I figured seeing that we are living in a Muslim country I should at least try and understand the religion and one of the most important Islamic celebrations a little better.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar and it is considered the holiest of the four holy months in Islam and begins with the sighting of the new moon. Ramadan begins at sundown tomorrow, September 1.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a month of blessing and it is marked by prayer, fasting and charity.
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the holy book of Islam (Qur'an). Around 610 A.D. a caravan trader named Muhammad was wandering the desert near Mecca (today's Saudi Arabia), thinking about his faith when one night, the voice of Angel Gabriel called to him, and told him that he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.
During Ramadan, a couple of chapters of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih and by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Fasting is one of the duties of Islam and they take part in sawm (fasting) from the age of twelve. They fast for the entire month, and may not eat or drink anything, including water, while the sun shines.
During daylight hours, most restaurants are closed. Families get up early to eat a meal (suhoor) before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal (iftar), that usually begins with dates and sweet drinks to provide them with a quick energy boost.
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, on Wednesday, October 1. Eid al-Fitr is one of the two very important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca) and literally means; “Festival of Breaking the Fast". People dress in their finest clothes, decorate their homes with lights and other decorations, give treats to children, and spend time with their family and friends. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
To quote our driver: "Happy Birthday, Indonesia".
Independence Day of Indonesia - 17 August'08
The Independence Day of Indonesia was officially proclaimed on 17th August, 1945. With this declaration the 5 year Indonesian National Revolution started, fighting against the Netherlands until they officially acknowledged Indonesia's independence, in 1949.
Indonesians take part in the Independence Day Celebrations with full enthusiasm. They begin the preparations for the Independence Day, weeks before the event. Skyscrapers, mainly the official buildings, shopping malls even residential properties are decorated with lights and large red and white bunting and people are requested to host the Indonesian flag. Happy, belated B-day Indonesia!
It's just not happening
I don't know where the days go, but August is almost gone. Since our great weekend at Ocean Queen Marc and I have been dying to do another trip but, like I always say "time flies when your having fun" and with all the fun we've been having socializing in August we ran out of weekends.
Monday, 18 August was a public holiday so we thought we'd take advantage of it and plan a trip away. The original plan was to go to Yogyakarta or Bali. We provisionally booked our flights but had to wait to hear if Marc needed to go on a business trip and whether he'd be back in time on the Friday. So, unfortunately when we did, it was to late and we couldn't find accommodation, being a busy Independence day, long weekend.
But being the travel bug that I am, I was determined to go away for the weekend and I made it my mission to plan a get away....somewhere, anywhere. But, after another week of research it looked like the weekend away was just not meant to be. I narrowed it down to either Bogor, Bandung or Krakatoa. Of course it turned out Bogor and Bandung was a no go too; All fully booked, and apparently traffic on a long weekend is always a nightmare (much like any other day in the city, I'm sure).
Still very determined (or is the word stubborn ass), and after seeing some fabulous photographs on the internet, of the beaches in Banten on the west coast of Java, with views of Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakatao), it sure looked like the perfect long weekend destination and it's only a 2 and a half hour drive from Jakarta "perfect".
So once our driver agreed to work, and I managed to find accommodation it finally looked like the weekend might not be jinxed after all. Or was it...
To our disappointment, Anyer turned out to be a small village with the ocean on the one side and big factories in what can only be described as a large industrial area, on the other. Driving down the very narrow coastal road it was very obvious that we (ok, I) may have picked the wroooong weekend to get away.
But, I stayed positive, even when we passed 100's of people participating in an Independence Day parade. Groups in uniform marching to Kiri, Kiri, Kiri, Kanan, Kiri (Left, left, left, right, left) and serious loud speakers blearing every kilometer.
When I spotted the first sign of one of the resorts I looked at on the internet, I started to feel even less positive. And when we finally reached our resort I was well, certain that the weekend was jinxed after all. We decided to keep driving along, stopping off at a couple of the resorts along the road, but out of the 15 we stopped at, the only 2 that were okay, were also fully booked. But even if they weren't I still don't think lying around a pool with 100's of locals in their Independence day dress and buffet tables with more loud speakers set up all over the show was not really what we had in mind for our weekend break.
Most of the resorts have bungalows right next to the road, with nothing to really get excited about, as far as facilities go and there wasn't much of a "beach" to talk about either. O and no volcano in sight either, because of the thick smog. It was very funny actually; driving along I kept staring, trying to spot the volcano saying; "O, I think I saw something, O no...it’s not" to which Marc replied laughing "You're not in the Kruger Park babe, it's a volcano...not a wild animal" LOL ;-)!
Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakato) is the main (only) attraction it seemed and we were advised not to take a boat trip to the volcano that day, because of bad weather that caused large waves. So, needless to say, we were home later the same day, enjoying the comforts/and 'quite" of our own home.
We are still planning a trip to Anak Krakatau, but next time we'll listen to the advice of the tour operators (ok, me again) and just do it as a day trip with a group. Or camp overnight on the volcano...that might be an adventure ;-)
Reading up on the devastating event of 1883, when Krakatoa erupted, I am reminded again that we life on the ring of fire! Hard to imagine.... Read more about it here.
The Independence Day of Indonesia was officially proclaimed on 17th August, 1945. With this declaration the 5 year Indonesian National Revolution started, fighting against the Netherlands until they officially acknowledged Indonesia's independence, in 1949.
