A clear day in Bandung

 

We had an over night visit to Bandung a few weeks ago and were very pleased to wake up to this great view. It is not often that you get to see the surrounding mountains, usually the pollution and tropical haze obscures them.

The kids were excited when a helicopter flew right towards our room windows before landing on on the helipad next to the pool. After seeing more than ten trucks rolled over, smashed and in the ditches on the way there and back, as well as getting stuck in horrific traffic, I would think it would be a great way to travel to Bandung in the future.

Traditional Indonesian street markets

Ciawi markets. 

Ciawa is south of Jakarta.

Underwater at Pulau Petondan

Chelsea celebrated her 9th Birthday in grand style...on a private island in the Thousand Islands.
I am in the final weeks of a uni semester...assignments are due and exams are imminent.

Hopefully I can get back to some blogging soon!

Sunrise at Pelabuhan Ratu

Why I'm too busy to blog

Indonesian Independence day 2009

The street parade between Carita and Anyer, west coast of Java.

The beach was wonderful!

We had a glorious week in Pelabuhan Ratu on the South coast of Java. Lots of images to follow......

Holidays!

On Holidays, by the beach.......back soon!








with lots of photos!

My Birthday at Sambolo 2009

Why it takes over four hours to drive 150Km (93miles)

The interesting things you see on the looooong drive.

Locals you meet at the destination.


Activities at Sambolo: combined birthday parties!

Friends!

Sambolo Sanitarium

We just got back from a wonderful 4 day weekend at Sambolo.
We had Christmas carols, decorations, crackers and dvds!

I really needed a chill out!

Jakarta has been driving me crazy the last few weeks, probably why I haven't written too much on the blog lately......

• The lack of any wine under $50 a bottle,

• alot of imported foods gone,

• Exponential price rises across the board,

• The blonde tax.........times the price by 1000 for the 'bule' (westener) mentality,
  

• Trades people who fix a leaky toilet by painting the ceiling.

• Doing all the washing, cleaning, ironing, cooking etc in a 3rd world country while working part time and studying full time----very different to doing it in Australia.
  

(yes, I have no staff........January I will be looking for some help)

I do not like to feel so negative!

I need a break so I can come back and rediscover all the joys of Indonesia!

The kids and I will be spending a few weeks in Sydney over Christmas, we all can not wait to go to a supermarket and gaze at all the available foods (we will feel at home as the local fruit shop sells imported tropical fruit including durian!)

Wordless Wednesday- Sambolo

More of the wonderful Sambolo beach

We have had another wonderful few days on the west coast of Java at Sambolo beach resort. Sambolo is about 11km north of Carita beach.

This is the kids swimming around the corals and rocks at the beach. The water was lovely and clear, unfortunately with all the fires burning in Asia at the moment you could not see the horizon let alone the magnificent Anak Krakatoa volcano.
This rock formation was exposed at low tide and GJ found a little hole that formed a blow hole. The kids thought that it was AMAZING!!!!!
When the wave went out it was about knee deep down to the sandy sea bed.
When the wave came in, WHOOSKA!

I have mentioned that we have a strong family sun protection policy ( remember the stupid man and his rickets comment LOL) and everybody has to be out of the sun between 11am and 2.30pm. We keep thinking up new craft activities to keep 6 kids amused. This time we added play dough and jelly making to our usual painting, drawing, clay and dvd's. It was a big success and was devoured in 90 seconds flat.

We did our usual trip to the local fish market and this time took the all kids. All were entertained except poor Georgia who was very underwhelmed by the sights and smells.
Once everyone got over the shock of a car driven by two blondes with 6 blonde kids in the back they were all keen to advise us on the best fish and seafood for our BBQ. It was all divine......Red snapper, prawns, octopus, baby lobsters.
The only downside was I was unable to wind down the window to tip the road boy, while changing gears and listening to dancing frog at a million decibels (not by choice, mind you!) and glide out smoothly before being hit by a speeding truck....yes I did car bunny hops to dancing frogs in a black kijang...and missed all trucks and pedestrians.

I love these shots...as it is summer holidays (local schools as well as expats) the beach was deserted. We had our usual bungalow and were gob smacked when a bus arrived and set up outside the only inhabited section of the bay...right outside our bungalow. All was fine until until the motor boat arrived to cash in on all the new potential clients. This is a motor-sports free beach and my feisty friend was quick to remind them of this. Once the boat was gone the kids were able to safely get back into the water and make new friends.

More stories to follow....if I get the internet back on......

It's a hard life.........

The kids spent days working on their mermaid princess castle.......
While we lazed away the days.

Taman Wisata Alam, Carita

We did another great hike in the national forest at Carita (west coast of Java). As the conditions were dry we were able to hike down to the water hole.
Now I say hike but what I mean is scramble down a sheer cliff with back pack and kids displaying mountain goat ancestry......I don't think I have ever sweated so much. I did turn the camera around and take a shot of my face...but the dripping white orb is so not going on this blog!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though we were up a mountain, it is still the tropics and is boiling hot and humid at all times.
Once we climbed the mountain and then clambered down the cliff there was a wonderful rock pool for swimming in. The water was refreshingly cool and clear. I tried to get up the back where the kids were but my dickie ankle couldn't get there......I was content to sit and wallow and cool down and mentally prepare myself for getting back LOL. Actually climbing up was much easier! Even now, four days later my thighs are still stiff and sore.......Ben was the youngest and managed the walk ok, he just need help climbing the steep parts. The walk to the top of the water fall is much easier.
This National park is about a 15 minute drive south of Sambolo beach with no clear signs....There are monkeys through the forest, but we didn't see any on this visit.
In the photos of the kids that I sent to family some one noticed that the kids were eating Arnotts shapes biscuits! They also had some Natural Confectionery Company lollies. Gourmet garage has stocks of Australian snacks and have just got in......Violet Crumbles. Well they did but I just bought the last 3 bags........as well as some Pascall marshmallows. Japanese marshmallows from Hero just don't melt/toast on the fire

How is this for the perfect spot for a family portrait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have blurred out the bodies, but trust me, this is a BEAUTIFUL family portrait, taken by yours truly.