Family Mellmann

...begins with coffee. We're back at the Labuan Bajo airport to begin our long travels home. Peter and Suzanne purchased gifts for friends/family, and now the guys are buying Flores coffee, which is apparently very good.

A traditional Indonesian breakfast. Today is our last day on land (and with Internet). In about an hour we will be collected by the dive boat to begin our live aboard scuba adventure.

Today we watched the sun rise and fall over the islands surrounding Flores, Komodo, and Rinca from the deck of our boat. We left at 05:30 for a four hour boat ride to the island of Komodo where we observed many dragons during our ninety minute hike. Once we (we have been travelling in a group of six couples, all the men work for Mentor Graphics) were back on the boat we suited up for a snorkel at Pink Beach. And yes, it does have pink sand, but the lighting has to just right to capture it in pictures. However, when you stand on the beach it's easy to see the broken bits of red and pink coral that tint the sand. After a little lunch and a cruise around several islands, we were at Rinca to observe more Komodos on another ninety minute hike. As we ended our hike we were pleased to spot wild monkeys moving through the low lands. Until I can process all of pictures, here's one of the sunset as we cruised back to Flores (where our hotel is).

Today, after lunch, we went to the Batu Cermin cave. According to the priest who found the cave (it had been discovered but its location was unknown), this cave was once under water. Imagine scuba diving this great space! Now, the rough surface of what was once corals can still be touched. Inside the cave are the calcium buildups (stalagmite and stalactite) from the limestone rich environment.

Tonight is our last night with the Mentor Graphics tour. Today we went whitewater rafting in what can only be described as a scene out of Indiana Jones; it was spectacular! Our final "gala" dinner is at a temple and feels like a mix of wedding (linen-covered tables and covered chairs) and Indiana Jones film set. The final show included this dragon and monkey acting out a story that I don't yet know.

Today we have a cruise and beach day at a private island off Bali. Jörg and I plan to scuba if it's available. Tonight, dinner will be a beach party and a seaside social club. But first I can enjoy this view as I finish my breakfast. sent from my Project 365 app http://bit.ly/5G0JwQ

Dinner on this night was a festival at the Taman Ayun Temple. It was an extravagant affair with a processional of music, candles, men, women, and young girls - all dressed in traditional Balinese attire - leading to a traditional temple ceremony and a dinner. We learned later that the entire village came out to greet us, and that the village chief met with the president of the company. The dinner was served in a highly choreographed style where servers would each carry one plate to each person, then in one motion everyone is served. This happens for each course of a four-course dinner. And almost all of our 200+ group was dressed in traditional Balinese fashion. sent from my Project 365 app http://bit.ly/5G0JwQ

Today we toured Bali. First we saw a traditional family compound, then this temple, a market, and lunch on a mountain from which we could view the valley and rice paddy fields.