Today is our last day in Indonesia and the plan was to do a short tour with Carol. Little did I realize that I would tick off one item that I didn't know was on my bucket list. Our group of 22 got our tender tickets, tendered into the dock, and boarded our bus. To my surprise, we were dropped off and each put into a pedi-cab for our tour of the downtown area. We visited the Red Church (made entirely of steel and wrought iron), the museum, and a Batik store where many made their own Batik. It's an interesting process. But the high point of the excursion was the pedi-cab ride. It was truly fun and relaxing to see the surrounding at bicycling speed.
At the end of the tour we were shuttled back to the port where 4 of us elected to get back on the free shuttle back downtown. We were in search of the market that Carol elected to take off the tour due to time constraints. We walked about 5 blocks and eventually found the market. It was probably good that the main group didn't visit this market as it's probably the most dark, confined and dirty market we've ever visited anywhere in the world. One of our group even saw a rat scurry down the isle and the saddest sight was a young kitten clinging to life lying on a table beside some fruit. Truly heart rendering.
As we made our way back to the shuttle pick up point, we shopped and were accompanied by two pedi-cab operators who just wouldn't take no for an answer. In a little supermarket, I found some Pepsident toothpaste for about $0.50US.
Back at the harbor, there was quite a line for the tender, so Angela and I walked the dock area looking at the various fishing boats many of which looked extremely ancient. Some were coated in a layer of fiberglass but that didn't hide their age. Another interesting feature was the use of an automotive or truck differential to provide a drive mechanism for the windlasses that are used to raise the nets. Those mechanisms were powered by various forms of antique gas or diesel engines. Because it's the rainy season, the seas are considered too rough, so that explained why there were so many boats in the harbor.
I'm glad we did this segment to Indonesia this year as it's not offered next year when the Westerdam takes over sailing in Asia and the Volendam shifts to Panama Canal Sailings. The Westerdam's Port stops exclude Indonesia probably due to the challenging harbors. I believe the Maasdam will visit a few of the ports.
Eventually we tendered back to the ship, showered, and ate dinner in the LIDO before watching the movie, "Same Kind of Difference as Me" about homelessness. It was extremely powerful emotionally, and perhaps more so for me because I just lost a motorcycle riding friend less than 24 hours earlier to a massive stroke.
We're now at sea for two days on our way back to Singapore where many of the guests will depart. I look forward to the sea days and the chance to relax a bit. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Stay tuned.
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