Our first couple of weeks in Canada</h1> <article> <h1>Our first couple of weeks in Canada</h1> <p>Brenda — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:54:50 +0000</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Well, in one way it’s hard to believe we’ve only been here a couple of weeks, but in another way, it seems a lifetime ago that we were sitting on our balcony in the night heat of Malaysia.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">While friends have gone back to work in Kuala Lumpur, here we are, enjoying some truly relaxing time and managing to stay toasty.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">There are lots of experiences, emotions and surprises to life here, of course, but naturally our most difficult adjustment has been getting used to the cold. Brrrrr! We knew it would be cold, and both of us have spent many years in cold winters, but still… after 2.5 years of sarong and flip-flop weather, yeah, a bit of a shock!</p> <p style="text-align: left;">We’re staying at my dad and stepmom’s house an hour and a half outside of Toronto. They have left for Florida (sigh) and will be there till the end of January. That means we’re home alone… with the dog and the car! It suits us perfectly as we take time to decompress, adjust a bit, and look for work in Toronto.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;">We left almost all our winter clothes with Mehmet’s family in Istanbul when we left Turkey to go to Malaysia, so we needed to buy coats, boots, sweaters, warm pants, etc. Mehmet has his first pair of ‘long-johns’ and rarely takes them off. Dad’s snow pants are also a novelty!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;">The neighbour came by early one morning to help clear the driveway for the city slickers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;">The best thing is that we mostly enjoy the snow from the cozy comfort of the indoors. Ahh, central heat I love you!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Original" title="winter scene" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18926948@N00/3176891642/"><br /> </a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Original" title="winter scene" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18926948@N00/3176891642/"></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">There’s not much snow left now, and though the days are cold, they are also mostly bright and crisp - beautiful! Here Mehmet is going to the mailbox to pick up the day’s mail. Another novelty for him!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;">This is the road we live on. We head into ‘town’ every couple of days and have taken care of some of the important stuff - bank account, Social Insurance Number, etc. Mehmet is starting to feel like a Canadian more and more each day! Everyone who has helped us have been so friendly, and so far I’m really encouraged by the level of service we’ve been given.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: left;">We get great views of the sunset! And winter sunsets can be spectacular.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;">After Christmas we went to stay with my oldest sister and her family for a few days. Lots of chatter and well, GAMES of course!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;">They introduced us to the game ‘Settlers of Catan’ and we loved it - I highly recommend this to anyone who loves board games!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">My sisters Eleanor and Joan (having her first baby in May!) and my niece Sophia.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Joan and Matt live almost next door to El and Frank, so we spent time with them too. They too love Settlers of Catan, but taught us the extension -Cities and Knights - whee!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">After almost winning, Mehmet was hooked like me. Joan and Matt gave it to us to borrow, and we’ve been playing it lots. We’re both quite competitive, but I never manage to beat Mehmet.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Even Babe gets in on the fun!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">We spent New Years’ Eve with my brother David, his wife Cynthia and their family. Here we are having fun on the Wii - another new experience for both M and I! David is leaning forward for a ski jump.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Mehmet loved it too. He’s a bit more um, shall we say <em>spatially advanced</em> than me.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">And so, you can see, our first couple of weeks have been pretty easy! We kind of need this transition time, so it’s been good. Our hope and goal is to be in Toronto by the beginning of February - stay tuned for further updates!</p> <p>No related posts.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Six hours in Japan</h1> <p>Brenda — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:21:43 +0000</p> <p>Eight years ago I went on my second English Teaching stint - this time to Osaka, Japan. Although after two years I had itchy feet was very ready to leave, my memories are so positive. I have told Mehmet many times that we MUST go to Japan someday, so I can introduce all my favourite bits of the culture to him. So when we booked our trip home to Canada, I was delighted to find out that we had a nine-hour stopover in Tokyo! This gave us enough time to get out of the airport and meet a couple friends. Do you think Mehmet got a nice teeny taste of this great country in such a short period of time? Have a look.<br /><div class="ngg-galleryoverview" id="ngg-gallery-12"><div id="ngg-image-376" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb376" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-z.jpg" title="We had a nine-hour stopover in Japan on the way to Canada, and I was so happy to be able to spend it with two friends, Tracy (friend from college) and Satoyo (friend from dragonboating in Osaka)." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-407" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb407" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-aa.jpg" title="Satoyo came with one of her friends. Mehmet and Satoyo had already met when she came to spend a holiday with us earlier in the year on Redang Island. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-408" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb408" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-a.jpg" title="We took a train about 20 minutes from the airport into Narita town." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-385" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb385" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-qq.jpg" title="There were a few things I really really wanted Mehmet to experience about Japan, and he did experience them all! Experience #1: quaint streets and buildings." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-386" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb386" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-q.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-406" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb406" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-aaa.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-404" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb404" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-b.jpg" title="Souvenier shopping" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-403" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb403" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-c.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-402" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb402" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-d.