Bali

Our last few days have been spent strolling through the shops of Kuta and Seminyak.  Today we hired a driver and took a day trip to Ubud.  Cody and Laura loved seeing the Monkeys.  Laura was a bit scared of one and made a growling noise at it as it approached her.  This made the monkey approach faster and try to attack her.  She screamed loudly (a normal reaction for her) but could not run away, she was frozen.  It did not take her long to recover.  Simon and Cody thought it was funny.  We also saw silver jewellery being made and visited an art gallery.  Tomorrw is Mothers day and we are going to return to Water Bomb park for another fun filled day on the slides.  Monday will be our last day here before getting on a midnight flight home.  We are having a great time. 
Cheers
Irvins' in Indonesia

Lombok is over and Bali has begun

We are now in Bali.  Staying in a fantastic villa with its own enclosed (shaded and green) yard.  We had an easy 30min flight from Lombok to Bali.  Today we went to Water bomb Park and enjoyed going on heaps of slides.  Imagine wet and wild without the crowds (and just quietly better slides).  The kids had a fantastic time.  We think bed time will be east tonight.
Our last few days in Lombok were filled with another visit to Gilli Nanngu (10 min boat) for some snorkelling again.  This time Simon was with us so we could explore much more of the underwater life.
We had a farewell lunch with the MADC staff and yes there was some more swimming.  The kids enjoyed the 60min car trip to the airport as we got to see a lot of cidimo (traditional horse and carts).  Cody has learnt a lot of Indonesian words. 
Cheers
from
The Irvins' in Indonesia

school visit

Year 2 class (top pic) in Lombok.  50 children are in this class.
The year one classroom has no desks and there are 40 children.

Preschool Room
This room only had about 12 children.  All of the children werer excited to get some visitors from Australia.

School Yard / Playground

A visit to the local village market, Makaki Beach and the local primary school

 This is how Simon gets to work.  A tough uphill ride taking about 10mins in very hot and himid conditions.

This is the life of Laura, Cody and I while Simon is at work......

A visit to MADC (Simon's work) and a few other Indonesian experiences

Yesterday we visited MADC where Simon is working.  Muna and Asyard welcomed us into their home and Muna showed us some Indonesian dishes whi\ch we enjoyed for lunch (sitting on the floor as they do).  Cody and Laura enjoyed feeding the geese and chickens.  Cody played in a tree and soccer with some other boys and Laura loved playing with three other little girls.  Cody and Laura both had a motor bike ride with Asyard (not on the road...don't worry).  We are all having a great time.  The kids are loving the pool and both kids are learning some of the language.

Cheers

Irvins in Indonesia

A few pictures

Waiting for our flight in Brisbane

This is it.

Some of Cody's shells

Afternoon tea

The jetty out the front of the hotel.  Cody and Laura like to race along it.

A great picture taken by Cody

Lombok

Selemat Pagi 1E (Good Morning 1E).  Lombok is Bagus (good).  We left home at 6am on Saturday and after 2 flights arrived in Lombok at our hotel at 10pm Brisbane time.  Cody and Laura were very good all of the way.  Laura thought the toilets on the plane were exciting and we visited them many times.  Cody loved the fast take offs.  We are staying near a beach on SW Lombok.  Cody and Laura have been collecting shells and coral from the beach.  Last night we had dinner with Arysad and Munu from MADC were Simon is working.  Laura tried some new Indonesian foods and thought they were good.  Laura was also very brave and had a little ride on the motor bike with Asard (Just in hotel car park....don't worry Mum).  The weather is fantastic and we have been swimming a lot.  Tomorrow we will visit MADC and maybe learn how to cook some local Lombok dishes.  We will upload some pictures soon. 
Cheers
From the Irvins' in Indonesia

Goodbye Guru

We said farewell to Guru today.  She did not seem very excited about her holiday.  Laura gave her a huge cuddle and a pinch on the cheek.  I think Guru will miss Laura's attention.
 

Cody added a bit of extra fun to packing yesterday when he woke (5am) and could not walk on his left foot.  After a visit to the GP, a x-ray (no breaks), a bandage and some ice, he started to walk better.  A soccer training injury I think.  I breathed a huge sigh of relief. 
Big exciting day for us tomorrow.  Simon is in Sekotong (SW Lombok) and has told us that the weather is great, ocean is clear and calm and that the kids pool is fantastic.  The bags are packed and house sitters organised.  We can't wait. 


Cheers
from the Irvins' with 1 in Indonesia

One last good coffee

We all know Simon loves a good coffee (so does Natalie).  Lombok is not known for quality coffee so Simon enjoyed his last good home made coffee before heading to the airport today.  He will no doubt have another coffee (or two) there too. 

Getting exciting for the rest of us with less than a week to our departure. 

Cheers from

The Irvins', nearly in Indonesia

Lets map it out

Simon will leave for Lombok on Sunday the 22nd April. Natalie, Cody and Laura will be meeting Simon in Praya, Lombok on Saturday the 28th. We are all excited about the trip. Natalie has been given a detailed account of how to get through the visa purchasing and immigration in Bali and then how to get to the domestic airport to get our flight to Lombok. Simon will be waiting at the other end with a calming beverage. Cody and Laura will be perfect angels for Mum.

Cheers from the

Irvin's in Indonesia