Home one week

Well one week ago we sailed into Singapore in the early morning to commence our long way home!

We flew from Singapore to Hong Kong and then on to Vancouver.  Total travelling time (in the air) 17 hours but with lay overs and additional 10 hours (total travelling time 27 hours) and numerous time zones.  

Yes Vancouver!

We have used the advice found on www.jetlagrooster.com to acclimatize ourselves and have experienced no jet lag.  So we highly recommend using jetlagrooster.

Glad to be home and looking forward to our next adventure. 

Halifax in June 2013.  

Day 10 - Celukan Bawang

Arrived in the early morning to a sunny but cooler day.  

Drove to the district of Singaraja  and then on to Lovina Beach.  We were able to lounge by the infinity pool at the Puris Bagus Lovina Hotel.  What a spot!  Magnificent.

After hours of swimming and a fabulous Indonesian buffet luncheon we returned to the ship to start our journey home.  Next stop Singapore.

Days 8 + 9 in Bali

Day 8 

Arrived to a sunny day in Bali (Benoa).  Toasted  our arrival while sitting on our lanai and drinking champagne.   Balinese dancers and gamelan performed on the dock.

We then set out on a 6 hour adventure visiting 3 Buddhist temples  (Ayun, Tabanan, and Tanah Lot), local markets and the monkey forest. 

Also viewed the depiction of a traditional cock fight.

Returned to the ship, to don our sarongs like everyone else and experience a Balinese feast, onboard ship.  A wonderful experience.

Day 9 – Bali

Spent a quiet day onboard ship in Benoa.  Tomorrow another day in Bali- Celukan Bawang.

Day 7 - Komodo Island

We arrived on a hot and sunny day and dropped anchor in the calm bay.  We spent a leisurely day onboard, walking the decks and swimming in the vacant pool. 

During the day small canoes filled with young people surrounded the ship waiting for food or money to be dropped to them.  Later in the evening we saw the convoy of these small canoes being hauled home by a bigger motorized boat.  All types of enterprises here.

Roak viewing the island from our lanai! A view of the island!

In the early evening, we sailed for Bali.  For 12 hours we experienced extremely rough seas and howling wind and rain.  

Tomorrow, our first day in Bali.  

Day 6 - Lombok

Arrived Lombok in the early morning, with sea mist dissipating to reveal blue and sunny skies.  The lush tree covered island looked truly tropical and similar to the South Pacific islands.   Spent 8 hours traveling the island and seeing some wonderful and sometimes “eye-opening” things.

Visited a world class heritage museum containing items from the colonial and pre-colonial periods.  Then came the deluge for about 20 minutes while we visited the formal Royal Palace at Narmada.  

The sun returned along with the humidity. The we went on to visit the Hindu temple at  Lingsar where a large family had come from Bali to pray for the health a loved one.

Then on to Senggigi where we were hosted to a wonderful lunch at the Sheraton hotel which also had “western” toilets.  Yeay!

After lunch we visited the pottery village of Banuymulek where we witnessed village women making “hand thrown” pots of all sizes.  We also were treated to a ride on a mini-horse drawn cart that held two people.   What a fabulous day!

One of the many temples visited during this trip!

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 5 – At Sea

Awoke to a drizzly warm morning.  Calm seas.  Tonight we are dining in the Aqualina restaurant preceded by drinking the bottle of champagne that was gifted to us. 

Quiet day!  Quite a change from yesterday.  

During the 1 ½ hours drive each way, with the police escort four our buses literally drove down the centre of the highway forcing trucks, buses, motor scooters and all like of pedestrians to head for the ditches along side the road, or suffer the consequences of being hit.  Many of our traveling companions spent the time ”oohing and aawing”.  We did too from time to time.  

Thank goodness, it is a once in a life time experience. 

Days 4 & 5

Day 4-At Sea           

Invited to a champagne brunch in the morning.  Spent the day by the pool and walking around the ship.  A relaxing and quiet day!

Day 5-Borobudur

This morning, we arrived at Semarang, Indonesia, the capital of the province of Central Java.  Rain subsided and we experienced a hot, sunny and humid day.   With a police escort to/and from the temple, we set out early in the morning.  At midday we arrived at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of the wonders of the world.  We brought with us a momento from Alberdine that we bestowed on the sight.   Allegorically, Alberdine  (Roak’s mother) who was born on Java, has come home!  It was an emotional but happy day for Roak.

After a sumptuous lunch in a traditional Indonesian pavilion, we returned to the ship.

Tonight we sail for Lombok.

Here is a sample of Borobudur!

Here is one our first views of Semarang Indonesia Java!  Very emotional for Roak!