The ordinary extraordinary and the keepers of the rocks...

It is now May and I am in shock at how fast time has flown (definitely a recurring theme). However, since my last post things have been the usual ordinary life here on the mountain but always with a dash of extraordinary.

Life's daily ritual's of school, grocery shopping (or attempt thereof) and being a family have been uneventful and seamless -- this is part of now being somewhat acclimated to small-jungle-town-living as these rituals and what they bring with are now a part of my "normal" -- which is has taken almost two years' acclimation time and are not my once-known normal (spoiled, untraveled, "world was a bubble" girl speaking). However, in these last month's we have celebrated Easter and once again traveled Cairns, Australia.

We celebrated Easter early as we were going to be traveling to Cairns and feared the Easter Bunny would lose us. The kiddos decorated eggs with homemade dye from vinegar and food coloring with our dear friends. They also received a surprise Easter basket after school the day before we left.

A few days later we were off on a plane to Cairns with our friends who have yet to visit Australia. This is the BEST FLIGHT EVER!!!! Now I say that because there may not be t.v. screens or business class or anything fancy and you still have to either catch a chopper or take a 2 hour bus ride just to get to the airport but this flight is never full, filled with all the people you know, the kiddos make forts with blankets and the parents can stretch out in an entire row and this flight is ONLY 2 HOURS LONG!! It flies during the day and the view of the Australian north coast is breathtaking!! Seriously, best flight ever!!

Our Cairns adventure was stupendous. One day we visited an aboriginal center where we learned of the aboriginal way of life including the how to play a didgeridoo, foods and natural medicines of the jungle, how to throw boomerangs and throw a spear. From the center we loaded a gondola that took us high over the jungle ceiling into a small town. After ice cream and a little shopping we boarded the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

I love trains (and I may be the only one) but this railway was built in the late 1880's and most, if not all, the train cars are original with beautiful detail. However, this is no ordinary railway, this railway curves, winds and treks through steep cliffs, dense jungle and glides over gloriously high bridges. And as the cars take you through this gorgeous scenery the story of the railway is told over speakers throughout. One of my favorites of the trip. http://www.ksr.com.au/History/Pages/Overview.aspx

After an adventurous day in the jungle sightseeing it was time to hit the Great Barrier Reef. But we did it in style! It was our friend's 50th birthday and Mike's birthday as well so we chartered a private yacht to take us fishing and for an intimate journey to the reef. Now all glammed up for our yachting experience we were met with rain, clouds and rough seas. Once we got to the reef point the waters calmed and the clouds parted. We were able to snorkel the amazing reef and even dance with a few hungry and overly-friendly Great Trevally fish, saw a reef shark and a very shy turtle. The ride back to the dock was pretty rough and freezing but the kiddos prevailed and the beer was cold.

Our yachting experience was unique but our adventure was about to deepen. One of our last days we rented a car and drove to one of Cairns' biggest and best kept secrets, Behana Gorge. This secret was shared by a dear Aussie friend and so thankful she did. The drive to the gorge is unmarked and a little difficult to find. We found the parking area after watching a 5 foot snake quietly cross the road (holy hell it was huge) and we began the "walk" to the gorge.

This "walk" was again not your ordinary jaunt. The path is paved but seems like it's never going to end as the hills only get steeper and steeper and the heat hotter and hotter. After an hour and much whining from Mason we made it to the gorge. Yet again this isn't just an ordinary gorge. It is probably one of the most spectacular waterfalls I have ever seen (a contender to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and the Potholes of Delta, Colorado). There are endless waterfalls that careen through large, round boulders creating pools perfect for cooling off after the long and hot hike.

We set down our stuff and got our bathers on (good Aussie word there) and just as I was about to walk over to the pool where our friend was sitting, he screamed like a frightened little girl (love that guy) and he jumped out of the water claiming that something had slithered up around his thigh. "Oh no a snake!!!". That's the first thing that jumped into my head especially after the one we saw just an hour before, but no, it wasn't a snake it was a crawdad (crawfish) and there wasn't just one. They were like little soldiers protecting their rocks and didn't care much for us being there.

