Into the Great Wide Open

Back in April, before we departed on our 3 week U.S Pacific Coast road trip from Seattle down to San Diego, Andy wisely invested in a video camera. Throughout the incredible journey down south, he was to use said camera to film virtually all aspects of the trip. We all chipped in with the odd cameo to capture those memorable moments but ultimately it was Andy's project and his vision all those months ago to produce an A.V clip that commemorates the once-in-a-lifetime experience has now come to glorious fruition with this recently completed self-edited teaser. From all accounts, a full length feature will follow in the future. Take a bow, Andrew and Meg. Thanks for the memories.

Anatomy of Melancholia

Rice Paddy in H.D.R

Three different exposures of the same shot stitched together into one image makes for an interesting perspective of the Balinese rice paddy we overlooked while having lunch yesterday. Apart from the automated blending of the three images, no other editing was done to the finished picture.

Indonesia Part 2

After an unfortunate and ironical scooter crash that left Sam and I with a few sinister roasties, we were mandated to avoid the ocean for a few days while said wounds could heal to avoid infection; rife here in the tropics. Scooter crashes are so commonplace here that they seem inevitable;. In our case however, it was not another human to blame but three mangy, scraggly dogs who at the exact moment we passed their sitting place, decided to simultaneously run directly underneath our front tyre in a sudden fighting burst. In a lame attempt to avoid contact, we swerved but alas, in vain as we involuntarily disembarked onto the dirty asphalt. Surface wounds they may be, but our roasties did require a quick cleanup from the local hospital and a few days of treatment. In lieu of our inability to surf and swim, we decided to take a few days to head inland to Ubud to explore the country, which is a magnificent mixture of small villages, rice paddies and many local markets, art galleries and warungs. Cape St Francis friends, Fred and Kelly also visited us during this time and we were fortunate to meet for some drinks, exploration and a breathtaking Indonesian sunrise drive across to the South East of the Bukit Peninsular. The island of Bali continues to overwhelm and with plans to explore further including a few trips to neighbouring islands, we're feeling as blessed as ever. 

Just a few battle scars

Ubud is full of alleyways begging to be wandered into.

Monkeyforest Road. Ubud.

Ubud rice paddie

Sunset and drinks in Ubud

The food in Ubud is perhaps the best we've tasted in Bali.

Ubud Gallery

Fred's Satay Hotplate

Sunrise walk.

Indonesian Sunrise over Lombok

Legian Beach.

Frederick; post-surf

Our Ubud balcony

Indonesia Part 1

With plans to travel all over Europe already set in motion, we suddenly received an offer to work in Bali starting almost immediately. With funds dwindling, we decided to take the chance and accept knowing full well that Europe's accessibility could be tapped into at a later stage. Perhaps one of the enticing aspects of this new decision was the need to fly back home to the Republic for 10 days for several logistical reasons including visa applications, cheaper flights and to offload 2 bags full of ski and winter gear. Our brief stay spent at home was a joyous occasion spent with friends and family that rejuvenated us in such a way that only ones' home can do. But a new experience lay in waiting, this time heading East to the tropics. The first 2 weeks spent here in Bali have been eventful and full of wonderment. In this time, we decided to turn down the job offer. This difficult decision was taken for many reasons but what remains most relevant is the opportunity afforded to us now to spend an extended period of time exploring the island at our leisure. And after 14 days here, that's exactly what we've done. With a centralized apartment as our base we have been able to venture North past Canggu and South into the Bukit peninsular for surf and beaches. The Balinese culture is such an appealing one, filled with happiness and goodwill and their land is such a paradise that to explore it is not only possible on a shoestring budget but is so rewarding in the treasures you uncover around every turn of the motorbike. Then there is the surf...

Sam; composed in Saunr

Our evening surf and run is always capped off with a shower and swim in one of the many luxury resorts dotted along the beach. Just smile and wave to the guard.

Kuta, for all the madness, does still have its charms.

Hungry Eyes.

