Yesterday, at some ungodly hour in the morning, we began our journey back home. It all started well, until the alarm went off at 04:45 and it was time to get out of bed. One hour, 5 breakfasts, some yelling, and a semi-conscious Erlend (our "volunteer" driver) later we were all in the car on the way to the airport. We got to our first destination, Ambon, with little drama beyond burning my tongue on my Starbucks coffee during our transit in Makassar. We had only 4 hours to down as many cups of life-giving brew before our next flight. In that time Samson ate enough doughnuts to cover his grease and sugar needs until 2017. Once we hit the ground in Ambon our journey quickly got more "exciting" in the form of a rather hazardous taxi drive from the airport. Driving in Ambon is an extreme sport, the city is full of "suggested" one way streets and locals who make even the most aggressive drivers back in Palu seem patient and reflected in their driving style. Oncoming traffic or blind corners are in no way seen as reasons not to overtake those with audacity to drive slower than you. I personally find it a little ironic that one of the reasons we are in Ambon is to extend our drivers licenses, as if a single person here has ever needed to pass a drivers exam before being let loose on the road!! Earlier this morning we were able to sort out our visas at the immigration office. While taking my picture one of the ladies told me I looked like a Westlife member :) I guess the fat guy with the ginger beard and bad teeth must have quit the band before I heard of them.....
I'll keep you posted as the journey continues.....
Sorry no pictures :(
I'll keep you posted as the journey continues.....
Sorry no pictures :(