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! 

Staying a Few More Days in Padang - and departing to Palembang on Tuesday ~

A Little of This & That~

We did end up booking a one way to Palembang - Nick's Birth town for Tuesday afternoon.  All flight's fly into Jakarta Java and then back into Sumatra to Palembang.  We are glad to have put that in place now...so here in Padang for another 2 days.  We have connected with a couple in Palembang Steve & Tamara, - so excited to meet them!  They will kindly pick us up at the airport and bring us to our hotel.  We plan to meet the next day for dinner with them!  Looking forward to meeting them.  Nick hopes to settle in Palembang for some weeks - we shall see!  

Here in town we came across this hotel and decided to have a light dinner.  The restaurant was on the 4th floor...now we know why!

The sky was so pretty and the formation of the clouds too!

 Nice to discover a new & different place to have a bite to eat...we always seem to come to a place and wonder...where is everybody?

We tend to eat earlier then the locals.

People usually come out for dinner after 7 pm...it's just cooler out and families & friends congregate here and there,  with so many food stands along the roads, we think people just enjoy eating out first because it is so very reasonable and spending time together in the cool of the evening. We congregate so much more with one another in the Asian countries it seems.  I am sure the weather has a lot to do with it too! 

 Got some shots from the balcony....as the Sun went down around 5:30 pm ...it gets dark here on the Equator at 6:30 pm.

 This restaurant was really cute and so nice with the balcony open to that view!

                We did some walking today...and bought some snacks of fruit and yogurt for our room.

We heard church bells ringing and saw this Catholic Church and so we walked in. It was such a beautiful building and there are also many school buildings surrounding it...people want their children to have a good education and it seems that the Catholic Church has a good standing here in town!

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I skyped with Jas, Milou and little Skyler in Holland this weekend....ahhh that did this mother good! Skyler is already 15 1/2 months - walking and talking and I can see a little personality coming through.  I hear her saying words now - and when she was eating a piece of apple - I opened my mouth wide and she walked up to the screen and tried to give Oma Nana a piece - ahhhhhh!

....my little Skyler! So cute huh!!!  Sweet picture with her Mommy & Daddy and they are so proud of their little girl!

I sang "old McDonald had a farm..." and she swung around to look where the song was coming from....!

So glad our plan will be to go to Holland before returning to the States...gotta hold that little girl and love on her! 

Padang City on the Western Coast of the Indian Ocean

We have been two days in Padang now (birth place of Mia Schraeder of the Dutch Club!) Hello Mia - greetings from Padang to you in Bend!

Our hotel,  Bunda Hotel (the same chain as in Bukittinggi was older.  We were on the 5th floor - here are some pictures of the city around us!

                        In the distance possibly 5 blocks away is the ocean - the Indian Ocean.

We wandered across to this bakery and yes it was time for a cup of coffee and a snack!

                            What a cute sign and a cute girl who was very shy - but took a picture after all!

There is a man at the door opening up for you and 3 young girls standing ready to assist you!

They have some tongs and have a tray and as you walk and look at the pastries in the glass cases - you point to them and the girl picks out what you want.  Then to the cashier to pay for your order.  

Many people are always in the stores helping...the pay is very little, Nick says, but it is an opportunity to learn a trade and also receive a salary at the same time!  These girls most likely are students learning to work with the public!  It was a very busy little bakery - many people were constantly walking in.  Also a man outside was there to help with the parking in front of the shop - 2 places on the curb - he would lead them in and stop traffic and then when the client leaves he would stop the traffic again and the driver would roll down the window and give him a little tip for the effort! This way he too makes a little money!  We see that a whole lot in front of stores and hotels and restaurants, someone directing the traffic! The tips are usually small but it helps everyone to make a little money - a great system! 

While walking through the streets - we saw a sign....

 ....and up close....yes...Ellen's Gym!  Hey! 

                                A little business venture here in town huh? 

When we had come to this Axana Hotel the very first evening upon arrival in Padang, and experienced the graduation Party with the girls in the Reception/dining room - the Manager Yon Hendri who approached us, had invited us to come and stay at his hotel...and so we accepted the offer after 2 days at Bunda Hotel.

We are settled now into Axana Hotel and wifi is GREAT!!!!!! Yeah...I can now call Jim & Mom and see how things are going! Cecile Nick sis has her Birthday tomorrow ~for us today already... HAPPY BIRTHDAY  Zus!!!  
Nick got up early to send her an email so she will have it when she wakes up!

Today, Friday we need to inquire about how to get from Padang to Palembang in the next few days...and hope to meet up with our American friends.

They have invited us to call them when we arrive in town.  The drive to Palembang is 15 hours...WOW!

 Did I hear that right? 

 Sumatra sure is a BIG island....man oh man, oh man...oh MAN!! 

So either "the public BUS system" - 20 hours sitting with a whole lot of people, stopping at every city, smokers on board or going by a Van - joining others (5 people in a van) 280,000 rupiah's each = 560,000 which is $56,- dollars for the two of us) for 15 hours. We hear we could request non-smokers, many men smoke clove cigarettes here in Indonesia and it is a very strong & heavy lingering odor! 

The other option is flying ~  $120,- p.p. to Palembang!  Quite a difference huh? Flying does sound like the way to go.  Shall we Nick?  We need to talk about our 3 choices! I think I know what I would like to do....ha!  Sumatra is BIG! So almost 1000 km to get to Palembang from here!  Way far huh!  

We will do a little homework on the Net tonight - might find a reasonable flight out! 