Despite the keepers of the rocks we enjoyed the cold refreshing water and we each jumped off the rocks into the deep dark lagoon that pooled within the giant boulders. It was perfect. Now, one would imagine that the walk back would be much easier but nature decided differently. As we were packing up it began to rain. And living in the rain forest jungle that we do, we aren't much afraid of a little rain but this was no ordinary rain it was a downpour. It poured so heavily that my eyelashes were constantly swept into my eyes making it difficult to see. We made it back to the car drenched and cold. We all stripped down to as little as we could and our dear friend and I were laughing about not having any pants on (yes, we still had our togs on -- ha another Aussie term there).

Our trip to Cairns was much needed and enjoyed. We ate much and drank well but most importantly it was extraordinary.

As always, to be continued...

 

 

My appreciation...

It has been a calm but busy several weeks and we are now halfway into the kids' school term. As always it has been fun-filled. From a chili cook off and cake contest, to the upcoming Pink Tea and Hari Kartini celebrations. However, there have also been goodbyes. We have been here long enough now that our close friends are starting to leave. A dear friend went back to the States -- he always made us laugh and has an infectious smile and a friend went back to India -- she has the most amazing heart and soul. Now, another family is leaving in June and this one will be very difficult for us but, all selfishness aside, they are going to embark upon another expat adventure and richen their children's lives even more so.

Recently I have read a few articles about being an expat and they are all different yet similar; just as I suspect everyone's experiences have been comparable and unique living here. So many dynamics, factors and perceptions are at play. I started thinking about my experiences and there many things I have learned to appreciate (good and bad) being an expatriate. Some are serious and some, honestly, are words from a spoiled suburban mom. So here's a list of the some of the things I have come to appreciate:

• My marriage. It has been challenged, pushed, grown and immensely strengthened but more importantly we have been able to enjoy this adventure to the fullest -- it has been beyond our wildest dreams.
• My kids. They are amazing little troopers. They have been, literally, dragged through airports at all hours of day and night. Slept on metal benches, dirty rat-run floors and nasty buses. All while being patient and calm (for the most part) (ok maybe it was me that lost my mind that one time).
• Water. It's amazing how clean and drinkable water is a rarity. I am thankful that where we live has safe potable water -- it may not be running all the time but blessed when it does. So please use it wisely.
• SKYPE!!!!! Oh, to the inventor of Skype, I am truly indebted to you. You have helped keep me sane by giving me the opportunities to see my dear loved ones' faces.
• Personal hygiene. I never knew a gag reflex could be summoned so much. I joke that maybe I am the one who smells? I mean who wears cucumber melon when there are so many more "natural" scents?
• Toilet paper. Yup, enough said.
• Personal space and politeness. The line from Dirt Dancing comes to mind "this is my space, this is your space". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSCr-7PynoE Being butt-bumped on a plane from the person behind you, being cut in front of in line, your bank transaction shared with a stranger breathing down your neck, doors shut in your face while carry eight bags of groceries and witnessing your kid being run over by an adult, among many more, leaves politeness, common courtesy and chivalry with much to be desired.
• Libations. An enjoyable and decently priced wine, beer or spirit is such a delightful luxury.
• Fresh fruits and veggies... yes, much appreciated.
• Cooking. What a learning experience. Sometimes planning a meal or cooking in the kitchen I, either, feel like Giada De Laurentiis or like Annie Wilkes, from Misery. Some meals are beautiful and some are just torture.
• Becoming a hoarder. My name is Kristen and I am a hoarder. Yes, those lavish and fully stocked stores all lined up on one side of the street and equally fruitful stores on the other side of the street isn't normal. So when you (are less-than-thrilled to be) shopping and see that random product or brand from your home town or country, you buy ALL OF IT - no matter how much it costs. And oh yes, from the sh*t you have seen, you really feel that there could be a zombie apocalypse and are definitely prepared!!
• Friends. Love and miss the ones from home but the ones you meet make life abroad even more of a pleasant adventure and you become friends forever.
• Money. You appreciate how much random currency you accumulate and cannot get rid of.
• Language. When we first arrived in Indonesia I was like stoned on Rosetta Stone. All of a sudden I knew words from all sorts of different languages except the language I needed to know and I was vomiting French, Spanish and German all over these poor people. (exaggeration note, I didn't vomit on anyone)
• Imperial vs. metric. I'll get back to you on this one as it may kill me! (not an exaggeration)
• Driving. I so miss the days of driving down the road with windows rolled down, wind through my hair but not the near-death experiences of driving on the wrong side of the road (exaggeration note, I am not allowed drive here but did drive back home this summer and effectively drove on the wrong side of the road but no one was around except my parents who quickly pointed out my error)
• Culture. The cultural traditions I have seen have catapulted me into an immense appreciation for people and life. Culture is an expression of human nature and belief.
• The world shrinks. I remember when the massive tsunami hit Southeast Asia in 2004. My heart went out to the people of the affected area but now the world is full of our travels and friends and each part of it is more connected.  
• Racism. I have been judged and, unfortunately, I have judged.
• Sexism. I have been victim and have a greater appreciation for women's rights.
• Electronic adaptors. We have a thousand electronic adaptors and plugs but never one for the country we are traveling through or in or you brought the wrong one.             
• Smiles. They allow the lost, lonely, freaked, exhausted and scared expats to feel better and more comfortable. So appreciated -- a universal language.
• Human life. A jacked up, beautiful, amazing and complicated race who love and hate each other. Save, kill, rape, pillage and praise. Yet always bleed the same.  

