One adventure after another
The first day of the week started with a lot of impressions, but mostly endless happiness. We woke up early as my friends picked us up at 7am with backpacks and sportive clothes. We were heading to the nature, but guess where exactly: the famous Safari Park in Bogor 2-3 hours from Jakarta a little traffic included. We reached it quite fast but only because my friend is the best driver. He took special ways, very slim ones up and down the mountains, sometimes truth a small poor village where the people couldn't believe to see such a huge modern car passing their wooden houses and scarying the chickens and sheeps around. The trip itself was an adventure, the road was very steep and tight and full of small obstacles. A lot of random local people stood on special spots like on curves to lead the drivers, tell them to stop or to go as the view around was bad and its unpredictable and dangerous to crush into the car going down. Funny thing was that a lot of childeren used this opportunity of help to collect some money as here in Indonesia it is normal to give a tip to the helper. By just standing on a straight street and waving with their hands with a big smile they hoped to get some money for their big help. Finally arriving we first went through a part where you have to stay in the car and let the animals go around and as they always ask for food we bought some bananas and carrots to feed them. Especially funny were the lamas that came so close to your car that you tought their spittle would touch the window or the face would even go inside the car and the cutest were the monkeys for sure who tried to catch those bananas with small human looking hands and run away. You can see on my pictures which fantastic creatures we also met before reaching the part out of the car where we walked though brids, gepards, giraffs and also one of the most touching animals ever for me: elefants. I couldn't believe to see them drawing a picture holding the brush with color in their mouth and jumping up and down. Wonderful how they make sounds and even smile. Just so super sad to see them being well teached and thinking of the way they did it...hopefully not too agressive. Well, the most breathtaking moment was holding a python snake on the arms that moved around your whole body, tried to lick and retch you and was heavy as hell. I needed time to get used to the feeling of its slippery skin and strong muscles. But then I kind of even liked it. I didn't want to let her down. Amazing feeling. Next animal stop was a baby tiger. It was just like a big cat with fluffy paw and a cute face. It was so cuddly but still sometimes opened its mouth and I was afraid it gonna bite...cute experience. Last and best was an Oran Utan. The monkey looked old but acted like a baby. Holding it on the knees was amzaaazingly cute. He took my hands and tried to kiss me and took me head between his arms. He made sounds and screamed a bit and laughed all the time. It was a great to hold it and cuddle it. I would love to have monkey as a pet. They seem so smart and funny. I fell in love. My mama also had the opportunity to hold him and play a bit, and he tried to hang on her neck and get closer to her all the time what made heraugh and cry at the same time as she was fascinated and touched of this wonderful moment. All in all, the trip was marvellous and it couldn't end better than with a sesfood dinner on the top of a mountain with a beautiful view on the nature. We had some very fresh plain milk there as a dessert before we started our way back home which took us just an jour and a half as there was almost no traffic. We are very thankful to my friends that they took us there on the 24th of October when everyone is at home with their families. We had the best Christmas ever.
As the next day was a free day for everyone too, we slept long and sweet before we went to the pool where we had a nice breakfast ut of fried bananas and jackfruits with ice cream and a fresh coconut juice. We were relaxing and preparing for our holiday that would be spent in a paradise. We packed our suitcases and dressed for a last dinner with my friend. We went to the seaside of Jakarta in an amusement park called Ancol. The restaurant is famous for their extremely fresh seafood that stays there alive until you pick it and get killed fast before preparing. Regardless of the loud female singer who sang annoying christmas or birthday songs all the time we likedothe place that was kind of outside. To get a table at this restaurant people were ready to wait 1 to 2 hours or pay more money. We had some fresh crab prepared in some honey source and special mussels that were super juicy, big prawns and of course some rice with it. We drank a fresh coconut water and talked about life and food. Even though we had to wake up early the next day we went to the skybar in the city centre where another friend of us was DJ that night. We met some more new people, had wine and cocktails and an extremely tasty dessert. Unfortunately me and my mom we both had a bad headache that just didn't want to dissappear so my friend dropped us back home and said bye for the next ten days. Why? Because we were about to flight to the islands! To the sun and ocean and to the freedom. We landed in Lombok, an Island close to Bali that is vulcano island and famous for still being one of not many Hindu islands in Indonesia. We took a speed boat from there to Gili Islands. There are three different Gili Islands. We informed ourselves before going there a as we wanted to be sure to get a break of crowds and noises and pollution. The island Gili trawangan was the most famous one but still small. It was famous for parties and drugs and big variation of restaurants and bars. Gili air seemed to be the smallest and calmest island where is almost nothing on it and if I say nothing that means it can happen that you stay without any hot unsalty water in a bungalow. Gili Meno was the perfect golden middle for us: it was very calm and not crowded at all, we found empty places on the beach every day and and were not disturbed by any party or drunk groups of teenagers that were ruining the idyllic atmosphere of this little paradise. In addition, the island is completely without any cars or motorcycles. The main transportation is a bicycle or a horse mostly with a carriage. So, we could take a break of Jakartas bad air pollution and the smog. The first days were very relaxing, the typical beach life. We had breakfast early went to catch the good and healthy time of the sun, went snorkeling to sea beautiful coral riffs, fishes and even some turtles. We had lunch out of fresh fruits and shakes on the beach and