![]() |
|||
C O N T E N T S Welcome Page Itinerary Paul's Postcards Jill's Journey Leala's Letterbox Ben's Bits Family Photo's Family Finances Incidental Info ___________ [ CONTACT US ] |
29/01/2004 - Thoughts on Indonesia
Last day in Indonesia and end of our ‘extreme’ South East Asia trip. We’re feeling in wind-down mode, relaxing and chilling, no interest in visiting or sightseeing. A great 6 weeks hopping islands: Bali, Lombok, Gili Air, Java, and back to Bali. Travelling plane, train, boat and automobile, and more locally Docak (horse & cart!), Bemo (mini bus!), Becak (trishaw!) and horseback. Been over mountains, up volcanoes, in waterfalls, on beaches, under the sea, and through an earthquake. Seen monkeys, dolphin, turtle, Gecko, water buffalo, a snake, insects, too many mosquitoes, and Nemo and his friends. Bali, generally disappointing. Not paradise we’d imagined. Of course some amazing scenery and interesting sights and places, but hassle. Agh! Everyone asking, "You want this?", "You buy this?". No! Just bugger off and leave me alone. That’s what I want to say. First stop in Bali may’ve tainted our view, a week in Kuta, main tourist resort, excessive hassle and a feeling of an Australian Ibiza. Yesterday, 6 weeks on, hired bodyboards on Kuta surf-beach. After getting through hassle of beachsellers at top, pestered at water’s edge by coachloads of Indonesian tourists (or some such!) wanting photo’s with kids and Jill. Bizarre! Kids not enjoying it so cut the fun short and went back to hotel. Other islands of Indonesia more enjoyable. Lombok and Gili Islands, absolutely amazing. A definite recommendation. Would go back there and do more exploring. So undeveloped! And Java enjoyable too, the trip up smoking Mount Bromo volcano an incredible highlight. But Malang also, memorable for it’s off-the-beaten-tourist-path feeling. |
||