyBivVkrM-/s400/DSC08283-725883.JPG" /></a><br />On Wednesday, 7 July we managed to walk around the Raffles area, had a quick look at the famous Orchid road and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlion"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">Merlion</span></a>, which was unfortunately under construction. But with a small baby that was unfortunately all we had time for before we had to leave for the airport to catch our 17:30 flight back to Jakarta.</p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class="mobile-photo">My mom's last week in Jakarta flew by and we had to say our very sad goodbyes on Monday, 12 July. Until next time "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">Liefste</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mamma</span> en <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ouma</span>"!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y2RxxvIV8AmZxPVbqP7eusqD0s5hFFXyieW11KogcA24-cf-ldPdNh3KVQuEEGaujtKDCEczoRuv_rmc0jvE2F6_covSR4MvroT0LsgDPXvF5fh3CtuFV0zpgCvz_jUL92o1/s1600/DSCF1944.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503666167232041778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y2RxxvIV8AmZxPVbqP7eusqD0s5hFFXyieW11KogcA24-cf-ldPdNh3KVQuEEGaujtKDCEczoRuv_rmc0jvE2F6_covSR4MvroT0LsgDPXvF5fh3CtuFV0zpgCvz_jUL92o1/s400/DSCF1944.JPG" /></a><br />My mom with our staff on her last day.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-32228807087069210182010-08-01T11:43:00.009+05:302010-08-02T06:51:49.962+05:30From inside the belly...into the great big world!<p class="mobile-photo">I would like to think that having had a baby is a good enough reason for not updating the blog. But, considering that our precious baby girl was born on the 28<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> of April and it is now 1 August the excuse is probably not a very good one.<br /><br />The next couple of posts will be brief...taking you back to April, weeks before my due date when <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span></span> (we didn't even know for sure that we were going to call her that) was still very comfortable in her mummy's tummy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p8Gkk7OLg97WIkMJhjTSCsofDtIpP_zngenu6m6dgTnd5A7evyFelalGb3t8Bzom6D73jTQW2H_UpKlpV2Kbe7ll9s4m4g-6WduALQlEo5hQHga7RTs63F14LPr_4RmuFW1F/s1600/IMG_2687edit.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326992772477522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p8Gkk7OLg97WIkMJhjTSCsofDtIpP_zngenu6m6dgTnd5A7evyFelalGb3t8Bzom6D73jTQW2H_UpKlpV2Kbe7ll9s4m4g-6WduALQlEo5hQHga7RTs63F14LPr_4RmuFW1F/s400/IMG_2687edit.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAAaidwHzNqVsynoXHwQSa2Q6e6dDWWjV6N_DZbesUt6LxigtFk5pcbs9j83mwyyh6gFAovIC-eUefRx1MDWQRHE6BWGpRN1IsllrTovnDrlpTHHtjDaf9XAZev2NaPGvxlqn/s1600/IMG_2698edit-729563.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320789798259378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAAaidwHzNqVsynoXHwQSa2Q6e6dDWWjV6N_DZbesUt6LxigtFk5pcbs9j83mwyyh6gFAovIC-eUefRx1MDWQRHE6BWGpRN1IsllrTovnDrlpTHHtjDaf9XAZev2NaPGvxlqn/s400/IMG_2698edit-729563.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW9jnjxEFsSVCVPzoJ0rgzCQUHQFGCqwasOOCc3ADa6PYQF_YrDmeb_d8vPDXimlHyHP09lTz8eMKgZIEptTofoZ_nFlhsfW3lWJO30Q_yQ9S_gQwGODQV70KZhiuV5uRDlJN/s1600/IMG_2695edit-730570.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320794116419906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW9jnjxEFsSVCVPzoJ0rgzCQUHQFGCqwasOOCc3ADa6PYQF_YrDmeb_d8vPDXimlHyHP09lTz8eMKgZIEptTofoZ_nFlhsfW3lWJO30Q_yQ9S_gQwGODQV70KZhiuV5uRDlJN/s400/IMG_2695edit-730570.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdWFqjw3wnnm1BR4D_o9bLweGiqZFN902tzjDs9wa0HZoslXaIk9VPoT723aqeXDUOHNtAr1miA1SUyfBTHo4-TYdHwThde9qHrNVdgtbPsBLRPgYuhMbmp_ngYvg-vOYWgrK/s1600/IMG_2701edit-731524.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320795535353906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdWFqjw3wnnm1BR4D_o9bLweGiqZFN902tzjDs9wa0HZoslXaIk9VPoT723aqeXDUOHNtAr1miA1SUyfBTHo4-TYdHwThde9qHrNVdgtbPsBLRPgYuhMbmp_ngYvg-vOYWgrK/s400/IMG_2701edit-731524.jpg" /></a><br />These <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">preggy</span></span> belly shots were taken at 34w+3d. </p><p class="mobile-photo">I flew to Singapore on the 19<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> of April( 36w) and a week later (37w) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kade</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beuthe</span></span> was born weighing 3.3kg and 50cm long.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5TQqMFVFx1aveD_9WYSnNuCtzqeRavUdlk-Ea-OcBwd2v9Rfr5pwuuoahcl_MXK6KtsrCWSc-_zQzqkvIDthy_qXNy4xueICWo1oJdOs-14hjVK5tKot6LfUesNCMYZ0fWFc/s1600/DSC06938-732801.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320802151805890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5TQqMFVFx1aveD_9WYSnNuCtzqeRavUdlk-Ea-OcBwd2v9Rfr5pwuuoahcl_MXK6KtsrCWSc-_zQzqkvIDthy_qXNy4xueICWo1oJdOs-14hjVK5tKot6LfUesNCMYZ0fWFc/s400/DSC06938-732801.JPG" /></a><br />A very proud Mom and Dad. The best day of our lives.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dkbtLZSbpQvlnL9ydX8fNz73OFd13Wyycb5zjHpzmB2Z978NRY7b43wCX8z-AeRV8FNdxyNwRN9sZWTvkgiRXf9ZQlxfmkeaBBoKCLwyJDCOOyNFOWSYMpGlEKedIQ_6QEat/s1600/DSC06940-733756.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320806783471026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dkbtLZSbpQvlnL9ydX8fNz73OFd13Wyycb5zjHpzmB2Z978NRY7b43wCX8z-AeRV8FNdxyNwRN9sZWTvkgiRXf9ZQlxfmkeaBBoKCLwyJDCOOyNFOWSYMpGlEKedIQ_6QEat/s400/DSC06940-733756.JPG" /></a><br />What an amazing moment...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKJv67LlBUcVLXYpOiAchR8xMNLUV5oG1Jj8ID63N_d3Dln52baVX9sLidKPa6-b4lJGnjQ9Q9LwtIRhUb2dW4ic_2bBqQw8ujCByM-3cyJdMfGtz4bgRtkhoz6wPSsvjumB9/s1600/DSC06970-734729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320808272151314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKJv67LlBUcVLXYpOiAchR8xMNLUV5oG1Jj8ID63N_d3Dln52baVX9sLidKPa6-b4lJGnjQ9Q9LwtIRhUb2dW4ic_2bBqQw8ujCByM-3cyJdMfGtz4bgRtkhoz6wPSsvjumB9/s400/DSC06970-734729.JPG" /></a><br />My cousin was right...There is a new girl in Marc's life ;-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H7sq_CaCNLLpmWyjNexSqNTHiiA9LY0RY6Yu4YRJlO3v4U9utUGf1aPmW5Bh9WE8IsC0ndzkj9XtqHZTqzm1hYZsA-wxa_Dt7YxEhsA4ObgrdzaljFtb7EvRSqmVBprIrLzb/s1600/DSC06975-736101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320819774724194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H7sq_CaCNLLpmWyjNexSqNTHiiA9LY0RY6Yu4YRJlO3v4U9utUGf1aPmW5Bh9WE8IsC0ndzkj9XtqHZTqzm1hYZsA-wxa_Dt7YxEhsA4ObgrdzaljFtb7EvRSqmVBprIrLzb/s400/DSC06975-736101.JPG" /></a><br />Again...what an amazing moment. No words can describe the feeling when you hold your baby for the first time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8rbXXeBw1_7HqX-bJem5lElZCVSQdbj2iNIZxbNYnuZIKv2CVr3gNy8kIpfCo7Awqzc0Gw3eDaEJlaFoniACFfWhIX8UKb19_trNOa1wAYWB9eBS4C6rjxPC14AnPman3pz6/s1600/DSC06986-737119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320824576783346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8rbXXeBw1_7HqX-bJem5lElZCVSQdbj2iNIZxbNYnuZIKv2CVr3gNy8kIpfCo7Awqzc0Gw3eDaEJlaFoniACFfWhIX8UKb19_trNOa1wAYWB9eBS4C6rjxPC14AnPman3pz6/s400/DSC06986-737119.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoNSX7l9KPIiT12SeIbbdUyhtUVlNaXFRf7RySGsjBkOqs-3KFwo4awvFSic_tQRaUH98jEJcRvC6cLOAkK2_D-7QKsG_jxQEzeG3xt4pd_yV4QJpizks2eLFTUzusjxPIZKF/s1600/DSC07018-739072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320831944346450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoNSX7l9KPIiT12SeIbbdUyhtUVlNaXFRf7RySGsjBkOqs-3KFwo4awvFSic_tQRaUH98jEJcRvC6cLOAkK2_D-7QKsG_jxQEzeG3xt4pd_yV4QJpizks2eLFTUzusjxPIZKF/s400/DSC07018-739072.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJcM4eLWkG0clchp4-EiDoPlvgycRPgAPFTyaqUSvtjp46xUXL6DIHb12Z91QKPrHx-_gZdowU-r3HDjFokJ-7yN7LNGMWQpDM6eGaJrA4HCp_oAxnJ01sMOr9qh481yiZRka/s1600/DSC07034-740021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320835716447682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJcM4eLWkG0clchp4-EiDoPlvgycRPgAPFTyaqUSvtjp46xUXL6DIHb12Z91QKPrHx-_gZdowU-r3HDjFokJ-7yN7LNGMWQpDM6eGaJrA4HCp_oAxnJ01sMOr9qh481yiZRka/s400/DSC07034-740021.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxoTQZJYJycvEo-vQInUReDbYrctM8fWm-SgMbtQEvo9tFDkG_NrC_LtYZa_w8u6bZ4VODj7lv8NoyhDb8bMDkT0-Qw35P9yKAko8aGNjAS8zj36zLtfYY8PAkqKrXLLlrzsL/s1600/DSC07505-741416.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320840131393250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxoTQZJYJycvEo-vQInUReDbYrctM8fWm-SgMbtQEvo9tFDkG_NrC_LtYZa_w8u6bZ4VODj7lv8NoyhDb8bMDkT0-Qw35P9yKAko8aGNjAS8zj36zLtfYY8PAkqKrXLLlrzsL/s400/DSC07505-741416.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k_Rs3gkm3cayLrcPkWvu6I1Fxbj6xc9zBpsvdVyVC2eT0LUNNHMCC2vSzdo2mL2YfXfsPHLz9Huy3Pgghw_DonQUsKe6C_kDcfGN-zr7xKTQnIA8J5n0H4uhbIGdwG3XjbAS/s1600/DSC07195-742308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320844005708210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k_Rs3gkm3cayLrcPkWvu6I1Fxbj6xc9zBpsvdVyVC2eT0LUNNHMCC2vSzdo2mL2YfXfsPHLz9Huy3Pgghw_DonQUsKe6C_kDcfGN-zr7xKTQnIA8J5n0H4uhbIGdwG3XjbAS/s400/DSC07195-742308.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEcqCmQ7W5kRLLkUNoFFaq6iZH5FI7eUHYbGwOA-u7Wrx6kLGu0sERScd0JXctU9kD4eEZ5l10LfwPUt0QaYT-_nO22qRaZ9opKRK45PEUO7MVeMa-auN66gMp9bW6VAzm_LL/s1600/DSC07207-743155.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320847436322114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEcqCmQ7W5kRLLkUNoFFaq6iZH5FI7eUHYbGwOA-u7Wrx6kLGu0sERScd0JXctU9kD4eEZ5l10LfwPUt0QaYT-_nO22qRaZ9opKRK45PEUO7MVeMa-auN66gMp9bW6VAzm_LL/s400/DSC07207-743155.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0dnjgaNKT7FZnfH8SRdv4xHOHrbRTo_gcWSvD_C9NUaGtBCw-rcLCSFl4q5GZ991xFWGpEUmi6wzEovD7IjvaKQZnIltkcMQec74R3TLN0NvOL5-zzdv7ZZSfEtS_J0zHmzE/s1600/DSC07248-745052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320859298950690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0dnjgaNKT7FZnfH8SRdv4xHOHrbRTo_gcWSvD_C9NUaGtBCw-rcLCSFl4q5GZ991xFWGpEUmi6wzEovD7IjvaKQZnIltkcMQec74R3TLN0NvOL5-zzdv7ZZSfEtS_J0zHmzE/s400/DSC07248-745052.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cG0jtY9plqJfnYlRrh7nCiIe65naCFsUvyUFWfY2305lCShEvwJLd7Lur8H6RCglZ4BcS0wuVy7W-4jQm89hBH4vh4CAVP5f1JSIpr6igfSUSPpMQepHh8ylIfY1VINpKUhD/s1600/DSC07472-745885.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320859185586770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cG0jtY9plqJfnYlRrh7nCiIe65naCFsUvyUFWfY2305lCShEvwJLd7Lur8H6RCglZ4BcS0wuVy7W-4jQm89hBH4vh4CAVP5f1JSIpr6igfSUSPpMQepHh8ylIfY1VINpKUhD/s400/DSC07472-745885.jpg" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Svea</span></span> is so beautiful, just perfect in every way. We are so blessed and truly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">grateful</span> to have received this precious gift from God. Having gone from girlfriend to wife to mother....Wow, how our lives have changed. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We look forward to the exciting new chapter in our lives. </p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-41617114224848249102010-02-27T13:11:00.010+05:302010-02-28T07:09:11.443+05:30My Baby ShowerOne of my South African friends, Emily arranged and hosted a baby shower for me on Friday, 19 February.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZyikh18HmXSIVbxkSjSeUVWYATj9QpI0NTsX8hh1h8dkFaFyzZ1xfwwzGOTix0MydiAYCLIpOixIcxHJR6C6-zqy_7sZi4w_y_6ldO5lNHD_FRwpjrHG4NEKsUCW8XKp_n4e/s1600-h/DSC06535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442826828171134290" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZyikh18HmXSIVbxkSjSeUVWYATj9QpI0NTsX8hh1h8dkFaFyzZ1xfwwzGOTix0MydiAYCLIpOixIcxHJR6C6-zqy_7sZi4w_y_6ldO5lNHD_FRwpjrHG4NEKsUCW8XKp_n4e/s400/DSC06535.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks again for a lovely baby shower Emily! As always you are such a gracious host ;-) It was perfect!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd82qe9HwLPWntB9nDm6wGXBKppURziziXAJxZOuNoWZnLl_Fylh0yJoeWw2Vf8lzttajqPLrKkGe9DN9zWbmAb79RK1Q7pes6YSWlRb-CHtKXgtGqwSISQFn87sfbDKOIz5kg/s1600-h/DSC06529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442828232565108306" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd82qe9HwLPWntB9nDm6wGXBKppURziziXAJxZOuNoWZnLl_Fylh0yJoeWw2Vf8lzttajqPLrKkGe9DN9zWbmAb79RK1Q7pes6YSWlRb-CHtKXgtGqwSISQFn87sfbDKOIz5kg/s400/DSC06529.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhrxy9RgNU7JvrUmryUbRyWdw2Lr4gmeeIf7kxLi5aLeLzHYcb4DcHMWKplSjok-LnZNxdLU6_vHGVuPvcJEwSMhV2Lt5ZFmo_Nx-BbFJZsSP18_-E_PtSHiI7l7XqmQy8Ehr/s1600-h/DSC06537.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442830125670808642" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhrxy9RgNU7JvrUmryUbRyWdw2Lr4gmeeIf7kxLi5aLeLzHYcb4DcHMWKplSjok-LnZNxdLU6_vHGVuPvcJEwSMhV2Lt5ZFmo_Nx-BbFJZsSP18_-E_PtSHiI7l7XqmQy8Ehr/s400/DSC06537.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRo9FKqynW7BHoceazFGDlgsKPAw5WeBL2Nsi5sXPYCmEkT234lPA8oCohACQYy8VpUlQ1b3pjVbXkwY2f4mLIT1hI9HzPMdeoI_kj2eqwSFWI8AmeMXXptP58nL5SHt7s0Dr/s1600-h/DSC06559.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442828228881075730" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRo9FKqynW7BHoceazFGDlgsKPAw5WeBL2Nsi5sXPYCmEkT234lPA8oCohACQYy8VpUlQ1b3pjVbXkwY2f4mLIT1hI9HzPMdeoI_kj2eqwSFWI8AmeMXXptP58nL5SHt7s0Dr/s400/DSC06559.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>I will be thinking of all my friends during bath time, play time and bed time...even breastfeeding and the nappy changes ;-)! I look forward to making use of all the wonderful and practical gifts that I received. I really appreciate the gifts, but more so...I appreciate the friendships. Thank you girls! It's comforting to know that I can always "call a friend".<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HDA7-7MJgaU/S4iVEGjD6UI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/K6HnYYTfkHk/s1600-h/P1020069.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIV3ltNSuaZzGyuKktO97pG967xHgIO_RsgKs6zUGShlAXiJdYGFjvbaJrAc3QnGPKwKj1rpfZetjDMBb-3FWCLGTfMla-1LY0bLjAbfw4M0UnThLMhH7b2RiTxKHCuNGrQbw/s1600-h/P1020069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442828240324223570" style="WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIV3ltNSuaZzGyuKktO97pG967xHgIO_RsgKs6zUGShlAXiJdYGFjvbaJrAc3QnGPKwKj1rpfZetjDMBb-3FWCLGTfMla-1LY0bLjAbfw4M0UnThLMhH7b2RiTxKHCuNGrQbw/s400/P1020069.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Notice my growing "bump" at 28 weeks. </div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-36590134139718361922010-02-27T12:57:00.008+05:302010-02-27T13:43:10.830+05:30Our new home<div><div><div>On Saturday, 12 February we moved into our new house. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzkrxYGvkOHiZK7bvy6JB7tCMDZJA84iVOhJRHq7Nd90myImK8KLKflCghSLCCv2RIIDsWYBw8embyRhqDCZ2j8_HtlMxnSiQi_DxoN1dt-Cnv3M3YT5XpYLIeUrLci-r2D2F/s1600-h/DSCF1060.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442822388944537650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzkrxYGvkOHiZK7bvy6JB7tCMDZJA84iVOhJRHq7Nd90myImK8KLKflCghSLCCv2RIIDsWYBw8embyRhqDCZ2j8_HtlMxnSiQi_DxoN1dt-Cnv3M3YT5XpYLIeUrLci-r2D2F/s400/DSCF1060.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGMcf8MlyIVUOgddZ5ra2NtXKB2-5Dn0YXHICslKiUkUleB0bylKHt-Rf0LvY6ColSaBOtjbQgirB3u1eGhyEN2oBOP_EE3jzzQ3dnB82_m-bNk0s-YL97rJvXEZkvbqkPac1/s1600-h/DSCF1066.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442822425181720978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGMcf8MlyIVUOgddZ5ra2NtXKB2-5Dn0YXHICslKiUkUleB0bylKHt-Rf0LvY6ColSaBOtjbQgirB3u1eGhyEN2oBOP_EE3jzzQ3dnB82_m-bNk0s-YL97rJvXEZkvbqkPac1/s400/DSCF1066.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oz37tNcdjPgOq7Nr5DFAvn53l4Pw7Vq23fzreH1dA2bJytAcLqIApRXuRN8aULkGJcwBiggSyoV7fLiNKnJmXgfqWQiQVy38wsiZqtrVu4HeuEa2Z7tA7OYbVHthHK5zX88a/s1600-h/DSCF1062.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442822417483266322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oz37tNcdjPgOq7Nr5DFAvn53l4Pw7Vq23fzreH1dA2bJytAcLqIApRXuRN8aULkGJcwBiggSyoV7fLiNKnJmXgfqWQiQVy38wsiZqtrVu4HeuEa2Z7tA7OYbVHthHK5zX88a/s400/DSCF1062.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3zCwbZ_nPFx8EtY3bIp7DFv-k4jlhPdJPwR-EOdQ2_F-NKpi8eYWnXUTzh0jQaLY9iC1r1btcNT0AWmnQQqtB8-UzBb9gmc09azhMg-wU4siJSbQ7oprtnDGLiWE-G-Gw6xN/s1600-h/DSCF1064.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442822399176748690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3zCwbZ_nPFx8EtY3bIp7DFv-k4jlhPdJPwR-EOdQ2_F-NKpi8eYWnXUTzh0jQaLY9iC1r1btcNT0AWmnQQqtB8-UzBb9gmc09azhMg-wU4siJSbQ7oprtnDGLiWE-G-Gw6xN/s400/DSCF1064.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>We've I had to be very creative, decorating the big square living area.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy5Frzm69M46ufQXkzeM1LGKnURozt9p_J1V7Tz9mKVvR4zfMx-kqNuHZorq9GmtSH-pTh1mbrqwxWgq5RU6dvA1d81ZhxfWayIkVM027Ls4emf5pKzDDRZ0ZZLueazoay0x7/s1600-h/DSCF1071.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442822438337201106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy5Frzm69M46ufQXkzeM1LGKnURozt9p_J1V7Tz9mKVvR4zfMx-kqNuHZorq9GmtSH-pTh1mbrqwxWgq5RU6dvA1d81ZhxfWayIkVM027Ls4emf5pKzDDRZ0ZZLueazoay0x7/s400/DSCF1071.JPG" /></a><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442822866669067138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwfHn0P-s_dmeNwyR1gBhE3wE1pz4EMbHlvtHEn30rV5N8CDz4X2YtIgUTB4Sr79CLn28AA5px4uUWX-qaB8-zmSb_jJbLbpxrnaMh3sxSLgffuynmyiDWWtv_RL_vnznL2iR/s400/DSCF1070.JPG" /></div><div><div>The best part of the house is of course the patio and the fabulous garden. Our own Bali Villa ;-)</div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWdyHR5QJIA8sijy1MUAgcSVHb2nimIHfLRTlxwZouY9gthLipJqyAOJuO3bQ3GfEojE5uiLiWQJxp4c0hO4AwX6IJZfc3o-TOtKEgITNr96jnDHgQC2d2rZhHAvZRqdNxdV6/s1600-h/DSCF1068.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442824216827751890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWdyHR5QJIA8sijy1MUAgcSVHb2nimIHfLRTlxwZouY9gthLipJqyAOJuO3bQ3GfEojE5uiLiWQJxp4c0hO4AwX6IJZfc3o-TOtKEgITNr96jnDHgQC2d2rZhHAvZRqdNxdV6/s400/DSCF1068.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The baby's room, work in progress - I've had a lot of fun over the past couple of weeks shopping for nursery furniture.<br /></div><div>I got quite a few quotes from shops around Jakarta that manufacture nursery furniture.<br />I ended up ordering from <a href="http://www.pikitra.com/">Pikitra </a>on Kemang Timur. I gave them pictures of the cot/bed and change table that I wanted and they designed it according to my requirements and specifications. </div><br /><div></div><div>I was very happy with <a href="http://www.pikitra.com/">Pikitra</a> and would definitely recommend them. The furniture is made from camphor wood and is painted with a non-toxic paint. And to my surprise it was delivered early, as I only expected to receive it early in March. </div><div><br />Over the past two months I have been buying things that we will need for our baby incl. pram, car seat, books, toys, clothes etc. and after my baby shower I now have almost everything we need. </div><div></div><br /><div>I look forward to start decorating and getting the room ready for Baby Beuthe, over the next couple of weeks before I leave for Singapore. What fun ;-)</div></div></div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-32397057947733816422010-02-27T12:35:00.008+05:302010-02-27T13:45:21.366+05:30Trip to SingaporeOn Friday, 29 January we flew to Singapore for our Dr's appointment with <a href="http://www.anntan.com.sg/eng/index.html">Dr. Ann Tan </a>at the Woman and Fetal Centre. We had our 24 week scan later that afternoon and we also visited the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Elizabeth_Hospital">Mount Elizabeth Hospital </a>where our baby will be delivered in May.<br /><br />My pregnancy really feels like it's been flying by. I can't believe I am nearly 29 weeks pregnant. When we first found out that we were having a baby it was so hard to imagine what it will be like being pregnant, let alone being a parent. Here I am one week into the 3rd trimester with my preggy belly that seems to be growing by the day, experiencing all the joys and discomforts that go along with it.<br /><br />Our little girl is very active and I've been experiencing a lot of movement from around 22 weeks. Sometimes so much so that we can actually see my stomach moving/jolting around. It truly is a miracle....To think that there is a little person growing inside my tummy. And, we can't wait to meet her!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBicdJwNuTbOd5ekngxIISy4w_MOLnlcWZAvztrlbwy3O8QPzFcpSKmRs8kKwZvKFS3EvdME9Sn4kfYMk-SVbT96P2ilYhq_4xOOCk67Vn5c78oJs9bxBVh_zruDBk_t9ef8aT/s1600-h/24+Weeks+1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442817070238961746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBicdJwNuTbOd5ekngxIISy4w_MOLnlcWZAvztrlbwy3O8QPzFcpSKmRs8kKwZvKFS3EvdME9Sn4kfYMk-SVbT96P2ilYhq_4xOOCk67Vn5c78oJs9bxBVh_zruDBk_t9ef8aT/s400/24+Weeks+1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hTfFMAd3q91FtLNCBrkWqWVflYlSbdLjOJVm5bSWe3TVE6a-Akz1Vs_1TEx6rUPgAM3FxfPJw0Popxcyyf83AS0Nwu8HnMF7wV6uuQJ5o0y_rqhz09i5PFf3tRwBZ2pHVeuJ/s1600-h/24+Weeks+2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442817077753840242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hTfFMAd3q91FtLNCBrkWqWVflYlSbdLjOJVm5bSWe3TVE6a-Akz1Vs_1TEx6rUPgAM3FxfPJw0Popxcyyf83AS0Nwu8HnMF7wV6uuQJ5o0y_rqhz09i5PFf3tRwBZ2pHVeuJ/s400/24+Weeks+2.jpg" /></a><br />Until then, we get to see her every couple of weeks and it is truly amazing how they develop and change. Baby Girl Beuthe at 24 weeks.<br /><br />I never realised though that there would be so much logistics involved in having a baby. Well, especially when you are living in a foreign country, and planning on having the baby in another country. Everything seems to be falling into place though and I should fly to Singapore on the 19th of April, when I'm 36 weeks pregnant.<br /><br />We made a weekend of our Dr's visit and caught up with friends of ours that moved from India to Singapore in January.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXKztVfxdLi9eOGi8BTIb2y7emLSMzKFyGI_eX7K6Ms7O-QVWmRFrnu0mhyphenhyphen18CjFi_mWMF9C51oIvn97Bu21kezpKtS5qcK34WttRbR0g3j0C2crxBMT0IsLsrvBIqKjnSL-e/s1600-h/DSCF1049.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442818681225223906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXKztVfxdLi9eOGi8BTIb2y7emLSMzKFyGI_eX7K6Ms7O-QVWmRFrnu0mhyphenhyphen18CjFi_mWMF9C51oIvn97Bu21kezpKtS5qcK34WttRbR0g3j0C2crxBMT0IsLsrvBIqKjnSL-e/s400/DSCF1049.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_Am0a7Dqb9xIoOFG_KwXg_wAt2K-ADrjPtDaoWXpAyUQ1SwP-M0lbpWsDBOD7_WWcCfNRqV8Yn2t0LvvSY6Xk1j4Qg2PmlbkBKNfwACDHRuWAxfTJIHM3Y2DTEDftIrpI4uJ/s1600-h/DSC06455.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442818449521765506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_Am0a7Dqb9xIoOFG_KwXg_wAt2K-ADrjPtDaoWXpAyUQ1SwP-M0lbpWsDBOD7_WWcCfNRqV8Yn2t0LvvSY6Xk1j4Qg2PmlbkBKNfwACDHRuWAxfTJIHM3Y2DTEDftIrpI4uJ/s400/DSC06455.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxRDGUqC7y_xQCNPH2wmQFkFItosT4wE9DcRuWdV0B_9HpHPXLBVbwT8GOVqtm46z3Ri641DajtLiRWgw0ey5CEmTQjjPiff66TJ1iSo3jLOLYNMJiVzZhfeZogU0kg_lNjU1/s1600-h/DSC06454.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442818440156763698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxRDGUqC7y_xQCNPH2wmQFkFItosT4wE9DcRuWdV0B_9HpHPXLBVbwT8GOVqtm46z3Ri641DajtLiRWgw0ey5CEmTQjjPiff66TJ1iSo3jLOLYNMJiVzZhfeZogU0kg_lNjU1/s400/DSC06454.JPG" /></a><br />My 24 week "bump" in China Town where Ale and Anne live.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQsjRqCjwjbYr5nk2rLdU15SQdTuzXJ4Jo337TPPzJZ2XMP58qbMTMBEEk8EFJYepKxntM920sLHAefG8CNqn7tNUnEQciHj8DsfOSE38Nbo2LuAj_roCOa2IlgthezxA571Y/s1600-h/DSC06467.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442818462289987666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQsjRqCjwjbYr5nk2rLdU15SQdTuzXJ4Jo337TPPzJZ2XMP58qbMTMBEEk8EFJYepKxntM920sLHAefG8CNqn7tNUnEQciHj8DsfOSE38Nbo2LuAj_roCOa2IlgthezxA571Y/s400/DSC06467.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU59VGWzv-G0eunZ-lHZC_eorEERFW-shO8k4232G6D9PRIozDselPSG28X7c_-mxl6EUTk6szTRqinFy8zszHs2jzVpXtRJzWxVBtFNJmvqoXnUbepGPOE28JJ37TQ4rKp53/s1600-h/DSC06464.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442818452662448642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU59VGWzv-G0eunZ-lHZC_eorEERFW-shO8k4232G6D9PRIozDselPSG28X7c_-mxl6EUTk6szTRqinFy8zszHs2jzVpXtRJzWxVBtFNJmvqoXnUbepGPOE28JJ37TQ4rKp53/s400/DSC06464.JPG" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div>Besides catching up with Ale and Anne we also shopped (you can't go to Singapore and not shop, right) and on Saturday night the four of us went to see <a href="http://www.singaporeopera.com.sg/currentseason/">La Boheme</a> at the <a href="http://www.esplanade.com/index.jsp">Esplanade</a>, followed by a late night dinner at our favourite German restaurant, <a href="http://www.brotzeit1516.com/contact.html">Brotzeit </a>at Raffles City.<br /><br />It was so nice to see you guys A&A. Thank you for letting us stay with you on Saturday night. We look forward to seeing you again in May.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-3119665650682419042010-01-17T06:15:00.012+05:302010-01-19T07:58:31.643+05:30Year End Holiday - Lembongan and Bali<p class="mobile-photo">And so, we've bid 2009 farewell and to my surprise we are already half way through January 2010. The year of the <a href="http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Tiger.htm">Tiger</a>!</p><p class="mobile-photo">We would like to wish all of our family and friends all the best. May 2010 be "Your Year"!</p><p class="mobile-photo">It was 'n busy year end. As you can imagine there is a lot going on in preparation for our baby's arrival in May this year. I realise that I'm a couple of posts behind but thought I'd start with the 2009 Finale and in the weeks to come I will post an update about the past couple of weeks. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We had a fantastic time in <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Nusa_Lembongan">Lembongan </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali">Bali</a> in December. Some might think "yet another island holiday". But, really; sea and sand is not just sea and sand. It is amazing how every island, although the beach or the dive shots may look the same, are so different. Every island destination has left us with such difference experiences. Marc and I have decided that we could never get tiered of "beach holiday's" and for as long as we live in this part of the world we are lucky and should enjoy to have so many great "escapes" on our doorstep.</p><p class="mobile-photo">For our Year End Holiday, we had 9 days of which we decided to spend 3 on <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Nusa_Lembongan">Lembongan</a> island, 3 in <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Pemuteran">Pemuteran</a>, North West Bali and 2 in <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Seminyak">Seminyak</a>, South Bali. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We flew to Bali on Saturday, 26 December. Like with the Sumatra trip, this trip to Lembongan and Bali was another opportunity for Marc to clock a few more dives as he is getting ready to do his dive master course sometime over the next couple of weeks.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Lembongan is an island approx. 35min by fast boat from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanur,_Bali">Sanur</a> harbour. We had a nice time and Marc really enjoyed the diving. In fact, he said that diving with the Manta's ranked right up there as one of the best dives ever. (See the bottom of this post for details of our stay on Lembongan - Travelers Tips).<span style="font-size:85%;"><em><br /></em></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmGnO8aXPt6Vmzbw2Zn-v9UWXWwENsBzYSdor_40Vvje5nS4FRF_6tCbVQvYvhqiDU6QCqFFFTm2Wokn2j0D86-RrEDS7zl3Nvy2qydbQvmnkn7uUXuEiuyNzIpYBYZjFRABw/s1600-h/DSC06132-773146.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503672305264290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmGnO8aXPt6Vmzbw2Zn-v9UWXWwENsBzYSdor_40Vvje5nS4FRF_6tCbVQvYvhqiDU6QCqFFFTm2Wokn2j0D86-RrEDS7zl3Nvy2qydbQvmnkn7uUXuEiuyNzIpYBYZjFRABw/s400/DSC06132-773146.JPG" /></em></a><em><br /></em></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1eZqMLyX70SnCLdSfupPR2U1FbynFs3GfDDjm0me_fYMbMc9gFnZ5VXZrYKywabDe7pw_sOINzRzGufjUDLNLTghNQfaT3trrRteiQgPwYA_yuMUXlksAH2dL8CqT6FPXM3y/s1600-h/DSC06121-765461.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503637126870114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1eZqMLyX70SnCLdSfupPR2U1FbynFs3GfDDjm0me_fYMbMc9gFnZ5VXZrYKywabDe7pw_sOINzRzGufjUDLNLTghNQfaT3trrRteiQgPwYA_yuMUXlksAH2dL8CqT6FPXM3y/s400/DSC06121-765461.JPG" /></em></a><em><br /></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;">99 steps to our bungalow right at the top of the hill. Needless to say; I made sure I didn't forget anything in the room.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNa1_dWfqQdMGD09JP467JbN5mkHfsfV_idumj20A-piJjj87YE17kts10ptIMz4sI_8qull5U7UU9c5txipuAR4Y-DS76T55sXfFX1eg4hXbsuyfTA0QZb5QZwTX3oVZPrvo/s1600-h/DSC06125-766396.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503640448406834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNa1_dWfqQdMGD09JP467JbN5mkHfsfV_idumj20A-piJjj87YE17kts10ptIMz4sI_8qull5U7UU9c5txipuAR4Y-DS76T55sXfFX1eg4hXbsuyfTA0QZb5QZwTX3oVZPrvo/s400/DSC06125-766396.JPG" /></em></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I spent most of my time under the umbrella, reading.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZPBv7cqbT_UHMr3SvhvJePHRLlrjWDMJ1jXp02YB0WqSm4Oj8_oNV2bm_t5PfHnD_-Y00V2cdai3Sqid6OMqt6eYaWwZIJDwxFTvGfNYr4GgFi3uDfWG6lOzJ8uAuDFvT4GO/s1600-h/DSC05986-763253.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503629110170290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZPBv7cqbT_UHMr3SvhvJePHRLlrjWDMJ1jXp02YB0WqSm4Oj8_oNV2bm_t5PfHnD_-Y00V2cdai3Sqid6OMqt6eYaWwZIJDwxFTvGfNYr4GgFi3uDfWG6lOzJ8uAuDFvT4GO/s400/DSC05986-763253.JPG" /></em></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">In and out of the pool; definitely the best place to be in 38 degree heat. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmYZhsMGbGWweB1XOBngH2NoStf-q6rkNjNqOunamNDuxtVjIZIJPga5bgz52q9Jthynl94cvedOQd08kvoQ2F0CBP_JQ2FC9yfzjW0U0GHZ-jk6opnxSLjf-E6bOXPCc_9a8/s1600-h/DSC06126-767327.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503644827379298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmYZhsMGbGWweB1XOBngH2NoStf-q6rkNjNqOunamNDuxtVjIZIJPga5bgz52q9Jthynl94cvedOQd08kvoQ2F0CBP_JQ2FC9yfzjW0U0GHZ-jk6opnxSLjf-E6bOXPCc_9a8/s400/DSC06126-767327.JPG" /></em></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1bG9S1XGtK1naOPGIYCk38KGxstjL5e4btOrZgtkQOTdWP44WBPa-iSbDFrx7LE_Ckla9b7TGK9deFDaCg1V7fy9b_t39tDPwxE8GzbqM2XFIOwFVXxUaBk4nwZvfQE1kPgw/s1600-h/IMG_3672-768344.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503650644980546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1bG9S1XGtK1naOPGIYCk38KGxstjL5e4btOrZgtkQOTdWP44WBPa-iSbDFrx7LE_Ckla9b7TGK9deFDaCg1V7fy9b_t39tDPwxE8GzbqM2XFIOwFVXxUaBk4nwZvfQE1kPgw/s400/IMG_3672-768344.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcwdBnu1ROWad52uIyviIpjWeHoXrBB3E9Vl-wY8-xUgKUOAwcVRLSpqpCgSDk359ynglshJvp1GFrMeh1PUGxQo1ryA0ibzI6nuiJSce6kV253aKRF0DZpJonjrY49dD20c9/s1600-h/IMG_3631-769660.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503653635603890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcwdBnu1ROWad52uIyviIpjWeHoXrBB3E9Vl-wY8-xUgKUOAwcVRLSpqpCgSDk359ynglshJvp1GFrMeh1PUGxQo1ryA0ibzI6nuiJSce6kV253aKRF0DZpJonjrY49dD20c9/s400/IMG_3631-769660.JPG" /></a><br /></span>We enjoyed the view of Mount Agung and especially the refreshing Lime Juice at The Ware Ware restaurant. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We hire a motorbike to check out the southern end of the island, which is not very big at all but also not easy to get around.<em><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxduCKddR_KDpN3z6qx3H5dk24DqvqlXOPEs_jkXZsrYykPZ2zecKz0nq6Dh-0r7OZ1jBia5i3MpAyFJQP4JUGu9Cxc2kTd7NyWpHMifkvkBOVns68IoQd7taXrhnyWs5LVP4n/s1600-h/DSC05977-761344.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503622120359218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxduCKddR_KDpN3z6qx3H5dk24DqvqlXOPEs_jkXZsrYykPZ2zecKz0nq6Dh-0r7OZ1jBia5i3MpAyFJQP4JUGu9Cxc2kTd7NyWpHMifkvkBOVns68IoQd7taXrhnyWs5LVP4n/s400/DSC05977-761344.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IbviL-ZsKBPPzrM5A-sujYY6ohyphenhyphenbajZz0G8HjhQzg-BS9MMcEBK3wxiNrjr8CaDs-_7Pf3PggMpyYYbd8EsjfMCz6O1BU6rGBQZTt7-gLlLBOzD_SUB2Wjzni-WJGHEkln0r/s1600-h/DSC05978-762261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503624917635954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IbviL-ZsKBPPzrM5A-sujYY6ohyphenhyphenbajZz0G8HjhQzg-BS9MMcEBK3wxiNrjr8CaDs-_7Pf3PggMpyYYbd8EsjfMCz6O1BU6rGBQZTt7-gLlLBOzD_SUB2Wjzni-WJGHEkln0r/s400/DSC05978-762261.JPG" /></a><br />We had lunch at one of the restaurants at Mushroom Bay. We watched people having fun in the sun, enjoying water sports like parasailing, kayaking etc.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xxRBCUfoOI0A8IwEz6OyvUmAAwvg4ZhPe2e1THjE8B3zqkhAic708ZqC7HDYTc8ml5iL3-ORqtx-pSgBI-ltgbubDARAlgkFi_Cusqx3O_NNj3ukLvngo5tFqfep9RMzp2M1/s1600-h/DSC06118.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427508552627270034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xxRBCUfoOI0A8IwEz6OyvUmAAwvg4ZhPe2e1THjE8B3zqkhAic708ZqC7HDYTc8ml5iL3-ORqtx-pSgBI-ltgbubDARAlgkFi_Cusqx3O_NNj3ukLvngo5tFqfep9RMzp2M1/s400/DSC06118.JPG" /></a><br />We particularly enjoyed the company of this little puppy. We've seen drawings on Hindu's faces but never on dogs before.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLdmdC22vFuD-Plm8e0EC6x9KHMUGhYn9KIdwLV_ou6iG7Jvw92UEqyMWRnUXkx4SS6u8vMNkD_YiJs2JqnpkBPDJS8MKbGWaeBDyMgmf5gGP46B4bbGWTnD8GKLhRY7nsvk5/s1600-h/DSC06030-764258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503634081565602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLdmdC22vFuD-Plm8e0EC6x9KHMUGhYn9KIdwLV_ou6iG7Jvw92UEqyMWRnUXkx4SS6u8vMNkD_YiJs2JqnpkBPDJS8MKbGWaeBDyMgmf5gGP46B4bbGWTnD8GKLhRY7nsvk5/s400/DSC06030-764258.JPG" /></a><br />Marc thoroughly enjoyed the diving Manta Point in Lembongan and would highly recommend it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-K6afhaKi-khTQsHsQlqjb6iHpfu_Hnp5Gc8B6KbuXRcGijgAScsDrNnCA9zNY9selSZwo92XLIAFFv1tYX321Qjt-grhZ2pBNQ0DZ114rzM0OMb49pBd0O4H0U_MvdqBMUA/s1600-h/IMG_3705-770560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503658338486482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-K6afhaKi-khTQsHsQlqjb6iHpfu_Hnp5Gc8B6KbuXRcGijgAScsDrNnCA9zNY9selSZwo92XLIAFFv1tYX321Qjt-grhZ2pBNQ0DZ114rzM0OMb49pBd0O4H0U_MvdqBMUA/s400/IMG_3705-770560.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyfUvTB9tkXQResSNljsMhr4VeLiJibECwX584g8AMV4tk0SSxOuz0Aj_38vh45BCprUCUqyFpfF3cV6plvDZZ7UgJoQciqdP63QFSIO8pYfm8WJ7jxCjvULVh6jHCMTMYMjx/s1600-h/DSC06131-771518.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503661991558450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyfUvTB9tkXQResSNljsMhr4VeLiJibECwX584g8AMV4tk0SSxOuz0Aj_38vh45BCprUCUqyFpfF3cV6plvDZZ7UgJoQciqdP63QFSIO8pYfm8WJ7jxCjvULVh6jHCMTMYMjx/s400/DSC06131-771518.JPG" /></a><br />At 9am on Tuesday, 29 December we took the Scoot fast boat from Lembongan back to Sanur, where we continued the next leg of our trip...</p><p class="mobile-photo">A four and a half hour drive brought us to Pemuteran in North West Bali, which again was so different to any beach we've been too. The black sand and calm sea in this fishing village is a nice relaxing break from the hectic tourist hub of South Bali. And although it's quite a drive, it is well worth it. It was amazing to drive around Bali truly understanding why it's called the Island of the God's. With Ocean, volcano's, rice paddies, temples...you really have it all.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We stayed at the <a href="http://www.adiassri.com/">Adi Assri </a>hotel at the far end of the beach. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHzjrtzvv4CaNPqT6g8L3aau9YRNy4Ppjng9h7WZS8zLf9BdDGujztf754SBJ2fUI9oMiPS_mVTdzswuVsf2iXYFhQwI7nH_V-jjvxCRodxPvvBEpMbqy1N87fmTgk0ehgeSA/s1600-h/DSC06189-775306.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503679043422690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHzjrtzvv4CaNPqT6g8L3aau9YRNy4Ppjng9h7WZS8zLf9BdDGujztf754SBJ2fUI9oMiPS_mVTdzswuVsf2iXYFhQwI7nH_V-jjvxCRodxPvvBEpMbqy1N87fmTgk0ehgeSA/s400/DSC06189-775306.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO6kv_vHJvhiuX8zLvUhljrntpgTYljmXWN-KDRoIW14cBsmlVqfZcyuXIrDlVhxslN5r7wQDw5MpTyRAGpRyVR4j_skFuLW5CVQcXYNqbG37SU82P7jI-uckkQHRmuPP-M5d/s1600-h/DSC06190-777774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503690677021010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO6kv_vHJvhiuX8zLvUhljrntpgTYljmXWN-KDRoIW14cBsmlVqfZcyuXIrDlVhxslN5r7wQDw5MpTyRAGpRyVR4j_skFuLW5CVQcXYNqbG37SU82P7jI-uckkQHRmuPP-M5d/s400/DSC06190-777774.JPG" /></a><br />The calm ocean almost looked like a big lake.