According to the sign…
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No sleep in Singapore
This title is an exaggeration, Â but Singapore certainly has a lot going on every night after the sun sets. The photo is of the supertrees at the Gardens by the Bay, which have a music and light show every night.
Selamat Tinggal, Indonesia
After just under a month touring Indonesia, it was very hard for me to say goodbye (or more properly in Bahasa, “Selamat Tinggal”).
I confess that I was already predisposed to like Indonesia and was really excited to see the country for the first time, but my visit completely exceeded my high expectations. Not only do I want to go back, I definitely encourage everyone to go!
Indonesia has amazing natural beauty, and it would be easy to spend a whole trip watching the indigenous wildlife you can’t find anywhere else. The soft sand beaches leading to turquoise waters could convince almost anyone to spend a day as a beach bum. If the above isn’t enough, there are also bubbling volcanos and sulfur springs to climb, coral reefs to snorkel, and giant trees that according to local tradition contain the spirits of the ancestors.
For me, the natural beauty is only a piece of why I am happy I went to Indonesia. I have been fascinated by the farmland flowing over the steep volcanic ridges, been enchanted by the food showcasing flavors and ingredients completly new to me, and completely won over by the warmth and kindness of the people I’ve met.
Let’s just say that I’m in love…. and if you can make the trip to Indonesia, send me pictures 🙂
Steep Hillside Plantation!
While on our fun roadtrip around Java, we visited the area around Mount Lawu. Much of the steep hillsides were covered in tea plants.
I hadn’t known how bushy the tea plant looks before this trip. After my youth seeing the farms on the American midwestern plains, I definitely didn’t imagine farms on steep steep slopes. (The tea plants like the cooler temperatures from the higher elevations)
So I bring you a photo of a tea plantation in Java…
and if you were wondering, unprocessed mature tea leaves are slightly bitter and have almost no hint of the flavor of the final beverage – I had to try 🙂
Candi Ceto (Ceto Temple)
Candi Ceto is a Hindu temple that appears to float high above the clouds. It is located on the western slope of Mount Lawu. Since it was built in the 15th century, it has a more Javanese architecture than the Indian-inspired temples of the 7th century. One of the traits that make it worth a visit is its many statues representing masculinity. Candi Ceto is still used as a place of worship today.
Sunrise at Mount Bromo
On January 21st 2015, we woke up at 3 AM, hopped into a Jeep, and off-roaded through the “sea of sand”  to watch sunrise at the Mount Bromo overlook. The scenery did not seem real. We were high above the clouds near an actively billowing crater. The gathered crowd consisted of people from all over the globe, each anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sun. After sunrise we headed back down. We traversed the “sea of sand” on foot while most rode on horseback to the stairs leading to the crater’s rim.
The stairs were very steep, the air had a faint aroma of sulfur, and the views were unforgettable.
A beautiful tour through Candirejo, a Javanese village
While we were in the area near Borobudur, we took a tour ofthe village of Candirejo by Andong, a horse drawn carraige. Our tour guide, Mr. Budi, was incredibly kind, and he taught us a lot about life in the village. We had the chance to watch someone making cassava crackers (and try them!), attempt to play gamelan (traditional Javanese music which sounds beautiful unless I am playing it), and enjoy jasmine black tea with palm sugar. Overall, we enjoyed seeing this beautiful village. Next time, I’ll have to do a homestay!
Saying “See you later” to Japan
Today we fly to Taiwan. We have spent 33 days in Japan, and there are still lots of things I would love to see and do and eat here someday. Overall, I would strongly encourage people considering a trip to Japan to go for it. It is a fantastic place to be a tourist!
Some quick highlights: delicious food for way less than you’d expect, kind strangers who go out of their way to help if you are lost or struggling with something, beautiful natural scenery, and great transportation.
I’m sorry we haven’t posted as many things as we want to – we have mostly been planning this trip on a night-to-night basis. More updates to come soon!
An Omiyage from Kamakura
While reading about Kamakura, I learned that one of the favorite omiyage are a particular store’s rice crackers. I was interested, but didn’t believe the hype. (After all, it was a tourism magazine…) We went in and tried the samples – and I had to eat my hat. These were amazing!
I would have loved to buy out the store stock, but settled with three small bags. We chose the matcha, the mixed berry, and the tangerine. The three sweet ones we chose were all constructed in a similar manner, with a peanut in the center surrounded by crunchy airy rice cracker dipped in a flavored (yogurt?) coating and rolled in a powder of the same flavor.
The savory choices we tried at the store were completely different from the sweet options above and from other snacks I have had before (curry flavored toasted broad beans, for one). Overall, the Kamakura Mameya is really worth a stop. You should go with some room so you can try tasters!
Fugitive Pigeon: Update
The Fugitive Pigeon was sighted today. It was reportedly staking out an Omamori (amulet) shop near the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) in Kamakura, Japan. I hurried to the scene and was able to snap a photo of the pigeon. By the time I had alerted the authorities, it had escaped. The local shopkeeper said nothing was stolen, but I advised her to remain vigilant.
the mint tea drinkers society 