Indonesians take part in the Independence Day Celebrations with full enthusiasm. They begin the preparations for the Independence Day, weeks before the event. Skyscrapers, mainly the official buildings, shopping malls even residential properties are decorated with lights and large red and white bunting and people are requested to host the Indonesian flag. Happy, belated B-day Indonesia!
It's just not happening
I don't know where the days go, but August is almost gone. Since our great weekend at Ocean Queen Marc and I have been dying to do another trip but, like I always say "time flies when your having fun" and with all the fun we've been having socializing in August we ran out of weekends.
Monday, 18 August was a public holiday so we thought we'd take advantage of it and plan a trip away. The original plan was to go to Yogyakarta or Bali. We provisionally booked our flights but had to wait to hear if Marc needed to go on a business trip and whether he'd be back in time on the Friday. So, unfortunately when we did, it was to late and we couldn't find accommodation, being a busy Independence day, long weekend.
But being the travel bug that I am, I was determined to go away for the weekend and I made it my mission to plan a get away....somewhere, anywhere. But, after another week of research it looked like the weekend away was just not meant to be. I narrowed it down to either Bogor, Bandung or Krakatoa. Of course it turned out Bogor and Bandung was a no go too; All fully booked, and apparently traffic on a long weekend is always a nightmare (much like any other day in the city, I'm sure).
Still very determined (or is the word stubborn ass), and after seeing some fabulous photographs on the internet, of the beaches in Banten on the west coast of Java, with views of Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakatao), it sure looked like the perfect long weekend destination and it's only a 2 and a half hour drive from Jakarta "perfect".
So once our driver agreed to work, and I managed to find accommodation it finally looked like the weekend might not be jinxed after all. Or was it...
To our disappointment, Anyer turned out to be a small village with the ocean on the one side and big factories in what can only be described as a large industrial area, on the other. Driving down the very narrow coastal road it was very obvious that we (ok, I) may have picked the wroooong weekend to get away.
But, I stayed positive, even when we passed 100's of people participating in an Independence Day parade. Groups in uniform marching to Kiri, Kiri, Kiri, Kanan, Kiri (Left, left, left, right, left) and serious loud speakers blearing every kilometer.
When I spotted the first sign of one of the resorts I looked at on the internet, I started to feel even less positive. And when we finally reached our resort I was well, certain that the weekend was jinxed after all. We decided to keep driving along, stopping off at a couple of the resorts along the road, but out of the 15 we stopped at, the only 2 that were okay, were also fully booked. But even if they weren't I still don't think lying around a pool with 100's of locals in their Independence day dress and buffet tables with more loud speakers set up all over the show was not really what we had in mind for our weekend break.
Most of the resorts have bungalows right next to the road, with nothing to really get excited about, as far as facilities go and there wasn't much of a "beach" to talk about either. O and no volcano in sight either, because of the thick smog. It was very funny actually; driving along I kept staring, trying to spot the volcano saying; "O, I think I saw something, O no...it’s not" to which Marc replied laughing "You're not in the Kruger Park babe, it's a volcano...not a wild animal" LOL ;-)!
Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakato) is the main (only) attraction it seemed and we were advised not to take a boat trip to the volcano that day, because of bad weather that caused large waves. So, needless to say, we were home later the same day, enjoying the comforts/and 'quite" of our own home.
We are still planning a trip to Anak Krakatau, but next time we'll listen to the advice of the tour operators (ok, me again) and just do it as a day trip with a group. Or camp overnight on the volcano...that might be an adventure ;-)
Reading up on the devastating event of 1883, when Krakatoa erupted, I am reminded again that we life on the ring of fire! Hard to imagine.... Read more about it here.
Monday, August 04, 2008
The HIT
Saturday the 26 of July, started off like any other Saturday. We enjoyed a cup of coffee, a quick breakfast while planning our day. We were looking forward to a nice Saturday, purchasing a BBQ, paying the outstanding balance on our sofa and spending a lazy afternoon around the pool.
We couldn't find a BBQ we liked from the 1st shop we went to and decided to meet friends for lunch a Chito's (Chilandak Square), while we were in the area, before heading back to Kemang to pay for the sofa and hopefully pick up a BBQ from the Hiro.
After a great lunch at Mother's Cook we decided to go to Double Decker for a cup of coffee and this is where our perfect Saturday morning was ruined when my handbag was stolen.
I actually still can't believe this. I praise myself as being very careful and alert (sometimes a bit paranoid), especially when it comes to my handbag. I guess this is something you pick up on, living in Johannesburg. You let your guard down and, wham.....
So sadly, this HIT cost us my favorite handbag from Singapore, Approx. $450 (the balance we were planning on paying for our Sofa that day), Ouch!!!!!, mobile phone, SA drivers license, ID book, make-up, sun glasses and some other personal items!
How? We were the only four people in the restaurant; Marc and I were sitting with our backs inside the restaurant, with Armid and Ryan facing us. My handbag was on the floor between our chairs. Not sure when they stole it, or how because they would have had to crawl on the floor or lean over the chair behind me to get to it. We suspect it was an inside job; Coffee was spilt, I had to move my bag from between my feet to next to me...anyway, it probably involved a broom or mop but like Marc says; it was the most expensive magic trick he's ever seen!
We've learnt that this is apparently a problem at Malls around Jakarta and that there is some sort of “handbag thieve” syndicate, so ladies watch your bags and trust no one!
