Boarded an armorstruxx (bulletproof) bus full of fabulous people from Tembagapura this morning at 7:30. This bus is the "quality of life" bus. This bus brings people from Tembag to the lowlands. The lowlands consist of the town of Timika, the town of KK (I will get the appropriate spelling and update) and last but not least the Rimba Resort Golf Club! A PGA course that is more beautiful than words and pictures. 7:30 was pleasantly gorgeous in Tembag and excited I was to board. Once we were loaded and ready the Security Officer got on the bus to do a debriefing. Things went from fluffy to serious in an instant- as quickly as the rain begins to pour here. He says (note- not word-for-word) "we will leave here with an armored convoy. Three cars in front and a bus and three cars in the rear. In the event we are shot at stay on the bus. We will move the convoy to the next security post which occur every 2 miles or so". Such security and bulletproofing exist due to prior events on the road that left two buses riddled with bullets, some injuries and no fatalities- thank goodness. Why travel, one may ask? Why not, I say! Life is somewhat calculated but risks and adventure lead to pleasure and pain, therefore life! And life is what I am living.
We have a wonderful girl to watch our kiddos while we are gone.
We begin our journey and all of a sudden a loud pang hits the bus and immediately my heart sinks. Mike with a calm, gorgeous smiles says "it's just a rock from the road from the tires". Phew!
We arrive at the Rimba with no issues and immediately the class of the club is almost overwhelming. The staff takes the clubs and the women and men part ways to their respective locker rooms. Beautiful locker rooms! Once changed we are greeted by our caddies. Men who know the course and the game. The course twists and turns in green wanderlust. There are swampy steps met with horn bill shrills! This is freaking jungle golf- PGA style! I was just waiting for a teradactle to come flying out of the crowded tree line.
The day ended well (I had a fabulous game). Mike and I ate brunch at the restaurant and met a new couple all the way from Alaska- adding to the list of people and their places.
We once again boarded the bulletproof bus and on our way we went back to the city in the clouds. Before we left we were debriefed again but this time there will be one stop on the way up- a potty break. The bus slowly makes it up the steep hill and comes to a stop the doors open and men jump off to relieve themselves. I jump off and the security guy says with a humored look of shock "you are the first woman to get off the bus when it stops here". "Really?" I ask. "Yep really" he says. I wanted to say that this isn't my first rodeo- maybe may first jungle rodeo. Peeing in the mountains is no big deal. He lead me to a more private area and Mike came to hold his coat around me and suddenly a few security guys that are stationed at the post come up and ask if I needed something- they were truly perplexed over the stupid buleh Ibu who was not on the bus. It was a first and notable experience for everyone, I am pretty sure.
We got home safely and the kids had an amazing time with their new friend.
We have a wonderful girl to watch our kiddos while we are gone.
We begin our journey and all of a sudden a loud pang hits the bus and immediately my heart sinks. Mike with a calm, gorgeous smiles says "it's just a rock from the road from the tires". Phew!
We arrive at the Rimba with no issues and immediately the class of the club is almost overwhelming. The staff takes the clubs and the women and men part ways to their respective locker rooms. Beautiful locker rooms! Once changed we are greeted by our caddies. Men who know the course and the game. The course twists and turns in green wanderlust. There are swampy steps met with horn bill shrills! This is freaking jungle golf- PGA style! I was just waiting for a teradactle to come flying out of the crowded tree line.
The day ended well (I had a fabulous game). Mike and I ate brunch at the restaurant and met a new couple all the way from Alaska- adding to the list of people and their places.
We once again boarded the bulletproof bus and on our way we went back to the city in the clouds. Before we left we were debriefed again but this time there will be one stop on the way up- a potty break. The bus slowly makes it up the steep hill and comes to a stop the doors open and men jump off to relieve themselves. I jump off and the security guy says with a humored look of shock "you are the first woman to get off the bus when it stops here". "Really?" I ask. "Yep really" he says. I wanted to say that this isn't my first rodeo- maybe may first jungle rodeo. Peeing in the mountains is no big deal. He lead me to a more private area and Mike came to hold his coat around me and suddenly a few security guys that are stationed at the post come up and ask if I needed something- they were truly perplexed over the stupid buleh Ibu who was not on the bus. It was a first and notable experience for everyone, I am pretty sure.
We got home safely and the kids had an amazing time with their new friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.