Today we hopped into Koni’s car to go back to Legian. We said goodbye to everyone then went on our trip. We first stopped at the rice terraces and walked into the rice patties to the other side of the terraces.

There were cows everywhere. Some doing work and some just resting.

On our way to the temple we had to drive on a set of windy roads. When we stopped to look at a different angle of the rice field I threw up into the rice. Except I was at least 5 feet above it. I had to drink and rinse my mouth out with water multiple times. We got back into the car and drove to get some lunch at a place that sells only things made with tofu. I got the tofu gimbal. It has some kind of shrimp cracker, rice, tofu, egg, and a really good peanut sauce with cabbage.

We found out from there the drive 2 hours to Legian. So we drove to the silver factory because when we get home my mom will open a shop. The silver factory was really cool. If my mom found a stone or pendant or any silver thing we would take it out and set in on the table. Tomorrow my mom will go for a few hours to choose the ones she wants. We’ll stay at home with dad. At the silver factory we decided just to stay in Ubud the last two nights in Bali. Tomorrow Koni will drive mom to the silver factory, drive to legian and get our stuff, come back, then pick up mom. Good plan. Tomorrow it’s supposed to rain.

Today we went rafting in Ubud. I always liked to raft so we all chose rafting to do. We drove up to Agung river then put on our helmets and life jackets then hopped into the boat. Rafting went for 2 hours. It was fun. We went down big rapids and stopped at many places to swim. We stopped at waterfalls and jumped off rocks. One place we stopped had many carvings in the wall called the story of Bali. It was really cool. You can climb up it too. I went the highest and so did my dad. At the end we ate a buffet that the rafting people made for us. The food was average but we still had fun.

Today dad, mom, Hana, and I woke up at 2:00 am to hike up Gunung Batur, a famous mountain in Indonesia. We got into Koni’s car and drove for an hour to the mountain. We drove into the crater but then we climbed the mountain inside the crater. It was freezing outside and we didn’t bring much to cover up with. I wore my shorts, skinny strap shirt, dad’s shirt, and a sarong. Although, as soon as we started walking up all the clothes started to come off. We brought chocolate, peanuts, iced Nescafe, and lots of water. Since we were inside the crater we were shielded by the wind. We all knew though that when we got to the top we were going to get cold.

It was about 5:00 am when we reached the top of Gunung Batur. It was REALLY cold. My hands were numb. So we asked our guide, G’day, to heat our Nescafe up for us. When we got our Nescafe back we grabbed them and our hands went back to normal finally. But when we drank it all down are hands were once again frozen solid. For the breakfast they gave us boiled eggs and banana sandwiches. Then we hiked all the way back down a different way to go see the hot springs. I liked going down better. You could put your hand in front of some holes and they will get steamy and warm. The holes are openings in the volcano.

When we reached the bottom we jumped into Koni’s car and went all the way back to Swasti. I think we are going to rest know.

Today we went rafting in Ubud. I always liked to raft so we all chose rafting to do. We drove up to Agung river then put on our helmets and life jackets then hopped into the boat. Rafting went for 2 hours. It was fun. We went down big rapids and stopped at many places to swim. We stopped at waterfalls and jumped off rocks. One place we stopped had many carvings in the wall called the story of Bali. It was really cool. You can climb up it too. I went the highest and so did my dad. At the end we ate a buffet that the rafting people made for us. The food was average but we still had fun.

Nusa

Today we arrived in Nusa Lambogan. We are going to stay at

Tamirind Resort. The water is really clear and the sand is really white. I like it

already. We reached Tamirind and played in the pool all day. I have a feeling

that that’s all we will do for the next few day we will spend here in Nusa.

Today we explored the Island. My dad and I walked around the

villages and went to Coconut Bay just to see. We didn’t swim but when we

got back to the Resort we all went to swim in the pool. It was pretty hot out

there so we had fun. My dad jumped into the pool with me on his shoulders

too.

My dad went to see a pig get slaughtered for a ceremony. It was

sad. So Hana and I stayed in the room and got ready to leave Nusa. When we

walked into town we checked in our bags and got on the boat. When we got

to Bali again our driver that would take us back to Ubud, Koni, took us to

hotel. Swasti is a really nice hotel and is French. I think we are staying for a

long time.

Singapore

We flew Air Asia to Singapore. It was a good flight. The airport was so nice. My dad Said many people think it’s the nicest airport in the world. Now it’s my favoriteJ. Instead of escalators they are flat and they still move up and down. They have fountains and lights everywhere in the airport.

We took a cab to our hotel. It is called the Classique Hotel. It wasn’t really

ruffing it.

Singapore was really cool. We had Indian food for dinner and

Chinese too. It was all good. I liked Singapore.

When we got to Bali Indonesia there was a power out in the airport.

Well, welcome to indo!

We are staying at the hibiscus house in Ubud. It’s really nice. The

pictures are good. We were at a café when we ran into some old friends

Vicky and Greg. We ate dinner with them and swam in the pool. It was really

funJ.

