Jakarta Bound

Wow another adventure. Here we are back in Indonesia, living in Jakarta.

After having our belongings packed up that we where getting shipped to Jakarta it was time we packed our travel bags. We arrived in Jakarta on the 28th of April so that means we have been here one week.

I don't know where the week has gone maybe it is because I have been running around trying to get things sorted to help us get settled.

Our first day had us sorting out Paige's schooling and start looking at where to live. You would think that it would be an easy decision to make but there are many factors to take into consideration and the big one is the BUDGET. Also you have to look at where the school is located, traffic, how close to supermarkets, what type of housing you want to live in, compound or stand alone and the list goes on. Easy? yes but having enough hours in the day to sort all this out in a week I can say it hasn't been easy to complete the task at hand but in time it will happen.

At the moment we are staying in a housing complex called "Country Woods" which we are in an apartment (flat) style accommodation. Having one of my friends living here has been wonderful. It was a load off mind my mind when Marnia my friend had already stocked the fridge for us on our arrival also waiting for me was a sim card for my mobile phone.

Having lived in Indonesia before has made it a little easier here but having a friend who has lived in Jakarta for a while so close has been so much easier to get around and being able to call on for the best place to find things.

Since being here a week we have sorted out our "kitas" which is like a special visa to be an expat resident here in Indonesia. We had to spend four hours waiting at immigration to have the paper worked processed and our finger prints taken. I am not sure why we had to wait so long but that is the process we where told, at least our finger prints where scanned this time and not inked the old fashion way by using a stamp pad and ink. Even Paige had to have her finger prints taken.

Paige started at her new school this week. BIS is the British International School here in Jakarta. BIS has both primary and secondary levels located on the same campus. In total there are about 1100 students who attend BIS. In year 1 there are five classes made up of 16 students in each class . Each of the classrooms are linked by a large common room. The school campus is very well set out which consists of two libraries, grassed sports grounds, a very large swimming pool, uniform shop and parents cafe which makes a really good coffee.

On Paige's first day of school she had some tears before leaving the apartment as she didn't want to wear the black school shoes that are apart of the uniform but once I pointed out that she had no choice she realised she just had to wear them. I think she was a bit nervous and tried from all that was going on. Once she arrived at school she was fine. I think she has settled in quite well and is enjoying the different activities she gets to do. Paige's teacher mentioned she is quite social and she even answered some questions in class time on her first day. I am sure as time goes on she will settle in more and there will be no stopping her.

Picture: Paige in her school uniform before heading off to school on the first day

Picture: The pool area at BIS

Picture: One of the grassed sports areas in front of parents cafe and uniform shop

Picture: Outside year one class rooms

Picture: Paige standing in front of stage area in year 1 common room

Picture: A part of the year 1 common room


Picture: The Parents Cafe

Wedding In Canberra

Picture: Ben & Paige

On the 24th of April we attended Sue (Ben's mum) wedding in Canberra. It was a wonderful day filled with love and happiness as Sue and David got married. In the wedding party there was Sarah, Ben's sister who was maid of honor, Paige and her cousins Tannah, Rylee, Cassie as flower girls. On the groom's side there was David's son as best man and David's grandson who was the ring barer. My job was to take all the photographs, Paul my brother in law was MC, Lucy Ben's other sister did one of the readings in the ceremony and Ben well he was in charge of picking up the flowers and staying out of trouble. From start to finish the day went off without any major hitches, I had to do some fast talking to Paige to get her to put on her dress as she didn't want to wear it. The weather wasn't that great for photos as it was over cast,windy and drizzled with rain but all in all I got some some nice photos in the end.

It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all the different age groups who attended. I think the youngest was 1 year old and the oldest was 70 years old.
We wish Sue and David years of happiness to come.

Picture: Sue ready for her big day

Picture: The flower girls

Picture: Lucy, Ben & Sarah

Picture: Sue standing by the lake

Picture: All the girls

Picture: All the girls out of the wind

Picture: The girls having some fun

Picture: The wedding party

Picture: David putting the ring on Sue's finger

Picture: The happy couple, all smiles

Picture: Paige helping David sign the register

Picture: Sue & David with celebrant

Picture: David, the best man & page boy

Picture: The happy couple now married

Picture: One of the tables at the reception

Picture: The wedding cake

Picture: Sue & David cutting the wedding cake

Picture: The wedding rings

Picture: Paige taking it easy

Picture: Paul, Lucy, Sue, David, Ben, Bernadette, Sarah & the girls

Picture: Bernadette, Paige & Ben

Holiday on Lombok Island Indonesia

"Lombok island has secretly preserved its timeless culture in the day to day life of its inhabitants" and you could say that description I had read wasn't too far wrong.