I am so grateful and thankful for the abroad lifestyle and life lessons we have learned. I am curious what my fellow expatriate friends may say to this list and what they may add...

Looking forward to traveling in the next month or so and especially planning our trip through Europe! As always, to be continued!  

Credit: http://www.livhambrett.com/everything-i-know-about-germany-germans/what-i-know-about-germans/

Christmas and the fishing village of ghostly and unexpected craziness... (my apologies for the length but sometimes you just can't make this stuff up!)

It is now January 6th and our little life in the jungle continues to never be without adventures and lessons.

Christmas was especially hard for me this year. On Christmas Eve we joined several friends for a surprise birthday party. It was so beautiful and nice -- at one point I was just looking at everyone's smiles and it made my heart swell with happiness but also brought a little sadness. Here we were with amazing friends and we have become just like family but I couldn't help but miss my own back home. Hannah and Mason were the only kiddos at the party but I think they enjoyed the good food and, particularly, the attention.

Christmas morning came early but before I allowed Hannah and Mason to open their presents we Skyped with my parents and siblings. It was so wonderful to see them all but the homesick hit hard after we said goodbye -- the rest of the day I fought back tears. Hannah and Mason then patiently opened their presents and at one point Hannah cried at how happy she was with one of her gifts -- an Elsa and Olaf doll. It was precious. Later in the afternoon we had several friends join us for Christmas dinner and spent the evening listening to Christmas music and overindulging on the delicious food.

The day after Christmas Mike, the kiddos, our Pembantu, two friends, Erik and Krissy, and I boarded the helicopter and headed to the Rimba hotel. After a day in the welcoming sun we took a flight to Denpasar, Bali. From Denpasar we stuffed into a van for a three hour drive to Amed, Bali. Amed is a small fishing village at the North East tip of Bali.

The drive was nice, to begin with. Driving through an eclectic third world country is very amusing. All enthrallment quickly faded when the sun went down and blackness surrounded us, the road narrowed, the rain started pouring and the driver was lost. LOST!!!! Seriously!?