Needless to say our perfect Saturday turned into the worst day of angry tears, phone calls to Banks to cancel cards, mobile company to block the SIM etc.
Armid decided it would be a good idea to invite us over for an evening of pizza and Wii to get our minds off the handbag incident. "Thanks, Armid".
We had a lovely evening playing Wii. I sucked at the athletics but boy was I on fire with the archery. Shooting that bow and arrow definitely did get my mind of the stolen handbag incident even though I have to admit; the reason I was so good at it boys was because I imagined shooting the thieves running away with my handbag ;-0!
I think Marc was also imagining knocking the thieves out, with the boxing game.
On Sunday we decided to do what we were planning on doing on Saturday, paid for the sofa (withdrew cash and went straight to the shop), bought the BBQ, purchased a new mobile and we really enjoyed our steaks but as you can image the topic of conversation the whole day and at least the next two days were about the; if only's, why didnt's, I can't believe's of what we call the HIT.
My mind was clearly elsewhere that weekend, and so was Marc's for not noticing; because to my embarrassment when I took my earrings out later I realized that I had two different colour and style earrings in. LOL ;-0 Now I know why the shop assistants, tellers and even a couple of other woman, standing/walking close enough past me, seem to look at me funny.
We couldn't find a BBQ we liked from the 1st shop we went to and decided to meet friends for lunch a Chito's (Chilandak Square), while we were in the area, before heading back to Kemang to pay for the sofa and hopefully pick up a BBQ from the Hiro.
After a great lunch at Mother's Cook we decided to go to Double Decker for a cup of coffee and this is where our perfect Saturday morning was ruined when my handbag was stolen.
I actually still can't believe this. I praise myself as being very careful and alert (sometimes a bit paranoid), especially when it comes to my handbag. I guess this is something you pick up on, living in Johannesburg. You let your guard down and, wham.....
So sadly, this HIT cost us my favorite handbag from Singapore, Approx. $450 (the balance we were planning on paying for our Sofa that day), Ouch!!!!!, mobile phone, SA drivers license, ID book, make-up, sun glasses and some other personal items!
How? We were the only four people in the restaurant; Marc and I were sitting with our backs inside the restaurant, with Armid and Ryan facing us. My handbag was on the floor between our chairs. Not sure when they stole it, or how because they would have had to crawl on the floor or lean over the chair behind me to get to it. We suspect it was an inside job; Coffee was spilt, I had to move my bag from between my feet to next to me...anyway, it probably involved a broom or mop but like Marc says; it was the most expensive magic trick he's ever seen!
We've learnt that this is apparently a problem at Malls around Jakarta and that there is some sort of “handbag thieve” syndicate, so ladies watch your bags and trust no one!
Needless to say our perfect Saturday turned into the worst day of angry tears, phone calls to Banks to cancel cards, mobile company to block the SIM etc.
Armid decided it would be a good idea to invite us over for an evening of pizza and Wii to get our minds off the handbag incident. "Thanks, Armid".
We had a lovely evening playing Wii. I sucked at the athletics but boy was I on fire with the archery. Shooting that bow and arrow definitely did get my mind of the stolen handbag incident even though I have to admit; the reason I was so good at it boys was because I imagined shooting the thieves running away with my handbag ;-0!
I think Marc was also imagining knocking the thieves out, with the boxing game.
On Sunday we decided to do what we were planning on doing on Saturday, paid for the sofa (withdrew cash and went straight to the shop), bought the BBQ, purchased a new mobile and we really enjoyed our steaks but as you can image the topic of conversation the whole day and at least the next two days were about the; if only's, why didnt's, I can't believe's of what we call the HIT.
My mind was clearly elsewhere that weekend, and so was Marc's for not noticing; because to my embarrassment when I took my earrings out later I realized that I had two different colour and style earrings in. LOL ;-0 Now I know why the shop assistants, tellers and even a couple of other woman, standing/walking close enough past me, seem to look at me funny.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Weekend Break - Ocean Queen Resort, Pelabuhan Ratu
It has been nearly three months since our arrival in Jakarta. Marc has been working long but satisfying hours and is really enjoying his job. He attended two days of Sea Survival and Huet training in Cilegon and has also done a business trip to Balikpapan. While I've been looking at different options to keep myself busy. Though I love being a "lady of leisure" (who wouldn't) I could only have so many cups of coffee/lunch meetings, before I start feeling useless.
I am looking at my options to either complete an intensive one month CELTA course, to become an English teacher or doing a course in Image Consulting. I also have to decide whether I should continue my German lessons with a private tutor or if I should enroll for a course at a German institute as well as looking to enroll for art classes. Decisions, decisions.
We have finally joined the gym and Marc has luckily also found a good martial arts studio, in the attempt to get our A's into G. So all and all we are very happy that the "settling in" period is finally coming to an to get back into a routine.
We've been very excited about venturing out on weekends, to explore what the fantastic Javanese island has to offer but instead we've spent the past 7 weekends in Jakarta either making decisions on furniture, waiting for deliveries... shopping, shopping, shopping.
There is so much to see, incl. Krakatoa, Bogor, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Bali and Lombok, to name a few of the short break destinations around Jakarta, that we can't wait to visit.
The Ocean Queen Resort on the South coast of West Java in Sukabumiy was our first last minute "Let's get out of the city" break and it was fabulous. The Ocean Queen Resort in Pelabuhan Ratu, an isolated fishing village, about a four hour drive from Jakarta and was a perfect R&R destination.
