Woa. This blog is deserted.. where have I been? Answer: Indonesia!!
Somethings New! Time to catch up. Pictures still to come..
Today, Thursday
A whole whack of new stuff today. I'm currently updating this from the behind the desk at the Indonesian consulate general of this city. Never done that before.. Met up with our couchsurfing host, Isna, in Sungai Penuh. First time I was called an "Indonesian woman" by a local (because I like Sambal and he doesn't). First time I ate duck! mmm bebek.. Wandered about the city too, and then got to use these neato hot-spring-showers. Super refreshing. Dirt all gone.. for all of 3 minutes ;)
Wednesday March 6
Completed my first overnight bus experience today. We had a 13 hour bus ride, during which music was loudly played the entire time! Then we arrived in Bukittinggi before the town woke up, that was interesting. Checked out a cool market today and some Japanese caves.
Tuesday March 5
Something new. I did my first international souvenir swap today. I gave out some pennies to our traveling pals, and got a wooden mushroom decal to in exchange, in order to remember our friends from Slovakia and Mexico :) Then I began my first (dreadful) overnight bus adventure. oodles of fun. But would've been better if my headphones blocked out sound better...
Monday March 4
It's my mom's birthday! SNE. Today I really didn't do much, and it was so nice! I did purchase my first sarong though, and then 'played' with an inflatable duck toy and five other adults.... Definitely never done that before! Fun with duck, Peter, Molly, Sarah, Cecelia, and Miro.
Sunday March 3
We packed up our tent and stuff this morning and made our way to Samosir Island in Lake Toba. Met a few more Canadians and then saw our friends from Bukit Lawang again!! Also met an Irish guy who recognized my Canadianness by my Guelph shirt... that's never happened before.. expecially on a bus in Indonesia. Had dinner with our new travel pals and tried out some interesting new alcohol called... Kilini..? or something. That was new. And tasty.
Saturday March 2
Volcano day. Lots of new today!!
Today I climbed Gunung Sinabung volcano with my brother. I have never in my life been so exhausted. It took us 7 hours total, including many rest breaks and photo sessions :) I have also never seen such beautiful scenery!! WOW! God is good! mmm First time I peed on a volcano.. first time I was in the middle of a cloud and couldn't see a thing. First time I puked on a volcano (..need to bring more water next time, just got a tad bit of heat exhaustion, no worries). First time I forgot my hat on a volcano :( sad thing. oh well. Not sure if it's the first time I washed my clothes in a lake.. but we did that today too.. A splendid day altogether!
Friday March 1
Today we pack up and leave Bukit Lawang. Sad. It is very nice here. Ah well, more nice to come! We bus to Medan, then transfer to Berastagi. Had KFC and dragon fruit juice for dinner, that's new!! Set up camp in the dark at Lake Kowar below the Sinabung volcano.
Thursday Feb 28
Something new everyday. Today we trekked through the jungle in Bukit Lawang and saw a mama orangutan and her baby. So cool!! It was also the first time that I had gotten leeches on my hands from touching wet trees... interesting. And first time I got bitten by a tick! Bloody mess that was, hehe.
Wednesday Feb 27
Got up early to catch a bus from Medan to Bukit Lawang. Upon arrival, brother and I went in search of internet. This was the first time I'd had to "trek" 30 minutes away from a jungle resort in order to find internet, haha! Also, first time I got sick in Indonesia. No probs, this too shall pass.
Tuesday Feb 26
The Great Langsa Adventure.
Some background: My grandfather was born in Langsa, Aceh way back when during the war between the Dutch and the Japanese in Indonesia. His father and sister both died there and were buried together. He and his siblings eventually returned to the Netherlands and eventually made their way to Canada.
SNE: Today, Peter and I went to Langsa and tried to locate some landmarks we'd been told about. The family lemonade factory was destroyed a decade ago, the house destroyed and replace by stores, and the graves almost forgotten. After much trekking and some interesting phone translation, we managed to find the graveyard where our great-grandfather was buried, though the oldest gravestones were too worn to read. We had a lot of fun though, and the whole community came by to watch and help out, which was quite funny! Thankfully our uncle speaks Indonesian fluently, and after passing the phone around a couple times, we sorted everything out!
Monday Feb 25.
Today I played Tiddley Winks. Who'da thought that the first time I'd play that would be in Indonesia!? We wandered around Medan and tried some mangosteen. Best fruit ever! A lovely, relaxing day in Medan!
Sunday Feb 24
Saw my first exotic wildlife today: a purple heron on the Kuala Lumpur plane runway. Arrived in Medan, Indonesia for the very first time everrr! awesome! Saw floating lanterns in indonesia! Met our first couchsurfing hosts, ate new food. More new to come!
Saturday Feb 23?
Today I am the most time confused I have ever been. I think this Saturday only has12 hours. Not really sure. Thumbs up for time travel!