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FUJANqmbFiSnf0iCWLOsqfkzwyIjBNM__Xcas0VZePi-qdiYSugGPKHkwKC-0D5EcUvDzO1DT7cS9obV3ieYfVI8jkTq77jBC_IFNqMELV3N1w6xBRU7b6nEbnmUVKB6NJ1C/s1600-h/DSC06191-778812.JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503692765314658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FUJANqmbFiSnf0iCWLOsqfkzwyIjBNM__Xcas0VZePi-qdiYSugGPKHkwKC-0D5EcUvDzO1DT7cS9obV3ieYfVI8jkTq77jBC_IFNqMELV3N1w6xBRU7b6nEbnmUVKB6NJ1C/s400/DSC06191-778812.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16tqBRRUxJsYaSvvHKNtOntz0iopz8aR51NA1HWQXJGSz1R7GmhqRSPYsnmiWiCb8gKNS3pTud2ufVgB3PM56Jeau5VAhwBjF_ai0oelUbUsgHvFWZg3OWLDB64it1de9gcz-/s1600-h/DSC06200-779679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503697664775042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16tqBRRUxJsYaSvvHKNtOntz0iopz8aR51NA1HWQXJGSz1R7GmhqRSPYsnmiWiCb8gKNS3pTud2ufVgB3PM56Jeau5VAhwBjF_ai0oelUbUsgHvFWZg3OWLDB64it1de9gcz-/s400/DSC06200-779679.JPG" /></a><br />3 days of rest and relaxation around the pool with the ocean on the one side and the mountain on the other.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0FqA3vv3bcqyVLNaDcnd_CD3P_hITkbZCNb2694dnhwsvnoN5RU-jxqkebTv8t7EnHNsoYrgmjBPN8GkUFu9hJoldfwD3r2jVfJczWl5YYLMuPm3bO43wXupM2RuZL3NyzoM/s1600-h/DSC06179-774001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503676891162866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0FqA3vv3bcqyVLNaDcnd_CD3P_hITkbZCNb2694dnhwsvnoN5RU-jxqkebTv8t7EnHNsoYrgmjBPN8GkUFu9hJoldfwD3r2jVfJczWl5YYLMuPm3bO43wXupM2RuZL3NyzoM/s400/DSC06179-774001.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTo3CZ1nukZdou5frOoqGDRMYY88v-tCdm5EGWbu37xse4E2oKXui-LQOF_HOY796X5xzjvJ0l_CrNXMj2MZWP1dylZ9UbRFmUh8ZUMbFDlHRUuol_fvL2BkatkU4TeOcOzkG/s1600-h/IMG_3738-781885.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503706049934882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTo3CZ1nukZdou5frOoqGDRMYY88v-tCdm5EGWbu37xse4E2oKXui-LQOF_HOY796X5xzjvJ0l_CrNXMj2MZWP1dylZ9UbRFmUh8ZUMbFDlHRUuol_fvL2BkatkU4TeOcOzkG/s400/IMG_3738-781885.JPG" /></a><br />We walked to the other side of the bay where there are a few more hotels and it turns out that we again, ended up on the wrong side of the beach. (See Traveler's Tips).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPrVrJeNH8uKuwL8jcS4H-w2-hY-ey5ClyVCMkjnqclbJewDJMDubI768LAwzs5kIgsoV-B4_IandRVSRkQ-qx0BJPL6x8491MV4BsyIo3RaH-J2fDb5S4YTP_orW7l269gLX/s1600-h/DSC06221-782674.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503713099291826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPrVrJeNH8uKuwL8jcS4H-w2-hY-ey5ClyVCMkjnqclbJewDJMDubI768LAwzs5kIgsoV-B4_IandRVSRkQ-qx0BJPL6x8491MV4BsyIo3RaH-J2fDb5S4YTP_orW7l269gLX/s400/DSC06221-782674.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHvBSP61x0-gbJ8z71v28hNvgUUvphA2hNEV7kf8QQ9VZD7C8HEfh1MJVpwuFAkVv0P_DbeOkqs35ri0anG81xzboqqRSk3WpGLKL0d7eRRvAshPCAguy-0qpzq_sl3wzJoPR/s1600-h/DSC06224-783645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503716715833890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHvBSP61x0-gbJ8z71v28hNvgUUvphA2hNEV7kf8QQ9VZD7C8HEfh1MJVpwuFAkVv0P_DbeOkqs35ri0anG81xzboqqRSk3WpGLKL0d7eRRvAshPCAguy-0qpzq_sl3wzJoPR/s400/DSC06224-783645.JPG" /></a><br />Although not as good as the diving in Lemongan, Marc did enjoy two dives in Pemuteran.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503719305562402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-I4ysbF2JJ25iDrlXdku0uwD1sriiViK54cN6K9dqqM26v4Xl4RvkBeuM3qKWSb1VmyLSPLR6O7Waisc8DOwxbSpafn0GJshyKmZ22xKplWXbZ1eGalWdVt-r1xp1ohXr5L9/s400/IMG_3723-784453.JPG" /><br />We visited the Atlas South Sea Pearl Farm, which is about a 15 minute motor bike ride from our hotel. It was really fascinating to see how they cultivated and the process of harvesting the pearls.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mSRJechHg1gytDLaBsJxGmmEovjjxB_62fW9ja3kC-JiNswVHQt-iu1_Kx20pHEpEyMr15Cq0ohtlp-yum5DJQX1-cabUQu4nOn_MpBo3Q8ZYj684OSJzf21TpHZJjOCT74B/s1600-h/DSC06287-785304.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503722597949218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mSRJechHg1gytDLaBsJxGmmEovjjxB_62fW9ja3kC-JiNswVHQt-iu1_Kx20pHEpEyMr15Cq0ohtlp-yum5DJQX1-cabUQu4nOn_MpBo3Q8ZYj684OSJzf21TpHZJjOCT74B/s400/DSC06287-785304.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOeIBog3f1_dgnnHkOtp4n-u7-PKkIY8MgW6JLRdWFWmIgm2sIlb5zUiCj_kBnZ8P8aXdCJ3nOoOrXOyNZ0kg_tfNJhyphenhyphen_stA9503IajzMEs3rTNx0NWDksL85c-CxfucHAeBD/s1600-h/DSC06313-786212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503728707279442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOeIBog3f1_dgnnHkOtp4n-u7-PKkIY8MgW6JLRdWFWmIgm2sIlb5zUiCj_kBnZ8P8aXdCJ3nOoOrXOyNZ0kg_tfNJhyphenhyphen_stA9503IajzMEs3rTNx0NWDksL85c-CxfucHAeBD/s400/DSC06313-786212.JPG" /></a><br />We spent New Years Eve at Adi Assri. It was a quite but fun evening with good food, live entertainment and some fireworks to ring in 2010. </p><p class="mobile-photo">At 9am on Friday, 1 January we left Pemuteran and headed to Seminyak where where we spend the next two days on the back of the motor bike making our way through the busy Kuta traffic, shopping and meeting up with friends that happened to be in Bali during this time. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We stayed at the <a href="http://www.casaartistabali.com/">Casa Artista</a>, which is a small boutique hotel/guest house, conveniently located near "Eat Street" and not to mention all the fantastic shops in Seminyak. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503738581118754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO08DJe_-38b-TrpXZ6t5CJChThypZpvBPvR3pEUIIGrpasscN3fpU0MIex3reqwEs5Rbnh2SVELa26B6VawQ4XVgaaNwT9pNlYU-TIfNEgel_3ioWNn-Heemnmbo4oj8sroJs/s400/DSC06336-788171.JPG" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503746712770226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZIaRnr40MvLWgGkEVmRb9DvYYG2vRC9US13zDvTp3yFmAe9wfOrl6nhnUuRSYFnkiY9lo6MQZ8LZf2NWd_M3t4vDg98BUha7eL911OYFAT1XXp8hH8hyQp5QNdQBOXninoY3/s400/DSC06369-790101.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUMcWhtUba1sWdRFWYTa_gcseHgTVmtfKzIF_6SxuXVQ_hoDfKFC1mE4zYjYsy1d8uvuackSRFNgzwJb2WLV0z7JywgrGjMe85TNm1lD_IutGpR0H5nx6g-RMaP_K_1RkQoBP/s1600-h/DSC06376-792448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503752994097106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUMcWhtUba1sWdRFWYTa_gcseHgTVmtfKzIF_6SxuXVQ_hoDfKFC1mE4zYjYsy1d8uvuackSRFNgzwJb2WLV0z7JywgrGjMe85TNm1lD_IutGpR0H5nx6g-RMaP_K_1RkQoBP/s400/DSC06376-792448.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOuSfQ8uY1R0krRvhDH7tHrOMEl1G-dPubF4IHAbGTQN1dZHvDNX_dceVQUJk-v6YbUPDymbdthJWylniBHI2ZuO30XgzdQG62YBmCjyRXopuj1ikCutUVE2-MR0zQFzHqdyo/s1600-h/DSC06381-793309.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503759171454562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOuSfQ8uY1R0krRvhDH7tHrOMEl1G-dPubF4IHAbGTQN1dZHvDNX_dceVQUJk-v6YbUPDymbdthJWylniBHI2ZuO30XgzdQG62YBmCjyRXopuj1ikCutUVE2-MR0zQFzHqdyo/s400/DSC06381-793309.JPG" /></a><br />We arranged a driver for Sunday, 3 January to take us to the airport. We had some time to kill and decided to check our <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Nusa_Dua">Nus Dua </a>where I have to say we will probably book to stay the next time we visit Bali. Approx. 35min. from Seminyak.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6jL9TNxx6ryLGNl3Wzdkvyn8pcrdC6DObskNXjKBBRqIS4Vbr8441bcT9c68h1OlnwvZQqC0D6G-y6BMd8ig_YCo86Nyz12Cfv0FOgEBvV_6mSQJah_yJme5l0kZL4hrd5CQ/s1600-h/DSC06384-794149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427503762187011666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6jL9TNxx6ryLGNl3Wzdkvyn8pcrdC6DObskNXjKBBRqIS4Vbr8441bcT9c68h1OlnwvZQqC0D6G-y6BMd8ig_YCo86Nyz12Cfv0FOgEBvV_6mSQJah_yJme5l0kZL4hrd5CQ/s400/DSC06384-794149.JPG" /></a><br />We were very happy to have met Nyoman at <a href="http://www.casaartistabali.com/">Casa Artista </a>when we checked in. He provides a great service and can arrange anything from car and driver, hotel and help you plan your next trip to Bali.</p><p class="mobile-photo">His rates are really competitive at Rp.350.000 for full day. Contact: <a href="http://www.santorinibalitours.com/">http://www.santorinibalitours.com/</a> or Tel: +62 361 9194412</p><p class="mobile-photo">This was my 3rd trip to Bali and I am looking forward to the 4th in the near future.</p><p class="mobile-photo"></p><p class="mobile-photo"><strong><em>TRAVELERS TIPS:</em></strong></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Nusa_Lembongan">Lembongan</a> - <a href="http://www.warewaresurfbungalows.com/">Ware Ware Surf Bungalows</a></strong></span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">We didn't really know what to expect of Lembongan. We booked accommodation at the <a href="http://www.warewaresurfbungalows.com/">Ware Ware Surf Bungalows </a>on the Western side of the island. We were quite high up over looking a cove with a spectacular view of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Agung">Mount Agung</a>. However if it's beach you are after, you should rather stay on the Southern end at Mushroom Bay or Dream Beach. The island is very hilly, and unless you hire a motorbike (and even then it's quite a trek) you are far from the beach. We were definitely on the quite side of the island, which suited us, but unless you are happy to stay on your side of the island and lie by the pool, read a book, surf or dive you would be better off looking at other options. </span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Like with most hotels that you book on the Internet one can only hope that it really does look like the pictures and that the reviews are not by fictitious people. Like the saying goes: "you learn from experience" though. And as it turns out Lembogan and our stay at The Ware Ware, was not what we had in mind. Unknown to us, we ended up booking through a tour operator and our room cost us approx. $20 extra per night.</span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The room rates are usually around Rp.450,000 ($45) per night for an AC room, including a simple breakfast with coffee/tea, juice/pancake or toast and fruit. We ended up paying about R650,000 which in my opinion is way to much for what it is. </span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The hotel, though nice enough (for $45) definitely is in need of TLC and the rooms, especially the bathroom need a good clean. And to be honest, the service that you expect for $75 per night, well let's just say we've received better service at a $30 per night hotel. One plus point is that the restaurant at Ware Ware (thought the service is not great) had really good food ;-)!</span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">WARNING: If you book this hotel, ensure that you book directly with the hotel and not through Bali Go Tours. Alternatively, if you, like us only manage to get hold of someone from Bali Go Tours, insist on a better rate.</span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Overall though, we enjoyed our stay and though probably just for the diving, we would consider another trip to Lembogang. </span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Pemuteran">Pemuteran</a> - <a href="http://www.adiassri.com/">Adi Assri</a></strong></span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.adiassri.com/">Adi Assri</a> is a adequate hotel and if you are the kind of person that likes to just stay at your hotel around the pool then you'll be very happy with your choice. But, we ended up hiring a motorbike because you can't really walk along the beach because of the tide and the fishing village next to the hotel. </span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">On the other side of the Fishing boats we were surprised to see all the nice hotels that are located on a better portion of the beach (away from the fishing boats). Our favourite was <a href="http://www.balitamansari.com/cottages-acc.htm">The Taman Sari</a>, which is great. We ended up having a massage at their followed by a fantastic lunch under the trees, on the beach.<br /></span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">We also looked at the rooms and although a little more expensive than <a href="http://www.adiassri.com/">Adi Assri </a>it would def be worth it as the resort just has more to offer and the rooms are more spacious and comfortable.<br />The best thing about this hotel is that you can walk along the beach and try some of the other restaurants around.</span></em> </p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-71603521448703658202009-12-11T06:10:00.010+05:302009-12-15T05:58:45.170+05:30Long weekend in Sumatra - Cubadak Paradiso Village<p class="mobile-photo">Another "island break" was in order over the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eid</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">al</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Adha</span> </a>long weekend, which also happened to be Marc's birthday weekend. We flew to Padang, West Sumatra on Thursday, 26 November for 4 day's of rest and relaxation on an idyllic island. </p><p class="mobile-photo">With Marc trying to squeeze in as much diving as he can before the baby arrives the decision to go on a dive weekend was easy. Where to go however was not so easy as there is a lot to see around Indonesia. The diving opportunities in the archipelago is endless with places like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manado</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Papua</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Komodo</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kalimantan</span> and more. Marc picked <a href="http://www.cubadak-paradisovillage.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cubadak</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Paradiso</span> Village </a>in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padang,_Indonesia">Padang</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Sumatra">West Sumatra </a>after hearing good things about this Italian run island approx. 2 hours from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padang,_Indonesia">Padang</a>.</p><p class="mobile-photo">I can of course not dive at the moment because I'm pregnant but that didn't bother me and I was all to happy to be spending my time lazing around on our cabin deck or on the lounger overlooking the calm see, listening to the waves breaking while reading my book.</p><p class="mobile-photo">The weekend really consisted of eating, sleeping, Marc diving, reading, swimming, eating some more...</p><p class="mobile-photo">The below pictures with some captions says it all:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnnnyIRK3QhVe_Ry1-pNngUSd7NP3Mshc7eLErBAUzqRoPgR4mHaj2w5UprBwIxQHOvSQVusP-EsKqIwumBH9UT6gPIZM_SDnph65B3tdLt3D2CMhml2aWuJEmKDpqdVLzRj9/s1600-h/DSC05606-742680.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772097568531218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnnnyIRK3QhVe_Ry1-pNngUSd7NP3Mshc7eLErBAUzqRoPgR4mHaj2w5UprBwIxQHOvSQVusP-EsKqIwumBH9UT6gPIZM_SDnph65B3tdLt3D2CMhml2aWuJEmKDpqdVLzRj9/s400/DSC05606-742680.JPG" /></a><br />Marc in his element gearing up for his first of 4 dives. He says he enjoyed the dives and that it was good although, there was visible damage from the earthquake that happened in September.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccISsvziiUInUTwQcA0wK0Ag3R2-gVLkGDYJZbDTLcUa1bfDZRl86K3r89aFc2Cv7F6-Cwm1rh6n3YKhe-apuJB9z5vzFpCbHFt0DFIT9gFajOQAZRa5Ife6LXLsn_nIWTaSm/s1600-h/IMG_3493-745708.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772116569431794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccISsvziiUInUTwQcA0wK0Ag3R2-gVLkGDYJZbDTLcUa1bfDZRl86K3r89aFc2Cv7F6-Cwm1rh6n3YKhe-apuJB9z5vzFpCbHFt0DFIT9gFajOQAZRa5Ife6LXLsn_nIWTaSm/s400/IMG_3493-745708.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxwZkQgVl3l-rAEDasCIp0shOpzsvH8j39DgNO_yh9QgCPrbhTUVvmo_-HXnrqPG6PA3ox7CxdvZEOBykfcCTDQi6KyNb6rM7kL81KkFHWZhEJYDHleAoxB7l_NuBFlllBiIA/s1600-h/IMG_3488-747895.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772126003335250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxwZkQgVl3l-rAEDasCIp0shOpzsvH8j39DgNO_yh9QgCPrbhTUVvmo_-HXnrqPG6PA3ox7CxdvZEOBykfcCTDQi6KyNb6rM7kL81KkFHWZhEJYDHleAoxB7l_NuBFlllBiIA/s400/IMG_3488-747895.JPG" /></a><br />Going anywhere during the rainy season is a bit of a gamble but we were lucky and had beautiful sunny mornings with afternoon showers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_LPY6TDY1qOJLMSG0YPlSGRFS_kbkWlCIDqkXy94tdabQz6dxbv3W-BxlhP7RfyLARoRZ-DAKG9uRtfhCLzAP_OzvoB08safiOVTexmpOxHfHkfrJ_EzU1azVIsZXLxPD1mk/s1600-h/IMG_3563-774472.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772241742738770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_LPY6TDY1qOJLMSG0YPlSGRFS_kbkWlCIDqkXy94tdabQz6dxbv3W-BxlhP7RfyLARoRZ-DAKG9uRtfhCLzAP_OzvoB08safiOVTexmpOxHfHkfrJ_EzU1azVIsZXLxPD1mk/s400/IMG_3563-774472.JPG" /></a><br />The cabins do not have AC (ceiling fans only) but it was so nice to not need it. The cabin has big <span style="color:#ffff00;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">gauzed</span> </span>windows and it is built in such a way that there is always a lovely breeze blowing through. We especially loved falling asleep to the sound of the rain on our thatch roof.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzgUGRtuXb8FlVu9QL0fStjmRVm5lqb5Ld9Om2go_z-g96JSQ8oXL_3CRlit0GyDk_Q4tVIz2Is03zF-u0Yq7wTDoyGy0Kck4Z7OgIGMFBJFkUq_n8H0KjKM_RqCkhqPrbyfl/s1600-h/DSC05611-749906.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772135618093586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzgUGRtuXb8FlVu9QL0fStjmRVm5lqb5Ld9Om2go_z-g96JSQ8oXL_3CRlit0GyDk_Q4tVIz2Is03zF-u0Yq7wTDoyGy0Kck4Z7OgIGMFBJFkUq_n8H0KjKM_RqCkhqPrbyfl/s400/DSC05611-749906.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKB8SFgbd_IIP8Go_bWJuG6Z_JkzvJB5D6C41a52nokCcx3LoPvYmx0rT7pph7miNMlqgHTKSmkXAtZ4DdJNSfVscgdsRU_64PSKYD4XB_Y9Dv-32yYkZQ1_y1iSy4AGjN7fZ/s1600-h/DSC05641-776880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772251316225026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKB8SFgbd_IIP8Go_bWJuG6Z_JkzvJB5D6C41a52nokCcx3LoPvYmx0rT7pph7miNMlqgHTKSmkXAtZ4DdJNSfVscgdsRU_64PSKYD4XB_Y9Dv-32yYkZQ1_y1iSy4AGjN7fZ/s400/DSC05641-776880.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2KlUksKWSvMaTKAboyEc65AMuG_stJl6waX-_c93z0I9U4Dhjjix7iuE4HSdEG0n8-YAyUyukTaxliTJ_bwh2cRBUNKD8SsgnZY7g0Af1UPn-2rEgnixcVgWsLfyte8nkBwT/s1600-h/IMG_3603-703245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772359308489186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2KlUksKWSvMaTKAboyEc65AMuG_stJl6waX-_c93z0I9U4Dhjjix7iuE4HSdEG0n8-YAyUyukTaxliTJ_bwh2cRBUNKD8SsgnZY7g0Af1UPn-2rEgnixcVgWsLfyte8nkBwT/s400/IMG_3603-703245.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwd3JbzS6qWQJeVVdC4K3Y4VXCxLxbOSABBDwn7PQ0H04DqDX01_pAuafjI6WWbyORUXlA0evQJChyVy2S079eJFXiZS_5Ae8n6SQjMsNHrzZ4ElqzqrIGL-uaN6K5nb4r6Cp/s1600-h/IMG_3598-705232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772370201300626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwd3JbzS6qWQJeVVdC4K3Y4VXCxLxbOSABBDwn7PQ0H04DqDX01_pAuafjI6WWbyORUXlA0evQJChyVy2S079eJFXiZS_5Ae8n6SQjMsNHrzZ4ElqzqrIGL-uaN6K5nb4r6Cp/s400/IMG_3598-705232.JPG" /></a><br />There is a lovely lounge area next to the pier where guests could lounge around, snorkel and enjoy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">sundowners</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">weather</span> permitting of course).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieViCgeiVe8DklkiZV5CBxowMiDwW6BbYO0mpsGm_eBPfC64IMttpLb5fSXY09KZLV7SNaisXcrlYvhWDNv06PTy8VttwPWwNGPp5cNYyiTFx_gamYZxhpy7YsBamvg9oZaw7A/s1600-h/DSC05616-754666.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772153192098194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieViCgeiVe8DklkiZV5CBxowMiDwW6BbYO0mpsGm_eBPfC64IMttpLb5fSXY09KZLV7SNaisXcrlYvhWDNv06PTy8VttwPWwNGPp5cNYyiTFx_gamYZxhpy7YsBamvg9oZaw7A/s400/DSC05616-754666.JPG" /></a><br />The restaurant where breakfast is served from 7:30pm and then scheduled lunch at 1:30pm and dinner at 8pm. You don't need a watch on the island as a bell is rung when lunch and dinner is served.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU498bxBhhEvY9KwMMH6TI3O4X25z5qWxpx98g6VdnWrDs_HDgEAWsa7SwY9kLL6uZEzZJjDodT6A2jFH9ycvn49iIdmlPpJFu9CH6a-e450_mpvHPyacam505tO4QCCqLnkuU/s1600-h/DSC05614-752684.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772147667029554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU498bxBhhEvY9KwMMH6TI3O4X25z5qWxpx98g6VdnWrDs_HDgEAWsa7SwY9kLL6uZEzZJjDodT6A2jFH9ycvn49iIdmlPpJFu9CH6a-e450_mpvHPyacam505tO4QCCqLnkuU/s400/DSC05614-752684.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUAJKIZ1aIUQWsjnPJgGZMLPRAepkqXhKH5MlcVmQbjUQ7UFn5zumb9amO_QdcID4zxz899QmE__a4xZTA9RebONHnHQqEXii6aL3Dx4Zpy3EbJa_BkzVLW7vdgnnnGrTKlKx/s1600-h/DSC05617-756991.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772163494462146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUAJKIZ1aIUQWsjnPJgGZMLPRAepkqXhKH5MlcVmQbjUQ7UFn5zumb9amO_QdcID4zxz899QmE__a4xZTA9RebONHnHQqEXii6aL3Dx4Zpy3EbJa_BkzVLW7vdgnnnGrTKlKx/s400/DSC05617-756991.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOInxg8REsTxaP1xenVx_j0Qv4v8Ghhr8xLnO0GApslm6uIDRFl2z3ICSezksszmkkcOH9CEcnHJyEK1CZFDdAqvyXL6ThiRw5V7jMi7I7m1VG3-OmH4RaHrur4ZPuY4hfUfl5/s1600-h/DSC05636-759294.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772173454503858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOInxg8REsTxaP1xenVx_j0Qv4v8Ghhr8xLnO0GApslm6uIDRFl2z3ICSezksszmkkcOH9CEcnHJyEK1CZFDdAqvyXL6ThiRw5V7jMi7I7m1VG3-OmH4RaHrur4ZPuY4hfUfl5/s400/DSC05636-759294.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMDiWjErMxytOXMtu5C_f1IknH4LunNfYuiADJl4EWbSOcVUtVjT88l97aBLnD115Bdpskjmdhe4wjyJhOpLxV3gXRWR0QnnX2X2Z7hv6kkzgA81hiXPKboCqB7pfM5kZCvlP/s1600-h/IMG_3560-761506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772181005919858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMDiWjErMxytOXMtu5C_f1IknH4LunNfYuiADJl4EWbSOcVUtVjT88l97aBLnD115Bdpskjmdhe4wjyJhOpLxV3gXRWR0QnnX2X2Z7hv6kkzgA81hiXPKboCqB7pfM5kZCvlP/s400/IMG_3560-761506.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvQgvnsQOGp32qNgUDf8xOTbrdwcOU35hVxHmiDjuMPX59D5G02vO8htpChI_QrpUjvYGVEfb-FYuQzRlDIomIQ7dOAyiqGFEMegU-1Vub07IY_LcSkVJ1XvXYKSVoiwA90Ex/s1600-h/IMG_3500-764037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772195157279906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvQgvnsQOGp32qNgUDf8xOTbrdwcOU35hVxHmiDjuMPX59D5G02vO8htpChI_QrpUjvYGVEfb-FYuQzRlDIomIQ7dOAyiqGFEMegU-1Vub07IY_LcSkVJ1XvXYKSVoiwA90Ex/s400/IMG_3500-764037.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJACnQj9wAr8-wK1A0gSNklccElX45J922f6xz6Q2Woj9lIOgY3K_FYh07M31ZQL2gczynMYLS94vdAfTvAVVF6E8afJ9eCdwN6fv7wUVjSNrR_i-aeRZM07FV09CSJGn4BXQG/s1600-h/IMG_3515-766257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772200605884498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJACnQj9wAr8-wK1A0gSNklccElX45J922f6xz6Q2Woj9lIOgY3K_FYh07M31ZQL2gczynMYLS94vdAfTvAVVF6E8afJ9eCdwN6fv7wUVjSNrR_i-aeRZM07FV09CSJGn4BXQG/s400/IMG_3515-766257.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9_dM56GElsdajtQp4dc0Zn5EjPcEKpxOJ6XX0p0Uho8rQJlTo7bqN8JHxFQyELgIVPXXGHPdrmqEceq4c387aEqGdzx5k0iGy1oRg31nz6Kwc5EsZsljYhAhn7-nI42J1Z49/s1600-h/IMG_3498-768771.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772213575422082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9_dM56GElsdajtQp4dc0Zn5EjPcEKpxOJ6XX0p0Uho8rQJlTo7bqN8JHxFQyELgIVPXXGHPdrmqEceq4c387aEqGdzx5k0iGy1oRg31nz6Kwc5EsZsljYhAhn7-nI42J1Z49/s400/IMG_3498-768771.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcj0CAl7i53O80XKDmpdmBINyrfjXIlhhZcEhRlURaTrdLv4iWJ1Kaz93iNX_LX-OWbcSGrELZ9nXR94Ij-gLLkwvvbVemqlwXY3kalFaYb6Y4cBLZmZH6bfoD0c5wVMZGSkM/s1600-h/DSC05705-791038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772309504184178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcj0CAl7i53O80XKDmpdmBINyrfjXIlhhZcEhRlURaTrdLv4iWJ1Kaz93iNX_LX-OWbcSGrELZ9nXR94Ij-gLLkwvvbVemqlwXY3kalFaYb6Y4cBLZmZH6bfoD0c5wVMZGSkM/s400/DSC05705-791038.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r2z2A8dTW-QfM-TnJ8pqMpQqEtdBoAzB7-WkhlrGOrm-mxA_4hOx7zqMueX1E85ufFSYO58W2EhyKQMWkcUcTqMFR-zOCCpNwaQaiW8PfcGs72NBvPmEDmGHfALFihjMZbrl/s1600-h/IMG_3539-771429.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772224951307874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r2z2A8dTW-QfM-TnJ8pqMpQqEtdBoAzB7-WkhlrGOrm-mxA_4hOx7zqMueX1E85ufFSYO58W2EhyKQMWkcUcTqMFR-zOCCpNwaQaiW8PfcGs72NBvPmEDmGHfALFihjMZbrl/s400/IMG_3539-771429.JPG" /></a><br />We only had to walk about 20 meters to cool off in the beautiful calm ocean.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZkjM_GcKYdNgV6fVxZpQHyqFgypt7VoYVRyvuHz97L9QeKDc3TKPajIOuABeGKisAGd8BdVPJhLVTaTDXlQFiJJtNsAbFJpLpsVsQrcXtd4mjmrolXtbAe7mDOZFZGmHK5J_/s1600-h/DSC05681-778918.JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772259705871762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZkjM_GcKYdNgV6fVxZpQHyqFgypt7VoYVRyvuHz97L9QeKDc3TKPajIOuABeGKisAGd8BdVPJhLVTaTDXlQFiJJtNsAbFJpLpsVsQrcXtd4mjmrolXtbAe7mDOZFZGmHK5J_/s400/DSC05681-778918.JPG" /></a><br />The food was great. Marc especially enjoyed the crab which was the biggest that I've ever seen.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQc5T9AnbV43knN7jKbJYv_lZ4HYa-7z3wI4tTfSnZ5LVdp3Pcj_Zg8OPtM8Rep1I8jvV2cUB5oZEy1gA4EefbS6hTzaEkpNIr4tzMpnf3oms0P3z4cSijQE8cxngoUMniJvQh/s1600-h/DSC05684-781648.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772268280557986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQc5T9AnbV43knN7jKbJYv_lZ4HYa-7z3wI4tTfSnZ5LVdp3Pcj_Zg8OPtM8Rep1I8jvV2cUB5oZEy1gA4EefbS6hTzaEkpNIr4tzMpnf3oms0P3z4cSijQE8cxngoUMniJvQh/s400/DSC05684-781648.JPG" /></a><br />Saturday 28 November - It's not a birthday without a cake and people singing "Happy Birthday to you".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfGB-OT1YUHVAk6TBOfzP3nCobEi6H6QF6OGFFkfX9f3kI7almRJ_baRZxBmmuPpTxR1fkwB9peBabrV16Rh84rUzX-nOJUIWDILqmO57tQmrixr6LqHHv3AQegZbiTQxnWeQ/s1600-h/DSC05687-784500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772280466760322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfGB-OT1YUHVAk6TBOfzP3nCobEi6H6QF6OGFFkfX9f3kI7almRJ_baRZxBmmuPpTxR1fkwB9peBabrV16Rh84rUzX-nOJUIWDILqmO57tQmrixr6LqHHv3AQegZbiTQxnWeQ/s400/DSC05687-784500.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwLBZybIl2vFrKFyQ4RhjPflIiWALL9-fDfmlLIoxPV6rrTLe4yRKZkHy9gMpOClhDDLxlq9grg5Q5U53Z8saONmqN6VmCHiK6O-iDQW_39k9AAqCV3da11TQH449nE6sdD3n/s1600-h/DSC05690-786935.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772293113993266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwLBZybIl2vFrKFyQ4RhjPflIiWALL9-fDfmlLIoxPV6rrTLe4yRKZkHy9gMpOClhDDLxlq9grg5Q5U53Z8saONmqN6VmCHiK6O-iDQW_39k9AAqCV3da11TQH449nE6sdD3n/s400/DSC05690-786935.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w4-DSHmrGsWCOVD4nPXHobrUNf1pvOOwMUwomvF7FPjLN_-EeJQOfgAxwI_lQDz_9QMTqhqaTWurN4yBXiq7kTqOI0dbfYKotjXxFzBKrY8l7eAyMTkkdmNFZBiTvGC5Kp8c/s1600-h/DSC05692-789209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772301176520162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w4-DSHmrGsWCOVD4nPXHobrUNf1pvOOwMUwomvF7FPjLN_-EeJQOfgAxwI_lQDz_9QMTqhqaTWurN4yBXiq7kTqOI0dbfYKotjXxFzBKrY8l7eAyMTkkdmNFZBiTvGC5Kp8c/s400/DSC05692-789209.JPG" /></a><br />We enjoyed an afternoon stroll along the white sandy beach.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBfObNkIcxT2El9ZuqqpHZWeK_ASp0MLjzZe5ZBKlcWA7iTqhJXpxy8tDKC7U1Y9mPINVguA4qqnoOp9xWuWmXRkEoxLuJxAuGmtlQ4kXYD3fBwOls0sfUBQKtqAgHdObfBTt/s1600-h/DSC05707-793580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772318661992610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBfObNkIcxT2El9ZuqqpHZWeK_ASp0MLjzZe5ZBKlcWA7iTqhJXpxy8tDKC7U1Y9mPINVguA4qqnoOp9xWuWmXRkEoxLuJxAuGmtlQ4kXYD3fBwOls0sfUBQKtqAgHdObfBTt/s400/DSC05707-793580.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUaRHsMKm4x8B9mKc3wjfi_SbMiyfPaITs2DbaonApbM8fRtln0iY4G1JYjNuA7RYaYtfezxqB21OOjZ5o2jL6GFa-A29oXU2YFjNHV_VqCIWe0pdhB80_0b-0JqCSqZ3jF8x/s1600-h/DSC05708-796064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772331424388994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUaRHsMKm4x8B9mKc3wjfi_SbMiyfPaITs2DbaonApbM8fRtln0iY4G1JYjNuA7RYaYtfezxqB21OOjZ5o2jL6GFa-A29oXU2YFjNHV_VqCIWe0pdhB80_0b-0JqCSqZ3jF8x/s400/DSC05708-796064.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5lm4Z4H2LIHz2_djrNLSkLIOFk97vc4RzT-nNugvj5qUp77CVv0gXZ8rtaU7w1NuSxUwIkhd3xw-jyM5fbXSxL21O7EceuIm7IDjyuNqaDTjqmLqDs6vqVRDL2r64aDTHgN7/s1600-h/DSC05712-797875.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772339786222098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5lm4Z4H2LIHz2_djrNLSkLIOFk97vc4RzT-nNugvj5qUp77CVv0gXZ8rtaU7w1NuSxUwIkhd3xw-jyM5fbXSxL21O7EceuIm7IDjyuNqaDTjqmLqDs6vqVRDL2r64aDTHgN7/s400/DSC05712-797875.JPG" /></a><br />On Sunday Marc ventured up the hill to take in the spectacular view from the top. It was apparently a steep, slippery climb as it started raining. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp1Q7Z580ZZOEO5uRjfX13AyP56pl6HQmaAdKH7155Em8m_flR4FoKKpYMKMgvXgow20OO0cGKY0A7i4683A-LyhGx0x4m1SEx0BbTIWeEpb9GAjt-Gt8CpUvXlzI7NoSf3UO/s1600-h/DSC05724-701174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772353356758978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp1Q7Z580ZZOEO5uRjfX13AyP56pl6HQmaAdKH7155Em8m_flR4FoKKpYMKMgvXgow20OO0cGKY0A7i4683A-LyhGx0x4m1SEx0BbTIWeEpb9GAjt-Gt8CpUvXlzI7NoSf3UO/s400/DSC05724-701174.JPG" /></a><br />Marc returned about an hour later explaining how he felt a bit like Bear Grills (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>, not quite as dramatic) but slipping and sliding, climbing over and under tree trunks and he even had an encounter with a snake.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We had lunch at 1:30 and at 2:30 we headed back to the airport in Padang for our 6:30 flight. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Tq3v7I58850EKgksFZXpIgbqlLml_AKV5h3a8L_B3e-DERszDOKLqrYTVkm4RFou2H2rMBAtQANLwU-XyDijeLv7DjlqLEtEGJxCqoQwA0E16iN_LnuKx2VGSCgW1O6vXI3y/s1600-h/DSC05733-707245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772379236244882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Tq3v7I58850EKgksFZXpIgbqlLml_AKV5h3a8L_B3e-DERszDOKLqrYTVkm4RFou2H2rMBAtQANLwU-XyDijeLv7DjlqLEtEGJxCqoQwA0E16iN_LnuKx2VGSCgW1O6vXI3y/s400/DSC05733-707245.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLoKgV7YFxmB05LSSur6K05p9z9_YNd0dodNLhqR4cDXry-2iOW3YV0Agj9NdC5JMDU99p4_CZ9jaMcV3q6xvSiR0JFLdx_J0EfqGCxrxMAxLtAZBPAEkaewJ4NHopapXOZF5/s1600-h/DSC05742-711633.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772395854810386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLoKgV7YFxmB05LSSur6K05p9z9_YNd0dodNLhqR4cDXry-2iOW3YV0Agj9NdC5JMDU99p4_CZ9jaMcV3q6xvSiR0JFLdx_J0EfqGCxrxMAxLtAZBPAEkaewJ4NHopapXOZF5/s400/DSC05742-711633.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TfcPeKmfp7zaNB1ligLGCSrsw1Rk3sFlILJHFRfAf_jxzFsUrj5y1y7zfhGavBWBWWO2KXFNrA-E-OLvUDyC1FOBXhOiQiS1LLrNzD7w3Kv9KrczeFM6Fn3yTN3cvA9mamhh/s1600-h/DSC05737-709879.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772390501001426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TfcPeKmfp7zaNB1ligLGCSrsw1Rk3sFlILJHFRfAf_jxzFsUrj5y1y7zfhGavBWBWWO2KXFNrA-E-OLvUDyC1FOBXhOiQiS1LLrNzD7w3Kv9KrczeFM6Fn3yTN3cvA9mamhh/s400/DSC05737-709879.JPG" /></a><br />It is a short speed boat ride back to the small fishing village where our taxi was waiting for us.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenTUPxq_0BK0l1ylzJD41CzqUIgsY6iZiA9QqgY2TzUn-EPJhPlSrSn2hgk2YZGdAQ7P3KqxC0m5GMW_LVsE4IfDHry-zGuYWKkEqZ2Cegc370Kh-UtEXh5k0rftMV47cJUu_/s1600-h/DSC05743-713287.JPG"></a><br />The drive to and from Padang was interesting to say the least...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGTvd4Kw06nT2UKaOUXnrP81jKexn3hD2BhHVcH-wdjt9-AviQm-p8N22Su_DJyBkQyxLcbgIsZduGV7CwJME2fC0ECa4r0xpqJCzW1ACM5HvfL61DRY3S-Vh1An8x7znn2lO/s1600-h/DSC05748-714746.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772412831044370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGTvd4Kw06nT2UKaOUXnrP81jKexn3hD2BhHVcH-wdjt9-AviQm-p8N22Su_DJyBkQyxLcbgIsZduGV7CwJME2fC0ECa4r0xpqJCzW1ACM5HvfL61DRY3S-Vh1An8x7znn2lO/s400/DSC05748-714746.JPG" /></a><br />We couldn't believe the damage caused by the earthquake with visible evidence of land slides along the winding hill side roads towards Padang. Driving through Padang we couldn't get over the damage caused in the more build up areas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo8dIGdnUI2UK_mPkUDU-4nORVFaTxzgN1PzkDSQOO6dY-_pZp28wG7dtno6AkB3EAsuwdFYJ_DZ0TYgYO-LQbRkMkqifIM-uIgW00z1qw9Yqgx3t90qeJKTJMDZqHy-tPn2d/s1600-h/DSC05749-716896.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772420221359250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo8dIGdnUI2UK_mPkUDU-4nORVFaTxzgN1PzkDSQOO6dY-_pZp28wG7dtno6AkB3EAsuwdFYJ_DZ0TYgYO-LQbRkMkqifIM-uIgW00z1qw9Yqgx3t90qeJKTJMDZqHy-tPn2d/s400/DSC05749-716896.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PSIs1Coh7AXmpTsckFoNoxZwuNnjbV0vCIRYu2W_EgGMQcZ8WOJSpHrbksPDRi7XkiLwDreSNiNLIRRw8qNugyfFj68NsCw7sAGvg9EfFUv-NSdN0NSQsfEzloZaJMHH3Aov/s1600-h/DSC05750-719135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772428784364642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PSIs1Coh7AXmpTsckFoNoxZwuNnjbV0vCIRYu2W_EgGMQcZ8WOJSpHrbksPDRi7XkiLwDreSNiNLIRRw8qNugyfFj68NsCw7sAGvg9EfFUv-NSdN0NSQsfEzloZaJMHH3Aov/s400/DSC05750-719135.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt6VqJ0DFLkkttv-tYGeQvxuGg50bwtrBUMgivM4F4VwQ0Acn-9NDYjkTIkDmAcEXjSC8yv1AmnNpiDZQtd9Of1OAdFlmhkSOhtdUPNeSqcD8qs3SUzNCAZSM0b0e14FsPwkJ/s1600-h/DSC05751-721272.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772438951920178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt6VqJ0DFLkkttv-tYGeQvxuGg50bwtrBUMgivM4F4VwQ0Acn-9NDYjkTIkDmAcEXjSC8yv1AmnNpiDZQtd9Of1OAdFlmhkSOhtdUPNeSqcD8qs3SUzNCAZSM0b0e14FsPwkJ/s400/DSC05751-721272.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9NtSzJS-el-CVgXwRoB57AfJQJTKDXioJreyku6qMD28Nmq8td_t8hOt7oGcnvMM8PRUH6hIGCbklCYkWUif2DiQDWx4oMmOv8VLnhpkLYPRn6D6ULtj0dvwqWeTuz4OG89-/s1600-h/DSC05753-723859.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413772453641735906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9NtSzJS-el-CVgXwRoB57AfJQJTKDXioJreyku6qMD28Nmq8td_t8hOt7oGcnvMM8PRUH6hIGCbklCYkWUif2DiQDWx4oMmOv8VLnhpkLYPRn6D6ULtj0dvwqWeTuz4OG89-/s400/DSC05753-723859.JPG" /></a><br />It didn't stop raining from the time we left <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cubadak</span> so my attempt to take photo's out of a moving car in the pouring rain is not great but you get the idea. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We got to the airport in a nick of time. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">literally</span> checked in and sat down for about 10 min. before we had to board our flight for the short 1 hour, 40 minutes flight back to Jakarta. </p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-28541292029412503272009-11-17T06:33:00.011+05:302009-11-18T05:43:17.547+05:30Joining the May 2010 parent's club<div>I am very happy to announce that I am 14 weeks pregnant. In give or take 26 weeks there will be a baby Beuthe in the mix.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20GnotHQb43b39VxZryJUaYhMtiM6p0AXR6-KqKBN0d9Ztdh288lRSjDFbTR8pZuUvFwMcUwd8gvB0Q_7Xt3wFoSZDVxtUuzpBx37uBNsX27NbRBKez92QS6N-NTHjn1bs2ZH/s1600/Scan1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404888039285942450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20GnotHQb43b39VxZryJUaYhMtiM6p0AXR6-KqKBN0d9Ztdh288lRSjDFbTR8pZuUvFwMcUwd8gvB0Q_7Xt3wFoSZDVxtUuzpBx37uBNsX27NbRBKez92QS6N-NTHjn1bs2ZH/s400/Scan1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_ITYGdoovwkREH3FGaI3pqvDUJOcwxqF6UEdopoCgJG1x0qCmO_hyEik7XEvh55Djha6H-FDsxi-QapvVna5WGTPgZHmEY_ofNxLCDzrSsQAoP8PrX_rGUWBLNhW4cjVYE3d/s1600/3D+scan.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404888043476225138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_ITYGdoovwkREH3FGaI3pqvDUJOcwxqF6UEdopoCgJG1x0qCmO_hyEik7XEvh55Djha6H-FDsxi-QapvVna5WGTPgZHmEY_ofNxLCDzrSsQAoP8PrX_rGUWBLNhW4cjVYE3d/s400/3D+scan.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We are still trying to imagine our lives with our +1. Although it's pretty daunting, knowing that we will soon be responsible for someone other than our selves we are really excited about becoming parents. We've had 3 months to discuss the anticipated changes in our lives and trying to picture our NEW LIFE with a little baby. I consider the first tri-mester the "prep time". Getting yourself used to the idea and preparing yourself mentally for the life changing experience awaiting the new parents to be. And of course the Morning sickness was a constant reminder of this. </div><div> </div><div>Now that we've entered the second tri-mester and the thought had sunken in and the Morning sickness almost completely worn off the reality is starting to set in.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4FVD-VJHDmMnkmR_ruRBLMDkjXt8QMelwk19CawOXAhjupKGok9dgR5NnxpkVunuZndGf3aPyqhRPIpjqrVyrUt4FFCBHCkDFqGVARMw7jk9UnZbLoMwt-xpJ9KrtIq7eN35/s1600/Tummy.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404888866098766354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4FVD-VJHDmMnkmR_ruRBLMDkjXt8QMelwk19CawOXAhjupKGok9dgR5NnxpkVunuZndGf3aPyqhRPIpjqrVyrUt4FFCBHCkDFqGVARMw7jk9UnZbLoMwt-xpJ9KrtIq7eN35/s400/Tummy.JPG" /></a><br /><div>There is no bump to talk of just yet. But, we imagine that within the next month or so it will become even more real when I start to look pregnant. <div></div></div><div>Being the impulsive, "if I want something, I want it now kind of person" that I am, I've always thought that 9 months is such a long time have to wait for something. Now I realise that it's all part of the process and I'm truly grateful that we have this time to ease into this new very exciting chapter of our lives.