Home of close to 18,000 islands.
I made it here to Seraya Island. My French friends I met early in my trip, when I landed in Penang, were so enthusiastic about it and wrote down all the instructions for how to get here. I put those instructions in my computer case so they would remain handy for the duration of my […]
Our boat cruised noisily through the islands, no muffler on one of the engines only added to the uniqueness of the experience. The green hills were unlike anything I’d seen on my trip and reminded me a little of photo’s of Ireland. After a long haul, sitting on top in the sun, and watching several
Komodo and Rinca Island Read More »
Dragons and more…. I’m coming out of a time warp experience at the moment. I did indeed get to see the Komodo Dragon’s however, everything happened so quickly and perfectly the past couple days, I don’t really have any sense of time now. So, I’ll reconstruct a bit of what happened and see if I
Preparing for Komodo Read More »
I went to Kuta Beach yesterday from Ubud to be closer to my flight this morning. I ran into “Yoda” again and he remembered me! I guess I’m really a Jedi Knight now!!! Kuta is still busy and a bit crazy. I love the people watching and forgot how much walking was involved in getting
Komodo: it’s happening! Read More »
My first day here, I hired a guide, a man named Newman, to give me a tour of the Southern part of this country. I hadn’t intended to go with a guide. When I stumbled upon his “tourist information” place on a side street and asked him a couple questions, he got out a map
Touring Toraja with Newman Read More »
A cloudy Saturday here and rain is threatening. I’ve been very fortunate with the weather! Many travelers I meet are planning their trip by looking up weather forecast on the web. It’s driving them crazy!!! They ask me what I think about going to the Togian Islands because they heard….blah, blah, blah, rain every day
Rantepao reflections, leaving on the overnight bus tonight Read More »
Today, I’m NOT traveling. One long day to Tentena, one day in Tentena on motor bike exploring, one long day yesterday on bus to get here and now, walking and relaxing. It’s strange being around a city again after being on the islands for so long. I’m carrying wallet and watch, found ice cream, am
Travel pause in Rantepao and Tana Toraja Read More »
I’ve arrived! It was quite an interesting trip. Last night, I wasn’t sure if Mr. Rudi was going to bring me all the way or not. I thought so then he mentioned there are three boats. He also told me there was no reason to call Fadhila’s as they would probably be at the dock.
Fadhila’s Cottages near Katupat Read More »
I’ve been here for three days but it feels like I’ve been here for a week or more. Slow pace, deep quiet, silence at night so penetrating it wakes me up. No dogs barking, no honking horns, no traffic, just the slight sound of the generator on the other side of the island, muffled by
Last night in Lestari Melenge Read More »
I’m sitting at the East end of the Island of Melenge in Lestari Bungalows. There are two Lestari’s here. The one near the dock in Melenge is the Losmen. Take a boat from there to the bungalows about 20 minutes away. Lovely beach, very quiet, hammocks on the porch of bungalows. Newer bungalows with private
From Lestari Kadidiri to Lestari Melenge Read More »
While sitting in Melenge Lestari, I did some writing reflecting on my experiences so I’d have them ready when posting. This is one of those. The last day in Gorontalo was a lazy day of relaxing, eating, writing and waiting for the evening ferry. As the day passed, more people showed up who were going
Togian Islands, trip from Gorontalo Read More »
Yes, I’ve been relaxing on the islands for the past 10 days. No internet, no phone, generator for electricity a few hours every evening, quiet so stunning it woke me up at night and the softest white sand beach ever! One ferry broke, the other two were loaded to the gills, it was market day,
Today is…..well, today. I’d have to find my watch and look up the day to know any different. After three days of traveling, the last one being the longest, I landed in Manado. Manado is the largest city in Northern Sulawesi with a major airport and harbour. Before arriving, I had called a couple hotels
Manado arrival, it was “today” then…. Read More »
The reality of traveling the way I am is that it does take time. Two days ago, I left Semporna by minivan and headed to the harbour. Through the downtown area, stumbling along to find the harbour and immigration, I finally made it to my boat. It cost for travel so much more than days
Travel realities as I sit in Balikpapan waiting nearly 7 hours…. Read More »
OK, figured out why they call it “paradise”, no one knows what I’m talking about or where it might be? When I ask about an island close to here for snorkeling, they all refer to Derawan which is a long trip. So, I’m off looking for a new paradise which in many ways, I’ve found
Paradise is evasive in Manado, Sulawesi Read More »
I walked around town and found the one hotel that has WiFi and even though I am not staying here, they gave me the password to use their system. The internet cafe next door was completely full. Not a tourist in sight, only small children playing computer games. So, here’s the latest scoop. I’m sitting
I’m here, wherever that is…. Read More »
Today, I went snorkeling. It was lovely, lots of fish, many turtles, moray eels, colorful fish, unusual and weird fish, and a lot of dead coral. Whether from dynamic fishing of years past or heating of the ocean, a lot of the coral was dead. When I was near live coral, the fish population exploded.
Mystery tour beginning tomorrow Read More »
Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day here and I’m in the one internet place in all Bukit Lawang. Last night, I came to do some work and the power went out. This morning, I’m sitting here in this cool little spot with flat white river rocks for the floor waiting for the humongous tower above to
Christmas in Bukit Lawang Read More »