Time for a rather overdue update as I get ready to engage my memory and recap on an incredibly busy, yet very enjoyable and rewarding, couple of weeks.

We left the PHILIPPINES just over two weeks ago and headed via Kuala Lumpur to the island of BALI in INDONESIA.

During our time in BALI …

- Jamie, Jenna and Jason undertook a two day surfing lesson and, from all accounts, they all had a really fantastic time in the ocean and each now has a rather adventurous new hobby. I shall, one day, on this trip overcome another fear and take part. I shall keep you posted.

- The four of us went to a really enjoyable Hindu fire dance which depicted the lives of husband and wife, Rama and Sita. The performance does not involve any music, just a choir chanting, much dancing and lots of fire!

Sita is seen as a first class example of womenly virtue, whilst Rama is recognised as one of the most important figures in Hinduism and the dance portrayed their life from initially meeting, their marriage, Rama’s search for Sita as she goes missing and then their rather emotional reunion which concludes the performance.

- Jamie and Jenna went diving to see the Liberty Glo ship wreck, a US built cargo ship which sunk in World War Two whilst Jason and I decided to visit the local drinking establishments which resulted in me bleaching my hair and Jason having the Canadian flag painted onto his locks. Enough said, I think. Warning to all - Alcohol and Barbers are not a good idea in such close proximity. All four of us had a colourful day, to say the least.

We then left Bali after a seven night stay before heading west to the island of JAVA.

Our first stop on Java was to visit the rather spectacular MOUNT BROMO, an active volcano located on the east of the island. We all got up at 3 a.m. (THREE A.M.!!!) in time for the jeep ride to the peak for an awesome sunrise at 5 a.m. before taking a horse ride to the craters edge where the site of the smoke rising into the air from the land below was something we will all never forget. Quite a spectacular morning’s work.

We then left Bromo after two days before arriving in central Java in the town of YOGYAKARTA where we visited two spectacular temples and the Sultans Palace. A good time was certainly had by all, although 3 a.m. sunrise treks were this time not on our agenda.

In need of a rest - this traveling lark is a tiring job, let me tell you - we headed to the beach town of PANGALENGAN. A lot was expected as it was described in books and online as a ‘non-touristy’ beach ideal for relaxation and surfing. Ideal. Well, it would have been had a local river not burst its banks spilling all its contents of rubbish dumped there by local residents into the ocean and onto the very beach we aimed to recharge our batteries on. Never mind. We found the funny side and moved on a matter of hours after arriving.

Our final stop in Indonesia was the capital of the country, JAKARTA. The city was less busy than previous capitals we visited but it was full of local culture with the people so friendly and accommodating. There is not much to do in the way of tourist attractions in Jakarta but simply walking around the city and going into a number of impressive, modern Malls made our final four days in Indonesia really enjoyable and very worthwhile.

Yesterday we arrived for our fourth visit to KUALA LUMPUR for our much anticipated main event of recent times - the exhibition tennis match between 12 time grand slam winner and current world number one, Roger Federer and 14 time grand slam winner and legend of the sport, Pete Sampras.

The duo are playing each other three times - once in Seol, South Korea, once in Kuala Lumpur and once in Macao - and we were fortunate enough to get tickets for the second of the contests.

Having arrived back from the match only two hours ago I can tell you that we are had a quite magnificent evening. The result was somewhat insignificant in the end - Federer won by two sets to love (7-6, 7-6) - but the ability of both players was quite outstanding and to simply be within touching distance of two greats made the hairs on our neck rise, quite literally in my case.

Federer oozed class and glided over the court with minimal effort but with such great effect, whilst Sampras, retired from the sport for five years and 10 years older than his Swiss opponent, defied his years and served with such venom and accuracy and his volleying skills at the net brought gasps from the crowd that created a crescendo of noise around the arena that could surly have been heard for many a mile away.

Tonight we saw two legends - of that there can be little doubt- and it was a joy to behold and, for me personally, right up there with anything I have done on this trip.

Tomorrow (Friday) we are flying to BANGKOK for one night before heading to northern Thailand and then Laos for a combined total of nine days. It’s then Singapore before we leave Asia on December 6 flying into Cairns, Australia.

This quite awesome adventure continues.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 22nd, 2007 at 6:18 pm and is filed under On the move, SE Asia, Indonesia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.