Today we woke up at 6:00 am for breakfast. We had noodles this time. We usually get a western breakfast which I don’t like but today we got fried noodle which tasted much better.

After breakfast we took the public bus to Miri city again. It was insane hot today, and crazy bright too. We were sweating even on the bus. When we got off at Miri city we went to see Amanda again so my dad could pay the rest of the money for our trip to Mulu. We weren’t at Amanda’s long so afterward we went bowling at Bintang Plaza’s, Mega Lanes. It was really fun I lost the first round then got so close to winning the second round but I ended up in third place again. Mom didn’t bowl. Dad kept trying to explain how to bowl well, but I always got nothing. Then, mom came up showed me how and I started to catch up to everyone else.

After bowling we went to Pizza Hut for lunch. During Ramadan children under twelve only have to do half day. So Mom, Hana, and I ate while dad suffered. Mom didn’t go the whole way. Dad is still going pretty strong. We didn’t eat all our food so we saved ours for later.

Outside the Mall the air temp. is really different. We all said wow when we got outside. We walked to the liquor store on our walk back so Hana and I can make mom and dad Gin and Tonics at the hotel. We took the public bus back to he hotel and made mom a Gin and Tonic while dad went downstairs to talk to Assame and Raymond about the trip to the longhouse.



We danced around and served mom for awhile. She’s already had three and has to have another. It’s only fair she has them in twos so that Hana and I both get an equal amount of turns. Now it’s fifty/ fifty for the longhouse because we were going to make my dad a surprise birthday party if we didn’t go. I vote no longhouse so that we can go to the water park tomorrow because we didn’t go today and it will be open tomorrow.

Ba Kelanan and Mulu

We went to Mulu afterward and stayed at the park. It was nice. They had good food and a museum inside. Our room had for single beds and a built in bathroom. We went on many hikes there. My favorite was the canopy walk. Which my dad’s last favorite. My dad isn’t very fond of heights. He get’s dizzy and nauseous. I liked it though. We also went to many caves. My favorite was Clearwater cave because we could put our feet in the water there.

We flew back to Miri and got tickets on a plane to Ba Kelanan. The plane was really small and it went really low. I loved it. We are staying at a home stay which is you live with a family in their home. We are staying with Baru, Flora, and their son Gabriel. Flora and Baru are nice. Gabriel… Well he’s a little hyper. He has WAY to much energy. He’ll squirt things at you and when you take it away from him… He’ll slap you really hard. LAnd he’s only four years old! I took a nap and slept really well. It was really comfortable. Tomorrow we should be going fishing.

Tonight for dinner we ate soooooooooo much! They had chicken, 2 vegetables, 2 kinds of rice, and all different types of fruit. It was good though.

We didn’t end up fishing today. But we have planned for tomorrow. I hope we catch lots of fish.JI ate so much for breakfast. They all kept stuffing food in my plate. But once again it was really good food. Some of the point for the trip was that we supposed to eat simpler. I think I am eating lots more here.J\L

Today we went fishing and we caught many fish. We made our rods out of bamboo. And since we only made four rods we would trade off every once in awhile. Which would give me time to whittle. I made 3 spears while I was there. They look really cool. We cooked the fish and ate them for dinner.

We left Ba Kelanan today. Which I didn’t like but at least we are back home in Miri.J

The Penans

Yesterday we drove for 4-5 hours to Long san Longhouse, and took a boat to the Penan tribe. The tribe was bumpy and long. When we finally got out we went to the dock to take a longboat to the Penan tribe houses. We drove to Long san then we took a boat from there to the Penan. The boat trip was about 30 minutes long. At first I was okay with the ride until our driver, Phillip, announced there was crocs in the water. Then I was a little scared.

As we pulled up to the hill we saw 3 naked kids and the chief in his underwear standing on the hill. What a wonderful way to start our journey with the Penan.

We were getting out of the boat when we looked down and saw mud everywhere. We had to step in it to get up to the houses. It’s like what we use to do our faces with. A mud mask. It was really slippery but it was probably good for our skin.

Our room was basically hard wood floor covered with wallpaper. Except our bathroom was nice. You could see everyone playing, nice view of the river, rainforest trees around you, and to top it of nice mud floors and the cool breeze. Except for the fact it was outside in the open. We set up our skeeter nets and sleepers for the night. Boy did I want to get back to Telang Usan.

They showed us to their swimming holes which were really nice and cool. It was good to go out when it was humid. We ate dinner and lunch with the chief both days. We only stayed one night. Which I didn’t mind. We went back to Long san the next day and decided “why don’t we go home today?” So drove 5 hours back to Telang Usan. Where everyone was surprised to see us back so early.

Bintang Plaza

Today we woke up at 6:00 am for breakfast. We had noodles this time. We usually get a western breakfast which I don’t like but today we got fried noodle which tasted much better.

