Weekend in Timika

In order for us to get to Australia, we had to get down the mountain. Since our flight to Australia left early Monday morning, we had to get down the day before. And because you never know what the weather may be for the choppers to fly, we decided to chopper down on Saturday and spend the weekend with dad in Timika. Timika is as far as Chris can go before his six month "imprisonment" is up.
If it is a good weather day, no low clouds, the chopper gets up here around 6:45 am. So we have to be at the helipad by 5:30. Then they "check" your luggage, and weigh you....this is because only so much weight can be on the chopper. Now this in no where close to being like the States.... they weigh you right out in the open with everyone watching!!! They don't give a rip to your privacy and really could care less if you complain..... so since I am always wearing a backpack, I tell them I have rocks in it! :-) It is a 15 minute flight, so we are in the lowlands/Timika by seven in the morning.
Here are the kids waiting at the helipad... Not too crabby for this early in the morning!
Our choice of limos. (It's really not a choice...) Most people get on the blue one coming in. And that day, that is the chopper we took.

The walk... Our bird's awaiting...

The sun rising over the mountains.... Yes, those are the ones we live in.

Because we were down so early in the morning and our rooms were not ready, we put the swim suits on and headed for the pool. It's about 85 degrees all the time, so you can swim from sun up til sun down. You just have to be out of the pool before the mosquito's come out.

My boys... Good looking chaps!

Mersades jumping off the rocks.... isn't it amazing?? You can jump off the rocks, and not get in trouble here..... You crack your head, it's on you!

Also in the back ground... a picture of the hotel.

Hollywood, aka Gabrielle, came to town with us...

This is probably my favorite plant/flower here. I have no idea what it is, but I just like it.

On Sunday, we went into "town". This is a picture of one of the shops.

After some shopping, we headed back to the hotel and more swimming. It was probably the first time I ever went through a whole bottle of sunscreen! After swimming, we had an early dinner and then off to bed. The next morning was going to be an early one!

Next up, Australia!

Robin