The firm tree does not fear the storm… ~ Indonesian Proverb HE SAID... Today we were exploring the coastal township of Pangandaran. We woke early and tried to capture the sunrise (in photographic form) from our tiny ground floor terrace at the aptly named Sunrise Beach Hotel, but the humidity was so high that the lenses of our cameras immediately fogged over. Regardless, it was a beautiful sunrise over the hazy Indian Ocean that stretched to the southern horizon, and whose rhythmic waves were washing ashore just across the busy road from our room. We walked to the hotel’s breakfast area (that was puzzlingly located beside a large swimming pool), and the kids were already in hyperdrive – running, jumping, screaming and splashing. As I watched them enthralled in play, I saw a familiar face from ... read more

Head can be heated, but the heart must stay cool… ~ Indonesian Proverb HE SAID... Today we were continuing to explore the bustling city of Jakarta. Wide awake at 5:30am and feeling completely refreshed, we immediately jumped into the day. We may have been a bit too eager. When we arrived at Yello Harmoni Hotel’s expansive dining area for breakfast at 6am, the place was devoid of front-of-house staff. However, food dishes were trickling in (thanks to the kitchen staff), so we decided to settle at a table with city views and help ourselves to the meagre buffet offerings. I went for a simple option – cornflakes and sultanas, along with hot tea. We had a long day of walking ahead, and we were heading out into Jakarta’s morning humidity at 8:30am, so we didn’t have ... read more

Even things that are far apart can meet as one… ~ Indonesian Proverb HE SAID... Today we were travelling to Jakartafrom Australia – via Hobart and Sydney Indonesia – an archipelago of islands just northwest of our own island country (Australia). I’ve been more than aware of it for the best part of my life. Great surf, great climate, great topography, great food, great lifestyle. Yet I’ve not visited until now. There are a few reasons for that: > Firstly, the world is big, and we tend to travel far rather than near. Indonesia is one of our nearest neighbours, and we’ve always looked beyond its shores to faraway lands. > Secondly, the country has had its fair share of bad press, mostly caused by foreign tourists disregarding local values, customs and ethics, but also by ... read more

To love is nothing. To be loved is something. To love and be loved is everything… ~ Greek Proverb HE SAID... I travelled to Greece with a few misconceptions about what I was going to experience in the four-week adventure we had planned. I thought I was going to connect, in some idealistic fashion, with the birthplace of modern philosophy and democracy. I thought I was going to meet people who wanted to share their critically important philosophical and political heritage. After all, their forefathers had turned away from mythology and devised what we now refer to as Western Philosophy. Rather than continuing the tradition of reciting fanciful stories with no basis in reality, Plato and Aristotle (in particular) urged people to think critically about everything, and not simply ‘believe’ the old folktales of yore. However, ... read more

A good man says no slowly; a wise man says no at once… ~ Greek Proverb HE SAID... Today we were exploring the stunning island of Santorini. We had an early start! We were embarking on a four-hour / twelve-kilometre hike from Fira (the stunning capital of Santorini) to Oia (an equally stunning village on the northern tip of the island). The picturesque hike would take us along the rim of Santorini’s caldera (a large volcanic crater), and it marked the beginning of Ren’s milestone birthday – one of the primary reasons we decided to undertake this Greek adventure. We didn’t have the best preparation. A large tour group had taken over the hotel, and the occupants in the room beside ours decided to party hard into the night. The room was jam-packed with people, and ... read more