watched the wonderful sunsets while dining fresh fish very close to the ocean. On the second day it was high tide and the waves were very strong. However, we didn't want to miss any day of snorkeling. So we managed it to run into the water during a short time qhen the waves were calm. We snorkeled for around 20 minutes and tried to get out of the water but it was difficult to swim against the waves and besides we couldn't see the corals anymore. Coming closer and closer to the shore suddenly a very strong wave pushed us to the waterfront and we hit the corals with our legs badly. My knee was damaged. My mom even got wunds on her belly and thight. We came out of the water as soon as we could and found our bodies full of blood. We could see that the wunds were all not huge or deep but the blood was flowing and mixed wit water it looked terrible. I can say that I am lucky it hit only my knee as I was fast enough to get away from the spot where the sharp coral were. We ran to our place to take our stuff and got home for a shower. We were really sad it happened as it was our second day and we wanted to enjoy the ocean to the fullest. However, it looked less damaged after the shower and we went to a kind of small hospital on the beachside were they cleaned up the wunds with distiled water and put betadine on it. They wanted around 30 dollars for the cleaning process, while a tiny bottle of betadine would cost just 2 dollar. We didn't have the money as we didn't expect such a high price and told them we would fome back to pay. We came back after a midday nap of 1 hour on our way to the beach. When we arrived to the hospital the doctor and his assistant were sitting there with someone looking more important. I asked him if he is sure its the price for the 2 minutes cleaning and he said he would make a discount of 20 dollars less for me included the betadine bottle. I tried to not laugh when I got out of there. We cared for the wunds drying them in the sun and sometimes cleaning them in the salty water. We managed to enjoy it anyway. I booked a dive trip for the next day. As I have the open diver license but didn't dive for over 3 years, I had to do a refresher course where all the rules signs and equipment details were revised again. After that we took a speed boat to a spot between our island Gili Meno and the smaller one Gili Air. We went diving at this spot , my mom joined us in the boat and went snorkeling. We saw a turtle and beautiful corals in different colors, even light blue ones that I didn't see before. To be honest I prefered snorkeling in our bay close to the hotel, as we saw much more fishes and different corals there. However, I really enjoyed diving after such a long time again and I am glad I have a new stamp inside my lookbook now. Well, that was my last day on this wonderful island. Next day would be the 31st so the ladt day of the year, when we were heading to the next destination.
The first day of the week started with a lot of impressions, but mostly endless happiness. We woke up early as my friends picked us up at 7am with backpacks and sportive clothes. We were heading to the nature, but guess where exactly: the famous Safari Park in Bogor 2-3 hours from Jakarta a little traffic included. We reached it quite fast but only because my friend is the best driver. He took special ways, very slim ones up and down the mountains, sometimes truth a small poor village where the people couldn't believe to see such a huge modern car passing their wooden houses and scarying the chickens and sheeps around. The trip itself was an adventure, the road was very steep and tight and full of small obstacles. A lot of random local people stood on special spots like on curves to lead the drivers, tell them to stop or to go as the view around was bad and its unpredictable and dangerous to crush into the car going down. Funny thing was that a lot of childeren used this opportunity of help to collect some money as here in Indonesia it is normal to give a tip to the helper. By just standing on a straight street and waving with their hands with a big smile they hoped to get some money for their big help. Finally arriving we first went through a part where you have to stay in the car and let the animals go around and as they always ask for food we bought some bananas and carrots to feed them. Especially funny were the lamas that came so close to your car that you tought their spittle would touch the window or the face would even go inside the car and the cutest were the monkeys for sure who tried to catch those bananas with small human looking hands and run away. You can see on my pictures which fantastic creatures we also met before reaching the part out of the car where we walked though brids, gepards, giraffs and also one of the most touching animals ever for me: elefants. I couldn't believe to see them drawing a picture holding the brush with color in their mouth and jumping up and down. Wonderful how they make sounds and even smile. Just so super sad to see them being well teached and thinking of the way they did it...hopefully not too agressive. Well, the most breathtaking moment was holding a python snake on the arms that moved around your whole body, tried to lick and retch you and was heavy as hell. I needed time to get used to the feeling of its slippery skin and strong muscles. But then I kind of even liked it. I didn't want to let her down. Amazing feeling. Next animal stop was a baby tiger. It was just like a big cat with fluffy paw and a cute face. It was so cuddly but still sometimes opened its mouth and I was afraid it gonna bite...cute experience. Last and best was an Oran Utan. The monkey looked old but acted like a baby. Holding it on the knees was amzaaazingly cute. He took my hands and tried to kiss me and took me head between his arms. He made sounds and screamed a bit and laughed all the time. It was a great to hold it and cuddle it. I would love to have monkey as a pet. They seem so smart and funny. I fell in love. My mama also had the opportunity to hold him and play a bit, and he tried to hang on her neck and get closer to her all the time what made heraugh and cry at the same time as she was fascinated and touched of this wonderful moment. All in all, the trip was marvellous and it couldn't end better than with a sesfood dinner on the top of a mountain with a beautiful view on the nature. We had some very fresh plain milk there as a dessert before we started our way back home which took us just an jour and a half as there was almost no traffic. We are very thankful to my friends that they took us there on the 24th of October when everyone is at home with their families. We had the best Christmas ever.