</div><div></div><br /><div>My take on the "process" - Once you have accepted the facts, there is only 6 months left. And then you realise, in those 6 months you would need to prepare yourself for the arrival and there are a million and 1 questions regarding the delivery (Do we have the baby in Jakarta or in Singapore), putting together a short list of names, not to mention all the concerns about a healthy baby, which you can't wait to confirm with the next appointment with your OBGYN. There is also the exciting part of starting to think about and listing all the things you'll need for the little one. Doing research about which travel system and cot is the best, which monitors are the safest etc. etc. and the TO DO LIST just keeps getting longer. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I imagine in the months to come trips to the shops will become less about what we need and more about what "baby" needs. Instead of shopping for a new dress for myself I imagine standing in front of the onesies, picking out a cute outfit for our little one instead.</div><br /><div></div><div>And so the count down to parenthood has officially begun...</div><div></div><br /><div>In between all the baby talk we do have an exciting November and December planned. We are off to Cubadak, Sumatra for Marc's birthday on 26 to 29 November and Bali from the 26 December to the 3rd of January. </div><br /><div></div><div>Watch this space!</div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-67844511016935797412009-11-03T08:07:00.021+05:302009-11-19T08:02:40.100+05:30The past couple of monthsI realised that I haven't done a blog post in a while but I didn't realise how long, OOPS.<br /><br />Due to my tardiness I will be posting/cramming the past couple of months into this one post.<br /><br />I'll start by mentioning what I've been keeping myself busy with (hence the late update). I have been attending weekly art classes and in between I take every chance I get to paint at home. It is an acrylics class where we learn different techniques and attempt different projects incl. Chinese watercolour technique (with acrylics), collage abstract and still life.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3wCC27k8IiuVm46vTYivMgao5LW1h_B2-5vYha7MWMxz8lGknwTLIGV2tqbNHHuR-J6QLUncW42DgOsbt0ep9ENFcLKUtWPryQCsoAiLRaarYdDr2mITzSogwcqM0eTOjYsF/s1600-h/DSC05503.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 399px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399764395226417938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3wCC27k8IiuVm46vTYivMgao5LW1h_B2-5vYha7MWMxz8lGknwTLIGV2tqbNHHuR-J6QLUncW42DgOsbt0ep9ENFcLKUtWPryQCsoAiLRaarYdDr2mITzSogwcqM0eTOjYsF/s400/DSC05503.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbENowsBhxAAbSr2sy5Tn5_JtMh8hRSA_G2Xou-ESXC5pMobJ1PmMiOKG3P3Mk3paQg_1zSGz5DbkEAkNyJsreIJf7_dqvTSIkx9nH2USPRw3p97YL0q3URx4l9qulwYo7q-E7/s1600-h/DSC05495.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399764397633349314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbENowsBhxAAbSr2sy5Tn5_JtMh8hRSA_G2Xou-ESXC5pMobJ1PmMiOKG3P3Mk3paQg_1zSGz5DbkEAkNyJsreIJf7_dqvTSIkx9nH2USPRw3p97YL0q3URx4l9qulwYo7q-E7/s400/DSC05495.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSqoHkIig3nFZkazDVY8DbzO3g5TydRdlrSmNk8usZYt4_G6rKfMuT5BsOYujSR1L7O4Sagexi7tPf9uFwxJXhZk-ui60dy0m8Z2r-9N8pVWCO6ZheH4VqzOKMS8IHs2WbNyN/s1600/DSC05569.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 346px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405635101812557554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSqoHkIig3nFZkazDVY8DbzO3g5TydRdlrSmNk8usZYt4_G6rKfMuT5BsOYujSR1L7O4Sagexi7tPf9uFwxJXhZk-ui60dy0m8Z2r-9N8pVWCO6ZheH4VqzOKMS8IHs2WbNyN/s400/DSC05569.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQr3Y5vDD1kor2VxNEHJY6ezvBOuBbWgcA5-dWG85hDwqL16Sp0lX0dUlSZLsfAq3li6lLdqi9qvhBnHMFza1Fjx0k7b9CCotAPE4VD9dpTJ1Wi1qBbffjomDWsoqNm3M2bR4/s1600/DSC05568.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405635100190995282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQr3Y5vDD1kor2VxNEHJY6ezvBOuBbWgcA5-dWG85hDwqL16Sp0lX0dUlSZLsfAq3li6lLdqi9qvhBnHMFza1Fjx0k7b9CCotAPE4VD9dpTJ1Wi1qBbffjomDWsoqNm3M2bR4/s400/DSC05568.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGrJ4H0K3E9aHivEhCb9Csd0KSaWDBjiPC5jdeurqa28FlWfiOMsHO3gVvxGeNqxXIlmwfzkCwjCaAzVJEMmYiFLQhtSQaeUE30NuKZtDg6YftxpXDpw8R4ezIPnSLBKe-Ui4/s1600/DSC05573.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405635110590716018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGrJ4H0K3E9aHivEhCb9Csd0KSaWDBjiPC5jdeurqa28FlWfiOMsHO3gVvxGeNqxXIlmwfzkCwjCaAzVJEMmYiFLQhtSQaeUE30NuKZtDg6YftxpXDpw8R4ezIPnSLBKe-Ui4/s400/DSC05573.JPG" /></a><br />I never actually thought that I would like doing abstract but it is truly a lot of fun. Here are some of the works I've done at home, playing around with colours and different painting techniques:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtXVeOMvsJQcdD-8Z4M1QENlszow8NSuFDlshtlwljE_Yfrd0CWX2QSlhL7k-D2-QEy6WnJa2TrSkoGmDHLkeexQhrJ7-hceeu2JDi_E-W4EXJsMzLkqWcZEZ6GXMOPRpJ05u/s1600-h/DSC05485.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 338px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399772130419511170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtXVeOMvsJQcdD-8Z4M1QENlszow8NSuFDlshtlwljE_Yfrd0CWX2QSlhL7k-D2-QEy6WnJa2TrSkoGmDHLkeexQhrJ7-hceeu2JDi_E-W4EXJsMzLkqWcZEZ6GXMOPRpJ05u/s400/DSC05485.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXGBBOMH6MhWL7BsIWz_un5cxzqwScIK6259heKfqTc8fTw6XZmEHkH5iQkftAVAaP2FOpJggAk-vEEHayO4eg42h8Q0epsFhIF96VMBAH22eITiOSbjMG2zgIXV6Ab6xRf77/s1600-h/DSC05491.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 346px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399772146129699298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXGBBOMH6MhWL7BsIWz_un5cxzqwScIK6259heKfqTc8fTw6XZmEHkH5iQkftAVAaP2FOpJggAk-vEEHayO4eg42h8Q0epsFhIF96VMBAH22eITiOSbjMG2zgIXV6Ab6xRf77/s400/DSC05491.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtioEgqt3FjJTFoyQzuCNcpD19yADA4qnzw1iumZ8RZq1oupNhnhxeMtYxWUvymHaJmktvx3vfr_2QX6i9xIUoMyb5RdzKhjGOevi7JkMB9pAN0Y5evqc469k7iafaRgixbgb/s1600/DSC05567.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 259px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405635093999735794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtioEgqt3FjJTFoyQzuCNcpD19yADA4qnzw1iumZ8RZq1oupNhnhxeMtYxWUvymHaJmktvx3vfr_2QX6i9xIUoMyb5RdzKhjGOevi7JkMB9pAN0Y5evqc469k7iafaRgixbgb/s400/DSC05567.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcTbosTz2WwZHiyZCFge4u4d-MdiDRrio4VNgITPRwhwom5lIDJiza4XzqQ9qg64uTek4dNG4rCj4y6T7-v9-P9Et118ZuCetazogMhtgcT0gwXhbXOTEdkINcUWGLNVODYBf/s1600-h/DSC05496.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399772152194943282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcTbosTz2WwZHiyZCFge4u4d-MdiDRrio4VNgITPRwhwom5lIDJiza4XzqQ9qg64uTek4dNG4rCj4y6T7-v9-P9Et118ZuCetazogMhtgcT0gwXhbXOTEdkINcUWGLNVODYBf/s400/DSC05496.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA75yGA9GYO2pwpxnGAdHPRDNALvlACyujto1z7WMHKMNVf11zbhpniEp5h6sCAEiVUH3PXTAxU9zt9T_L1oA0eWd4T-XcUyJpKigBPzw4YhHCWxcmyyyVzizSZI9GDPnZOIZV/s1600-h/DSC05492.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 306px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399764422285206098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA75yGA9GYO2pwpxnGAdHPRDNALvlACyujto1z7WMHKMNVf11zbhpniEp5h6sCAEiVUH3PXTAxU9zt9T_L1oA0eWd4T-XcUyJpKigBPzw4YhHCWxcmyyyVzizSZI9GDPnZOIZV/s400/DSC05492.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxcecQnrkPBK4Ro40P9WoZOtnIUq2maWhrOmKeR7R6j0IbbVQcdBGiemhAo8qdRZXH-T3d2bBTOtn_6PW_aBborqxbePej0imR8zYHY6xDo_Pp3IRc0m2HAev2XM5X5mcLz07/s1600-h/DSC05501.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 330px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399764417723445682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxcecQnrkPBK4Ro40P9WoZOtnIUq2maWhrOmKeR7R6j0IbbVQcdBGiemhAo8qdRZXH-T3d2bBTOtn_6PW_aBborqxbePej0imR8zYHY6xDo_Pp3IRc0m2HAev2XM5X5mcLz07/s400/DSC05501.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM0vSO-r_m-YajSdjvVzKRanRN6ON1yrMQ0pBgvlCQ1wYkBUbzPANgbH3S5wsEcHLkKPci8Hc68-oKIuZFW0GXkj-1yc0kt2mRqdE3dcF5_bxmscj7wekaakMTHTEjXcEjSYp/s1600-h/DSC05488.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 314px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399772138050595122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM0vSO-r_m-YajSdjvVzKRanRN6ON1yrMQ0pBgvlCQ1wYkBUbzPANgbH3S5wsEcHLkKPci8Hc68-oKIuZFW0GXkj-1yc0kt2mRqdE3dcF5_bxmscj7wekaakMTHTEjXcEjSYp/s400/DSC05488.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwVyaLvkHP74v560lxtWBm_JtIsrQ6IUgauvEfOswY3fNn4Pvt8JvOfSS2jfM9dlT-FZckvw8fvWQ_5q5lDLqKTE2xzvl4Iw3AJvAtROqJpS96S5-yZXfjvfs5_bNxHR0S26U/s1600-h/DSC05500.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 244px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399764406067710146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwVyaLvkHP74v560lxtWBm_JtIsrQ6IUgauvEfOswY3fNn4Pvt8JvOfSS2jfM9dlT-FZckvw8fvWQ_5q5lDLqKTE2xzvl4Iw3AJvAtROqJpS96S5-yZXfjvfs5_bNxHR0S26U/s400/DSC05500.JPG" /></a><br />Apart from the painting, I have also just finished designing a website for a South African artist friend of ours, Shaun F Parker. I still have to make some small changes, but it's up and running. Check it out: <a href="http://www.chrisandshaun.com/">http://www.chrisandshaun.com/</a><br /><br />We published the site last week, just in time for Shaun's exhibition that was held at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kemangvillage.com"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kemang</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Villange</span> </a>on Thursday, 30 October.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RvC1ipj-E8u0RlvV1HDCk6wKcqLZ4TN7uUluwiSRv83eCZIj0fQJY1ihL3ygZrZW33U-tXPDY65HYR-3Of6fQ9FdB4ln0bvw0UnEHs0pmgWe_qsPr15Q7YFQ4hU-ECafrumN/s1600-h/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399713966556571074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RvC1ipj-E8u0RlvV1HDCk6wKcqLZ4TN7uUluwiSRv83eCZIj0fQJY1ihL3ygZrZW33U-tXPDY65HYR-3Of6fQ9FdB4ln0bvw0UnEHs0pmgWe_qsPr15Q7YFQ4hU-ECafrumN/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" /></a><br />Marc and I admiring Shaun's fabulous catalogue in the form of post cards.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpT8Gmyo0haeBwxSULUPFpB9g2a3AczomudWMnvBcU_ezlfviNpl_hnaO6j-iKpuMcCK0UI4OqT08WYJD88j-PzY_755tFplXOViu84oaLlkoKmW4lAFYewGyjMpfla6dOs5v/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399713961105391122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpT8Gmyo0haeBwxSULUPFpB9g2a3AczomudWMnvBcU_ezlfviNpl_hnaO6j-iKpuMcCK0UI4OqT08WYJD88j-PzY_755tFplXOViu84oaLlkoKmW4lAFYewGyjMpfla6dOs5v/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" /></a><br />Marc and I with Joe<br /><br />"Thanks for the pics, Shaun and congratulations again"!<br /><br />As I have a real interest in graphic and web design and I was very happy when Shaun asked if I would design a site for him. I grab every chance I get to do other design work, incl. flyer's for a yard sale and illustrated name canvas's.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLJCGhxWbAphhK1n3e93Z-axO7NLh2cQfcb_3S6DIVIhNazZkOuGCjDKWB68EEwixP9zD9q3w1nc5G6L6FGmcWLrc6E5OJHFLbnCxOCfWsCKUOquQv57UCYvXfgcYeAIheTbd/s1600-h/Multi-Family+Yard+Sale+-+26%2627+Augustsmall.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399717075691034482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLJCGhxWbAphhK1n3e93Z-axO7NLh2cQfcb_3S6DIVIhNazZkOuGCjDKWB68EEwixP9zD9q3w1nc5G6L6FGmcWLrc6E5OJHFLbnCxOCfWsCKUOquQv57UCYvXfgcYeAIheTbd/s400/Multi-Family+Yard+Sale+-+26%2627+Augustsmall.jpg" /></a><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399717073589592514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s-r1MgpuF7Y7fmVk5ywBQ3xCuIwxD2S0NxE3IevtDb71V-mQ9aUMG03MparSNGCPx_u0J_JZ-tWziK2s76Pk4rVlG5An-f9LlEh9RLK5yQjQXHOJh1BtyVhOeS1lNPBxgTNt/s400/Multi-Family+Yard+Sale+26%2627+August+small.jpg" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjCZrfLRL2UUZHR-hOj2AYoFgbxoPYmGWAojS1k8t4tj_kJZs8GWIHQRsMF0gj8Fe-4uFW2G1kGbQbyQQZeMoWLMWJpL95B4UlbkLAiu55QJYAb-ZHDlqLsr46xwrpXt6OHUm/s1600-h/Luca+FINAL1.png"><img style="WIDTH: 336px; HEIGHT: 336px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399719187918168114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjCZrfLRL2UUZHR-hOj2AYoFgbxoPYmGWAojS1k8t4tj_kJZs8GWIHQRsMF0gj8Fe-4uFW2G1kGbQbyQQZeMoWLMWJpL95B4UlbkLAiu55QJYAb-ZHDlqLsr46xwrpXt6OHUm/s400/Luca+FINAL1.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu4OYdm0gSpHNvkoVU1A1F8C5It-UIzFHKSdBtQZ7axJxjqWV0RmcH_JIaKZ8rhnn_zCQW4OU32lzYSGyNuXGnoYy328finS6SN8Bd3_UOxpzzRmyBoXhL0P1zZUm2GK2M1QK/s1600-h/Anais+Draft2.png"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399719180269387042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu4OYdm0gSpHNvkoVU1A1F8C5It-UIzFHKSdBtQZ7axJxjqWV0RmcH_JIaKZ8rhnn_zCQW4OU32lzYSGyNuXGnoYy328finS6SN8Bd3_UOxpzzRmyBoXhL0P1zZUm2GK2M1QK/s400/Anais+Draft2.png" /></a><br />I have also been approached about getting involved with doing some design work for <a href="http://www.familyguidetojakart.com/">http://www.familyguidetojakart.com/</a>, which I am now busy with.<br /><br />Between the hours that I seem to be spending in front of my PC there is always time for some fun...<br /><br />We've had fun the past couple of months:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxB903gTkXx5hp8dJFH8r63xEB3YFCV1wb5qcewIz-ZuzAyo7velErcWi6hKTBSkb9u0cyl4XYLX14r9ziJf1qx0CgibYiuvaL1k2ff-dm3KKRcgS0DXX5lC_fSiYrhmye7le/s1600-h/untitled1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399713975354681794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxB903gTkXx5hp8dJFH8r63xEB3YFCV1wb5qcewIz-ZuzAyo7velErcWi6hKTBSkb9u0cyl4XYLX14r9ziJf1qx0CgibYiuvaL1k2ff-dm3KKRcgS0DXX5lC_fSiYrhmye7le/s400/untitled1.jpg" /></a><br />We were surprised by the turn out at the yard sale on 26 and 27 August.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq5EyWN9rhGSkJlI2QtNRZBVt3xvhMaeJEBDjkr6apY3ENFXXYiYGVpH9VVhpSCPi0-kry3qoc_JmWfQNspByM4IdYITDhfQ41SxN1AQk8eMAZMJpCXcnQsEAtVbmrOORXP3A/s1600-h/untitled2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399714006744080242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq5EyWN9rhGSkJlI2QtNRZBVt3xvhMaeJEBDjkr6apY3ENFXXYiYGVpH9VVhpSCPi0-kry3qoc_JmWfQNspByM4IdYITDhfQ41SxN1AQk8eMAZMJpCXcnQsEAtVbmrOORXP3A/s400/untitled2.jpg" /></a><br />Mel and I at the pay station.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdpdHu8IE9ur36lSOpjioXVPlr22fHlyEE2z-q26khbbv1fMXPoiKxiUKq-z3NH_CSUBTyY78egJl5RoNfuHzqLWk2sdEohZGhTqGejVR5b3qHsscfSkVsToSap_HqW9V-e4X/s1600-h/untitled.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399713973352641794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdpdHu8IE9ur36lSOpjioXVPlr22fHlyEE2z-q26khbbv1fMXPoiKxiUKq-z3NH_CSUBTyY78egJl5RoNfuHzqLWk2sdEohZGhTqGejVR5b3qHsscfSkVsToSap_HqW9V-e4X/s400/untitled.jpg" /></a><br />The ladies taking a well deserved break.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8WfOvckaEqoPS96ACFoK_xmo5dsD-QXv_6rlnF9D23t9-7dUFVEWTIzCPVricTAj5FIIGNybMvnnp0EfjIvY8SFGSdpH2VypNXP8XdfO1OTMoztXdpLWI5KxLWbHB5wf1a8R/s1600-h/DSC04938-730845.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700877472747170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8WfOvckaEqoPS96ACFoK_xmo5dsD-QXv_6rlnF9D23t9-7dUFVEWTIzCPVricTAj5FIIGNybMvnnp0EfjIvY8SFGSdpH2VypNXP8XdfO1OTMoztXdpLWI5KxLWbHB5wf1a8R/s400/DSC04938-730845.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKGMHUvHuLpzFfdHiU9airO4OES-qlwpT0xQhnfnK3l8lZvqyuwPrgv4yc4oUAzlaEqCtwC-p7pfPIbwGMMwS2K-gAtG86QNfSTpQpFqeY3FnZKXTNKS_2Q0oNh5TUw_wAMYl/s1600-h/DSC04943-731466.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700880848715330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKGMHUvHuLpzFfdHiU9airO4OES-qlwpT0xQhnfnK3l8lZvqyuwPrgv4yc4oUAzlaEqCtwC-p7pfPIbwGMMwS2K-gAtG86QNfSTpQpFqeY3FnZKXTNKS_2Q0oNh5TUw_wAMYl/s400/DSC04943-731466.JPG" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700883666252898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTsQyjabnUUEyZyePxwFMXyWWttD6SSSUUp2PWin1r8HmrcTn-HTM6X5r1x_6ZQltmoNgQSVJSj1fL1ycKcbCh7-U_QPbi-_AyrhiiH1TW9EaYSssLG5xFMLgKwC7aOkusJ6F/s400/DSC04948-732042.JPG" /><br />4 South <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Africans</span> (Shaun, Willem, Marc and I) and Joe (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aus</span>) at Joe and Sydney's birthday bash - Gypsy party on Saturday, 29 August.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqemDD1MqK6znx0XP0Kk_F9CIJw5IU84vMN98Tc1aS_2j8_bxtElgA3tnvqJB3Ji5VoE62h9pDjmji0CavHCivfs22tZunjP37shq3SvHDIQqF293Rk3ge-u18kuZJGDOJc5t/s1600-h/DSC04495-730117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700873898786722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqemDD1MqK6znx0XP0Kk_F9CIJw5IU84vMN98Tc1aS_2j8_bxtElgA3tnvqJB3Ji5VoE62h9pDjmji0CavHCivfs22tZunjP37shq3SvHDIQqF293Rk3ge-u18kuZJGDOJc5t/s400/DSC04495-730117.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC-0xItgVsHz-cjb_z1g5f73Uyw2Qvo1Y2Hm2kg2lqcvyjtiaQQ-HD6VqaFsUJ8qplfXi9D7VkGFXuLGNgCTLhDyn6R2JE32RnrSIqjVIuVu7Rdtc3Qow06TXigmhZCI4jnKt/s1600-h/DSC04479-729443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700870595129442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC-0xItgVsHz-cjb_z1g5f73Uyw2Qvo1Y2Hm2kg2lqcvyjtiaQQ-HD6VqaFsUJ8qplfXi9D7VkGFXuLGNgCTLhDyn6R2JE32RnrSIqjVIuVu7Rdtc3Qow06TXigmhZCI4jnKt/s400/DSC04479-729443.JPG" /></a><br />The girls at Mel and Row's house on Saturday, 3 September.<br /><br />On the 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of October we flew to Singapore for Matthew and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Annalisa's</span> wedding. It was a fun 5 days in Singapore. It is such a fantastic city: Great shopping, good food "I love it".<br /><br />We stayed at the <a href="http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Destinations/Singapore/Swissotel+The+Stamford/Hotel+Home/Hotel+Description">Swizz hotel </a>on Stamford Road, right next to the Raffles Mall.<br /><br />It was great spending time with Matt and Annalise in between them running around with last minute wedding arrangements for their BIG DAY that was on Friday, 16 October.<br /><br />On Wednesday night we had a lovely evening at a great bar/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">resto</span> off Orchid road called, <a href="http://www.timeoutsingapore.com/clubs/venues/bars/ice-cold-beer">Ice Cold</a> which I would highly recommend. "What a cool bar"!<br /><br />On Thursday morning Marc and I strolled the streets and did some shopping.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Q7DT18M5NyDB8abjYcbZO3_ID8RW0oBz6wosmmsow8fDN2mVAbaBjC8zwpHCaig2ZbJAvwfuLI0FnY48LEbBuWhg73tRtUTb7W36lGyy4dxx6LZszMHE06-EUpiNCSS9pvs/s1600-h/DSC05166-732916.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700883424934674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Q7DT18M5NyDB8abjYcbZO3_ID8RW0oBz6wosmmsow8fDN2mVAbaBjC8zwpHCaig2ZbJAvwfuLI0FnY48LEbBuWhg73tRtUTb7W36lGyy4dxx6LZszMHE06-EUpiNCSS9pvs/s400/DSC05166-732916.JPG" /></a><br />Marc rubbing the Big Happy Buddha for good luck.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGHKnLsHCwErrZyuqE89PdD4zIh_ENxLnBen3QpVKgB10I2f2unM662v0y6YyyCSkS3WdEh7TDvjdNceCaes3ubaFe0IRpLnKekzXw2uiRCNfqTqadnjUTCFJfwgpzQBXTE6q/s1600-h/DSC05182-733952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700887866936226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGHKnLsHCwErrZyuqE89PdD4zIh_ENxLnBen3QpVKgB10I2f2unM662v0y6YyyCSkS3WdEh7TDvjdNceCaes3ubaFe0IRpLnKekzXw2uiRCNfqTqadnjUTCFJfwgpzQBXTE6q/s400/DSC05182-733952.JPG" /></a><br />Thursday night we all went for dinner at the famous <a href="http://www.jumboseafood.com.sg/special_branch01.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jambu</span> Seafood restaurant </a>at East Coast Parkway for Matt's b-day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUfoRaiHFG49QE5QEY3l4UjORgeB33BqI3AHJrtpXqkTco8TMCeGPa8thl1SnIOcuQvOKZj46zj_FjCwDsvnnQZ6VShoSbDtsCtp1MXDIVj_isno268ieLHJzSnM3QdOS_cXY/s1600-h/DSC05189-734506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700894866102514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUfoRaiHFG49QE5QEY3l4UjORgeB33BqI3AHJrtpXqkTco8TMCeGPa8thl1SnIOcuQvOKZj46zj_FjCwDsvnnQZ6VShoSbDtsCtp1MXDIVj_isno268ieLHJzSnM3QdOS_cXY/s400/DSC05189-734506.JPG" /></a><br />Followed by a couple of drinks at the <a href="http://www.liverockmusic247.com/">Insomnia bar</a> at <a href="http://www.chijmes.com.sg/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chijmes</span></a>.<br /><br />Friday morning we had a relaxed followed by a brief shopping trip to the Raffles mall.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTTyVMqDy0FU2k4JH6XD2bMkFVJ6f1HqO-38yA7Mi6L9ioXcq0aBkhbNcNOmIUuqg_RCTdS1HLJa2E8kmaiFpL4NooDnlXn-DxxMFVv_Y6EAHHtaYwsBfGcGpoECXw3ucF5t5/s1600-h/DSC05235-739962.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700914208689298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTTyVMqDy0FU2k4JH6XD2bMkFVJ6f1HqO-38yA7Mi6L9ioXcq0aBkhbNcNOmIUuqg_RCTdS1HLJa2E8kmaiFpL4NooDnlXn-DxxMFVv_Y6EAHHtaYwsBfGcGpoECXw3ucF5t5/s400/DSC05235-739962.JPG" /></a><br />By 3pm we were dressed and ready for the wedding celebrations.<br /><br />The shuttle bus left the hotel shortly after 3pm for the <a href="http://www.sbg.org.sg/">botanical gardens </a>where the ceremony took place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjImbqtAIPqT_oGv9et3xLOhBM7PKVagHOAETsLyjNxYY1aHIk7xMYAfV2oN_TOFYLZ4PmTgZa5pR1jA7NnTjSU0mnpsJFrj5Phs9oPaKaAMs05D34OloqJd8AXy5RIgd9oFng/s1600-h/DSC05201-735473.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700899148256482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjImbqtAIPqT_oGv9et3xLOhBM7PKVagHOAETsLyjNxYY1aHIk7xMYAfV2oN_TOFYLZ4PmTgZa5pR1jA7NnTjSU0mnpsJFrj5Phs9oPaKaAMs05D34OloqJd8AXy5RIgd9oFng/s400/DSC05201-735473.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQprnZGuLZEv0jzMWLC2ucXUDzoRvOkNrJFjkbCQZLyO4sCJvAi84jezWwmpTFjuPYLztGeFPZwQC7TVHz_8Ai2STIGRc7aSjBWQqGyC9N_bnvU12o0_qciBnSX3Pp6_-2fwE/s1600-h/DSC05208-736196.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700902880244162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQprnZGuLZEv0jzMWLC2ucXUDzoRvOkNrJFjkbCQZLyO4sCJvAi84jezWwmpTFjuPYLztGeFPZwQC7TVHz_8Ai2STIGRc7aSjBWQqGyC9N_bnvU12o0_qciBnSX3Pp6_-2fwE/s400/DSC05208-736196.JPG" /></a><br />Marc, dressed in tails for the special occasion. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9pP9baVtMAqdrEwyElWVhnwl9uga25d6NrNuGkpwk9z6vzoDzzyKO_imFhINN7TYkxJGcue1ZAEeU2t_9RdwI7pHtvkqHQpGlAETbZS3_sCOmeJqbauWHf1Tt3UNcP26VXWN/s1600-h/DSC05209-736953.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700901810099314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9pP9baVtMAqdrEwyElWVhnwl9uga25d6NrNuGkpwk9z6vzoDzzyKO_imFhINN7TYkxJGcue1ZAEeU2t_9RdwI7pHtvkqHQpGlAETbZS3_sCOmeJqbauWHf1Tt3UNcP26VXWN/s400/DSC05209-736953.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPgdMvn8wH1X2CJgxavHw1DHd72ZKKz7rCVdIA2Mxls19F660ws_SPwgyqBYqxk2r07gka0egX-e8vxtKFLyx4bX1s1DqEkqiG4OyvjYFhrciban8j_uHlFvyzXSUBzx0JC3n/s1600-h/DSC05211-738118.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700910201369138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPgdMvn8wH1X2CJgxavHw1DHd72ZKKz7rCVdIA2Mxls19F660ws_SPwgyqBYqxk2r07gka0egX-e8vxtKFLyx4bX1s1DqEkqiG4OyvjYFhrciban8j_uHlFvyzXSUBzx0JC3n/s400/DSC05211-738118.JPG" /></a><br />Here comes the bride...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqVtODov-fS_0e3D7UYzXc9R1-GFhyphenhyphenMNDWAcHjHTNPSHsDYf3pDnUeeEQlIyRYnX3q5EWeWktihmknAAThK0aNoU3msosXGF22wYRuB7dFUfHHfu75CQUWol6sSNzd63XxhjL/s1600-h/DSC05228-739238.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700915469653090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqVtODov-fS_0e3D7UYzXc9R1-GFhyphenhyphenMNDWAcHjHTNPSHsDYf3pDnUeeEQlIyRYnX3q5EWeWktihmknAAThK0aNoU3msosXGF22wYRuB7dFUfHHfu75CQUWol6sSNzd63XxhjL/s400/DSC05228-739238.JPG" /></a><br />Mr. and Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Naisby<br /><br /></span>After a lovely wedding ceremony followed by cocktails and snacks we returned to the hotel, at around 6pm.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700920459828898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ny1SnEVBrE9FEIeXOF-8e8h8pMfckiJjWQa9HtzhdktRmYlqpYHc6k1zDxsRERFljkOwKBWpKSPmU3TVIauL5ylG4RlRDtKoZKMVm-P1DhTWueD0j8fNyyadTQLzT1UpKJ9G/s400/DSC05237-740815.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9xd0SdJYnt-8eMm7zdGC0rCV-OuIHuAvGcrjLOeSRJeIsM3Of1AnRKO6l9OnBCwz8f-TrxktXWd-qGilxFGxTfKfGlD-_CsuJMt0zQ1dFonUg7qlAQBIZheATQbpYjO7zv4y/s1600-h/DSC05256-741294.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700921491254610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9xd0SdJYnt-8eMm7zdGC0rCV-OuIHuAvGcrjLOeSRJeIsM3Of1AnRKO6l9OnBCwz8f-TrxktXWd-qGilxFGxTfKfGlD-_CsuJMt0zQ1dFonUg7qlAQBIZheATQbpYjO7zv4y/s400/DSC05256-741294.JPG" /></a><br />The reception was held on the 69<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> floor or the <a href="http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Destinations/Singapore/Swissotel+The+Stamford/Hotel+Home/Hotel+Description">Swiss hotel </a>with spectacular views of Singapore.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYOHMT-PBaYedwbGQwr-DuSLWBjmYqEKCFi3XPjP000MewwSWCLCIJCDuU_f1xYOAITAkfY6N-8QvyzTq4K-5paLONTNKSYIeqAEJztoEmmMwQO_Wh5Lde1SB1yyJs459QF6R/s1600-h/DSC05273-742028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700926858069810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYOHMT-PBaYedwbGQwr-DuSLWBjmYqEKCFi3XPjP000MewwSWCLCIJCDuU_f1xYOAITAkfY6N-8QvyzTq4K-5paLONTNKSYIeqAEJztoEmmMwQO_Wh5Lde1SB1yyJs459QF6R/s400/DSC05273-742028.JPG" /></a><br />Marc and I with the beautiful bride and her handsome groom - "Congratulations, Matt and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Annalisa</span>"!<br /><br />After a 8 course dinner, speeches, cutting of the cake and champagne pouring the next 2 hours was spent on the dance floor.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJP5-W94LGCpqgf5Dx8aZrdylSOemyuwPtUZ1C4-3-SdGyvNT75y8oFCo8O9D9mkD6woUWN6oAtESoIuDAekD4eRJsdGO9MRbO6KpARRRyqr5n67Q01wU6r_OSQPA7PIOQWtsu/s1600-h/DSC05331-742786.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700928092460226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJP5-W94LGCpqgf5Dx8aZrdylSOemyuwPtUZ1C4-3-SdGyvNT75y8oFCo8O9D9mkD6woUWN6oAtESoIuDAekD4eRJsdGO9MRbO6KpARRRyqr5n67Q01wU6r_OSQPA7PIOQWtsu/s400/DSC05331-742786.JPG" /></a><br />Marc strutting his stuff.<br /><br />Saturday morning, we said our goodbyes to the happy couple and other wedding guests.<br /><br />Marc and I roamed the city again and in the late afternoon we met up with friends at a fantastic German bar called <a href="http://www.brotzeit1516.com/contact.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Brotzeit</span></a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindlgfuc9caUtVb-jpeOMCSXsbSvg2YCidxsY-_SrcYQB5FO-e1UvbuUtbRJa1kr6_suk_uP2zCvhB2dqDK73cMw48jEIb5AXQ0DQJvT_-sYXrxZJCi51sth0EDIwEAddSTX9S/s1600-h/DSC05370-743544.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700929747342738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindlgfuc9caUtVb-jpeOMCSXsbSvg2YCidxsY-_SrcYQB5FO-e1UvbuUtbRJa1kr6_suk_uP2zCvhB2dqDK73cMw48jEIb5AXQ0DQJvT_-sYXrxZJCi51sth0EDIwEAddSTX9S/s400/DSC05370-743544.JPG" /></a><br />Outside at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><a href="http://www.brotzeit1516.com/contact.html">Brotzeit</a></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vivo</span> City mall.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkwHNnW4pqPDhmT_Dwd1-X12cCdy4AIioUwgz3VrkW_a1acZN8a7pAv3jUeeoPBBwprDf7UVQHA8uWAmrLIfZCySJz7P6Do6bIMMUHJKCwi-44zifDMlhLm9dQfeSQzMYCvYq/s1600-h/DSC05374-744380.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700935276187858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkwHNnW4pqPDhmT_Dwd1-X12cCdy4AIioUwgz3VrkW_a1acZN8a7pAv3jUeeoPBBwprDf7UVQHA8uWAmrLIfZCySJz7P6Do6bIMMUHJKCwi-44zifDMlhLm9dQfeSQzMYCvYq/s400/DSC05374-744380.JPG" /></a><br />Followed by a drink at the world famous <a href="http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=60&currentVenueId=657">Long Bar</a>.<br /><br />Later we had dinner at <a href="http://www.thetapastree.com/main.html">The Tapas Tree </a>restaurant in Clarke Quay where we met up with friends of ours from Jakarta and old friends from Bangalore, now living and passing through Singapore. "It's such a small world"!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdYbN2zL4JjUMl3wGQqf2z-iOEy8sJkiMTezL_dYsJIyFCH3dkYr3cHr5vfsWBXpSjV09q_E-Kp2GEIjPstypUFm1rm9pkLF0U4HgP-JiFVqrxUBdktDH3B9Do_cO9RuWkkdj/s1600-h/DSC05381-745307.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700941648396514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdYbN2zL4JjUMl3wGQqf2z-iOEy8sJkiMTezL_dYsJIyFCH3dkYr3cHr5vfsWBXpSjV09q_E-Kp2GEIjPstypUFm1rm9pkLF0U4HgP-JiFVqrxUBdktDH3B9Do_cO9RuWkkdj/s400/DSC05381-745307.JPG" /></a><br />We had a nightcap at <a href="http://www.indochine-group.com/2009/index.php"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Indoshine</span></a> before we headed back to our hotel.<br /><br />We returned to Jakarta at 2pm on Sunday after a very enjoyable long weekend.<br /><br />Saturday, 24 October we attended an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Octoberfest</span> at Die <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stube</span>, our local German pub.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8E3TL1dnTLcdVmAO-mGbR5bJaepR9tpqJKQLAxkjZzVt3cyygaqJCzBrNEk5-jhwOqN5yQ3VILSTpR7TZko4FxSTBbYCINygRrAr2J3bT6xhOujKxnLUGw2vKEB2sekoO2LS/s1600-h/DSC05456-745878.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700940203326818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8E3TL1dnTLcdVmAO-mGbR5bJaepR9tpqJKQLAxkjZzVt3cyygaqJCzBrNEk5-jhwOqN5yQ3VILSTpR7TZko4FxSTBbYCINygRrAr2J3bT6xhOujKxnLUGw2vKEB2sekoO2LS/s400/DSC05456-745878.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6JXSG7iO5DsxqBe-hmL5m7eJXVSnGXi3jFrj01W0gsiitAUrT_8xM5fyXJ_gg3lvyLYDDCr16VMberLwzExhmsNUBnhlZYHzv0qyqW3ANRpNxlz6XpUtUYEwN_d1BVkZuj-d/s1600-h/DSC05473-747370.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700950305069490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6JXSG7iO5DsxqBe-hmL5m7eJXVSnGXi3jFrj01W0gsiitAUrT_8xM5fyXJ_gg3lvyLYDDCr16VMberLwzExhmsNUBnhlZYHzv0qyqW3ANRpNxlz6XpUtUYEwN_d1BVkZuj-d/s400/DSC05473-747370.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCYJVYnvuh7-oOgesJuNQFuBPBBSnzHwNdnp8fdbVFcXd7abtTMHp1qxt6APxp0jkXshSi3uShRDcTYXbauiBwjpgmb_f2mzJOuo2dI71pqaMyw4dtszChSmvZijbznzvTL-X/s1600-h/DSC05470-746416.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399700943750363042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCYJVYnvuh7-oOgesJuNQFuBPBBSnzHwNdnp8fdbVFcXd7abtTMHp1qxt6APxp0jkXshSi3uShRDcTYXbauiBwjpgmb_f2mzJOuo2dI71pqaMyw4dtszChSmvZijbznzvTL-X/s400/DSC05470-746416.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">PROST</span>!<br /><br />"That's all folks" Until the next update!<br /><br />Sending our love from Jakarta to all our family and friends all over the world!Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-77561529711980806582009-09-09T12:50:00.011+05:302009-09-09T14:12:43.856+05:30I felt the earth move under my feet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR1asnYvHoL1AGZ8czOh5KeBjMbeh6U3Bq2uw7dGSDwJ6iVNtsbXSs-o-rKfcl6nhDIyoCTgqJXjgBmsrSjtRHZ8Aaj_IIajrlCBWUdw94ABm8bp5jIyUv15-KsftagKdJI8Y/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379367601241172354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR1asnYvHoL1AGZ8czOh5KeBjMbeh6U3Bq2uw7dGSDwJ6iVNtsbXSs-o-rKfcl6nhDIyoCTgqJXjgBmsrSjtRHZ8Aaj_IIajrlCBWUdw94ABm8bp5jIyUv15-KsftagKdJI8Y/s400/untitled.bmp" /></a><br /><div>On Wednesday, 2 September we were reminded that we lived in a city that sits on the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ring_of_Fire">Ring of fire</a>", when an earthquake struck at 2:55 p.m measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>It was quite a scary experience, definitely not one that I would like to experiencing again. Having said that, Marc was in the car on his way back to the office and he didn't feel a thing. He actually said that he was sorry he missed it. </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Three of us were sitting at a table, when I thought I felt a light motion (like I was back on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tambora</span> boat). I asked if it was just me and if anyone else felt something. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rozi</span> actually said that she thinks she may have bumped the table and a second later the light motion turned into serious shaking. We quickly moved outside where we stood for approx. 1 minute, watching the water in a natural rock pool sloshing around. We of course debated what the best course of action during an earthquake would be. We figured that our move was a good one but still hoped that the high outside wall wasn't going to come tumbling down. </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>After about a min. (it felt a lot longer though), we went back into the house and couldn't believe how the lights above the pool table was swaying heavily. Even more shocking was the swimming pool that looked like a wave poo as the water was rocking from side to side, spilling over the sides. Hard to imagine, I know!</div><div></div><br /><div>I think our experience was quite tame compared to others. What is really hard to imagine is being on the 30<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> floor of a swaying building; furniture moving around, windows cracking while 100's of people are trying to make their way down the still swaying stairwell. </div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuaNls0luhm70PgNjetzYt-rbkMJnKGHHpLICq8d0Y7Gu0jjcXvbwmV3ucimJX0YVW4LTVXO56dFgYxWLBgiGPXF2EFn8z0Vji0L3AyxK54rgYXbAPSuUNVOUG6maZf2YanW9/s1600-h/_46308252_java_quake_226.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 226px; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379374860135321938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuaNls0luhm70PgNjetzYt-rbkMJnKGHHpLICq8d0Y7Gu0jjcXvbwmV3ucimJX0YVW4LTVXO56dFgYxWLBgiGPXF2EFn8z0Vji0L3AyxK54rgYXbAPSuUNVOUG6maZf2YanW9/s400/_46308252_java_quake_226.gif" /></a><br /><div>The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">BMKG</span>) has reported that the epicenter of the quake was 142 kilometers southwest of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tasikmalaya</span>, West Java, and 30 kilometers below the seabed.(JP/Hans David T).</div><br /><div></div><div>There were some reports of casualties in the Capital. But, most of the casualties and deaths occurred in two towns in West Java province, near the epicenter.</div><div></div><div>Click <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8233344.stm">here</a> to read more: </div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-74760711316888715592009-09-09T10:37:00.008+05:302009-09-09T12:24:41.564+05:30In loving memory of my grandmother, AnnatjieIn April I did a blog post; in loving memory of my grandmother, Kota. Little did I know that I would be doing another one 5 months later for my grandmother, Annatjie who past away on Monday, 17 August and was laid to rest on Monday, 24 August.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c99SrFaLe_dC2F2AMdBOZXDOKCv_UDhwtXT_PLm2-49j86dgtXkk4ghU-ubPEcf99uweBhisI9Hb_saVAH0Xq_VoaY6pZnLgvZDpTtU1zIQZ8OpGw4mDgRAKKIekG828AQCP/s1600-h/Christa,+Bets,+Ansa.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379330459215003026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c99SrFaLe_dC2F2AMdBOZXDOKCv_UDhwtXT_PLm2-49j86dgtXkk4ghU-ubPEcf99uweBhisI9Hb_saVAH0Xq_VoaY6pZnLgvZDpTtU1zIQZ8OpGw4mDgRAKKIekG828AQCP/s400/Christa,+Bets,+Ansa.jpg" /></a><br />Anna Catarina Susanna (Annatjie) Erasmus will be dearly missed by her 2 son's, 3 daughter's, 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren that she left behind.<br /><br />The memory of our dearest Ouma Annatjie will stay with us, always. <br /><br />I never got to say thank you:<br /><br />For the many times you helped me out with my home economics, needlework assignments, for eating my Green beans when my mom wasn't looking, for dealing with minor scrapes and bruises and for making it all better.<br /><br />I will always remember Friday (steak and chips or ravioli and vetkoek) nights. I am yet to taste rusks, chocolate cake or milktart as good as yours.<br /><br />But mostly I will remember the magic in your touch, the sunshine in your smile and love in everything you did. Hope and courage could be found by just looking in your eyes. Your laughter was a source of joy, your words always warm and wise. There was always real kindness and compassion in your embrace.<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9lzRP50TALsHe_Lp-zrR7vaCeQ6TRVfzQNkMTc9MryqS9tEYQkvf3y-hADYsZCr1Vaq0o2dgX-Hc35wqiSq-5IBsPdlJrpI75TxpTv2JJh0Te-hAP7aINd58BkswMYc-_v77/s1600-h/F1000001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379349433980546738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9lzRP50TALsHe_Lp-zrR7vaCeQ6TRVfzQNkMTc9MryqS9tEYQkvf3y-hADYsZCr1Vaq0o2dgX-Hc35wqiSq-5IBsPdlJrpI75TxpTv2JJh0Te-hAP7aINd58BkswMYc-_v77/s400/F1000001.