In the mean time we are comfortable, settling into this hotel and will enjoy our afternoon~ right now it is raining cats & dogs outside!  I think I will make a cup of coffee and relax for a while - the rain doesn't go on continuously. 

Interesting fact:

Java the next island we are going to... is 4x smaller then Sumatra but has 4x more people living on it! Nick says it will be more crowded of course on Java but also more to see and do!  I AM LEARNING! 

We also wandered to the coastline.

                        Small food stands along the beach ~

We got back to the hotel and we were both COOKING...wet and sticky and of course..... "those American's are out there again in the sweltering heat" ................ding-dong! 

Arriving in Padang Today ~ Sharing a very special time with you!

Leaving Bukittinggi and heading to Padang!

Rebecca, Nick & I decided we would travel to Padang today and Rebecca would take her flight out of Padang to Bali this afternoon for the remainder of her business/holiday trip in Indonesia!  Endang the hotel manager made arrangement again for us. She called the same taxi company and ...ZUL would be our driver again! YEAH Zul!

As we departed Bukittinggi we saw a sign: .....Look 
Renee....your Birth place! We asked our driver... STOP ZUL please!......we must take a picture!

..because our plan was to go to Padang and then to Palembang - we would not be heading north west to Pakenbaru BUT we remembered Renee!

/We had a very enjoyable and restful trip...just 2 hours to Padang..

               We took some pictures along the way -

There was a market place and it was busy there...

...look at that pick up truck...it is loaded!

Saw some beautiful mountain scenes! We think this is the active volcano that Augustine and Teresa the Spanish couple are going to climb!

It started to rain and rain...yes it can rain so hard at times!

 Crossed over some rivers ~

Some friendly boys ~ thumbs up!

We said our good-byes to our dear travel companion and new friend Rebecca! Oh how fun it was to meet you Rebecca!

Continued Godspeed & travel pleasures in Bali and a safe return to the LA area  and Javier, your husband!  

We must stay in touch! We truly enjoyed our time with you...! Thank you again my friend!

***************

Padang ~

As we entered into Padang...this coastal town on the west of Sumatra..on the Indian Ocean - we found our hotel Bunda Hotel the same company as the previous one in Bukittinggi! Endang the general manager there had booked our room here in Padang for us!  

After settling into our hotel we decided to find a meal and get a cup of coffee too!

The hotel across the street was a fancy one...Axana Hotel and we thought "that might be a good place to eat!"  We entered in and heard some really loud music going on!

We went to the front desk and asked if we could dine in the restaurant and they said yes...but there was something going on there!  Well Nick & I were curious about that and went to look!

As we drew closer we came to this table and there was girls sitting there...they were so very friendly and we asked them what was going on?  They explained that it was a party/graduation for nurses...and that we were welcome! Please go in...!

Then they asked to take a picture of us...well sure we will!

They were all dressed in their finest! Aren't they adorable! 

They snuggled close and were ever pleased to have their picture taken with us...yes many smart phones came out of pockets!!!!

The music was loud and the dining/reception room was full and the girls were watching a slide presentation of their year in school!  They laughed and were all so happy and all looking so cute!

They were having a blast and it was great to see them have so much fun...! Yes the young people here too enjoy a good party and celebration!

Then the two ladies behind us enjoying their meal smiled and "Susie" came over to ask where we were from?

She was ever so gracious and polite and was so interested to know about us!  

 Then more girls came over to us and wanted pictures and we so gladly did!  The girls came to me with a ballon and asked me to join them dancing! Oh my goodness me? HUH?

One by one...they came shyly and were ever so pleased to have a picture taken! Nick & I were so happy to do that! 

This gal Nova couldn't wait - she kept politely looking over to us - our dinner had just been brought - and I waved to her...Come! Come! And she was all smiles! 

Well the music started up again and the girls came over to invite me to dance...and .......and went ahead and joined them...they were so pleased to have me join them....

 and all at once a young girl pulls me and wants to take me up on the stage...no! no! ....but they were pretty persistent! ......oh my goodness there I was with many girls dancing on stage!

Brave or what???????

I danced and danced and shook my hips like they do...and they laughed and probably thought - that American woman is loosening up...but BOY they are good at shaking their hips and I really did try to do it just like them! 

Aren't the girls sweet?  

 It sure was great to be so warmly welcomed by the people...Nick was talking to the ladies at the table and I was dancing with the girls and they continually asked to take pictures with me....many many pictures! Gosh I was blushing!                               

When we got ready to leave (I had built up a good sweat! ha!) Susie had gone up stairs to change and came down again...with a beautiful outfit on...she wanted to say her good byes ever so politely!

As we walked out of the hotel - I asked the front desk if they knew of a book store that sells English books?

I was hoping to find a Lonely Planet - Indonesia travel book.  Rebecca had one and it was ever so detailed with so much more information then my Asia one!  So the manager Yon Hendri said he would get his driver to bring us...it would be fine to do so and traffic would be light now in the evening (8:30pm!) He was ever so generous to offer and it was no problem!  So "Hanife" brought us to a really nice book store but regretfully everything was in the Bahasa (Indonesian) language.  

But how nice is that?????!!!! Hanife went into the store with us and helped us talk to the young sales people.  They too were so helpful and looked it up on the Net! Yes you can buy it in Jakarta!  

Well Hannife brought us to our hotel (not the one he works for!) and we thanked him!  Wow what an evening we had! Padang welcomed us with open arms!  

What a blessing we had!!!

Thank you Lord!