We were able to go to Bali, Indonesia from 4 January to 11 January for a much needed holiday/vacation. Our travels started off with no problems. We woke up early to make sure we had all the last minute things done and the PMV driver picked us up at 9:00am. We chartered a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle)
to drive us down to the Lae airport, which is about 3 hrs away. We then flew to Port Moresby which was a 45 minute plane ride from Lae. Port Moresby is the capital city of Papua New Guinea and has the only international airport.
When we arrived at our hotel and was checking in they gave us some nice fruit drink as we were registering (yes, my mind went to: oh, no did they slip something into the drink or some other mind twisting plot, seen way too many criminal shows) But it was very refreshing and we didn't pass out or anything and we still have all our vital organs :). After looking over our room and getting settled we decided to go to sleep. Traveling is hard work.
Next morning, we went down for breakfast at their buffet. We all were pleasantly surprised of the HUGE selection of foods (from the very Indonesia type foods to the American type foods and everything in between.) After breakfast the first task was to go swimming per the girls' request. The pool and pool side area was very nice. If you wanted sun you could be in the sun, if you wanted shade you could find the shade. The pool was visited regularly by at least some of our family members since we don't get pool experiences where we live in PNG. The water was refreshing and not too deep. Kiery and I could be on our tip toes throughout the whole pool. Yes, everyone I (Ruth) did get in the pool more than once. When it is so hot and sticky even Ruth will put on a swim suit and play in the pool.
After breakfast and a dip in the pool each day, we would go do some shopping or exploring. There were 2 malls within walking distance. The closest one had a Starbucks Coffee, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Cold Stone ice cream, Baskin & Robbins, Haggan Das, and more. According to us girls we didn't need to go any further than that. :) We did go down to the other mall a few times which also had a movie theater. So Chad and the girls were happy with that. Yes, we did see the new Star Wars movie and splurged and saw the New Chipmunk movie one of the other days.
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| At the movie theater. We went to one that had recliners and blankets for every seat. |
We learned very quickly that we walk in a single file line and us girls just kept our heads down and if we happen to make eye contact inadvertently with a local street vendor we said No thank you and kept walking. There were little shops everywhere so it made it a challenge to keep moving, even if something caught your eye, I didn't want to feel pressure to buy it etc. So head down we went. Which was a hard balance because we didn't want to be "rude Americans" but we wanted to be a shinning light for Christ in all that we did. So we tried very hard to be polite and firm with No, thank you. We saw the HUGE Hindu religion influence on this country and its people. There were offerings laid out by many store fronts and work sites etc. Saw many women dressed in traditional garments and having the spot on their forehead. We saw countless rock statues for their gods etc.
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| Yes, Chad was in a skirt. We all were given fabric to tie around ourselves before entering the temple area. |
One morning while eating breakfast I started thinking of the song, "Jesus loves all the little Children" And with all the different colours of skin and ethnicity that was represented in that one area of that country of the world. How can I as an American Christian portray Christ love to these lost people? When so many of them are doing what they are doing because of tradition and customs passed down from so many generations. Chad was able to talk to our driver that we had on our last day, that took us to many sights around Bali. He was having conversation with her asking about her life and story and what she believes. She was very willing to talk to us and she said something very interesting. That in her country/custom/ belief that things are based on the cast system. What family you are born into says which cast level you can marry into or not etc. Chad was able to tell her that our beliefs are God loves us all and it doesn't matter who you are or what family you were born into. So our prayer is that a seed was planted and when God chooses to reveal Himself to her that she would hear and receive it.
One day we went to the local Water park. It was very close to our hotel and it was something we could all do. We all had fun. Anna and Chad went on many of slides, while Kiery and I went on the lazy river countless times. On one of the many trips back to our locker I must of knocked one of Kiery's flip flops out. So as we were leaving a few hours later, Kiery had only 1 flip flop. When we were walking out, we saw their gift shop sold flip flops. Kiery ended up with a new pair of flip flops- very thankful for a touristy area that sells simple things.
Chad and Anna had the opportunity to go Scuba diving for the day. They went on 3 dives, with one being the USS Liberty wreckage! They saw moray eels (think The Little Mermaid, Disney cartoon), Nemo's, Dories (think of Finding Nemo, the Disney Cartoon), and Anna's highlight was a Sea Turtle. Kiery and I were more than happy to stay back at the hotel and have a quieter day. We swam and then we went to McDondald's for lunch and had Ice cream at Burger King.
One of the many places we ate at was the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
We walked the beach a couple times and played in the WARM ocean.
Another one of the places we ate at was Hard Rock Cafe. We have been to the one in Fiji also. I know the hard life of being an oversees missionary. We are not big fans of that type of thing but now that we have done 2 in kind of "remote" places it is fun to say yeah we did that.
One of the many "perks" this hotel offered was massages. Since it was Anna's Sweet 16th Birthday while we were there, her and I decided to get head and shoulder massages. It felt wonderful!!!
Since the girls are older and responsible Chad and I were able to go out for a dinner just the two of us. Left them in the room with satellite TV and food they were happy not to go anywhere. After returning to the hotel after dinner Chad said lets go look at the view from the 5th floor (we were on the 2nd floor) I said ok. We walked around and saw the view and as we were headed back to the elevator. Chad says, "Hey lets see if our room key works on any of these rooms." I am like NO Chad we can't do that. So I am standing back ready to run for it. And the room key does work....I am like CHAD.... you can't do that! He finally convinces me to come look inside. He arranged for us to have our own room for the night and the girls were in on it. I have never been so surprised in my life. I had no clue what was going on. Thank you Chad for that much needed time to recharge away from the girls!!!
On our last day we hired a driver to take us around Bali- since we had a later flight. Here are a few things we experienced.
Kiery enjoying a refreshing drink from a coconut (called kulau in PNG). The actual coconut water is very good for you (lots of electrolytes) and it helps replenish what has been taken out of you on a hot sticky day.
This is a volcano that we saw. We think that darker area was a lava path. 
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| There is a person driving that fully loaded scooter. |
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| We experienced some very STRONG coffee "LUWAK" that is suppose to be this expensive coffee. It is essentially made from cat poo that eats the coffee beans off the plants. |
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| Yea that about sums up what we thought of that coffee. But it was fun walking around the area and seeing how they do different things there. |
Our last stop of the day before the airport was a "Monkey Sanctuary."Yes, I know you have been waiting to hear the story of the monkey bite. As you can tell Monkey's come right up to you and take bananas right out of your hand. Of course Anna was all into it and the monkeys loved her. 
Oh And an update on Meliah: She has officially started at Liberty University! She is very excited and loving the experience so far. Her new address for those of you who are interested is:
Meliah Michael
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd.
MSC Box 131342
Lynchburg, VA. 24515
She still has her same phone number and email.
God Bless
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