The Volcano

Another of the tours we got while in Manado, was to a dormant volcano. It was about a two hour drive, through crowded streets and very narrow roads, from our hotel. When we finally made it to where the cars could go no more, it was about a 20 minute walk up to the top of the volcano.

Here is our group starting out.

At the top, there was a survey marker.

The family on top of the world.... or maybe just a volcano. :)

An active volcano "across the valley" from where we were. It's the smoke coming up from the right side of the volcano on the left.

The city of Manado from up on top the volcano.

The inside...

The kids...

Long Drive, long day. But very worth it!

Robin

Bunaken Island

While in Manado, part of our package was to take the family snorkeling as many times as we wanted. Well, we ended up going out for one day. With all the scuba classes, that was as good as it was going to get.

Our guides took us to a place called Bunaken Island. We did some snorkeling, and then they took us into the island to have lunch.

Below is a view of the island from where we were snorkeling.

This is the restaurant where we ate. It was a family owned restaurant.

Lunch....... :)

Oh, excuse me, this was lunch! Ha Ha Ha!

They took us "out back" to pick out which fish we wanted. I think this was from the catch just that morning.

Everyone sitting down to eat.... well, except for Chris. He was taking the picture. ;)

You know, it is just lovely eating a fish with its eyeballs still there!

After lunch, we did some exploring. Here is how they dried their clothes.

Our hotel was straight across the ocean from where this picture was taken.

Of course, Chris knows no stranger, and started chatting it up with some of the locals while the rest of us checked out the souvenirs.

Mersades and Mike waiting patiently for the shopping to be done.

And finally..... Remember way back when we first moved here, I took a picture of the "Squat Pot" being taken out of the house and a western toilet being put in? Welllllll, I finally had a chance to use one!! Let me just tell you, Thank Goodness I had my swimsuit on!! Why people do this, I really don't get it!!! It's something I don't want to have to repeat!

Here is a picture of my very first "Pot"! :D

Bunaken Island..... Many first for me!

Robin

Under the Sea!

While the divers were learning how to dive, the rest of us went snorkeling. The reef was a 20 minute boat ride from where we were staying. It was very interesting and lots of fun. All I have are pictures from our friends camera, of life under the water!

Loved the Star Fish!

And we found Nemo! ... and his home! :)

Ok, I guess I really loved the Star Fish! Here's four and counting... See if you can find number 4!

Our friend just happened to spot a Sea Turtle! How cool is that!!! You can't see it that well, but it is still there!

Life under the sea is amazing! Just like it is on land! We are very fortunate to be able to experience and see this part of the world!

Under the Sea.... Under the Sea....!

Robin

SCUBA Diving, Manado, Indonesia

Back to our vacation in Manado....

The biggest reason we chose to go to Manado was to get Chris, Mersades, and Teddy SCUBA certified, and do it at a price that wouldn't kill the travel account. Many people who live in Tembagapura have gone to Manado to do just this, and all have recommended for us to get the certification done in Manado.

Gavin, who wasn't old enough to get his SCUBA certification, could pass the "Bubbles" course and do open water diving, one on one with a guide, up to two meters. Next year, when he turns 10 we plan to take him back to Manado and get him fully certified.

Here are all the divers, with Gabrielle using Chris' secondary regulator. This was in the pool at the hotel.

Dad and Gabby.

Teddy...

Mersades...

Well, I got a few pictures out of order.... These next two are of the group of divers getting all their equipment ready to do their pool diving. They needed so many hours of pool time to be certified.

Here is the group headed out to do their open water diving. They had to to four open water dives to get their certification.

Love this picture!!

Just sitting back waiting for the boat to get to the reef.

Mersades and our friend Lorraine, who also took the course.

Chris and Gavin... (Gavin it trying real hard to contain all that excitement!) This was also Gavin's one and only open water dive. When this was over, Gavin told Chris that this was the best day of his life!!! He also informed his dad that he no longer wanted to join the Army, and that he wanted to become a Navy SEAL!!!!

Since then, Chris and a friend of ours have pulled him back in to the Army, by showing him a show on Master Combat Diving in the Army! Goodness, that was a close one.... :)

Chris helping Mersades get her gear on.

Ted getting ready..... Goodness, he is sooooo cute!!! :)

Chris is ready to dive...

Here is Gavin with his instructor. I can't believe this is the only picture I uploaded of Gavin with his diving gear on.... Just fire me now! :)

I believe this was the groups second dive.

I didn't go out on the boat with them for their third and fourth dives, so I guess this is where the picture taking ends. But no worries!! I have many more pictures to post from our vacation in Manado. So stay tuned.... Next up will be the snorkeling pictures!

Have a wonderful day!

Robin

Vacation in Manado, Indonesia!

Finally!!

I am going to start posting pictures of our trip to Manado!! Things have been crazy busy (Like creating a Haunted House in two weeks!) since we have been back. But have no fear, I am here for my fans! :)

Because there are soooo many pictures, I am going to have to post them in categories, and not in chronological order. That would be way to hard..... I have four cameras worth of pictures on my computer! .....And the post would be way to long! Of course, I will not be able to post them all, but I will give it my best shot to post the best ones! :)

So to start off, I am going to post pictures of the families that went.

Family #1 - The Zimmer's of course!

Family #2 - Michael, Lorraine, D, and K

Family #3 - Steve and Donna - Steve and Donna actually stayed at another resort, but came and spent the last two days with us.

Now it just so happens, that Chris knew both sets of families before we moved to Indonesia. It was great to catch up with "Old Miner Friends"! Our kids also get along well, so it was very nice for the kids to have friends to run around with.

Well the next post should happen tomorrow, but I am not making any promises... :)

So until then... God's Blessings on your day!

Robin