53rd Birthday

My birthday was January 23rd and Ray brought over a tasty tiramisu cake. We had a low key night as I have only been home for a few days. Glad to be back but kinda miss being on the road.

Next trip is March 23-April 13 to dive in Philippines and tour Vietnam.

Home again!

I arrived home on Wed. Jan. 21 around 7 p.m. Was supposed to have a ride but my friend bailed on me. Glad that Josh who stayed at my house was able to pick me up. Can't really sleep as for 3 weeks I have on a different schedule, about 12 hours difference. I am used to sleeping during the daytime here so it may take a while to get back on schedule.
The pets are great and glad for that.

in LA, yeah!

Arrived LA early this morning after 24 hours. 24 hours wasn't so bad with some sleep on the flight. Heading home Wed. to St. Pete

leaving Bali for Korea, LA, and Tampa

We transfered to a new hotel near the airport and right on the beach. Nice hotel and scene but only about 8 hours here before we leave at 12:45 a.m. for a flight to Seoul. About 24 hours till I arrive to LA and then a day there and back to Tampa on Jan. 21 to arrive in the evening.

Bali, Bali, Bali!

I know why they say Bali is paradise. You have mountains, volcanos, and so many rice fields. They terrace the rice fields and it is a sight to see. We had a back road tour for the day and they treat you right. The people are so friendly and we waved at hundreds of them. The roads are very narrow and even the young kids ride their motor scooters. No helmets for some and lots of dogs on the streets.
Our rooms are incredible and they treat you like a queen.
Only one more day in Ubud and then we head to a hotel near the airport and leave at 12:45 a.m.on January 20, then to Seoul, LA, a stopover there and then home on January 21.

Here is a picture of my bed and the rice terraces.

in Sulawesi, Indonesia

A week has gone by and I have seen so much.

The LA to Seoul, Jakarta, and Sorong was almost 2 days travel. Too much time and not enough sleep. When we got on the boat for diving, half the people were sick and having problems with their ears. Me included! Did some diving anyway and saw alot and took lots of pix. The boat was comfortable and they really took care of us. We had pre breakfast, then full breakfast, lunch, snack, and then dinner. I forgot to mention lots of diving!
A few of us did take a short trip to village of West Papua so I got some people shots.

We had a short plane ride to Manado, Sulawesi in Indonesia. Now we are the Kasawari Resort with a great view! Now to muck diving. What we do is dive in the muck, dark sand and find critters. Some are pretty prehistoric looking.
Here are some of my favorite pix from diving.

in Seoul

Made it to Seoul, Korea. Not a bad flight as I got a window seat and was able to sleep. Staying in a transit hotel and leaving soon

in LA

My friend Liz picked me up in her tiny Miata and it was a bit tight in her car on the way home to her house. My big bag was in the front seat with me in the middle on the console. Not a comfortable ride but a short ride, thank goodness. Staying in Redondo beach with Liz and her sweet dog, Hannah.
Got a great nights sleep and ready for my 13 hour flight to Seoul, Korea(UGH!!) A nice of dose of ambien will do me right!
We have a transit hotel in Seoul for our 9 hour layover so that should help. Then another 7 hour flight to Jakarta, and then a 9 hour overnight there and then an early flight to Sorong, West Papua. Then on the boat for a week. Whew! I can't wait to get there.