So anyway, I know you guys probably hate me for not updating sooner but try to find some sympathy. I have been really busy these past few weeks, with Stella and Cleo arriving, starting school, doing our PADI Advanced Open Water Certification, and having friends visit us. We are in Lombok, an island that is right next to Bali. I started my online math class today and it was super fun!! We have been discussing our plans for the next few months and the past few days have been lots of slide shows on which way we are traveling next. Since I’m the only person in my family who is considerate enough to write this, hear me out.
We have about three options. The first is the one I’m not so passionate about, but I’ll let you have your own opinion about it without my bias. 1) We could stay in Southeast Asia for the next year and just do another circle around Sumatra and up the Malacca Strait (again). 2) We could cross the Indian Ocean starting in January, which is the ideal time according to most cruising guides, make our way to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Chagos, Seychelles, and then Madagascar, getting to our destination by August. 3) We could go up and go to Sri Lanka, up to the Red Sea, and arrive at the Mediterranean Sea in July. Out of all of these options, my favorite is number 2. I really want to cross my 2nd ocean, and I’d have already seen all of Southeast Asia by then, so why would I want to stay in the same place for the 2nd time round. We don’t have to decide right now, but certain countries, such as the Chagos, want paperwork early, so we have to know by November. The decision is really Stella and Cleo’s because Stella is going to have to choose between college or a gap year, and then she will have to choose her time wisely. Next year will be Cleo’s year to do all of her SAT tests, so we have to be near a place where we can fly out easily.
All in all, it’s been a really busy past month and I’m really sorry I haven’t been able to at least tell you about my birthday. It was super fun, as much as birthdays go: saw some whale sharks, played an epic game of capture the flag — my team won — and had a delicious cheesecake (courtesy of Stella). We all had a great time and I’m so thankful that I could be with my friends and family.