tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87747783492000603552026-05-04T19:25:39.991-04:00I'm traveling my ass off so you don't have to(You might need yours later). Buckle up!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-54458440874878030652014-02-18T14:38:00.002-05:002025-11-03T11:54:15.930-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. Who am I and why should anyone care?  My name is Richard.  Nice to meet you.  I expect no one to care and few to view this blog.  So why do it? Why bother?  Vanity.  Self-edification.  Obsessive-compulsive disorder.  I am honestly not sure. Writing makes me feel good.  Writing helps me remember. &

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-26235037669210208962014-02-18T14:37:00.002-05:002025-11-03T11:55:27.698-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. Since the travel log aspect of this blog (i.e. the more interesting portion) will not develop until I leave for Indonesia, I am forced to hone my blogging skills with background info and pointless tangents. One may wonder how I have the time to wander aimlessly for a prolonged stretch. Am I wealthy, retired, a traveling salesman? Negative.

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-16372618990335888762014-02-18T14:36:00.002-05:002025-11-03T11:55:58.745-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. December 2008 - There is a bit of irony with my use of the word ‘plight’. Plight-less would be more accurate in describing my current state of affairs. (Author’s Note: There's more irony in the fact that I erroneously believed ‘plight’ to be synonymous with ‘quest’ or ‘aim’ as opposed to its actual definition of ‘predicament’ or ‘pickle’.

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-36434892185858206322014-02-18T14:34:00.002-05:002025-11-03T11:56:37.571-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. December 2008 - I do not really drink that often but lately it seems when I do I tend to try and make up for lost time. My friend organized a Christmas party for the people with whom she works and kindly invited me to tag along. The scene was laid back and her peeps rather friendly. The food was free but we all paid for our own drinks. Each person

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-59361359374401600112014-02-18T14:30:00.003-05:002025-11-03T11:57:05.098-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 2009 - Soooo... it is the night before my departure to Indonesia and I'm as giddy as a school girl. Well...not really but the excitement is building a bit. Not really sure what I am going to do when I get there but I'll probably figure something out. I am hoping to wrestle a Komodo Dragon and tickle an orangutan (Author’s Note: I saw

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-33915365584381183192014-02-18T14:29:00.002-05:002025-11-03T11:57:31.185-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 12th, 2009 - So my actual flight itinerary is Orlando – San Francisco – Inchon – Singapore – Bali. Shoot me. Singapore Airlines is decent but the seats are designed for little Asian people. Perfect for lower back pain. I might be more comfortable if I stuffed myself in the overhead compartment. It really is almost impossible to guess

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-57061578670568678312014-02-18T14:28:00.008-05:002025-11-03T12:01:01.166-05:00

GeographyArea: 2 million sq. km. (736,000 sq. mi.), about three times the size of Texas; maritime area: 7,900,000 sq. km.Cities: Capital--Jakarta (est. 9.7 million). Other cities--Surabaya 2.8 million, Medan 2.1 million, Bandung 2.4 million.Terrain: More than 17,500 islands; 6,000 are inhabited; 1,000 of which are permanently settled. Large islands consist of coastal plains with mountainous

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-67793608585319382152014-02-18T14:28:00.007-05:002025-11-03T12:00:09.447-05:00

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-78072665162152483412014-02-18T14:28:00.006-05:002025-11-03T11:58:36.670-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. Bali at last. Upon arrival at the airport in Denpasar I immediately hopped a taxi to Ubud, supposedly the cultural hub of the island. Jet lag is fun. After arriving at my lodging I had intended to take a small nap and soldier on until nightfall. Nuh-uh. I crashed like a speed freak after a weekend in Vegas. It is 2 am and I am wide awake.

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-8338194041468994952014-02-18T14:26:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:01:28.884-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. Today, I received a foot massage from a Balinese man named Wayan. My second hotel (Kebun Indah, still in Ubud) has a shop that sells various types of crafts and offers massages, reflexology, and what have you. It was raining and I had nothing better to do so when the woman working in the shop asked if it was a good time for a foot massage I thought,

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-19967689005956234602014-02-18T14:25:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:01:54.433-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 17th, 2009 - I decided to rent a motorbike. This was not a decision taken lightly as riding through the streets of Ubud on one of these ‘hogs’ is akin to running across a four way intersection blindfolded. I believe in the existence of a twenty minute window of death. If you can get through the first twenty minutes on one of these

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-91506310620402068112014-02-18T14:24:00.003-05:002025-11-03T12:02:36.779-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 18th, 2009 - I went to Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana (or Sacred Money Forest Sanctuary to the layman) today. It is right in Ubud and is a bit of a tourist trap but it does have monkeys. Everyone wins with monkeys, especially when they are aggressive nasty banana/fruit hoarding little bastards. Inside