As the next day was a free day for everyone too, we slept long and sweet before we went to the pool where we had a nice breakfast ut of fried bananas and jackfruits with ice cream and a fresh coconut juice. We were relaxing and preparing for our holiday that would be spent in a paradise. We packed our suitcases and dressed for a last dinner with my friend. We went to the seaside of Jakarta in an amusement park called Ancol. The restaurant is famous for their extremely fresh seafood that stays there alive until you pick it and get killed fast before preparing. Regardless of the loud female singer who sang annoying christmas or birthday songs all the time we likedothe place that was kind of outside. To get a table at this restaurant people were ready to wait 1 to 2 hours or pay more money. We had some fresh crab prepared in some honey source and special mussels that were super juicy, big prawns and of course some rice with it. We drank a fresh coconut water and talked about life and food. Even though we had to wake up early the next day we went to the skybar in the city centre where another friend of us was DJ that night. We met some more new people, had wine and cocktails and an extremely tasty dessert. Unfortunately me and my mom we both had a bad headache that just didn't want to dissappear so my friend dropped us back home and said bye for the next ten days. Why? Because we were about to flight to the islands! To the sun and ocean and to the freedom. We landed in Lombok, an Island close to Bali that is vulcano island and famous for still being one of not many Hindu islands in Indonesia. We took a speed boat from there to Gili Islands. There are three different Gili Islands. We informed ourselves before going there a as we wanted to be sure to get a break of crowds and noises and pollution. The island Gili trawangan was the most famous one but still small. It was famous for parties and drugs and big variation of restaurants and bars. Gili air seemed to be the smallest and calmest island where is almost nothing on it and if I say nothing that means it can happen that you stay without any hot unsalty water in a bungalow. Gili Meno was the perfect golden middle for us: it was very calm and not crowded at all, we found empty places on the beach every day and and were not disturbed by any party or drunk groups of teenagers that were ruining the idyllic atmosphere of this little paradise. In addition, the island is completely without any cars or motorcycles. The main transportation is a bicycle or a horse mostly with a carriage. So, we could take a break of Jakartas bad air pollution and the smog. The first days were very relaxing, the typical beach life. We had breakfast early went to catch the good and healthy time of the sun, went snorkeling to sea beautiful coral riffs, fishes and even some turtles. We had lunch out of fresh fruits and shakes on the beach and watched the wonderful sunsets while dining fresh fish very close to the ocean. On the second day it was high tide and the waves were very strong. However, we didn't want to miss any day of snorkeling. So we managed it to run into the water during a short time qhen the waves were calm. We snorkeled for around 20 minutes and tried to get out of the water but it was difficult to swim against the waves and besides we couldn't see the corals anymore. Coming closer and closer to the shore suddenly a very strong wave pushed us to the waterfront and we hit the corals with our legs badly. My knee was damaged. My mom even got wunds on her belly and thight. We came out of the water as soon as we could and found our bodies full of blood. We could see that the wunds were all not huge or deep but the blood was flowing and mixed wit water it looked terrible. I can say that I am lucky it hit only my knee as I was fast enough to get away from the spot where the sharp coral were. We ran to our place to take our stuff and got home for a shower. We were really sad it happened as it was our second day and we wanted to enjoy the ocean to the fullest. However, it looked less damaged after the shower and we went to a kind of small hospital on the beachside were they cleaned up the wunds with distiled water and put betadine on it. They wanted around 30 dollars for the cleaning process, while a tiny bottle of betadine would cost just 2 dollar. We didn't have the money as we didn't expect such a high price and told them we would fome back to pay. We came back after a midday nap of 1 hour on our way to the beach. When we arrived to the hospital the doctor and his assistant were sitting there with someone looking more important. I asked him if he is sure its the price for the 2 minutes cleaning and he said he would make a discount of 20 dollars less for me included the betadine bottle. I tried to not laugh when I got out of there. We cared for the wunds drying them in the sun and sometimes cleaning them in the salty water. We managed to enjoy it anyway. I booked a dive trip for the next day. As I have the open diver license but didn't dive for over 3 years, I had to do a refresher course where all the rules signs and equipment details were revised again. After that we took a speed boat to a spot between our island Gili Meno and the smaller one Gili Air. We went diving at this spot , my mom joined us in the boat and went snorkeling. We saw a turtle and beautiful corals in different colors, even light blue ones that I didn't see before. To be honest I prefered snorkeling in our bay close to the hotel, as we saw much more fishes and different corals there. However, I really enjoyed diving after such a long time again and I am glad I have a new stamp inside my lookbook now. Well, that was my last day on this wonderful island. Next day would be the 31st so the ladt day of the year, when we were heading to the next destination.
Wanna know how and where I ended up to spend my NYE ? Keep posted for the next story.
