TravelStream™ news feed for member mav on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/mav en-us Copyright ©2010 TravelPod.com Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:10:27 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152090000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152090000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152090000/tpod.html Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:10:27 -0400 The Summer of Mike, Indonesian Edition

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

i could not have asked for a better june, but alas i'm a freebird and i got to be be moving on now. i will miss karaoke, this is true, but indonesia awaits!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1153807380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1153807380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1153807380/tpod.html Tue, 25 Jul 2006 10:31:40 -0400 The Summer of Mike, Indonesian Edition

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Plabuhan Ratu, Indonesia

well well, i have been out of contact with the modern world for a little while. the last 4 days were spent on the southern coast of Java on the beach. but in a bay, mind you as the threat of Tsunamis here are ever present. but no worries, as it was amazing as ever. i will let the pictures speak for themselves but, before i do, a summary of major events:
the drive alone was an adventure. up and around the winding mountain roads, with rice patties and rubber trees along the roadside the whole way. i spent most of the time with my window down waving at people as they yelled "hey mister" an english phrase almost everyone knows. the smiles were countless. i am enjoying my role of goodwill ambassador to indonesia. the place we stayed was even more memorable, right on the beach, a little bamboo bungalow. the waves were so big, you could actually feel them as you lay in bed at night. it kind of gives your days a rhythm, the ever present crash of waves on the beach. on the second day, we invited to this family's home in the mountains, about a 45 minute drive straight up. switchbacks were the rule of the day, with unbelievable vistas around every turn. the family's house was incredible, and they were so welcoming. they greeted us with sticky rice prepared with little bits of coconut. it was from the rice they grow right there, you can't get any fresher than that. at this point i didn't think it could get any better, anymore like something you only see on the travel channel, but oooo was i mistaken. after a little tour of their place, complete with a water buffalo ride, we headed to a festival in the village center. we were lucky enough to be there during a yearly harvest celebration. being the only white people in sight, at times it seemed like we were the main attraction. again, the people were so welcoming and we were able to visit with the village king, and sample all these local delicacies on his tab, such an experience!! these words fall very short of doing justice, maybe the pictures will help, and trust me i have more to show when i get back, to anyone that wants to see. then we attempted to walk the dogs, which was indeed a sight to see. we quickly collected an entourage of 40 kids that followed our every move. a little hectic, a little scary, but so so fun as is any intense cultural experience. and it was definitely mutual as everyone there learned just as many new things as we did. i just wish i had studied the language more before coming here, but i am picking up some indonesian little by little.
the next day was delegated to relaxing, as we were all exhausted from the day before. this didn't stop us from learning more, however, as a walk on the beach, turned into a lesson in panning for gold, and the process of purifying it by fire (see pictures) ahhh what a trip. an adventure within and adventure.


from jakarta indonesian this is mike signing off
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152950700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152950700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152950700/tpod.html Sun, 16 Jul 2006 08:32:21 -0400 The Summer of Mike, Indonesian Edition

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Bogor, Indonesia

It has been a little while since my last entry, but that is because Tee Tee and I went on small holiday ( i don't say vacation anymore, its so american ) haha anyway, we went to Bogor, which is like a hour drive out of the city and into the mountains. it is also a tourist destination for the nationals, so we were in good company. the views once up in the mountains were stunning. our driver, Nanagn, loved going there, because it is a favorite place of his and he felt as if he could show it off. he is a very serious man, however. all business, but that is a good quality to have in someone you are trusting life and limb to as you try to survive the crazy traffic, and man is it crazy. so yes Bogor was a lot of fun, we ate lunch one day at the very top of one of the mountains and the views, and the food, were spectacular. which, of course is a great combination. see the pictures for more detail on the topics thus discussed. i think that is all for now... there way something else... oh yeah i have taken my dart game has officially invaded the south pacific. i have played the last few nights. somtimes with greg and his co-workers, other times with locals. lookout jason! haha so anyway enjoy the pictures. i apologize for the lack there of, but it takes so long to upload them, i try to limit myself to the 10 best per entry.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152600420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152600420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152600420/tpod.html Tue, 11 Jul 2006 04:50:49 -0400 The Summer of Mike, Indonesian Edition

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Jakarta, Indonesia

well well. the jet lag is just about over. i thought i would be immune to it but i guess not. i am uploading some pictures from the house here in Jakarta. it is beautiful, i have only been here 4 days and already don't want to leave. thus far it has been a lot of adjusting as well as preparations fro the month ahead. Tee Tee Greg and I sat down yesterday to discuss the tentative schedule and did i get excited. lets just say there will be plenty of material for blogging about! also i have been here 4 days and have gone grocery shopping twice already. i almost actually went a third time yesterday. the stores we went to were so huge. (see pictures) and the food is so different and interesting. Indonesia's country motto is 'unity in diversity' and it shows at the grocery store. they have all different styles of food, just as everyday selection. mexican, Italian, Indian, Chinese traditional Indonesian etc all available with a better and more authentic selection than any metro market could even begin to dream about.i also got a haircut yesterday at a little salon in the neighborhood. when i went i went in they were saying "massage? massage?" and not knowing exacly what type of massage it would be i quickly said 'potong rambut' (haicut) it was adventure for sure and i had my phrasebook close at hand (see pics). that seems about it for now. tomorrow Tee Tee and i leave for Bogor, we are going to tea plantation and Buddhist temple (one of the oldest in the world) so needless to say, i am excited.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152413640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152413640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mav/indonesia2006/1152413640/tpod.html Tue, 11 Jul 2006 04:05:38 -0400 The Summer of Mike, Indonesian Edition

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Some people called me crazy, but when i booked my trip i sought out a long layover in a foreign land. And, well, i got it. my 10 hour layover in Hong Kong was incredible, and a way for having an adventure before the adventure even began. i arrived around 7 pm local time, checked my bag at "left baggage" a baggage storage place at the Hong Kong airport, and converted 40 american dollars to Hong Kong dollars. Then i bought a round trip bus ticket into the city for about 5 american dollars. the bus ride was about 40 minutes long and by 8:30 i was in downtown Hong Kong. So many people, sooooo many people. it was also so bright as most street corners were lit to the point of it seeming like the middle of the day. the brightness must have helped with the jet lag because i just wandered the streets in wonderment all night, taking an early morning bus 4:30 am back the airport. oh, and i did stop to get some food. against the usual travel book warning i stopped at what would be considered a street side vendor. but better fried tofu i have never had. it was even good enough to take a picture of...
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