Never excruciating Your writing is wonderfully descriptive and brings your trip and experiences to a visual level. Never to long for me to read only fascinating to read!!!... Keep on writing. I truly could see and hear you arquing with the shed owner!!! Glad Steph found the check I didn't see it. Dahhhh. Tank looks great Kevin now on vacation so hope it stays ok. Nemo is so funny I think he would like to be hand fed when I open the lid he comes right to the surface! Almonst as entertaining as Lexie and Lacie. Gee I guess I can say I have very animated grandhcildren@!@!# ... Glad you guys are having a good time. Live goes on as ususal here in the old USA -all the annoying relatives send their love. Be safe enjoy your adventures keep up the strong front!!!...GREAT TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES in the pics. Lots of Love Mom
Steph... Thanks babe! Can't wait to see which ones you choose. It is a very different experience traveling with this crew. Wish you were here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you're keeping things exciting! It's a bit strange to just be a reader of the blogs now, I miss writing them. 'Hi' to Gabrielle and Tristan for me- and i can so picture the scene where Tristan's bike takes off and G's standing there saying "yeah i was supposed to get on that". I also think you've been waiting along time to have that kind of showdown you had with the toothless shed owner. And BTW the check came the day I left for RI, but i didn't open it to see if it's the full amount ;). Will be back in town on Sunday and will post some of our pics on the blog (for all of you that are eager see the first part of our journey). love, S
Hi I'll just say Hi! Your writing is excrutiatingly descriptive as always. It's a real joy to read about your adventures. Stay safe and enjoy your journey.
Dad
Sarcasm.... Oh I got it, not to worry. I completely ignore any such advice, but I get it.
Funny, people here(vietnam and the whole of SE Asia) wear long sleeves when in the sun and use excessive amounts of skin whitening cream and make-up to make themselves look as light skinned as possible. Dark, tan skin is for farmers and people that work outside, the lower class. The 20-something men are particularly feminine. They grow there nails long and have totally feminine hair cuts(by western standards), also a status symbol. The long nails signifies that you don't work with your hands. Some even wear nail polish and I'm pretty sure they were hetero.
Marie & Madison...glad you could come I have to say that getting the occasional message from home makes it seem a lot closer than it is. I wish I was able to put more pictures up and capture the skells and tastes of the places to share. Photos and words hardly do justice to the amazing people and beautiful places.
It is never too late!! I have saw soooooo many families traveling in Bali, even with infants!. I don't doubt that there would be a few more challenges along the way though. I always thought I would do all my traveling before having a family, but if I can afford it, I don't think I'll ever stop. The Balinese and Indonesians were particularly open to various religions, relationships and people as well.
Awww.... Was my last sunscreen comment too harsh? For the sake of anyone reading who doesn't know me.....I hope the sarcasm came through! And (*smacks forehead*) - I almost forgot. Of course you aren't Indonesian....the Peruvian adopted child, if I remember correctly? (sorry, but that still cracks me up!)
wish I knew you guys when I have to say that I wish when I would have been able to do this kind of travel (translation ...before kids ; back when I was wild and crazy) I had met people like all of you and I would have been joining you all I'm sure. Thanks for letting me, us, ride along with you.. Marie and Madison
Sunscreen Part 2 Well, duh. Yes, lack of adequate health care results in people being sick and perhaps dying when they could be treated/cured. I'd agree with the Indonesians on that point. However, proper and adequate health care also involves education on preventative measures for staying healthy, of which wearing sunscreen is one.
Therefore, Meester Paci.....I will remind you that 1.) you have beyond adequate health care and it's accompanying education and 2.) you are not Indonesian. I rest my case.
Glad you're here It is funny. All these years later I still sometes here your voice in the back of my head right after I've done something really stupid saying...."man paci". Let Sully know that his time adventuring with uncle Eric is coming!
Errr.... Do we have to go over the sunscreen thing again, Eric?? As I can see, you've been bad boy. Ok, I'll stop right there and get off the soapbox now :) It's great that you have so many choices for the next leg of your trip.....I'm sure any of them will be wonderful experiences for you. Komodo sounds the most intriguing to me, especially since it's still mating season for the K-dragons. You might even get to see the mating and territorial fights going on right now...could be a bit gruesome, but kind of cool, no?
Stay safe and well and have more fun!
Suze
are you going to the moon? Perhaps a strange comment title but I'll explain. I have been sharing your travels with Sully and pulling up maps to help illustrate what world travel means. He continually asks "is he still traveling? where is he going now?" and so on. I asked him if he wanted to say something to you and thus the comment about the moon. Not nearly as profound as what you have been sharing, but indeed a legitimate question from an almost 3 year old.
