Monday was a Fun Day ~

We wanted to visit a little bay just outside of town to the south where the local people enjoy a holiday....so off we went with our day-pack around 11 am, walking towards this bridge that would take us in the direction of this Bay and beach area - Air Manis.  We walked and walked (we said to each other...oh oh - it is further then the map is showing us!)
                                                                                                                                                               We finally came to the bridge -thankful for the wind that we felt coming up from the ocean!

We sat down - had to really - we had already walked at least 3 miles to get here and it was getting hotter by the minute!

We purchased some dried banana snacks...and gladly sat & rested for a little bit!

Well above us is the bridge and we noticed there wasn't any of those little transportation buses around - where are they when you need one?  We chuckled about that!

So we walked across the bridge to the other side....we knew that little Bay would be this direction..a few kilometers south somewhere....out there.......!!!!!!

We then decided to walk down to the river front, walking along these little pathway's past small little dwellings - very meager - people living their daily lives -  and they gave us warm smiles and greeted us as we past by     "Maybe" we will find a bus to take us...YES? NO?   -

We stood there at the riverfront - wondering what we should do??? Then a man stopped with his motorcycle..and he could speak a little English - so thoughtful.... that he did stop for these searching tourists! We said Putah Pisang? (a little island at the Air Manis Bay?) and he understood and said "no bus" "no taxi" YIKES! ....we thought...now what?  Then a gal sitting in a van with other people - under the bridge - they were having their lunch - came over too...and she spoke a little English - yeah!

She agreed - no bus...and then this other man came over from a food stand across the way, rubbing his bare belly... and asked the others what might we need?  He heard we wanted to go Air Manis Bay and see the island...he then started walking down the street ..and the gal said "wait wait....he go and ask something to someone" ...so we did...and all at once 2 young men showed up on their motorcycles....ah Nick & I said...I think our transportation just arrived! 

                                                                       .... And that it was!  They said they were willing to give us a ride...over the hill there and down to the other side where this little bay was...how about 10,0000 rupiahs? We realized that would be around $10,- and so we hesitated on that...looking at one another - and then they offered it for 60,000 rupiah's....Yes!   

Nick & I looked at one another and said - let's do it...another adventure!  Our transportation has been brought to us! So on the bikes we climbed......and off we went!

                                                    A Fun Ride ~ On the Motorcycle! (click on this link and join us on this motorcyle ride!)

The Guys brought us right onto the beach and we appreciated their service and help!

They made a little money today and so it worked for the both of us! 

               Off they went back to Padang town..

 There were hardly any people there - just a few young people & couples- some snack stands.

 So we gladly sat down and had a cold drink and again it was HOT but a little breeze was coming in from the ocean...ahhhhhhh......and the shade from the trees helped so much! 

                    We saw the island called Banana island" Pisang" - yes in the shape of  the banana.  And a another very tiny island right in front of it. With a low tide you can walk over to it - but not today.  Otherwise
 that would of been fun to do!  



We stayed there under those trees for a while and then it was time to head out again...there was not much else to do actually - and again it was cooking out there!  So we walked back to the entrance of this little Bay & park and there was some guys at the gate and they immediately asked if we needed a ride back?

YES! So about 4 men showed up and they negotiated with one another..and we then came to a price again and off we went back to Padang town...back on those windy narrow roads...I personally had hoped to do it one more time...it was really fun criss-crossing through those narrow ways through those little villages...beep beep! We got there in a jif! The guys are so good on these small roads and getting around...they pass each other on these little roads and get awfully close...but get by!  Nick & I held on tight!

The agreement was to drop us off on the other side of the bridge this time....and they did just that!  We got off and headed back into town, found a hotel to have a bite to eat and a cold cold cold drink! Ahhhhhh! It was a fun experience - especially the motorcycle ride!

We have to laugh - we get to experience some fun excursions - just "going with the flow!"  We sure appreciated the kindness of the people and their willingness to help us!  That is what we so appreciate - they are so' sweet!

Well time to depart to Palembang today - getting the suitcases/back-packs in order and checking out at 12 noon - our flights departs at 4:30 pm and we have a stop over in Jakarta and then north again to Palembang - Nick's birth town!

We look forward to the trip today and meeting up with Steve & Tamara and their children!

Palembang - I have heard that name mentioned a lot these 16+ years....all right Nick - we are on our way!