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-401" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb401" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-e.jpg" title="Tracy came with her husband and children. The last time I saw her was eight years ago!! She now speaks Japanese fluently and has her own language school. We started teaching in Japan around the same time." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-400" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb400" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-f.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-398" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb398" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-h.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-397" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb397" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-hh.jpg" title="Experience #2: Bits of traditional Japan" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-396" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb396" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-i.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-395" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb395" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-j.jpg" title="It was such a gorgeous day... mid-December but up to 20 degrees Celsius. Mmm... refreshing after the tropical heat!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-399" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb399" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-g.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-394" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb394" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-k.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-393" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb393" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-l.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-392" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb392" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-m.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-391" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb391" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-mm.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-390" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb390" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-n.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-389" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb389" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-o.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-388" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb388" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-oo.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-387" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb387" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-p.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-377" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb377" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-x.jpg" title="After lots of walking, we went to a homey little Japanese restaurant with the typical first-class food and warm service. (Experience #3) " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-384" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb384" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-r.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-383" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb383" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-s.jpg" title="Oh YES. Everyone should have their first sushi experience in Japan. YUM! Mehmet didn''t eat sushi but he did have a great meal (Experience #4). " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-382" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb382" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-t.jpg" title="... best washed down with a Sapporo, of course. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-381" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb381" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-u.jpg" title="Or a warm sake with a new friend (Experience #5)." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-379" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb379" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-w.jpg" title="Seriously... the stuff you see day to day in Japan is amazing." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-380" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb380" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-v.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-375" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb375" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-zz.jpg" title="A street-side stand preparing fresh unagi (eel)." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-378" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb378" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-y.jpg" title="And by fresh, I mean fresh." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-405" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb405" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-airport.jpg" title="Well, after a 7 hour flight to Tokyo, and our day in Narita, we were tired, but still had a 12 hour flight to go to Toronto! But what a day, and Mehmet LOVED it." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-409" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb409" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/six-hours-in-japan/japan-11.jpg" title="Ahhh" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'six-hours-in-japan' })" ></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ngg-clear"></div> <p>No related posts.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Christmas 2008</h1> <p>Brenda — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:24:38 +0000</p> <p>Well, our family Christmas day has come and gone, and of course it was a very special one for Mehmet and I. Here are some pictures of the day.<br /><div class="ngg-galleryoverview" id="ngg-gallery-11"><div id="ngg-image-367" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb367" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/bauble.jpg" title="It was a very special Christmas for me - my first one in Canada in almost a decade, and for Mehmet - his first ever! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-341" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb341" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/family-picture.jpg" title="Here we are, all 17 of us. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-374" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb374" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/family-picture-crazy.jpg" title="It is precisely at this moment that Carol is wondering why she married into this family!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-373" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb373" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/family-picture-love.jpg" title="For the lovvvve, Carol. The love." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-332" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb332" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/signs.jpg" title="My sister El and her family made signs to welcome us at the airport. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-345" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb345" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/cynthias-signs.jpg" title="My sister-in-law Cynthia also made signs in English and Turkish; they were hanging up when we arrived. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-349" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb349" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/christmas-tree-2.jpg" title="Dad and Carol decided to wait and let Mehmet decorate his first Christmas tree ever. It was fun! