Christmas in February

We left Vancouver early Thursday morning, about 1:00 am, six hours after sun-set and, following the sun going west, flew about 13 hours in darkness. We landed in Taipei Friday morning just as dawn was breaking. A strange feeling to experience a long night like that and then end up realizing you've missed a whole day! (not to mention that for me it's weird to see the early dawn and watch the progression of daylight coming on -rather than the night coming.) I'm not a "dawn loving" person, but I caught a glimpse of how it could actually be nice to see it more often!
Having done this flight before, we felt like pros this time and found a Starbucks to pass the time.

After a few hours we boarded the plane for another 5 1/2 hour flight to Jakarta. In Jakarta we checked into a hotel right at the airport and then did some walking and eating to stay awake. It was "nighty night time" at about 6:30 PM for us.
I woke up at 3:45, feeling wonderfully rested and ready for the day!!! This long awaited day! After an early breakfast we checked in at the domestic terminal for our final flight, which took us over the jungles of Borneo to the city where Chris and Julene and family live.
It was raining when we landed. We crossed the tarmac and entered the small terminal, following the rest to the baggage claim area. No one was there. Suddenly we realized that security was holding them back behind some glass doors and the next thing, Tehya and Paeton had escaped under the arms of the security guy and came flying into our arms! It seemed like they were not going to let go of us, while the rest still waited outside.
This photo was taken right after we finally got our baggage and got through those glass doors.


We piled into the 5 seater SUV - all seven of us, with four pieces of large luggage and carry-ons. Welcome to Indonesia!

Chris BBQ'd homemade hamburgers for lunch. In the afternoon we unpacked and played in the yard.

This morning I woke up around 3:30 am and just listened to the sounds. Even with the windows closed it sounds like the birds are almost in your room. The mosque began calling people to prayer at about 4 am and after that the rooster started crowing. I wondered if I'd be able to go back to sleep. At 5:30 Tehya came into the room and snuggled up between us. She began telling us where we could catch the best toads in the yard. Then Paeton joined us . . . and the day had surely begun!

It was cute, when I was drying my hair, Tehya came into the washroom and said, "It smells like Canada in here!" It's funny how smells bring back memories...

Since it was Sunday, we tried having church with all of it's distractions here, but it was so good even just to hear Chris and Julene sing and hear their hearts in the words of the songs.

We set up the tree and unpacked gifts. . .

We prepared a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings ( some from home). The Christmas wreath is waiting to be frosted and enjoyed for Vaspa.

Now I'm going to enjoy the rest of life here. There is a special girl waiting to watch a movie.

She says, "A movie called, Little House on the Prairie."