Uluwatu at 6 feet with 8 foot closeouts. This day saw many a broken leash and one gnarly swim from the top of the point.

Padang Padang looking ever so beautiful in the evening glow with no hint as to what lies beneath.

Arvo surf check.

The culinary experiences in Bali are nothing short of magnificent with the local Warungs our best source of an authentic Indonesian meal. 

Padang beach in the evening

Jimbaran bay heading South.

Balangan dreaming

Balangan lunch with a very distracting view.

Our chariot.

It's all a bit overwhelming for a goofy-foot.

Lazy days in Bingin

Bingin pickings.

East-side, West-side.

Unbeknown to us at the time, our last and final stop in Germany and penultimate in Europe would be the historic Berlin. As capital of the country, and with a history so remarkable, it was truly apt that our 5 week German sojourn would end in Berlin. Although the countryside will always hold first appeal over a city, Berlin is one such city where you are able to truly immerse yourself in it's offerings without that bitter discontent so often left by others. Our host and guide was Sam's eldest uncle Dieter, his soft-spoken wife Karen and daughter Maike along with Paul her boyfriend. Together they turned 4 day's into a historic whirlwind of sightseeing, eating and informative conversation. As a former political radio host, Dieter is so well versed in Berlin's history that his enthusiasm becomes truly contagious. We were therefore fortunate enough, tour guide in tow, to visit many of the historic sites that comprise the cities rich and chaotic history including the Brandenburg Gate, the last remnants of the Berlin wall, the Jewish Museum, Holocaust Memorial, Check-point Charlie, The Berlin dome and the imposing Reichstag. It truly is a fascinating journey through Germany's troubled history. Yet the entire process is juxtaposed by the liberal modernity of the developing city and its young and culturally diverse inhabitants. This is perhaps why you get the feeling that the city is embracing it's new identity. The restaurants and bars only fill up after 11pm and stay open right until sunrise. We sampled the nightlife via Paul and Maike who took us out for drinks and dinner and then to play beach volleyball the following day. When it was eventually time to leave, it was with saddened hearts; Berlin is a rad place and so embraces it's history and re-invention that you can't help but feel like you want to jump on and join the ride. 

One of the last remaining pieces of the Berlin wall now stands in shame, covered in chewing gum.

Gum-free remnants of the infamous wall that literally divided a city

With the exception of an absent Dieter, this was our Berlin family for a few days.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church; a hauntingly beautiful inner facade.

Giving the legs a rest in downtown Berlin.

Beach volleyball right in the center of landlocked city

Sam and Uncle Dieter waiting for the train.

The Berlin Dome; still blackened from fire after almost being destroyed during the second World War.

We were fortunate to time our visit a few days after the birth of cousin Kei's (Sam's eldest German cousin) baby boy.

Shopping shenanigans.

The sombre Holocaut Memorial. This public space of concrete statues symbolizes the death of 6 Million Jew's by the Nazi regime. These concrete blocks are totally graffiti-proof but perhaps more interesting is the fact that the company who built and supplied them is the same company albeit under new management who manufactured and supplied the death gas to the Nazi's that was used in the concentration camps.

The beauty of the memorial is the unsymmetrical design of the blocks 

The dramatic Brandenburg gate; the only remaining gate of a series through which Berlin was once entered and now famous German landmark. Incidentally it is was also the backdrop for the Euro 2012 fanpark that saw a record 1 million German fans converge together to watch the semi-final.

These bikes are everywhere and allow a group of humans to cruise around town, using collective power while storing cold beers in the fridge behind.

The imposing Reichstag. This is the center of German parliament and requires a 2 hour background identity search on each person who chooses to visit as it's status as high-risk terrorist target. It was also the building that Hitler's SS famously burned down which was to be the start of his rise to power.

Currywurst is Berlin's traditional meal and is essentially a fried sausage coated in a curried tomato sauce. There is currywurst stand on every street corner.

The Jewish Museum and the haunting 6 Million dead faces. Nothing truly prepares you for a visit to this Museum.