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-88142661603761464572014-02-18T14:23:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:02:59.551-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 21st, 2009 – Yesterday I was sicky-poo. Nothing too serious, just a slight feverish delirium punctuated with nightmares and bizzaro dreams. A little bit of weakness and a fair amount of diarrhea completed the circle. Better now but still a little weak. I have managed to avoid crapping in my pants, a significant achievement. I went

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-24934797862372892102014-02-18T14:21:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:03:35.863-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 22nd, 2009 - So I spent the day with a French dude. We had a lovely time. Encountering another solo traveler is not so common here. Lots of couples, families, and groups but loners such as myself have been few and far between thus far. I visited a few holy sites today to include Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Yeh Pulu, and Gunung Kawi. I

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-12982527133029984492014-02-18T14:20:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:03:57.088-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 23rd, 2009 - Yesterday, I went for a spin north on the motorbike to Gunung Batur. This is one of the numerous volcanoes on the island. Although I do plan to climb it at some point this was more of a scouting mission. I just felt like riding. On the way a local woman stopped me at an intersection in order to bequeath the requisite

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-75277340134408198622014-02-18T14:17:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:04:22.601-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 26th, 2009 - Drove all over the south of Bali today. I would like to reiterate that driving a motorbike here is just a tad nerve racking. I am flabbergasted about the conspicuous lack of mass casualties on the roadways. Pleased, but flabbergasted. I think they start riding before they start walking.

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-25498110549973969612014-02-18T14:15:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:04:43.634-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. Jan 27th, 2009 – Whilst trolling the streets of Ubud on my 125cc mega-hog I cannot fight the urge to hum the theme from Sanford and Son (Listen here). It is irrepressible and I do it relentlessly. Kooky. I did a little rice paddy hopping today in the vicinity of Ubud (Tegallalang to be precise)….which was lovely. I have a tendency

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-33891945032357721922014-02-18T14:13:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:05:02.919-05:00

For an updated version of this site, go here. January 28th, 2009 - Saw a Balinese man’s tallywacker today. Didn’t mean to. As I rounded a corner on my motorbike I encountered a man standing basically in the road going wee wee. It just so happened that as I came around my eyes rested squarely upon his junk. Awesome. Sorry, no pictures. I seriously wish I could erase the one in my head.

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-74290022676606763092014-02-18T14:12:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:05:53.671-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. Jan 29th, 2009 – No trip to Indonesia would be complete without climbing a volcano. That’d be like going to Vegas and not dressing like a preacher before getting stupid drunk and gambling like an asshole. I lost my ‘Ring of Fire’ virginity on Mt. Agung, a still active stratovolcano located in east Bali. It is the holiest mountain on the island

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-34207995997743032492014-02-18T14:10:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:06:26.158-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. Another day, another volcano. This time it is Mt. Batur, an active volcano on the northeast corner of the island. The current volcano is actually at the center of two much larger, older concentric calderas. From the air (i.e. aerial shot) it is possible to appreciate just how massive the older volcanoes actually were. The lake of the same name is

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-2282421088854592352014-02-18T14:09:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:06:55.414-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. January 31st, 2009 - I woke up this morning, took a look outside, saw the mountain was free of cloud cover and decided to give the volcano another shot, this time solo. I was a little concerned that I might encounter an angry mob of Balinese guides with torches and pitchforks demanding I hire one of them but it did not come to pass, thankfully. &

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-87232847749872056292014-02-18T14:08:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:07:15.444-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. The second half of the day was an altogether different experience. At the risk of sounding melodramatic I have to provide a warning about these next photos. Some of you may find them rather disturbing.  On the previous afternoon Nymoan spoke to me about the people across the lake (insert eerie music here) who reside in the village of&

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-24139195917179614872014-02-18T14:05:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:07:59.272-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. Feb 1st, 2009 - The Russians are following me. You may remember the quartet (two guys and two girls) from my rafting trip. I have run into them randomly on two more occasions since that outing. I am currently in central Bali (Lake Bratan to be exact) and last night they showed up at my hotel. I think they’re KGB. One of the females is trying to

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-43638797466906704222014-02-18T14:04:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:08:27.946-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. Feb 2nd, 2009 – Spent the night near Bedugul and awoke early this morning to see Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, located on the shore of Lake Bratan. It is a famous temple dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Balinese water goddess. Pilgrimages and ceremonies are held here to ensure a steady supply of water for farmers all

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774778349200060355.post-61107602452260462332014-02-18T14:03:00.002-05:002025-11-03T12:08:54.891-05:00

For an updated version of this post, go here. Feb 3rd, 2009 - I moved a candy bar and the peanuts to a coffee table across the room in my guesthouse. I also put some wrappers beneath a glass (no trash barrel in room) to avoid attracting my companions. Didn't work. They actually moved the glasses all the way across the bar and scattered the wrappers. I guess they just wanted to

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10848795219208437280noreply@blogger.com0