Traveling 4 hours would appear to be far to go for only a weekend but, when you have a driver, you really sit back, and before you know it you've reached your destination.
We booked an ocean view bungalow, and enjoyed a very relaxing weekend, doing nothing!
We spent two days, listening to the waves breaking, taking walks on the beautiful black beach, swimming, listening to music and reading under our private gazebo right on the beach. And the most relaxing part of the weekend for me; enjoying amazing 1 hour full body massages. We enjoyed a seafood BBQ with friends on the Saturday night, and after lunch on Sunday we headed back to the bustling capital, rested and ready for life in Jakarta.
The view from our bungalow.
Bungalows lined up along the edge of the beach.
A great swimming pool, next to a restaurant and bar.
Very basic but clean and comfortable bedroom.
Living and dining room area, opening up onto a big veranda overlooking the ocean.
Our private gazebo where we spend most of our time, chilling.
We enjoyed walking along the beach past the local ship yard, watching fisherman at work.
Marc has a good eye for photography - Another one of his good shot's.
It was funny to see people scatter out of the way when these large water buffalo came running onto the beach, out of nowhere.
Heavenly massage...now that's the life!
Not a care in the world, watching the waves rolling in.
A private seafood BBQ dinner.
Yummy tuna steaks, red snapper, prawns, crayfish.
The beach sand is coarse and black and is a reminder that Java is formed by 210 volcano's. We are living on the ring of fire!
We are looking forward to many more of these "feet up" weekend getaways!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Life in Jakarta, continues...
Marc and I keep having to remind ourselves that we are now living in Jakarta. It all happened so quickly, and it's hard to believe that two months ago we were still in Bangalore selling the last of our things, imagining what it will be like starting over again...making Jakarta home just like we did in India only a year and a half earlier.
I've had fun the past two month setting up our new home (for the 2nd and last time). Don't get me wrong, who wouldn't love to shop for new stuff to furnish an entire house. But, the next time (when ever that is) we move (where ever) we will definitely choose to ship.
We moved into our house on the 6th of June already but have been living with the bare essentials while I spend my days shopping for all the goodies to make the house a "home". After a week of sitting on the floor in the empty study, with the laptop on a washing basket we finally got a wireless router and I am all to happy to be able to sit on a chair at our (borrowed, until ours are ready) dining table. The store that we purchased our furniture from let us use a bed, bench (can't wait for the sofa to be delivered), coffee table and dining table until ours is ready. Some of the furniture was delivered on Monday and hopefully we will get the rest of the stuff in about a week's time.
I guess we could have stayed in the furnished apartment until then but we figured it would just be a lot easier being in the house and shopping for things we need, as supposed to moving in when the furniture is delivered and then having to shop, unpack etc. which would have prolonged the "settling in period" by probably another 3 weeks.
Even though watching TV isn't the most comfortable we really love the house and already feel so settled and at home. But, not without Siti though. When we stayed in the apartment they sent a maid over to clean twice a week and after 3 weeks in Mutiara, I got rather attached to Siti and was very happy when she told me that she would like to work for us when we move into our house. It is such a treat to have clean and perfectly ironed clothes every day, I especially like the way she folds our underwear into little parcels, all tucked in. The toilet paper even gets folded into a point like the do in hotels. And of course the biggest treat of all is that she cooks too ;-)
I still prefer to cook myself but it's great to know that she can do the preparation work and even the occasional nasi, bakwan and dumplings, (our favorites)! She is by no means a chef though and the mashed potatoes with mince meat, green beans and peas attest to that.
LOL! I was very surprised when I got home to find a bowl of what I can only describe as baby food, decorated beautifully with tomato wedges, celery sticks and even a tomato peel rose. It actually didn't taste bad at all so after a little intervention I served a make shift cottage pie for dinner.
Unfortunately I can't say the same about the coconut milk - rice with broccoli and pea's I found in the fridge yesterday, which I just couldn't stomach. What do you do with that?
My bad though....I just had to explain to her that she only has to cook when I ask her to, and not to attempt any surprise continental dishes. Well, her version of continental dishes anyway.
Some pics:
Home sweet home
Marc, our day jaga and driver.
We are still amazed by the big, clean streets in the city and the organised traffic.
Jakarta traffic is a mare, but to be honest I'll take the organized, no hooting traffic over the crazy India traffic any day.
Even the bajas (auto's) have lane discipline.
We took a drive out to Anchol Marina to find out about trips to the Thousand Islands, which we are looking forward to doing in the near future.
Someone recommended the Bandar Djakarta restaurant and fish market for lunch.
These crabs actually still move. Well, trying to move. Poor things!
We enjoyed our fist local restaurant experience.
We even have our own pool! A necessity in this heat!!
I've had fun the past two month setting up our new home (for the 2nd and last time). Don't get me wrong, who wouldn't love to shop for new stuff to furnish an entire house. But, the next time (when ever that is) we move (where ever) we will definitely choose to ship.
We moved into our house on the 6th of June already but have been living with the bare essentials while I spend my days shopping for all the goodies to make the house a "home". After a week of sitting on the floor in the empty study, with the laptop on a washing basket we finally got a wireless router and I am all to happy to be able to sit on a chair at our (borrowed, until ours are ready) dining table. The store that we purchased our furniture from let us use a bed, bench (can't wait for the sofa to be delivered), coffee table and dining table until ours is ready. Some of the furniture was delivered on Monday and hopefully we will get the rest of the stuff in about a week's time.
