Bajawa, Flores

 Here we are with our ponchos to keep us dry from a monsoon.

 Larisa being surrounded by all the kids in the village, wanting to see her blond hair.

 Me warming up in the hot springs river beside an old local man washing his horse.
The motor bike into the local villages in Bajawa was most interesting.  We finally found a natural hot springs, where the cool river, meets the emerald green hot springs (air panas).  Here the girls are enjoying a dip.  Of course no signs, the locals had to keep directing us, and we had to go walk through the village to find them.  

3 Colored Crater Lakes, Mt. Kelimutu

One of our last stops was one of the most remarkable volcano experiences I have seen.  Kelimutu is also of interest to geologists because there are three lakes of completely different colors, yet are at the crest of the same volcano.  The 3 colors presently are rusty brown, turquoise blue, and black.  Scientists predict that in the near future they will be red, white and blue.  

Flores, Komodo Dragons, Boat Trip

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Flores trip was definitely the highlight of our Indonesian adventure.

We met up with 3 other Germans and decided to charter our own boat for 3 days of sailing around Flores.  5 million/ 830,000 Rp each, for 3 days 2 nights for everything, including food.  Ok that's $83 Canadian for those that may not be able to convert.  Super comfy with a hammock, bean bag chairs, and enough room to sleep 10, and great meals.  Our mission to see the Komodo Dragons, and see all the islands, for some snorkling.  We ended up seeing a 10-15 Manta Reys, and a Shark while we were snorkling.  I didn't realize that manta reys can get up to 8 feet in width.

We were lucky enough to see a pathway of flying fox, big orange brown bats that create a pathway in the sky, further then the eyes can see.

Larisa above overcoming her fear of the oceans deep blue.  Well really just sharks.  

 Her I am hanging out at the top of the mast of the boat, watching out for dolphins, manta rays and whales.

Purifying My Soul, Tasting the Local Luwak Shit Coffee

So on our adventures around Bali, we were able to find a place all locals go to cleanse & purify there soul, and wash away there sins.  Maybe this is why they lie to your face so often, because they know they can visit the nearby water temple to wash away there sins.  Hmm I don't think this works, it makes them all much worse.  The big Banyon tree, was just another of there hugh trees that I would like to climb.  That's all, no significance or importance, just fun to climb.

 This last pic is of me tasting the most flavorful coffee in all of indonesia.  It's beans are eaten whole by the Luwak, much like a small black fox, then excreted still whole, and then cleaned, and brewed to your liking.  Aparently the enzymes in there stomach coats the beans and eliminates the bitterness, leaving you with a smooth, full bodied rich flavor that people all over the world will pay up to $50 per cup.  We bought some so you can all stop by for a coffee when we return back to Vancouver.

Monkeying Around, Ubud, Bali

So when your traveling you typically stay in one location for no more then 2-3 nights.  A place really has to be filled with good healthy food, culture, adventure, clean air and must be easy to walk around.  Ubud, pretty much had it all.  We found a great Guest House with a pool for $8 ea per night, and the small yoga/hippy town had enough to keep us busy for 4 nights.  

One of the days we spent playing with the wild monkeys.  Typically not something I would reccomend, but if you understand animals and the few basic rules with monkeys this place is the best place to have them eat a banana out of your hand.  Random fact, some of them even know how to swim completely underwater.  

The food here is as good as you can get at home, but much cheaper.  We loved wondering the streets at night, through all the alleys, looking for the best kept secrets.  

Volcano Bromo, Java

We decided we needed some adventure.  A hike up to one of Java's many Volcano's.  We happened to meet a young local teenager who was touring on his own.  So Andy helped us negotiate with the locals, find cheap accomadation, ask for directions find our own way to the volcano at 4:30am.

Reunited with my Lover

Yeah I have finally been reunited with my love.  My lover Larisa and our friend Alana have met up with me for the 2nd Chapter of my trip.  1st stop, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.  We stayed at a great Loseman named Setia Kawan, which was my 1st comfortable clean accom. in 10 days.

Brodbrodure a big fancy temple, a few elephants, and some great peeps.  What more can I ask for.