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Your life was full of loving deeds, </div><div align="center">Forever thoughtful of our special needs, </div><div align="center">Today and tomorrow, my whole life through,</div><div align="center">I will always love and cherish you!</div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-10835797625299702292009-08-18T14:07:00.019+05:302009-08-19T19:32:14.532+05:30Komodo Island dive trip - 12-17 August<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoulL8pSMguoUGMQuC1EblFIAum8WADASEinvpIDzsOb8JX7NY5rV73UR4mgHrAiiJd57zjzpPXubJd4bYNT84Lwgc7oq2ozq1S-Vs2H-W0_MINEEnEl_QcxEOd8GHz3Jarww/s1600-h/IMG_3329.jpg"></a><div><div><div><p class="mobile-photo">Our long awaited <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.komodonationalpark.org">Komodo</a> trip has finally come...and gone!</p><p class="mobile-photo">We arrived in Bali late on Wednesday night, 12 August after our <a href="http://www.airasia.com/">Air Asia </a>flight was rescheduled from 5:30pm to 9pm. After an additional 1 hour delay, we finally departed Jakarta at approx 10pm. It worked out well in the end though, as the hotel we were booked into, <a href="http://www.asiarooms.com/indonesia/bali/puri_dibia.html">Puri Dibia</a> was not exactly booked for "leisure", but rather as a "transit" hotel. We got to the hotel after midnight and checked out again around 9am on Thursday, 13 August. </p><p class="mobile-photo">After breakfast, we were introduced to the people in our group that we were going to spend the next 5 days with. We proceeded to the airport for our 11am flight to <a href="http://www.labuanbajo-flores.com/">Labuan Bajo</a>. We flew <a href="http://www.iat.co.id/">pt. Indonesia Air Transport</a> on a Fokker propeller plane, which was an experience in itself. </p>Our luggage was checked in by our organiser, Chika earlier, so all we had to do was weigh in (with our hand luggage), pay the airport tax and wait for our boarding call, which to our surprise was on time ;-).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7FnUYBF9TNvO3DGlbUlH5xSyG-_AcGzpdYMWqeCiaLV4oPZQt7z0112xq-2-zUTl0bjXrNCAcBug__kMD3tCHMtcWQ0_ysNBvUNlw98LopuFzoC8IIBsNaNfmsdcrEt0huEo/s1600-h/DSC04581-741723.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220138145899458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7FnUYBF9TNvO3DGlbUlH5xSyG-_AcGzpdYMWqeCiaLV4oPZQt7z0112xq-2-zUTl0bjXrNCAcBug__kMD3tCHMtcWQ0_ysNBvUNlw98LopuFzoC8IIBsNaNfmsdcrEt0huEo/s400/DSC04581-741723.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3495kauZwqDz_RwxxnuFa3o6Rmk0ixlSjg2hi3-jAQYK2wRvYvKN9riV3drLKLV-tJyMWSQWwTgFopJCv8n9hnzHGt2JMTB90IFgix7Z5cSZiOvRnfKlbnfftBR2U1hrj9l_/s1600-h/DSC04894-796192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220370677977826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3495kauZwqDz_RwxxnuFa3o6Rmk0ixlSjg2hi3-jAQYK2wRvYvKN9riV3drLKLV-tJyMWSQWwTgFopJCv8n9hnzHGt2JMTB90IFgix7Z5cSZiOvRnfKlbnfftBR2U1hrj9l_/s400/DSC04894-796192.JPG" /></a><br />Very excited, we boarded our flight for the 1 hour, 40min flight to <a href="http://www.labuanbajo-flores.com/">Labuan Bajo</a>, West <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flores">Flores</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64zZXHQsKsn2vRVIX4wb_Q1eaP2Y80Oxbo63Oq_kwUtub4NGBM09RDsuJFcj7OoUuDe6aWDryi6c67XFhtMaFIdy23o0qss8wIAOIZkEmTlPTbmjSR1K15-h5t6ft-Yx_w31o/s1600-h/DSC04589-743450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220145986869042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64zZXHQsKsn2vRVIX4wb_Q1eaP2Y80Oxbo63Oq_kwUtub4NGBM09RDsuJFcj7OoUuDe6aWDryi6c67XFhtMaFIdy23o0qss8wIAOIZkEmTlPTbmjSR1K15-h5t6ft-Yx_w31o/s400/DSC04589-743450.JPG" /></a><br />We arrived in <a href="http://www.labuanbajo-flores.com/">Labuan Bajo</a> at around 12:45pm, at the smallest airport I've ever been to. The luggage is carried into the airport building and shoved across the floor (no baggage conveyor belt).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDMj-WUZSeO4i2OvZb3sBuOt6kLZqw6MWanZzh1iBJbjBMv8rTsscMZX2zlgu3XOYCg_uPj1oTbq03iYD3ITtHenAPgnCymJn0DgjVSN-rEN6zSm7ve4ffK5AXfdWwP0mbJz4/s1600-h/DSC04592-745636.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220154333596722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDMj-WUZSeO4i2OvZb3sBuOt6kLZqw6MWanZzh1iBJbjBMv8rTsscMZX2zlgu3XOYCg_uPj1oTbq03iYD3ITtHenAPgnCymJn0DgjVSN-rEN6zSm7ve4ffK5AXfdWwP0mbJz4/s400/DSC04592-745636.JPG" /></a><br />We took a taxi to the harbour.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2zVNV6yK8_Ulgg0NPa_m5TaeYAyeFPgotEw9DKkhcI-VM0mY9zvswuJPVGbQ5goXuKgQlyrr4L0VSTr_hSrvljXRhkdQY8vd2fsY-H_Sg1d-TsL9KkAzV-h22U8U8ZaCnMdp/s1600-h/DSC04598.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371535220951884946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2zVNV6yK8_Ulgg0NPa_m5TaeYAyeFPgotEw9DKkhcI-VM0mY9zvswuJPVGbQ5goXuKgQlyrr4L0VSTr_hSrvljXRhkdQY8vd2fsY-H_Sg1d-TsL9KkAzV-h22U8U8ZaCnMdp/s400/DSC04598.JPG" /></a><br />While our luggage made it's way, on the roof of a different taxi. LOL ;-0!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8oNFWYCExUKWdjCJVtQIpYF5hcY-hvsZJnH9msFok5ULLEPyd7l7RgojRaNjYbFl9M2FpV2utBMvkLY5NtR7WuOkW3pZK7tFtAtZMt_spVg-ctgvXvTLXfSV51tijnEhavsn/s1600-h/DSC04599-747284.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220162140551186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8oNFWYCExUKWdjCJVtQIpYF5hcY-hvsZJnH9msFok5ULLEPyd7l7RgojRaNjYbFl9M2FpV2utBMvkLY5NtR7WuOkW3pZK7tFtAtZMt_spVg-ctgvXvTLXfSV51tijnEhavsn/s400/DSC04599-747284.JPG" /></a><br />We arrived at the harbour at <a href="http://www.labuanbajo-flores.com/">Labuan Bajo </a>at around 1:30pm.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdrgIua7b-6nd3gWijDfdo4i1XyFHOU0ILmj2Ovd6NvI_TsmNapvnk9G7_RLOaJ5k6uRRUzOecUC0_OBFV1UgeTwHuypW2RaeD4HbiEDWYTSxKHcnlHfYA5r5qpCHROUMpDgc/s1600-h/IMG_3398-723290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220486817808818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdrgIua7b-6nd3gWijDfdo4i1XyFHOU0ILmj2Ovd6NvI_TsmNapvnk9G7_RLOaJ5k6uRRUzOecUC0_OBFV1UgeTwHuypW2RaeD4HbiEDWYTSxKHcnlHfYA5r5qpCHROUMpDgc/s400/IMG_3398-723290.JPG" /></a><br />After a short ride on a zodiac, we boarded the "mother ship".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq8Je_k8qFoxEBPzEsbfikL9A32odKq2-FYLjXrCM4h6YGmsVADkpq-VPFHic7wQEUnAt6TpB4-M-9wl6UyxXAk7IaMqq7CxgHLUxwbUVlqsGcdbv_9K5OsDoLgEJ87m1_aZ1/s1600-h/DSC04611-754982.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220198135564322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq8Je_k8qFoxEBPzEsbfikL9A32odKq2-FYLjXrCM4h6YGmsVADkpq-VPFHic7wQEUnAt6TpB4-M-9wl6UyxXAk7IaMqq7CxgHLUxwbUVlqsGcdbv_9K5OsDoLgEJ87m1_aZ1/s400/DSC04611-754982.JPG" /></a><br />Unfortunately we didn't board and sail off, as we imagined. There was a slight delay in the itinerary when there was a problem getting clearance from the Marine National Park Authorities; something about the photo copier being out of order and the boss being away. <em>NOTE: If you are planning to do this trip, it would be a good idea to email scanned copies of your passports through to your organiser, prior to the trip.<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSIrSIys0bNRkJrCsbi1Qhcyt1-JVzmzVJO1ArhgQ6EekGue9TSJIdzZk9sTuYoqV8oTxOsCwHIdCLP5raULGBgxhlWqvW3AeZRt_x_mkfqNZeDkcRrWase4zgxObZGZAoBpY/s1600-h/DSC04613.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371528318229759586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSIrSIys0bNRkJrCsbi1Qhcyt1-JVzmzVJO1ArhgQ6EekGue9TSJIdzZk9sTuYoqV8oTxOsCwHIdCLP5raULGBgxhlWqvW3AeZRt_x_mkfqNZeDkcRrWase4zgxObZGZAoBpY/s400/DSC04613.JPG" /></a><br />In the meantime, we unpacked our dive gear into plastic crates, which we left on the lower deck where we kitted up for dives.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiXFBAx2eXY-rkk9gaDJPJJjJ74YHEagxmDqsp4kC0yLc2usDbU_AGO8p77T4FwzVTLf7ROqsTsYdwavDpsbGOufVfFpdhXePu5YJHlkyWvUWuPIA17NQ0ML91Dm3utuJFcBn/s1600-h/DSC04607-751392.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220176974803202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiXFBAx2eXY-rkk9gaDJPJJjJ74YHEagxmDqsp4kC0yLc2usDbU_AGO8p77T4FwzVTLf7ROqsTsYdwavDpsbGOufVfFpdhXePu5YJHlkyWvUWuPIA17NQ0ML91Dm3utuJFcBn/s400/DSC04607-751392.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Siypa2u_qfHLoToONu9T6vNZOYI5isWZa9GS-OhPSd136s265JDtf4onjZCXHfA7FkVk86_yNH3FvFdR8pZy0tRU9jbjcABrggcPQ1T34J4aJWrs5GlgUWUD8LdxmQJD20r/s1600-h/DSC04608-753103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220185613367650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Siypa2u_qfHLoToONu9T6vNZOYI5isWZa9GS-OhPSd136s265JDtf4onjZCXHfA7FkVk86_yNH3FvFdR8pZy0tRU9jbjcABrggcPQ1T34J4aJWrs5GlgUWUD8LdxmQJD20r/s400/DSC04608-753103.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JiupDVFUG2eKKmRq6I1aW6j8CjO8GEk3RDhjRjjW5IXJ8n_iHSngAqXN_eMgb-w-TMGNn6TUsyXRO74vf4MKlCutD_ttDdizWbUwEzbMCXHKF2BWEX2FtcW3BSQFaK1GJile/s1600-h/DSC04869-794233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220362096939842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JiupDVFUG2eKKmRq6I1aW6j8CjO8GEk3RDhjRjjW5IXJ8n_iHSngAqXN_eMgb-w-TMGNn6TUsyXRO74vf4MKlCutD_ttDdizWbUwEzbMCXHKF2BWEX2FtcW3BSQFaK1GJile/s400/DSC04869-794233.JPG" /></a><br />We were shown to our very comfortable cabin "Talang-Talang", with AC and hot water.<br /><p class="mobile-photo">Lunch was served at around 2:30pm. </p><p class="mobile-photo">After which we sailed to the spot where we we were suppose to do a late afternoon "check" dive. We kitted up, got on board the zodiacs, but due to the time delay and our skipper not getting the correct information as to which dive site to go to, we ended up "aborting" the dive when it appeared that it might turn into a night dive, which we all decided was perhaps not a good idea on the 1st day. </p><p class="mobile-photo">We returned to the boat and started sailing to the site where we where going to be moored for the night. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The time delay in our schedule also meant that we took part in what I can only call "Adventure eating" that night. The sea was a little rough and it was quite a task ensuring that our 3 course meal ended up in our stomach's and not on the floor like all the cutlery did minutes earlier.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We moored around 9pm and soon after we decided to retire to our cabin. If the "adventure eating" was anything to go by I should have guessed it might also mean "adventure sleeping". Grrrrrr! Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep on the first night as I just couldn't get used to the rocking motion. Thankfully the next 3 nights the sea was calmer though and I slept like a log.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggczfwj4gjioCQsTuo63SimQVYpwQjGOFKLS_F3JtqqyA2a6UPt9a2OCdmw3bqc2nCzB5xw1pdSIhtWZ0yfFHGXnZJkeZu2XE98jh6pKJYRcWNI8A6hYuUkRS4cmxF1pUmgVnb/s1600-h/IMG_3290-712886.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220439610615714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggczfwj4gjioCQsTuo63SimQVYpwQjGOFKLS_F3JtqqyA2a6UPt9a2OCdmw3bqc2nCzB5xw1pdSIhtWZ0yfFHGXnZJkeZu2XE98jh6pKJYRcWNI8A6hYuUkRS4cmxF1pUmgVnb/s400/IMG_3290-712886.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MOE5O9jgkuaCnr0N0ACHJ4OJPmoROBIeOPBP8cf0IV15HPR3HkiVPg3o9uo1zULIW3dwOJuyujXrO2tua8ddLuVhWKiHN2xK-D3BfFWHWky8_Nvi3OKSo-zuNk2sk3njSV0G/s1600-h/IMG_3285-711194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220435015633922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MOE5O9jgkuaCnr0N0ACHJ4OJPmoROBIeOPBP8cf0IV15HPR3HkiVPg3o9uo1zULIW3dwOJuyujXrO2tua8ddLuVhWKiHN2xK-D3BfFWHWky8_Nvi3OKSo-zuNk2sk3njSV0G/s400/IMG_3285-711194.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrL2kHFYbiI-4mnEXrAAmcacgSe9WN9qrvqnyf6WQuBbphy6SjV2ZWITtfR0oGREx9dYA6e3nQjFaSqRJ-X2TUBZ99Gzx3lONqMhDcdYtmG_VmueTk2hGCcdgfe-UUMzZHd6D/s1600-h/IMG_3227-707872.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220421107576930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrL2kHFYbiI-4mnEXrAAmcacgSe9WN9qrvqnyf6WQuBbphy6SjV2ZWITtfR0oGREx9dYA6e3nQjFaSqRJ-X2TUBZ99Gzx3lONqMhDcdYtmG_VmueTk2hGCcdgfe-UUMzZHd6D/s400/IMG_3227-707872.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJncfFPyfQLO_DzgNirghEbfRJL8KwhKekjY0v_vi6Wp4N5K0uGHitUm9MCj_ZNrOmUi4wyUICAYLN2Uh90H_LYbtCita8ciOyeWidDSyak0z7KdaEuhfmocyVaqZ3cDQERD7/s1600-h/IMG_3226-706335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220414535316418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJncfFPyfQLO_DzgNirghEbfRJL8KwhKekjY0v_vi6Wp4N5K0uGHitUm9MCj_ZNrOmUi4wyUICAYLN2Uh90H_LYbtCita8ciOyeWidDSyak0z7KdaEuhfmocyVaqZ3cDQERD7/s400/IMG_3226-706335.JPG" /></a><br />We were up at 6am the next morning (every morning), enjoyed a cup of coffee on the upper deck taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding islands around the <a href="http://www.komodonationalpark.org/">Komodo National Park</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.komodonationalpark.org/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220199188242322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ho1_NKjyJ_sAP95DLSJ1taf04FZqY01K1RRQO8VnMsVfViD3zR-FO6VFIowYPm9KqMSzQvaUZhE1aoBKPGYw7xazpvufMIq65mCQLnrKUCZPunf1SXvDHeKKhkAvmA5IYr0l/s400/DSC04632+-+Copy-756561.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7oaEzbOcdPme0cpTi4ARJd5B5azrTymJ7z2aXSj6FsmQm1Fmyx0nGJgqB7UXtYk6VeGCMgoCrh9-rTAk9i9WrApIjf5E_ARInHPXsMNzhpXwhTBGKwp700Hk3MOFQ1fClRdQ/s1600-h/DSC04635+-+Copy-758258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220209210554658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7oaEzbOcdPme0cpTi4ARJd5B5azrTymJ7z2aXSj6FsmQm1Fmyx0nGJgqB7UXtYk6VeGCMgoCrh9-rTAk9i9WrApIjf5E_ARInHPXsMNzhpXwhTBGKwp700Hk3MOFQ1fClRdQ/s400/DSC04635+-+Copy-758258.JPG" /></a><br />At 7:30ish (never managed to be in the water at the exact scheduled dive time) we did the first dive, followed by breakfast. </p><div></div><div>At 11ish, the second dive followed by lunch and at around 3ish we did the third dive, followed by a late afternoon snack. </div><div></div><div>At around 6:30ish, a night dive followed by dinner. (Below are more pictures of the 3 days, diving around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_(island)">Komodo Island</a>).</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZsC6rrkg9k9SeTuQkDbTjqtdFdR0F1KYmakeW1zE96XL3uqtS7OKGjcIAmwRccBTIbIG9-WCVy3q1kjuh62ZraTXliJA_takvfVo51kj6NcuZ5M6UQTVcoEJqlSM8ZH1bNXt/s1600-h/DSC04704a+-+Copy-773892.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220274954233090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZsC6rrkg9k9SeTuQkDbTjqtdFdR0F1KYmakeW1zE96XL3uqtS7OKGjcIAmwRccBTIbIG9-WCVy3q1kjuh62ZraTXliJA_takvfVo51kj6NcuZ5M6UQTVcoEJqlSM8ZH1bNXt/s400/DSC04704a+-+Copy-773892.JPG" /></a><br />I brought home a little souvenir (above my right eye) - I actually had to sit the 2nd dive out. I learned first hand that the rocking can inflict injuries. The rocking of the boat and the fact that I was still trying to find my "sea legs" caused me to bash my eye open on the cupboard door. It was luckily only a small cut, but it still hurt. It is actually still a bit sensitive.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220355567875074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESI8M9xddogwmMCP9pKY-gIQoi6n_F80fjxJjAo7T_MZUU88YYC-THP8iztzrk2l9ifdsEotGiXoVcrev3nzSjVmWjtJ73gt-2Z79JetCvsyqHHwme8wTzxyrh6pcwknu3Rei/s400/DSC04825+-+Copy-792193.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lrTsEPli80Zo35aCETBS60Xj-77y3ICacV_O1pe8tO5rqxiEaBZIjb3ZcWsqkxCiKceOWYWKnxJWconv6K-lC2mNNc4nDo6L1qBfKophwp0n9Cqt4dKVQkJ_j5qzsPqFhflg/s1600-h/DSC04820-790195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220344827171810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lrTsEPli80Zo35aCETBS60Xj-77y3ICacV_O1pe8tO5rqxiEaBZIjb3ZcWsqkxCiKceOWYWKnxJWconv6K-lC2mNNc4nDo6L1qBfKophwp0n9Cqt4dKVQkJ_j5qzsPqFhflg/s400/DSC04820-790195.JPG" /></a><br />I did my first night dive. I enjoyed the experience, but have decided that I prefer diving in the day time, though.<br /></div><div>In between diving, over the next couple of days we enjoyed the amazing surroundings. Now, this is the life!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDHNXNuoqkyBOzgyMkmQ-GvLMFxqAggPlHEfU8rHKkn5eBKe6kTYUCA8iim80MnP1ws6N6EBkXQyNvn6fIcUsYtTKpt9NrIs4ms3YWGVVhYurLiHaTo27shAq46GdQcW4zcjY/s1600-h/IMG_3292-714491.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220450004669682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDHNXNuoqkyBOzgyMkmQ-GvLMFxqAggPlHEfU8rHKkn5eBKe6kTYUCA8iim80MnP1ws6N6EBkXQyNvn6fIcUsYtTKpt9NrIs4ms3YWGVVhYurLiHaTo27shAq46GdQcW4zcjY/s400/IMG_3292-714491.JPG" /></a></div><div>Stunning sunsets and sunrises, blue seas, cool sea breeze. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg89BhmQqJGbYqcHJ0qkTYz6qYka3yqWvQpM2KZQwD1s_6629VCQCTPgPNj7VEArvsQIAA2sznMUEB5T6IMmTmUzL4q3hvg_zzIfILoY_a3e1rvJwA2GU1qPpJ4DOw_VPUU_X/s1600-h/IMG_3222a-704598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220405065952482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg89BhmQqJGbYqcHJ0qkTYz6qYka3yqWvQpM2KZQwD1s_6629VCQCTPgPNj7VEArvsQIAA2sznMUEB5T6IMmTmUzL4q3hvg_zzIfILoY_a3e1rvJwA2GU1qPpJ4DOw_VPUU_X/s400/IMG_3222a-704598.JPG" /></a><br />Relax and unwind.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_1dLiEHmMUDvHQwzrO2G3Tc_7P21rfipMH4TgJ5LfWpyJ5a139Q0BfIZJ8L9u38pGwvYDv_Uih-012te7hDlJL2OIGLh4hPXXLQX6zDxal8hyphenhyphenciVraz39_gJ2MND2GgIb9qx/s1600-h/IMG_3262-709451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220429740860482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_1dLiEHmMUDvHQwzrO2G3Tc_7P21rfipMH4TgJ5LfWpyJ5a139Q0BfIZJ8L9u38pGwvYDv_Uih-012te7hDlJL2OIGLh4hPXXLQX6zDxal8hyphenhyphenciVraz39_gJ2MND2GgIb9qx/s400/IMG_3262-709451.JPG" /></a><br />Taking in the early morning and late afternoon rays on the upper deck.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0kgaGaoE9K638Q86pvVf78yXWOZBEeOJYpvdhup8mGdAGXNMNSywkTeHEBhdwYlRxnKwxsExLOaU4Xgz1U2gF-hADoEaAt-a1ExNwALg7WANUNY0oFUPrNuOJu7wLMLRyLiN/s1600-h/IMG_3302-716084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220456608349442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0kgaGaoE9K638Q86pvVf78yXWOZBEeOJYpvdhup8mGdAGXNMNSywkTeHEBhdwYlRxnKwxsExLOaU4Xgz1U2gF-hADoEaAt-a1ExNwALg7WANUNY0oFUPrNuOJu7wLMLRyLiN/s400/IMG_3302-716084.JPG" /></a><br />The inviting, beautiful, clear, blue ocean. </div><div></div><div>Like one tends to do on a dive trip, it feels like you just eat, sleep and dive, eat sleep and dive.. </div><div></div><br /><div>We were lucky to have such a great group of people on board. We enjoyed our breakfasts, lunch and dinners with interesting people from all walks of life, most of them living in Jakarta. Marc especially enjoyed meeting Pascale, a real life treasure hunter. After many a long discussions about lost and found ancient treasure, Marc is dreaming of perhaps on day joining a team in search of such sunken treasures. Check out Pascale's website: <a href="http://www.oceantreasures.org/">http://www.oceantreasures.org/</a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0qnahOzwtlBWNYUNa2bYvK5q1bJsGXvNatWLk1hpHSqDK9zWKIE8owMDv8wLMHhppM6H2L3x-u4lTgDB3xsw9bWAv7CZ55R5tfO-frIPaVOS8yz8y_rs5S6Lwl55GMdbAYP6/s1600-h/DSC04712+-+Copy-775924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220282324530770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0qnahOzwtlBWNYUNa2bYvK5q1bJsGXvNatWLk1hpHSqDK9zWKIE8owMDv8wLMHhppM6H2L3x-u4lTgDB3xsw9bWAv7CZ55R5tfO-frIPaVOS8yz8y_rs5S6Lwl55GMdbAYP6/s400/DSC04712+-+Copy-775924.JPG" /></a><br />We had 3 birthdays during our 5 day trip. Marie-Louise (the wife of one of the birthday boys) arranged a surprise party on Friday, 14 August. Complete with balloons, hats and birthday cake.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqX-kXT8KDIt6RHcDO64aAflWgMVtnW66XkouprxqauHJscgmaGohis-glEHnoICPaoOM52_n88h2-kxltolujJ9l61DDJT_t_LQSUiHiW3qIqV53Rj0ssJYAtfGIKgf4aD_z/s1600-h/DSC04721+-+Copy-777969.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220293339885314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqX-kXT8KDIt6RHcDO64aAflWgMVtnW66XkouprxqauHJscgmaGohis-glEHnoICPaoOM52_n88h2-kxltolujJ9l61DDJT_t_LQSUiHiW3qIqV53Rj0ssJYAtfGIKgf4aD_z/s400/DSC04721+-+Copy-777969.JPG" /></a><br />Thanks to me and my trusty ipod and shox (speakers), even dancing. Well, not so trusty; as it seems to be giving up the ghost but we at least managed to get it to play until about 11pm. Which was a good time to go to bed anyway, considering that we had to be up early again, to dive.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXk7s7B37hAV8YeCAY4g8_bPhp4VpOVN9Vv9W8fQ60WdzrytbDzlKYE-p2Ohxgh6SkVBM76bwfunVI90qD7J-e-egP2c49AMavQ5ejXCF0it__8PadGL5e8btHPvcphbJBKO4/s1600-h/DSC04728+-+Copy-779850.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220298932638018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXk7s7B37hAV8YeCAY4g8_bPhp4VpOVN9Vv9W8fQ60WdzrytbDzlKYE-p2Ohxgh6SkVBM76bwfunVI90qD7J-e-egP2c49AMavQ5ejXCF0it__8PadGL5e8btHPvcphbJBKO4/s400/DSC04728+-+Copy-779850.JPG" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220214700185794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqUIFPuCLqufu80Odha9ez4Nw2rcBfVpN5xDQuIpTwAxc6sTgC7Wp_0HTknhjzuJNe9FFwO-9qC9cV9JavIgxSJIXw02QJ3i0STs_XAQQJD3swbU2qLInn5dXhBTvZUAYI0Be/s400/DSC04645-759767.JPG" /></div><div>Returning to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a> after yet another great dive:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aBE62x09S7oyqZ75FYiwmxMtxCyhVpbuC2XeXLY2NVCrjH_jYJqqC6n0U-P5aUYHm0kxq2db25KaZ5ay-3J5Iu4-uAT3vOUQePOOP5GTnwPYd6GU7msErXr_jLmdthsNuAx_/s1600-h/IMG_3320-717791.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220462646116962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aBE62x09S7oyqZ75FYiwmxMtxCyhVpbuC2XeXLY2NVCrjH_jYJqqC6n0U-P5aUYHm0kxq2db25KaZ5ay-3J5Iu4-uAT3vOUQePOOP5GTnwPYd6GU7msErXr_jLmdthsNuAx_/s400/IMG_3320-717791.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiom36q1oNr4CB3jLIEJ770naoE4iqAOuAOgyDuTUjmx77lB4gwvicTMlREnWKu8N7psTMEXe4CBl-WEmYLrLVXy3Bxiz5aZ6CUW3s8QILDldsLXstUglP3Cpp__WnnMSOT94A_/s1600-h/IMG_3324-719531.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220469933514338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiom36q1oNr4CB3jLIEJ770naoE4iqAOuAOgyDuTUjmx77lB4gwvicTMlREnWKu8N7psTMEXe4CBl-WEmYLrLVXy3Bxiz5aZ6CUW3s8QILDldsLXstUglP3Cpp__WnnMSOT94A_/s400/IMG_3324-719531.JPG" /></a><br />At around 2:30 on Sunday the 16th we visited Loh Buaya on Rinca island, part of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.komodonationalpark.org">Komodo National Park</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmEJonukVWUeWI3QYk4xpXXQomgQXc1tyTMb6pDZ_97po_NSRgi7ZefnjGmcHQeOLDHeGaqsf61RXR9v5986MEYhTIRUDr8VGRhsIlS7zM_FeaTQaN3NMon4XZpQLr5x0HVhE/s1600-h/IMG_3328-721322.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220480302373762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmEJonukVWUeWI3QYk4xpXXQomgQXc1tyTMb6pDZ_97po_NSRgi7ZefnjGmcHQeOLDHeGaqsf61RXR9v5986MEYhTIRUDr8VGRhsIlS7zM_FeaTQaN3NMon4XZpQLr5x0HVhE/s400/IMG_3328-721322.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoulL8pSMguoUGMQuC1EblFIAum8WADASEinvpIDzsOb8JX7NY5rV73UR4mgHrAiiJd57zjzpPXubJd4bYNT84Lwgc7oq2ozq1S-Vs2H-W0_MINEEnEl_QcxEOd8GHz3Jarww/s1600-h/IMG_3329.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371663761829348738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoulL8pSMguoUGMQuC1EblFIAum8WADASEinvpIDzsOb8JX7NY5rV73UR4mgHrAiiJd57zjzpPXubJd4bYNT84Lwgc7oq2ozq1S-Vs2H-W0_MINEEnEl_QcxEOd8GHz3Jarww/s400/IMG_3329.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRi_2fLSw8XiADlhOE9tAwcXlxDdu007cN4qIJsDlaYhcaBSIjEALc2f7B3wBwUv5x0XwbEaBz6JWHNB6r3E8ljU78YcUn7wu8g1UvARtKp_oup0vvvMYD5XHOyYs1N-UFrLN/s1600-h/IMG_3344.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371663766523364930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRi_2fLSw8XiADlhOE9tAwcXlxDdu007cN4qIJsDlaYhcaBSIjEALc2f7B3wBwUv5x0XwbEaBz6JWHNB6r3E8ljU78YcUn7wu8g1UvARtKp_oup0vvvMYD5XHOyYs1N-UFrLN/s400/IMG_3344.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO3Uk0elsCMme_Sj8-qO7X21myy8E-m-NvFmF_YBEVcM7jLUO04Ku8BwlW1dwLzXPBzjwEOT1ogUwmTmXS43fKJUdoOzCxdULihqZS7ssxKuHbsOcbK6IpX_tNDc0wnmPl_El/s1600-h/IMG_3351.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371663775229872690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO3Uk0elsCMme_Sj8-qO7X21myy8E-m-NvFmF_YBEVcM7jLUO04Ku8BwlW1dwLzXPBzjwEOT1ogUwmTmXS43fKJUdoOzCxdULihqZS7ssxKuHbsOcbK6IpX_tNDc0wnmPl_El/s400/IMG_3351.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon">Komodo</a> dragons basking in the sun.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD74c4GN2NPNOt_-yjJgE2FyVSi9Th_xnLxK7KS8pqeYJOQMDr-JKPUSxHhyphenhyphenIbz4U7gE0T6fVDQSyEAQAGtbafm7vIZco7wMmtUnBuGKo40OC1gx0H23x44UVVRA6s09FCw8mU/s1600-h/IMG_3404-725474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220494954133922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD74c4GN2NPNOt_-yjJgE2FyVSi9Th_xnLxK7KS8pqeYJOQMDr-JKPUSxHhyphenhyphenIbz4U7gE0T6fVDQSyEAQAGtbafm7vIZco7wMmtUnBuGKo40OC1gx0H23x44UVVRA6s09FCw8mU/s400/IMG_3404-725474.JPG" /></a><br />We returned to the boat at around 5pm and the girls decided to pack a cooler box and have sundowners on a small island, which we dubbed, Bintang, after we consumed quite a few.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxi_thGz7gmy3QPq55m6-3ygolu5BbBcp3HUYRxPXmjg-wWteP3JOqy2dFoluIlbNSuj3EJ-1ktzRksiQrKulyZwDocK5UnXANRogRaBvZOIn4fL_Hp1boTGST_Lb8b7-k9hk/s1600-h/IMG_3418a-726725.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220500650788050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxi_thGz7gmy3QPq55m6-3ygolu5BbBcp3HUYRxPXmjg-wWteP3JOqy2dFoluIlbNSuj3EJ-1ktzRksiQrKulyZwDocK5UnXANRogRaBvZOIn4fL_Hp1boTGST_Lb8b7-k9hk/s400/IMG_3418a-726725.JPG" /></a><br />We returned to the boat where we followed in the boys footsteps and jumped off the side of the boat.<br /></div><div>We had a great sushi dinner and thanks again, to my trusty backup, ipod shuffle we were able to connect to the sound system in the dining room and enjoy a fun farewell party. We maybe had a couple of Bintangs, to many. The problem with "free flow".... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7TN13vC993bRTuYI-dk1ZkqRlYptXRo9VU8Z9szWdz9NRWbSkii4v0c7hR3P414MIMTaS-AkM-BSwhqRxh-UOvqoa3JZJNqjHBmAbrhMTOgj0hviMJzruzpFFWoYUczg4DmW/s1600-h/IMG_3432-728263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220509495336050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7TN13vC993bRTuYI-dk1ZkqRlYptXRo9VU8Z9szWdz9NRWbSkii4v0c7hR3P414MIMTaS-AkM-BSwhqRxh-UOvqoa3JZJNqjHBmAbrhMTOgj0hviMJzruzpFFWoYUczg4DmW/s400/IMG_3432-728263.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTbuZZcbS1vyBl0oUuv4fFNz1TJ0fB_3CIdj1uZXbuDXXCtLArHRiRJ06hFfh-Q0x2EE-gd2Ta3rmw9opOiCitPlsqzegQv5eDyp2soIADs7mptwXsgVGm6TDe6jm-w8Y9cYd/s1600-h/Ellen+and+Adele-729641.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220513705668562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTbuZZcbS1vyBl0oUuv4fFNz1TJ0fB_3CIdj1uZXbuDXXCtLArHRiRJ06hFfh-Q0x2EE-gd2Ta3rmw9opOiCitPlsqzegQv5eDyp2soIADs7mptwXsgVGm6TDe6jm-w8Y9cYd/s400/Ellen+and+Adele-729641.JPG" /></a><br />"Bintang" smiles!<br /><br />On Monday, 17 August we sadly had to say goodbye to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a> crew when we made our way to the airport at around 10:30am. We got back to Bali at about 1:30pm where we bid our fellow divers farewell, until next time.</div><div></div><br /><div>Marc and I booked the 9pm Air Asia flight to Jakarta, to avoid missing our flight in case of delays from <a href="http://www.labuanbajo-flores.com/">Jabuan Bajo</a>. </div><div></div><br /><div>We had a couple of hours to kill and decided to go for lunch at our favourite Greek restaurant, <a href="http://www.mykonos-bali.com/">Mykonos</a> in Semiyak.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j_FYRuXegQB8wVaPTX6gp2CHJSUxUIUsnovJB1MeOyUJ2HYaSxTHNM0p-04DiBDuHTyIcCA-vnOnVXcRQzSoX4R8N6rKv9EUKUFR3B6UvIvK2kive0nIZ5zwM47rbsawiE5g/s1600-h/DSC04912-702419.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220396876838322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j_FYRuXegQB8wVaPTX6gp2CHJSUxUIUsnovJB1MeOyUJ2HYaSxTHNM0p-04DiBDuHTyIcCA-vnOnVXcRQzSoX4R8N6rKv9EUKUFR3B6UvIvK2kive0nIZ5zwM47rbsawiE5g/s400/DSC04912-702419.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido1YV9B2ELZypysO1nyHgn1sVL_trUdqiOV4YiBcR2-y3AmKfxEX526C2UcQ6D8RJoAE8MbD5u71LNQDybf7qHWfonfUhv-1LMUlb7zWZVooKlIPCz_OQIAd3l7OZS_aD5F0P/s1600-h/DSC04910-700996.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220391891449298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido1YV9B2ELZypysO1nyHgn1sVL_trUdqiOV4YiBcR2-y3AmKfxEX526C2UcQ6D8RJoAE8MbD5u71LNQDybf7qHWfonfUhv-1LMUlb7zWZVooKlIPCz_OQIAd3l7OZS_aD5F0P/s400/DSC04910-700996.JPG" /></a><br />We ended our trip with a full 1.5 hour massage at Amora's Spa. </div><div></div><br /><div>We finally arrived home at around 11:30pm from this once in a life time trip. It was truly a fantastic experiance. We could definetly reccommend this 5 Days of fun in the sun on the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a>, liveaboard.<br /></div><div></div><div>Below are a couple of underwater shots. NOTE: The diving in Komodo is spectacular. Great 15-30 meter visability, amazing fish life and vibrant colourfull coral.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dUwIzrBMcf6TrvRM_3DelY2OluqAaSbfs9qXSYJUOZyrRqgD7VQ4P_SHmYM6ROj-D_XCVmDRwHaO_Qe1_UcaD2XixCrvRyngf9-JkLSjlEV79b7sIal5fl_hGvbkMVRlTZy7/s1600-h/DSC04660-761374.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220222220178978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dUwIzrBMcf6TrvRM_3DelY2OluqAaSbfs9qXSYJUOZyrRqgD7VQ4P_SHmYM6ROj-D_XCVmDRwHaO_Qe1_UcaD2XixCrvRyngf9-JkLSjlEV79b7sIal5fl_hGvbkMVRlTZy7/s400/DSC04660-761374.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxCNpiGVxsW7i4ewloW2jkbALpdgUpKdFV9kdgZsNJc9Ne4eM94BD0ZRZ2_8y1uJ7lPpnTDM3y80NBoaGc6ktKpbGSVMoHl1Uqsa_qHAUiXCAsjExniM9B0OGo3RWzcENXlEL/s1600-h/DSC04750.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371663783602346226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxCNpiGVxsW7i4ewloW2jkbALpdgUpKdFV9kdgZsNJc9Ne4eM94BD0ZRZ2_8y1uJ7lPpnTDM3y80NBoaGc6ktKpbGSVMoHl1Uqsa_qHAUiXCAsjExniM9B0OGo3RWzcENXlEL/s400/DSC04750.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkrYfBhvWOZrG7tbXnPaPr14MCtCcqD6A6yC8NjBG_ZOy2EPiGlqto-j2sZ-S95C9axdTz1HD_jh89PBqjeT8TVfaJHJo2NKEtG3scu71nGmlUuXUURNA_6mbkmhKa63_2lY1/s1600-h/DSC04662-762789.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220227900093666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkrYfBhvWOZrG7tbXnPaPr14MCtCcqD6A6yC8NjBG_ZOy2EPiGlqto-j2sZ-S95C9axdTz1HD_jh89PBqjeT8TVfaJHJo2NKEtG3scu71nGmlUuXUURNA_6mbkmhKa63_2lY1/s400/DSC04662-762789.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3O2cmfVdmriGRKOf3GLo_uLCFhbPcK26mw9Q6XTppu0TuUoBtbMoVflv_l_g1WzqWSPPMm_etwgZfSAxaWA06ekLBgOnWrNp1f-Af931MZWmdCyklyB7zWY2o6Wg5MOOkqvu/s1600-h/DSC04667-764849.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220233747805074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3O2cmfVdmriGRKOf3GLo_uLCFhbPcK26mw9Q6XTppu0TuUoBtbMoVflv_l_g1WzqWSPPMm_etwgZfSAxaWA06ekLBgOnWrNp1f-Af931MZWmdCyklyB7zWY2o6Wg5MOOkqvu/s400/DSC04667-764849.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_AwqPvEKKST3ZfRlmHsvoncXJwYul6jmL9K4cyAzLNxcMwEmTYouu9W5gBjCID7xJ3tdMomrM3i5GPKVgwziHl0EHpXZOmst13waxSSeO4Q0y2ajcpm__DDU19vt3sLSvi8d/s1600-h/DSC04672+-+Copy-766532.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220244775408482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_AwqPvEKKST3ZfRlmHsvoncXJwYul6jmL9K4cyAzLNxcMwEmTYouu9W5gBjCID7xJ3tdMomrM3i5GPKVgwziHl0EHpXZOmst13waxSSeO4Q0y2ajcpm__DDU19vt3sLSvi8d/s400/DSC04672+-+Copy-766532.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfb9xOPqlxVZMsCcGw8XzThM8p-TgYjNHeRQc6WMHWFjrq7r3nvfGwkIdUkwu5Xhwxun5ZEKCDQi4DKblef8HwdRfTuXqFJKZ4QQXhiMEiXYls-UZyfBB2DYkPhVKgi72pscg/s1600-h/DSC04676-767931.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220245935323522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfb9xOPqlxVZMsCcGw8XzThM8p-TgYjNHeRQc6WMHWFjrq7r3nvfGwkIdUkwu5Xhwxun5ZEKCDQi4DKblef8HwdRfTuXqFJKZ4QQXhiMEiXYls-UZyfBB2DYkPhVKgi72pscg/s400/DSC04676-767931.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2QAHEBudYPtcyvY4ZaMEVlEsGkGJ0vlhueFwFiKgVUqqYhTNzW2oPGP-4VqzbjnUgJTJTRVvfjnXmn9cxP98ajYBs5xHQ-2GOLxj2-5ZzBnzp7ZXXoBHnCTTZ0WrrfXU-kcW/s1600-h/DSC04699-769952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220260102140530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2QAHEBudYPtcyvY4ZaMEVlEsGkGJ0vlhueFwFiKgVUqqYhTNzW2oPGP-4VqzbjnUgJTJTRVvfjnXmn9cxP98ajYBs5xHQ-2GOLxj2-5ZzBnzp7ZXXoBHnCTTZ0WrrfXU-kcW/s400/DSC04699-769952.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYrfskGQtbaHZNEo5l6SBpF3os-q1MsXWs_uCXJa_HY5_uuMfPlpeZhT18RhbEo8HA8jH3XrShLaF030e5ImnTwNUbNgwfdvVosPHDTu44pQD1_783qAX2HVlzoZrnFhsB57v/s1600-h/DSC04701-772016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220267511573218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYrfskGQtbaHZNEo5l6SBpF3os-q1MsXWs_uCXJa_HY5_uuMfPlpeZhT18RhbEo8HA8jH3XrShLaF030e5ImnTwNUbNgwfdvVosPHDTu44pQD1_783qAX2HVlzoZrnFhsB57v/s400/DSC04701-772016.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3-cpJX_DeQkD7FE0b7Ym0ngOw0tdFcwnDzv9ELXYuvq2C3sTSRBDE_daoB7WtkSFLXg3NEuW62NbrJa3mKDbqmuprQsB-sSTENcCHzDynjq5rkUvA_XpevA8HLjWxDwSz86m/s1600-h/DSC04759+-+Copy-781419.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220307341897586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3-cpJX_DeQkD7FE0b7Ym0ngOw0tdFcwnDzv9ELXYuvq2C3sTSRBDE_daoB7WtkSFLXg3NEuW62NbrJa3mKDbqmuprQsB-sSTENcCHzDynjq5rkUvA_XpevA8HLjWxDwSz86m/s400/DSC04759+-+Copy-781419.JPG" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220315556623330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MrNr2DhRKz_AeX36UjGvACZDQRzjIyT2H1liyfZF5uIL87wSj5yhfH1FbZ6DKvCefrsLPX35LVVMS9MGY3mY92Ogts5WUONSBB3E6_PorMt2dJUg6Hec-idW5pm6LAZx5RUM/s400/DSC04768-782993.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5n67npDCQd1sX_ktLYicpUyTJn-VhkSTwHqraRzFUV957aNmXU5NniDCRywXkRA1XAqUZLwqxlMQGuMN-XRVxWr39WHDaxv7agFtwxz4KF62fRCA8O6FGSRZK4EN2T3aRpDd/s1600-h/DSC04775+-+Copy-784463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220321459699506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5n67npDCQd1sX_ktLYicpUyTJn-VhkSTwHqraRzFUV957aNmXU5NniDCRywXkRA1XAqUZLwqxlMQGuMN-XRVxWr39WHDaxv7agFtwxz4KF62fRCA8O6FGSRZK4EN2T3aRpDd/s400/DSC04775+-+Copy-784463.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2NNXh1dPVxycx4TGrOr-bkMyqLIda2Fe633PrEftn1JrroTTExycxnUpHkhk0H8Id2_VJ0cWKqd3Csrq1StyNCTJRv6CxqUtze277fgMWmGz5iyNCaOvdFpdsa-W6mb5N8nF/s1600-h/DSC04777+-+Copy-786315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220328368851698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2NNXh1dPVxycx4TGrOr-bkMyqLIda2Fe633PrEftn1JrroTTExycxnUpHkhk0H8Id2_VJ0cWKqd3Csrq1StyNCTJRv6CxqUtze277fgMWmGz5iyNCaOvdFpdsa-W6mb5N8nF/s400/DSC04777+-+Copy-786315.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZEhpUzCmMdaRHuNvHtg5bpAisXlcybCC_syNQHne2l2Xe3GTOpsBXlPkMM6qDPs-LtZB1iv1rAdqgZRa__muvyL-WMWDlkO-qtnWgNAKdAOB7Fx0Hoiyhn0eMafl13GYhvwl/s1600-h/DSC04779+-+Copy-788691.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371220339922935986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZEhpUzCmMdaRHuNvHtg5bpAisXlcybCC_syNQHne2l2Xe3GTOpsBXlPkMM6qDPs-LtZB1iv1rAdqgZRa__muvyL-WMWDlkO-qtnWgNAKdAOB7Fx0Hoiyhn0eMafl13GYhvwl/s400/DSC04779+-+Copy-788691.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><strong>ABOUT THE TRIP<br /></strong>We booked the trip through <a href="http://www.kristalkleardive.com/">Kristal Klear Dive</a> who has scheduled tours around Indonesia, througout the year. </div><div></div><div>Kristal Klear Dive@ Hotel Kristal</div><div>Terogong Raya, Cilandak Barat, Jakarta Selatan, 12430. Indonesia</div><br /><div>Ph. (6221) 7507050 x 674 </div><div>Ph/Fax (6221) 75818025 </div><div><a href="mailto:kkdtour@indosat.net.id">kkdtour@<a href="mailto:indosat.net.iddivewithkkd@indosat.net.id">indosat.net.id</a></a></div><div><a href="mailto:divewithkkd@indosat.net.id">divewithkkd@indosat.net.id</a></div><div><a href="http://www.kristalkleardive.com/">http://www.kristalkleardive.com/</a></div><div></div><br /><div><strong>Price includes:</strong></div><ul><li>Return air tickets Denpasar-<a href="http://www.labuanbajo-flores.com/">Labuan Bajo </a></li><li>4-night fullboard, twin-sharing accommodation onboard the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a></li><li>Unlimited diving (max. 4 dives per day)</li><li>Overnight twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Denpasar (Tuban area) </li><li>Marine national park entrance fee guided tour in Rinca to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon">Komodo Dragons</a></li></ul><div><strong>Price excludes:</strong> </div><ul><li>Flights from Jakarta to Bali</li><li>Tip for boat crew & dive guides (Rp.50 per person, per day)</li><li>Alcoholic drinks - Bintang beer was included. Take your own wine and spirits.