Domestic Goddess Travels: 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.