Indonesia
The Abui Tribe in Takpala
By Tony on February 22, 2012 | No Comments »
Fine, I take back what I said about Philip Morris. Geez, smokers can get so edgy!
No seriously, Martinus and I were just joking around in this picture, please don’t think the Abui tribe greets visitors with arrows to their faces. Quite to the contrary, they are some of the friendliest people we’ve met in Indonesia.
As you might have gathered, Catherine and I decided to take in a little of Alor’s amazing tribal culture by visiting Takpala, a traditional village on the volcanic slopes of the island’s northern coast. As you can see by the picture, we had a blast.
Renting motorbikes for the day, we drove out along the island’s coastal road past a series of small villages and black stone beaches. As Google Maps hasn’t quite made it to this part of the world yet, it took us a while to locate the access road to the village, which might be more accurately described as a steep path cobbled with very loose, uncooperative volcanic rock. (Not an easy ride.)
Stunningly situated in the mountains high above the coast, Takpala is inhabited by the Abui people, the first Papuan ethnic group » Continue reading this post »
Risky Travel Business
By Thomas on February 19, 2012 | 3 Comments »
As the title says, travel – especially travel to remote regions – can be risky business. While good medical facilities are available in most capitals and larger cities, more distant regions leave few options for treatment. During our time on the road, we have heard endless stories of people getting sick or injured miles from nowhere. Those stories can leave even the most experienced travelers feeling uneasy. Knowing when and where to seek treatment isn’t always simple. And I learned that lesson, yet again, first hand.
Days of stinging pain in the lower right-hand side of my stomach had my mind racing. What if I had appendicitis? How fast could I get to the closest real hospital? Where was the closest real hospital? Although Kalabahi, the capital of tiny Alor, had a small walk-in clinic, it was no place to undergo surgery. Knowing that I couldn’t just walk into a modern hospital pushed me to the brink of panic. Was my pain getting worse? Was my head playing tricks? Should I just wait and see? In the end, precaution took over. I decided to take advantage of Alor’s small airport and fly back to Bali to seek medical treatment.
Despite the pain, the decision to leave was not easy. » Continue reading this post »
Kelapa Muda
By Thomas on February 17, 2012 | 4 Comments »
Traveling through Indonesia, there are two important words everyone should know: kelapa muda, which means young coconut. While coconut water is the latest health craze in the West, it’s just another refreshment on a hot and humid day in Asia. Often compared to an isotonic sports drink, it’s definitely a few steps above Coca Cola, which – as we all know – is normally Tony’s lifeblood. But even he can’t resist a green coconut right off the palm.
One Rockin’ Beach
By Thomas on February 15, 2012 | 3 Comments »
I do wonder sometimes if it’s all worth it. Our recent face-off with a bunch of immigration bureaucrats, the ethical dilemma of visiting a whaling village, and our grueling overnight ferry trip left me a bit down in the dumps. So it came as no surprise that I reflected on those experiences during our latest outing in Alor.
“Why do we put ourselves through all of this?” I contemplated aloud as we walked along the forest trail. But the moment I uttered those words, the most amazing beach came into view. “That’s why,” Tony announced.
The unnamed piece of paradise, about 30 kilometers from Kalabahi in the southwest corner of Alor, was the ultimate reward for a few days of discomfort: beautiful white sand, a giant mushroom-shaped rock, and pristine, crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling.
But that’s just the nature of travel, isn’t it? For every amazing thing we see, there’s an obstacle (or a dozen obstacles) that we have to overcome. In the end, it’s that very challenge that makes the reward so much sweeter.
Happy Valentine’s Day
By Tony and Thomas on February 14, 2012 | 1 Comment »
A little tropical Valentine for all our visitors. 