The driver stopped and found out where to go and on we continued. Soon another jolted stop and a steep incline was in view but cars were stranded directly in front of us. Then the driver jumped out of the car and ran up the incline and disappeared. Terrifying scenarios started playing in my head as my friend in the seat in front of me was using her cell phone to generate "pings" -- she was thinking the same unpleasant thoughts (think the movie Taken).
 
Our driver finally came back (phew). He revved the motor and then van crawled up the steep incline and around a stalled truck in the road (it all made sense now). The road continued to take steep and curvy turns until our villa came into view. (Thank GOD!)

Well it wasn't over. The villa seemed to be at the base of a narrow hill at a 20% grade. Mike, our friend, Erik, and the driver jumped out (again!?) but soon the driver came back up and ushered us girls into the van and he slowly navigated down the hill.

HOLY SH*T is all I could say in my mind as the van's brakes screeched as we went down. At one point they let loose along with my breath but quickly engaged again. We ended at the parking pad and we all happily got out. The night was called short so we could all get some sleep.

The next morning shone the brilliance of the villa and it's view. We all took-in the incredible view off the patio area where we spied hundreds of small fishing boats that crowded the ocean with their colored sails flapping in the wind. WOW!! That day we spent playing in the pool, reading and eating. Most of the days were spent the same way.

 

 

 

 

Our primary intention of traveling to Amed was to scuba dive. Some of the most desired and beautiful areas to snorkel and scuba are in and around Amed. From reefs to ship wrecks -- we were excited!! One of our scuba destinations was the USS Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben:

On 11 January, the USS Liberty was torpedoed by Japanese submarine about 10 nautical miles (19 km) southwest of the Lombok Strait. Two destroyers took the damaged ship in tow attempting to reach Singaraja, at that time, the Dutch port and administrative centre for the Lesser Sunda Islands on the north coast of Bali. However, the USS Liberty was taking too much water and so was beached on the eastern shore of Bali at Tulamben so that the cargo and fittings could be salvaged.
In 1963 the tremors associated with the eruption of Mount Agung caused the vessel to slip off the beach, and she now lies on a sand slope in 30 to 100 feet (9.1 to 30 m) of water, providing one of the most popular dives off Bali. This shipwreck is probably the easiest wreck diving in the world.

(Credit: http://www.baliblog.com/travel-tips/bali-daily/diving-on-the-uss-liberty-tulamben-east-bali.html)

On Friday, the 2nd, we were picked up early to make our way to the dive shop. Mike had to stay back as he had an upper respiratory infection and had to stay home (one of the major dive rules) . So Erik, Krissy and I headed out. We gathered our gear from the shop and drove to the site with four other people. When we got to the site it was hard to imagine that a large vessel lay sleeping just below the rocky shore. Krissy and I were a little nervous but we deflated our BCDs and down we sank.

The water was warm but a little murky. Too murky for my camera (sample pics below) and not like the clear Australia reef waters we are used to. As we sank further and further I focused on following our guide. We trailed close together in a group along the ocean floor that wasn't all that far from the surface. About five minutes later I looked to my left and instantly got shivers -- there it was, the ghostly skeleton of the USS Liberty. We were deeper than I thought and the massive bow of the ship was almost vertical and the size of a building.

(Credit: http://indonesianunderwater.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/167/)

(Credit:https://www.flickr.com/photos/theworldismycanvas/5061592690/)

 

Credit: http://www.baliscubamasters.com/tulamben.html#prettyPhoto/4/)

The group and I continued to descend along and through the massive ship. Although it's ribs and hulls were covered with sea life, the attacked vessel, itself, didn't feel so lifeless to me. Our journey was planned for an hour; longer than us "newbie" divers have ever gone before. 

