TravelStream™ news feed for member jon_and_liz on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/jon_and_liz en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:44:56 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250469104/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250469104/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250469104/tpod.html Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:44:56 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Singapore, Singapore

Back in Singapore.  We happened to arrive on Singapore's National Day - their 44th birthday as a nation.  A grand fireworks show took place in the harbor and the citizenry were all out and proudly wearing the red and white colors of their country.We spent our last couple of days doing some more shopping and spending some more time with our friends. And then, it was back to the airport for our long journey home.If you've made it this far, thanks for following along with us!  We hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.Until the next journey...Jon and Liz
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250468987/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250468987/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250468987/tpod.html Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:40:32 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Medan would be our last stop in Indonesia as it would be from here that we would fly back to Singapore for a couple of days before heading home.  We have a few pictures, but for the most part Medan is a big city with very little of tourist interest.  We spent a couple of days here buying some souvenirs, eating a few last bites of Indonesian food, and reflecting on all that we've seen and done during the last couple of months.So long Indonesia!  We look forward to seeing you again some day!Until next time,Jon and Liz
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Bukit Lawang, Aceh, Indonesia

After another flight down to Medan we hopped a real clunker of a bus to make the rough drive into the jungle to the village of Bukit Lawang.  The largest attraction in the area are the orang-utans who live semi-wild as residents of the local rehabilitation center in the surrounding jungles or those that live completely wild in the deeper jungles of neighboring Gunung Leuser National Park.Many people take jungle treks, but we decided to do some jungle sitting and just enjoy the peaceful village setting and rushing river that passes through the area.  Our time in Indonesia is winding down and this was our last tourist stop before heading back to Medan and preparing for our flight back to Singapore.Until next time,Jon and Liz
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250468384/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250468384/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250468384/tpod.html Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:28:28 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

If the name of this city somehow seems familiar to you, you may be remembering it as the most populated place on the globe near the epicenter of the horrific 9.0 earthquake that occurred here on December 26, 2004.  It then became one of the many places that received a second punch from one of the most deadliest tsunamis in world history a short while later.  Since the city of Banda Aceh served as a stop for us as we made our way to and from the island of Pulau Weh, we took some time and visited a few sights that helped us appreciate the enormity of this disaster.It was strange to recall the images that covered the news during those days over 4 years ago and then to be standing in the same place where such a human tragedy occurred.  From the viewpoint of a casual observer entering the city, the aid workers and redevelopment money have had an impact.  Roads, homes, and infrastructure have been rebuilt and in most places you have to strain to find any remnants of the destruction.  Yet, little clues still exist: the stairway in the middle of an open field that used to climb towards a home that is no longer there, crumbled remnants of a few buildings that if not destroyed by the earthquake, then almost certainly by the rushing waters that were soon to follow, or the occasional comment of a local in the area who talks about a loved one that they lost on that day almost matter-of-factly.  Because, after all, when a city loses over 60,000 people in a matter of a few hours, your story becomes the same as your neighbors.  No one is completely immune from the loss.  It almost escapes comprehension.Being in a place such as this, if nothing else, helps to reinforce that no matter what country we call home, no matter what religion we practice, and no matter our station in life, we are all very fragile.Until next time,Jon and Liz
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Iboih, Aceh, Indonesia

On a flight from Padang we flew up to the city of Banda Aceh and took a ferry to the island of Pulau Weh.  Sitting out in the Indian Ocean the island offered up another rest stop, this time along the rocky shores of the quiet village of Iboih.  We lucked into a fantastic bungalow and spent a week here.  The snorkeling was some of the best we have ever done.  We went every day right from our bungalow and saw something new each day, from eels to lion fish.  At times, it felt like swimming in an aquarium.  We also ate some great food courtesy of the lady that operated the bungalows.Enjoy the pictures!Until next time,Jon and Liz 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250467684/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250467684/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250467684/tpod.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:15 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Maninjau, Sumatra, Indonesia

