Final Musings on Indonesia

Last random thoughts on the long journey back from Jakarta to Detroit. Indonesians are more frightening drivers than are Italians, but both have shocked my travel companions. In September, G took a video of the experience in Rome, and P did the same here. I will admit to a moment or two during which I […]

Goodbye and Terima Kasih

Final morning on Lombok. Final sunrise. We stepped out the door of our hotel room, and were met with the warmest, sunniest day here. The tallest Balinese volcano (Mount Agung) was clearly visible beyond the waves. Agung is the fifth tallest volcano in Indonesia, whereas ours on Lombok (Mount Rinjani) is the second tallest. It […]

Why Does He Call It That?!?! And Why Does He Want To Take Us There?!?!

This morning, after breakfast (of course) we headed out on a “land cruise.” Basically the idea is it is a tour of a big chunk of the island. Given our limited time here, we felt this was the most efficient way to get a feel for Lombok. Our driver picked us up at 8, and […]

…Such A Lovely Place…

The vacation resort thing is new for me. As you know, we got here late last night, had dinner, and went to bed. Our room here, as in Jogja, has an outdoor bathroom and shower. I’m still trying to figure out why I want this in a malaria- and dengue fever- endemic region. This […]

Don’t Follow Strangers Who Tell You to Follow Them

I think previously I had stated that this isn’t a city for wandering. I was partially wrong. I had based that experience on the neighborhood just east of our hotel. We definitely don’t want to wander there. Also, as we have been here our eyes have adjusted to what we are seeing and we are […]

The Traditional Post of Plans Gone Awry

This seems to happen every time I travel. The calendar conspires against me to confound my plans. Today, you see, was New Years Day. This means that many of the things we might have seen, such as the Sultan’s Palace, were closed. Also, the city is overall much quieter. Nevertheless, P found something for […]