Maloney Adventures: January 2012

Kuta in Bali, Indonesia December 20-24

We arrived at the Denpasar (Bali) airport Tuesday evening December 20. We were greeted by a driver sent from the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta. Interestingly, we walked through a dark parking area, through piles of dirt and holes, to get to the car. Jessica got really scared and started crying. We loaded the car with Jessica on my lap in the back seat between the boys. We were on a narrow road with lots of cars and motorbikes. The driver told us that we were on a back road to avoid traffic on the main street. A few minutes later, he said we are now on the main street. I must say that there was not much difference in road conditions. We did, however, begin to see lots of shopping and lots of people. After a while, we arrived to a gated security area entrance to Hard Rock Hotel Bali. Security guards checked the front of our car and the trunk. Then, we proceeded to enter the hotel to hear loud rock and roll music and cool hotel employees telling us to "Have a rockin' evening!" It seemed appropriate to have dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.

On Wednesday, we had fun at the pool and at the beach. The boys were really digging the waves. In the afternoon, Jessica went to the kids' club, while Jacob and Matthew went to teen club. Matthew told the lady working in the club that he was "eleventeen". She laughed and told him to come on in with his brother. The teen club had a pool table, lots of computers, wii, xbox, ps3, a movie theater, and a "hang out" area with a bar (non alcoholic). Very cool. Phillip and I worked out and had 60 minute balinese massages. Amazing. After showers, we decided to eat at the hotel buffet.

On Thursday, a driver picked us up to go our boat adventure to Lembongan Island. The boat ride was about 50 minutes and was so rough! People were getting sick at a table close to us. We took the sea sickness medicine. I am not sure if it really does anything or just has a placebo effect for most people. At any rate, Matthew and Jessica both got pretty nauseous. Luckily, we made it without full blown sickness. The boat hooked up to a pontoon. We snorkeled, went down the water slide, went off the diving board, had lunch, went in a semi-submersible, took a banana boat ride, and then .... went parasailing! I must admit that I was a bit scared, but it was so cool. Matthew went first as he was the most confident. Jessica and I went together, and I think that might have been good for me to have her with me! We snorkeled a little more and then settled in for the boat ride home. Fortunately, Jacob, Matthew, and Jessica all slept the entire trip back. We boarded a bus back to our hotel.

On Friday, we hung out at the pool for a while until the rain came. The kids all went to the clubs in time for movies. Phillip and I went shopping and then went back for more balinese massages. Why not? We played at the beach and pool again. Jessica met a new friend, Hailey, from Perth, Australia. It made me laugh to see the girls sitting up at the pool bar eating their "chips" (fries). The family headed out for one last Hard Rock Cafe dinner.

Saturday, the boys walked to Waterbom Water Park. Jessica and I finished packing and then went to the pool. After a quick lunch at KFC, a driver took us to Nusa Dua for the third and final leg of our Christmas vacation.

Peace and Love,

Tina

Kuala Lumpur December 18-20, 2011

On December 18, Matthew left his rugby training a little early so that we could catch the bus to the airport. We had to take the 12:18 bus because the next one was already full. So, we were all checked in and ready by 2:30 for a 4:55 flight! Fortunately, we were able to hang out in the Sky Club with snacks, drinks, and lots of computer time. Alas, we boarded our 7 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur. (Somehow I did not remember the flight being that long when I booked it!) We flew Air Asia, which is known as the Asian low cost airline. You have to pay extra for food, blankets, and even to book your seat in advance. Enough said. The service was not very good, and the food was terrible. Worse, though, the plane was hot. We always bring jackets because flights are usually very cold. Not this one. The kids are great travelers, and we bring books, games, computers, & snacks, but this flight made us all grumpy! We finally arrived in Kuala Lumpur. Then, the real ride began... We had to take 2 taxi cabs to fit us and our luggage. Jacob and Jessica stayed with me, while Matthew went with Phillip. (We thought it would be safer to have Jacob with me.) These cabs went so fast (roughly 150 km per hour - that's 93 miles per hour!). They were weaving and passing people, and this was a 45 minute drive. They made NYC cab drivers look tame! We were very happy to arrive safely at the Sheraton Imperial about 1am. Whew. Of course, at this point, the kids were hungry. Phillip and Jessica went to the concierge to ask where to go. The concierge walked them to a convenience store to find snacks because he felt it was too dangerous for them to go alone at that time. I am going to like this hotel service!