I guess we could have stayed in the furnished apartment until then but we figured it would just be a lot easier being in the house and shopping for things we need, as supposed to moving in when the furniture is delivered and then having to shop, unpack etc. which would have prolonged the "settling in period" by probably another 3 weeks.
Even though watching TV isn't the most comfortable we really love the house and already feel so settled and at home. But, not without Siti though. When we stayed in the apartment they sent a maid over to clean twice a week and after 3 weeks in Mutiara, I got rather attached to Siti and was very happy when she told me that she would like to work for us when we move into our house. It is such a treat to have clean and perfectly ironed clothes every day, I especially like the way she folds our underwear into little parcels, all tucked in. The toilet paper even gets folded into a point like the do in hotels. And of course the biggest treat of all is that she cooks too ;-)
I still prefer to cook myself but it's great to know that she can do the preparation work and even the occasional nasi, bakwan and dumplings, (our favorites)! She is by no means a chef though and the mashed potatoes with mince meat, green beans and peas attest to that.
LOL! I was very surprised when I got home to find a bowl of what I can only describe as baby food, decorated beautifully with tomato wedges, celery sticks and even a tomato peel rose. It actually didn't taste bad at all so after a little intervention I served a make shift cottage pie for dinner.
Unfortunately I can't say the same about the coconut milk - rice with broccoli and pea's I found in the fridge yesterday, which I just couldn't stomach. What do you do with that?
My bad though....I just had to explain to her that she only has to cook when I ask her to, and not to attempt any surprise continental dishes. Well, her version of continental dishes anyway.
Some pics:
Home sweet home
Marc, our day jaga and driver.
We are still amazed by the big, clean streets in the city and the organised traffic.
Jakarta traffic is a mare, but to be honest I'll take the organized, no hooting traffic over the crazy India traffic any day.
Even the bajas (auto's) have lane discipline.
We took a drive out to Anchol Marina to find out about trips to the Thousand Islands, which we are looking forward to doing in the near future.
Someone recommended the Bandar Djakarta restaurant and fish market for lunch.
These crabs actually still move. Well, trying to move. Poor things!
We enjoyed our fist local restaurant experience.
We even have our own pool! A necessity in this heat!!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Life in Jakarta
It's been 1 month and we love it here....
We decided that we didn't want to stay in the hotel until we move into our house, which should hopefully be in a week’s time. Luckily there was a furbished apartment available, which we moved into on Saturday, 17 May.
I've been shopping up a storm. Who wouldn't love to do that ;), especially in Indonesia. The furniture here is really amazing. All good things come to an end though and now that the orders have been placed for furniture, bedding, kitchenware etc. I have more time on my hands to start thinking about how I'm going to be spending the rest of my time in Jakarta in the months (years) to come. I would imagine that we will still be "settling in" until the end of June but after that it will be back to normal.
The only thing that I definitely wanted to do, was to continue my intermediate German lessons, which I should start in July. Not really sure about anything else at the moment!
I couldn't decide if I wanted to get involved with one of the women's organization like I did for the OWC in Bangalore. There are a lot of different organizations in Jakarta (no South African one, even though there are a lot of South African's here). They of course all welcome other nationalities. ANZA was recommended to me and after I attended a coffee morning on Friday last week and I decided to join ANZA (Australia and New Zealand Association), which I did yesterday.
I met a couple of committee members that were pleased to hear about my OWC experience. All charity organizations rely sole on volunteers and of course another person able to contribute time, skills is always welcomed. I've decided to get involved again after all....only this time I will just be a volunteer and not on the committee. I've agreed to be part of the Charity Ball volunteer team, to help plan the annual ANZA Ball which will take place in September.
In the mean time I have also started a review blog atReview which is just something I've decided could keep me busy and who knows, perhaps lead to something in the consumer journalism/PR field, which is something that I'm looking into and may decide to study. Let's see....
Check it out! atReview
NOTE: This is a blog for the ladies!
I've been shopping up a storm. Who wouldn't love to do that ;), especially in Indonesia. The furniture here is really amazing. All good things come to an end though and now that the orders have been placed for furniture, bedding, kitchenware etc. I have more time on my hands to start thinking about how I'm going to be spending the rest of my time in Jakarta in the months (years) to come. I would imagine that we will still be "settling in" until the end of June but after that it will be back to normal.
The only thing that I definitely wanted to do, was to continue my intermediate German lessons, which I should start in July. Not really sure about anything else at the moment!
I couldn't decide if I wanted to get involved with one of the women's organization like I did for the OWC in Bangalore. There are a lot of different organizations in Jakarta (no South African one, even though there are a lot of South African's here). They of course all welcome other nationalities. ANZA was recommended to me and after I attended a coffee morning on Friday last week and I decided to join ANZA (Australia and New Zealand Association), which I did yesterday.
I met a couple of committee members that were pleased to hear about my OWC experience. All charity organizations rely sole on volunteers and of course another person able to contribute time, skills is always welcomed. I've decided to get involved again after all....only this time I will just be a volunteer and not on the committee. I've agreed to be part of the Charity Ball volunteer team, to help plan the annual ANZA Ball which will take place in September.
In the mean time I have also started a review blog atReview which is just something I've decided could keep me busy and who knows, perhaps lead to something in the consumer journalism/PR field, which is something that I'm looking into and may decide to study. Let's see....