All was going well until we started our ascent back up. There are a lot of "rules" in scuba diving and one of them is you need to surface at 50 bars on your pressure gauge. 50 bars leaves enough air in your tank at the surface in case of an emergency etc. Beyond that is the "red zone" See photo:

http://www.scubapro.com/media/271511/dual-pressure-gauge.jpg

Duh, right!? Throughout the dive the guide signaled "what is you air pressure?" and knew all along how much each of us had in our tanks. Panic was quickly engulfing me when my friend, Erik, and I hit 50 bars and the surface was still a ways up. We both signaled to the guide that we were at 50 bars but he signaled back "OK" and continued on as if nothing. I then signaled to the second guide who was bringing up the rear and he too signaled "OK". WHAT!!!???

Several minutes went on when suddenly I saw the guide shoving his secondary emergency/rescue regulator into Erik's mouth. Oh my god! I quickly looked at my regulator -- 20 bars. Oh eff!!! Way too low!!! I signaled to the second guide who was following us and he quickly gave me his emergency regulator.  (Another MAJOR scuba rule is that if you are on or using an emergency regulator from a buddy, together, you are to make an immediate, controlled accent to the surface.)

Now that two of the, only, guides have given BOTH their emergency regulators, I assumed our ascent was underway. NOPE! We continued swimming along the up-sloping bottom, the guide pulling Erik along showing us things on the ocean floor as I struggled to hold onto my guide buddy. WHAT WAS GOING ON?? I quickly looked back to see if everyone else in this freaking circus was "OK" but when I did that my mask completely filled with salt water instantly stinging my eyes. Oh no! I lifted my head up towards the surface to clear the water (as I was trained to do) but as I lifted my head the regulator ripped out of my mouth because my guide buddy was sinking below me (another rule is that you grab arms with your buddy to keep them close as to NOT LET THE REGULATOR RIP OUT OF EITHER DIVER'S MOUTH!!!!!)

There I was, no air and I couldn't see anything!! I frantically reached down to find someone and the other guide yanked Erik along to help me. He shoved the lost regulator from my guide buddy back into my mouth but that was it, uncontrollably, up I was going!!

My head popped out of the water and I was relieved and shaken. I was so close to the surface why did they keep me down??? Soon enough the rest of the group came up. My guide "buddy" popped up next to me and just looked at me with a freakin' smirk and said "you little panic"? YES, YOU BLEEPING IDIOT!!!

We all walked onto the shore with wobbly legs. After putting on dry clothes we decided that, that was enough scuba diving for the day and back to the villa we went.

The rest of the vacation was relaxing and fun. On New Year's Eve Mike and Erik lit fireworks that filled the sky with color while the reflections danced on the ocean waves. Our drive back to the airport was still amusing but less scary. We got amazing pictures of the famous terraced rice fields of Amed and, as always, enjoyed seeing how many family members can fit on a motor bike.

Our trip and holiday season was one we will never forget. Now we are settled at home and we look forward to a (hopefully) quiet next three months and where our next trip will take us.

As always, to be continued...    

Under the sea...

The last few months have been busy and taxing. From planning and executing a formal ball and school production, we found some time for a mini-vacay and traveled back to Cairns, Australia to get scuba dive certified. The trip was just what we all needed.

Our dear friends traveled with us and while Mike and I got certified Hannah and Mason got to partake in the various adventures Cairns has to offer with our friends and a darling college student. They ziplined, went to a movie, ate McDonald's (more than I'd like to admit), went to a waterfall, got to fish in a river and swam in the famous Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. While the kiddos played it up, Mike and I were deep in the throes of learning to breathe and swim under water.

One may assume that scuba diving maybe easy to master but that is definitely not the case. On Friday we arrived at a PADI dive center for our closed water training (in a pool). (Mike and I completed our PADI learning online prior to leaving for Cairns.) We were mentally prepared for what was about to happen but the physical test was about to commence.

Our dive trainer was very nice and immediately gave us a test to take that pertained to what we learned online. After passing it, it was now on to getting our equipment fitted and getting in the water. Before getting suited up Mike and I had to complete a swim test. We both had to swim 300 meters and then float for 10 minutes. That was fun but set the tone that this sport is not for sissies.

