Speed Demon

So to follow in the tradition (it is a brand new one) of renting a motorbike on someone's birthday, today we simultaneously celebrated Jordan's 25th and went for a journey across the Danua Toba island of Samosir on a moped.

I could tell it was going to be a glorious day because of this little feline living outside the place we rented the moped from:

I do not think I have ever seen a kitty so small. Note: It was so small that it couldn't even meow! Just a tiny squeak!

Anyways, getting back on track (honestly I just wanted to share a picture of me and a kitty)... the destination today was a hot spring located approximately 40 kilometers away. Given the fact we expected to go around 15 kilometers per hour, it was going to take some time to reach it. I was very much looking forward to the hot springs as my only previous encounter was in Montana this summer at a resort that filled a pool with hot water (pumped in from a spring). It was rather disappointing so I was excited about a real, live Sumatran hot spring. I imagined it to be hidden away in nature, among jungle vines and swinging monkeys.

As we set off on the windy road, over wooden bridges (with boards spaced just a bit far apart), I once again fell in love with the wind in my hair and the speed of the moped. I never expected to enjoy it as much. Since the speedometer was broken (along with the mileage counter), I could only guess but I would imagine we traveled at about 45 km per hour. I think the broken speedometer actually gave me the extra courage to go a little faster.

Disclaimer: when I say fast, this is not synonymous with reckless. After all, how could one look reckless on a Barbie pink moped?

This is a shot of me and the bike having safely returned. Although the helmet is not in this picture, I did wear a massive one that made me look like a Power Ranger.

Along the way to our destination, we passed some fabulous houses, farms, and oxen. We sloped along a road along the edge of the river, and when we finally found the hot spring, we discovered it was in fact a "piddle" not even a puddle of hot water. The natural hot water was being pumped into... you guessed it... swimming pools. We dipped our toes, had a coca cola, and then headed back.

I guess I will continue on my quest to find the au naturale hot spring. Good thing we still have Java, fertile with all of its volcanoes.

And okay, yes, my description makes the destination sound not so pleasant but it is the journey in life and not the destination that matters? The journey was fabulous and I am glad Sumatra traffic was calm enough that we could be adventurous on a moped once again. Although driving on the left side of the road... I hope I don't forget and attempt to drive the mountaineer on the wrong side of the road once I get back...