</li></ul><div><strong>ABOUT THE TAMBORA</strong></div><div>The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a> liveaboard is brand new, we were actaully the first group on board. Which had it's pro's and con's. Though it meant that everything was new and clean, it also meant that there were some minor teething problems. Mostly on the "diving" side, which I don't really want to complain about as I was happy over all with the boat, their staff and the service they offer. The little problems we experienced with delayed dive times, getting in and out of the zodiac's, gear etc. seemed to have worked it self out by day 3 of the trip.<br /></div><div>I have confidence that after a couple of groups have come through there, both the boat crew and dive guides will make the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a> one of the "top end" liveaboards in the area. </div><div></div><div>Overall the food was good and we never went hungry. The fridge was always stocked with cold drinks and Bintang and the staff was very accommodating. They went above and behond to make our experience a memorable one, which it truly was.<br /></div><div></div><div>Thank you, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.tamboradive.com">Tambora</a>! </div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-36983690517841271532009-08-10T15:09:00.015+05:302009-08-12T07:00:54.690+05:30Emily's "baby shower" - Mitoni Ceremony<p class="mobile-photo">I wanted to arrange a baby shower for my friend Emily before she left for South Africa, where she will be until after the birth of their baby boy. I found out about a Javanese ceremony called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">MITONI</span>, which I figured would be the perfect "baby shower" as opposed to a traditional shower. </p><p class="mobile-photo">I arranged the ceremony through Arie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rahmaniati</span>, who you can email; <a href="mailto:arierahmaniati9@gmail.com">arierahmaniati9@gmail.com</a> should you be interested in arranging a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mitoni</span> ceremony in Jakarta.</p><p class="mobile-photo">T<em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>he legend of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mitony</span> ceremony:</strong></span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mitoni</span> ritual has been held since the 11<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> century. The legend involves a couple, Ki <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sedya</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Niken</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Satingkeb</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Niken</span> had given birth to 9 babies, but non of them lived very long. The couple went to their wise King <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jayabaya</span> for help. The wise and just King that was said to have a very sharp intuition, gave them fatherly advice. </span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The King suggested that the couple purify themselves and pray solemnly to their Holy Creator. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Niken</span> had to take a "holy" bath with water from seven springs.</span></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">About the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mitoni</span> ceremony:</span></strong></em></p><p class="mobile-photo"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mitoni</span> comes from the word <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">pitu</span>, which means seven. </span></em><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The ceremony is performed for a mother to be, during her 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> month of pregnancy and is usually performed for the first child. The ceremony is performed to request God's blessing for the safety and happiness of the parents to be and their baby. And for the child to live a noble life. </em></span></p><p class="mobile-photo"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The ceremony was held on Friday, 31 July. B</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">elow</span> is an account of the ceremony:</span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJWoi7glbOtLKQYKEnSk5_0D5R2cPc44vUdCabdDVfVOkES4IeCnWiT1g3qa-Tp89mJd-qC8CpB1udN4kn0yooJVcn9-Q1GhSn9oziv4oFtRGeuANEidYzL3CQcAljGI3SvN0/s1600-h/IMG_3019-768039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267462415680130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJWoi7glbOtLKQYKEnSk5_0D5R2cPc44vUdCabdDVfVOkES4IeCnWiT1g3qa-Tp89mJd-qC8CpB1udN4kn0yooJVcn9-Q1GhSn9oziv4oFtRGeuANEidYzL3CQcAljGI3SvN0/s400/IMG_3019-768039.JPG" /></a><br />The parents to be, looked the part in their traditional Javanese clothes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDRuYJtzygR0rky09RuTV6Lt9iNhzD8nRZYWtywvAbTyU1GsZFeqEYFlBd87-W4VPvVHaP4mxJsNsWlEz2v9kl4fdW-t580mtqsppLJeeRzAaz39OoaAJUAEqG8dpVBjzELy1/s1600-h/IMG_3042-768631.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267463936819506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDRuYJtzygR0rky09RuTV6Lt9iNhzD8nRZYWtywvAbTyU1GsZFeqEYFlBd87-W4VPvVHaP4mxJsNsWlEz2v9kl4fdW-t580mtqsppLJeeRzAaz39OoaAJUAEqG8dpVBjzELy1/s400/IMG_3042-768631.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG4yLgmPb8dzUSpMpvAazOzixllE_ex-huyL4HcJJ7WaAQ0LvMu10ZaGUWxSKSye2Cm-Bw8XJ3-lib7wUNKBQxlfrmhx3tDTR0a-cnPmE0AL8jSnyh87ppD-Hna9BlnlZcHNh/s1600-h/IMG_3046-769560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267464672222194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG4yLgmPb8dzUSpMpvAazOzixllE_ex-huyL4HcJJ7WaAQ0LvMu10ZaGUWxSKSye2Cm-Bw8XJ3-lib7wUNKBQxlfrmhx3tDTR0a-cnPmE0AL8jSnyh87ppD-Hna9BlnlZcHNh/s400/IMG_3046-769560.JPG" /></a><br />Sean's parents happened to be visiting and they stood in for Emily's parents during the ceremony proceedings. Sean and Emily had to show their respect to the 'parents'.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHlCAbjeI9zmnrydBK1otWocuc82vuKoPgsN9WjyP2XxA8dZyVxtla1mYV-q8jMw0_vYCHV6U4IJM2J98wCOIa672oLd5gnZ5mwyy5sIKIU8OjxgHpETZ6tyYs3C6vnQKGTcu/s1600-h/IMG_3055-770344.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT42fdaG1FE_C9aQOCRa6RuHq1tQtzFGzLosuwOtS-i81_HQDVVYMs2tzRINjlexq3obv03l0c1ZuxUqanK3V2p72Jmzx2fmytsm5vZlb_I8JJv65S4zkZCOdDjRAOi156-R1c/s1600-h/IMG_3112-775742.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267494243902354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT42fdaG1FE_C9aQOCRa6RuHq1tQtzFGzLosuwOtS-i81_HQDVVYMs2tzRINjlexq3obv03l0c1ZuxUqanK3V2p72Jmzx2fmytsm5vZlb_I8JJv65S4zkZCOdDjRAOi156-R1c/s400/IMG_3112-775742.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHlCAbjeI9zmnrydBK1otWocuc82vuKoPgsN9WjyP2XxA8dZyVxtla1mYV-q8jMw0_vYCHV6U4IJM2J98wCOIa672oLd5gnZ5mwyy5sIKIU8OjxgHpETZ6tyYs3C6vnQKGTcu/s1600-h/IMG_3055-770344.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267472432143314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHlCAbjeI9zmnrydBK1otWocuc82vuKoPgsN9WjyP2XxA8dZyVxtla1mYV-q8jMw0_vYCHV6U4IJM2J98wCOIa672oLd5gnZ5mwyy5sIKIU8OjxgHpETZ6tyYs3C6vnQKGTcu/s400/IMG_3055-770344.JPG" /></a><br />Emily was briefed on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Siraman</span>). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Siraman</span> comes from the word "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Siram</span>" which means to take a bath. The holy bathing ritual is meant to purify the mother to be and the baby.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWhi4zXWN0o_hOakoDjRQ-b1t23-mzXHB5QzfvMey08Po7SMHGE0h_tOqMYyzqsRdaVT2VG8_gC9zgJn6h67kmtpJI7tgLXoIfHlvWke52C_kCSsRbXPkyGDcM9zAX4QJqYOi/s1600-h/IMG_3138-778784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267503280188418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWhi4zXWN0o_hOakoDjRQ-b1t23-mzXHB5QzfvMey08Po7SMHGE0h_tOqMYyzqsRdaVT2VG8_gC9zgJn6h67kmtpJI7tgLXoIfHlvWke52C_kCSsRbXPkyGDcM9zAX4QJqYOi/s400/IMG_3138-778784.JPG" /></a><br />The garden area was beautifully decorated for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Siraman</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ceremnoy</span>. A big brass bowl, filled with "holy" water from 7 springs and petals from 7 different flowers incl. Rose, Yasmin, Magnolia and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cananga</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">ylang</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">ylang</span>) was used to "shower" Emily with.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWtNgujmm456NyNzdcwsC6mVayR5vP3u09gISY0t04itHigBa0re2Bbn9Zjkm7tD5G65dD4GHQXxfRtxILeyWvr_nTQ-H1N-I9v-W4doug9XJlIrVteXPOzuRaAGcVpaJqYCn/s1600-h/IMG_3072-772316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267481379623826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWtNgujmm456NyNzdcwsC6mVayR5vP3u09gISY0t04itHigBa0re2Bbn9Zjkm7tD5G65dD4GHQXxfRtxILeyWvr_nTQ-H1N-I9v-W4doug9XJlIrVteXPOzuRaAGcVpaJqYCn/s400/IMG_3072-772316.JPG" /></a><br />Emily was showered with the water and petals; first by her father in-law (representing a grandfather).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdoq40JypUHnt9dqUvgtlJ3iK5_zJw_UF_f4M0yn4eRbR0HKkdATpfCY8mbUFGeBV8JAlBdeuOCcdx4ra1Q0BUF4yqtWQOo046jCwaHR0bDG1HfDAZQtOydSkIhyphenhyphenz7GdYMUFJ/s1600-h/IMG_3081-773126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267484236644210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdoq40JypUHnt9dqUvgtlJ3iK5_zJw_UF_f4M0yn4eRbR0HKkdATpfCY8mbUFGeBV8JAlBdeuOCcdx4ra1Q0BUF4yqtWQOo046jCwaHR0bDG1HfDAZQtOydSkIhyphenhyphenz7GdYMUFJ/s400/IMG_3081-773126.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHqm1IIzA_CXLRQSEp-eaWG7cQerztcF6p0cxLNzQcXU-0dG0I_cgHmxxEsV4Yg7fi6DFjJAGmJpGTCgmlCSqBDqwnO9PUC7m1jfgBOpXDI-yfP9ajKZ5-TIzL80b-N7XjQ5-/s1600-h/IMG_3095-774176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267487143765026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHqm1IIzA_CXLRQSEp-eaWG7cQerztcF6p0cxLNzQcXU-0dG0I_cgHmxxEsV4Yg7fi6DFjJAGmJpGTCgmlCSqBDqwnO9PUC7m1jfgBOpXDI-yfP9ajKZ5-TIzL80b-N7XjQ5-/s400/IMG_3095-774176.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCh9AqKeZ8_bYpWUfASAYuP4vBdna8pGK11OllPoPGetLQNBOZVtFnMYtD8LygpNPtRVupvM5hV49xZC1LMaGnNXaolu_eWqMcWS7BrG63W3piDwRxnksUGp3CMLgWMya2Fip/s1600-h/IMG_3107-774807.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267486579019186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCh9AqKeZ8_bYpWUfASAYuP4vBdna8pGK11OllPoPGetLQNBOZVtFnMYtD8LygpNPtRVupvM5hV49xZC1LMaGnNXaolu_eWqMcWS7BrG63W3piDwRxnksUGp3CMLgWMya2Fip/s400/IMG_3107-774807.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxYUlli_dmMWhdCo1u-FQR11k3opFLm9FAZVTTUoE5sBsdtRGhUlewfJVLnvL9sdLTTDg3vTccu8_59M-sBW4JqONLLqsMIpjWyQNdEFMsVXe4lshGjV91mdmIKz7pVtWjedd/s1600-h/IMG_3070-771645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267472882463154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxYUlli_dmMWhdCo1u-FQR11k3opFLm9FAZVTTUoE5sBsdtRGhUlewfJVLnvL9sdLTTDg3vTccu8_59M-sBW4JqONLLqsMIpjWyQNdEFMsVXe4lshGjV91mdmIKz7pVtWjedd/s400/IMG_3070-771645.JPG" /></a><br />Sean and 7 "mothers" also each got a chance to "shower" Emily, 3 times.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtavpZr77jJ69wOJnbeDWsKOCJuZqtjTeyELOi1GZ4zH-KDrXa8IYdbzpDwa3vYGLbPRrzYrF0HGDFU3d-rxmBRO2V1cEY00epzd9sDbCWqAbtK3iHNVbF0yYNMcG0YhqUmKFS/s1600-h/IMG_3131-777729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267499755559922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtavpZr77jJ69wOJnbeDWsKOCJuZqtjTeyELOi1GZ4zH-KDrXa8IYdbzpDwa3vYGLbPRrzYrF0HGDFU3d-rxmBRO2V1cEY00epzd9sDbCWqAbtK3iHNVbF0yYNMcG0YhqUmKFS/s400/IMG_3131-777729.JPG" /></a><br />The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Siraman</span> (holy bathing) sure gave new meaning to the term "baby shower". <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIARO-U4MnAW0sH4C5N7UFBCdIWtUaoVLUSM1NBvums1UIipU3GthSWwBIUiM79rjLvop-JnCpZysJFz6Bx4Vt3qwhz41Dmkc0nqATUSuTYw_Kyo9bqi6Y9QiAkW_DWxewbcc/s1600-h/IMG_3130-776938.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267498129213650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIARO-U4MnAW0sH4C5N7UFBCdIWtUaoVLUSM1NBvums1UIipU3GthSWwBIUiM79rjLvop-JnCpZysJFz6Bx4Vt3qwhz41Dmkc0nqATUSuTYw_Kyo9bqi6Y9QiAkW_DWxewbcc/s400/IMG_3130-776938.JPG" /></a><br />Following the showering an earthenware, spouted jar "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">kendi</span>" is broken. If the spout brakes off it is suppose to be a girl and when the spout stays in tact, a boy. We didn't tell the ladies conducting the ceremony that we knew the sex of the baby, but the ritual proved to be accurate.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVZtRi6PfICF5FZ0Y26zRsfIcq4TsK0Ug7I4HfQW7Z1S8eKMCE_QnXrCL0WrS46GpCdH06VEj-jNbIIo_BBWChDpEwhpSoAvB0S2jU9Kqmxn2sRd2kixG1HECuHp-cHbMQ7TK/s1600-h/IMG_3140-779408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267509872640706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVZtRi6PfICF5FZ0Y26zRsfIcq4TsK0Ug7I4HfQW7Z1S8eKMCE_QnXrCL0WrS46GpCdH06VEj-jNbIIo_BBWChDpEwhpSoAvB0S2jU9Kqmxn2sRd2kixG1HECuHp-cHbMQ7TK/s400/IMG_3140-779408.JPG" /></a><br />We moved back into the house for the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> part of the ceremony; "dressing up" the mother to be. The batik cloth was draped over her, to save time. There are 6 kinds of batik cloth and one <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">lurik</span> cloth. Each piece of cloth has a different wish for the parents to be and the baby. The pattern of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ksatrian</span> "a responsible fighter"; <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wahyu</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tumurun</span> "heaven’s revelation - to be in a honorable position"; <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sidomukti</span> "to live prosperously", etc. We were instructed to say "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">belum</span>" (Not yet) until the 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> cloth, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">lurik</span> (traditional woven cloth) was draped. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">lurik</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">lasem</span> depicts a weaving of a happy love that should last for a long time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6lay-uIJYqHEF8I5lAC3D4Faj8scgnqxHHKXGXyfPaqmiZuwn8AnjIDcHu6hqyy1NEXrXaWbdg48aDWF0_MUEHL50dgAzvVL2XxBzdB7AezGH0d3cK9C1I3sDib-515z6AnF/s1600-h/IMG_3168-781341.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267518857021874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6lay-uIJYqHEF8I5lAC3D4Faj8scgnqxHHKXGXyfPaqmiZuwn8AnjIDcHu6hqyy1NEXrXaWbdg48aDWF0_MUEHL50dgAzvVL2XxBzdB7AezGH0d3cK9C1I3sDib-515z6AnF/s400/IMG_3168-781341.JPG" /></a><br />A piece of yarn tied around Emily's waist symbolized the umbilical cord. Sean cut the "cord", with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">keris</span>, that had a piece of turmeric stuck to the tip of it. The cutting of the "cord" depicts that all obstacles faced by the family will be cut by the father.</p><p class="mobile-photo">After cutting the cord, Sean took 3 steps back, turned around and ran out of the house. This action depicts the smooth delivery of the baby.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2ZK5FCj2ws-v4QUBaX6sKZAeaHNNDHZywStwpNoCCr4pbd5rTFDPV8jGbdb1cTMqPqeZjwV_T-m8eHdr3IDcJJ0p7w5wqwoQZu4cH54ro4gB3xVBFHMMN6bjUM3misC-IIY_/s1600-h/IMG_3160-780300.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267513302204978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2ZK5FCj2ws-v4QUBaX6sKZAeaHNNDHZywStwpNoCCr4pbd5rTFDPV8jGbdb1cTMqPqeZjwV_T-m8eHdr3IDcJJ0p7w5wqwoQZu4cH54ro4gB3xVBFHMMN6bjUM3misC-IIY_/s400/IMG_3160-780300.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9DoHIBgIkYc7uMiAZcfAv2MXLJmoaBuFD3FyGp76-_EdhMRglMHkoWHPBZFZzygC7xcWikd7g6FwXhmHH_vrbJEtFlddiGJdVUKCTuwZrObhkWBsSymeCZos7stQOjRqvM9L/s1600-h/IMG_3163-780776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267515756000850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9DoHIBgIkYc7uMiAZcfAv2MXLJmoaBuFD3FyGp76-_EdhMRglMHkoWHPBZFZzygC7xcWikd7g6FwXhmHH_vrbJEtFlddiGJdVUKCTuwZrObhkWBsSymeCZos7stQOjRqvM9L/s400/IMG_3163-780776.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Brojolan</span>: 2 young yellow "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gading</span>" coconuts were pushed through the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">lurik</span> cloth, and placed on the pile of batiks on the floor. This also depicts a safe birth. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQBsbznVW9A2pFAjjHeW7YKga6Y7ZZ-a5BjJpfJwgFiQmdMy1tpuM5S63SU4hBHDL8t1DNIqIi5IAXh8RmzvMHViAkr4W63yAUQuNYfTQEKpuk7EaEfom4NGX-dTYFLP1lkK7/s1600-h/IMG_3191-786677.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267538532702786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQBsbznVW9A2pFAjjHeW7YKga6Y7ZZ-a5BjJpfJwgFiQmdMy1tpuM5S63SU4hBHDL8t1DNIqIi5IAXh8RmzvMHViAkr4W63yAUQuNYfTQEKpuk7EaEfom4NGX-dTYFLP1lkK7/s400/IMG_3191-786677.JPG" /></a><br />The two coconuts depicts the God <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamajaya</span> and Goddess <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamaratih</span>. It is believed that God <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamajaya</span> is the most handsome God and Goddess <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamaratih</span>, the most beautiful Goddess and that when the baby is a boy, he would be as handsome as God <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamajaya</span> and if it's a girl, she would be as beautiful as Goddess <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamaratih</span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevbZvPWiYecSCBnC_NS6nMFrPqrBr3tyrUufRAUdkCWGhsgQzexdXoLmFksmLbDJeeoDBwkilZVmI8fSh9anjfZ6gkPBECIZioJ_qcafPrbKc6bweF5CUeG6sc4UmDHv27cQz/s1600-h/IMG_3169-782231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267522628617490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevbZvPWiYecSCBnC_NS6nMFrPqrBr3tyrUufRAUdkCWGhsgQzexdXoLmFksmLbDJeeoDBwkilZVmI8fSh9anjfZ6gkPBECIZioJ_qcafPrbKc6bweF5CUeG6sc4UmDHv27cQz/s400/IMG_3169-782231.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">Angrem</span> (Javanese word for egg hatching) - The couple had to sit on the pile of batiks (as if sitting on eggs) which depicts that the baby would be delivered safely and on time. They also had to take different food from the offerings which they ate together off a big stone plate (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">cobek</span>), which depicts the baby's placenta.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7SYCgcItA2iPCOxV8rkxO70QgeWnlPo1iEXdrm_wJZfNoGVt9FUhlOYLcFuHDrN1FR4KERZRy6zZVd1Pr4K0QGK_a5Zzs0VUsfjIefJOyDbzZjjEW3o9yTF-EHU_QN0wmBG2/s1600-h/IMG_3181-785597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267535951650322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7SYCgcItA2iPCOxV8rkxO70QgeWnlPo1iEXdrm_wJZfNoGVt9FUhlOYLcFuHDrN1FR4KERZRy6zZVd1Pr4K0QGK_a5Zzs0VUsfjIefJOyDbzZjjEW3o9yTF-EHU_QN0wmBG2/s400/IMG_3181-785597.JPG" /></a><br />The offering consisted of 7 kinds of rice cones, incl. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tumpeng</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">Megana</span>. The rice cones are surrounded by vegetables. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">sprout's</span> mean "growing the life". <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tumpeng</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-error">Robyong</span>, means "safety". It also included other traditional Indonesian food like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tumpeng</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_56" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gundul</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tumpeng</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" class="blsp-spelling-error">Urubing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_59" class="blsp-spelling-error">Damar</span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa5oVkQe5pErfZG4hbLgpHMAoul7VF1nuQtJ7-bOz2hnrK7TmnBIW657xFAMflG7xGWMcOX2pgHJv_8tuacu44GFakulwBR9JS40DbSNXg7_X1GgFCvd1GNpn9EpZG6Eku9nN/s1600-h/IMG_3175-784136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267529482206066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa5oVkQe5pErfZG4hbLgpHMAoul7VF1nuQtJ7-bOz2hnrK7TmnBIW657xFAMflG7xGWMcOX2pgHJv_8tuacu44GFakulwBR9JS40DbSNXg7_X1GgFCvd1GNpn9EpZG6Eku9nN/s400/IMG_3175-784136.JPG" /></a><br />Fruit and sweet cookies from peanuts which means, "a sweet life".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDJZxbE92V4FrYixqwtzYKZU8zB8PV6gBB34UboBXsj9L_L1RLSST_VnQtLWFd9lOp8kVhIAVz0hl3oMF3mlIWsqOYGGSB86_8-5z-SOITdMMa9oY3i6h6wiBVmi7ltaUZIpH/s1600-h/IMG_3174-783478.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267526343547298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDJZxbE92V4FrYixqwtzYKZU8zB8PV6gBB34UboBXsj9L_L1RLSST_VnQtLWFd9lOp8kVhIAVz0hl3oMF3mlIWsqOYGGSB86_8-5z-SOITdMMa9oY3i6h6wiBVmi7ltaUZIpH/s400/IMG_3174-783478.JPG" /></a><br />The offering also consists of red and white porridge. The red porridge, is to remember and respect mothers, while the white is for the fathers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyRCaS8KMLOoZMIAEXXBgnGGZaY_bOMHe9FT7p41t3cNefQukT5tFJaeDTXxhUOoVjIsYHpEJ7i7QVpo6TSjeEXh-JbPXivvaCBVaeKtjnRl7fsiV2RFcYfPUFIn15WT2aZsy/s1600-h/IMG_3178-784984.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368267531400720914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyRCaS8KMLOoZMIAEXXBgnGGZaY_bOMHe9FT7p41t3cNefQukT5tFJaeDTXxhUOoVjIsYHpEJ7i7QVpo6TSjeEXh-JbPXivvaCBVaeKtjnRl7fsiV2RFcYfPUFIn15WT2aZsy/s400/IMG_3178-784984.JPG" /></a><br />At the end of the ceremony the happy couple had to sell <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_60" class="blsp-spelling-error">rujak</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_61" class="blsp-spelling-error">dawet</span>, which we paid for with a earthenware coin. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_62" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rujak</span> (mixed fruit with hot <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_63" class="blsp-spelling-error">sambal</span>) symbolizes an "enthusiastic life" and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_64" class="blsp-spelling-error">dawet</span> (sweet coconut drink), also predicts a "smooth and safe birth". <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn36nNm1hKj1XYC0rpCFh28tXMd5-cOsco1Gb7iXQvgmOnaJafRL3VWlN4Lk50kXXabUABnM65vN6syAoR98LaqWvUSRRcbtxraRmKQiFW6MvzuxJO4FLRKpNL9anFYPqlQI7/s1600-h/IMG_3009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368344057818510706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn36nNm1hKj1XYC0rpCFh28tXMd5-cOsco1Gb7iXQvgmOnaJafRL3VWlN4Lk50kXXabUABnM65vN6syAoR98LaqWvUSRRcbtxraRmKQiFW6MvzuxJO4FLRKpNL9anFYPqlQI7/s400/IMG_3009.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gm8k00dz1RTIMdupEU4c2ny6K3dyD2ZLKLR6qtsrjWbADnQWWvuMY1WirptUHRFnvyYmSiI-syAB9vqudyQXlx6MmW2VoUkXtfzXlI1uy4aXk2xaJDiobO3fp1IJPDAHZm8N/s1600-h/IMG_3008.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368344050910664514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gm8k00dz1RTIMdupEU4c2ny6K3dyD2ZLKLR6qtsrjWbADnQWWvuMY1WirptUHRFnvyYmSiI-syAB9vqudyQXlx6MmW2VoUkXtfzXlI1uy4aXk2xaJDiobO3fp1IJPDAHZm8N/s400/IMG_3008.JPG" /></a><br />It was a fun afternoon and everyone enjoyed witnessing and hearing all about this interesting Javanese ceremony and trying all the different Indonesian food as well as other yummy food stuff incl. my very own scones with strawberry jam and cream, which I was very proud of. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Emily left for South Africa on Sunday, 9 August and we all look forward to her return to Jakarta with their new bundle of Joy sometime towards the end of November.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Thinking of you Em, good luck with the last 2 months of pregnancy. Wishing you all the best!</p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-46131800645103735322009-07-23T14:28:00.011+05:302009-07-23T20:02:15.157+05:30Update - the past two monthsIn light of the recent attacks in Jakarta I thought it was important that I do an "update" post to show that its not all doom and gloom. A lot of people probably wonder, if these bomb blasts didn't scare us in thinking; 'perhaps it was time to leave'. But, no..it hasn't. To be honest, I haven't spoken to anyone that have indicated that they were thinking about leaving Jakarta due to these attacks.<br /><br />I don't think that means we are immune to these situations. Of course we are all affected by it and deeply concerned. I believe everyone will take necessary precautions to keep their families safe. And, rather than going to our favourite bars, or restaurants we might 'hang out' at home instead. But we are definitely not packing our bags.<br /><br />Remembering that we live in a crazy, messed up world. More people are killed across the word on a daily basis, be it race related killings, hate crimes, the war in Iraq, and the list goes on. Also, considering South Africa's crime rate is probably the highest in the world and I don't even want to think about how many people are killed in South Africa every day.<br /><br />Asking myself; when will it stop? will it ever stop? And though, wishing for world peace seems so cliche; wouldn't that be fantastic....<br /><br />It is a crazy world we live in, but we have to LIVE. LIFE, how every sad, hard or unfair it is; will GO ON.<br /><br /><em><strong>Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.</strong> </em><br /><em></em><br />I am happy to report that besides a mild stomach bug/parasite and the sniffles we have been well otherwise. As per usual the past two months have flown by. Doing this blog post just reminded me that I was not so "good"early in June though.<br /><br />My 5 month old Sony Vaio crashed and to my horror, I lost all our photographs, we took since January. Isn't it ironic. While I was using the old Siemens I backed up regularly, expecting it to give up the ghost. Thankfully I saved some of the photo's on facebook and the blog, so all is not lost.<br /><br />Between June and August Jakarta is usually very quite. Well, at least in Kemang (the area we live in). Most of our friends have gone to their home countries, for 4 to 6 weeks, for their "summer holiday". It has been so quite that I didn't have art classes for 4 weeks, no regular get together's and I've even had 'one on one' gym sessions as the classes have been empty. This happens every year around this time. People are slowly but surly returning though, so I imagine things will be back to normal in a another week or two.<br /><br />It is quite around here, but not dead. Although, I missed the girls...life does go on!<br /><br />Below are short accounts of what we've been up to over the past two months. Well, at least of what I have photo's of:<br /><br />Saturday, 27 June we attended an <a href="http://www.indonesianrugby.com/">Indonesian Rugby untion</a> dinner. Where we watched the SA vs. Lions match in the "lion's den" at the Ritz Carlton. Phew...we were very relieved that we won. As you can imagine the 4 South African supporters took a lot of slack but we walked out with our heads held high. Thanks, bokke!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zXQAIjI8JTwukiJejFirAGQoUP6qXzILaeFaE9xFVFuafS6PgkTrwT61vHYQvPrTCpK2vo2BGJqUcvJmKYWw8ffHrj1GnjpndLEhjGShFd0pHkZGURQtf453BzHn06F_Oaca/s1600-h/DSC04224.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361634911133941970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zXQAIjI8JTwukiJejFirAGQoUP6qXzILaeFaE9xFVFuafS6PgkTrwT61vHYQvPrTCpK2vo2BGJqUcvJmKYWw8ffHrj1GnjpndLEhjGShFd0pHkZGURQtf453BzHn06F_Oaca/s400/DSC04224.JPG" /></a><br />Proudly South African!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24hrgPZzYhKchRL9ndlHg737J-s9fZNwI6Z8ZP6KNySNDQHoN9Ag4tz5Zc90mXy72oIMpJIi5vwvvP9K_IJ1os7vXnu26Eujz_8Ag90ZOXrkHJPwx8ajGBQVA4sUD6QvMw5vp/s1600-h/DSC04223.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361634907803505794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24hrgPZzYhKchRL9ndlHg737J-s9fZNwI6Z8ZP6KNySNDQHoN9Ag4tz5Zc90mXy72oIMpJIi5vwvvP9K_IJ1os7vXnu26Eujz_8Ag90ZOXrkHJPwx8ajGBQVA4sUD6QvMw5vp/s400/DSC04223.JPG" /></a><br />Some of the evenings formalities before the game started.<br /><br />1 July was Canada day and we were invited to a Canada day picnic at the Four Seasons hotel on Saturday, 4 July. It was a casual event with hotdogs and hamburgers and red wine flowing throughout the afternoon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRCEP0jc5jAd6gLno3UrSqEVqFXFFGZx7BDVFtkeAmn4IpC8YgBcLvZnwMIiluz0wlCqOnxZOaIykyiDOv54WeF-UVei4uoxhM_yAAW1waYJ5JY6hPOLgIqZo5sDxcKprrk6a/s1600-h/DSC04236.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361634919442032834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRCEP0jc5jAd6gLno3UrSqEVqFXFFGZx7BDVFtkeAmn4IpC8YgBcLvZnwMIiluz0wlCqOnxZOaIykyiDOv54WeF-UVei4uoxhM_yAAW1waYJ5JY6hPOLgIqZo5sDxcKprrk6a/s400/DSC04236.JPG" /></a><br />The money made from the raffle, was donated to the <a href="http://www.ykaki-indo.org/en/home/1/">ykaki</a> (Indonesian care for cancer kids foundation).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jUXYQKBYYYfV-Fk7l3AY-vUANVJiZNa0jnXjXDWzcIv3gp1GGzr4EstpA5GWntmkUtD-l_i4O5mqnud7RNLt3c8VQ0peUO3m-wZPCFPRWEHa1u17mYxtdGSr-GBRMJip0xuv/s1600-h/DSC04274.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361634922943852130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jUXYQKBYYYfV-Fk7l3AY-vUANVJiZNa0jnXjXDWzcIv3gp1GGzr4EstpA5GWntmkUtD-l_i4O5mqnud7RNLt3c8VQ0peUO3m-wZPCFPRWEHa1u17mYxtdGSr-GBRMJip0xuv/s400/DSC04274.JPG" /></a><br />Vita, Katrina and I ended off the days celebration, in the pool.<br /><br />Later that evening we entered yet another "lions den" but this time unfortunately the bokke lost.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxytq0f6mSdAaZ1dI4BWuhGznVqI2zDARn-qI-Mk9W3fnFV-E80K_A4j6aP-HiPTaVQeO2tQ3b9KHXhKUxFtXVk3VnDyKhcH0HOvZWzI0ayRc6qPruJKJxerF25To7M0bJDum/s1600-h/DSC04279.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361634927613433282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxytq0f6mSdAaZ1dI4BWuhGznVqI2zDARn-qI-Mk9W3fnFV-E80K_A4j6aP-HiPTaVQeO2tQ3b9KHXhKUxFtXVk3VnDyKhcH0HOvZWzI0ayRc6qPruJKJxerF25To7M0bJDum/s400/DSC04279.JPG" /></a><br />We of course took a lot of slack, but we were still smiling, as the bokke at least won the series.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuBE20eVb1vO4622VBRyOWOU12OCn-tvBLHjmLiD0aSlkMowKqKV_X3Xr3V8YWmklTD7yKudqubDEERlOmTTGqJ3btebvkQI42MH5fHvgypDObUmL1C8h5iezlCbYyj5tNVqd/s1600-h/DSC04280.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361638255818942274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuBE20eVb1vO4622VBRyOWOU12OCn-tvBLHjmLiD0aSlkMowKqKV_X3Xr3V8YWmklTD7yKudqubDEERlOmTTGqJ3btebvkQI42MH5fHvgypDObUmL1C8h5iezlCbYyj5tNVqd/s400/DSC04280.JPG" /></a><br />Katrina (Canadian) "Go bokke", was more interested in the players then the game ;-)<br /><br />After a relaxing morning at home we popped over to a fellow South African, Shaun's house for a late afternoon drink which in true South African style and hospitality, turned into a late evening. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eDIe1N8xGEQdZnPZqlU5t_ubz3xoFOKQAi3cbDvT16DMBRDbNRDDCyh0c0_mLHJMhDRX1otgbxwte-b8fGtRpnQ_7_sgZr82fAoa8Q32pGSNUnJ_SuVkh9Xdo0MRDyFFY-iB/s1600-h/DSC04294.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361638261573548466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eDIe1N8xGEQdZnPZqlU5t_ubz3xoFOKQAi3cbDvT16DMBRDbNRDDCyh0c0_mLHJMhDRX1otgbxwte-b8fGtRpnQ_7_sgZr82fAoa8Q32pGSNUnJ_SuVkh9Xdo0MRDyFFY-iB/s400/DSC04294.JPG" /></a><br />It is true that the best parties are the unplanned ones. Thanks, Shaun!<br /><br />Saturday, 18 July we had a lovely evening with a French couple that we met the week before at a BBQ. In true French style we only went to the restaurant after 10pm, and though I couldn't get myself to eat a meal that late, I did enjoy the chocolate crepe with ice cream.<br /><br />We were invited along to an 'open house' party, which apparently happens a lot around here. I'm not sure I would be opening my house like that, though. It was fun, though.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeTUSjH5zHBt0IhzUACuBkigd6yZUt4SaA1Nr-o5O6p1_va_iWoYouzuhUZ_v77vFyjz19tjrquAhF3ZTk0Ubr59EwVmyWsJbi5ApXDOq74VB20K8dom6xnDIesAigFzumTyC/s1600-h/DSC04357.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361638269020278290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeTUSjH5zHBt0IhzUACuBkigd6yZUt4SaA1Nr-o5O6p1_va_iWoYouzuhUZ_v77vFyjz19tjrquAhF3ZTk0Ubr59EwVmyWsJbi5ApXDOq74VB20K8dom6xnDIesAigFzumTyC/s400/DSC04357.JPG" /></a><br />Armid and Jav, this photo is for you. When ever we talk about you guys, we do a 'blue steel' in your honor. Well I missed that one, but Marc as you can see is really trying to perfect the look)LOL ;-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphIzCNMcanc2ut0QlydDtGJUgnPYHTuUoGWm1xj4dly0Iw-MteX6a-oGQ2uFcp4BFn1bmI88Ic5DtZKcLUmxd1yJ-L0ZRnmcn5g8Ge-kdpFqHeoG1j4zmPk1WeU0WmA5pr-Ka/s1600-h/DSC04365.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361638279836259282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphIzCNMcanc2ut0QlydDtGJUgnPYHTuUoGWm1xj4dly0Iw-MteX6a-oGQ2uFcp4BFn1bmI88Ic5DtZKcLUmxd1yJ-L0ZRnmcn5g8Ge-kdpFqHeoG1j4zmPk1WeU0WmA5pr-Ka/s400/DSC04365.JPG" /></a><br />Another first that night (or I should say morning) - The only transport home was a couple of ojek's (motorbike taxi's).<br /><br />I was very happy to resume my art classes last week. This week I did my first painting. And it was also my first experience with a completely nude, male model. Not as strange as I thought it might be. I was not quite ready to examine and paint his "whole" body though. Hehehehe! I just kept my eyes focused above the belly button.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaS__LoEQkaZHH_9jgEvIR9Jw6c85yx4xyl6TuQGIfEGfT7SuHzxQo_mryocgRkX7aN7Z4QGmIBqAF9TG6acHuzKRxvkUzEb46DJINd3kMVPsUqsj1EVYFqDXLZHufGCJi7HQ/s1600-h/DSC04379.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 334px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361641581435336434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaS__LoEQkaZHH_9jgEvIR9Jw6c85yx4xyl6TuQGIfEGfT7SuHzxQo_mryocgRkX7aN7Z4QGmIBqAF9TG6acHuzKRxvkUzEb46DJINd3kMVPsUqsj1EVYFqDXLZHufGCJi7HQ/s400/DSC04379.JPG" /></a></div><div>I am wondering though, if my painting would have been better if he didn't go Full Monty ;-). I would be lying if I say I was completely comfortable with the nakedness of a strange man. </div><div> </div><div>So with another week nearing it's end and the end of July now in sight, we are looking forward to our Komodo Island trip coming up from 12-17 August. We are really excited to dive this "National treasure", which would probably be considered a once in a life time trip and real national geographic stuff. </div><div></div><div>So, watch this space!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-67314740066301263342009-07-23T13:06:00.013+05:302009-07-23T18:01:48.601+05:30Jakarta twin bomb blastsI still can't get over it. It is just very unnerving to think that a couple of weeks before the attack we were at a function at the Ritz Carlton. And like us, many people probably have the exact same thoughts going through their minds. It just really hit close to home....The big hotels around Jakarta are "hang out places" for many foreign and Indonesian nationals. They are frequented by people for their famous Sunday brunches or some or other special event, work/embassy functions etc..<br /><br />Talking about hitting close to home; some people we know, were supposed to have attended the meeting at the Ritz on Friday. And some of Marc's clients unfortunately were not so lucky, and were killed. Along with many other innocent people.<br /><br />My heart goes out to all the people affected by these attacks. I am really saddened by these unnecessary attacks and I am sorry for these innocent peoples, loss.<br /><br />To the poor families that buried their loved ones and in some cases having to arrange unidentifiable mortal remains to be flown home. To the survivors that have witnessed this tragedy and that will probably be haunted by the images they've seen, for the rest of their lives.<br /><br />I don't think anyone can every truly understand the extent of the 'damage' that these kinds of attacks cause. At least, I know I don't.<br /><br />All I can say is, or ask is; WHY? What could anyone possibly achieve by killing innocent people. I just don't get it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCNTqhzGhRYceG-s4w9dKgnfT9MvIRrWU5LGsQd05FbmropxoTB7SoxypHxqmttcihwnrvKJA_w66pOzk6c4Q2jOpOrKSlwWbplmjEjVIXnroxTM4-xdFKr9W3n1Cr8ROUd24/s1600-h/17034-2-170752.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361629215636849506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCNTqhzGhRYceG-s4w9dKgnfT9MvIRrWU5LGsQd05FbmropxoTB7SoxypHxqmttcihwnrvKJA_w66pOzk6c4Q2jOpOrKSlwWbplmjEjVIXnroxTM4-xdFKr9W3n1Cr8ROUd24/s400/17034-2-170752.jpg" /></a><br />A horrific image of the damage caused, leaving 9 dead and 50 injured.<br /><br /><div>Click <a href="http://www.necn.com/Boston/World/2009/07/17/Bombings-at-Jakarta-Ritz/1247823186.html">here </a>to watch a CECN.com video about the twin blasts.