Another long gap between posts, no excuses except that there hasn't really been anything of note to write about and, as my father always advised "if you don't have anything to say, then say nothing" (and, of course, I always take his advice).
I'm really in the home straight now, it looks as if Saturday 5th June will be my last day at work and I'll probably leave Maumere on the following Tuesday or Wednesday. I will have my exit interview with VSO in Denpasar on Thursday and leave Indonesia on Friday night, arriving in London at about lunchtime on Saturday 12th June. Lots of things to finish off at work before then...
But before that.... my first visitors ! My sister and brother-in-law arrive in Denpasar next Saturday (some very nervous moments last week as we watched the news about flight chaos due to the ash cloud) and will then fly from Denpasar to Labuanbajo (western end of Flores) on Monday morning. I'll leave Maumere on Friday for the two day bus journey to Labuanbajo and we will then spend about a week on the trip back via all the tourist destinations in Flores. I'll write more about this later but we'll go via Ruteng (visiting two Dutch volunteers), Bajawa (lots of interesting village culture), maybe Riung (boat trip to the 17 islands), Moni & Kelimutu (coloured lakes), and finish up with a couple of days in Maumere before they fly back to Denpasar and then onwards to home.
It's hard to believe that in seven weeks' time, I won't be here anymore - it's been an extraordinary year and a half and I'll write more later after the dust has settled about the whole experience. At the moment, I'm recovering from an Indonesian special, the worst case of "having to stay close to the toilet" that I've had in a long time,all part of the experience I guess !
The good news for all you readers out here (yes, both of you) is that these ramblings will cease after I get home and post a final wrapup. I promise not to bore you anymore after I get home !
Can't believe this will be coming to an end. It's been fascinating reading your posts and a help to us as we struggled to settle in here. Thanks. Alison is really enjoying her placement now as we've established a few routines at home and work and made friends with other volunteers -very important as you know. We're planning to visit Indonesia some time in our time here - or maybe on the way back home but it won't be in time to see you in Maumere now. Best wishes. Paul and Alison
ReplyDeleteTime has flown, Mark. It does not seem that long at all. I am sure you will miss it very much! Looking forward to seeing you in due course in the wild west!
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic time with Rosemary and Helmut. Hope you're planning to sail over and spend some time with us this summer..some new real ales on tap! xB
ReplyDeletecan't wait! very very excited by now
ReplyDelete"having to stay close to the toilet"
ReplyDeletegood practice for if you ever have to have a colonoscopy lol!!
@ kidsispal, thank you for that !
ReplyDelete@ Paul, you never know,we might make another sailing trip to Crookhaven for a gallon or two...
@ Paul & Alison, glad you're settling in ok after all the delays in getting going ! Enjoy every minute of it !