Dear Haru
I know I just saw you yesterday but I still think I should write letters starting now. You know I left for the airport a little past noon today. We left the airport in Tokyo and spent all afternoon on a plane. We landed in Denpasar at around 5 in the afternoon and were picked up by a driver who would take us to our hotel.
Here in Indonesia they are very kind people but some are a little different. When we arrived at the airport some guys just came and took all our luggage. My parents and I all believed they had been hired by the driver until we reached the car and they craved payment. No, they weren't hired by him. They were just earning money on carrying the luggage for tourists. I highly doubt we are the only ones who have fallen into this kind of trap.
We got a slight hint of worry when our driver could not find the ticket he needed to get us out of the airport. Fortunately he did manage to find it in time and we spend half an hour or so driving to Sanur where we will be staying the first couple of days.
Our driver dropped us off but at the wrong hotel. There were someone else who had booked a room for two here, and we are five. It took some time before it was discovered and then we were of course picked up and dropped off at the right hotel. They are on the same street, separated by about 500 – 600m or so. It is within walking distance, but the sidewalks are difficult to walk on, being covered by signs and sacrifices for Hindu gods and goddesses. There are also lots of uneven places along the way.
We got to the right hotel and got checked in. We then went out for dinner on a restaurant nearby. We tried out some of the traditional food. They eat a lot of rice here, but then again, so do we. The food culture doesn't appear to be much different from ours.
It is a bit warmer down here than back in Japan, despite it being winter. The air has a different sensation to it. It seems much thicker, like it is full of water. It is a bit uncomfortable for the time being, but I think I will adjust to it. It also smells a bit different down here. I cannot put my finger on how it is though.
At our stay there is at least one pool. Ren, Ran and I saw it on the way to our rooms, it is pretty small though. But I do think I heard my parents mention that there were three. There is also a bathtub in each room. We have two rooms, that means two bathtubs. It reminds me a bit of your bathroom, Haru.
Ren and Ran were arguing on who would share a room with me. They cannot really seem to agree on that. I ended up sharing with Ran though and Ren shares with our parents. Then I promised Ren I would share with him at the next hotel.
For now we will stay here in Sanur for three nights and three days. We leave here on Thursday and it is Monday today. I will send you a letter every day. Somewhat like a diary. I hope you do not mind that.
Oh, now Ran has fallen asleep with the light still on. I better rest up too. It has been a rough day today with all the traveling.
See you.
Makoto
HI EVERYONE!
So this is a new story I started writing while being on vacation. It isn't as much for entertainment as it is for learning. I have one important lesson to teach. Do not (and I repeat) do NOT ever travel with Nanase Haruka (or the rest of the Free cast for that matter) stuck in your brain because this is the result.
This story is inspired by and based on what my family did this summer. (from June 28th to July 26th) There are made a number of changes on minor details, but for most of the part, I have actually send the Tachibana family on the same trip as I went on with my own family.
Every day I will publish for a given day. This is something you will need to keep in mind later on when we get mails involved in the matter.
What this story will hold is for most part letters from Makoto to Haru and later on mails both to and from Makoto to other characters. Because of all the writing in the story, I have tried to make the language used sound like written language, though I may not have grasped exactly what written English requires.
Also, due to privacy of people other than my own family I have left out any other names but those from the Free! universe.
I hope you'll enjoy it.
Jackie