</div><br />Click <a href="http://www.news24.com/Content/World/News/1073/6df52deab0074c6abe47411553f10ac8/23-07-2009%2008-07/Jakarta_blasts_carefully_planned">here</a> to read a News24 article about the bombings.Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-13536515400219729652009-06-21T09:41:00.005+05:302009-06-30T12:22:30.764+05:30Gunung Gedogan Trek, Puncak Pass<p class="mobile-photo">On Saturday, 20 June we did a Trek to the foot of Mount Pangrango, <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Puncak">Puncak</a>. The trek was arranged through <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Perhimpunan%20Persahabatan%20Indonesia-Amerika">Perhimpunan Persahabatan Indonesia-Amerika</a> and is definitely something I could recommend for the outdoor/adventures type. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The trip as a non-member cost Rp.150,000 per person and incl. transport.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We were up early to meet the rest of the group at thePPIA office, Jl. MT. Haryono Kav. 49, Jakarta Selatan, at 6am. We departed for <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Puncak">Puncak</a> at around 6:40am and arrived at Gunang Mas at around 8:15am.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvaxvx7x4BusVlFatcuRz1kJ66Vxr5vdei5BNxIvx_Ei7MnNEkcuahDPzV2S53t6THxC2wW44Q_hapt6qu3BTibQpHFJ3kB0m83iAtiJHn6OhsEq3KdJ9FTi7MmYyz1tAaxXT/s1600-h/DSC04130-794985.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628706452598162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvaxvx7x4BusVlFatcuRz1kJ66Vxr5vdei5BNxIvx_Ei7MnNEkcuahDPzV2S53t6THxC2wW44Q_hapt6qu3BTibQpHFJ3kB0m83iAtiJHn6OhsEq3KdJ9FTi7MmYyz1tAaxXT/s400/DSC04130-794985.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3e1mLmHfXIlxRp3VPoA4mKbSppCHpDQh-3tv0J-06_5cC58tgfzlZP5i4qelGkK_YubZTsa72oPTQqpJiqOmwzTOFs6ueaDLfYBc5II0NbueKE_u9g630qAEunZc8mJOsBlw/s1600-h/DSC04134-795712.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628708943859938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3e1mLmHfXIlxRp3VPoA4mKbSppCHpDQh-3tv0J-06_5cC58tgfzlZP5i4qelGkK_YubZTsa72oPTQqpJiqOmwzTOFs6ueaDLfYBc5II0NbueKE_u9g630qAEunZc8mJOsBlw/s400/DSC04134-795712.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReNAZqWXvNBU_7Vvsv2w0deM-4Oug6M8qTxam38jaE7lV2L07ba4ANrX1HG7ZHjACKtSopsWFco5SdSlR6Ws_lqNoStCXIVTbhIlJuIJzG2rh8aO8-wRoHvAkVArjg9WgTuED/s1600-h/DSC04135-797283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628716049674258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReNAZqWXvNBU_7Vvsv2w0deM-4Oug6M8qTxam38jaE7lV2L07ba4ANrX1HG7ZHjACKtSopsWFco5SdSlR6Ws_lqNoStCXIVTbhIlJuIJzG2rh8aO8-wRoHvAkVArjg9WgTuED/s400/DSC04135-797283.JPG" /></a><br />We started trekking at about 9am. We hiked through cinnamon and pine trees, forest, scrubs and tea plantations.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBv1HKKtVUCPd0vpP70AjsecuBPJR1uz1pZzYwbYGEqIS2Vsa4w9pD9Muo7I0hJ8emmrfmsR_yuALndtYezTFxtoiKGpcCeduT54JyPTmI_OFaIXRLLPdqDZFI_UfOnVLIEYH/s1600-h/DSC04137-700675.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628730451002642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBv1HKKtVUCPd0vpP70AjsecuBPJR1uz1pZzYwbYGEqIS2Vsa4w9pD9Muo7I0hJ8emmrfmsR_yuALndtYezTFxtoiKGpcCeduT54JyPTmI_OFaIXRLLPdqDZFI_UfOnVLIEYH/s400/DSC04137-700675.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkBrA3ipgJp1uG9ZOQXYQSHAenK-Pu6LrNE5hQvskvlmTbAydtu9m-NKXmC4BMcgJkl3CD-JjoImJXTK7IebGFyFa0SkfksNYF0WoIgzG8KH4Y-Ls390Oj6PR4ZRiH-dXPh9T/s1600-h/DSC04141-704011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628748762735762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkBrA3ipgJp1uG9ZOQXYQSHAenK-Pu6LrNE5hQvskvlmTbAydtu9m-NKXmC4BMcgJkl3CD-JjoImJXTK7IebGFyFa0SkfksNYF0WoIgzG8KH4Y-Ls390Oj6PR4ZRiH-dXPh9T/s400/DSC04141-704011.JPG" /></a><br />Though the trip is listed as a moderate hike, it was actually quite hard and definitely more of a climb than a hike.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIMIK1GGgQB-CHVWFn6Lx0_XTmr1YiweVEqIHPwT4Lmph4s6S8hMqdWNzOsfKdrPDInBPE5nO_MQ20xQLfkoKWQ6zy-dKuJEyw2LQ672Pl0xIZBg_i_91N2Q__aDI1ZT3cACr/s1600-h/DSC04136-799026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628723856158290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIMIK1GGgQB-CHVWFn6Lx0_XTmr1YiweVEqIHPwT4Lmph4s6S8hMqdWNzOsfKdrPDInBPE5nO_MQ20xQLfkoKWQ6zy-dKuJEyw2LQ672Pl0xIZBg_i_91N2Q__aDI1ZT3cACr/s400/DSC04136-799026.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHLCnIwHv2F08bMQUC-UeBGp2W-tnI2cBQ_Tv7vT3mXkcY7yJFIQWxckMvq2NgZCwPg65A_J8SVTE-zVjihVOXPuf3rBufIXf9DeyMwxgxvrlpbm0NRy6k5LOAh2uWUfN4YbX/s1600-h/DSC04138-702306.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628740282489074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHLCnIwHv2F08bMQUC-UeBGp2W-tnI2cBQ_Tv7vT3mXkcY7yJFIQWxckMvq2NgZCwPg65A_J8SVTE-zVjihVOXPuf3rBufIXf9DeyMwxgxvrlpbm0NRy6k5LOAh2uWUfN4YbX/s400/DSC04138-702306.JPG" /></a><br />One of the guides gave us sticks, which really came in handy on some of the steep uphill climbs. The fact that nearly half of the hike was in the shade also made it a little easier. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyHEQ7rkelY2J0M_mFiQuqCkT_DdRJ8yGgD3t0uMILCiotttaVz012ZewJE1ZKoWiOBxF3voGOGY7XfjJDiW-eoc30Uw8txamyssYCuxzutCa6ciczLGzyxP9e1H76TYzyCxn/s1600-h/DSC04142-705267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628752478526674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyHEQ7rkelY2J0M_mFiQuqCkT_DdRJ8yGgD3t0uMILCiotttaVz012ZewJE1ZKoWiOBxF3voGOGY7XfjJDiW-eoc30Uw8txamyssYCuxzutCa6ciczLGzyxP9e1H76TYzyCxn/s400/DSC04142-705267.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT3iJPZn7WPrB3E50P9ql0Igh7SWhmoKppY4QMlR2KQ4JSsoQ7VPKYzwIZqAmEVH4xulH9mVyWh_w7VZpq0DSjTKxCB41GTw3KkgyarwNxFILY0z3cK-XdeRyNEfzNewiG5mA/s1600-h/DSC04143-707375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628758149483426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT3iJPZn7WPrB3E50P9ql0Igh7SWhmoKppY4QMlR2KQ4JSsoQ7VPKYzwIZqAmEVH4xulH9mVyWh_w7VZpq0DSjTKxCB41GTw3KkgyarwNxFILY0z3cK-XdeRyNEfzNewiG5mA/s400/DSC04143-707375.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH2Q88cxS15KfSxSQjiouh8NxiswoQiyMMNlZVqch6GerMNahezI1mqu6iHC8xI7AK6AfDWUt2tJUMCkXSEFi-VsQQjY3J0OnVNUnq3LYNvG2i_OvPcnLyzekOp2o2cwx5H6s/s1600-h/DSC04147-709231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628768804528626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH2Q88cxS15KfSxSQjiouh8NxiswoQiyMMNlZVqch6GerMNahezI1mqu6iHC8xI7AK6AfDWUt2tJUMCkXSEFi-VsQQjY3J0OnVNUnq3LYNvG2i_OvPcnLyzekOp2o2cwx5H6s/s400/DSC04147-709231.JPG" /></a><br />We loved the challenge, and thoroughly enjoyed the 3 and a half hour hike, a total climb of 515m.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSpzjoLLx6qRUD-BUkGVCfNXKmTvXTZiHSvnhMnEKZ-ExODj46Ybvl5CN_p-p23guBlj8wh1qHwLmZKwqWAAQzDVJBy0A1zHfhhU2oMVwnHWSaJ6GTUrUL1METPHyx7qlQ11p/s1600-h/DSC04155-714891.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628791279873250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSpzjoLLx6qRUD-BUkGVCfNXKmTvXTZiHSvnhMnEKZ-ExODj46Ybvl5CN_p-p23guBlj8wh1qHwLmZKwqWAAQzDVJBy0A1zHfhhU2oMVwnHWSaJ6GTUrUL1METPHyx7qlQ11p/s400/DSC04155-714891.JPG" /></strong></a><br />We reached the finish point at the <a href="http://puncakpassresort.com/facility.htm">Puncak Pass Resort </a>at around 12:40pm.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig48QslShKvWWjJCvxZ2JnGkPuyYFSmc3QWngsqsihIef-A_PZbcRKYZjgjQrWQ6PNz5GBiGl5Oeu1IvL5k6jkqT-pC_fdl7v1o1tAw6SPhi5TIKDIhd7qJsPub5DtOnhfUZ0k/s1600-h/DSC04153-712212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628783606383442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig48QslShKvWWjJCvxZ2JnGkPuyYFSmc3QWngsqsihIef-A_PZbcRKYZjgjQrWQ6PNz5GBiGl5Oeu1IvL5k6jkqT-pC_fdl7v1o1tAw6SPhi5TIKDIhd7qJsPub5DtOnhfUZ0k/s400/DSC04153-712212.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOIL-5-T4JyATOWQ5YrgRQykgpqqV1EsCxkVPUGnqYH-2K4twLp_AWhkOQHw5peUdWaAA-B8BTQfkE6eiF1tL_BjyWoEoNbS78RH1xtyHduOjjRBD3wiVNU80KIXhHjPkgsRG/s1600-h/DSC04152-710756.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628773599495202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOIL-5-T4JyATOWQ5YrgRQykgpqqV1EsCxkVPUGnqYH-2K4twLp_AWhkOQHw5peUdWaAA-B8BTQfkE6eiF1tL_BjyWoEoNbS78RH1xtyHduOjjRBD3wiVNU80KIXhHjPkgsRG/s400/DSC04152-710756.JPG" /></a><br />We enjoyed lunch at the <a href="http://puncakpassresort.com/facility.htm">Puncak Pass Restaurant</a>, a Dutch colonial style restaurant on Jl. Raya, Puncak. <em>Try the sweet Poffertjies, they are delicious!<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiACwUOEXBD58WFVlsSmhTZAxVaz70RnMNLCpllgkwOWUBcPYkNY-sIdPHR2I3X1Ys4DqbYsHywJmqg3UT3WoDIaNG3Hw5x2jBaV1Q-kxebgd1EXiJxZga5F1yOnKwGoNLCts/s1600-h/DSC04154-714028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628790068218498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiACwUOEXBD58WFVlsSmhTZAxVaz70RnMNLCpllgkwOWUBcPYkNY-sIdPHR2I3X1Ys4DqbYsHywJmqg3UT3WoDIaNG3Hw5x2jBaV1Q-kxebgd1EXiJxZga5F1yOnKwGoNLCts/s400/DSC04154-714028.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkwrg4JLRqtESMPvhJ23UZ65TSufIb0pIGVbhc7PY_lHUkaj5ImF9GAHAuR3n_Xzt7QYZpwyk2cf8jsdx2yc8iIu7isDUkNlzwZZD0pFvF0T_zYl-w3yfcDLlBChKkKvbe3d8/s1600-h/DSC04162-716503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628796558081106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkwrg4JLRqtESMPvhJ23UZ65TSufIb0pIGVbhc7PY_lHUkaj5ImF9GAHAuR3n_Xzt7QYZpwyk2cf8jsdx2yc8iIu7isDUkNlzwZZD0pFvF0T_zYl-w3yfcDLlBChKkKvbe3d8/s400/DSC04162-716503.JPG" /></a><br />The Restaurant is on the highest point in the <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Puncak">Puncak</a> area and has a lovely view over the <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Puncak">Puncak</a> valley.</p><p class="mobile-photo">At around 2pm we made our LONG way home. Though <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Puncak">Puncak</a> is only 100km South of Jakarta it took us 3 hours to get home.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We were literally stuck on Jl. Raya Puncak, for 2 hours just trying to get out of <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Puncak">Puncak</a>. At least "daily life" in the village kept us amused. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv7kLQCu5s_RmKsQmMgDS2ao5MXGNFvnzcdRWt9spWoA73fCcmIBLugsY-AZnLsffDSEYindLk3yyXT4oDVScbjr2oDZxSx6vfjzGPnH5KJDRTQD2-Tb8-dfZEYwkC6W3rG5G/s1600-h/DSC04166-720868.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628814723265122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv7kLQCu5s_RmKsQmMgDS2ao5MXGNFvnzcdRWt9spWoA73fCcmIBLugsY-AZnLsffDSEYindLk3yyXT4oDVScbjr2oDZxSx6vfjzGPnH5KJDRTQD2-Tb8-dfZEYwkC6W3rG5G/s400/DSC04166-720868.JPG" /></a><br />People watching at it's best - The street is lined with vendors selling all sorts of interesting vegetables and more.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We watched people clean their homes, feed their babies, fix motorbikes and prepare food at the small road side restaurants on every corner. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmD00Gsvr3qjAcpnGMmP2XxqWzvj7KBOexEBP_xtNKlxaJT3nIWB9vI11QqyzDtc8xweDfLqTXNPmGLVKa-BekoVen-1rkjypJJcrOukRSObiNb2KUR4st6bFbiXKSrZMUWic/s1600-h/DSC04167-722653.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349628824356376482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmD00Gsvr3qjAcpnGMmP2XxqWzvj7KBOexEBP_xtNKlxaJT3nIWB9vI11QqyzDtc8xweDfLqTXNPmGLVKa-BekoVen-1rkjypJJcrOukRSObiNb2KUR4st6bFbiXKSrZMUWic/s400/DSC04167-722653.JPG" /></a><br />Notice the cute, fluffy bunnies inside the cage: This is outside a restaurants selling Sate Kelinci (Rabit Kebab's). Lunch anyone ;-0</p><p class="mobile-photo">Once we reached the highway it only took about an hour to get home.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Even with the crazy traffic, this trip is definitely worth it and we look forward to the next one.</p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-44193319384933315592009-06-17T13:48:00.006+05:302009-06-19T09:00:05.851+05:30Kim and Ingo's visit<p class="mobile-photo">I was very happy when I heard the news that Kim and Ingo planned a visit " a detour" to Jakarta, during their trip to Singapore last week.</p><p class="mobile-photo">They arrived on Friday night, 12 May and the next 48 hours was spent "catching up" with our friends from Germany (living in Bangalore). The visit was short and sweet but I loved every minute of it, "thanks for the visit guys, it was great seeing you"!</p><p class="mobile-photo">Their visit was also our opportunity to do a couple of touristy things around Jakarta that we haven't done yet.</p><p class="mobile-photo">It was a short visit so we couldn't really do a lot but we managed to fit in a visit to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunda_Kelapa">Sunda Kelapa </a>Harbour (The old Dutch port<em>), an active port since the 12th century to see the Bugis Schooners (large wooden sailing vessels). These Bugis schooners/pinisi's have been build the same way for centuries by islanders of the archipelago, using centuries-old trade routes.</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlWstrPSXwWGSh2E0fAjtXMgJg1E5ECvpFB2jUuePif6R-OaLMmk9QQ1Ni5L2vWXD30bZ_o7n3fQ-gI9kSp5D-xrjxAXYVHoAa9oLy1aKJ0QDMI7wjW8OjkjNZ9XKtOAvT8eu/s1600-h/IMG_2996.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348216292188402178" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlWstrPSXwWGSh2E0fAjtXMgJg1E5ECvpFB2jUuePif6R-OaLMmk9QQ1Ni5L2vWXD30bZ_o7n3fQ-gI9kSp5D-xrjxAXYVHoAa9oLy1aKJ0QDMI7wjW8OjkjNZ9XKtOAvT8eu/s400/IMG_2996.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunda_Kelapa"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208069188823682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkorMCNZp_ZclcCYcr31tDAJEYesH3Gpi4T5WDMQHX4RwI_BBLY_CR6qxwMv4DYmaSONe1rVeMbuEkm5UhhpO6IBKdJXYUNV-VbTSUl0pBMcubsMNdV4ebhmEOc08H8fUBpDR/s400/DSC04029-727441.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208098969624306" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU94Ur-Lvq2k09PJ6C6EPCh7xBbloZm1-aUbNc5v5iiIBbtgyBS3sBH076LxOlensVmIHh8p8xv3kVtmRfWgY_Rn2Beg1ZgmqoNsSEdkuwwgg1vimFTt5GTUG2JFERikjghrD/s400/IMG_2975-734746.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We watched the labourers reloading for the return journeys to Sumatra, Kallimantn and Sulawesi. They carry as much as 100kg of cargo inl. cement and rice on their shoulders, across approximately 40 cm wide, wooden beams. A very good balancing act, that's for sure.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SCLAVJ1jY92OZnrxg6rGFepie4K4v4IuV3t5XORxoqvEMqm7Ii433yOtZefHJBOtgUNlAsJ4Yatwb4WHjlgS1JZKrgddRPGyyhaVWJIlZyiEmlT7txFd2M7bWYjy-Q6Ea5a8/s1600-h/DSC04035-728406.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208073015078818" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SCLAVJ1jY92OZnrxg6rGFepie4K4v4IuV3t5XORxoqvEMqm7Ii433yOtZefHJBOtgUNlAsJ4Yatwb4WHjlgS1JZKrgddRPGyyhaVWJIlZyiEmlT7txFd2M7bWYjy-Q6Ea5a8/s400/DSC04035-728406.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When the heat got to much we went for a drink at the <a href="http://www.batavia-marina.com/">Batavia Marina</a> restaurant.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Our next stop was the <a href="http://www.museumbahari.org/english/index-e.htm">Maritime Museum</a>. The restored warehouses, which date back to 1653, originally held pepper, tea, cloth, coffee and other valuble goods for the VOC <em>(Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie).<br /></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208077220447378" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugqby0y_GOjQR8uw7HRtmNspDrF-H6GsIWtGEf1uVQj-lAQObRKK47stRcsAInhOWvRxxDjjep1kys2Y7g-7qztkvbJ-cZmEkmBbOAtAfxdmEK6ncyJ_b0ZZy48dBW0vt4lwQ/s400/DSC04046-729398.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208108699527026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylUnBmyWtgkdX03xWYs89AUJLfULUt5QK_C0VcJblWxZ5WIBjdeSqlgzGbJlBEHDA_XNULLWw1cPBRojU-ZHWm-9MOtir78Gj2A2RdUq6phZiEydwVZwMhqTP2Kj22CEQRaX-/s400/IMG_2990-736648.JPG" border="0" /><br />The buildings now house the Maritime Museum collection. Original and scale model boats that represent the techniques of traditional boat building. The collection also contains navigational charts and equipment, paintings, historical photographs and other maritime memorabilia.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208111525549154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9elRwFAvamoc6u-AuQeyPwgs68BOiO6mHNTuxIB5HSPrxvKrNrlX0uOgM_Cgf-bBvrieAzSbYJQMZsasfBM6GcMKOkaR6JmYv7R1YtTh-qmAP2quR5UUB33rW8pAaszzClza/s400/IMG_2999-737585.JPG" border="0" /><br />The resident cat, that looked very at home in the shade of one of the big boats.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjpseWL5hcb04_LbRoLK-V488zUOs6IpfyYg0GtQswfV77VCiwlA5y-EihFDLW5e7S92239oTVctjyKRVib0hHouhfjts-a-WXOgv8Rt0FD1YV1GrWYepMsmcSTbh8EpdsPKu/s1600-h/IMG_2997-738379.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208117674696338" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjpseWL5hcb04_LbRoLK-V488zUOs6IpfyYg0GtQswfV77VCiwlA5y-EihFDLW5e7S92239oTVctjyKRVib0hHouhfjts-a-WXOgv8Rt0FD1YV1GrWYepMsmcSTbh8EpdsPKu/s400/IMG_2997-738379.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed a cold beer at <a href="http://www.cafebatavia.com/">Cafe Batavia</a>, one of the oldest buildings in Jakarta. The building was erected between 1805 and 1850, and over the years it has served as a residence, warehouse, office and now the famous restaurant. </p><p class="mobile-photo">By this time we were starving...</p><p class="mobile-photo">We had a fantastic lunch at <a href="http://www.koi-gallery-restaurant.com/">Koi</a>, and afterwards we took Ingo and Kim on a little tour through one of our Supermarkets (a bit of supermarket heaven to them). You can come back anytime, guys ;-) </p><p class="mobile-photo">In the late afternoon Ingo and Marc went for a massage while Kim and I baked a cake and prepared everything for our BBQ. I am pleased to say that our guest definitely didn't go home hungry, as it did seem that all we did was eat.</p><p class="mobile-photo">On Sunday morning, we visited the <a href="http://www.indonesia-travel-guide.com/Jakarta_Travel_Guide/Ragunan_Zoo/Ragunan_Zoo.html">Rangunan Zoo</a>, which was really a pleasant surprise. The plan was to hire bicycles and ride around the Zoo, but we were about 30 minutes late, and there were no bikes left. Which worked out well in the end because we had to wait about 20 minutes for the <a href="http://www.indonesia-travel-guide.com/Jakarta_Travel_Guide/Schmutzer_Primate_Center/Schmutzer_Primate_Center.html">Schmutzer Primate Centre</a>, which only opened at 9am. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The Primate Centre was definitely the highlight for us, and definitely worth a visit if you haven't been there yet. HINT: To avoid the masses, it might be a good idea to go during the week.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoUce1kNEIjvjbwLQGtuuPAhV7eqmNkYphlZ-lTbXfhLfeI4Sp1QTUIxPEt2okEoQK1QSkPw0ouVs5e-JFIFs2gvSgaj8ds-veLBx6SDezCXYl4lwr4ft0cf3P3b8YE6y5I5P/s1600-h/DSC04062-730002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208084134602210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoUce1kNEIjvjbwLQGtuuPAhV7eqmNkYphlZ-lTbXfhLfeI4Sp1QTUIxPEt2okEoQK1QSkPw0ouVs5e-JFIFs2gvSgaj8ds-veLBx6SDezCXYl4lwr4ft0cf3P3b8YE6y5I5P/s400/DSC04062-730002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpCzge5cQuVK27owCWiR5MnigcmMricTnmDHfppdn2dU9eYR9zzvbUm3wBV_BXpnb2eKh6EwAFxIl0RDe26xVhsCVjTyHzpOdbY5QN9CErPPXEcEBjC4wjESiaU88uko0nlTu/s1600-h/DSC04058-740983.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208129198543682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpCzge5cQuVK27owCWiR5MnigcmMricTnmDHfppdn2dU9eYR9zzvbUm3wBV_BXpnb2eKh6EwAFxIl0RDe26xVhsCVjTyHzpOdbY5QN9CErPPXEcEBjC4wjESiaU88uko0nlTu/s400/DSC04058-740983.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52sTMQ0s_6S-yG3M8mihFgPTcMcD8kd9OKPYaVtYpvYnied9hC-LKSvhsstBCwfhJBYQ6_nWWIPYvwEM5boW6dmo65z3bnNP4MHKTn-zWiAE-pPfymThQd6hRuLhfruYHncC2/s1600-h/DSC04050-740223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208125742383778" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52sTMQ0s_6S-yG3M8mihFgPTcMcD8kd9OKPYaVtYpvYnied9hC-LKSvhsstBCwfhJBYQ6_nWWIPYvwEM5boW6dmo65z3bnNP4MHKTn-zWiAE-pPfymThQd6hRuLhfruYHncC2/s400/DSC04050-740223.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I will rather not elaborate too much on this picture. Let's just say Ingo hit the nail on the head when he said it looked like she (yes, it's a she) was doing a pole dance for us. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjpKu01GcIIrA1k38MNIbf4XlZ5oBfgtiu0u64y8kBXcrOaZRqkfzEIosmIztJGBYhL8sbva2gGr2NRkpafQfk5AKzsrPkmIaZS9Qsw3dRKjSMMTHKYA8OagjPmDfRoLA6jcz/s1600-h/DSC04066-730613.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208083724074290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjpKu01GcIIrA1k38MNIbf4XlZ5oBfgtiu0u64y8kBXcrOaZRqkfzEIosmIztJGBYhL8sbva2gGr2NRkpafQfk5AKzsrPkmIaZS9Qsw3dRKjSMMTHKYA8OagjPmDfRoLA6jcz/s400/DSC04066-730613.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Kim sizing herself up against a Gorilla, which gives one an idea of just how big these primates are.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQqUItiOObC_NSeDI8VdWSIp8mLL60dOoFc3Oc7kGKZ-gfTykOHgFrVixn72mYNbU5rdaONbEXF10tcMPAnXuAJw75ff_Oht9XS2BHa55htivKwx3kl7jogAjKqjNrR5I4uY-/s1600-h/DSC04070-731443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208087109054226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQqUItiOObC_NSeDI8VdWSIp8mLL60dOoFc3Oc7kGKZ-gfTykOHgFrVixn72mYNbU5rdaONbEXF10tcMPAnXuAJw75ff_Oht9XS2BHa55htivKwx3kl7jogAjKqjNrR5I4uY-/s400/DSC04070-731443.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Spot the "bule" (foreigner) - Ingo towering above the crowd.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ4oyx7LPCBG7lJKDvMWfN39bCko2TkvkUThsacHLpNJ8NLc67paYhdL4WkQwmGadjQIfC0He-y7l-fr2E5NWnX1cxKbJWLsxRdO63JWT9h0rjG8hJk1rJ5rQH8wLruCOmwMc/s1600-h/DSC04075-732154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208092856768162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ4oyx7LPCBG7lJKDvMWfN39bCko2TkvkUThsacHLpNJ8NLc67paYhdL4WkQwmGadjQIfC0He-y7l-fr2E5NWnX1cxKbJWLsxRdO63JWT9h0rjG8hJk1rJ5rQH8wLruCOmwMc/s400/DSC04075-732154.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After a refreshing swim and "brunch" Kim and I headed to the shops where Kim picked up a couple of nice things that will always remind them of their visit. "I hope you are thinking of me every time you turn your lamp on, Kim"! </p><p class="mobile-photo">We ended their 48 hours with a relaxing foot massage, followed by a last minute shopping spree in a fantastic shop called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jakarta/Pantry-Magic-Jakarta/38545776115">Pantry Magic</a>, again a little piece of heaven for Kim and Ingo who probably wished that they had more space in their suitcase for all the lovely goodies they just loved and wished they could take back with them to India.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8CsYj369bDOygKLoA8cJDEVf38NwLvEpT24bgdksxfUMS3EJ4PauIc0TYepqa8Jhh8qjgcZQfUzYxg71ymqCgWpY9EJps-16BaBVuGU2hx5WVioG8pZofWqO_GHU-gR57whs/s1600-h/DSC04077-733568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348208095964247154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8CsYj369bDOygKLoA8cJDEVf38NwLvEpT24bgdksxfUMS3EJ4PauIc0TYepqa8Jhh8qjgcZQfUzYxg71ymqCgWpY9EJps-16BaBVuGU2hx5WVioG8pZofWqO_GHU-gR57whs/s400/DSC04077-733568.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had an early dinner at <a href="http://www.indonesiaclubbing.com/venues/jakarta/373/die-stube/">Die Stube</a>. I know...perhaps an Indonesian dinner would have been the more obvious choice. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Or perhaps not. With 3 German's in our midst we decided to go for German munchies. We really enjoyed the <a href="http://www.kitchenproject.com/german/recipes/Schweinhaxe.htm">Schweinhaxe</a> (roasted pork knuckle), <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,184,158180-234194,00.html">Knödel</a>, <a href="http://elise.com/recipes/archives/000481sweet_and_sour_red_cabbage.php">Rot Kohl</a>, <a href="http://www.actilingua.com/AboutVienna/recipes/kaiserschmarrn.php">Kaiserschmarrn</a> (sugared pancake with raisins). The food was delicious and definitely a very good END to their visit. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Just before 8pm we said our goodbyes. "I miss you already, Kim". Until we meet again, guys. Mwah!</p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-40350421716753887802009-06-03T05:13:00.026+05:302009-06-05T08:55:41.401+05:30Trip to JogjakartaWe have been wanting to go to Jogja, to visit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> ever since we arrived in Jakarta. We actually were booked to go the long weekend before last (Friday was a public holiday), but like a couple of times before, we've had to postpone because of Marc's work commitments.<br /><br />We decided not to plan it around another long weekend, as it seemed that it just doesn't work planning so far ahead. Marc decided to put in two days leave and we finally managed to "make the trip" last weekend.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>On Thursday, 21 May we were on the early 6:30am Air Asia flight to Jogjakarta/Yogyakarta (there are two ways of spelling it, it seems). Because we didn't really have a "honeymoon" we considered this trip our little "minimoon".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE8roSDuPCZRmud23ElUMpDp37W6Da_QSaPXexjx6z5Gg0PWQfDe7Og6981lipktxxGJb7lF1_dDo46DvSeD85y4HQPTZV-LMwPmrOof6usRs71-3iMbnv9yrnP5AKooPs3Zl/s1600-h/DSC03511-719452.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880127761742290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE8roSDuPCZRmud23ElUMpDp37W6Da_QSaPXexjx6z5Gg0PWQfDe7Og6981lipktxxGJb7lF1_dDo46DvSeD85y4HQPTZV-LMwPmrOof6usRs71-3iMbnv9yrnP5AKooPs3Zl/s400/DSC03511-719452.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oEv2DNrjkPTdQdqHQiFwuGzw-uAEfngIcWxaHcea1U5tGh3BDYdBb-eH6c5ZY9hxML0Eh2mS1oFOy8SHf126EjTaWQmQ4wv5oBxZwRTl6mTEuEYufZIB0h65HqVoyaD-_OdB/s1600-h/DSC03512-719825.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880131147294658" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oEv2DNrjkPTdQdqHQiFwuGzw-uAEfngIcWxaHcea1U5tGh3BDYdBb-eH6c5ZY9hxML0Eh2mS1oFOy8SHf126EjTaWQmQ4wv5oBxZwRTl6mTEuEYufZIB0h65HqVoyaD-_OdB/s400/DSC03512-719825.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The spectacular view from the airplane. </div><br /><div><p class="mobile-photo">We decided to treat ourselves to a 1 night stay at <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari Coffee Plantation</a> and 2 nights in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a>, <a href="http://www.saraswatiborobudur.com/">Saraswati</a> Hotel.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Though it is probably only 80km to <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a> it took us more than 2 hours to get there. We arrived at <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a> at 9:30 and after breakfast we were able to check into our plantation villa. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a> is not cheap. In fact, it comes at a price. But, as mentioned above, we considered this our "minimoon" and we were well aware that the 1night/2days would consist of rest and relaxation, spa treatments and not much else (which is what makes it so special) and we were looking forward to the "treat". </p><p class="mobile-photo">Our 26 hours in <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a> was spent napping, having afternoon tea, spa treatments, dinner, morning yoga, breakfast, a plantation tour, a swim. <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a> can of course offer a lot more: They do 1 day hikes, a train ride, river rafting and more. But, because of the price we decided that a 1 night stay is a big enough treat.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr25frdyVZ46iI5deXOmN0wLPyd9rst3QgNMP0NlIGb3X6DnpSypcacV5JNBakrNixLWZ3P8aOs3X5gyt8IeHP1dG-midX4uloWzZcFSmvOz1TQ3anOtogEx_G0m8n-kkz_1NX/s1600-h/DSC03563-721400.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880139570521138" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr25frdyVZ46iI5deXOmN0wLPyd9rst3QgNMP0NlIGb3X6DnpSypcacV5JNBakrNixLWZ3P8aOs3X5gyt8IeHP1dG-midX4uloWzZcFSmvOz1TQ3anOtogEx_G0m8n-kkz_1NX/s400/DSC03563-721400.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RI4o2bgZJN6Y4VsDdrXtm3RvGjHS5XMGTES1udES6J9THvyxDXJTPLsTpuq8r1bakIklKd5QcIRd5kJVzDxDqS6TssW0kDtkcqqSmr0DFGAsfu6c3cMg80dfTeC3O9Bu5EVs/s1600-h/DSC03549-720876.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880131818119442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RI4o2bgZJN6Y4VsDdrXtm3RvGjHS5XMGTES1udES6J9THvyxDXJTPLsTpuq8r1bakIklKd5QcIRd5kJVzDxDqS6TssW0kDtkcqqSmr0DFGAsfu6c3cMg80dfTeC3O9Bu5EVs/s400/DSC03549-720876.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our lovely plantation villa, overlooking the lush vegetation. It's amazing what a calming effect so much green has on a person.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV6xN4lORNNOi6SohafIJ84RPWAeK52eQLz64zySL0d9qGucx3rmcLWwwnUQCyumeBJh9lDCZQ1uvvNhaENbz0c9b5XObhC3QN-rx-DSEzn9Z6KRN-DzKx40G0fe32B3JUIKA/s1600-h/DSC03541-720283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880132941675906" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV6xN4lORNNOi6SohafIJ84RPWAeK52eQLz64zySL0d9qGucx3rmcLWwwnUQCyumeBJh9lDCZQ1uvvNhaENbz0c9b5XObhC3QN-rx-DSEzn9Z6KRN-DzKx40G0fe32B3JUIKA/s400/DSC03541-720283.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUU9-yz98HOcrzNTXgjyZDe3swFH8i7ylUL2dh89cMvDDFljPy1Fm1RyfIwnBFyl9-aWYIjz9mfslG5dmIX9ckTeshThfEnhqysPXW00Tz7ELnr7fC8q0hGvSfK1EqKlXqFxd/s1600-h/DSC03578-722328.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880144015767794" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUU9-yz98HOcrzNTXgjyZDe3swFH8i7ylUL2dh89cMvDDFljPy1Fm1RyfIwnBFyl9-aWYIjz9mfslG5dmIX9ckTeshThfEnhqysPXW00Tz7ELnr7fC8q0hGvSfK1EqKlXqFxd/s400/DSC03578-722328.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The plantation house at <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a>, where they serve afternoon tea from 4 - 6 (included in the price). The house has a fantastic wrap around porch where you can take your pick of where to sit or lie down...There are a lot of comfy chairs, couches, daybeds in and around the house where you can "hang out". And after tea you can head to the great pub for sudowners.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3K-0tjRgfErdDwlvMicw4yJOXaGc2FRLGRdW-oqBIZg5SEQeGrZG_QVwt5DyoF2QqqBaexLd1L4zUZlPXa_YrZfUtxedO2tsa_Vtjf3jGrND3cLXjjM9rG_QznEs0ZrA-YYM/s1600-h/IMG_2603-725977.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880153890307874" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3K-0tjRgfErdDwlvMicw4yJOXaGc2FRLGRdW-oqBIZg5SEQeGrZG_QVwt5DyoF2QqqBaexLd1L4zUZlPXa_YrZfUtxedO2tsa_Vtjf3jGrND3cLXjjM9rG_QznEs0ZrA-YYM/s400/IMG_2603-725977.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Marc and I both had a traditional Javanese massage which was of course amazing. I was so relaxed that it took a bit of effort to lift the tea cup.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2ZoQeXxmzrXm0cfsc5aYrynGTdMOPGs6YzUxgJl9p6sNbU9-wDaYTBFhZxEZlANLbVT2SoKeGe72f66SaUiyTjL1OFKwduh3glxA65bGvCG9-5ddlVcPkDG0kOq8d308X6PW/s1600-h/DSC03575-721811.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880136825683362" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2ZoQeXxmzrXm0cfsc5aYrynGTdMOPGs6YzUxgJl9p6sNbU9-wDaYTBFhZxEZlANLbVT2SoKeGe72f66SaUiyTjL1OFKwduh3glxA65bGvCG9-5ddlVcPkDG0kOq8d308X6PW/s400/DSC03575-721811.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvZz90Y1CIIV_1ZtNF6gPep0wtoq4u85Vhjz3XeypE5Bmy4Y7hPXjNg7C8jCqS0I0C16W8l8bhBZ71LHaFcdArQCAR08w83rRaB5p6oD18hY7LiTKYcg8jCyzn3aD6Fc-QVIo/s1600-h/IMG_2668-727267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880162275704594" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvZz90Y1CIIV_1ZtNF6gPep0wtoq4u85Vhjz3XeypE5Bmy4Y7hPXjNg7C8jCqS0I0C16W8l8bhBZ71LHaFcdArQCAR08w83rRaB5p6oD18hY7LiTKYcg8jCyzn3aD6Fc-QVIo/s400/IMG_2668-727267.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63wp2Gik_tZ1mh928tJbF-hXNAfBSrLGT-UZpxtNmb899KZFNYrknoqF5GQynK9GASrqNgLACHuFjsgHDyWn4b6W9XKD5pRZDu206AaVx-YVKtZWwC5Wjvg0yk8R9mzATJHJ9/s1600-h/IMG_2658.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343403217109143810" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63wp2Gik_tZ1mh928tJbF-hXNAfBSrLGT-UZpxtNmb899KZFNYrknoqF5GQynK9GASrqNgLACHuFjsgHDyWn4b6W9XKD5pRZDu206AaVx-YVKtZWwC5Wjvg0yk8R9mzATJHJ9/s400/IMG_2658.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The swimming pool with a great view of a volcano. There are apparently 7 volcano's surrounding Losari. <em><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRG8zS9T3qpWbOX1u1WytaDKOLe0PkoATmcyvK1m0KljPh7f2I7kR5AvFTH_DI-ljl06pqvTB8PJ0mjOgtyIS0_QsouXt-1BLEJL678-Yde61W1M3SDjZm52rCJWSKDXO4OuF/s1600-h/DSC03628-722836.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880144435495970" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRG8zS9T3qpWbOX1u1WytaDKOLe0PkoATmcyvK1m0KljPh7f2I7kR5AvFTH_DI-ljl06pqvTB8PJ0mjOgtyIS0_QsouXt-1BLEJL678-Yde61W1M3SDjZm52rCJWSKDXO4OuF/s400/DSC03628-722836.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We thoroughly enjoyed the 8am yoga class (included in the price ;-).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J3AXeFEyuoQY2EwP3ZCWIL_tokUgq5tpax98mnVFlbqDk8OfHgoWKtbsrfdr9Xdts2AXMB7KlYx4CzVpKWPTOX6UGl6x4xlewSBoqYFjbUS9akb-WAsUJOheqtkLtTOAUy0i/s1600-h/DSC03633-723199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880146244880818" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J3AXeFEyuoQY2EwP3ZCWIL_tokUgq5tpax98mnVFlbqDk8OfHgoWKtbsrfdr9Xdts2AXMB7KlYx4CzVpKWPTOX6UGl6x4xlewSBoqYFjbUS9akb-WAsUJOheqtkLtTOAUy0i/s400/DSC03633-723199.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A lady walks around <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a> filled with these bottles of <a href="http://jamu4life.com/FACTS_ABOUT_JAMU.html">Jamu</a> (Health drink) tied to her back. We tried different kinds of <a href="http://jamu4life.com/FACTS_ABOUT_JAMU.html">Jamu</a> including ginger, tamarind, palm sugar and some other not so nice ones. It is of course the not so nice once, that are suppose to be really good for you. Marc has been fighting a cold and asked for a big cup off the "terrible stuff" which apparently acts as an anti-biotic.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh-9oIio5FHtW7ZopT251bmBGg5EnAcuI2lbEgNZFv2rYQXrVWqPduwtqhUzC3wxbq_uc4-GlMtYAzr4K0PDKy9WKQWdmRnEukdb1wNZ_K85pntkt06_Zu5_BlHuInJlpY2C0/s1600-h/IMG_2650-726527.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880158189789362" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh-9oIio5FHtW7ZopT251bmBGg5EnAcuI2lbEgNZFv2rYQXrVWqPduwtqhUzC3wxbq_uc4-GlMtYAzr4K0PDKy9WKQWdmRnEukdb1wNZ_K85pntkt06_Zu5_BlHuInJlpY2C0/s400/IMG_2650-726527.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BQV9Povk-J-cD5aRJokJirzbvXEFkxv4KvIGAnpqlAa-1Z3QjcHgFYkHDA3wKdOGq-Zq8tpyvW3xOySP1_KCS46ktfnefGYjdZfrUjo_zTPSc5A0Hscqt8eLqu3N0Svhiom3/s1600-h/DSC03666.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343404653669541042" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BQV9Povk-J-cD5aRJokJirzbvXEFkxv4KvIGAnpqlAa-1Z3QjcHgFYkHDA3wKdOGq-Zq8tpyvW3xOySP1_KCS46ktfnefGYjdZfrUjo_zTPSc5A0Hscqt8eLqu3N0Svhiom3/s400/DSC03666.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After our joga class we went on a coffee plantation tour. It was very interesting to hear about the different types of coffee plants and to see the different size leaves of each type of coffee e.g. Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, Java etc. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Our guide also told us about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak">kopi luwak</a>, which I have heard about before but to be honest always wondered if it's an urban legend. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak">Kopi Luwak </a>is basically coffee berries that have been ingested by an Asian palm civet cat and the beans then pass through the feline's digestive tract (well, it's a type of feline) and is collected and roasted and YES, served as a speciality coffee. It is the wolds most expensive coffee but I think I'd rather give it a miss, thanks ;-).<br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">At noon on Friday a taxi collected us and 1 hour, 35km later we arrived at The <a href="http://www.saraswatiborobudur.com/">Saraswati</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a>, hotel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6jUb9aErdhJdo45-cspn24VgBk6QnO339AQ_o-WjizS-iDUtB36B_kcakU2WXJTZ8gdEB1OP8SvamAzMIB2AvBTBs8tdV2qEZdONYEsGJXWUS14LWcLbfPEqJ5D3zzo6m5Wy/s1600-h/IMG_2682-729270.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880171565476018" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6jUb9aErdhJdo45-cspn24VgBk6QnO339AQ_o-WjizS-iDUtB36B_kcakU2WXJTZ8gdEB1OP8SvamAzMIB2AvBTBs8tdV2qEZdONYEsGJXWUS14LWcLbfPEqJ5D3zzo6m5Wy/s400/IMG_2682-729270.