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-355" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb355" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/tree-decorating-mehmet-brenda.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-348" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb348" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/cousins.jpg" title="Of course, a highlight was seeing my nephews again. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-340" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb340" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/jared-face.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-329" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb329" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/sophie-upside-down.jpg" title="And my niece, Sophia!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-338" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb338" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/mehmet-sophie.jpg" title="Uncle Mehmet" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-352" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb352" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/christmas-2008.jpg" title="Clockwise, starting top left: (1)My brother Harley and his family - Nancy, Bryce and Jayden (2) my brother David and his wife Cynthia (3) My sister Eleanor and her husband Frank, with Jared, Scott and Sophia (4) My sister Joan and her husband Matt " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-346" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb346" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/crazy2.jpg" title="Not all picture-taking went smoothly. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-347" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb347" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/crazy.jpg" title="Yeah." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-331" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb331" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/sisters.jpg" title="Just the girls! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-372" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb372" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/brothers.jpg" title="Brothers" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-358" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb358" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/har-and-dad.jpg" title="Harley and Dad" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-333" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb333" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/shuffleboard-2.jpg" title="Our family has a tradition of a Dutch shuffleboard competition each year. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-334" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb334" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/shuffleboard-3.jpg" title="Everybody gets three rounds throughout the day, and the person with the highest score takes home the trophy till the next year! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-335" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb335" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/shuffleboard.jpg" title="Matt " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-362" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb362" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/shuffleboard-4.jpg" title="Harley won!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-354" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb354" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/sisters-and-sophie.jpg" title="Sisters and Sophie" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-356" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb356" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/joan-and-babe.jpg" title="My sister Joan announced that she and Matt are expecting their first baby in May! Yay, I will finally be around for the birth of a new nephew or niece! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-330" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb330" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/sophie-brenda.jpg" title="Sophie and me" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-371" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb371" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/jayden.jpg" title="Jayden" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-336" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb336" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/nancy-jayden.jpg" title="Nancy and Jayden" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-337" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb337" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/nancy-bryce.jpg" title="Nancy and Bryce" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-339" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb339" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/kitchen-chat.jpg" title="Chatting in the kitchen. (Mehmet, my brother David, his wife, and my brother-in-law Frank)." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-343" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb343" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/family-game.jpg" title="Game time! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-366" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb366" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/bryce.jpg" title="Bryce and Babe" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-342" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb342" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/family-game-2.jpg" title="No Engberts gathering is complete without a few games. (Not sure why some of these pictures are showing up so pixelated...!)" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-353" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb353" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/charades.jpg" title="... even Christmas charades. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-357" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb357" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/frank-and-scott.jpg" title="Frank and Scott" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-350" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb350" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/christmas-spread.jpg" title="The dinner is almost ready." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-344" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb344" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/family-dinner.jpg" title="And finally we all sat down for a fantastic meal prepared by my step-mom, Carol! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-368" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb368" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/mehmet-and-harley.jpg" title="Mehmet decided not to leave me even after spending the day with my whole family, so that is a big relief!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-364" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb364" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/white-elephant-3.jpg" title="Well the family tradition for gift-giving has evolved (?) into White Elephant gifts: Wrap something up that you do not want anymore, and bring it to the party! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-365" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb365" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/white-elephant-4.jpg" title="You might end up with an old alarm clock from Dad." