Thursday, January 30, 2014
This tree is 150 years old.
Mount Sinabung
Mount Sinabung has erupted again. David wanted to get some night pictures of the mountain erupting so we went out to wait. We tried to get close by going down one road. The area was just about totally vacant. The ash was so thick that we couldn't see (like a very thick snowstorm that covers the vehicle while you are driving and prevents you from seeing what is ahead of you). We turned around, and tried another route. This was a better approach. Some people had set up a tarp to protect them while they watched the mountain. We kept on going until we came to a village that had been evacuated. The trees were broken or the tops bent over. The field crops were covered with ash and the leaves burnt. Some of the roofs had collapsed under the weight of the ash. There was a lonely chicken crossing the road. In amongst all this devastation, you see hope--a woman starting to wash the outside of her home, sprigs of green leaves growing up out of the fields, a red flower surrounded by grey, men starting to clean up the roads.
We visited a market while we were in Berastagi. The tailors use old Singer treadle machines for their sewing. In one store, a bunch of ladies had gathered and they were giggling and teasing each other while waiting for customers to come by. This market sold everything--fresh food, plastics pans, dishes, cutlery,clothes, tailor services. In mostly rural areas, some people eat bats, monkeys, cats, and dogs for their protein.
We spent a day touring in Medan--a very busy large city with millions of people living there. Because they drive on the left side of the road, as Canadians we must remember to look right before you cross. We visited a few museums, a Buddhist temple, and actually had a hamburger for lunch. It was a tasty dish of delight in a country that serves rice and noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Don't get us wrong, we like the less spicy versions of Indonesian food, but a good hamburger or donut makes the experience all the better.
We will be taking a 5.5 hour trip in a shared taxi to get to our next destination--Danau (Lake) Toba for more relaxed and leisurely pace. Patt and Craig recommended this lake as a destination.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Spotting our first rice field and inspecting the last crop
Rice Fields at Berastagi
While in Banda Aceh, we booked our flights for Medan and for Kuala Lampur, and then had time to do a bit of sightseeing. This area including Lhok Nga and Lampuuk were devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Large sections of the homes and commercial areas were destroyed. The large mosque in Banda Aceh was left standing while all around it was destroyed. There has been a large amount of rebuilding going on since then with the help of foreign countries and their own government. We visited the museum dedicated to showing the tsunami and it's affects on the people physically, emotionally, financially. It was well done. We also visited the museum of the fishing boat swept inland and left on a rooftop.
It is always interesting waiting in an airport, watching the people--little children giggling at strangers as their pictures are taken.
We get into Medan and find our way to a hotel suggested by our friends. The next morning we went looking for rice fields and Mount Sinabung. The morning we were heading out to these areas, the Indonesian or Sumatran military was setting up for the Indonesian President'o visit to the refugee camps for the people evacuated due to the eruption of Mount Sinabung. We passed by some basket sellers who sold baskets for carrying items like potatoes, clothes, etc. In Sumatra, people are still going down to the water's edge or to the local pump to wash their clothes. They hang the clothes on lines, fences, walls around old tombs.
At Berastagi, we headed up into the hills to see the rice fields. Along the way, we came to a village where they had the rice laid out on big cloths to dry. If it rains, they bag it.
They collect the betel nut or sirih Pinang which is a mild narcotic. I wonder if this is similar to coco leaves in Peru. They chew the outside of the nut and it turns their mouths all orange--like lipstick applied without a mirror. This is sometimes mixed with tobacco.
The rice fields are a beautiful sight--so green, so quiet, so pretty. Each field is dyked with a small break at the top to let water run from the top into each field below it.
When not looking after the rice fields, they are looking after their children, their animals, their homes living a hard but simple life.
Next it was back to Berastagi to go out the other side to see Mount Sinabung.
It is always interesting waiting in an airport, watching the people--little children giggling at strangers as their pictures are taken.
We get into Medan and find our way to a hotel suggested by our friends. The next morning we went looking for rice fields and Mount Sinabung. The morning we were heading out to these areas, the Indonesian or Sumatran military was setting up for the Indonesian President'o visit to the refugee camps for the people evacuated due to the eruption of Mount Sinabung. We passed by some basket sellers who sold baskets for carrying items like potatoes, clothes, etc. In Sumatra, people are still going down to the water's edge or to the local pump to wash their clothes. They hang the clothes on lines, fences, walls around old tombs.
