Buddhas and Dragons

Asia – Australia 2010

“It is better to travel well than arrive.”

                               - Buddha

Sunday, November 14, 2010 – At Sea between Brisbane, Australia and Sydney, Australia

          The quote above is a perfect start… our friends Jule and Neil asked us to blog about the ship experience, so here goes.  Regent is really terrific!  It is so nice to have everything included (no additional fees for anything).  Unfortunately, the wine, drinks and food flow so easily that you don’t even know what is hitting you.  The food has been excellent; but believe or not it is the fresh fruit that has blown me away.  I have eaten more mangos, papaya and berries in the last several weeks than in my entire life (healthy but still fattening).  Prime 7, the specialty restaurant (also included) is very intimate with superb food, they will even take the lobster and king crab out of the shell for you (I may even be shell fished out by the end of the cruise).  The Regent Navigator accommodates 490 passengers with a crew of 345, always there for your pleasure!  There is nothing like sitting at the pool, with drink in hand when someone offers you a frozen towel to cool you down.  Those of you at FSML (our development) let’s put that on the agenda for the next board meeting.  Oh, and it is Sunday morning… can’t forget about the champagne and caviar.  The ship itself has very simple décor and not glitzy at all like the newer large ships… comfortable but elegant.  So I guess you figured out that we like it; I think that sums it up pretty well. 

          On to our cruising ports….  After Singapore we were on to Semarang, Java, Indonesia the home of “Fascinating Borobudur”.  Who knew, not us, never even heard of it?  Borobudur is a Buddhist Shrine built approximately 800 AD and abandoned about 900 AD for reasons unknown (possibly volcano eruptions or earthquakes).  The site remained buried under volcanic ash and vegetation until it was rediscovered in 1896 by Sir Thomas Raffles (of Raffles Hotel fame) and restored in the 1970’s.  It is a World Heritage Site and compared to Angkor Wat, Machu Pichu and Chichen Itza.  It contains 504 life size Buddha’s, 72 covered by huge structures called Stupas.  There are 2067 Base Relief Wall Carvings and there are 10 levels leading up to the huge Stupa at the top.  Next fact… WOW.  It was an amazing site to see and experience.  I believe I have included too many pictures, but that is the only way I can even give you an idea as to its grandness. 

          Borobudur is only 20 miles from Mt. Merapi (Holy Mountain with Fire) which has been erupting for the last month.  We were incredibly lucky to see Borobudur as it was closed for several days, due to volcanic ash, until the day before we arrived and was closed again the day after we left because the volcano started erupting again and has been closed ever since.  We had a fascinating guide and it was an unexpected thrill to see this site.

          After a relaxing sea day we arrived in Bali, Indonesia, spending two days there.  I absolutely loved Bali… we all kidded we were on a Bali High (Hai).  The architecture is amazing, the people so unbelievably kind and gentle with an amazing Hindu calmness.  The Balinese Hindus are different from India’s Hindus; their religion is much more relaxed with acceptance of all and they even eat meat (Mc Donald’s abounds with the Golden Arches hindering the beautiful architecture).  We visited a typical Balinese home; it is a compound housing the entire family, with many generations living together.  Several structures are scattered within the courtyard with each area open to the main courtyard.  The only thing that separates the bedroom from the courtyard is a curtain around the bed.  You step out of bed and into the courtyard… better have your bathrobe on!  There are always temples within the home unit and everywhere else on the island; temples for the community, temples in front of each home or business, on the beach, etc.  They are an extremely religious people with the island being 90% Hindu.  We toured several Balinese hand crafted areas; Batik, wood carving and of course the obligatory jewelry.  The Batik and wood industries profited by the Scimeca’s wish to help the local economy!

          Our guide told us about the wish for the government to help curtail the birth rate.  It is suggested that you only have two children and to help they distribute condoms on the weekend.  They are dispensed at the community center (always adjacent to a temple area) which is the social gathering place.  This adorable little Balinese tour guide proceeded to inform us that they only like it when condoms are from Asia… those European ones are much too large.  Everyone on the bus almost fell off their seats rolling with laughter.  He was so matter of fact and at ease with life and all situations.  Bali was definitely a high point for me.

          Now the high point for Mike… Komodo, Indonesia.  Mike has always wanted to see Komodo dragons and we definitely saw them.  Komodo dragons are the world’s largest living lizard averaging 13 feet and 200 pounds.  They are carnivorous and can smell blood from seven miles away, run at speeds up to 18 miles per hour, with toxic saliva able to disable its prey.  We were informed we should not enter the island if we had any open wounds at all, even a cut from shaving, as they could smell the blood and possibly attack.  They are very impressive creatures, very scary looking and when they moved so did we.  A very interesting experience and Mike can check that one off his bucket list.

          Well, of course it is time for another meal, so I will sign off for now.  Our trip is winding down and we will be in Sydney tomorrow, spending a few days there and then home.  There are still a few ports to write about so you will receive one more blog.  Thank you for following our incredible journey, it is wonderful to share our experiences with you.

                   Pat & Mike

Indonesia Dancing Lion to welcome our ship

Borobudur

Borobudur Skyline

Base Relief Panels

Buddha Walking on Water (see fish at his feet)

Buddha's Wedding

Alcove with Buddha

Stupas with Buddhas inside

Steps between levels

Wood Carving from Thailand

Balinese Dancers

Bali Sunset - Great color from volcano ash cloud

Balinese Bedroom

Home Worship Area

Street Vendor - $5.00

Balinese Hindu Temple Worshippers

Balinese Temple

Komodo Dragon on the prowl

Will this umbrella help?