From the jungle hills to the lake shore we headed to Lake Maninjau.  As we wind down our trip we are making stops at some good places to relax for a bit and not move so quickly.  It allowed us some time for reading and watching the local life pass by.  Enjoy the images!Until next time,Jon and Liz
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250464264/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250464264/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250464264/tpod.html Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:56:16 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Harau Valley, Indonesia

Getting out of the city and into some countryside was in order and we had been looking forward to the Harau Valley for quite awhile.&nbsp; It didn't disappoint.&nbsp; The air was crisp and clean, the countryside beautiful, and the local people some of the friendliest yet.Enjoy the sights <i>and sounds in this entry!Until next time,Jon and Liz
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250457858/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250457858/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1250457858/tpod.html Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:06:13 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Bukittinggi, Sumatra, Indonesia

After a quick 2 hour domestic flight on Lion Air that also included a connection in Jakarta, we arrived in the city of Padang which we used as a one night base to set up travel to Bukittinggi.We should note that the domestic flight services in Indonesia are pretty efficient and a great alternative to long, bumpy bus rides.&nbsp; They are a great value as well.&nbsp; In Sumatra,&nbsp;to see the various places&nbsp;we have chosen to visit, we have&nbsp;a couple of options: 14 hours overnight on a bus for around $8 or 1 hour on a flight for around $33.&nbsp; You decide.&nbsp; The only interesting twist is that we've found that as western tourists we seem to always get assigned to the emergency exit row.&nbsp; We have heard people say that this is because we are often taller and the extra leg room in the exit row comes in handy for us.&nbsp; We've also heard it's because we likely fly more often and would know better what to do in an emergency situation.&nbsp; Who knows.&nbsp; Either way, we gladly accept.&nbsp; But, here's a cultural spin for you.&nbsp; During one flight we were&nbsp;settling into our seats on the&nbsp;exit row, Liz&nbsp;at the&nbsp;window and Jon&nbsp;in&nbsp;the middle.&nbsp; The flight&nbsp;attendant approached and said to Liz, "Excuse me ma'am.&nbsp; Would you please change with your husband, we have a preference for a man&nbsp;near the&nbsp;exit window."&nbsp; Yeah, try that one on&nbsp;Delta...&nbsp;We're happy to be in Sumatra and it has been great to see the landscape and the cultures change as we have made our way across the western part of Indonesia.&nbsp; We spent 3 nights in Bukittinggi to visit a few sights in the local area which we will share with you in this entry.&nbsp; Enjoy!Until next time,Jon and Liz
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1248605017/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1248605017/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1248605017/tpod.html Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:12:51 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Prambanan, ID.07, Indonesia

To finish our Javanese adventure, we made our last stop at the temples at Prambanan.&nbsp; Here the best examples of Java's Hindu period architecture can be seen with incredible detail.&nbsp; The temples were built between the 8th and 10th century AD.&nbsp; Originally, it is believed that the temple complex was immense, but a large earthquake in the 16th century is believed to have toppled many of the individual temple buildings.&nbsp; This was perpetuated recently in May of 2006 when another big shaker helped damage the buildings further.&nbsp; Thankfully, the Unesco World Heritage fund is currently fixing the damage, but this means somewhat limited access and a bit of scaffolding.&nbsp; It didn't matter as the sight is still pretty spectacular.&nbsp; Hopefully you'll agree.From here we fly to the island of Sumatra and to the city of Padang on the west coast.&nbsp; So long Java!Until next time,Jon and Liz
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1248066594/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1248066594/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jon_and_liz/5/1248066594/tpod.html Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:36:08 -0400 Indonesia - Summer 2009

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Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

The temple at Borobudor was our next stop. Built between 750 and 850 AD, the massive Buddhist temple structure is built from approximately two million block stones and sits like a fortress. Soon after completion, for reasons unknown, it was abandoned and wouldn't be discovered until 1815. The structure has six square terraces topped by three circular ones with four steep stairways leading up each of the four sides. If you start at the bottom and climb clockwise around the structure the narrow corridors take you past over 1400 narrative and 1200 decorative panels that document the Buddhist doctrines as well as aspects of Javanese life 1000 years ago.It was a quick stop, but a great one. Enjoy!Until next time,Jon and Liz
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