Once we finished the swim test it was full-on. We got into the pool with, what felt like, 100 pounds of equipment. It was HARD! The process of acclimating and telling my brain "it's ok" and "you will not drown, calm down" was overwhelming. After 3 and a half hours we passed our closed water training.

We tiredly walked back to our hotel and crashed hard that night. The next morning came early and on our way we were to attempt our open water training (in the ocean). I have to admit, I was nervous. However, the thought of scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef made it more exciting. We snorkeled the Reef last October but this was going to be a different adventure.

The large boat was stuffed to the brim with locals and travelers from all over the world. After an hour or so boat ride we made it to stop #1. It was time to jump in. It was like I instantly forgot everything. It was very busy and chaotic. We jumped in and had to release air from our BCD and allow the heavy weights around our waist bring us down (holy crap!!). There were flippers, poorly trained divers and snorkelers everywhere. I was able to equalize the pressure building in my ears but the other divers-in-training had a more difficult time. The chaos finally lessened and we then had to complete several tasks under and above water. One of the tasks is completely removing your mask underwater, putting it back on and then clearing the water. It's amazing how removing one or more of your senses heightens the others and fight or flight kicks in. After 4 dives and 2 days of scuba diving we all finally completed our required tasks.

Our last 2 dives were more relaxed as we had more of a handle on what we were doing. The fish at the dive sites are very accustomed to humans and are very friendly. I would be swimming along and all of a sudden there is a huge "Wally" fish right in my face -- freaked me out! But nothing prepared me for the sharks. Yes, sharks!! And the barracuda! Yes, barracuda!! The barracuda was a little too interested in us so we surfaced and got out. The sharks weren't aggressive but intimating as heck!!

As I got more comfortable the more I was able to really take in really what I was doing and where I was. It was an unbelievable and magical moment. The bubbles from all the other divers caught the sunlight from above sparkled and the colorful coral and fish were just so perfect -- it was very surreal.

Our mini-vacay ended and, again, we were off back to the mountain but not until after a cancelled flight and additional night in Cairns. Again, props to my amazingly patient kiddos.

Finally arriving back on the mountain, the Ball and school play went off without a hitch and I am really looking forward to some downtime and holiday time. In two short weeks, right after Christmas, we are headed to Tulamben, a fishing village on the north-east coast of Bali. Where we hope to dive two ship wrecks and snorkel with the kiddos.

As always, to be continued....

Fantastic Fiji…

Time flies in the jungle, as well as in the entire world, and that being said it’s been a little over two weeks since we arrived home from Fiji. What a fantastic place – fantastic Fiji.

After long flights and layovers we finally arrived at the Nadi airport more than 24 hours after our first departure. The airport is quant, warm and delightfully pleasant. We were greeted with a lei of seashells and smiles all around. We found our transport to take us to the resort and on our way we went.

The drive from the airport guided us through vast agricultural and mountainous land. Cows, horses and houses greeted us on our long drive. We finally arrived at the resort and a gentleman was drumming on a hallow log welcoming us. We checked in and set off to our bure.

The entrance of the resort hid its treasure. As we turned the corner from the check-in area we stepped out onto a beach dream – a Fijian dream. We were confronted with a crystal clear ocean with white a sandy beach and far-off breaking waves. Palm trees scattered the property and “Bula” ("wishing you happiness and good health") was uttered by every employee of the resort as we walked to our home for the week.  

The bure was perfectly sufficient for sleeping as that is all it was used for but the best part was that it was ocean-facing, unobstructed and close enough to hear the constant break of the beautiful waves. Mike and I spent many nights sitting on the patio, talking and listening to the waves. Gorgeous!! That day we met up with Grandpa Wayne and Grandma T and our first day was magical -- playing in the ocean, snorkeling and discovering the abundant ocean life. Truly amazing.

