Rolf's new sports crusier Feb 2010

New Norica February 2010

New Norcia Hotel

Our camp site behind the petrol station

The view from our camp.

 ( Found a twenty dollar note in the long grass just here)

Went for a nice walk on the first day

On the second day we did the tour (See map below)

You can pay some one to take you around

or just follow the signs your self

Lots of interesting things to photograph

The Monks make olive oil, bread, wine and a delicous nut cake (Go directly to the gift shop)

Beautiful stained glass window in the shrine (below)

The church has lots of beautiful paintings in it.

View of the back of the Monestary.

Over view of New Norcia: Great palce to wander around exploring. It has a great feel about it. Loads of character & history. I love the architecture and art. Not sure if the indiginous people would agree with the way their ancestors were cared for, however I would hope that their best interests were addressed.

 (Every one is different right?)

Would not stay over night ever as the road trains go through every 10 to 30 minutes even durring the night. So very noisy in that respect. (We barely got any sleep! We had planned to stay two nights but left the next morning feelingt exhausted & not very well rested at all!)

Would definately visit agin but only as a day trip! Or stay out of town!

Thanks for visiting my blog MX

Bali December 2009

Lush & humid. Driving around Bali.....

Exploring the streets of Kuta, We did lots of shopping!

Lunch & Bintan at Mamma's

Crazy construction techniques in Bali are an every day occurance

Modern world meets third world. Abit of a disaster with dangerous wires everywhere! We had a black out on Christmas night which was interesting. Lemy & I were in the local beauty salon when all the power & lights went out! You had to laugh, even with a head full of hair mask....done by torch light!

Russel gets a tattoo. There are some very good tattooists in Bali. My son Daniel got a koi fish and paid only $120 Australian for it. It was exceptionally good. (I was jealous!) But you really need to know where to go for the 'good' tattooists. As in any city around the world....you have to be careful.

Not to mention it hurts like hell!

You see lots of this in every street in Bali. Very superstisous...

We visited the Sari club site and the memorial....

Walking the streets again. Gloria the monkey was there all day every day

Had to have a pic with Santa! (Outside our hotel Padma)

Day trip. You have to pay to go into the temples...

Far left: a street shop with an esky full of soft drink.

Far right: Petrol in Vodka bottles are sold on the streets all over Bali

On the coast....Pretty place.. can't remember the name

Lunch or dinner?

At the Scared Monkey Temple. Cheeky little things...

Stone carving at the temple. The Indonesians are very fine craftsmen (& women)

From left: Daniel, Lemy, Rolf & Ryan

We has quite afew feasts! This was a feast we had in Ubud

Left: Me & Dan shared this mixed platter of traditional foods

Right: My brother Rolf with his wife Lemy (Mad crab eaters)

Street scenes in Ubud which is very pretty

Markets in Ubud.I would have liked to spend more time in Ubud,

The markets are to die for, but don't get lost! (Ryan).

 Far keft: Lady selling Knives was following us every where!

Day trip to Turtle Island. $45US each (Even if you did not participate in all the water sports)

Up close & personal with an iguana

Cute turtles. I felt sorry for them.

Unlike our turtles in the wild that you find in

Exmouth swimming wild in the sea

these creatures are kept in captivity, but help promote the tourist industry

which in turn benifits the locals who work for next to nothing....

Talking to a toucan with a very big beak!

Garuda the Indonesian national emblem. Now you know why they have Garuda airlines!

From left: Ryan, Lemy. Rolf, Me and Daniel

Ryan: Red rooster got alot of attention with that hair! ( Still does I think!)

Para sailing... very fun

Some detail shots around the pool at our hotel Padma

Thanks to Rolf & Lemy we had the best Christmas ever! And I am not joking!