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-363" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb363" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/white-elephant-2.jpg" title="Or the red nightie that has been passed to a new unlucky recipent each year!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-369" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb369" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/kids-gifts.jpg" title="Finally, some *real* gifts to appease the kids." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-360" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb360" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/money-2.jpg" title="After all the gift giving, Mehmet and I got our own box, a series of wrapped gifts, all tacky stuff along the white elephant theme..." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-361" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb361" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/money-3.jpg" title="And when we had unwrapped them all, we were told they were loaded with cash! Sure enough, we cut open the back of the embroidered pictures, and it was full of money. It brought back memories of my mafia days." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-359" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb359" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/money.jpg" title="We cracked open pottery, dug to the hollow inside of a candle and cut open a cushion to get all the cash. A creative gift to help us get started with our new life in Canada." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-370" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb370" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/christmas-2008/goodbyes.jpg" title="And then, goodbye till the next weekend, the next holiday, the next kids hockey game, the next family dinner..." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'christmas-2008' })" ></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ngg-clear"></div> <p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://engberts-kaya.com/archives/1056' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Home at last!'>Home at last!</a> <small>Well, this is our third day �??home�?? now, and I�??ve...</small></li></ol></p> </article> <article> <h1>Home at last!</h1> <p>Brenda — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:20:32 +0000</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Well, this is our third day �??home�?? now, and I�??ve got so much to write about! But there is shopping to be done, family to see, Christmas Day preparations to help with, a hot-tub that needs to feel wanted, table games to be played, photos to be taken, and chocolates to be eaten!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I want to tell you about our nine-hour stop-over in Japan. And how I�??m SO glad we decided to meet up with my sweet friends Satoyo and Tracy, who made such efforts to come and meet us and spend the day with us. It was a perfect day in many ways, and I�??m so glad Mehmet got a teeny taste of the country that was so huge in my life for two years.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And I also want to write about our trip�?�that 30-something-hour trip from beginning to end. And how desperately exhausted we were by the end. How our second stopover (in Vancouver) was a little nerve-wracking for Mehmet, as that�??s where they would give final approval for his Permanent Residency. And about how wonderfully warm they were, welcoming him to Canada, and giving a fantastic first impression. Yay Canada Immigration!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And I don�??t really want to �?? but feel compelled to �?? write about how incredibly cold we are finding it! Seriously, we were prepared for cold, but this biting wind! It�??s not right. Apparently if we�??d put winter clothes on instead of tropical sarongs and flip-flops, it�??d be more comfortable, but I�??m not buying it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And of course I want to write about Mehmet�??s adjustments. About how fun it is for me that my husband and family have finally met! And how welcoming they�??ve all been to us. Babe and Mehmet have forged their friendship, and that�??s crucial too, for general harmony.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There�??s so much I want to write about�?� and so many pictures to share.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And I will. I will.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">For now, a little video that my sister El sent me. She and her family had been planning for months to meet us at the airport, but the roads were closed due to a snowstorm and they were trapped at home. My niece Sophia was most disappointed; they had made welcome signs for us, and she was so excited to meet her uncle and aunt at the airport. So in lieu of the welcome, they made this video.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><em>A word about the names they call us. When Sophia�??s eldest brother was little, I was living in Korea. In Korean, �??emo�?? means �??aunt�?? (specifically the sister-of-my-mother aunt). After I told them that, they started calling me Emo. And now they call Mehmet �??Amca�?? (�??ahm-ja�??), which is Turkish for �??uncle�??. Emo and Amca, that�??s us!</em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">So I leave you with this video, and will have lots of photos and updates to share soon.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=1381662551&photo_id=3130876556" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="src" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=63881" /></object></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> <p style="text-align: left;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://engberts-kaya.com/archives/1049">The Bali pictures</a> are now working in slideshow format, with captions. Please visit there too!</p> <p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://engberts-kaya.com/archives/346' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: You can’t go home again'>You can’t go home again</a> <small>Every global traveller knows about culture shock - about being...</small></li><li><a href='http://engberts-kaya.com/archives/1063' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Christmas 2008'>Christmas 2008</a> <small>Well, our family Christmas day has come and gone, and...</small></li></ol></p> </article> <article> <h1>The calm before the storm</h1> <p>Brenda — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:10:17 +0000</p> <p>Yesterday we got back from a delightful holiday in Bali, Indonesia. (That was the calm). I’ve long wanted to go to Bali, and this was such a special trip for us. It’s our last Asian getaway before we settle down in Canada. </p> <p>It was 12 years ago that I first came to Asia, when I went to Seoul, South Korea, on a whim to teach teach English. I’ve fallen in love with this part of the world, and it has been really neat to take Mehmet here and share it all with him too. </p> <p>Tomorrow we leave for Canada! It’s nuts - we’re excited of course, but sad to leave here. This was our two year Asian honeymoon, after all! But of course 2009 willl bring great things, God willing, and hey, I’m always up for change and new challenges. </p> <p>We have a 9 hour stopover (!) in Tokyo, and will have the pleasure of meeting up with two friends there, who will help me give Mehmet at teeeeny taste of Japan - we’ll leave the airport and I can show him a wee bit of the culture and country that stole my heart for two years. </p> <p>Exciting stuff! We’re so tired. Next entry will be from Canada, I hope… and in the meantime, please come to Bali with me for a moment. (If you click on the first picture, then hover over it, you can go right to the next one). </p> <p>Hmmm… the slideshow doesn’t seem to be working, but it may just be this computer at the Internet cafe. I’ll have to deal with it later…</p><div class="ngg-galleryoverview" id="ngg-gallery-10"><div id="ngg-image-327" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb327" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/a-garden.jpg" title="Balinese architecture and aesthetics are well-known for their beauty - there is lots of attention to detail, but even the simple things were gorgeous!