Check it out! atReview
NOTE: This is a blog for the ladies!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Back where we started
We left Bangalore two weeks ago with 3 big suitcases and a couple of smaller bags. 10 minutes from the airport it started raining (it came down in buckets). We haven't seen rain like that the entire time we lived in Bangalore. Marc and I had to smile and joked that India was crying because we were leaving ;-)! Well, it wasn't so funny when we were sitting in the car, waiting for the rain to clear a little, while watching the water rise (like a river around the car). 
After we finally managed to get our bags out the car and having fished one out of the water we checked in, and again were reminded about "Incredible India" when we couldn't go through customs as they were trying to dry up the dam in front of the counters. And very appropriately, for one last time we said "TII - This is India" and waved it goodbye!
We arrived in Jakarta late Wednesday night, 30 April. So far so good! Even though we are still in a hotel room we can imagine the next 2 years flying by, just like the past two weeks have.
After we finally managed to get our bags out the car and having fished one out of the water we checked in, and again were reminded about "Incredible India" when we couldn't go through customs as they were trying to dry up the dam in front of the counters. And very appropriately, for one last time we said "TII - This is India" and waved it goodbye!
We arrived in Jakarta late Wednesday night, 30 April. So far so good! Even though we are still in a hotel room we can imagine the next 2 years flying by, just like the past two weeks have.
Dinner at Emily and Shaun's house (SA), Wayne and Charlene (SA), will sadly be leaving Jakarta shortly, when they start their new life in Australia. Will miss you Charl's! Thanks for your kindness and showing me the ropes the past two weeks (and introducing us to your friends ;-)
Marc and I - already very happy here!
Jakarta is quite a change from India. The first week I felt a bit like a fish out of water. It is such a big city (makes Bangalore look like a Town in comparison). It's not like in Bangalore where you can walk from shop to shop down the street (ok, that was a challenge but we did it anyway). Jakarta is just too big and the streets, shops are plenty, but far between and don't forget the heat. I don't think I'll be walking anywhere, besides walking around in a mall. The shopping here is fabulous. You can find anything you can possible need, food and otherwise. Marc and I thought we were in food heaven when we went into one of the big supermarkets. The restaurants are amazing too. We are really spoiled for choice.
The suburb's do remind me a little of India with small streets, vendors selling stuff, small stalls on the side of the road but not so dirty, no men urinating on every corner, the traffic (even though crazy) is not so chaotic and the best part, not so much honking (bliss to the ears). There is lane discipline which makes it a little less stressful.
There are so many of these guys with performing monkey's. They wear masks, ride around on little push bikes. They sure are cute, clever little things but this makes me sad (angry actually) I do think they would prefer swinging around in trees.
As for the city center, it is fantastic. Not that you'll quickly pop down to the city because it can take up to 3 hours there and back (and it's only a couple of Km). It is a bit like Bangkok. Big buildings, shopping centers everywhere.
Marc's office is luckily in the South, where we will also be living which means he won't have a 2 + hour commute. In stead it should take him no more than 20min to get to work in traffic. Kemang, where we will live is a great area and has everything from great restaurants, supermarkets etc. no need to really venture to the city unless you absolutely have to!
I love the mall culture here. You get dropped off in front and when you are ready to leave you go to the car call desk and they call your driver over the PA system and 5 min later your driver pulls up to the doors (like valet parking) and off you go again. There is a very strong security presence in Jakarta. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing though ;-0! Offices, Hotels, Shopping Malls, Town House complexes have security gates. The guards check the boot of the car, open doors and inspects the bottom of the car with a big mirror.
All and all I think we will be very happy here. We'll probably only move into our house at the beginning of June. We will be in the Hotel Kristal, until then. In the mean time I spend my time, shopping around for furniture and other household items which is a lot of fun. As I said, you are really spoiled for choice here. I'm hoping to place an order for furniture next week and hopefully we'll have it delivered when we move into our house. Let's hope it all works out!
One of our biggest challenges so far (the only one actually) is the language barrier. We feel a little lost in translation as not too many people speak English. Luckily Bahasa Indonesian seems to be an easy language to pick up and we are already able to tell our driver to go Left, Right, Straight, stop, ask how long it will take and a couple of other phrases, with the help of a phrase book though. And if all els fails, say it in Afrikaans (Well Dutch) and chances are they'll know what you're trying to say. I knew that there were a lot of Dutch words but didn't actually realise how many. Now that I'm aware of it, I see Dutch words everywhere.
