A Ship Called Home


 Hundreds of small freighters idled in the water as we paddled away from Indonesia.

Overland trips are an opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in the culture of our host country rather than experience a snapshot from a day in port.  We traveled inland to New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia in the past three weeks and we were exhausted when we returned to our stateroom.  The heat of Indonesia took much of our energy to endure.  When we were returning to the port and our big boat came into view, I said to Ruth Ann, "It sounds weird to say this about a cruise ship but I'm glad to be home".  We rested for one day, arrived in Singapore this afternoon and fly to Thailand in the morning for another overland trek in ninety degree heat.


Udin was our guide in Indonesia.  All of our guides have taken excellent care of us and we feel like we have become friends with them by the end of tour together.  Our small groups have been good while allowing us to make connections with good people.  No one has been too annoying- not even me.

8. “Ideally, travel broadens our perspectives personally, culturally, and politically. Suddenly, the palette with which we paint the story of our lives has more colors.”

— Rick Steves

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