We won't be touring Indonesia

@JudyEv (382440)
Rockingham, Australia
April 30, 2019 5:13am CST
While we were at the music festival over the weekend, we spent some time at a display put on by the Indonesian Tourist Commission. Indonesia is Australia’s closest neighbours and they were promoting tourism in a big way. Of course, the island of Bali has always been very popular as a tourist destination but the other islands are not so well known. We tasted some traditional food and watched a welcome dance. Some of the national costumes were incredibly elaborate. Unfortunately, neither of us had our cameras with us and I haven’t been able to find any free photos of their national dress. A gamelan orchestra played some pieces for us and the photo (from Wikimedia) shows one of the instruments that was used. We also watched a short video which showed a French couple touring Indonesia in their motor-home. I got a bit excited at this point but once we researched the cost of freighting the car and caravan to Lombok, it was out of the question for us to do it – which is probably a good thing!
17 people like this
16 responses
John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Apr 19
You have not been there before?
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
I think we are the only West Aussies not to have been to Bali. Many go to Bali regularly but not so much to the other islands.
2 people like this
Gogata Ionut
@Kasjnak (4489)
• Romania
30 Apr 19
I would like to visit Indonesia and many other countries too, but that's not gonna happen any time soon. Except for this June's trip to Denmark .
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
That's nice that you're going to Denmark in June. We have a town called Denmark in our south-west.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
@Kasjnak I'm sure you'll have a blast. I certainly hope so.
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Gogata Ionut
@Kasjnak (4489)
• Romania
1 May 19
@JudyEv one of my friends is getting married in Denmark, that's why we'll go there in June. Can't wait, hehe .
1 person likes this
May2k8
@May2k8 (19792)
• Indonesia
30 Apr 19
Gamelan is not only in Bali, some areas also have it and each place has a different tradition. Glad you enjoy it.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
Yes, it seems each area has their own national dress and dialect.
1 person likes this
May2k8
@May2k8 (19792)
• Indonesia
1 May 19
@JudyEv Yes that's true, but only one national language here.
1 person likes this
Bojel
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
30 Apr 19
And we are so close to Indonesia - might as well tour the Philippines. Best destinations are Cebu, Palawan and Boracay or Bohol.
1 person likes this
Bojel
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
2 May 19
@JudyEv it would be nice to visit during December, now it is kind of hot.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 19
@jobelbojel I'll remember that. I don't think it would be this year.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
Good idea. We'll have to think about it. :)
1 person likes this
Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (24030)
• United Kingdom
1 May 19
Sounds like an interesting festival. Indonesia is far nearer to you than it is for us! I understand that Bali is a beautiful place!
1 person likes this
Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (24030)
• United Kingdom
1 May 19
@JudyEv You will have to remedy that now!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
@garymarsh6 We are thinking of visiting Vince's brother for a few days later in the year perhaps.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
The fares from WA are very reasonable and many go there regularly. I think we must be the only West Aussies that haven't visited.
1 person likes this
José Valera
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
1 May 19
It is so nice to attend this kinds of events where one gets to know even more other countries' cultures. I am glad you had a good time while learning a little more of Indonesia Judy!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 19
@jvicentevalera I don't know how they manage either. India has a great many dialects too.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
Thanks. Yes, it was interesting to learn more about Indonesia. They have a great number of islands and it seems each island has its own national dress and own dialect.
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José Valera
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
1 May 19
@JudyEv really? Oh Gee I wonder if people in the islands know every dialect of the islands around them? I just can't deal with too many dialects or languages, I am okay with Spanish and English.
1 person likes this
snowy
@snowy22315 (209132)
• United States
30 Apr 19
I imagine it is quite expensive. My nephew had the good fortune to be able to go to Bali as part of a student congregation in his last year of college. He did some guest lecturing over there. Lucky Duck! He brought back some nice gifts. Nothing for Aunt Karen though..sniff, sniff.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
It is cheap living there I think but getting the car and caravan there would be expensive.
1 person likes this
divalounger
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
30 Apr 19
I love the gamelan--Lou Harrison composed quite a bit for it--I would like Indonesia would be a hop skip and a jump away for you. I have never been, but would love to go--
1 person likes this
divalounger
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
1 May 19
@JudyEv That is close!!!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
Bali is closer to us than Melbourne. It's a very popular resort with West Aussies.
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117269)
• El Paso, Texas
30 Apr 19
What a strange looking instrument. Did you find out what it is called?
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117269)
• El Paso, Texas
1 May 19
Wow, how kool @JudyEv
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
It is an Indonesian xylophone and is called a gambang gangsa (I think). Ones with more keys are gambang kayu. It's made of bamboo.
1 person likes this
DianneN
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
1 May 19
Our son was in Indonesia as part of his honeymoon and loved it. I’d love to visit some day.
1 person likes this
DianneN
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
1 May 19
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
Vin's brother now lives on one of the islands so we might get there one day too.
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Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 May 19
I'm sorry the expense prevents you from touring Indonesia.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 May 19
@JudyEv I'm sure it would have.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
It would have been fun in the caravan.
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Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
1 May 19
Wow I bet that gamelon sounded great
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 19
Any noise coming from bamboo sounds great. It is a very mellow sound. We used to hear the cow-bells in outback Thailand and it was just the most beautiful sound.
1 person likes this
Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
6 May 19
@JudyEv Now that you say, I think I saw some bamboo wind chimes. Those are probably nice
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Merryjoy
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
1 May 19
I love Indonesian culture, but I never been there before? What about you?
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 19
No, we haven't been there yet but maybe one day we'll be able to go there.
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Merryjoy
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
2 May 19
@JudyEv glad to know that
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Jim Bauer
@porwest (112924)
• United States
30 Apr 19
Wow. I did not realize Indonesia was so close to Australia. But it does surprise me that costs in Indonesia would be higher than costs in Australia. I have never imagined Indonesia to be as developed, but then I am not real familiar with Indonesia.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
I doubt the cost of living is higher. In fact, I'm sure it's not but freighting a car and caravan would be expensive.
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Jim Bauer
@porwest (112924)
• United States
1 May 19
@JudyEv Ah. That way. Makes sense.
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Sreekala
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
30 Apr 19
Nice to know that you enjoyed the video.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
It was really interesting. They had put together a very interesting display.
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Always smiling
@allknowing (153529)
• India
30 Apr 19
That would he a hassle too besides money
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 19
Yes but you'd save money by being able to cook your own meals and not having to pay for hotels.