Evening - 13th & 14th November, 2011
Discovering the baby Green Sea Turtles...
Thursday 29 December 2011
Slow island life on Pulau Derawan
12th - 22nd November 2011
Slow island life on Pulau Derawan was exactly what I needed! And the days very quickly all rolled into one...
Tuesday 27 December 2011
Beautiful start to life on Pulau Derawan
12th November, 2011
I woke up early, before sunrise, and although I had only had a few hours sleep and I was still feeling exhausted, I got up as I wanted to see the sunrise...and it was so beautiful! It was a really pretty view from my balcony! My first sighting of Pulau Derawan was amazing! I loved it already! =)
I woke up early, before sunrise, and although I had only had a few hours sleep and I was still feeling exhausted, I got up as I wanted to see the sunrise...and it was so beautiful! It was a really pretty view from my balcony! My first sighting of Pulau Derawan was amazing! I loved it already! =)
Night trip to Pulau Derawan
Evening - 11th November, 2011
A crazy night trip to Pulau Derawan, a small, remote island in the Derawan Archipelago...
Floating Market - Banjarmasin
11th November, 2011
Take two - Breakfast at the 'Floating Market' in Banjarmasin
The alarm went off at 5am and although I felt shocking, I forced myself to get up. I headed out onto the street, in the dark, on a mission to find/get to the floating market!
Take two - Breakfast at the 'Floating Market' in Banjarmasin
The alarm went off at 5am and although I felt shocking, I forced myself to get up. I headed out onto the street, in the dark, on a mission to find/get to the floating market!
River canals of Banjarmasin
10th November, 2011
The alarm went off at 5am, although I had to press snooze a few times before I could actually surface! The plan was to go to the floating market, although I had no idea which one, as there are several! I also had no idea where to go or how to get there! This was going to be interesting! ;)
The alarm went off at 5am, although I had to press snooze a few times before I could actually surface! The plan was to go to the floating market, although I had no idea which one, as there are several! I also had no idea where to go or how to get there! This was going to be interesting! ;)
Heading to Banjarmasin
9th November, 2011
Woke up early again!!! Aduh...what is going on? Me...who loves to sleep-in, is now on holidays and in the habit of waking up at 5 - 5.30am!!! This is crazy!
But I enjoyed hanging out in my luxury hotel room and watching Indo TV! hehehee...
I checked out of my hotel at 12pm and headed to the airport for my Trigana Air flight at 1.40pm Pangkalan Bun to Banjarmasin. I was ready for the next leg of my adventure! I had no idea what to expect of Banjarmasin!
Woke up early again!!! Aduh...what is going on? Me...who loves to sleep-in, is now on holidays and in the habit of waking up at 5 - 5.30am!!! This is crazy!
But I enjoyed hanging out in my luxury hotel room and watching Indo TV! hehehee...
I checked out of my hotel at 12pm and headed to the airport for my Trigana Air flight at 1.40pm Pangkalan Bun to Banjarmasin. I was ready for the next leg of my adventure! I had no idea what to expect of Banjarmasin!
Tanjung Puting National Park - Day 5
8th November 2011
Woke early, as usual, and watched the hornbills flying around. They were too quick to get a photo of but it was amazing to just sit and watch them. And I continued to watch them as I had my breakfast of coffee and omelette, and daydreamed about what the day ahead may bring.
Woke early, as usual, and watched the hornbills flying around. They were too quick to get a photo of but it was amazing to just sit and watch them. And I continued to watch them as I had my breakfast of coffee and omelette, and daydreamed about what the day ahead may bring.
Monday 26 December 2011
Tanjung Puting National Park - Day 4
7th November 2011
Woke early as I have been every morning. Breakfast - coffee and pancakes with bananas...and after breakfast we headed back up the river to Camp Leakey.
Woke early as I have been every morning. Breakfast - coffee and pancakes with bananas...and after breakfast we headed back up the river to Camp Leakey.
Tanjung Puting National Park - Day 3
6th November, 2011
I woke early again, after a super good sleep. I woke to the sounds of the gibbons call and also the hornbills. The spot where we stopped for the night, just outside of Camp Leakey, was really beautiful! It was amazing to see the hornbills gliding through the air. So graceful and peaceful! The early mornings were trully stunning!
I woke early again, after a super good sleep. I woke to the sounds of the gibbons call and also the hornbills. The spot where we stopped for the night, just outside of Camp Leakey, was really beautiful! It was amazing to see the hornbills gliding through the air. So graceful and peaceful! The early mornings were trully stunning!
Tanjung Puting National Park - Day 2
5th November 2011
I woke really early in the morning, I'd had a restless sleep...heard strange noises in the night and imagined that there were Proboscis monkeys climbing onto the klotok! Do you think my imagination may have been working over time during my first night sleeping on an open deck of a boat in the middle of the jungle..??? Hmmm...
