We took advantage of the reality that with older kids we could do more exploring! We all went to the workshop together and the kids enjoyed seeing the different steps of handcrafting furniture and meeting all of the people involved. Chris had fun walking the kids through the old part of Malang and showing them his elementary school (complete with holes in the exterior fence leading to food stalls where he bought lunch from daily). The family has a vast community and it was wonderful for the kids to get to know some of the family’s friends. A highlight is always the delicious food we get to eat, and the kids get to try. This trip did not disappoint and I finally agree with Chris’ declaration that Indonesian food is the best! The flavors are complex and so much of what they eat is slow cooked, so it has time to absorb the many spices.
We headed to Yogyakarta in Central Java, a vibrant city where the Dutch palace is located, and we visited a Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) workshop and met an artist who has been carving puppets from animal skin for 52 years! We had the remarkable experience of visiting Borobudur, a Buddhist temple built in the 9th century with beautiful carvings depicting the many lives of Buddha. We also went to the Hindu temple complex Prambanan, where we were able to climb up into the different buildings and see statues of Hindu gods. Quite a remarkable experience, though very hot! Every visit I learn more about the complex history of this diverse country and the influence of the many different colonizing countries (Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, French, Britain, and Japan), not to mention the different religious beliefs. We ended our trip relaxing in beautiful Nusa Dua, Bali and eating delicious Balinese specialties.
Thanks for taking a minute to hear about our adventures. We are grateful for the opportunity for our family to experience the richness of Indonesian culture. We could not make these trips if not for our awesome team at the shop, we are thankful for them and their commitment to this business.