A list of some of the words that are similar:
Administrasi - administration (Dutch administratie)
Arde - ground (Dutch = aarde = earth)
Arbei - strawberry (Dutch =aardbei)
Ban - tire (Dutch = band)
baskom, Waskom - washbasin (Dutch = waskom)
bengkel - workplace (Dutch = winkel: store, originally angle)
Besuk - visiting (Dutch = bezoeken)
Bioskop - cinema (Dutch = bioscoop)
Buncis - green beans (Dutch = boontjes)
Bruder - Roman Catholic friar (Dutch broeder = brother)
Buku - book (Dutch = boek)
Dak - roof (Dutch = dak)
Dasi - necktie (Dutch = das(je))
Ember - bucket (Dutch = emmer)
Engsel - hinges (Dutch = hengsel)
Handuk - towel (Dutch = handdoek)
Hanger - hanger
Kabel - cable (Dutch = Kabel)
Kakus - toilet (Dutch verb kakken/noun kakhuis)
Kamar - room (Dutch = kamer)
Kantor - office (Dutch = kantoor)
Karcis - ticket (Dutch = kaartjes: plural for diminutive of kaart, card or ticket)
Kartu - card (Dutch=kaart)
Kelar - ready, finished (Dutch = klaar)
knalpot (or kenalpot) - exhaust (on a car)
kosen - window frame (Dutch = kozijn)
kulkas - refrigator {Dutch = koelkast)
laci - deskdrawer (Dutch = laatje: diminutive form of la(de))
lampu - lamp
oom / om - uncle (Dutch = oom)
migrasi - migration (Dutch = migratie)
mur/baut - nut/bolt (Dutch = moer/bout)
pabrik - factory (Dutch = fabriek)
pensil - pencil (Dutch penseel (brush)
plafon - ceiling (Dutch = plafond, from French)
potlot - pencil (Dutch = potlood)
rekening - account (Dutch = rekening)
resleting - zipper (Dutch = ritssluiting)
ribewis - driving licence (Dutch = rijbewijs)
sekrup - screw (Dutch = schroef)
sepeda - bicycle (most probably from French velocipede)
sirkulasi - circulation (Dutch circulatie)
slang - water hose
tante - aunt (Dutch = tante, from French)
tas - bag
tegel - floor tile
telat - (too) late (Dutch = te laat)
wastafel - sink
wortel - carrot
zuster, suster - nun, nurse, sister
mantel - coat
I haven't really been taking photos, but I guess it's because this isn't really new to us. It is pretty much like we remembered it from when we were here in 2006 (see old blog posts from May and June'06).
A sign on the toilet seat that I couldn't resist taking a photo of! LOL!
We can't wait to settle so that we can plan our fist trip away. Hopefully at the end of June, or who knows, maybe we'll do a weekend trip sooner when we feel like we have to get out of the city and our small hotel room.
Watch this space for an update on life in Jakarta and hopefully soon amazing travels around Indonesia and South East Asia!
The suburb's do remind me a little of India with small streets, vendors selling stuff, small stalls on the side of the road but not so dirty, no men urinating on every corner, the traffic (even though crazy) is not so chaotic and the best part, not so much honking (bliss to the ears). There is lane discipline which makes it a little less stressful.
There are so many of these guys with performing monkey's. They wear masks, ride around on little push bikes. They sure are cute, clever little things but this makes me sad (angry actually) I do think they would prefer swinging around in trees.
As for the city center, it is fantastic. Not that you'll quickly pop down to the city because it can take up to 3 hours there and back (and it's only a couple of Km). It is a bit like Bangkok. Big buildings, shopping centers everywhere.
Marc's office is luckily in the South, where we will also be living which means he won't have a 2 + hour commute. In stead it should take him no more than 20min to get to work in traffic. Kemang, where we will live is a great area and has everything from great restaurants, supermarkets etc. no need to really venture to the city unless you absolutely have to!
I love the mall culture here. You get dropped off in front and when you are ready to leave you go to the car call desk and they call your driver over the PA system and 5 min later your driver pulls up to the doors (like valet parking) and off you go again. There is a very strong security presence in Jakarta. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing though ;-0! Offices, Hotels, Shopping Malls, Town House complexes have security gates. The guards check the boot of the car, open doors and inspects the bottom of the car with a big mirror.
All and all I think we will be very happy here. We'll probably only move into our house at the beginning of June. We will be in the Hotel Kristal, until then. In the mean time I spend my time, shopping around for furniture and other household items which is a lot of fun. As I said, you are really spoiled for choice here. I'm hoping to place an order for furniture next week and hopefully we'll have it delivered when we move into our house. Let's hope it all works out!
One of our biggest challenges so far (the only one actually) is the language barrier. We feel a little lost in translation as not too many people speak English. Luckily Bahasa Indonesian seems to be an easy language to pick up and we are already able to tell our driver to go Left, Right, Straight, stop, ask how long it will take and a couple of other phrases, with the help of a phrase book though. And if all els fails, say it in Afrikaans (Well Dutch) and chances are they'll know what you're trying to say. I knew that there were a lot of Dutch words but didn't actually realise how many. Now that I'm aware of it, I see Dutch words everywhere.
