Legian, Bali

To be young, free, and comfortable with your body! I couldn't' resist taking this picture of a little girl waiting to catch a wave. After I was released from the hospital we spent the day at Legian beach. I sat on the rented lounge chair, with Regina, while her children played and took surfing lessons. While the sand is black, the water is a beautiful blue.

Legian, Bali

South Bali is where the "beach action" is. Legian is the name of this beach, where I recuperated from my fall. Jason and Tasha played in the sand, like all children around the world. They also took surf lessons (which I desperately wanted to try!) Next time.

Kuta Beach, Bali

Gedung Batu (SAM PO KONG Temple)

Gedung Batu (SAM PO KONG Temple) Main temple

The main hall of this temple complex is built around an inner chamber in the form of a huge caved flanked by two great dragons (not pictured). The name Gedung Batu means stone building. Inside the cave is an idol of Sam Po Kong.

Gedung Batu (SAM PO KONG Temple)

On my last long weekend in Indonesia, Regina, Kate (the new teacher from New York, via Australia) and I went to Central Java. It's about a 5-8 hour trip from Cirebon, depending on traffic. The relatively modern road winds through lovely coastline and rice fields and was a delight. We stayed one night in a city called Semarang and visited this well-known Chinese temple. It was built in honour of Admirel Cheng Ho, the famous Muslim eunuch of the Ming dynasty. He first arrived in Java in 1405 and is attributed with helping spread Islam. This temple is also revered by Muslims.

Casa Luna, Ubud, Bali

The pool and front door of my "home away from home" that I never stayed in!

Casa Luna Ubud

This is the beautiful hotel I checked into, but never stayed at! The wood work is incredible, and one year I hope to get back there!

Dreamland Bali

A perfect cove of a beach, Dreamland, as it is called, is surrounded by cliffs. There is virtually nothing around, it's a little wild with little planning. The pavement ends after you enter through a mostly moribund development of Bali Pecatu Indah.

Dreamland Bali

Deni's sister's house Bali

A view from the kitchen to the back open air room with pond. I loved sitting here in the morning drinking my coffee!

Deni's sister's house Bali

My bedroom suite on the second floor. Floor to ceiling doors open up to the beautiful sky above and garden below. I had my own bathroom with beautiful marble on the floor and walls.

Fron open air room at Deni's sister's house in Bali

Another view of the front open air room. The attention to detail is what makes this house spectacular. Although not close to the beach, just relaxing here was fantastic.

Bali's Beautiful Adventure

Deni (Regina's husband) has a sister who was living in Bali. She and her family actually just moved the day before we arrived. But they graciously lent us their spectacular house. Along with 3 maids and a housekeeper. This is the front open -air room with pool, sitting area and small breakfast table.

Let's Eat

Fresh fish and shrimp that Regina had bought in the market that morning. The food, company, and weather were all delightful.

Oma Murphy

My other duty at Medi's barbecue was feeding her 3 month old son, Akeyla. I forgot how little they are! Medi's mom wasn't thrilled that I was holding her grandson, she couldn't wait to hold him herself. Medi overheard her mother saying to her son, in the house, "you are much better in here with me, your Oma (grandmother)"

Regina cooking!

Medi's mother invited us over to "cook again". However, since I was so inept with the banana leaves last cooking class, I was relegated to skewering shrimp. The actual joy was seeing Regina cook - something she rarely does!

Nursery School Performers

Two of the nursery students "preparing" for their parts in "Who Sank the Boat"

Two of my students getting make-up for their Chinese Dance performance. The staff at the end of the celebration. I'm tucked way in the back.

Opening Music

Special chairs for Ministry of Education big wigs.

End of year party at a local hotel

Our program started at 7:45 and went until 12:00. We had three rooms and lots of people. The programs were divided into grade levels which were about an hour long each

Hard to Believe

Today, June 21st here (2oth back home) marks one year that I have been in Indonesia! The time has flown and I can't believe I'll be back on American soil in a month and a half.
We finished the school year out with a bang- a school performance in a hotel, and then report card distribution last Friday, June 19th.
My work visa always runs out today, and given the "Indonesia way" Regina told me to be prepared, I may have to go to Singapore, not once but twice to get my exit and then travellers visa! I think I will only be staying in the Singapore airport both times, but the wait will be seven hours.

It's all part of the adventure!

Here's a real cutie!

This is Marcel, the school's secretary's son. He will be "graduating" next week from Kindergarten to Primary 1 (First grade). This is his graduation picture.

Kraton Konoman - musuem

The picture with the red tile is the remains of an offering. Every Friday night they leave offerings. That is a fish scale on the floor.

Sultan's chariot - Kraton Kanoman

This massive chariot only has room for one - the sultan!

Kraton Konoman - Cirebon

This kraton was founded by a sultan in 1588 who broke away from the main sultanate after a lineage dispute.

The massive banyan tree is partially blocked by the white pillars of the entrance.

batik shopping Cirebon

Streets in Cirebon just filled with Batik Stores. They lay the fabric on the floor as you browse. Or you can sit on this beautiful wooden bench and eat snacks as others browse.

Alleyways in Cirebon

Alleyways in Cirebon

nestled behind the main roads are miles and miles of alleyways.

Gua Sunyaragi

Looking through one of the many small areas that lead to no where at this rather ugly grotto.