We all have been enjoying "traveling" with you and it certainly stirs some wonderlust in us. Our adventures here as new business owners is both interesting and exhausting in its own way. We are taking a big jump here in a couple of weeks when Sandi emancipates herself from the corporate world so we can both fully wrap our arms around THe Family Tree. Looking forward to your continuing saga. I miss you my brutha! peace, z
caffeine unnecessary for this post Nice writeup, I made it all the way through without a single eye droop or yawn. It's a shame that the culture of corruption leads to tax boycotts leads to expensive private-pay schools.
Hi HI, glad to see that you met up with the girls. It must be great to be with friends, especially ones from home. enjoy your time together. Memories you will all share forvever and to discuss through the years........... Love to all of you
enjoy and stay safe
Lucille
so good to hear from you To be honest, that hotel was no joke. It was expensive by US standards, worth every penny of it. Ok...maybe not every penny, but the looks on their faces surely was. For the record, it was 5 stars, although I would have given it at least a 6!
You clearly know me too well. I didn't go with them cuz I figured they needed to experience it for themselves and didn't need a know it all with them. I can't wait 'til our first "meeting"!
BTW...there are no rules regarding school placement and positions on the board so don't be discouraged!
Sweating my ........ off Dude, last year my sis got so sick of hearing that. It is just too true. So nice in Indo. Warm during the day, pleasant in the evening, perfect! Here....so muggy it is disgusting.
160mil....that is rediculous. I knew I shoulda kept playing!
They are headed home on the 11th. That gives us 10 days to head down the coast. After that the sky is the limit(no pun intended). Maybe the Mekong Delta, Kalimantan, back to Lombok or Legian in Bali. The last twl I would be able to stay with 'friends' so I might do that. Diving in Lombok or surfing in Legian. What a tough choice. Then again there is always Thailand, Kristin and crew will be back there by then. I don't think it will be worth going to sumatra as I will have to head back to Bali just as I got going. Komodo is still a real possibility too. 5 days by boat there which gives me 2 days on either end to get myself to Bali and back at the end. What do you think?
so glad to hear about the camera....no really, i am ;)
Humid It´s filthy hot here too. How long do you have with your sis and friend? I´ve got two weeks left today. Glad to hear you´re having a good time jetsetting around. Thanks for the Liverpool news. Have you heard about Kaka going to Chelsea for a world record $160 million?
See you soon, mate.
mike
Nice to see you! Happy to hear that you have joined friends and family. Glad you arrived safely least the ups and downs of your journey. Enjoy your new travel companions and please no sibling squabbles as reality of the real world is just around the corner so enjoy! Good to see your smiling face in the pic with your friends. Live, Laugh and be happy!!! and of course safe. Lots of Love Mom
Mr. President saves the day! I have to say that picture of the three of you is classic. I am going to frame it and put it on my desk (or rolling cart as the case may be). There you are in what looks to be a five star hotel, (which you probably paid no more than $15 for) and Kristin and Christina have this look of "WTF" have we been staying... priceless really. Couldn't you have throne them a bone. I mean really.
Anyhoo, I am sure you had a sit down and told them whats, what. Although knowing you, you probably feel that figuring it out for themselves is a far better learning experience!
Your travels look amazing.. I'm so jealous I can't even talk about it.
I can't wait for all of you to come back. Be safe.
Karen
Blog Entry It was tough one. Remmber that old saying...be careful what you ask for because you just might get it"? Well I asked for the real Indonesia and got more than a head full. Glad I did though. Perspective is the word.
Eric...thank you for this thoughtful and special entry. I have read it a couple of times already and will read it a few more, I'm sure. Perhaps your words and this story will give perspective to the current feelings I'm having about my own life. Certainly provides much to think about. Thanks so much.
Suze
Hey Luci!!! (and company) So glad you are here!! Sorry for all the reading and no pictures. I will try to get some up really soon. It is very difficult to do here! Hope you're having a great summer!!!!!!!!!!
Mom
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Never excruciating
Your writing is wonderfully descriptive and brings your trip and experiences to a visual level. Never to long for me to read only fascinating to read!!!... Keep on writing. I truly could see and hear you arquing with the shed owner!!! Glad Steph found the check I didn't see it. Dahhhh. Tank looks great Kevin now on vacation so hope it stays ok. Nemo is so funny I think he would like to be hand fed when I open the lid he comes right to the surface! Almonst as entertaining as Lexie and Lacie. Gee I guess I can say I have very animated grandhcildren@!@!# ... Glad you guys are having a good time. Live goes on as ususal here in the old USA -all the annoying relatives send their love. Be safe enjoy your adventures keep up the strong front!!!...GREAT TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES in the pics. Lots of Love Mom