After our experience of South America we realized just how much a bit more planning really helps with the travel when visiting a new country and not knowing the language. I’m always one to jump in the deep end and wing it but this year we were super organized and managed to book the whole of the Indonesian tour before we got there.
What a difference it makes!
We arrived in Sumatra to the town of Banda Aceh where we were lucky enough to be met by Aris and Lia from the SOS village who were kind enough to show us around the town and explain how they had recovered from the Tsunami and translate for us. Next stop was Medan and thankfully we were looked after and able to stay with them there, as being one of the busiest cities after Jakarta it was crazy! Tiwi and the kids had made a beautiful poster for our arrival.
On to Java and the hectic streets of Jakarta where we went to a local welfare Centre Kasih Emmanuel. A real treat as they have no funding and were so excited to see us and try circus for the first time.
Our next stop was SOS Jakarta and meet the lovely Ayunda who helped to organize our whole tour, which we could not have done it with our her.
Lembang was next and thankfully the lovely Pauline came to translate, she used to be one of the kids from there and now works for SOS. Lastly on to Semarang with help from Ardik and Hilda we had a hilarious show.
On to the stunning island of Bali and SOS Tabanan where Tiur met us, she also used to be in the village as a child and now helps working with the kids there.
We found a very under funded orphanage called Seeds of Hope run by Sandra who after an illness is wheelchair bound but it didn’t stop her taking in new and vulnerable children. They have an extensive volunteering program but really need more sponsorship.
We managed to get all the way to our last SOS village in Maumere, Flores and so happy we did as they don’t get too many visitors it being so far away. What a beautiful island, so friendly, the kids were amazing and we had loads of fun after the workshop with them down at the beach, thanks to Ursula for all her help.
Our last stop was Peduli Anak on the island of Lombok. A tiny, independent orphanage with little funding, set in the middle of rice paddies. A lovely time and farewell to Indonesia.
We had the most incredible tour in Indonesia, all the islands were different in their own way but so friendly and welcoming.
It goes to show that when you transcend race, religion and gender and just get down to basic fun, kids will be kids and we all had an amazing time!