On Monday, we got to know the train system. We went first to Batik Batang for breakfast and walked around the shopping area. They have bears that are painted for each country. So cool! We took pictures with all the ones of countries where we have been, and also where we want to go in the spring. After a bit of shopping and sight seeing, we went to McDonalds for lunch. Hey, we try to go to McDs in every country! Oh, importantly, the kids also found Gatorade in US flavors.

We then took the train to Chinatown and Central Market. This was like a giant flea market with all kinds of high end goods, shoes, clothes, as well as souvenirs and jewelry. During a rain storm, we stopped in to have the boys' hair cut. The boys enjoyed the shampoo and head massage. Too funny. We did a little more shopping and then got on the train headed to the hotel. We stopped at the Yellow Cab Pizza Company. Yummy! We finished off the evening with a dip in the pool, showers, and watching English speaking TV in bed. :)

On Tuesday morning, we took the train to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world and 4th tallest building in the world. We took pictures and walked around the KLCC mall. This mall was gorgeous, and the stores were all completely high end, like Coach, Chanel, etc.

After lunch, we packed up our hotel rooms and went up to Club level for a few last photos of the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the city.

We got a van from the hotel and headed back to the airport. This ride was certainly more comfortable than the one from the airport. After about a 40 minute delay in a crowded airport, we were on the airplane. Next stop? Bali!

Peace and Love,

Tina

December update 2011

Grandma left on November 20. That night, when we sat down to dinner, Matthew looked at the empty seat where she always sat. Then he burst into tears and said, "Grandma". We do miss her!

On November 24, Jessica's class had their annual music concert and art show. Jess was so much fun to watch as she sang every word with confidence and a smile. She also was very proud of the art work that she had done over the past few months.

Jessica with friends Kan and Luka.

On November 26, Matthew had soccer clinic, while Jacob had basketball games - both at our school, Canadian Academy. Then, the expat adults got together for a big Thanksgiving feast at the Fitzpatricks' (who live right above us). Their kids stayed with ours downstairs for their own party. Jacob was in charge! The food was amazing, and the company terrific. It gave us a little feeling of home.

The next morning, Matthew realized he had left his backpack at CA on Saturday. Jacob went with him to get it before rugby training. However, it was not there. The whole family went back later in the day to look. No luck. On Monday, we checked the school lost and found and the police. Still no luck. I kept thinking it would show up. It is Japan - home of the most honest people in the world! We never found the backpack or any of its contents.

This next week brought a stomach virus to our home. Jacob started it Monday, and then I got it Thursday. Matthew got sick Saturday, and then Phillip on Sunday. Jessica was the only healthy one! Matthew was so sick on Saturday. Yet, he somehow made it to play in the rugby tournament on Sunday. He was so weak at first and had to just nibble on crackers. I was so proud of his effort. He even scored twice! That Sunday afternoon, I was on a mission to wash everything in sight - clothes, sheets, you name it - and spray the house with Lysol. Unfortunately, I washed a jacket that had Jacob's iphone in it. Really? We just lost 2 phones in 1 week? (After getting an extra phone from a friend and going to the Apple store, everyone is back on line!)

Of course, St. Nick came to visit on December 6.

On December 9 & 10, Jacob's Canandian Academy basketball team won the league tournament. They dominated every game. So, now CA has won baseball and basketball championships this school year!! Hey, wait, I know that coach!

Jacob with Joesh and Kai

December always brings fun parties.

Jessica went to a birthday party for 3 classmates - Kan, Fabi, and Chiho. For our baseball friends and Cardinal family, it is interesting to note that Kan's last name is Taguchi. Yes. Kan is So Taguchi's son, born in St. Louis during So's playing time there. So has just finished his career where he started it here in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes. So, his wife Emiko, and Kan are all very friendly and kind. Jacob did not complain at all about walking his sister home from this party! :)

Other parties included ...

...Cookie exchange, bunko white elephant party, as well as Japanese Tea at the Ritz in Osaka. (My pictures at the Ritz are not very good, but they give an idea of how lovely the hotel and tea were.)

... a lovely coffee morning at the home of our British friend, Sandra. I just love the way she says "coffee at mine".

.... and finally a party in Jessica's class on December 16. I am so glad that Jessica is still young enough that I can help with parties! I organized the party and was overwhelmed by parents' participation and generosity. We had so much food and drink! We also collected money for teacher gifts, and had about 20 parents show up to help at the party!