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Our Travel Adventures - Cruising Fulltime
Welcome to the Adventures of Larry and Connie Farquhar as we cruise fulltime around the world.
Dragons, More Monkeys, and a Fire Dance!
We continue to float/sail around the Indonesian islands slowly. Why do they call it "sail" when we use engines and not sails? I guess "engining" around the ocean would sound funny. What would you call it? Maybe cruising the Indonesian islands?
We recently picked up a bunch of new residents, and some that have already been onboard and are returning. Lately, I've been trying to be more sociable. That's normally Connie's job. Without her here, it's up to me to break the ice and try to meet new people. Everyone I've met has been nice and cordial. Some have led very interesting lives; I just have a hard time remembering all of their names.
The Internet has also been flaky lately. For a couple days, it was extremely slow. Since we're using Star Link satellite, and we're moving, and the ship is rocking, and we're out in the ocean, I guess it can't be 100% fast and reliable. Even with occasional outages and occasional slow service, I'm overall satisfied with the included Internet and Wi-Fi. We use an Amazon Firestick to stream television shows using Paramount+, YouTube, and Netflix. Villa Vie is constantly trying to improve the service provided. Update: Since I wrote the preceding sentences, the ship has identified a problem with 2 of the 8 Star Link dishes we use. It looks like they got this issue resolved, as the Internet is very fast again. Yea!
Travel Log for April 23rd to April 30th, 2026
Anchored at Komodo Island
My last travel log had us at sea for 3 days, heading to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Well, there was more issues out of the ship's control. Although the Odyssey was confirmed to anchor in the bay of Labuan Bajo many months ago, the port authority (or politicians) decided not to allow large ships into the bay anymore. They just didn't tell us (the captain) until a couple days before our scheduled arrival.
A tragic boat accident in Labuan Bajo happened in December 2025. This accident has intensified calls for urgent improvements in Indonesia's maritime safety standards. A tourist vessel carrying 11 people, including a Spanish family on holiday suffered engine failure in rough seas with waves about 7 to 9 feet high. The boat capsized in the rough seas. Two passengers — a mother and her seven-year-old daughter — were rescued, while the father and three children were trapped inside the vessel. A search and rescue operation was launched. 3 days later, a 12-year-old girl was found dead. She was one of the missing children from the boat. Three others were never found.
The accident is part of a series of fatal incidents in Indonesia's tourist waters in 2025, highlighting systemic issues in maritime oversight. Authorities announced plans for a comprehensive review of maritime safety protocols in the region. The Odyssey just wasn't informed of the changes that we were now denied entering the bay.
Komodo Island
Although our captain desperately tried to get them to allow us to anchor in the bay, as originally agreed on, we were denied. Instead, they allowed us to anchor off Komodo Island. This was 90-minutes away from the Labuan Bajo port. Many residents on the ship already had touring plans. Several others and I had booked a hotel in Labuan Bajo for the night, with an early morning tour. Since it was an early pickup for the tour, I knew our tender wouldn't be operating that early. The hotel insured I'd be there for the tour pickup in the morning. My tour was to take us to Komodo Island, then to 6 other stops for snorkeling.
Days before we were scheduled to arrive, there was a lot of confusion. While the captain was trying to get the port to allow us in the bay, nobody knew what was going to happen. To get a refund for my hotel and tour, I needed to cancel 24 hours in advance. I played it safe and canceled both. It was finally announced that we were only being allowed to anchor off Komodo Island. Now the problem was how to get to Labuan Bajo, where many others had made plans. The port offered to pick up residents from the Odyssey and shuttle them to town. It was a 90-minute boat ride. And they were only going to charge $80 per person, each way. That was $160 round trip! The Odyssey was also going to allow any pre-arranged tour boats to pick up residents directly from our ship, if they wanted to. I didn't know this when I cancelled my hotel and tour. I might not have cancelled my snorkeling tour, as it would have arrived at the Odyssey around 8:00am, instead of the original 6:30am departure from Labuan Bajo.