At Berastagi, we headed up into the hills to see the rice fields. Along the way, we came to a village where they had the rice laid out on big cloths to dry. If it rains, they bag it.
They collect the betel nut or sirih Pinang which is a mild narcotic. I wonder if this is similar to coco leaves in Peru. They chew the outside of the nut and it turns their mouths all orange--like lipstick applied without a mirror. This is sometimes mixed with tobacco.
The rice fields are a beautiful sight--so green, so quiet, so pretty. Each field is dyked with a small break at the top to let water run from the top into each field below it.
When not looking after the rice fields, they are looking after their children, their animals, their homes living a hard but simple life.
Next it was back to Berastagi to go out the other side to see Mount Sinabung.
Pulau Weh
After an early morning start to catch the fast ferry to the island of Pulau Weh, we finally arrive at Pele's Place in Ibioh Bay. Patt and Craig had stayed here two years before. It is a scenic, quiet, idyllic place to stay. There is a restaurant on site, and the food was good--less spicy than the food in Lampuuk. We are within walking distance of the little resort village of Ibioh.
After getting settled in, Patt, Craig, and David and I went for a walk through the town. Along the way, we checked out other room prices as there were quite a few new places. We found as we walked further along the strip that the prices did get lower as you got further from the public beach area and into the older section of the village.
David thought he had found heaven--a restaurant that made donuts. She was all sold out, but said to come back tomorrow morning early, and she would have some more. Craig said to make sure that I kicked David out of bed early so we could have fresh donuts for breakfast. Well, David and I got there early the next morning. In fact, she was still rolling them up and deep frying them. The place had such a sweet aroma. We picked up six donuts, and walked back to Pele's Place. David took a bite out of his and decided this lady would be able to give Tim Horton's a run for their money. The donuts were very tasty--fresh and warm. David made a return run the next morning for more. This time, he bought two donuts each--so good with fresh coffee.
This area is where scuba divers and snorkellers come as there is an abundance of coral and fish. We rented equipment (David had bought a set for me that had prescription lenses), and we went swimming along the beach--corals in royal blue, green, pink, fish like you see in the tropical aquariums--beautiful.
Unfortunately, we leave our friends Patt and Craig to continue their holiday, and we will continue ours. We had a very good time with them, and learned lots about travelling. It is an art they have perfected.
We have found the Indonesians friendly, and helpful, and someone almost always speaks a bit of English, or they can find someone who does. Bartering in a lot of cases is still necessary. David sets a fair price. If they don't accept, we walk away. In most cases, they are calling us back accepting his offer. He is getting very good at bartering. They are a hardworking people. Their stores are usually small with lots of competition--all charging the same price: "you can have it for a good price." I wonder how they can make a living.
Next onto Banda Aceh and points south. Danau Toba (Lake Toba) and places around Medan are our next destinations.
After getting settled in, Patt, Craig, and David and I went for a walk through the town. Along the way, we checked out other room prices as there were quite a few new places. We found as we walked further along the strip that the prices did get lower as you got further from the public beach area and into the older section of the village.
David thought he had found heaven--a restaurant that made donuts. She was all sold out, but said to come back tomorrow morning early, and she would have some more. Craig said to make sure that I kicked David out of bed early so we could have fresh donuts for breakfast. Well, David and I got there early the next morning. In fact, she was still rolling them up and deep frying them. The place had such a sweet aroma. We picked up six donuts, and walked back to Pele's Place. David took a bite out of his and decided this lady would be able to give Tim Horton's a run for their money. The donuts were very tasty--fresh and warm. David made a return run the next morning for more. This time, he bought two donuts each--so good with fresh coffee.
This area is where scuba divers and snorkellers come as there is an abundance of coral and fish. We rented equipment (David had bought a set for me that had prescription lenses), and we went swimming along the beach--corals in royal blue, green, pink, fish like you see in the tropical aquariums--beautiful.
Unfortunately, we leave our friends Patt and Craig to continue their holiday, and we will continue ours. We had a very good time with them, and learned lots about travelling. It is an art they have perfected.
We have found the Indonesians friendly, and helpful, and someone almost always speaks a bit of English, or they can find someone who does. Bartering in a lot of cases is still necessary. David sets a fair price. If they don't accept, we walk away. In most cases, they are calling us back accepting his offer. He is getting very good at bartering. They are a hardworking people. Their stores are usually small with lots of competition--all charging the same price: "you can have it for a good price." I wonder how they can make a living.
The green house and think something to smoke,the house sign says it all
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