A big 'Hi' to all my followers. How time fly's by, another week gone already.

Today we are off to visit the water village. This was a fascinating place. Built out into the river on stilts, houses swaying, and some looking like they are about to slide into the water. Potted plants and shrubs tilting to the angle of the veranda, others nice and straight. Washing hanging up flapping in the breeze that comes off the water. It is needed for the heat hits you, and the stench from the rubbish that floats everywhere. Surprisingly enough the villagers are a very healthy, and don't have some of the health problems we modern people have. There is a big clean up a couple of times a year of all the rubbish. Everybody all mucks in. Walking along the planks of wood to get around, we see children shrieking with delight playing in the water under the houses. Small boats tied up, ready for going out to the oyster farms where cultured pearls are farmed (if that is what you call it). People moving everywhere and calling out to each other. Workmen building new places, electric power machines plugged into sockets lying around near the water.Sends a shiver up the spine! But what a place, has to be a must for any visit.

                                       

We were invited into one of the houses and the hospitality we were shown was so welcoming. The electric washing machine and modern shower and bathroom, all with a the waste just flowing into the river under the house. But parquet floors and modern furniture inside, was not what we expected. In one of the house we were able to buy pearl necklaces and some other homemade crafted jewellery. Exquisitely made and well worth the small cost they charged. I succumbed to a couple of necklaces. Well who could resit and it helped the family out.
We had been told pencils and exercise books and sweets were appreciated by the children, so it was a pleasure to give some to the children and chat away to them.

                                        I could put a lot more pictures on, we had a fantastic morning here, and felt so at home here as well.
Dogs and cats running around, even some bicycles wobbling along the walkways. I would have been splashing around in the water having fallen off before I started if I tried to cycle!!  We found walking along sometimes hard enough!      
Soon it was time to wave farewell and make our way cautiously back, children hanging on and calls of greetings coming from others.

A time to remember. Some who seem to have nothing, but are so content with life.

On our way back we stop off at one of the hotels to pop somewhere and have some refreshments. Here the hotel toucan decided to see what I had to offer. Don't think a tourist guide was what it had in mind. The bird was soon hopping off to get the dregs of drinks out of the left glasses. An alcoholic coming up I fear!  'Oh, alright then, turn your back on us'

The day out is coming to a close, what an experience we have had, and what a pleasure it was to meet 

the water village people.

Back at the hotel, time to sit out and enjoy one of the glorious sunsets that we had out here. More sunsets  to come later.

What a beautiful end to another lovely day.

Come back next week, and enjoy Borneo with me. We are going to fly up to visit the Orangutan Sanctuary. Hope we see some.

Picture of the week

'Just Relaxing'

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This week on the art side.

The face is gradually coming along. I think I am finding my way again with the colours and right blending. Shaping the cheekbones and around the nose, not one of the easier things to do, and as I am not a professional, sometimes areas are a challenge. The texture in the paper is causing a slight problem, seems to want to sparkle as they call it, and I have to be careful not to overload with pastel and end up with a mud look.

                                                
                                                     Some more work needed.

Catch up next week to see how I am managing!