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THE KID’S SIDE OF THE STORY
My son has his very own blog. Go check out Kidventurer.com for his side of the story.Archives
Indonesia Archive
The Friday Photo: Ready For Some Beach
Posted on February 10, 2012 | 7 CommentsThe beaches in Kuta, Lombok, where we learned to surf, are some of the prettiest I’ve seen in Indonesia — even including the wonders of Pulau Derawan and Morotai. But...
Comedy Highlights Of Motorbiking Asia With A Child
Posted on September 6, 2011 | 15 CommentsThe Time I Drove Our Motorbike Into The Hotel Bar On arrival in Dili, Timor Leste, we were kind of knackered. There’s something about a challenging border crossing followed by...
Our Last Hurrah
Posted on August 6, 2011 | 8 CommentsAll of a sudden, as we load up the bike and bump out of the coffee plantation and over the waterfall bridge, it feels as if we’re in a hurry....
More Adventures in the Ijen: Escape from the Toxic Lake
Posted on August 4, 2011 | 7 CommentsBefore we can escape the lake of farts for the coffee plantation, there is, as ever, the little matter of our motorbike. After our ordeal getting up here, it is...
20 Words to Get You (Almost) Anywhere in Indonesia
Posted on July 30, 2011 | 39 CommentsI once ordered “fried p*ss” instead of “fried potatoes” in a restaurant. And, on presenting a landlady with her key, I announced, “I’m so sorry! Here’s your cat!”. So I’ve...
Z Versus the Lake of Farts
Posted on July 26, 2011 | 9 CommentsAfter our trials and tribulations getting to Ijen, the mountain refuge feels, well, gooooood… Basic, sure. But basic in a good, sweet, simple way. We’re aiming for a 4am start...
The Road to the Lake of Farts
Posted on July 23, 2011 | 20 CommentsFrankly, on arrival in Bali I feel like kissing the ground, Pope-style. Or, as Z puts it, “Civilisation! We’re back in civilization.” We have a lovely few days. Catch up...
Time For A Travel “Plan” Rethink…
Posted on July 18, 2011 | 12 CommentsWe’ve crossed five Indonesian islands to get to Kupang, and had to abandon our mission to Papua. Clearly, it’s time for a travel “plan” rethink. One of the odder elements...
And, Once Again, All Roads Lead To Bali…
Posted on July 13, 2011 | 12 Comments“Could you find out what day the next boat to Papua leaves?” I ask Aka. We’ve ploughed our way east from Bali on our undersized motorbike en route to Papua,...
Because I Want A Skyline
Posted on July 6, 2011 | 10 Comments“Why go to Kupang?!” Z asks, rhetorically, standing skinny in his Simpsons PJs. “Why go to Kupang?! Because we’ve been in Kefa long enough. I’m sick of brushing my teeth...
My Father, The Headhunter
Posted on June 30, 2011 | 8 CommentsKores holds his father’s weapons proudly in his hands. A short, broad machete, wrapped up in ikat cloth and string, and two crude wooden spears. His sight’s fading now –...
How to Cross from Indonesia to Timor Leste Overland
Posted on June 13, 2011 | 14 CommentsThere’s not a lot of information on how to cross from Indonesia to Timor Leste overland. So here’s how to cross the Indonesia – East Timor land border. That way,...
First Impressions…
Posted on June 10, 2011 | 9 CommentsIt’s a big bike. A very big bike. A tall, chunky trail bike, so high my feet would barely touch the ground, its heavy-duty engine and muscular innards exposed, parked...
The Painted Lakes
Posted on June 8, 2011 | 15 CommentsWe climbed through clouds and rain to reach the crater lakes at Kelimutu, Flores. Sacred to the local people, who believe that souls return to them on death, the three...
On the Up in Flores
Posted on June 4, 2011 | 6 CommentsIt is a bright, sunny day and a beautiful ride. I’m starting to feel that the jinx that has befouled our overland mission from Bali to Papua is beginning to...
A Tight Corner
Posted on June 1, 2011 | 15 CommentsEating cold fried eggs and soggy white bread in the convent, under the scrutiny of a spreadeagled plastic Christ and an increasingly baleful Pope, Z and I await the return...
The Great Hot Springs Disaster
Posted on May 30, 2011 | 11 CommentsThe rhythms of life at the convent in Ruteng do not encourage sloth. The sisters start their day early, in their cells up the hill, and long before dawn, according...
We Stay With The Sisters
Posted on May 23, 2011 | 15 Comments“Let me explain the rules,” says the young, smiley nun, jiggling the world’s most-indulged baby who’s balanced on her shoulder. “We close the gates at 9pm every night, so you...
Sharks in the Land of the Dragons
Posted on May 19, 2011 | 13 CommentsAfter a challenging couple of weeks, to be lolling ‘twixt sun and shade on the roof of a dive boat, flying fish flitting across the sea like steely dragonflies, cruising...
Visas – A Horror Story
Posted on May 15, 2011 | 26 CommentsNow, I’m normally quite cautious about visas. I apply in the right town of the right country for them to be delivered cost-effectively and easily; I avoid overstays; I get...