The resort was absolutely beyond our expectations and perfect for families and couples alike. That night we dined at the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious three course meal and tiredly ate the delicious desserts. The next night, unfortunately, both Hannah and Mason got pretty sick and lost a lot of their spirit and energy until the day we left. Despite being sick they were total troopers.

I have so many favorites of our Fiji trip. One was the night we got there, Grandma T and I played in the dark ocean under the starlit sky while laughing uncontrollably as passers-by heckled us on our craziness. Another was snorkeling. I have never seen such variety of ocean life and coral. Mike and I did a ton of snorkeling together (even did yoga underwater, too fun) while the kiddos tortured many hermit crabs on the beach. The whole family kayaked one day and Hannah and Mason did a great job paddling.

One particular favorite was when we went to a school at the nearby village. We walked with our guide Kini, who is an amazing person. She told us about the village and its culture. She is especially familiar because she grew up in the village and attended the school there. The school was small but very organized. As I understand, the Fijian government requires each child to achieve a certain level of reading, writing and arithmetic in three languages English, Indian and Fijian. They must achieve the expected level before they can progress to the next grade. Way to take care of your future leaders, Fiji! The entire school also does daily devotions and requires each child to brush their teeth after lunch. I was so impressed with the school and its teachers as the kids sang and greeted us. It was very moving.

The firewalking and Kava ceremony was another memorable night. Legend has it that over 500 years ago the men of Beqa Island were given the gift of being able to walk on fire by an eel in exchange for its life (http://www.fiji.travel/activity/firewalking). The descendants of those men are the only men who are allowed to participate in the firewalking ceremony. The men were dressed in grass skirts, chanted and sang while each one walked over the hot coals. It was crazy. Following the firewalking was the Kava ceremony. Derived from the kava root and mixed water, the villagers drink kava out of a large wooden bowl scooping it out with a coconut shell. They start with their eldest, then men and lastly, women. Each participant has to clap once first, take a sip, and then clap three times. The kava root is a mild narcotic that numbs the tongue and makes one feel relaxed. The audience was invited to drink after the villagers. It was NASTY tasting and holds up to its reputation of tasting like dirty dish water. An experience for sure!

The last day we got to go deep sea fishing. It was a cold, windy and rainy morning. The captain and his shipmate (finally) showed up holding gas cans and a cooler of beer. They walked us over to a part of the resort and told us to wait under the shelter of a hut as they proceeded to walk in the ocean to a small boat. We soon realized this was not going to be a luxury day at sea. We shed as much dry clothing that we could, took our good cameras back to the bure and had to make our way through the ocean, in the rain and, now, fog to the little dingy of boat.

The captain finessed the boat through the tight passages of coral and we soon hit the waves of the ocean. I am not talking about little waves these were huge swells that tossed us about and covered us with cold ocean water. The excitement turned to straight fear. There weren’t any suitable life jackets for the kids and visions of them toppling into the ocean consumed me all the while Hannah was losing her mind! Screaming and crying each time the boat slammed hard on the water after the waves brought us up. To make matters worse, poor, Grandma T started to get seasick and Grandpa Wayne was starting to get a little green himself. The captain and shipmate were business as usual. The shipmate was busy setting fishing lines into the water in hopes to catch a big one.

After an hour of fighting the waves, Hannah screaming and Mason motionless (in fear, I am sure) we decided to head back. As the boat started to turn around FISH ON!! Two of the four lines had fish on and they were fighting. Mike and Wayne jumped up and each reeled in the monsters. The two beautiful dolphin fish leapt into the air out of the water. They successfully brought the fish in and were smiling from ear-to-ear. Our little fishing trip was now complete.

It seemed like forever to get the boat back to its docking point because the captain had to navigate through the waves to avoid flipping the boat over. He even had to go back out to try another angle back in. Once we anchored, we happily disembarked the boat, thanked our captain and shipmate and hurried back to LAND! Mike brought the fish to the chef and that night, our last night, we enjoyed the fish in a buttercream sauce – delicious! An experience, I don’t think any of us will forget.