Of course, several people were very upset! But again, this wasn't the ship's or Villa Vie's fault. It was another political issue out of our control. Villa Vie stepped up and offered to pay 50% of the cost for the shuttle boat, for those still going into town. I considered it, but there was only one shuttle in the morning, returning in the evening. I had cancelled my tour plans and didn't know what I would do in town for 10-hours.
Komodo Island National Park
Komodo Dragon
Even though I missed the snorkeling stops, I didn't miss Komodo Island. We were anchored right offshore. The Odyssey had arranged a last-minute tour to see the Komodo Dragons for residents. We were tendered to shore for our tour at Komodo Island National Park. There were 4 tour guides assigned to tour groups of 20 people. They were there to help protect us from harm from the dragons and tell us about the Komodo Dragons. For me, it was another "once in a lifetime" experience. During our 45-miinute trek through the jungle, we saw around a dozen of these dragons. We got pretty close to them but were not allowed closer than 6'. While very rare, people have been killed or severely wounded by the Komodo Dragon. I'll just let the attached videos and photos tell the story of my visit. I will say - it was HOT and HUMID!
Although our scheduled stop at Labuan Bajo started off rocky, our visit to Komodo Island turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Since we were here for 3-days, I thought about going into the village of Lubuan Bajo. But I didn't have anything planned in town and decided to save the $80 and stay onboard.
Larry, the Dragon Slayer
A Komodo Dragon Nest
Trekking Through the Jungle
Home Ship Home
After leaving Komodo Island, we had a day at sea before arriving again at the Port of Benoa in Bali, Indonesia. We were here 2-weeks ago. I really liked Bali, as there's a ton of things to do and see. This is where Connie and I did a day tour to various places around Ubud, including going to the Monkey Forest. I knew I was going to do something here; I just couldn't decide what to do. I still need to keep an eye out on the travel budget.
At an Intersection in Bali
Luckily it was kind of decided for me on what to do here on our second visit to Bali. Another resident advertised they were getting a group of people together to go to Uluwatu Temple, watch a Kecak and Fire Dance, then go for a seafood dinner on the beach. They advertised the price as $60 per person. However, when I looked at Viator, the price was $85 per person. The organizer and I talked for a bit and learned that the price changed on how many people went on the tour. Her price was for 2 people; my price was for 1 person. I could get the price down to $40 a person if 6 people booked at the same time. I put the word out with residents on the ship and got 6 people who wanted to go. Done deal. I just saved the 6 of us $45 per person.
Just Monkeying Around Again
Our driver picked us up and we drove to the village of Uluwatu. We toured the Uluwatu Temple, which is also full of monkeys. Out of respect, you cover your knees in temples, so I had to wear a sarong. The monkeys here have a reputation of being thieves. Either they've been trained, or they've learned that they can steal hats, phones, glasses, etc. from tourists. They tourist can then pay a temple guide to bribe the monkey with food in hopes of getting their stolen property back. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I was prepared for this and didn't have a hat or sunglasses with me. I kept my phone in my pocket except to take a quick photo. I didn't have any problems with the monkeys, but I saw plenty of people that did. I watched one monkey jump up on a man, stole his glasses, then proceeded to break them apart. Another one stole a man's baseball hat and started ripping it apart. Their reputation was well deserved.
Uluwatu Temple
My Tour Group at Dinner
Uluwatu Temple Grounds
The Uluwatu temple is located on high cliffs over the Indian Ocean. Pretty scenic. After walking around, we grabbed our seats to watch a Kecak and Fire Dance. This was a traditional dance, with 70 men singing or chanting and dancing. It's based on being in a trance state. The dance lasted for 45 minutes and is based on an Indonesian folk story. You can read a short version of the story here. It was interesting, but maybe a little long; the chanting started to get old. After the dance, we drove to the beach and had a wonderful seafood dinner. Overall, it turned out to be a great afternoon and evening for only $40.
