Well the smoking bans that are taking hold across the world will certainly not get far in Indonesia. Everyone smokes. All the time. Everywhere! People don't even bother with the pleasantries of hello and how are you, but instead get straight to the point and ask 'do you want a cigarette?'.
After already having travelled by boat and minibus (yes with our knees by our chins again) we boarded a bus heading to Bukit Lawang. Within seconds nearly the whole bus had lit up. Although we had our window open the interior was fogged in no time. I think I must have lost 10 years of my life in a 3 hour bus journey.
To be honest the bus was more of a dodgy nightclub on wheels. Not only was it smokefilled but it music was blared out at high decibels. First we were treated to the strangulated Indonesian power ballads by Ms. Cat. A. Wauling, followed by the happy hardcore versions of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Achey Breakey Heart to name but a few choice titles. Of course no nightclub experience is complete without some rampant flirting in this case between the girls who didn't want to pay and the bus boys. I have never seen so much pouting and eyelid batting in my life. Looking forward to the trip back on Wednesday!
Monday, 21 July 2008
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Old Dogs
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but today this old dog is proud of herself. Normally content with sightseeing from the back of a professionally driven moto-taxi or the lovely Ange (about the only person I trust on a motorbike) I had to finally face my fear and rent out a bike all of my own. It was a bit of wobbly start and it took me a while to reach speeds above 20km/hr but eventually I was whizzing round Samosir island wind in my hair - Lake Toba to one side and the steep sides of the volcanic crater to the other. A hairy moment when two fighting dogs rolled into the road infront of me was soon forgotten and I was soon weaving round chickens, dogs, waterbuffalo and children.
We stopped off in Ambarita to see the traditional batak houses and the stone chair where the king used to try criminals. If found guilty they were cut with a knife to let out the evil spirits, then lemon and chilli was rubbed in their wounds before they were beheaded. The King would then eat their heart to receive their strength. Mmmmm.
A similar fate awaited the early Christian missionaries who arrived in the sixteenth century only to be killed and devoured by the cannabalistic Bataks. It wasn't until much later that christianity was finally embraced and church spires can be seen among the padi fields.
Hannah has papped away with her new swanky camera so there will be lots of photos of the beautiful scenery of Danau Toba to come.
We stopped off in Ambarita to see the traditional batak houses and the stone chair where the king used to try criminals. If found guilty they were cut with a knife to let out the evil spirits, then lemon and chilli was rubbed in their wounds before they were beheaded. The King would then eat their heart to receive their strength. Mmmmm.
A similar fate awaited the early Christian missionaries who arrived in the sixteenth century only to be killed and devoured by the cannabalistic Bataks. It wasn't until much later that christianity was finally embraced and church spires can be seen among the padi fields.
Hannah has papped away with her new swanky camera so there will be lots of photos of the beautiful scenery of Danau Toba to come.
Friday, 18 July 2008
A random day in Indonesia
The first day of the holidays saw Hannah and I up before the call to prayer- ugly o'clock indeed- ready for our flight to Medan. The day really couldn't have run any smoother. From the airport we were straight into a taxi who dropped us at the bus whose engines were running and ready to go, then we were dropped at the boat which backed away from the dock within minutes and promptly deposited us at Tuk Tuk on Lake Toba. No waiting, no Indonesia time, no delays - wonderful. Admittedly sitting with my knees up to my chin for four hours in the minibus wasn't ideal but we are there.
However, it was a slightly random day. First we were serenaded by the happiest guy in Indonesia who kept announcing how happy he was and then bursting into song. Mainly Celine Dion and other cheesy movie tracks. His smile was infectious and it was a great start to our time in the country. While we were waiting in the minibus we tried our hardest to ignore the hawkers banging on the window to sell their fare - finally the guy managed to shout through the small gap in the window that the rambutans he was holding were a gift for us. Yes we felt a bit guilty....until Hannah realised that they were crawling with ants and now they were crawling all over her in a confined space.
The rain followed us the whole trip and although we thought we had outrun it on the boat it soon caught up with us in Tuk Tuk. We attempted to stretch our legs after our long journey in the gentle rain - but soon it was torrential and we hid in a bar, beer in hand. Unfortunately, the storm led to a power cut which caused some very bad pool playing in the dark. There was nothing else to do but eat, so off to dinner we went. It was delicious, but could only be described as a cross between a spring roll and a cornish pastie. Yum!