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Because it was our "minimoon" we also opted to stay in a hotel in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> that is slightly more expensive than our usual accommodation budget. The <a href="http://www.saraswatiborobudur.com/">Saraswati</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> is 5 min walk from the temple and really a nice, small hotel that I would gladly recommend to people that do prefer luxury, but that don't want to break the bank. On the Friday we relaxed at the hotel and in the late afternoon we decided to check out the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> temple and the museum.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oJo3gDzXo_-CMyTTWbvXteDzIPLUuf_OVmlyTgtxDkVtk1-wG7m79zOyuPMfakGj4WdKJf0BOQzm4UVdK188_tGjyxyDs5Vqyc55Fhh6atY9oKBqwR6XcZyAhkOCrabA1TNG/s1600-h/IMG_2670-728191.JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880167038245970" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oJo3gDzXo_-CMyTTWbvXteDzIPLUuf_OVmlyTgtxDkVtk1-wG7m79zOyuPMfakGj4WdKJf0BOQzm4UVdK188_tGjyxyDs5Vqyc55Fhh6atY9oKBqwR6XcZyAhkOCrabA1TNG/s400/IMG_2670-728191.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We decided not to go up as we were planning on doing the sunrise tour on Saturday morning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ58imKNoLph-HMEhHlQUSy_Cvh4mvDkZtHZgTn4QnjySSB_ZXb5B4RjBWloyKj7WVT2XLvsbMoUrSWwS6YWiw00wTBDWsEOHE3KHtY9ChoIdoh6oo9QJkMYAp1SiFvS6GZg2o/s1600-h/IMG_2700-729718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880173753535746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ58imKNoLph-HMEhHlQUSy_Cvh4mvDkZtHZgTn4QnjySSB_ZXb5B4RjBWloyKj7WVT2XLvsbMoUrSWwS6YWiw00wTBDWsEOHE3KHtY9ChoIdoh6oo9QJkMYAp1SiFvS6GZg2o/s400/IMG_2700-729718.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1H5x16S-idOOe1lmZXSh5Z9m1CGG1sUBRA748yziRSB6VwtQ-8-NXqM5UcUkYADzzVDZadm_91tx_TX3e55R-mKoSbPc31SNvGMcRNL0gEHU_dQvXReL8zUBXkuNYwd3T0DL/s1600-h/IMG_2746-730316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880176889580914" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1H5x16S-idOOe1lmZXSh5Z9m1CGG1sUBRA748yziRSB6VwtQ-8-NXqM5UcUkYADzzVDZadm_91tx_TX3e55R-mKoSbPc31SNvGMcRNL0gEHU_dQvXReL8zUBXkuNYwd3T0DL/s400/IMG_2746-730316.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E4TJSXtuCirSLyOhCEJWMIeXL4419BL7Gh_XbLvfcyEV6mKLMcBpMY_Ga-JlIuu6YyIF6vNhqsqCV42k4x6xwkNg8q530V2uTYduvBeM3XCmp-xu7KWFlEZrhGuPnbOcaHbr/s1600-h/IMG_2748-731279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880182437522530" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E4TJSXtuCirSLyOhCEJWMIeXL4419BL7Gh_XbLvfcyEV6mKLMcBpMY_Ga-JlIuu6YyIF6vNhqsqCV42k4x6xwkNg8q530V2uTYduvBeM3XCmp-xu7KWFlEZrhGuPnbOcaHbr/s400/IMG_2748-731279.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1NTO_25BQ7YZx40Xg_M0ZvNUznHGgLaavHEDK1t-TqeYk4OYbAB6p5otC_D-HBKyLxi7mNfLjuPtpmHIeX0wKOB1rXvlEeVeBfHJZCnx5SETH8isNVz8ntjgtKuY4E44PPOg/s1600-h/IMG_2728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343414981182007250" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1NTO_25BQ7YZx40Xg_M0ZvNUznHGgLaavHEDK1t-TqeYk4OYbAB6p5otC_D-HBKyLxi7mNfLjuPtpmHIeX0wKOB1rXvlEeVeBfHJZCnx5SETH8isNVz8ntjgtKuY4E44PPOg/s400/IMG_2728.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was sadly not a very spectacular sunrise, which is of course what we were expecting/hoping for. It was unfortunately very cloudy but we luckily did catch a glimpse of the sun, and that is thanks to all the Chinese tourists that started clapping when it came out, otherwise we may have missed it LOL ;-)<br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">One good thing about doing the sunrise tour is that we at least managed to get a couple of good shots. An hour later we actually couldn't get a shot without having at least 3 people in the frame. </p></div><div>Click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">here</a> to read more about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> - a ninth-century Mahayana Buddist Monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The Temple was first discovered by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1812 in poor condition. From 1907-1911 the restoration was conducted by Theodore van Erp and from 1973 - 1983 the Indonesian government with the help of UNESCO conducted major restoration on Candi Borobudur in the hopes that Borobudur could survive for another 1000 years.</div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Let me just say that I've heard people say "it is similar to Angkor Wat). In my opinion </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur"><span style="font-size:85%;">Borobudur</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> cannot really be compared to The Ancient Angkor Ruins in Siem Reap, Cambodia. And I think that if you've visited </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur"><span style="font-size:85%;">Borobudur</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> and then Angkor Wat your might see some similarities. But, if you've been to Angkor Wat before I do believe you might find </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur"><span style="font-size:85%;">Borobudur</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> a bit of a disappointment. I don't think it's just because of the temple though, it's just the whole experience. Siem Reap is just a lot more geared towards tourism and you have great restaurants, bars and shops to choose from that makes the overall experience magical where as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur"><span style="font-size:85%;">Borobudur</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...well, it's just not there yet. Click </span><a href="http://marcadele.blogspot.com/2006/09/trip-to-cambodia-ancient-angkor-ruins.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> to go to my blog entry on our 2007 trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia and you will see what I mean. </span></em><em><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9abCUu-gGWNIXZh1ArXPAp1xEK4awcrI-hDDqq51BKdCm6TuHkJqJ5muzR7TaR5rmF_0uMs5g3GY9DzVubndAJBPrBtFWC1KxveHxIjB4fyg7DuCZQaK70HSJb0nX5bQLuvc/s1600-h/IMG_2676-728769.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880168818622162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9abCUu-gGWNIXZh1ArXPAp1xEK4awcrI-hDDqq51BKdCm6TuHkJqJ5muzR7TaR5rmF_0uMs5g3GY9DzVubndAJBPrBtFWC1KxveHxIjB4fyg7DuCZQaK70HSJb0nX5bQLuvc/s400/IMG_2676-728769.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />On our way back to the hotel we bought an Ohle-Ohle (souvenir). We had breakfast and then had a 2 hour nap before we headed out to Jogjakarta for the rest of the day:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B1Tv5bX82z_Lz45cVSxW1JHz-NZeuWroU6rZbaDmbsCuUZQGV_cwP44rKi3Bq2cExsJd1q16lxjtUEYnP5YDPDD0wLkXXC16RcdfXxnWNVmdH4Nxj09I6SBNLni2Qc42Gftt/s1600-h/IMG_2797.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343489931265157426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B1Tv5bX82z_Lz45cVSxW1JHz-NZeuWroU6rZbaDmbsCuUZQGV_cwP44rKi3Bq2cExsJd1q16lxjtUEYnP5YDPDD0wLkXXC16RcdfXxnWNVmdH4Nxj09I6SBNLni2Qc42Gftt/s400/IMG_2797.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWbDSypUbhRkSQBc08sJv-dahm2GXDifrUFc4j3cs_4mQDjmQWrKJ8Q56ODz6xNQ7TCa9NTMLbyExqWrytd3HZ1Tl3ZIkPNMSt-zZ4RWyq6i4iX_QmifuyJq6rakNcWZnErWU/s1600-h/IMG_2803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343489941587110642" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWbDSypUbhRkSQBc08sJv-dahm2GXDifrUFc4j3cs_4mQDjmQWrKJ8Q56ODz6xNQ7TCa9NTMLbyExqWrytd3HZ1Tl3ZIkPNMSt-zZ4RWyq6i4iX_QmifuyJq6rakNcWZnErWU/s400/IMG_2803.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEADtEWU7ghEnipP34FdspJWGbcXZ5vWAP5roiTjSQnW1r7O7zb7zwwXj8FKDiD5BnXSzMb-Tr5sSyqPNCFNPjdUtm_u1usftfTscOLOD2CQcfF_BfGTmRfrpNV7DMR7fzLRfp/s1600-h/IMG_2816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343495352111308210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEADtEWU7ghEnipP34FdspJWGbcXZ5vWAP5roiTjSQnW1r7O7zb7zwwXj8FKDiD5BnXSzMb-Tr5sSyqPNCFNPjdUtm_u1usftfTscOLOD2CQcfF_BfGTmRfrpNV7DMR7fzLRfp/s400/IMG_2816.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogyakarta_Sultanate">Kraton</a>, the Sultan's Palace . According to Javanese belief, the ruler is the "naval" of their universe. We learned all about the past 9 sultan's over more than 200 years and all their doings incl. their very extended family trees.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBo8X8TZ5DU4Udbz3MbjZf90lW3yHNd-EwGrXNfT4zq7wcNZBVfhD1PPNpnV2uHJ6dOOUdF9nQ-DXpjCjh5lWB0VmdMinsZZhmjIVfaf73z_sQJM9Jk3cq6gqcipjdTQ0GBCf/s1600-h/DSC03794.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343489945916271922" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBo8X8TZ5DU4Udbz3MbjZf90lW3yHNd-EwGrXNfT4zq7wcNZBVfhD1PPNpnV2uHJ6dOOUdF9nQ-DXpjCjh5lWB0VmdMinsZZhmjIVfaf73z_sQJM9Jk3cq6gqcipjdTQ0GBCf/s400/DSC03794.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the Sultan's (I think it was No.8) had 30 wives and 80 children. The family tree looked more like an entire forest.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaan4lShB062THB5D3OtfhLQD0Hro1QAiOVv8oW0PfBK9SFhzfGvvxWHsIpzpJ2L5rTJkOkEUhkOS8kfZ41KzQx8mE5NRVMs0TVJWC3dtix1i1VFUbaqV27-iLRG_ql6j1OcWx/s1600-h/IMG_2817-731769.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880182269716162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaan4lShB062THB5D3OtfhLQD0Hro1QAiOVv8oW0PfBK9SFhzfGvvxWHsIpzpJ2L5rTJkOkEUhkOS8kfZ41KzQx8mE5NRVMs0TVJWC3dtix1i1VFUbaqV27-iLRG_ql6j1OcWx/s400/IMG_2817-731769.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We visited a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik">Batik</a> factory where we watched them perform some of the different processes of textile dying, that Indonesia is famous for. <em>Useless fact: Nelson Mandela brightly coloured shirts, are Batik shirts, from Indonesia.<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cl1J-wWlUbMRLIW4I5IDZ3i0iVDIWJi0WjXuy_ex8zYYDdvudL7S7Qp9QNnkYhB6wgHQC50ID3FaDV1Nlp9LTKRPN27XbhnuedBd_mGPKBkQfxuHpnbkhb7v1ARjkREwH6qa/s1600-h/DSC03812-723742.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880148694895442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cl1J-wWlUbMRLIW4I5IDZ3i0iVDIWJi0WjXuy_ex8zYYDdvudL7S7Qp9QNnkYhB6wgHQC50ID3FaDV1Nlp9LTKRPN27XbhnuedBd_mGPKBkQfxuHpnbkhb7v1ARjkREwH6qa/s400/DSC03812-723742.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A copper <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik">Batik</a> stamp which comes in so many different patterns, some so intricate that it must take weeks to paint.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUPoeYTGHdFC2yuyX7o-AcPct3qhJYpVhC_A3OKnZxqnTE32-wjfTnDGrQB6AEl1XDwjPuDyHqkGbzQlSJRIC3Juz4YhGEEqhkLb6pwkn1zakuFDE3sPMBKjbCEvWsm9OWKDf/s1600-h/DSC03820-724181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880148837170738" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUPoeYTGHdFC2yuyX7o-AcPct3qhJYpVhC_A3OKnZxqnTE32-wjfTnDGrQB6AEl1XDwjPuDyHqkGbzQlSJRIC3Juz4YhGEEqhkLb6pwkn1zakuFDE3sPMBKjbCEvWsm9OWKDf/s400/DSC03820-724181.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the finished pieces of fabric hanging out to dry.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHrivi07u7nTUsOQ9JWsee5oCTgFi6G_N7XXZl3l7KrKzcj0i4gsVY_5bigzOLaRcCQyJxs0jQApb1hthPdh_mMP33DnfxHjYHSGyxGAcpuM_Y2P5saQ_Vq4qWn2Nq87RwmZR/s1600-h/DSC03825-724758.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880152713685938" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHrivi07u7nTUsOQ9JWsee5oCTgFi6G_N7XXZl3l7KrKzcj0i4gsVY_5bigzOLaRcCQyJxs0jQApb1hthPdh_mMP33DnfxHjYHSGyxGAcpuM_Y2P5saQ_Vq4qWn2Nq87RwmZR/s400/DSC03825-724758.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8R7LUyoGspvxzws0MQYh4jcjEQ16Sdqy4EqxySbke-PbNOvkrnuQVJfJX1vBUKrJUa_PECK7GdVsiykcnT9L5by-K9EWEN2y_Pp8Ti_ah_6I0po6NM5WUicyfT6X1YHzmdqJ/s1600-h/IMG_2823-732286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880184254786786" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8R7LUyoGspvxzws0MQYh4jcjEQ16Sdqy4EqxySbke-PbNOvkrnuQVJfJX1vBUKrJUa_PECK7GdVsiykcnT9L5by-K9EWEN2y_Pp8Ti_ah_6I0po6NM5WUicyfT6X1YHzmdqJ/s400/IMG_2823-732286.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great lunch at <a href="http://kedaikebun.com/">Kedai Kebun</a> Restaurant. I also ate my first piesang goreng kedai, which I really enjoyed. You get different kinds of piesang goreng (fried banana) but I ordered one with the banana and cheese in a batter served with honey and lemon. I know...how strange ;-0 but it actually tasted really yummy.</div><br /><div></div><div>After lunch we stopped to look at some antique's and handy-crafts before we made our way to the other famous temple in Jogjakarta called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan">Prambanan</a>.</div><div><br />Click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan">here</a> to read about the largest Hindu Temple compound in Central Java.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Zhvf2UHG-CrdV-w6z56KdYebRb72GqjMKTjuGXYpXFlayMCSv2aoNYrlHZAIpy1FnWFqRtXouv934LRiVanQEboxoP7x4ZC7ujrILLZMP9lT9XnqS3b7xEh8DM-hnbbdt1l/s1600-h/IMG_2838-733368.JPG"> </a></div><br /><div>We must have been asked more than 20 times if we would pose for a photograph. Sometimes with a person or group and other times they just ask if they could take a photo of us. Everywhere you look you will see a tourist being photographed.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880190214414882" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Zhvf2UHG-CrdV-w6z56KdYebRb72GqjMKTjuGXYpXFlayMCSv2aoNYrlHZAIpy1FnWFqRtXouv934LRiVanQEboxoP7x4ZC7ujrILLZMP9lT9XnqS3b7xEh8DM-hnbbdt1l/s400/IMG_2838-733368.JPG" border="0" /><br />We were asked by the teacher of a group of girls (they actually only wanted to talk to Marc ;-) if we would mind spending a few minutes talking to her students to help them with their English. They asked Marc a couple of questions like "what your name, where you from" and then, wait for it....."Picture" and everyone quickly turned to smile at about 5 camera's. </div><br /><div>We noticed a couple of times that people are aiming to take a picture, assuming it was of the temple but soon realised that they were taking pictures of us. To be honest, it was funny in the beginning but it got a bit much after a while. When two girls stopped us on Sunday, I actually said, tidak (NO). We just had a little taste of what celebrates must feel like and I really do feel sorry for them.</div><br /><div>We decided to watch the <a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-cultural-performance/sendratari-ramayana/">Ramayana</a> ballet performance at the outdoor theatre next to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan">Prambanan</a> temple later that night. We had about 1 and a half hours to kill before the show and decided to go to the theatre, hoping that there would be a place nearby where we could have a cold beer.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6_BNak9PRqDqltORDc0vaqAHFon2hJ1b93e8sZS0fZ5J82dLoUIijCIHoNcFfYbGWdSa2sPWUQPMzKKQEsHuZ1ZntAhMiBay_fyHaNY2UcuMD9UUUioKYdENQMFLyvwk6mHU/s1600-h/IMG_2858-733895.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880187773239890" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6_BNak9PRqDqltORDc0vaqAHFon2hJ1b93e8sZS0fZ5J82dLoUIijCIHoNcFfYbGWdSa2sPWUQPMzKKQEsHuZ1ZntAhMiBay_fyHaNY2UcuMD9UUUioKYdENQMFLyvwk6mHU/s400/IMG_2858-733895.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nkwQQjFBGji8smUDizTCV9bEu1rW3pQtlVvOPql1-eVHeJamRAbQnlAKgsvM_m18PqxCHj7Ncola0Uqtx-v1fGCkdF6GbQbudeAa0kzYEohjw2syP0TfE_aZLkdtHBhL1ynb/s1600-h/DSC03829-725175.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880154910905026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nkwQQjFBGji8smUDizTCV9bEu1rW3pQtlVvOPql1-eVHeJamRAbQnlAKgsvM_m18PqxCHj7Ncola0Uqtx-v1fGCkdF6GbQbudeAa0kzYEohjw2syP0TfE_aZLkdtHBhL1ynb/s400/DSC03829-725175.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We were so pleasantly surprised when we arrived there and saw a stunning open air restaurant overlooking the lit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan">Prambanan</a> Temple. It is a truly romantic setting and Marc did score a couple of brownie points for this romantic evening at the theatre.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPiqYIgOYYeMUQ5a3xYgRh87lZeo5eGpIC0-UQceCkRvkqrzDoQ9Scl3tNEmfQBz1J4ighJK91QedjUuO7cag6tNCmQOZkUDZt-d2QtJJiOZcRcGGKz8BXCHGNmtfWNasuAzH/s1600-h/IMG_2906-734606.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880194207165202" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPiqYIgOYYeMUQ5a3xYgRh87lZeo5eGpIC0-UQceCkRvkqrzDoQ9Scl3tNEmfQBz1J4ighJK91QedjUuO7cag6tNCmQOZkUDZt-d2QtJJiOZcRcGGKz8BXCHGNmtfWNasuAzH/s400/IMG_2906-734606.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekvlfzMBwAP12p5Xpiy8TXdbY3daspRgk95XH7fqcwUnnzSBPuUUgsxnIJ0hQdqQGpoecIYeAj_AIVaeOxZ-udnKs3dhzRZnpGejGnqhn8sSvK6mRGX6SfBa5o_ejmPyOgA_M/s1600-h/IMG_2946-735253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880198646622178" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekvlfzMBwAP12p5Xpiy8TXdbY3daspRgk95XH7fqcwUnnzSBPuUUgsxnIJ0hQdqQGpoecIYeAj_AIVaeOxZ-udnKs3dhzRZnpGejGnqhn8sSvK6mRGX6SfBa5o_ejmPyOgA_M/s400/IMG_2946-735253.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The well put together <a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-cultural-performance/sendratari-ramayana/">Ramayana</a> Ballet (Javanese Ballet is not how we know ballet). The show started at 7:30pm and for the next two hours we were led through scenes of the Javanese adoptation of the Indian epic <a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-cultural-performance/sendratari-ramayana/">Ramayana</a>. </div><div></div><br /><div>The plan was to watch the Super 14 Bulls vs. Chiefs after the show. Marc's was greatly dissapointment (especially after reading about the fantastic win on the internet the next day) when we couldn't find a place to watch the match. </div><br /><div>Sunday morning we departed our hotel at around 10am and decided to take a 40min drive to <a href="http://www.central-java-tourism.com/en/places-panorama.php">Ketep Pass</a> to see if we could see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Merapi">Mount Merapi</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMYl_0vnovcK007P9YGIvB2H6N9jIAz1op6fKXn_yqhD3aHo3zj5RCvlnuKsT6xLFZaojPVCyhpyJZ9HZWmNQsh_9tFxPJBdCEa3ZZI6lVLG3-Vvo00Yp9Nq3W1UOVeLJzfSC/s1600-h/indonesia_ketep_pass_and_mount_merbabu-magelang.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343646393446591106" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMYl_0vnovcK007P9YGIvB2H6N9jIAz1op6fKXn_yqhD3aHo3zj5RCvlnuKsT6xLFZaojPVCyhpyJZ9HZWmNQsh_9tFxPJBdCEa3ZZI6lVLG3-Vvo00Yp9Nq3W1UOVeLJzfSC/s400/indonesia_ketep_pass_and_mount_merbabu-magelang.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>This is what we would have seen (photo from the internet). </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>But again, no luck as it was complete hidden by clouds. Smoke can apparently be seen emerging from the mountain top at least 300 days a year and there has been several eruptions over the years. The last eruption was in 2006.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlGJGvz6l4aI8rBoI0sRuMnm9cn_TO4bbfGnmo5JdMeQkFEut7ZTG5lJUpPsx_7v0Dbd3gfOKAbLwTgjeoZMyEeVBZKPrnR_bG60aOv0rCfwsDcJGc_kPcwo2A35MgCoU7ycE/s1600-h/IMG_2953-736639.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880201568005042" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlGJGvz6l4aI8rBoI0sRuMnm9cn_TO4bbfGnmo5JdMeQkFEut7ZTG5lJUpPsx_7v0Dbd3gfOKAbLwTgjeoZMyEeVBZKPrnR_bG60aOv0rCfwsDcJGc_kPcwo2A35MgCoU7ycE/s400/IMG_2953-736639.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We drove back to the city and strolled down <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalan_Malioboro">Jalan Maliaboro</a>, which is the main shopping street in Jogjakarta. The street is packed with people, and are lined with small stalls and modern shops and restaurants. It is a vibrent very colourful street that has a real old world charm about it. There are 100's of Becak's (trishaw bicycles) lined up and every couple of minutes you will hear the sound of an Andong's (horse drawn carriages) coming up behind you and sometimes if you don't hear them they will ring the bell.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXFIpvT0i_3Jt7VyfetFFzdrpTlsIgyA2CowL-jQ85AvAt-Eymat96buza7QzN5PQdl1uiIdtqO7KFZonB_SaLC7v-mk7BE-POvut90HMrlGW9vC5Jjed_OO1wQoJSlQKhog1/s1600-h/IMG_2952.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343650902421622706" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXFIpvT0i_3Jt7VyfetFFzdrpTlsIgyA2CowL-jQ85AvAt-Eymat96buza7QzN5PQdl1uiIdtqO7KFZonB_SaLC7v-mk7BE-POvut90HMrlGW9vC5Jjed_OO1wQoJSlQKhog1/s400/IMG_2952.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is probably the most famous scene in Jogja - A couple of Becak's (trishaw bicycles) drivers waiting for their next customer.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqhpXDZ3xIqVpArxYm7v7RiB6bE6zj4Gl71eL2bvi32FXj5AGn1HVrYBHPZeNlq0A7P7A4JWZH01fAnvhZxj453NhFt4aS_2tXedPtcsyn14ELPn1avueWR2kSYK-ZjNNJ9xl/s1600-h/IMG_2954-737202.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880207747235634" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqhpXDZ3xIqVpArxYm7v7RiB6bE6zj4Gl71eL2bvi32FXj5AGn1HVrYBHPZeNlq0A7P7A4JWZH01fAnvhZxj453NhFt4aS_2tXedPtcsyn14ELPn1avueWR2kSYK-ZjNNJ9xl/s400/IMG_2954-737202.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had a couple of minutes to spare before we had to leave for the airport and thought it might be interesting to check out the Ngasem Market <a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/places-of-interest/ngasem/">bird market</a>. Interesting being the operative word. To quote Marc "The revenge of the birds is coming"! </div><div></div><div></div><div>We arrived at the airport and were very happy to find out that we could make use of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> Lounge with our HSBC card, which is a little more comfortable then waiting infront of the boarding gate. Especially since our flight was delayed by an hour :-(.</div><br /><div>We arrived back home at around 7:30pm. We had a super weekend and we are happy that we can finally tick Jogja off the list. </div><div></div><br /><div>We are looking forward to the next destination around the worlds largest archipelago.</div><br /><div><strong>TRAVELERS TIPS:</strong><br />In hine site, I think I should have planned the trip a little differently. But, I guess that's why they call it "traveling" and you learn as you go along. </div><div></div><br /><div>We've heard different accounts from a lot of different people about their feelings on Jogja and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> temple (some even saying "it's similar to Angkor Wat). And as one does, we planned our trip based on reccommendations (both from friends and the www). As it turns out, we are all different individuals and what works for the one person might not necesary be what the other one has in mind. </div><br /><div></div><div>Meaning: Someone might consider staying at their 5 star hotel, hanging out by the pool, eating at the hotel etc. a great holiday/weekend away. And others (like us) prefer to be out and about, exploring, eating at different restaurants. </div><br /><div></div><div>Which beckons the question, why spend a lot of money on accommodation, right? Well, that's how we feel about it at least.</div><div></div><div>Being the painfully organised person that I am, though we had a great time, I can kick myself for not planning the trip better, which would have saved us quite a bit of money in the end. Yes, it's all about the money... </div><div><br /><strong>About the transport:</strong></div><br /><div>I pre-booked a ASA taxi (Tel: +62274545545 Driver: Pak Uuywono+6281903792221) to take us to Lasari. They charged us Rp.250,000 which is exactly half of what the hotel charges. </div><br /><div></div><div>We arranged our transport to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> from <a href="http://www.losari.info/losari/resort_overview.htm">Losari</a>, with the the same driver from ASA. Of course everthing in Indonesia is a negotiation and though he wanted more money, we finally settled on paying Rp.150,000.</div><div></div><br /><div>Needless to say, we didn't use the ASA taxi service again. </div><div></div><br /><div>We called a couple of car hire companies but found <a href="http://www.jogjarentcar.com/">Jogja Rent Car </a>offered the best rates. After Marc practiced his negotiation skills some more, we managed to hire a car and a driver for (what is appartenly a really good deal) Rp.400,000 for 10 hours (He would have done 14 hours for Rp.500,000). And on the Sunday we paid Rp.250 from 10am - 2:30pm. </div><br /><div></div><div><strong>About the Hotel's:</strong></div><div><strong>Losari Coffee Plantation</strong>:</div><div>Remember if you have KITA's, ask for the KITA's rates when you make your booking. Also, if you are a good negotiator you could get them to give you the rate all in, otherwise they will still charge you 21% tax and service charge. You can also get 20% off the spa treatments if you have KITA's. But, you have to ask for it!</div><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><strong>Sarwaswait Borobudur</strong>:<br />Though we enjoyed our stay at The Sarwaswati, we would have actually preferred staying at the <a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-hotel/budget/manohara/">Monohara hotel</a>, which is located on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> temple grounds. NOTE: Guest at the Princess Monohara pay Rp.150,000 per person and Rp.300,000 per per (for ourside visitors), Rp.200,000 (KITA's holders) for the sunrise tour.</p><p class="mobile-photo">I'm not sure if there are other hotels that can arrange the sunrise tour directly but our hotel said that they would have to arrange the tour through the <a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-hotel/budget/manohara/">Monohara hotel</a>. The <a href="http://www.saraswatiborobudur.com/">Saraswati</a> wanted to charge Rp.500,000 per person (tourist price) and Rp.300,000 (for KITA's holders).</p><p class="mobile-photo">The hotel basically charges Rp.100,000 per person for transport to the Monohara Hotel. But, The <a href="http://www.saraswatiborobudur.com/">Saraswati</a> is only 5minutes walk from the Monohara Hotel. </p><p class="mobile-photo">After a couple of discussions, Saraswati agreed to make a booking at the Monohara Hotel on our behalf for Rp.200,000 per person (KITA's rate) and we just had to walk 5 min down the road. </p><div>The other thing (hine site is a wonderful thing, isn't it). </div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Duration of the trip:<br /></strong>We would have preffered staying in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> for only 1 night and then rather stayed in Jogja the last night. </div><br /><div></div><div>Why: Because we ended up staying in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur">Borobudur</a> but spent most of the day on Saturday and Sunday in Jogjakarta. </div><br /><div>Also, the mosque is right next door and with the 4am call to prayer you will sure not have to worry about oversleaping and missing the sunrise tour. This is of course fine on the day that you do the sun rise tour but when we were woken up that early again on the Sunday, I was less impressed.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Other:</strong></div><div></div><div><strong><a href="http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-cultural-performance/sendratari-ramayana/">Ramayana</a> Open Air Theatre:</strong><br />We really enjoyed the show, apart from the very uncomfortable seats we were in we enjoyed the evening very much. If you take the mid range tickets of Rp.100,000 per person be sure to take a pillow. Otherwise you could go for the Rp.200,000 and the VIP seats that looked more comfortable. </div><div></div><br /><div><strong>Hotel's in Jogja, recommendated by friends:</strong></div><div><a href="http://www.jvidusun.co.id/">Dusun Jogja Villiage Inn</a></div><div><a href="http://www.villahanis.com/">Villa Hani's</a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I hope that my "detailed" account of our trip might help you plan yours better.</div></div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-67765779194386595682009-06-02T17:33:00.011+05:302009-06-19T06:29:46.660+05:30My first...<strong>My first mural:</strong><br />A friend of mine wanted to paint a butterfly mural in her 4 year old daughter's bedroom and asked if I was up for it. I've never painted a mural before but I figured; why not. I thought it might be fun, and it was.... <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp-jfbE88h8UnpegFMKoYCPd2SKvdBSYDejp7UZ_gqiVIOTR3GDnUTIKyq-SBKfFxQDGYj_3qgQnY9sT6mPS43jo0Sp4wMuaFCf9wgRN0z5N4ls7P20WIw4SKgiKXyBlduhPd/s1600-h/DSC03894.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342707086220863058" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp-jfbE88h8UnpegFMKoYCPd2SKvdBSYDejp7UZ_gqiVIOTR3GDnUTIKyq-SBKfFxQDGYj_3qgQnY9sT6mPS43jo0Sp4wMuaFCf9wgRN0z5N4ls7P20WIw4SKgiKXyBlduhPd/s400/DSC03894.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnLt6_nhp56fTU14byu6DCxvRrvafE4ZobM-AN4KLNDB6kOIGiu5pcTEAzFrsT0UXO0PUxeuKIGliNo_x0BKEwrXfFYtri2gQDV88q3_TyWMu9NQa4P1Xs82sqN9Jqan5RJt2/s1600-h/DSC03905a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342713563544191506" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnLt6_nhp56fTU14byu6DCxvRrvafE4ZobM-AN4KLNDB6kOIGiu5pcTEAzFrsT0UXO0PUxeuKIGliNo_x0BKEwrXfFYtri2gQDV88q3_TyWMu9NQa4P1Xs82sqN9Jqan5RJt2/s400/DSC03905a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I do think it looks pretty amateurish, but all that really matters is that little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Johke</span> is happy with her butterflies; and she is. Phew! </div><div><br /></div><div>I had so much fun doing this; I am already looking forward to the next one Alma wants in her baby boy's room. </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>My first orchid:</strong></div><div>I have wanted an orchid, since forever. I've heard that they are really temperamental though and I have always worried that when we go away it will be dead by the time we get back. Also, I don't have green fingers at all... in fact, I've never been able to keep plants alive. Sad, I know. </div><div><br /></div><div>I finally took the plunge and bought my first orchid last week. </div><div><br /></div><div>I accompanied two of my friends to an Orchid market, near the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rangunan</span> Zoo. The area is called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pasar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Minggu</span> and it is basically a huge plant/orchid market with one nursery after the other. The nurseries have so many different varieties of orchids, that it was really hard to choose one. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEsLBT7j7LTOirwZqcZuGGGfPW6NWzgEPQB8Nxxkhb4VGnilokepU9LIUl_h1zIFJTesVrhEV0EYzuCdnmyNg0sqC4ldKB3VvWZ95kwszn5DhWAou1eXQbOgif1oW3Y3Lil_a/s1600-h/DSC03493-708795.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342699693386894530" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEsLBT7j7LTOirwZqcZuGGGfPW6NWzgEPQB8Nxxkhb4VGnilokepU9LIUl_h1zIFJTesVrhEV0EYzuCdnmyNg0sqC4ldKB3VvWZ95kwszn5DhWAou1eXQbOgif1oW3Y3Lil_a/s400/DSC03493-708795.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzg8pHcGI5sSInDmqVNRZwBtnfrl76EZQXGhA19rp0RuKWkL5Q8_VaBACTfyJ3wzDtZOAWNhjo5wKFF4OB6hOCkzO5rkOuJA_To90RmYvDe2bhE8Jc7EVWWwmenZd-Sou3UM9/s1600-h/DSC03492-709307.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342699698995195010" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzg8pHcGI5sSInDmqVNRZwBtnfrl76EZQXGhA19rp0RuKWkL5Q8_VaBACTfyJ3wzDtZOAWNhjo5wKFF4OB6hOCkzO5rkOuJA_To90RmYvDe2bhE8Jc7EVWWwmenZd-Sou3UM9/s400/DSC03492-709307.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>The market is definitely worth checking out if you are looking to buy plants. It is suppose to be a lot cheaper than any of the street stalls around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kemang</span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLaChOMYp_RvM6oZGjnTcJH-3xWCSCAZ-y1rySeWm9ocR26WSU53g18tD-duonVgxy0Jy9eOMfB3s6StZTg2_loRvQRwzECfiRWMNXMtDSnPmHwtX7kMR_FoYdOK6E0kPF9Uo/s1600-h/DSC03496-708138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342699693178689858" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLaChOMYp_RvM6oZGjnTcJH-3xWCSCAZ-y1rySeWm9ocR26WSU53g18tD-duonVgxy0Jy9eOMfB3s6StZTg2_loRvQRwzECfiRWMNXMtDSnPmHwtX7kMR_FoYdOK6E0kPF9Uo/s400/DSC03496-708138.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Contact details of one of the nurseries: 0813-16299555 or 021-9817 1241<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_l4Y4MSV2zV_3qSEFIUbVF1KMhQeAf4itczficAuD67953f_39Et5LvEa9rGG7xRnG1Dcqrn5jLrRL48mNHPty29awxyJFnsr6-dLqnuSH0jtZbCOUl6FdXUcO2L28mcx3MM/s1600-h/DSC03922-709874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342699698009305266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_l4Y4MSV2zV_3qSEFIUbVF1KMhQeAf4itczficAuD67953f_39Et5LvEa9rGG7xRnG1Dcqrn5jLrRL48mNHPty29awxyJFnsr6-dLqnuSH0jtZbCOUl6FdXUcO2L28mcx3MM/s400/DSC03922-709874.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmlOjfsp1yfz44ncWMdUovzXM-N9W_CGuGZREoUD-akyfPdZsFg_bIrrCuyYQXBocnD5b_4fboEQ4ck2fUoz40aykQZkGhpnJO1zcFGLOyEINaAvh5I4O2J3MLrQKjK4CrrhO/s1600-h/DSC03924-710915.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342699703707979442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmlOjfsp1yfz44ncWMdUovzXM-N9W_CGuGZREoUD-akyfPdZsFg_bIrrCuyYQXBocnD5b_4fboEQ4ck2fUoz40aykQZkGhpnJO1zcFGLOyEINaAvh5I4O2J3MLrQKjK4CrrhO/s400/DSC03924-710915.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342699705916548882" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1J89w679kfR6pNSxw8jVZF_QhBBdTtTM8XJHqISpibikjjRx4MlM5x8FXdfp6pIaTKS1TVOmeYiH7SXbi8s-JJB0McDCYf6yYxZnpXD5eh-HvdJgsBQjZpEjG_VVFRad3qrm/s400/DSC03927-711564.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>My beautiful orchid...Now let's see how long it will stay that way ;-) </div><div><br /></div><div>Click <a href="http://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/orchid_care_tips/watering/watering.html">here</a> to learn how you should care for your orchids!</div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-61671782946044417542009-06-01T19:26:00.013+05:302009-06-02T16:29:42.449+05:30Diving - Alam Kotok<p class="mobile-photo">Marc has been talking about wanting to do a couple of speciality dive courses, one of them being the rescue diver course for quite some time now. He finally "just did it" and enrolled him self to do the rescue diver through the <a href="http://www.kristalkleardive.com/">Kristal Klear Dive </a>at the <a href="http://www.hotelkristal.com/">Hotel Kristal</a>. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Marc did the theory part of the course during the week before with a written test on Saturday, 16 May. </p><p class="mobile-photo">On Saturday, 23 May at 8am we departed from the Anchol Marina, pier 15 for our 1 night, 2 days diving weekend on <a href="http://www.alamkotok.co.id/">Alam Kotok</a>. Kotok Island is one of the 1000 islands (<a href="http://www.thousandisland.co.id/">Pulau Siribu</a>) and is conveniently only 1hour, 30min by fast boat from Jakarta.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CnurTZqlcsv-ExMfPwDc3WrsqHPISVtOSSQY03hL1pzI9Cua-Nu0hjIZRQn0zrox1GKxMQB4gZ_k_BbWGbdOVxemEBugckRVRTE7FWzNoNe7japVq3OWJCrMaDeDYuEYAvyp/s1600-h/DSC03205-783232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357705026870690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CnurTZqlcsv-ExMfPwDc3WrsqHPISVtOSSQY03hL1pzI9Cua-Nu0hjIZRQn0zrox1GKxMQB4gZ_k_BbWGbdOVxemEBugckRVRTE7FWzNoNe7japVq3OWJCrMaDeDYuEYAvyp/s400/DSC03205-783232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We arrived on the island at 9:30am.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKktZsBUcoE3M_h77pOz_XeP_Foi1nRKpBvyplYwJaeTQbktNMmdqLHhmjExF5u_Kj1ClFseYM6e1fyv5TVhMLKDeSvpYb0L2MkBYEigPvgXYoqgPA-JR5UJeFwxPrZ-yhaiI/s1600-h/DSC03214-783961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357712487211746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKktZsBUcoE3M_h77pOz_XeP_Foi1nRKpBvyplYwJaeTQbktNMmdqLHhmjExF5u_Kj1ClFseYM6e1fyv5TVhMLKDeSvpYb0L2MkBYEigPvgXYoqgPA-JR5UJeFwxPrZ-yhaiI/s400/DSC03214-783961.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357763746613074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-ggM0h77Y0Is6y4tyCqiI3P3xtPkIgvO4O-WmraoIv09l34ZgENCJ_9rkTd7CZ8yKKuGdJDAksgIVKpXZJRVmTihMj6kgw3NlcMgV3xTpnqpgBDMT1a2GDtFnguF1urpaivu/s400/DSC03216a-796602.jpg" border="0" /><br />Like <a href="http://www.thousandisland.co.id/default.asp?id=3&sub_id=17">Putri</a> Island which is one of the more popular islands, <a href="http://www.alamkotok.co.id/">Alam Kotok </a>is a package weekend, which is usually for 1 night/2days. The Rp.2.4 mil per person includes transport to and from the island, 4 meals and 4 dives. The Island is small and can apparently accommodate a maximum of 30 guests. There were only about 18 guests on the island when we went, so it was really peaceful and it almost felt a little deserted, which was great.<br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">Like with a lot of places around Indonesia this rustic and what some might call run down resort is a very welcome break from the hustle and the bustle of the city.