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-326" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb326" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/aa-paths.jpg" title="Paths, everywhere there seemed to be beautiful, intriguing paths beckoning�?�" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-325" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb325" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/b-food.jpg" title="Mmm�?� Indonesian food! Clockwise from top left: tropical fruit at every meal, Gado Gado (''''''''a little of everything''''''''), chicken satay, chili and lime shredded chicken." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-324" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb324" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/bb-art.jpg" title="Ubud is known as the art and cultural centre of Bali, and there were indeed art and handicraft shops everywhere. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-323" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb323" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/c-street.jpg" title="Streets were quiet - not as many tourists as last year at this time, even though it''''''''s heading into peak season, they told us. Even the Mumbai bombing led to cancellations by tourists headed to Indonesia. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-322" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb322" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/cc-hotel-view.jpg" title="One of the views from our hotel room in Ubud. It was fantastic staying next to the rice fields!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-321" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb321" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/d-girl-in-field.jpg" title="This was also taken from our hotel balcony; this woman was walking around the field leaving offerings. Most Balinese are Hindu, as opposed to the rest of Indonesia, which is mainly Muslim." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-320" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb320" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/dd-balinese-kids-and-dog.jpg" title="We both like to talk to local people when we travel, and the Balinese made it so easy! Everyone was incredibly friendly." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-319" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb319" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/e-balinese-girl.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-318" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb318" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/ee-market-misc.jpg" title="At the Ubud art market. An abundance of odds and ends, some tacky, some gorgeous, all interesting!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-317" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb317" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/f-market-women.jpg" title="Everyone seemed to be hanging around waiting for tourists. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-316" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb316" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/ff-market-man.jpg" title="I could spend days at a market like this, and would just love the chance to pick and choose stuff to sell again at home. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-315" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb315" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/g-women-carrying-on-head.jpg" title="Balinese women are quite talented at this! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-314" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb314" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/gg-monkey-forest-shops.jpg" title="These shops were lining the path leading into the Monkey Forest. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-313" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb313" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/h-monkey-forest-shops-2.jpg" title="Chickens for sale! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-312" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb312" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/hh-monkey-forest-baby.jpg" title="The Monkey forest was a treat - monkeys EVERYwhere, and not shy at all. Also generally not aggressive, though one did attack the plastic bag Mehmet was carrying - sorry bud, no food, just a wood carving." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-311" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb311" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/i-monkey-forest-balls.jpg" title="Honestly!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-310" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb310" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/ii-pool-brenda.jpg" title="Pool fun! Okay it doesn''t look like it, but that stream of water coming from a fountain was fierce! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-309" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb309" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/j-good-life.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-308" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb308" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/jj-ricefield-walk-view.jpg" title="We took a walk recommended in our guide book. Wow, several kilometres next to the river and then through rice fields. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-307" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb307" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/k-ricefield-walk-view-2.jpg" title="How inviting is this? I always say to Mehmet ''''''''Dad would love this'''''''' when we walk through beautiful nature. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-306" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb306" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/kk-ricefield-walk-houses-with-pool.jpg" title="Oh man�?� this one of the views across the valley. Those homes, that pool�?� wow! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-305" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb305" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/l-ricefield-walk-brenda.jpg" title="Here I am standing in the middle of some elephant grass, which was lining the path. This is the grass they use to make the thatched roofs. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-304" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb304" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/ll-ricefield-walk-couple.jpg" title="Ah, young love in the fields." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-303" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb303" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/m-ricefield-walk-painters.jpg" title="These women were painting roof tiles on the side of the road. Note the chickens and cow�?� " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-302" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb302" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/mm-ricefield-walk-ducks.jpg" title="It''''''''s a shame I couldn''''''''t attach the sound with this picture. Delightful ducks." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-301" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb301" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/n-ricefield-walk-dark-clouds.jpg" title="The clouds looked threatening but we didn''''''''t get any rain - just wonderful cool breezes!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-300" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb300" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/nn-ricefield-walk-worker.jpg" title="After walking on the ridge over the valley, the path led us into rice fields. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-299" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb299" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/o-ricefield-walk-artist.jpg" title="The most interesting thing about these rice fields was the artist studios scattered along the road. These artists sell some work to tourists as they walk by, but mostly they paint and sell their work to the Ubud art shops, who of course take a huge commission. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-298" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb298" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/oo-ricefield-walk-kids.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-297" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb297" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/p-ricefield-walk-kids2.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-296" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb296" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/pp-ricefield-walk-our-artist.jpg" title="This delightful man did convince us to buy this piece for about $10. He was so cute. "We just need to make $5 a day to live comfortably here," he told us." class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-295" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb295" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/q-ricefield-walk-m-in-grass.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-294" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb294" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/qq-ricefield-walk-m-tree.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-293" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb293" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/r-ricefield-walk-man.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-292" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb292" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/rr-water-garden-entrance.jpg" title="The entrance to the Water Garden in Ubud. The pond in front was full of lotuses (loti?), though not many were open. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-291" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb291" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/s-water-garden-m.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-290" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb290" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/ss-water-garden-brenda.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-289" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb289" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/t-water-garden-patterns.jpg" title="One thing I love about Asian gardens is the organized symetry and patterns. Mmmm�?�" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-288" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb288" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/tt-water-garden-statues.jpg" title="Statues, statues everywhere!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-287" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb287" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/u-jimbaran-beach-nets.jpg" title="The second place we stayed was Jimbaran, in South Bali. It''''''''s a fishing village, and a walk in the late afternoon gave us a chance to see the fishermen cleaning and fixing their nets. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-286" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb286" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/uu-jimbaran-beach-sisters.jpg" title="Ok, I''''''''ll take YOU, and YOU�?� come with me. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-285" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb285" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/v-jimbaran-beach-chubby.jpg" title="This girl looks how I feel at the beach! :) " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-275" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb275" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/vv-jimbaran-beach-corn.jpg" title="Roasted corn! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-284" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb284" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/w-jimbaran-beach-sunset.jpg" title="With the clouds, I knew it could be a great sunset, but it wasn''''''''t looking promising. Just a sliver of orange at the bottom. C''''''''mon sky, COME ON! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-283" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb283" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/ww-jimbaran-beach-sunset-2.jpg" title="That''''''''s more like it! This was about 20 minutes after the previous picture. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-282" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb282" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/x-jimbaran-beach-sunset-3.jpg" title="And then about 20 minutes later, the sky was on fire! Mmm�?� I love a cloudy sunset. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-281" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb281" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/xx-jimbaran-beach-restaurants-at-night.jpg" title="At night the beach is transformed, as the restaurants haul out their tables, put out the candles, and offer fresh seafood. There were dozens of restaurants!" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-280" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb280" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/y-jimbaran-beach-morning.jpg" title="I pried myself from my bed at 5.30am and walked to the beach with hopes of catching ''''''''the morning action'''''''' as fishermen headed out for the day. But when I got there, there was no action! Bah. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-279" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb279" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/yy-jimbaran-beach-morning-2.jpg" title="An hour or so later, though, my patience was rewarded as boats started coming in. They already had loads of fish at 7am! " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-278" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb278" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/z-jimbaran-beach-morning-3.jpg" title="And wow, this boat came back with one man and all these marlins! How did he catch them? I want to know. " class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-277" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb277" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/zz-marlins.jpg" title="" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-276" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box "> <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail" > <a id="thumb276" href="http://engberts-kaya.com/wp-content/gallery/bali-oh-bali/zzz-back-home.jpg" title="Flying back home over the palm oil plantations outside KL. Our last time to fly back into KL as ''''''''home''''''''�?�" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, { slideshowGroup: 'bali-oh-bali' })" ></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ngg-clear"></div> <p>No related posts.</p> </article> </main></body></html>