OTT Homes

In some parts of Jakarta, the houses are H-U-G-E. They're over-the-top-get-lost-if-you're-don't-leave-a-trail-of-breadcrumbs kinda huge. These homes are more like mansions or palaces. My typical reaction when I chance upon one of these mansions goes something like this: "WOW!" (after having to pick my jaw off the ground) and then followed by "Mad ah! So big! How to clean?!"

Check it out. The portion of the house up front with the little awning over the window is the guard house. This house probably has a pool and a tennis court and (I won't be surprised) a golf course! Madness!

Familiarity Breeds...

happiness! Whoever said that familarity breeds contempt soooooooo did not appreciate the joys of being familiar with his/her surroundings, the people, the language... oh the list goes on. I don't want to explore anymore. I'm not cut out to be an adventurer. I'm getting too old to be making new friends every 2 years. I want the familiar! I want friends! I want to know where to go when I want to get something! I want to be understood without having to resort to sign language and miming!

BIG FAT SIGH.

i heart.

for the first time in a months we decided to make an effort and join the party crowd last night. we stayed out way past our bedtime, which isn't saying much since bedtime is around usually around 10pm. went to a event that was organised by Stephen's company, staggered home at 11pm (it's embarrassingly early I know. there was an after-party which we didn't even consider going since we didn't even make it to the end of the first event) and went straight to bed.

 i think we're getting old...!

Traffic Woes in JKT

We have a driver assigned to us here in Jakarta. It sounds fancy but it really isn't. The terrible traffic, the lack of a comprehensible road numbering system and the absolute lack of road signs coupled with cheap labour is the reason why every mother's son/daughter has a driver. Like everything else in life, having a driver has its pros and cons. You lose your privacy but you don't have to deal with the crazy traffic. Our driver is a nice man. Quiet, unassuming and really tries his best. The thing is, he's constantly lost. It's irony as its best. A 20-minute car ride can turn into a 2-hour nightmare because he doesn't have a clue where he's going, even after getting directions from the hotel conceirge, 3 random motorists and repeated calls to other fellow drivers. We'll be going around in circles and driving around in circles in Jakarta is like tempting fate. You'll eventually get stuck in traffic. And that's usually what happens when I muster enough courage and patience to venture out with the driver.

I've to eventually learn how to navigate and manage the traffic here because it'll be nice to drive myself to places instead of relying on my very nice but also very lost driver. But with the lack of proper road signage, it's difficult to navigate your way around. You either turn at the first broken wall or the second broken wall. Also it'll help to unlearn everything that you've learnt about road safety rules. For example it's alright to be driving against oncoming traffic whereas stopping when the lights turn red is not because you'll have angry motorists honking at you and wondering what you're thinking actually abidding by traffic rules.

i heart.

the bathroom at the hilton, bandung.

Never Say Never

"Twinkle toes I think I found a soul
To make me happily ever after
Twinkle toes I'm glad you shot your bow
Into the arms of my savior
Can I say that I'm somebody's world
How I live alone with nowhere to go no
I say I love you
and I'll say it more
My one and only I can't lose so..

Don't stop doing what you do
Have I paid my dues just to be with you
Don't stop doing what you do
I'll be your something old, new borrowed and blue
Don't stop doing what you do
Coz that makes you my man."

I'm sitting here in my little apartment looking over Jakarta and listening to Gin Wigmore. Never thought I'll say this but I'm missing New Zealand. I miss the quiet, miss the wide open spaces, miss how clean and green it is. I miss the long summer days and walks along the beach. I miss how much time Stephen and I had with each other. Never say never eh?  

To my dear Mum...

Happy Mother's Day!

Big hugs and kisses!

Grand Canyon

These photos are long overdued.

I remember being completely awestruck by the Grand Canyon and how beautiful and enormous it is. I also remember looking over the edge and having a minor panic attack when I realised how far, far away the bottom of the canyon is from where I'm standing. There are no rails between you on the ledge and what looks like at least a 1 - 2 kilometers drop to the bottom. *Shudder* I'm never particularly good with heights. Ok. Maybe that's an understatement considering how I get a panic attack even on a ferris wheel.

First Days

The income disparity here in JKT is huge and very apparent. I thought DVDs in Bangkok were cheap but I think we've come to the source in JKT because DVDs are 1/4 of the price in BKK. It costs about $1 per DVD in JKT. I bought 10 and they even threw in one more free. Joy! At the same time, in the space of 40 mins sitting here at Pacific Place mall, I just saw 3 ladies wearing Christian Louboutin shoes walk by. Each pair of Christian Louboutins costs about $900SGD and up (I think). I've seen more girls with expensive handbags and shoes in one afternoon than compared to 2 years in Auckland. Imagine that!

Also, Jakartians (if there is such a word) somehow seem to either have a complete disregard for their health or that they are just clueless about the harmful effects of cigarettes on their health. (I know I should be the last person to comment on it since Stephen is in the tobacco industry but still!) I'm here at a cafe taking  advantage of the free wifi and slowly dying of passive smoking since every table has someone smoking. What's more, we're indoors and in an air-condtioned mall! I can feel my lungs crying out for help!

House hunting is tomorrow. I really realy reeaalllllllyyyy hope we'll be able to find a suitable place tomorrow so that we can move in ASAP and get settled. Wish me luck.

Selamat Datang di Facebook

That was what greeted me when I logged into Facebook for the first time here in Jakarta. Ha! And I had to figure out how to sign into my blog since everything was in Bahasa. If any one of you guys know how to switch the language over, please let me know. Google seems to automatically set the language of their pages depending on where in the world you are.