INDONESIA

We had three ports of call in Indonesia – The island of Bali, Ujung Pandang (Makassar), and Semerang on the island of Java.

BALI

We were greeted at the port by these musicians and dancers.

I had visited Bali with my husband some years ago, and blithely told my Mum that she was going to love it! I found much had changed in the years since my last visit. It used to be the most charming place, with lovely beaming faces, and beautiful scenery. At the time of our last visit there had been an influx of people from Java, trying to escape the political unrest on their own island, which led to the major town having lots of hawkers, trying to sell goods to make a living in a place where they had no set home. They were very aggressive, but only to be found in the main town.

This time they were at the port to greet our ship! One couple felt so beliegered after they were surrounded, that they went back to the ship. A hawker actually tried to snatch the money out of my hand whilst I was counting it out to make a purchase. We were not impressed. On our return after our tour the local authorities had security people in place to stop a repeat of this offence.

Having said which, the island itself had not changed greatly. It was still as beautiful as ever, and we much enjoyed our tour.

Our first stop was the walled city of Tengenan.

These colourful chooks were used for cockfighting, though the local authorities are trying to stamp this practice out.

We saw this cheap and interesting way of decorating the home using egg shells.

Then we visited the ancient Water Palace

Some of the famous scenery of the terraced rice paddies.

We saw this unusual frangipani tree in a glorious shade of yellow.

And ended our tour back at the port, where we saw this local form of transport, an outrigger.

UJUNG PANDANG (MAKASSAR)

Never having visited this place before, we decided to do a tour of the highlights of the city. Our guide was muslim, and very vocal on the local religion. This is a scene from the streets.

We saw beautiful mosques, right next to the local housing.

Before arriving at the hotel for lunch where we were greeted by this hostess, dressed in National costume.

Our lunch was really outstanding, served by these smiling waiters.

Mum took advantage of meeting this local representation….lol.

On our way back to the ship, we took in the construction going on throughout the city.

SEMERANG, JAVA

Another place we had not visited before, and what a contrast to Makassar! We were greeted at the docks by these local dancers.

Before boarding our coach were we were taken to see the area regularly inundated by the river.

Then past these local street stalls, outside the colonial Dutch Post Office.

Our tour took us through the city area, and past this historic building built by the Dutch, and named the "Building of 1000 doors"!

Then to a hotel for lunch, where we were greeted by this "monkey" dancer.

We took in this view of the city from the hotel.

And had a hand-on demonstration of batik painting.

Because tourism is a new industry to the city, they had allowed too much time for the demonstration, so our guide and driver took us back to the city and showed us the newly built Buddhist Monastery.

Then showed us the new housing estate and community building, before returning us to the dock by this canal, which was being taken advantage of by the local youths, to have a swim.

Our ship, M V Artemis.