I woke really early in the morning, I'd had a restless sleep...heard strange noises in the night and imagined that there were Proboscis monkeys climbing onto the klotok! Do you think my imagination may have been working over time during my first night sleeping on an open deck of a boat in the middle of the jungle..??? Hmmm...
Tanjung Puting National Park - Day 1
4th November 2011
At 8am we headed off, from the harbour at Kumai towards the open river canal that lead into the Tanjung Puting National Park. And I was beaming with excitement...I could not wait to get to the jungle and see the orangutans! This is why I travelled all the way here.
At 8am we headed off, from the harbour at Kumai towards the open river canal that lead into the Tanjung Puting National Park. And I was beaming with excitement...I could not wait to get to the jungle and see the orangutans! This is why I travelled all the way here.
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Klotok - what's that?!
4th November 2011
Woke up at 5.30am and dragged myself out of bed at 6am (no...I was not braving the cold shower/mandi at that hour!), just packed up my stuff and I was picked up at 7am. Headed to Kumai, a small but busy harbour town about 20 minutes drive from Pangkalan Bun...once at the harbour I walked over a couple of other boats and then, I was on my "klotok" (my house-boat for the next five days!) and by 8am we were on our way, heading towards a large river canal into the jungle!
Woke up at 5.30am and dragged myself out of bed at 6am (no...I was not braving the cold shower/mandi at that hour!), just packed up my stuff and I was picked up at 7am. Headed to Kumai, a small but busy harbour town about 20 minutes drive from Pangkalan Bun...once at the harbour I walked over a couple of other boats and then, I was on my "klotok" (my house-boat for the next five days!) and by 8am we were on our way, heading towards a large river canal into the jungle!
Tuesday 13 December 2011
Long journey to Pangkalan Bun, Kalimantan
3rd November 2011
Wake up call rang at 4am...so I got up
and packed up the last few things. I checked out, which felt like in the middle
of the night as it was still dark! Called for a Blue Bird taxi (the ONLY
trustworthy taxi in Bali! :)) and headed to the airport.
Today was the day...I was finally
heading to Kalimantan, for the first time ever! :)
Saturday 10 December 2011
Melbourne Cup day 2011...a new adventure begins...
1 November 2011
Well today finally arrived...the day of departure...my ticket to freedom! I left home early and headed to the airport, checked in straight away and went through the doors, trying to escape the chaos that Qantas had caused with their strikes!
Thursday 14 April 2011
Wayang - Melbourne
Over the years throughout my travels to Indonesia, I have been drawn into the art form of 'wayang' many times.
Saturday 9 April 2011
To Thank or Not to Thank in Indonesian
I read an interesting article a while ago, which really made me start thinking...it was written by Dr. Timothy Hassell, a Lecturer in Indonesian at the Australian University in Canberra....it was about the use of 'thank you' or 'terima kasih' when in Indonesia.
Tuesday 22 February 2011
An Addiction to Blogging
Now that I have started this Blog...all with the aim of creating a visual diary of my travels packed with language and cultural experiences...I feel like I want to record more stories and more insights and findings about Indonesia. I think of more topics to blog about all the time. Is this an addiction to blogging?!
Monday 21 February 2011
Back to Bali again...and leaving Bali again...
15th December 2010
I left Labuan Bajo and headed back to Bali on a morning flight...felt a bit disappointed with the fleeting trip but time was running out...my holiday was coming to an end. I knew that I had not finished exploring Flores...I would be back again.
I left Labuan Bajo and headed back to Bali on a morning flight...felt a bit disappointed with the fleeting trip but time was running out...my holiday was coming to an end. I knew that I had not finished exploring Flores...I would be back again.
Goodbye Mano
14th December 2010
I awoke with mixed feelings about leaving the village...but it was time to head back to Labuan Bajo with a few stops along the way.
I awoke with mixed feelings about leaving the village...but it was time to head back to Labuan Bajo with a few stops along the way.
A new day in Kampung Mano
A new day in Kampung Mano...there's something really special about waking up to the sounds and smells of a village...I spent a long morning sitting around drinking coffee and talking more to the family...it was nice. A cute little house where family and friends dropped in and out and generally just hung around...this is life in the village!
East into Manggarai Land
12 December 2010
I woke early ready for another road trip...this one much shorter than the road trips in Sulawesi or my previous road trips in Flores! I had decided to go on a short trip with my very good friend to visit his family in the village - 'Kampung Mano' and to visit a few places around Ruteng that I didn't see on my last visit to Flores.
I woke early ready for another road trip...this one much shorter than the road trips in Sulawesi or my previous road trips in Flores! I had decided to go on a short trip with my very good friend to visit his family in the village - 'Kampung Mano' and to visit a few places around Ruteng that I didn't see on my last visit to Flores.