Sunday was a sad day of saying goodbye and tears were flowing. Back to the jungle we go. I have to admit, I have expressed and experienced some amazing cultures that are warm and welcoming but Fiji is comprised of the absolute warmest and most welcoming people of any other culture. We made many new friends at the Fiji Hideaway Resort and hope to return one day.

We are settled back into the routine here and now looking forward to the holidays. I am currently teaching the music classes and directing the upcoming school musical. It has been a fun and learning experience and blessed to have such opportunity!

As always to be continued…  (more photos to come but my internet is too slow right now ;)       

            

 

The Carpet Man from Pakistan and the gift of a group...

The possibilities of meeting a new face from a different country are endless here. Aside from my newest friend from India who has already taught me many of her cultures and inspired me, I met an interesting soul last week from Pakistan -- the Carpet Man from Pakistan (as I have dubbed him). I volunteered to help at a carpet bazaar and that is where I met him.

The Carpet Man from Pakistan (who now lives in Bali) arranged to have hundreds of hand-woven and machine made carpets (rugs as we in the US call them) and spices brought up to Tembagapura to sell. These are opportunities we thrive upon, especially getting the chance to shop and for something unique right in town!!

I walked into the hall (where I am to volunteer as a greeter and help point out the differences between hand woven carpets and machine made to potential buyers), the hall was full from side to side with hundreds of various rugs. It was so full that it left the hall with no acoustics. I was given a tour from one of the other Ibus on the differences etc. There is a HUGE difference between hand woven and machine made. She then left me in the hall, it was just me and the Carpet Man from Pakistan.

He and I sat for hours and he told me of his life in Pakistan especially the story of how he and his wife met. It was a Romeo and Juliet tale of clashing families and two star-crossed lovers. He told me how they ran away together for three days (a pre-wedding celebration, wink wink (so not allowed)) and upon their return she was taken home by her father for disobeying. The Carpet Man detailed how every day he went to her house and asked her father for her hand in marriage and every day the door was slammed in his face. Everyday he could see her looking at him from her window as he walked away (break your heart, right?). One day he couldn't take it anymore and knocked on the door, the door opened and there again was her father, the Carpet Man slowly sat down on the stoop and said he wasn't going to leave without her and would die there from starvation and thirst if that is what was meant to be. The door slammed (UGH- killing me!!). But a few moments later the door opened and it was her, his Juliet (YAY!).

The day went on and the Carpet Man told stories of the ancient rugs that filled the room as we stood on them feeling their texture with our toes -- one depicted war planes before dropping deadly bombs, others were more inconspicuous detailing the tree of life and the Garden of Eden. They were all so unique and special and as he told their stories the room changed, it became a haunted gallery full of historical life (gave me the goose bumps). That night he cooked a Pakistani dinner at the Lupa Lela for the community and it was delicious! A great end to a great day.

As I have said before the friendships here are the foundations of this community. If not for that it wouldn't be a place worth living in. And what a fantastic community we have. The thing I love about it is yes, there are many groups of friends within the community but we all, for the most part, support and care for each other on such an amazing level.

My most recent experience of said support was for a friend of mine. It was her birthday and, of course, we only do things to the nines here it was more than just her birthday, it was a celebration. This friend has undergone such an astonishing transformation. She has worked tirelessly to transform her physical self but through the process has transformed her inner self, as well. Just being around her, her energy is contagious along with her drive and determinations. She is such an inspiration to us all. The night at her birthday party I stood back and looked at everyone and how it was a gathering for her, a celebration for her accomplishments and a testament of our love and support. Such is a true gift!!

Life in the jungle continues to go on and we are getting closer to our trip to Fiji. We are all looking forward to some sun and warm weather.

As always, to be continued....