For our last afternoon together we went on a river boat ride that would take us to see the orangutan reserve on Kaja Island.
We boarded with a lot of excitement when we saw what a nice boat it was! It was recently built by a Dayak craftsman and he proudly showed us around to see even a romantic bedroom on board. My H planted himself on a comfy lounge chair and smiled.
The kids immediately found the snack bar and Tehya came to serve us something she thought we should try. Lemper is chicken or beef wrapped in sticky rice and then in banana leaves. You don't eat the leaves - the rice is quite tasty.
After our snack we began to seriously be on the lookout. 
I was in the process of trying to get a nice picture of Paet, when suddenly he noticed something - yes he spotted one!
The name orangutan comes from two Indonesian words, orang (person) and hutan (jungle).
Makenna loves wearing her sunglasses just like her mom. When she sees that Mom is wearing them on top of her head, she also does the same.
We saw a mother with a baby on her back! We also learned that orangutans build a new nest every night.
We saw some big ones that thrashed around too much or did not give us a good view to get a nice photo. I liked this cute little one.
And back to this cute little one . . .
. . . a little monkey we kept on our laps as much as possible. (Did you notice the low railings?) We continued on back towards civilization along the river, very much aware of a simpler way of life. 
A way of life where people actually live on the water, using the river to wash or bathe in and as a source of food and travel. One can't help but realize that no one has a choice about where one is born. I could have been born in a shack on the river, never knowing the feeling of a tub of warm sudsy water, a bed with pillows or a table set with china.We began our time in Indonesia seeing the finest and ended it with observing the harsh realities on the rivers where Chris spends a lot of time . . . and the people Julene thinks of before she throws out leftovers. It was good to be reminded of the challenges they face and learn how to better pray for them.
13 comments:
Wow what an amazing experience. I would have that little one on my lap as much as possible on that boat, too. :0)
It is such a blessing that you can travel to visit your kids and grandkids when they are so far away...Praise the Lord.
Anneliese .. .I again really enjoyed this post. You have a way of bringing us along and help us to see the best of this place they live.
The pictures of the children were priceless. . thank you for sharing.
I feel too better equipped to pray for your kids.
What a truly unique riverboat experience! I love how your mind works...life is a constant story!
Which one is the mother, which one the grandmother?
Anneliese we call it Sticky Rice here, and sometimes go for Dim Sum jut to enjoy it.
I'd love to have a recipe. I know you can buy the proper kind of rice, and the banana leaves in Chinese grocers. I know I could figure it out myself! But I'd rather have one you did. Tee hee lazy me.
anon1
I've really enjoyed catching up on all of your posts! What a time of making blessed memories! Have a safe trip home!
Wow, what a fantastic adventure! Love the picture of cute little Makenna copying her mom with sunglasses.
Looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
This was such a fun time! Made me feel like a tourist here :-) Sometimes this life becomes so normal to me that I begin to wonder if it's really all that different from Canada (Powdered milk isn't so bad! What's cheese? Doesn't everyone hang their laundry? What's so shocking about a gecko in my bed?!) ... But having you visit reminds me of where I come from ... so thank you for bringing "home" here and being with us for awhile. I too loved our walk together, Mom. Love Jules
I'm struck by how content the kids and grandparents are to be together. In another post too - the kids just seem to relax into you. Beautiful. What an interesting river trip. And you are right - we could have been born anywhere.
Wow! What a beautiful boat, and looks like you had such a special time together. It would have only been better if we (the Sawyer's and other Friesen's) had been there! -)
Kristal, you are so right... that would have been the best! So far, I only dream about the whole family being on a boat together. Maybe someday. I'm always ready for good surprises.
What a great experience...to enjoy together with your family. Sweet grands...all of them!
I missed this one...What a wonderful journey you had...and then to see that orangatun...that was unbelievable. I'm thinking of you and your little ones..
I can imagine the heart aches when you leave...It's so good thought that you can see them as often as you do.
In earlier days missionaries went away for four years.
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