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9aBJDoht9B6AfrsNcs7dbwtbQK0PVkWiNfFz-LWvfI-hD0krm9B2E6_VLWC0KDBD6e5Lp5i5DtdPN6Yhcz-ZcePRJRPY5xSLSXztBLm7T_2b40MItD_BgLABDMDRkfoAZ415/s1600-h/DSC03220-784899.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357711174559218" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9aBJDoht9B6AfrsNcs7dbwtbQK0PVkWiNfFz-LWvfI-hD0krm9B2E6_VLWC0KDBD6e5Lp5i5DtdPN6Yhcz-ZcePRJRPY5xSLSXztBLm7T_2b40MItD_BgLABDMDRkfoAZ415/s400/DSC03220-784899.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357721581546690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIMTD7hTTrv9DY2M4vMgJuj7_7OetPVmGVIi-8N4IKLtONVoNYYEB3NQfnYEaWa10QH5NoWNgJw-UeGlE6QOdkmDDpl3EuYu4zSVU69r4pI6jc3_Sjxjn1ZbUzWzhlSkix8OC/s400/DSC03223-786295.JPG" border="0" /><br />The resosrt has very basic, but comfortable rooms with AC.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcfmvKCMNxE2wCbPwjbLIue4dpRZWa6ms12oW22_-DgcnLI5xHdebcNeQGtReFjQy184JdxvYMHheu8FcqulcCl_2XP2z-WvhhRWVNFGL7k3fkKcDjCAQn9hBSZWO3-LzXByy/s1600-h/DSC03224-786907.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357719750762306" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcfmvKCMNxE2wCbPwjbLIue4dpRZWa6ms12oW22_-DgcnLI5xHdebcNeQGtReFjQy184JdxvYMHheu8FcqulcCl_2XP2z-WvhhRWVNFGL7k3fkKcDjCAQn9hBSZWO3-LzXByy/s400/DSC03224-786907.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The rooms have semi-open air bathroom with hot water. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><em>"Make sure you check before you sit down, Oh and keep the toilet seat closed" -</em> I used the loo in the middle of the night and when I reached to flush the toilet I nearly had a heart attache when I saw a huge (almost the size of my hand) spider on the toilet seat. And yes, I imagine it was there when I sat down. I'm sorry I didn't take a photo of it, to proof that I am not just a ninny. It was really HUGE!! Les you would have died. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><em>"Also, ensure that the AC is working when you check in". </em>We had to move to another room in the middle of the night. It is no fun trying to sleep in extreme tropical heat. And opening the doors and window's didn't really help and besides, that wasn't really a good idea with all the creepy crawlys around, especially after what I saw in the bathroom.</p><p class="mobile-photo">The diving was "ok". Not the best though, but just to be able to "blow bubbles" in less than 3 hours from the time you've left Jakarta makes it all "OK".</p><p class="mobile-photo">There were 5 people in our group. The instructor spent time with the guys doing more theory and practical exercises before and after the dives.<br /><br />The 1st dive we did on Saturday was right off the pier and as to be expected the reef around the island was dead/dull and because of this the dive was equally "dull"....boring. With the exception of seeing the toilet and kopaja (bus), which was quite different to anything I've ever seen under water. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The Toilet, kopaja and a couple of tyres were placed around the reef to try and create an artificial reef. But unfortunately it hasn't yet turned into anything that remotely resembles coral but rather looked like an underwater scrap yard. ;-(.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQidAjR8cbtLX2OX7MUAMdu2gyi_gKqsw9lGXNThlmct3VJHqjCVBGta0q9onbf6Dp8FZKTLsUkHJ2eQd3yx19tTpMgzeLdTOExEUHSlGvcx3VVx96yA85OYFWSO0dzXseuahyphenhyphen/s1600-h/DSC03443-794715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357755630348946" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQidAjR8cbtLX2OX7MUAMdu2gyi_gKqsw9lGXNThlmct3VJHqjCVBGta0q9onbf6Dp8FZKTLsUkHJ2eQd3yx19tTpMgzeLdTOExEUHSlGvcx3VVx96yA85OYFWSO0dzXseuahyphenhyphen/s400/DSC03443-794715.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In between dives, we enjoyed a great lunch. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTAg6FSBfJRIB5m5E4GLFrt10U7oo5MXFDZCvQd842fW9-VmsDrLFzfPIZlDV-wzD-mQnKegHo74p3lqz_n6EUr1YYTL3LF3fkSQP1Rv4t2plA65RVMMXoAUQyDmqSyyFV8fI/s1600-h/DSC03291-789480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357730618715730" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTAg6FSBfJRIB5m5E4GLFrt10U7oo5MXFDZCvQd842fW9-VmsDrLFzfPIZlDV-wzD-mQnKegHo74p3lqz_n6EUr1YYTL3LF3fkSQP1Rv4t2plA65RVMMXoAUQyDmqSyyFV8fI/s400/DSC03291-789480.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I gave the 2nd dive on Saturday a miss because of my ear but I was very happy to laze around on the deck just enjoying the fresh air and listening to the sound of the waves, snorkeled and cooling off in the clear ocean next to the pier.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Marc joined them for a night dive as well, which he says was fantastic. Something I am looking forward to trying next time.</p><p class="mobile-photo">We had a nice dinner and finally climbed into bed in the <em>new room</em> <em>(see note above)</em> at around 1:30am. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Sunday, 24 May we had breakfast early before the days diving started at 8:30am.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHweJ29r6VPCkc0N8sEAAiHeyhiybGqMdHwMNqWJXH0_HbMmKyDQUQM9qn7Um_HOrEeoq44-2NZeK97QLLEuAIMJJBOV7n2LgaGMRQdtwtuyPr33yLH9wMDXI6Vw4IezJgp57a/s1600-h/DSC03254-788120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357729116688962" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHweJ29r6VPCkc0N8sEAAiHeyhiybGqMdHwMNqWJXH0_HbMmKyDQUQM9qn7Um_HOrEeoq44-2NZeK97QLLEuAIMJJBOV7n2LgaGMRQdtwtuyPr33yLH9wMDXI6Vw4IezJgp57a/s400/DSC03254-788120.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The semi-open air restaurant where all meals are served.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbgtbyFd_GQ3I8JAFENnZAXKZQbLvdwz8KWS7tcgJpQP4k1NyUwiwKw_eEiETYdHsGb327SEc8GJW4-XMDN31Mb4DLqJRBvI9K72k7BitbjXQuZ417315OGCVJlScQvb1UnDx/s1600-h/DSC03249-787535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357725797220242" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbgtbyFd_GQ3I8JAFENnZAXKZQbLvdwz8KWS7tcgJpQP4k1NyUwiwKw_eEiETYdHsGb327SEc8GJW4-XMDN31Mb4DLqJRBvI9K72k7BitbjXQuZ417315OGCVJlScQvb1UnDx/s400/DSC03249-787535.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I was surprised to see a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitor_lizard">Monitor Lizard </a>right next to the breakfast buffet table.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFkgEtc6VRlqrsrboYb0KadaJudjUJkRuF31C6gGRxEmk7sInYZ6wUWDUEV-S2s9GDwcROWqVz3UEQ-ra93-kgSwklUc_mZbWicUSHr0Vtwo5159fqxLrR-8_4-r2q9iDFU6w/s1600-h/DSC03264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342521313031772482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFkgEtc6VRlqrsrboYb0KadaJudjUJkRuF31C6gGRxEmk7sInYZ6wUWDUEV-S2s9GDwcROWqVz3UEQ-ra93-kgSwklUc_mZbWicUSHr0Vtwo5159fqxLrR-8_4-r2q9iDFU6w/s400/DSC03264.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As it turns out, he is a regular visitor at breakfast and is also quite demanding. He was hissing until the waiter fed him his omelette.</p><p class="mobile-photo">After breakfast we were ready for the days diving.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTC7vOizZ5T_45jOESM61UW2wjiTst7Z12egfYsFiX_Ltf35-fZBaTsu_cEClkCaVcigICD8NJzGr0niwencUtHHFzj6kvdS6vB7L3iSfIghRMl3qM92xnYwAL6KOlBdtU2aE/s1600-h/DSC03283-788763.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357729800602946" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTC7vOizZ5T_45jOESM61UW2wjiTst7Z12egfYsFiX_Ltf35-fZBaTsu_cEClkCaVcigICD8NJzGr0niwencUtHHFzj6kvdS6vB7L3iSfIghRMl3qM92xnYwAL6KOlBdtU2aE/s400/DSC03283-788763.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Marc and Gregory taking it all in, ensuring they knew exactly what to do in a case of emergency.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Our 1st dive was around Kotok Kecil and it turned out to be a lot better than we expected.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83rljADtgmnrNoZ6E8acW77MtHjQqsEd-hb24UXM6Y9sMgCsgW5HKPuMVRoZ70h_OBLlc_jgEF6XmbQW5s1Stuz9bEnmsdk3-vfgEsG88WoZp4aaIXtr94G2MyfyxL1UyX7Dh/s1600-h/DSC03361-790624.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357737594133410" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83rljADtgmnrNoZ6E8acW77MtHjQqsEd-hb24UXM6Y9sMgCsgW5HKPuMVRoZ70h_OBLlc_jgEF6XmbQW5s1Stuz9bEnmsdk3-vfgEsG88WoZp4aaIXtr94G2MyfyxL1UyX7Dh/s400/DSC03361-790624.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwftyYvHwRos1Pnh_BQhgtbVEPRHlVxOb0a6ZLuqn8PqukVy9Nk8nAFpzF0MW27yyX_q83DGV4yziC4-zypH9BXVSdyx7XBQnloHW6DcFwUXks96ehjBRXYcunGaCIFlr8V30/s1600-h/DSC03309-790013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357735084279842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwftyYvHwRos1Pnh_BQhgtbVEPRHlVxOb0a6ZLuqn8PqukVy9Nk8nAFpzF0MW27yyX_q83DGV4yziC4-zypH9BXVSdyx7XBQnloHW6DcFwUXks96ehjBRXYcunGaCIFlr8V30/s400/DSC03309-790013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had a fantastic long, 65min dive with amazing, 20+meters visibility and great fish life and colourful coral.<br /><br />Towards the end of our 2nd dive, Marc and Gregory (the two rescue diver students) finally had their knowledge and skills put to the test when they had to save Lucas, their instructor. If I didn't know any better I would have thought that it was a real life rescue: complete with the victim not responding under water, being brought to the service by Marc and Gregory, pushed and pulled onto the boat, "pretend" CPR was admitted during the boat ride to shore as well as on land until finally the victim was saved by the two very capable rescue divers Marc and Gregory. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY-m9P3mKUCLep4hhYchLd00cf9ayO6uhJ4tTxvoJy8SpmrBmjNFgGKA6hpNx61nr6osFF3PNyP43l-Xe7YEGLDy_9sfIe-vZE4AQTYcdZIHfvmouypPdsIE_4yMhlTO4otvC/s1600-h/DSC03428-791172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357739407194754" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY-m9P3mKUCLep4hhYchLd00cf9ayO6uhJ4tTxvoJy8SpmrBmjNFgGKA6hpNx61nr6osFF3PNyP43l-Xe7YEGLDy_9sfIe-vZE4AQTYcdZIHfvmouypPdsIE_4yMhlTO4otvC/s400/DSC03428-791172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It's a good thing Marc has been working out a lot.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtbA0BcRlMAIvq4Fz-qwjr0tkdJkIjawf_JdeKhbfCuP9QSUFug-t9evrCLmnw7bEZGj3BuoiIDj72c7j9YXQ7qzrmQWfoXOMg9LbvIZCexxecU3wEu-vEICJU6ZHkjT1Folt/s1600-h/DSC03436-791758.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357739148314546" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtbA0BcRlMAIvq4Fz-qwjr0tkdJkIjawf_JdeKhbfCuP9QSUFug-t9evrCLmnw7bEZGj3BuoiIDj72c7j9YXQ7qzrmQWfoXOMg9LbvIZCexxecU3wEu-vEICJU6ZHkjT1Folt/s400/DSC03436-791758.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well done guys! </p><p class="mobile-photo">I must admit; witnessing this pretend rescue made me realise how tricky real life rescue situations could be and that we (I'm sure I speak for quite a lot of people when I say this) should probably be a little more "prepared" especially when we travel in such remote places. </p><p class="mobile-photo">And yes, though Marc does work for a Medical Assistance company, I still think it is very important to check the following: </p><p class="mobile-photo">Is there a first aid kit<br />Is there a first aider in your midst<br />Is there oxygen<br />What to do in case of an emergency, who to call: <a href="http://www.internationalsos.com/en/index.htm?CFID=23835610&CFTOKEN=24006807">International SOS</a>, <a href="http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/">DAN</a> (Divers Alert Network) etc. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Aren't I lucky that Marc is now a qualified rescue diver!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWNwKnZaWoJLJWRbiUc-KhgX-qjtxp-qNt6M-YN0SLl_ZlHmlxlyoe-tVJLQ0gufp9QeFDLPgqYghtWEO3_Ilbt0qZaH7lraxlKSx7qXzttHusnfH_Gd1hkCTfigYBL5O8YJm/s1600-h/DSC03440-792409.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhnE_IkI7AGGaFdtJTZlmzEHialyGV9T0IFea58pV1VUfEph3zI42_Gfem6iOU-Aya9wkWe3f0r5QMbjbGPrn8x8wzvWaAUBbn9eXqz0DKGrCEZ3X_9G5sxEeuX-2TwDGgA6z/s1600-h/DSC03441-794114.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357759866694770" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1LDiXGLAf3FywroWOBbwIW_tzO66QIfJYPrITTa3grGKWmKy7w3zS8_jMpeL8C_X67cLpLjT2J2Y49xKWXSx7WnK9N4WN7tU5C_mNzryVtNHCTBpszFSGuASkEt2NxHxeDrO/s400/DSC03453-795305.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342357756863874738" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJS1QA6mVsDI7QJQnFFy5fxm0dVIcY_HBKuhyphenhyphendBZ7KQ0wkVmU4klvWScM7g7OHySJiaLiUAN9slXfjZVwuq7cIE__ee5WEiermh6ZHSjWzf_minEgEGUWXXCiFMJ2F3bQe7xG/s400/DSC03454-795883.JPG" border="0" /><br />With the 1000 Islands practically on our door stop, it is the perfect get away when we feel the urge to blow some bubbles.</p>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-15871909902548057482009-05-19T18:29:00.009+05:302009-05-20T18:43:49.890+05:30Saying goodbye to the "Armid's"As we entered our 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> year in Jakarta we are reminded again of how expat life though very exciting, it sometimes is a little nonconforming. After 3 years of living overseas; learning about new cultures, trying new cuisines, setting up a new home twice (in India and Indonesia) and all the other aspects that go hand in hand with living in a foreign country. There is one thing that has always seemed to make life easier… FRIENDS!<br /><br />But even that, sadly comes with conditions. I suppose it is the “expat” circle of life. I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ve</span> realised that it is easier being the one leaving than being the one being left behind. In the past 3 years we’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ve</span> been lucky. We’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ve</span> made and sadly had to say goodbye to a lot of great friends, now scattered all over the world.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jav</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Armid</span> are another couple that we were very sad to see leave recently. Without them the past year in Jakarta <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wouldn</span>’t have been the same.<br /><br />There is so much we will miss about these guys, especially the fun <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Wii</span> evenings at their house and of course <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Jav</span>’s famous chocolate eclairs and brownies.<br /><br />We’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ve</span> tried to squeeze in as many “nights with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Armid</span>’s" (as we call them).<br /><br />On Friday, 1 May we had a lovely dinner with a couple of Marc and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Armid's</span> colleagues at <a href="http://www.bugilsnews.com/ep/index3.htm">Eastern Promise</a>, followed by a very entertaining evening at <a href="http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/jakarta/shangrila/dining/restaurant/bats">B.A.T.S.</a> at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Shangri</span>-La Hotel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLhn2RVcQERQrfRsQGxyc-GpMDLYBi1ibuLKDgUpfC0XZjBesPp9CXIHbyk5lEnd4npqiMwQXLKS10SxaXpIIolasCLcMEX-fPeA7znjaR8ILwfqvWofdPAeU8p18dSkFYdFI/s1600-h/DSC02915.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337873713293347058" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLhn2RVcQERQrfRsQGxyc-GpMDLYBi1ibuLKDgUpfC0XZjBesPp9CXIHbyk5lEnd4npqiMwQXLKS10SxaXpIIolasCLcMEX-fPeA7znjaR8ILwfqvWofdPAeU8p18dSkFYdFI/s400/DSC02915.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jav</span>...how I will miss our Blue Steel poses.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpwffmU60HGnhfoQ1CjFr3ak6kCZGGZznTBDApQGResO1V8qZN_D55_gqHWkTEPch5q1kLfMbLtefJCyjIZqutX5vKbB2h5GDH4LPQhweBeyJctH6y7e65TVwOrTjWiltkRg3/s1600-h/DSC02937.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337873709194712578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpwffmU60HGnhfoQ1CjFr3ak6kCZGGZznTBDApQGResO1V8qZN_D55_gqHWkTEPch5q1kLfMbLtefJCyjIZqutX5vKbB2h5GDH4LPQhweBeyJctH6y7e65TVwOrTjWiltkRg3/s400/DSC02937.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The very crowded infamous <a href="http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/jakarta/shangrila/dining/restaurant/bats">B.A.T.S.</a> night club.<br /><br />On Saturday, 2 May I arranged a surprise farewell for Jav and Armid. We enjoed a great dinner with close friends at <a href="http://www.loewyjakarta.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Louwy</span></a> followed by Karaoke at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">FX</span> Mall.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvFVEUl_rtrt6100QkK3Xgmpf9vxWN6iywm0iRMTPchuoPx1T0fyaongYET3LlSj5vsCRjlGU9YgJ1nS6k7zOZ2XaC85lw0ulfLIwaaPbxLuCzncRIOl9MPXhcz5vRe-GfI89/s1600-h/DSC02948.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337873704196644946" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvFVEUl_rtrt6100QkK3Xgmpf9vxWN6iywm0iRMTPchuoPx1T0fyaongYET3LlSj5vsCRjlGU9YgJ1nS6k7zOZ2XaC85lw0ulfLIwaaPbxLuCzncRIOl9MPXhcz5vRe-GfI89/s400/DSC02948.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Jo, me and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jav.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA80dCivqQl3l4km2Be3ihX5OJ6VkYo9kkeDzdjuACJ_oXUe8w_bdZfSQmUfOmSqkdMohM3pqX5rdzDNUX0mEHitEfuO9vo0M0dU9eBRLz3zUoFay8OEDoQ0AnfuIlttJdS9M/s1600-h/DSC02953.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337873707073519538" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA80dCivqQl3l4km2Be3ihX5OJ6VkYo9kkeDzdjuACJ_oXUe8w_bdZfSQmUfOmSqkdMohM3pqX5rdzDNUX0mEHitEfuO9vo0M0dU9eBRLz3zUoFay8OEDoQ0AnfuIlttJdS9M/s400/DSC02953.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Jakarta Expat Boys.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Q6RpolA6_5bnCSedPMXOM0tYiFrMtbnYyegXp65zDzU4CADwad7Md4BPz4NL5_oMOCGz2hmUsQT1g0OSg2nhug2PXsyC13hdybfiBRSNL75efJAApLtTiHg1sReP2K5i4Dl/s1600-h/DSC02957.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337872293468170226" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Q6RpolA6_5bnCSedPMXOM0tYiFrMtbnYyegXp65zDzU4CADwad7Md4BPz4NL5_oMOCGz2hmUsQT1g0OSg2nhug2PXsyC13hdybfiBRSNL75efJAApLtTiHg1sReP2K5i4Dl/s400/DSC02957.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Jakarta Expat Boys, getting better at it ;-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA14zbz8tCOsSYY99j6k5nd157KbJE-RPezDJVOFiEk-UDxziwIZfEJSWqvnBomj0dB1FLmkj0Z-rCjXF1HKZkomjKNI4QWBlCX-7wOXzf0dwKrA2JDii3nsM9Rzn9z7Y3yWI/s1600-h/DSC02955.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337872293368484578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA14zbz8tCOsSYY99j6k5nd157KbJE-RPezDJVOFiEk-UDxziwIZfEJSWqvnBomj0dB1FLmkj0Z-rCjXF1HKZkomjKNI4QWBlCX-7wOXzf0dwKrA2JDii3nsM9Rzn9z7Y3yWI/s400/DSC02955.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Myself, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Jav</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Armid</span> doing our rendition of "Push the Button". Not an easy song choice I should add...<br /><br />On <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Wednedsay</span>, 13 May we attended <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Armid's</span> wok farewell at <a href="http://www.jakartaexpat.com/entertainment/bar.html">Le Brasserie</a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB8pzWuwoXAwjoFCB3kJucVM6ZkodLbqsv3ceceVTpo8ZPAxJpLF74GsAQ-otQxbcgt0bBu6wnjkgg0fGZ6K975GYoXwI8iuFYpOXIJYSTEmfdGGE9j3cxjOouHPk0BraNh0D/s1600-h/DSC03118.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337872291033439058" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB8pzWuwoXAwjoFCB3kJucVM6ZkodLbqsv3ceceVTpo8ZPAxJpLF74GsAQ-otQxbcgt0bBu6wnjkgg0fGZ6K975GYoXwI8iuFYpOXIJYSTEmfdGGE9j3cxjOouHPk0BraNh0D/s400/DSC03118.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Armid</span> was presented with a farewell cake, compliments of <a href="http://www.jakartaexpat.com/entertainment/bar.html">La Brasserie</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIXEU8SDRYVvxcYseeKqG7hsbx5xAP5MVFUuzAdhT7V3trF_Yfce_BTPz-6uOvVEW2tXJTPDO2PfMEcVByXUAcEDO_ehtLsx6pHQpY0fBK4lfDNtm1YrfhknIxjU1KeAGI6bL/s1600-h/DSC03119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337885403950235762" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIXEU8SDRYVvxcYseeKqG7hsbx5xAP5MVFUuzAdhT7V3trF_Yfce_BTPz-6uOvVEW2tXJTPDO2PfMEcVByXUAcEDO_ehtLsx6pHQpY0fBK4lfDNtm1YrfhknIxjU1KeAGI6bL/s400/DSC03119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Armid</span> (the pandemic specialist) will be missed by all his colleagues. Especially now with the "imminent" Swine Flu pandemic.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn7Xw_EbofxO0AG0trbQBmjVJSzXRpSBlPIjpbqv-nbHuJnDURQ4Rt4SjHdtyCNC8C8mQEEaAWT2Q5VznEtM6ChIUmPyX2bUgHZ2SBbAMYuvwyMzniPDjjzH8SZqWhnXG1t5n/s1600-h/DSC03126.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337872289171648034" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn7Xw_EbofxO0AG0trbQBmjVJSzXRpSBlPIjpbqv-nbHuJnDURQ4Rt4SjHdtyCNC8C8mQEEaAWT2Q5VznEtM6ChIUmPyX2bUgHZ2SBbAMYuvwyMzniPDjjzH8SZqWhnXG1t5n/s400/DSC03126.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Jav</span> and I were the only two roses between all the thorns.<br /><br />On Thursday, 14 May <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Jav</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Armid</span> stayed with us and we enjoyed our “last supper” together.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHpk-U_tyCL_rppQnqq1bA3oJf_6IIpzvLqnzXpeyjPxn2lF0k5CB-BDMQfSCbIbWCKlQCTzhqgMhC_69GFgSnoBZVA5JkDxO3hwGQNtALMhsHskNPC4lTF1YRTnvt17IVXAw/s1600-h/DSC03182.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337872285286911218" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHpk-U_tyCL_rppQnqq1bA3oJf_6IIpzvLqnzXpeyjPxn2lF0k5CB-BDMQfSCbIbWCKlQCTzhqgMhC_69GFgSnoBZVA5JkDxO3hwGQNtALMhsHskNPC4lTF1YRTnvt17IVXAw/s400/DSC03182.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Keon</span>, saying his goodbyes to his nanny, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Santi</span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSqoQ-6HX9PQXJPw6vACiAGRXzcP2uJKezCsyTsbqdDuI1ywNEu0qnEPxzSrgAp0WDEkSbO6eHQLRHKTDOfrysKnuxg1EoW173j_Oa9DuKRW4_Axl7hrqmpt99QUZ10YgmjUD/s1600-h/DSC03188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337876006644306386" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSqoQ-6HX9PQXJPw6vACiAGRXzcP2uJKezCsyTsbqdDuI1ywNEu0qnEPxzSrgAp0WDEkSbO6eHQLRHKTDOfrysKnuxg1EoW173j_Oa9DuKRW4_Axl7hrqmpt99QUZ10YgmjUD/s400/DSC03188.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Em in front of the PC and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Jav</span> trying to squeeze one last item of clothing into the already full suitcase.<br /><br />On Friday morning, 15 May we said our last sad goodbye to our dear friends.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Jav</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Armid</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Keon</span> (our little man) “You guys will be missed. A sincere thanks to you both for your friendship and we wish you the best of luck with your new exciting venture in Baltimore. We look forward to hearing all about this new chapter in your lives”.Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28870520.post-14980806101562228652009-05-19T18:20:00.025+05:302009-05-20T16:49:33.888+05:30Wedding in Balikpapan, Kalimantan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPrRf5PN94ajSUfn11POtOwsfbMIAmEa4Mq3VregMOmucf_E9Bspb1IJKI_mEIRgPSmGdOebRpNgnocmbVu_LnjFCUQpQcraZAxZY49tfwnGSZqL_-N34VTVyUyWg3njbYqg3/s1600-h/DSC02990.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337840712799258498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPrRf5PN94ajSUfn11POtOwsfbMIAmEa4Mq3VregMOmucf_E9Bspb1IJKI_mEIRgPSmGdOebRpNgnocmbVu_LnjFCUQpQcraZAxZY49tfwnGSZqL_-N34VTVyUyWg3njbYqg3/s400/DSC02990.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We flew <a href="http://www.airasia.com/">Air Asia </a>to Balikpapan in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kalimantan">East Kalimantan </a>(The Indonesian side of Borneo) on Saturday, 9 May to attend Harry and Lita’s wedding celebration on the Sunday, 10 May. We were excited to attend our first Indonesian, Muslim wedding.<br /><br />There is not much to see or do in this industrial mining and oil town, so definitely not a place I would recommend for a weekend getaway. Unless of course you are planning on visiting the Orangutans. It seems there are two places where you could go see the Orangutans:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sambojalodge.com/"><em>Samboja Lodge</em></a><em> approx. an hours drive from Balikpapan or the </em><a href="http://savetheorangutan.org/"><em>Orangutan Survival Centre </em></a><em>which is actually closer and this can be arranged through the hotel. The Hotel quoted us USD50 per person for trip incl. lunch, which I'm sure one can arrange for less if you contact the centre directly.</em><br /><br /><em>Our plan was to try and visit the Orangutans while we were in Balikpapan but unfortunately the lodge was full and they didn't have any guides available for a day trip. And to visit the other survival centre you have to book a day in advance which meant we missed that boat too; damn. Seeing the Orangutans is still very much on our to do list, so who knows...maybe we'll be back in this one horse town sometime soon.</em><br /><br />After checking into the <a href="http://www.legrandeurhotels.com/bpp/home.php">Le Grandeur Hotel</a>, we went for lunch at Jack's Place (also called Jack's or Lyla's), which is apparently popular with expatriates. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWgDEMa25Oqnahi01y-MXYiYga8wZWTqd2rPckLQL-LRvWO03bCQfSIk8Iyrx-tbs1NkH2MkT1m08gulRWqr4sJjqVJttTKq_3RY74GaPwbEE-gkSzb4mSz5l11YKvm3OpnZa/s1600-h/DSC02992.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337853871481618082" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWgDEMa25Oqnahi01y-MXYiYga8wZWTqd2rPckLQL-LRvWO03bCQfSIk8Iyrx-tbs1NkH2MkT1m08gulRWqr4sJjqVJttTKq_3RY74GaPwbEE-gkSzb4mSz5l11YKvm3OpnZa/s400/DSC02992.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The view from our table at Jack's Place. Which I can imagine will be perched on the ocean at high tide.<br /><br />Saturday night we decided to have a seafood dinner at The Beach Restaurant at the <a href="http://www.legrandeurhotels.com/bpp/home.php">Le Grandeur </a>is a semi-outdoor restaurant in a lovely setting overlooking the ocean. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBBD1VE1g-_GGONB0Zyb1gT2TniR4uzrEj0gcInQh2G941sxaTasqSaYBzvo6uTYxeJoU4pd4DzwpXA-ejScBvV-6EjIrDQ4sqFOlYjowMtQHpa8JsGOh7I66GCvRY3AYPLrH/s1600-h/DSC02999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337840701590566914" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBBD1VE1g-_GGONB0Zyb1gT2TniR4uzrEj0gcInQh2G941sxaTasqSaYBzvo6uTYxeJoU4pd4DzwpXA-ejScBvV-6EjIrDQ4sqFOlYjowMtQHpa8JsGOh7I66GCvRY3AYPLrH/s400/DSC02999.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36na1cAkfYl7CW-2UoDoZ6-9MjjpCeNQ52TPAX3wg0FU2zHaqDvp-P-s2muXo2qQP4hThrPtiXeSLDtCMkYySkzI-V5Tg7xtI8CtUo9dxzSsg0cbmNsuVXMRGN5r390Juq7s6/s1600-h/DSC02997.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337840704747804210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36na1cAkfYl7CW-2UoDoZ6-9MjjpCeNQ52TPAX3wg0FU2zHaqDvp-P-s2muXo2qQP4hThrPtiXeSLDtCMkYySkzI-V5Tg7xtI8CtUo9dxzSsg0cbmNsuVXMRGN5r390Juq7s6/s400/DSC02997.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The view from The Beach Restaurant at the <a href="http://www.legrandeurhotels.com/bpp/home.php">Le Grandeur Hotel</a>.<br /><br />Since Marc is able to eat crab after many years of a selfish allergy, we wanted to try the pepper crab and I was looking forward to eating yummy Kalimantan prawns (which Marc hasn't been brave enough to try just yet).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVKxaPDmb_-bKYOj1GkXl3P_NXs_TCdOGVisefOqYC7MXEVR30d8R8OpSgTvA0bSMLHbIAq_k9vmMApA06_HSBRWt1RwKhTZvh8zWjs6uspnSOnu1dFtsn_sGHfBCS-8KCBgS/s1600-h/DSC03004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337841514738281906" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVKxaPDmb_-bKYOj1GkXl3P_NXs_TCdOGVisefOqYC7MXEVR30d8R8OpSgTvA0bSMLHbIAq_k9vmMApA06_HSBRWt1RwKhTZvh8zWjs6uspnSOnu1dFtsn_sGHfBCS-8KCBgS/s400/DSC03004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Marc enjoying the taste of grab.<br /><br />It turns out that the view and the music is what one pays for at this restaurant though. We found that the food is heavily overpriced. Even though it is a four star hotel, I'm not sure how they could justify charging such absorbent prices. Especially when we compared it with the seafood we ate on Gili Island, that was half the price and a lot nicer.<br /><br />On Sunday morning, 10 May I went for a cream bath and a blow dry at the salon, <strong>Magnolia Spa</strong> across the road from the hotel.<br /><br />Address:Jl Jend Sudirman Ruko Dusit Arcade Bl L/4<br />Phone : 0542-744938<br /><br />I was done just in time for the wedding reception that started at 11am, in the Ballroom at the Le Grandeur Hotel. There were approx. 150+ guests (Family and friends) and it was a happy and very colorful affair.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337842516125660562" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO13Sx2aVdH-EJqz9CNoqP29t08obgL7V9DbqTycjso7LdSdcQojYKmu88-U1tMYb9IV3-xKLHrmu2UHglSJM48LSV-SfS0fPxss8U2d5rOQZb7ULp0l_DzD4PMWqLuewmne2/s400/DSC03080.JPG" border="0" /><br />I got information on Muslim wedding traditions off the internet. And having spoken to people that have attended weddings in Indonesia there are many different accounts of what actually happens at a Muslim wedding. It seems that there are a lot of various wedding traditions that reflect the diversity of the Muslim world.<br /><br />The happy couple actually had their legal service on the 5th of April. On Saturday, 9 May there was a public wedding party (Walima), held at Lita's family home for approx. 700 guests, which we unfortunately didn't make.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHgoJScJwOpmI8DPpzA28iZ6Hitc7-8vPimX9EJOM72U5PBwEJlG9W15TZZDgSNW5gOERGGdNPIOeVAtRSEFX44P3Ar-TZdDGjNEgsCV3t319VGfsCsl96p-4PR0Ui56NP2Pu/s1600-h/DSC03009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337840700283723010" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHgoJScJwOpmI8DPpzA28iZ6Hitc7-8vPimX9EJOM72U5PBwEJlG9W15TZZDgSNW5gOERGGdNPIOeVAtRSEFX44P3Ar-TZdDGjNEgsCV3t319VGfsCsl96p-4PR0Ui56NP2Pu/s400/DSC03009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lita and Harry entering the hall with Lita's mom on her side.<br /><br />The bride and groom made their entrance, dressed in beautiful gold clothing, decorated with flowers around their necks and on their heads. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuULqQz66b8frL8mKhtqAx46cUi3Y0PkjQBPb3_gcMeZyAlYzpWQNBokt5MCQAdUzHIi6kXUuB7OF1wWbbpOXhGzITbEb1LzEIQszEnYZfSLvDVS9hjuU23Fir71FEax6MPe4Y/s1600-h/DSC03013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337838605299670082" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuULqQz66b8frL8mKhtqAx46cUi3Y0PkjQBPb3_gcMeZyAlYzpWQNBokt5MCQAdUzHIi6kXUuB7OF1wWbbpOXhGzITbEb1LzEIQszEnYZfSLvDVS9hjuU23Fir71FEax6MPe4Y/s400/DSC03013.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzScJeeWyk3MITJsSZdLnC7CTIwGy3jJDgArV2PUACKVtJVShU7ngJ-FNCFP3lkrG7iLezrAs1eutueJ3KHWeaw48o1nh8oDn6Tok3Xz2kfC8TuG2Olzo1oQI1L17V4z-XNUwx/s1600-h/DSC03029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337838611898337874" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzScJeeWyk3MITJsSZdLnC7CTIwGy3jJDgArV2PUACKVtJVShU7ngJ-FNCFP3lkrG7iLezrAs1eutueJ3KHWeaw48o1nh8oDn6Tok3Xz2kfC8TuG2Olzo1oQI1L17V4z-XNUwx/s400/DSC03029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They were up on the stage for the duration of the reception (not a drink or a bite to eat). The wedding guests on the other hand had a selection of Indonesian dishes to choose from while listening to an excellent local band performing international covers. In between dishes the guests walked onto the stage to congratulate and to have their pictures taken with the newly weds.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQny9w7Ojxw8DQ0AfT8v2PL48ujg8QvnaZ7fZlNTZLM_jcd7U1QeDfF1SW66jsyMmlK0yFlGQZ0RE_8Pmh-zOeL0lr1AiGqRwUM_TmsxJyBmxe3kYKpTUoae6YQ3bAwki1mQE/s1600-h/DSC03042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337838603357817586" style="WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQny9w7Ojxw8DQ0AfT8v2PL48ujg8QvnaZ7fZlNTZLM_jcd7U1QeDfF1SW66jsyMmlK0yFlGQZ0RE_8Pmh-zOeL0lr1AiGqRwUM_TmsxJyBmxe3kYKpTUoae6YQ3bAwki1mQE/s400/DSC03042.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42CxqeUbV3konR69nR5DaTo10OH3tHjoh10oc8Sm1v_gPW4seM_GCTs1ehjAfXElzU2_pSSi7uh4pb5G6V4W-OtGj7KcvwOCvVQzvhtm2GJ5cv9wdqoOoTCxbhIHjjEn-7DrY/s1600-h/DSC03021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337838608156759506" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42CxqeUbV3konR69nR5DaTo10OH3tHjoh10oc8Sm1v_gPW4seM_GCTs1ehjAfXElzU2_pSSi7uh4pb5G6V4W-OtGj7KcvwOCvVQzvhtm2GJ5cv9wdqoOoTCxbhIHjjEn-7DrY/s400/DSC03021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />"Congratulations, Lita and harry. We wish you all the love an happiness in the world".<br /></div><div>At around 2:30pm we left the wedding reception and decided to check out the market at Kebun Sayur (Pasar impres) where we wondered through the market admiring the beautiful gems, jewellery and other Kalimantan handicraft incl. bead work items, wall hangings, rugs etc.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ2BBWuCztwnvF4mk3OS2_fRV2SUNuVOPV-ea7UIw-_E3-1p2BA0VYGGU9kRYYWiEy4AwTUvNI2TJ61KanQZjjjV3n0ljTMRf0h-5QRKdQa1Ajoxouhczyp0ISe46ik2HvZii/s1600-h/DSC03066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337836745223222674" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ2BBWuCztwnvF4mk3OS2_fRV2SUNuVOPV-ea7UIw-_E3-1p2BA0VYGGU9kRYYWiEy4AwTUvNI2TJ61KanQZjjjV3n0ljTMRf0h-5QRKdQa1Ajoxouhczyp0ISe46ik2HvZii/s400/DSC03066.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Pasar Impres (Kebun Sayur) market.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE8MYvI0nsQD9ETOz4mRVv75ATwwAWrKTt5Q0pOz_0owftfM3-8LADg7Z3BFC0yLrOIi3UWB4Z5IWnK7QSAZaDjnTrYGRurQZo6RiBgTTii6rPUdiE7s9zrweI2A241qbADnf/s1600-h/DSC03071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337836751908768802" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE8MYvI0nsQD9ETOz4mRVv75ATwwAWrKTt5Q0pOz_0owftfM3-8LADg7Z3BFC0yLrOIi3UWB4Z5IWnK7QSAZaDjnTrYGRurQZo6RiBgTTii6rPUdiE7s9zrweI2A241qbADnf/s400/DSC03071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Colourful beaded Kaltim purses that came in so many different shapes and sizes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCdCZb3R0ypDHobwY8bjFXLc9BHw0XislTzmOUfmPe6A0WhMjxyNKk3ogESb2bEwa-0ZEfyW7FzucuiIww5OXGeC9fPp3YrfD5F7a9TZfNUldh-GNU8aiZ4ju_PaEOaRzvtex/s1600-h/DSC03075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337836755680454754" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCdCZb3R0ypDHobwY8bjFXLc9BHw0XislTzmOUfmPe6A0WhMjxyNKk3ogESb2bEwa-0ZEfyW7FzucuiIww5OXGeC9fPp3YrfD5F7a9TZfNUldh-GNU8aiZ4ju_PaEOaRzvtex/s400/DSC03075.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A mobile pet shop.<br /></div><div>On our way back to the hotel we went past Magnolia Spa for a 1 hour foot massage. Later, we enjoyed drinks and dinner with Harry and Lita, hearing first hand about all the wedding preparations, and learning more about the Muslim Wedding traditions.</div><br /><div></div><div>Early Monday morning, 11 May we returned to a very wet Jakarta.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx0XqxddrP-dZdOpUL2iNak5CnbMHBYSfY9ISV1ZvzhV5_3WGQlrRAGMxUiBgY4uPcbbGnelF2iYUR8Eydq2uDUGeSEjuRDD9S0_XuKR8T4ZWE4R8AMUomV3nLm96wDuoc3YN/s1600-h/DSC03085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337836758576599330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx0XqxddrP-dZdOpUL2iNak5CnbMHBYSfY9ISV1ZvzhV5_3WGQlrRAGMxUiBgY4uPcbbGnelF2iYUR8Eydq2uDUGeSEjuRDD9S0_XuKR8T4ZWE4R8AMUomV3nLm96wDuoc3YN/s400/DSC03085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They say when it rains it pours…well, in Jakarta when it rains it more often than not, floods. The streets turn into streams.<br /></div><div>Driving home from the airport, Kemang Raya was so badly flooded that our taxi driver kept going "Oh, Oh-Oh-Oh" He kept looking around to see where he could turn as he was clearly not sure if he was going to get through the deep water.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5I4TrHAIBkR3NpreybKDx-EDbDihl_y2KkSgLD9BIT2wy0mVfQ0Aomu2-rReVTq6LvXA1UrKmkjIOR3HtC4GabxrjpmPXmU38cAjMDzcdZD5XwVhbd6CTjcW7b7soCwQAFQ-/s1600-h/DSC03105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337836758487763362" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5I4TrHAIBkR3NpreybKDx-EDbDihl_y2KkSgLD9BIT2wy0mVfQ0Aomu2-rReVTq6LvXA1UrKmkjIOR3HtC4GabxrjpmPXmU38cAjMDzcdZD5XwVhbd6CTjcW7b7soCwQAFQ-/s400/DSC03105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I had visions of us having to get out and swim but luckily we made it home, dry. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Marc and Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04017732820792168000noreply@blogger.com0