Now we do not want this to turn into a competition. There is already too much rivalry in travel tales tall and true. “I remember Bali in the 70’s” is good but trumped by “I went through Timor, mate, when it was Portugese…”.
But does everyone have a “you would not believe it but…” story? Here is ours.
We have barely seen a tourist since Darwin. Nil in Dili, Balibo, Maliana. Nil on the road to the border or anywhere in Indonesian Timor. Two poms - the delightful Simon, Lord Clarke of Jura and much-pierced Penny- in Kupang. Then we catch the overnight ferry to Flores. Our car is almost swallowed by the surge of humanity and their worldly possessions. hidden in there is a truckload of buffalo. We promised Jan we would not catch any over-crowded ferries. Is this breaking the promise?
First night in Flores we arrive in Moni, to visit the famous volcanic lakes at Kelimutu. We choose lodgings and there in the next room - not just Australians, not just from Melbourne…. but David and Helen, teachers of each of our boys. Helen had taught at the school where Jack did VCE last year, David had taught at Nigels secondary school. Jack said “um, hello Miss Stagoll…. ” and we all sat down for a chat and a drink. Next morning before dawn we all trek to the volcano top and watch the sunrise, truly wonderful. Jack is here daring the sun to rise, with Calvin, our third hitch-hiker [Larantuka to Bajawa].
But wait - there is more. Now, who else has a “you won’t believe who we bumped into…’ story?
Two days later, we are in the main street of Laban Bajo, the port where you access Komodo dragon visits. Jack is waiting by the car while I am checking out hotel options. Rod, a neighbour three streets away, walks by and calmly says hello !!!. A month ago he had driven past as I was fiddling with something on the car out the front of home and stopped to chat- and here he was with his wife Rinsky celebrating a special birthday in this remote patch of Indonesia.
Small world is it what.