A list of some of the words that are similar:
Administrasi - administration (Dutch administratie)
Arde - ground (Dutch = aarde = earth)
Arbei - strawberry (Dutch =aardbei)
Ban - tire (Dutch = band)
baskom, Waskom - washbasin (Dutch = waskom)
bengkel - workplace (Dutch = winkel: store, originally angle)
Besuk - visiting (Dutch = bezoeken)
Bioskop - cinema (Dutch = bioscoop)
Buncis - green beans (Dutch = boontjes)
Bruder - Roman Catholic friar (Dutch broeder = brother)
Buku - book (Dutch = boek)
Dak - roof (Dutch = dak)
Dasi - necktie (Dutch = das(je))
Ember - bucket (Dutch = emmer)
Engsel - hinges (Dutch = hengsel)
Handuk - towel (Dutch = handdoek)
Hanger - hanger
Kabel - cable (Dutch = Kabel)
Kakus - toilet (Dutch verb kakken/noun kakhuis)
Kamar - room (Dutch = kamer)
Kantor - office (Dutch = kantoor)
Karcis - ticket (Dutch = kaartjes: plural for diminutive of kaart, card or ticket)
Kartu - card (Dutch=kaart)
Kelar - ready, finished (Dutch = klaar)
knalpot (or kenalpot) - exhaust (on a car)
kosen - window frame (Dutch = kozijn)
kulkas - refrigator {Dutch = koelkast)
laci - deskdrawer (Dutch = laatje: diminutive form of la(de))
lampu - lamp
oom / om - uncle (Dutch = oom)
migrasi - migration (Dutch = migratie)
mur/baut - nut/bolt (Dutch = moer/bout)
pabrik - factory (Dutch = fabriek)
pensil - pencil (Dutch penseel (brush)
plafon - ceiling (Dutch = plafond, from French)
potlot - pencil (Dutch = potlood)
rekening - account (Dutch = rekening)
resleting - zipper (Dutch = ritssluiting)
ribewis - driving licence (Dutch = rijbewijs)
sekrup - screw (Dutch = schroef)
sepeda - bicycle (most probably from French velocipede)
sirkulasi - circulation (Dutch circulatie)
slang - water hose
tante - aunt (Dutch = tante, from French)
tas - bag
tegel - floor tile
telat - (too) late (Dutch = te laat)
wastafel - sink
wortel - carrot
zuster, suster - nun, nurse, sister
mantel - coat
I haven't really been taking photos, but I guess it's because this isn't really new to us. It is pretty much like we remembered it from when we were here in 2006 (see old blog posts from May and June'06).
A sign on the toilet seat that I couldn't resist taking a photo of! LOL!
We can't wait to settle so that we can plan our fist trip away. Hopefully at the end of June, or who knows, maybe we'll do a weekend trip sooner when we feel like we have to get out of the city and our small hotel room.
Watch this space for an update on life in Jakarta and hopefully soon amazing travels around Indonesia and South East Asia!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
So much to do, so little time!
We are going back to where it all started, nearly two years ago...It all happened rather suddenly when International SOS offered Marc a job in Jakarta, Indonesia. They only informed him about the opportunity in Jakarta, a week before our trip to Thailand. Only when we returned from Thailand though, was it confirmed that we will be moving at the end of April.
There wasn't much time to digested all of this before we had to start planning the logistics around the move. Getting removal quotes, make a decision to ship or sell, paperwork etc. It has been a busy couple of weeks. I've been trying to find new jobs for our maid and driver, tying up my OWC duties as Vice President Activities and Events and of course sadly saying goodbye to our friends.
We opted to sell our stuff and last week the house already started emptying out when people started collecting furniture and other house hold items. Tomorrow the the last of our furniture, the bed and sofa will be collected and we will be stying in an empty apartment (thankfully we have a bed and white goods, which belong to the landlord) so we can at least still live. We basically have one week left to sell the remaining household items and to pack up our belongs (what is left of it).
We arrived in India with a couple of suitcases on 2 October 2006, and now 1 and a half years later we will be leaving India only with a couple of suitcases but with great memories of the amazing time that we've spent in "Incredible India".
We are counting down the days until 29 April, when we fly to Jakarta "our new home" via. Singapore (one day in Singapore, yippee).
Enjoying our last days in Bangalore...
Sunday, 20 April - Brunch at Olive Beach, 16 Wood street, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore, Phone : +91-80-41128400 41239483 / 412!
Brendon, George and Marc.
Vivian, Anne and I enjoying our bubbly - What a way to spend a Sunday!
There wasn't much time to digested all of this before we had to start planning the logistics around the move. Getting removal quotes, make a decision to ship or sell, paperwork etc. It has been a busy couple of weeks. I've been trying to find new jobs for our maid and driver, tying up my OWC duties as Vice President Activities and Events and of course sadly saying goodbye to our friends.
We opted to sell our stuff and last week the house already started emptying out when people started collecting furniture and other house hold items. Tomorrow the the last of our furniture, the bed and sofa will be collected and we will be stying in an empty apartment (thankfully we have a bed and white goods, which belong to the landlord) so we can at least still live. We basically have one week left to sell the remaining household items and to pack up our belongs (what is left of it).
We arrived in India with a couple of suitcases on 2 October 2006, and now 1 and a half years later we will be leaving India only with a couple of suitcases but with great memories of the amazing time that we've spent in "Incredible India".
We are counting down the days until 29 April, when we fly to Jakarta "our new home" via. Singapore (one day in Singapore, yippee).
Enjoying our last days in Bangalore...
Sunday, 20 April - Brunch at Olive Beach, 16 Wood street, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore, Phone : +91-80-41128400 41239483 / 412!
Brendon, George and Marc.
Vivian, Anne and I enjoying our bubbly - What a way to spend a Sunday!
Brendon, Shane, George, Marc, Bruce, Liam and Anthony.
Viv, Liz, Anne, Meha, Kathleen, Mei , Monique and Ness - "I will miss you girls"!
;-O What fun!
Our new resident street puppy....he is so cute! We are contemplating giving him a wash before we leave.
Saturday, 19 April - Farewell dinner with Klaartje, Johh, Jeff and Rita. 
Marc taking Robert's (our driver) motorbike for a ride!
Thursday, 17 April - Dinner at our favourite North Indian restaurant in Bangalore - Angeethi (Rooftop, Museum Inn, 1 Museum Road, Bangalore. Phone 41113340, 41113333. We would highly recommend it!
Saturday, 12 April - Dinner at Arno and Cyndie's house!
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