Today has been wonderfully relaxing. We've had a gentle wander, a massage, a nap and gazed out over the lake. We're well rested and ready for a bit more adventure tomorrow.
However, it was a slightly random day. First we were serenaded by the happiest guy in Indonesia who kept announcing how happy he was and then bursting into song. Mainly Celine Dion and other cheesy movie tracks. His smile was infectious and it was a great start to our time in the country. While we were waiting in the minibus we tried our hardest to ignore the hawkers banging on the window to sell their fare - finally the guy managed to shout through the small gap in the window that the rambutans he was holding were a gift for us. Yes we felt a bit guilty....until Hannah realised that they were crawling with ants and now they were crawling all over her in a confined space.
The rain followed us the whole trip and although we thought we had outrun it on the boat it soon caught up with us in Tuk Tuk. We attempted to stretch our legs after our long journey in the gentle rain - but soon it was torrential and we hid in a bar, beer in hand. Unfortunately, the storm led to a power cut which caused some very bad pool playing in the dark. There was nothing else to do but eat, so off to dinner we went. It was delicious, but could only be described as a cross between a spring roll and a cornish pastie. Yum!
Today has been wonderfully relaxing. We've had a gentle wander, a massage, a nap and gazed out over the lake. We're well rested and ready for a bit more adventure tomorrow.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Half a Term in Ten Minutes
Well I guess my blogging report this term would read 'Must try harder'! I admit I have been totally slack and anonymous I'm sorry I have let you down. My excuse? Hmmm.... well firstly I felt sick (still ...yes boring boring) and didn't have the energy to write and didn't have that much to write about. THEN I felt better (hoorah hoorah - trumpets, cheers, fireworks etc) so wasn't sitting around the flat feeling sorry for myself and have been out and about making friends again. So busy busy I have been so here is a little round up of the last six weeks - I'll try and get it in order but will probably fail.
- First Rachel M came to stay and we pampered, shopped and gossiped and she finally met the new boy.
- Jules was hot on her heels and popped over from Hong Kong for the weekend. We went on the Malaysia Eye - which freaked me out totally, nearly giving me a coronary every time it stopped and we were left swinging - I clearly am getting more and more afraid of heights - how did I ever jump out of a plane? We wandered through a food festival and I watched enviously as she ate. And we had our tarot read in a funky little backstreet bar - we'll have to see how right she was!
- The government raised the price of petrol by 40% overnight. Literally. It was announced at 7pm that it would be going up at midnight. Carnage! I now wish that I didn't drive a gas-guzzling beast.
- As I now no longer spend a large chunk of my time in bars I have become a cinemaholic and have recently seen: Kung Fu Panda, Iron Man, Prince Caspian, Definitely Maybe, Indiana Jones and many more....
-I was promoted! Yey!
- I drank wine for the first time in 3 months to celebrate new job. I had two glasses and was a giggling, rosy, very cheap date! And more importantly didn't suffer any horrible after effects.
- I saw the Malaysian Philharmonic orchestra playing Prokofievs Cinderella.
- Boldened by my increasing good health I have started eating a more excited range of foods (including chocolate!mmm) and occasionally having a glass or two. Two and I'm merry. Three and I'm a giggling wreck - hey ho! At least I'm well and long may it stay this way. Although I would love to go and sign up for the next champagne brunch I am still taking it easy and am not going to undo all the good work I have done over the last months. It has only taken 8 months but I am now feeling myself again.
- Rachel P came to stay and we shopped til we dropped. Then we ventured up to the Sky Bar and enjoyed a coctail with a view of the iconic towers before us.
- I ate chocolate cake at a 2year olds birthday party and felt the biological time bomb go into warp speed.
- I played Singstar at Hannah's shamefully winning with a Barry White song. My voice isn't that low is it?
- I was treated to high tea at the Carcosa and rolled home full of tea, sandwiches, cakes and scones.
- And finally this weekend I enjoyed participating in a pub quiz at the British High Commision (oo-er) with the crew of the HMS Kent!!!!!!
