Finding fish to bring home

Pelabuhan Ratu is a big fishing town.. as you can see from the fishing platforms below.

So, of, course, Zeric decided to get a big fabulous fish to take back to Jakarta.  We went to a roadside market, and got some help picking just the right one.  Thankfully, it didn't take too long.. as it was quite stinky.  They cleaned it, put it on ice in a cooler, and I think it went in Zeric's car home. 

 

We grilled him the next day.. he was very fresh and tasty.

New years at Nurda's

Thanks to some friends, we found Nurda's restaurant.. she makes the best Tom Yum soup and the biggest hamburgers!  We decided to spent new year's eve there.  They had a live band and Nurda took over some classic songs.. it was great fun!

 

 

Jaffa didn't quite make it to midnight.. in spite of Eben's best efforts with his horn.

Sunset

Out hotel was about a ten-minute walk up the hill from the beach, and views were spectacular.

Fantastic!! Indonesia is beautiful!

Blu was cold

Somehow, the beach was chilly at night.. and Blu tried everything to get warm.

He tried Mercy..

 

..the beach bag..

..and the duffle full of clothes.  Poor thing!

Kelapa

The perfect pick-me-up after several dozen go's at staying on the surfboard is a coconut!!

Kelapa in bahasa.

Surfin' in Pelabuhan Ratu

We took advantage of the holidays to get out of Jakarta,

and so off to Pelabuhan Ratu we went to learn to surf!

We spent a lot of time on the beach.. and could have used a bit more sunscreen.

But we had fun!!

We all managed to get up on the board, some more often and more graceful than others..

up and..

faceplant!!

stud!!

all of us had a good time :)

..not that there wasn't a little bit of rain..

Christmas boys

We got back to Jakarta just in time for Christmas (and Bethah's birthday).  Colin was there waiting for us.. after having survived a semester teaching in China.

 

We were jetlagged, but we were still able to rally for presents!

Blu was ready too..

 

And Colin came with weapons.. I mean presents.. for Eben.  Wow!

 

[Jaffa and Zeric and Mercy and I were there too.. we were just avoiding the camera.]