Sunday 20 February 2011
Caci - Warrior dance
11 December 2010
Last trip to Flores, one cultural aspect that I didn't have the opportunity to experience was the traditional dance - 'caci' so this time...I was determined to see it and went to great lengths to organise it! It was well worth it - even if it was organised especially just for me!
Friday 4 February 2011
Bintang Flores
10 December 2010
I flew from Bali to Labuanbajo...and was heading back to Flores for the second time! Last trip I had stayed at the budget 'Gardena' (which was nice but very simple!) but this time I decided to try the upmarket 'Bintang Flores' right on the beach. I wasn't disappointed with the luxury of this hotel. The pool was very cool! My plan was to stay for a couple of nights and then head off on another road trip to explore more of West Flores, places which I didn't venture to last time.
It was nice to be back in Flores...the quiet atmosphere and simplicity of life is what I really enjoy!
I flew from Bali to Labuanbajo...and was heading back to Flores for the second time! Last trip I had stayed at the budget 'Gardena' (which was nice but very simple!) but this time I decided to try the upmarket 'Bintang Flores' right on the beach. I wasn't disappointed with the luxury of this hotel. The pool was very cool! My plan was to stay for a couple of nights and then head off on another road trip to explore more of West Flores, places which I didn't venture to last time.
It was nice to be back in Flores...the quiet atmosphere and simplicity of life is what I really enjoy!
Back to Bali
After a couple of days in Manado...I headed back to Bali for more than a week. Relaxed by the pool, caught up with good friends and enjoyed the luxurious lifestyle of Bali. Usually I don't spend long in Bali on my travels to Indonesia, but this time I actually found joy in the experience! It was nice to unwind after the long journey through Sulawesi...
Sunday 30 January 2011
Gorontalo to Manado
2 December 2010
After a week of relaxing in the Togean Islands, I decided it was time to drag myself off the islands and continue my journey...I still had a long way to go. So, one afternoon I took the speedboat to Wakai Island and waited for the 'Lembar Pemakai Jasa' Ferry. I booked a sleeping cabin on the ferry as it was an overnight trip (approx 12 hours) from Wakai to Gorontalo in North Sulawesi.
After a week of relaxing in the Togean Islands, I decided it was time to drag myself off the islands and continue my journey...I still had a long way to go. So, one afternoon I took the speedboat to Wakai Island and waited for the 'Lembar Pemakai Jasa' Ferry. I booked a sleeping cabin on the ferry as it was an overnight trip (approx 12 hours) from Wakai to Gorontalo in North Sulawesi.
The Bajo
The 'sea gypies' of Indonesia are called the 'Bajo' - an ethnic group of people who have spent hundreds or thousands of years living off the seas...and travelling as families on traditional house-boats.
Thursday 13 January 2011
Coconut Crab
Kadidiri Island...Togean Islands...I didn't think it would be possible but... I was lucky enough to see a coconut crab up-close and personal...a very cool creature.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Dazzling Danau Poso
24th November 2010
After moving hotels to 'Hotel Pison', closer to the centre of Rantepao and spending a day recovering from the grand funeral ceremony, it was time to hit the road again. I hired a new driver with car and headed north to Pendolo, on the south end of Danau Poso - Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi.
After moving hotels to 'Hotel Pison', closer to the centre of Rantepao and spending a day recovering from the grand funeral ceremony, it was time to hit the road again. I hired a new driver with car and headed north to Pendolo, on the south end of Danau Poso - Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi.
Monday 10 January 2011
'Tomate' in Tembamba
22nd November 2010
Of all the traditional ceremonies of the Torajan people, the most important is the 'tomate' - funeral or literally 'deceased'. There are many traditional customs surrounding the important funeral ceremonies in Tana Toraja.
Sunday 9 January 2011
Tampangallo
Not far from Kambira Baby Graves, is the village of Tampangallo, between the villages of Sangalla and Suaya. It is believed that the tau-tau - effigies - in Tampangallo are one of the most stunning sights in Tana Toraja and one of the oldest grave caves.
Baby Graves - Kambira
21st November 2010
Kambira is a village, south-east of Rantepao that is home to one of the biggest baby grave sites in Tana Toraja. I was told the baby grave site in Kambira houses up to 20 baby graves...in a tree.
"Tau-tau"
Another day...another adventure in Toraja land! At 8am headed south of Rantepao to Lemo to see the "tau-tau" in the cliff...(the area had changed a lot since 1995!)
Tongkonan Traditional Architecture & Motifs
Toraja legends claim that the people arrived on the island of Sulawesi from the north by sea. They were caught in a violent storm, which damaged their boats so badly that they were unseaworthy, so they used them as roofs for their new homes in Tana Toraja where they settled.
Thursday 6 January 2011
Tantalising Toraja Land
Sulawesi - Makassar to Tana Toraja
19th November 2010
Journey from Makassar to Tana Toraja...heading where the hills make you feel like you are on top of the world! ;)
2010 journey to Indonesia
13th November 2010
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