Writing it all down it doesn't seem that much but throw in more than a few hot dates and time kinda flies! But looking back at how awful I felt 6 weeks ago and how great I feel now I feel I have come a long way. I have a huge smile on my face, the beginnings of a new wardrobe (thanks Rach for pointing out that my clothes really were too big and that I should buy some more) and an exciting holiday looming.
Yep it's just three days til the end of term and I will be off to Indonesia. Two weeks with Hannah and then two weeks with Craig. My rucksack is ready and so am I. Bring it on!
- First Rachel M came to stay and we pampered, shopped and gossiped and she finally met the new boy.
- Jules was hot on her heels and popped over from Hong Kong for the weekend. We went on the Malaysia Eye - which freaked me out totally, nearly giving me a coronary every time it stopped and we were left swinging - I clearly am getting more and more afraid of heights - how did I ever jump out of a plane? We wandered through a food festival and I watched enviously as she ate. And we had our tarot read in a funky little backstreet bar - we'll have to see how right she was!
- The government raised the price of petrol by 40% overnight. Literally. It was announced at 7pm that it would be going up at midnight. Carnage! I now wish that I didn't drive a gas-guzzling beast.
- As I now no longer spend a large chunk of my time in bars I have become a cinemaholic and have recently seen: Kung Fu Panda, Iron Man, Prince Caspian, Definitely Maybe, Indiana Jones and many more....
-I was promoted! Yey!
- I drank wine for the first time in 3 months to celebrate new job. I had two glasses and was a giggling, rosy, very cheap date! And more importantly didn't suffer any horrible after effects.
- I saw the Malaysian Philharmonic orchestra playing Prokofievs Cinderella.
- Boldened by my increasing good health I have started eating a more excited range of foods (including chocolate!mmm) and occasionally having a glass or two. Two and I'm merry. Three and I'm a giggling wreck - hey ho! At least I'm well and long may it stay this way. Although I would love to go and sign up for the next champagne brunch I am still taking it easy and am not going to undo all the good work I have done over the last months. It has only taken 8 months but I am now feeling myself again.
- Rachel P came to stay and we shopped til we dropped. Then we ventured up to the Sky Bar and enjoyed a coctail with a view of the iconic towers before us.
- I ate chocolate cake at a 2year olds birthday party and felt the biological time bomb go into warp speed.
- I played Singstar at Hannah's shamefully winning with a Barry White song. My voice isn't that low is it?
- I was treated to high tea at the Carcosa and rolled home full of tea, sandwiches, cakes and scones.
- And finally this weekend I enjoyed participating in a pub quiz at the British High Commision (oo-er) with the crew of the HMS Kent!!!!!!
Writing it all down it doesn't seem that much but throw in more than a few hot dates and time kinda flies! But looking back at how awful I felt 6 weeks ago and how great I feel now I feel I have come a long way. I have a huge smile on my face, the beginnings of a new wardrobe (thanks Rach for pointing out that my clothes really were too big and that I should buy some more) and an exciting holiday looming.
Yep it's just three days til the end of term and I will be off to Indonesia. Two weeks with Hannah and then two weeks with Craig. My rucksack is ready and so am I. Bring it on!
Monday, 26 May 2008
The Silver Lining
For the first time since I have been in asia a sales assistant actually apologised to me! However, she wasn't apologising for not having XXL size for the big fat farang but was actually saying sorry for not having a size small enough!!!!!!!!! I know!!!! I may have food envy during every mealtime and have definitely had more watermelon juices than anyone should ever have to drink - but at least I'm no longer a total fatty!
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Only Langkawi
May 1st brought another long weekend and the staffroom discussions at the beginning of the week revolved around where everyone was heading. Popular destinations were: Singapore, Cambodia, Taman Negara and Sarawak. When asked where I was going the words "Oh only Langkawi" slipped out! When did going to Langkawi for the weekend deserve an only? I really am spoilt aren't I!
We had a fabulous time watching the sun set from our deck chairs at the Frangipani, getting dunked by the unusually big waves and enjoying a cheeky beer!
We also caught up with the lovely Julia who had popped over from Hong Kong! What jetsetters we are!
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