In January we decided to take a holiday to Lombok, Indonesia. Never having visited Lombok before we expected it to be not much different to other places in Indonesia and after arriving we found that this island was very laid back and surprising undeveloped not like other places in Indonesia.

We started our holiday with an over night stop over in Bali due to not having a suitable connecting flight all the way through. With not much time on our hands and not wanting to deal with some of the ugly Australia tourist we relaxed by the hotels pool.

In the morning we jumped on a small plane to Lombok. As things never really run on time in Indonesia we had to wait a couple of hours for our delayed flight but once we boarded the plane it was only a 45 minute flight from Bali to Lombok.

Our first day and second days on Lombok was spent lazing by the pool which I must admit the drinks always taste better when you don't have to make them yourself.

Picture: The view from our hotel room

Picture: Paige walking along one of the paths in the hotels grounds

Picture: Bernadette & Paige enjoying the beach front of the hotel

Picture: Ben enjoying a Bintang beer

The third day we hired some motor bikes and ventured around the island. We visited Mawun Beach and when we went to check out one of the other local beaches we found the road inaccessible, we decided to turn around and stop in and have some lunch at the Astari Restaurant which some people had suggested to us to visit. I cant say the restaurant was anything special except for the view.

Picture: Looking out along Mawun Beach

Picture: Paige & Ben looking at the sand

Picture: One of the local men we met along the way

Picture: View from Astari Restaurant

The fourth day we headed out to Gilli Nanggu with a couple we had me at the hotel, Brad and Beth. What a wonderful day we had. The fish where amazing looking as we went snorkeling, the only thing I wished for was clearer water. Before heading over to the island we purchased some plastic bottles which was filled with bread. Once wet the bread attracted the fish and we where able to hand feed them. It was nice to spend the day with our new found friends as it is always nice to share travelling experiences.

Picture: Beth, Ben, Bernadette, Paige & Brad on the small boat over to Gilli Nanggu

Picture: Bernadette snorkeling & feeding the fish

Picture: Some of the fish

The fifth day we did a bit more relaxing by the pool, explored more of the island on hired motor bikes and stop at a local restaurant for Chili Crab.

Picture: Ben & Paige on the motor bike

The sixth day we head out to a local traditional Sasak Village once again on the motor bikes. "The Sasak people are renowned for their natural kindness and their smiles", I read somewhere hmm not everything you read is always right. I don't know what I expected but I cant not say these local people stood out from any other Indonesian people. Don't get me wrong they where very nice people but I cant say they stood out as anything other then pleasant local and as usual they wanted to sell us their wares. Yes people have to make a living but sometimes I wish they take a hint and understand the word "No Thank You".

Picture: Looking down one of the rows of huts in the village

Picture: A little girl in the village

On the seventh day we headed back to Bali for an other overnight stop over before we headed back to Perth.

We enjoyed our experiences in Lombok, would I go back? yes I would but I would stay only for three days next time as there isn't much to do there. If you are wanting to keep busy. It's a great place to visit if you want to be totally laid back maybe next time we will visit and stay on the other side of the island.

Building The Vegie Patch

We wanted to have a go at growing some veggies. I decided to build some raised garden beds so we could add a large amount of soil to give the veggies we planted the best start.

Over a weekend I had a go at building and rendering them as well. I must admit I was very happy at the end result. I am sure our veggies will taste great.

Now we just have to sit back and watch the veggies grow.

Halloween

Picture: Carved Pumpkin

For the last couple of years we had celebrated Halloween overseas so this year I decided that we would do the same back here in Australia. Our neighbour was taking his children out trick a treating so we decided to tag along.

We made sure that we had prearranged with some of our other neighbours that we would be popping by so they could have some sweets ready for the kids.

In the spirit of things I decided to put a little scene together near our front door which I think turned out really good, Paige just loved it.

It was very surprising that we where not the only ones out trick or treating I think we saw a total of another 20 children doing the same thing so it just goes to show trick a treating is becoming more popular here in Australia.

Picture: Bernadette being creative




Picture: Scary skeleton man that made scary sounds when moved

Picture: Paige dressed up as a princess



Picture: Our group stopping by to get some sweets

Picture: Out trick a treating



Picture: Another stop for trick a treating

Picture: The kids happy with their buckets full of sweets