After breakfast we took the public bus to Miri city again. It was insane hot today, and crazy bright too. We were sweating even on the bus. When we got off at Miri city we went to see Amanda again so my dad could pay the rest of the money for our trip to Mulu. We weren’t at Amanda’s long so afterward we went bowling at Bintang Plaza’s, Mega Lanes. It was really fun I lost the first round then got so close to winning the second round but I ended up in third place again. Mom didn’t bowl. Dad kept trying to explain how to bowl well, but I always got nothing. Then, mom came up showed me how and I started to catch up to everyone else.

After bowling we went to Pizza Hut for lunch. During Ramadan children under twelve only have to do half day. So Mom, Hana, and I ate while dad suffered. Mom didn’t go the whole way. Dad is still going pretty strong. We didn’t eat all our food so we saved ours for later.

Outside the Mall the air temp. is really different. We all said wow when we got outside. We walked to the liquor store on our walk back so Hana and I can make mom and dad Gin and Tonics at the hotel. We took the public bus back to he hotel and made mom a Gin and Tonic while dad went downstairs to talk to Assame and Raymond about the trip to the longhouse.

Lambir

Today we drove to Lambeer and walked in the Jungle to the Water Fall. The Jungle had leaves everywhere and I saw the hugest ants ever. We also saw giant Mushrooms, and many other bugs. The Water Fall was huge! The water was cold too. Hana and Mom didn’t go in the water. Neither did Lilia, Cynthia, and Karen. They all work at the hotel. Raymond, the man taking us to the longhouse who also works at the hotel cooked the BEST chicken wings for the BBQ. We had to start a fire for the BBQ which didn’t take long. I had an idea that if you tie a bandana on your head, pull the top part over your face- you can see through and work with the fire without getting smoke in your eyes. But we still all ended up with watery eyes. It started to rain and it was very cold so we dove in the water. On the walk back we decided to walk to another fall. The walk was very long. When we got there the fall was REALLY small! So we walked all that way for nothing We complained about the walk back. My dad also had a small leech on him from the hike. So we also walked cautiously back. When we got back to the hotel we were all sweaty. I had a lot of fun!

This Morning

This morning we woke up late and went downstairs for breakfast. When we were done we left for the bus to take us into the city. We went to the movie theaters there and watched UP again. Today I tried not to eat at all for Ramadan. I’m doing well so far. Tomorrow Assame’s staff will take us to Lambeer. Which is a town an hour away from Miri. We will have a BBQ there. The day after tomorrow I am going to try no eating and no drinking for an entire day. I’ll try.

Waterpark

Yesterday we went to the giant park with the mini Golden gate bride and played in the water park. The water from the fountains and stuff weren’t on so we just ran in the water. Then a guy came and said that the park was closed. So we will go back the day after tomorrow. We walked to the local bus station to catch a bus to Miri city. We went to the Imperial Mall. I didn’t like the mall as much because it wasn’t like home. So we didn’t spend much time there. We caught the bus back to the hotel and I stayed up till 1:30 am on the computer.

This morning we woke up late and went downstairs for breakfast. When we were done we left for the bus to take us into the city. We went to the movie theaters there and watched UP again. Today I tried not to eat at all for Ramadan. I’m doing well so far. Tomorrow Assame’s staff will take us to Lambeer. Which is a town an hour away from Miri. We will have a BBQ there. The day after tomorrow I am going to try no eating and no drinking for an entire day. I’ll try.

Miri

We are in Miri still and are having so much fun. The manager of the hotel is very friendly. Last night he took us on a drive at 10:00 pm to the first oil well in Miri and their big park. At the park they have a mini golden gate bridge that is for walking and they have a giant public water park and, many parks. Tonight he invited us to drive to the beach but we didn't go because my dad had to drive Assame's (the manager) car. Today we went to the park, and walked. It was a pretty simple day. 

Today-Resting

Today we are resting. We got so tired walking yesterday Before we came here- to Miri we were in Kuching. Kuching was really fun. It was the closest thing to home. It was pretty much a Malaysia Las Vegas. There was Lion and Alligators spraying out water and fountains all near the river water front. Across from us there was Astana an old fort and a little island were there was always firework sounds. We stayed at the Kuching Waterfront lodge. That was good service. But the best place we stayed at was also the second cheapest. The Telang Usan hotel. The rooms are nice and he manager was very nice too. I never had a manager from a hotel tell my family that he was concerned about us getting lost we wanted to walk somewhere to eat, so, he had one of his workers drive us there- no extra charge.

While in Kuching we went to see orangutans. They get so close to you. It was really fun.

Yesterday, Niah

I decided to have mom and dad teach me Japanese. I love it! The first few words are really easy. Today we have to wake up early at 7:00 am to go to Niah. We are going to Niah because Niah has many Jungle treks and caves. The jungle was very pretty. There was fallen trees, caves and bridges that we walked on over the water. We walked for so long. My feet started to hurt.

When we finally reached the cave. We saw a cave that was someone lived in 40,000 years ago. It was really cool. When we got home we rested and ate dinner at this giant market that was packed because Ramadan started yesterday. Ramadan is when the Muslims eat once at 4:00 am and don’t eat or drink again till night time for 1 month. I could never do that.