from Gail and Don in Java (fwd)

[Noelle <http://dummy.us.eu.org/noelleg>]

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Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 5:44:32 -0500
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To: http://www.verizon.net/~wwheelan, http://www.aol.com/~joyceax, http://dummy.us.eu.org/noelleg,
    http://www.parkstreet.org/~ghugen, http://www.austin.rr.com/~texfidlon
Subject: from Gail and Don in Java

Just to let you know that we are safe and having a good time despite Mt.
Merapi's volcanic eruption. A few days ago we were supposed to fly from Bali
to Yogykarta, Java, but after leaving our hotel at 3:30 AM to catch about
a 6 AM flight, we all 23 of us sat in the airport for many hours before we were
finally told that all flights were canceled from several Java airports due to
the volcanic ash. We had go back to our Ubud, Bali hotel with our guides in
our vans to spend another night there. Then the next day we drove back to the
Bali airport and finally got a flight out to Semarang, Java and stayed
overnight there in a very modern high rise 4 star hotel. The next day we went
by chartered bus to Yogykarta through the area of bad ash. Many trees were
broken and leaves of all plants drooping down from the weight of the ash
because it rained making the ash heavy like cement. What a mess it is for the
people living near there! During one part of the trip we even had to wear
surgical masks to keep the ash dust from getting in our throats, etc. even
while on the bus. We arrived in Yogykarta safely and had a very nice welcome
dinner with The Friendship Force members of that club including singing
together after dinner. Today we toured around that area as will do so tomorrow
before we drive by bus to Semarang arriving there on the 10th to stay with our
home hosts. This all has been quite an unusual adventure!

We had a great time in Bali earlier including our relaxing and peaceful
time at the snorkeling resort in northwest Bali.

Please forward this message to other friends and family members for us so all
get our news and don't worry about us.

Love,
Gail and Don