The next day, I grabbed a "grab car" to take me into town for a haircut. A "grab car" operates the same as Uber. They don't have Uber here and prices for a grab car are very reasonable. A 30-minute ride (because of traffic) was less than $4. Luckily, my driver spoke good English. He asked what I planned to do and did I need a ride back. I was going to visit the barber, walk to a couple more stores, then grab another grab car for the ride back. He offered to wait for me and take me around where I wanted to go for 200,000 IDR ($12 USD). Done deal!
I got a great, short haircut for 150,000 IDR ($9 USD). The barber was really friendly. We then went to a new supermarket, and I stocked up on snacks for 180,000 IDR ($11 USD). My last stop (and the real reason for the trip) was to a liquor store. I researched this store and made sure they carried Captain Morgan Rum. I picked up 4 bottles, but this wasn't a good deal. They were 300,000 IDR ($18 USD) for a 700ml bottle. Since we are allowed to have liquor and other supplies in our cabin, I keep the rum there and get free glasses of coke from the ship's bar. I return to my room and make my own rum and coke drinks if I'm going to stay in the cabin. If I'm out and about on the ship, I'll get a $4 rum and coke drink from the ship's bar.
Kecack and Fire Dance
Travel Log for May 1st to May 6th, 2026
Even though we were in Bali for 4 days, I didn't do anything else the last two day. I stayed on board and relaxed, played games, visited other residents, and enjoyed the hot tub. I did get off the ship again, just to walk to the shops at the port. I bought a nice, colorful shirt for $12. Time flew by, as the next thing I knew we're heading back out to sea again.
After only a day at sea, going very slowly, we arrived in the city of Surabaya, which is where I'm currently at. Everywhere we've been to in Indonesia have been small, rural villages. This is what I expected Surabaya to be. Boy, was I surprised! The ship's captain tried to get us to dock 4 hours earlier than planned, but they denied our early entry stating they were too busy. When we arrived, I could see why. We had to anchor offshore to wait for our designated arrival time and we were surrounded by over 80 cargo and tanker ships anchored everywhere! Surabaya is a major city with a large industrial port. Although lately we've been staying in ports for 3 or 4 days, we were only allowed to stay here for 24-hours.
While in port, a shuttle bus was provided to take us 30-minutes into the city to a mall. I decided to go to the mall and walk around. The mall we went to was huge! 10 floors high and very spread out. I got lost twice walking around. I even ended up outside the mall in a back alley that looked like what I imagined streets in Indonesia would be like. Full of scooters and little shanties/shops. I eventually found my way back to the mall, which was very clean and modern. I went looking for a place for lunch and had a hard time figuring out what to eat. There must have been over 75 restaurants to choose from! Most were of the various Asian foods, but America was well represented with KFC, Burger King, Subway, Dairy Queen, A&W., and a few others. I finally settled on trying an Indonesian meal called Nasi Warteg, which was chicken and rice. It was good.
As usual with many of our port stops, there were several small souvenir booths. There was one selling Luwak Coffee and had a live Luwak there. (Remember "crap coffee"?) I got to pet this little guy!
The HUGE Mall
Alley I ended up in
At the port
We'll be back at sea again tomorrow, cruising for 3 days before arriving at the port in Semerang. I don't know what to expect there. So far, the places we've been to in Indonesia have all been different. Bali was mostly a tourist area, with several temples. statues, and ornate buildings in the villages. Sumba island was very rural with open fields. Although I was driving around for 8 hours, I think we only saw 1 temple. Komodo Island was all nature. I didn't go into the local village there. And lastly, Surabaya was a city with plenty of cars, modern buildings, and traffic signals. I wonder what Semarang will be like. We'll find out in a few days.
Happy and Safe Travels!
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Comments 2
Guest - Judy Rinehimer
on Wednesday, 06 May 2026 01:23
Guest - Judy Rinehimer
on Wednesday, 06 May 2026 01:27
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