Some people call Singapore "Fine City". Ever present signs warn of a $1000 fine for littering. There is a fine for chewing gum, a fine for possessing pornography, a fine for using chewing tobacco. The
We left Singapore from an airport in Malaysia. In choosing to leave from Johore Bharu instead of Singapore, we saved $160 and committed ourselves to waking at 5:30 AM to make our 11 AM flight. We left
We landed in Bali yesterday. Every time the plane lands in a new country I feel like a little child about to open an anticipated gift. Not knowing what to expect but aware it will probably be somethin
After arriving in Ubud, we set out to explore the town. Ubud is known for its culture and artists. In central Bali, it is surrounded by picturesque rice fields and temples. I was excited to experience
Ubud is a well-traveled city full of tourists, and the tourists create a demand for entertainment which the Balinese happily supply. In a few days, even the most hurried person can sample several vari
We met Nyomen Suradnya while inquiring about batik classes. His easy going personality was about 50% pure Balinese and 50% well-traveled artist-hippie. Inside of his family compound and art gallery, h
After a pleasant stay in Ubud, Tim and I decided to head north for a couple days. Our destination was Lovina, a beach resort area in north central Bali. Our shuttle bus pick-up arrived on t
The Lovina dolphin trip vendors used up my patience within five minutes of yesterday's arrival. Standing in packs outside our hotel room, they promised great deals and special prices. I wanted nothing
Paul was an opportunist. Two days ago he knocked on our door and sold us a dolphin tour. Today he returned with a rooster under one arm and invited us to a cockfight. He extended the invitation in a f
Today Tim and I rented a motorcycle to ride through the north hills of Bali. Tim owned a motorcycle years ago so I had confidence in his driving skills, but I was still nervous. Drivers here are unpre
Today we left Bali and traveled by bus and ferry to Java. Within the first hour on Java I could already see a difference in the two islands. Gone were the lush green valleys. Instead, Java is much dri
Gunung Bromo (Mt. Bromo) is a live volcano located in eastern Java and one of Java's must-see attractions. It shares a surreal sandy landscape with two other mountains, actually formed inside the 10 k
Indonesia is so different from home but yet I find it very comfortable. What I might consider drawbacks û the air pollution, crazy traffic, and constant noise û add to the flavor of the country. After
The Sultan of Yogyakarta built the Water Palace around 1760. It contained a fantastic collection of bathing areas, pools, waterways, and buildings. The water is now gone, thanks to an eart
Borobudur was built around 800 AD and, with over 1000 carvings depicting Buddhist thought, served as a 60,000 cubic meter stone guide to Buddhism for visiting pilgrims. The temple rises above the Java
Squinting, I look out over the ocean. It's mid-morning and the sun in shining brightly and the sea air is thick with the smell of salt. Tim and I are standing on the beach of Pangandaran, a small fish
