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| I saw one of these today. It was amazing! |
Bunaken Village Resort
Sulawesi
18:26
Had quite a busy day today, well, “busier” than usual! While Mat did another couple of dives this morning, I headed back to Bunaken village and spent a couple of hours just wandering around. On my way, I saw so many beautiful butterflies just fluttering around that they put to shame the Wisley butterflies we saw a few weeks back.
Bunaken village is not the prettiest village I have ever been to and I like to think there is still more to see of it but it was good to have a meander here and there saying hello to the locals. It was clearly ‘wash day’ today as a lot of the women were squatting outside their homes by their giant metallic circular tubs scrubbing away at clothes like there was no tomorrow. I would say because the sun’s out, but the sun is always out here!
My wanderings took me to the muslim part of the village which was a nice surprise as I didn’t realise that there was a muslim part here. The catholic church in town is very imposing and I had just presumed this was the main religion at this part of Sulawesi. It wasn’t any different to the christian part of the village just lots more women covered up wearing their burkas or headscarf and a mosque calling people to prayer.
Because of the searing heat, I stopped for a cold drink at one of the little makeshift stores that was in one of the houses. I was charged 5000 rupiah for a bottle of Coke which was more of a bargain that the bottle Mat and I paid for 2 days ago. Then, we got charged 10,000 rupiah for one! That store clearly saw us coming.
Anyway, I parked my backside onto the bench out front to observe village life and was joined by the lady shop owner. I think she wanted to practice her English and although it was a little hard as my Indonesian is none existent and her English limited, we communicated somehow.
Her little girl who was about seven ran out from the house and decided to join us. The lady seemed embarrassed by this which I didn’t understand and then she kept pointing to her daugher, then her head and then shaking her hands. I then realised that the little girl had learning difficulties and the lady thought that I wouldn’t want to be around her because of this which, of course, was ridiculous.
For around 20 minutes the little girl was sat between me and her mum and learning difficulties or not, she repeated all the English phrases I was asking her to recite back word perfectly which made her mum very proud. The cheeky thing also took a shine to my sunglasses and kept trying them on and stroking my top and leaning against me - clearly a girl with taste. She is apparently going to a ‘special school’ in Manado and I was glad to hear this. The thought of this child cooped up in a back room somewhere not being stimulated made me a little sad.
Back at the ranch and after lunch I finally went for it and went snorkeling with Mat. Even though I had my flotation vest on and I was holding on to Mat for most of it, I still felt scared going over the coral. I just keep thinking they are going to pierce me which is stupid as I was way above them but you know me and my irrational fears!
The coral reef and marine life here is amazing. Everything is so colourful and healthy looking. To my untrained eye, it is probably the best I have ever seen and that’s taking into account the reefs I have bobbed about on in Mexico, Philippines and Thailand. And the best bit - I got to see a sea turtle!! I was a little jealous of Mat seeing all these turtles on his dives and to see one so near me was incredible. It was swimming about with not a care in the world. I was very impressed. Even if I don’t snorkel again on this trip, that’s it for me :-) It doesn’t take much does it?!
Anyway, on a final note I have observed and heard today that Indonesians like to sing. A lot. Regardless of whether they can or not, if there is a tune playing they like the sound of, an Indonesian will start singing away. A bit like me although when I sing I think I sound like Mariah Carey when in fact people are hearing Jim Carey!
On that note, I bid you a tuneful buh-bye for now and if you haven’t signed up yet for your Olympic 2012 tickets, hurry! You never know, you might just get some.
Sulawesi
18:26
Had quite a busy day today, well, “busier” than usual! While Mat did another couple of dives this morning, I headed back to Bunaken village and spent a couple of hours just wandering around. On my way, I saw so many beautiful butterflies just fluttering around that they put to shame the Wisley butterflies we saw a few weeks back.
Bunaken village is not the prettiest village I have ever been to and I like to think there is still more to see of it but it was good to have a meander here and there saying hello to the locals. It was clearly ‘wash day’ today as a lot of the women were squatting outside their homes by their giant metallic circular tubs scrubbing away at clothes like there was no tomorrow. I would say because the sun’s out, but the sun is always out here!
My wanderings took me to the muslim part of the village which was a nice surprise as I didn’t realise that there was a muslim part here. The catholic church in town is very imposing and I had just presumed this was the main religion at this part of Sulawesi. It wasn’t any different to the christian part of the village just lots more women covered up wearing their burkas or headscarf and a mosque calling people to prayer.
Because of the searing heat, I stopped for a cold drink at one of the little makeshift stores that was in one of the houses. I was charged 5000 rupiah for a bottle of Coke which was more of a bargain that the bottle Mat and I paid for 2 days ago. Then, we got charged 10,000 rupiah for one! That store clearly saw us coming.
Anyway, I parked my backside onto the bench out front to observe village life and was joined by the lady shop owner. I think she wanted to practice her English and although it was a little hard as my Indonesian is none existent and her English limited, we communicated somehow.
Her little girl who was about seven ran out from the house and decided to join us. The lady seemed embarrassed by this which I didn’t understand and then she kept pointing to her daugher, then her head and then shaking her hands. I then realised that the little girl had learning difficulties and the lady thought that I wouldn’t want to be around her because of this which, of course, was ridiculous.
For around 20 minutes the little girl was sat between me and her mum and learning difficulties or not, she repeated all the English phrases I was asking her to recite back word perfectly which made her mum very proud. The cheeky thing also took a shine to my sunglasses and kept trying them on and stroking my top and leaning against me - clearly a girl with taste. She is apparently going to a ‘special school’ in Manado and I was glad to hear this. The thought of this child cooped up in a back room somewhere not being stimulated made me a little sad.
Back at the ranch and after lunch I finally went for it and went snorkeling with Mat. Even though I had my flotation vest on and I was holding on to Mat for most of it, I still felt scared going over the coral. I just keep thinking they are going to pierce me which is stupid as I was way above them but you know me and my irrational fears!
The coral reef and marine life here is amazing. Everything is so colourful and healthy looking. To my untrained eye, it is probably the best I have ever seen and that’s taking into account the reefs I have bobbed about on in Mexico, Philippines and Thailand. And the best bit - I got to see a sea turtle!! I was a little jealous of Mat seeing all these turtles on his dives and to see one so near me was incredible. It was swimming about with not a care in the world. I was very impressed. Even if I don’t snorkel again on this trip, that’s it for me :-) It doesn’t take much does it?!
Anyway, on a final note I have observed and heard today that Indonesians like to sing. A lot. Regardless of whether they can or not, if there is a tune playing they like the sound of, an Indonesian will start singing away. A bit like me although when I sing I think I sound like Mariah Carey when in fact people are hearing Jim Carey!
On that note, I bid you a tuneful buh-bye for now and if you haven’t signed up yet for your Olympic 2012 tickets, hurry! You never know, you might just get some.
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