22 Comments
Jul 17Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Enjoyed the summary of the trip so far, though sounds like it's been a bit of a disappointing trip for this leg. Hope it's improved and there has been some good food to be had.

Really great photos. (Well, aside from ones highlighting the rubbish ... so sad. Poor planet.)

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Much has changed since I have been in Indonesia last in 2016. When you feel like you’re part of the problem by merely being there, it dampens the experience and, for me, in absence of anything else I can do to improve the situation, triggers a desire to leave and not return, which would constitute a minimal improvement in itself.

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Jul 18Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Understandable. Very sad, though, especially when you know that you yourself are of course not the problem. I’m sure it’s the same in a lot of places now, unfortunately.

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I’ve been talking with locals and they all tell the same story, sampah (trash) everywhere, even in the remotest corners of Bali.

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Jul 17·edited Jul 17Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Wow, what an excellent traveloque! My neck of the woods, Jakarta. I still go there at least twice a year for business and family and friends. I'll make sure to note the German cuisine recommendation.

As for Labuan Bajo, our company had a family outing just last year June 2023, and we (five families, about 20 people,) did hire a whole Phinisi boat and cruised round the islands, pretty much the same itinerary. The downside of that is at night the ship generator is really loud in some cabins...

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Friend of ours also did a boat trip and one couple from the group got the cabin next to the machine room, which was so loud and smelled so strong of diesel that they opted to sleep on deck instead. I guess the best option really is a modern yacht… 🛥️

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Ohhhh we had Genki Sushi in HK. I know those plates!! 😁

Hi junior 👋🏽

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Yeah, it was pretty good. But we have a winner, and it’s not Genki. To be revealed soon! 😀

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PS that’s absolutely crazy to do the Komodo dragon thing. Happy you survived! (I’m a scaredy cat)

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Yeah, dumb move. They can be very fast…

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Jul 18Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Thanks for taking time to share this story, Alexander. It gives one pause, I have to say!

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Yes, indeed. It gave me ample pause, too. Thanks for reading, Sharron.

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Jul 18·edited Jul 18Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Loved taking a short mental trip to Indonesia with this post. If I ever make it there, I'll make sure to avoid those restaurants you mentioned. 😅

Looking forward to you Bali post. I LOVE BALI! I actually saw a Komodo dragon there but it was in MOTION... running very fast. Fortunately, we were in a tuk tuk!

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Thank, Claudia. I think you may have seen a monitor lizard, as there are no Komodo dragons on Bali (https://baliwildlife.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia-category/animals/reptiles/monitor-lizards/).

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Jul 19Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

😅 didn't know that! But that looked like a beast! Big and fast.

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They are all fast, better stay away from them ;)

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Jul 19Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

I would never get close. They look scary!

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Jul 17Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Sounds like quite the trip, Alexander. Tourism and trash do seem to go hand in hand unfortunately. And where tourists congregate so do bad restaurants. Looks like you saw some spectacular sights though, so that’s something

Looking forward to hearing about the next part of your journey 👍🏼

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True indeed, and it’s to be expected, however I did not expect it to the extent I witnessed. Truly saddening. Then again Paris is full of rubbish and bad restaurants, too. Wherever we go…

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Jul 17Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

At least you took some fantastic photographs of truly spectacular sights! Do you miss home yet?

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Son misses his PS5, other than that, home is wherever I lay my hat ;)

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Jul 18Liked by Alexander Ipfelkofer

Hah! I would be missing my ps5 as well. Even at home lol.😂

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