Lazy Weekend in Jakarta

Lazy Weekend…
This weekend was a lazy weekend, not much happened...On Saturday, we went to Maggua Dua to purchases some name brand: purses, watches, luggage, DVDs and whatever else we could find. I enjoy shopping when there is negotiating involved, I guess I get that from my Mom, she was the Queen of negotiating. It’s a game to me, in China I won a lot, or I bought a lot anyway, but here in Indonesia, I’m losing. They are pretty proud of their nice fake purses. The boys however bought way more then us girls (watches and luggage)…however there is not really any negotiating with them. Since I’m not a brand name girl, I have a hard time seeing the saving on a Prada purse for $60.00 or a Coach purse for $40.00 when I buy Wal-mart for $20.00.

That night I enjoyed a 75min massage for $15.00US or 135,000Ind. The massages here start by washing your feet in warm water with a little bit of destressing oil, then they start at your feet and work their way to your head without oil and then start all over with oil. After your 75 mins is up you receive a nice cup of tea. However, I haven’t figured out how such a small girl with small hands can hurt you…but she can…believe me…

Sunday was a day of relaxation (and recovering from the 75min massage from the night before).


Jakarta Malls…
The malls here are huge and expensive, it’s just hard to believe that when you are driving to the mall how much rubbish you see on the streets…but once you get inside it’s like a whole new world. Everything is very clean and shiny…the merchandise can be very expenses…there are Coach, Mark & Spenser’s, Polo, Fossil Watches, Giordano, plus many others shops to choose from…The Pondok Indah Mall 2 is 4 floors high, however the Grand Indonesia is at least 7 floors high, they are huge.

Putri Island

This weekend, three other team members and me traveled to the Putri Island for some time to relax in the sun, hear the sounds of the ocean, and have some great island food. The weekend started off with a 1.5hr see how many people you can get into a boat ride. When we arrived at the island we were welcomed with the island drink – ‘Tang’ (last time I had that...I was 8). As we are walking to our bungalow, at the corner of my eye I noticed something large – it was a komodo dragon. Oh my-it was big! There were about 5 of those large lizards on the island.

The great island food was fried shrimp, rice, fried fish, watermelon, rice, pineapple, melon and some more rice all at room temperate (90degrees). I could lose weight at this place!

The pool was relaxing and sunbathing in the ocean was out of this world, however the bugs I could have done without…a slap here and a slap there, by the evening I had tons of bites…

I awoke to termite poop on my pillow and the two teammates had bed bug bites…life was fun in the beautiful island they call Putri (princess).

Jakarta Ants

Jakarta traffic is very interesting…

There are lines on the streets that everyone ignores, sounds of horns, flashing headlights, and motorcycles is the norm…the motorcycles remind me of ants, there are thousands of them weaving in and out of traffic, when the cars actually stop at the traffic lights the bikes head to the front of the line. The most I’ve seen on this trip is four people to a bike, last trip there were five people to a bike. I’m amazed at what they carry on the bikes, car windshield, lamp shades, plus many other types of stuff…

My co-worker (Sarah) has written me a poem about the motorcycles that I call ‘ants’…

Jakarta Ants
Jakarta ants zoom down the lane.
Traffic here is such a pain!

The city streets are filled with crowds,
The noise they make- it gets so loud!

As we slide slowly along,
A lady with a baby sings us a song.

Twisting, turning, weaving about,
Zooming in. Zooming out.

When we stop, then they swarm.
Those little ants and the lines they form.

There's one! There's two! There's three! There's four!
Everywhere you look there's always more.

Our slow crawl takes at least an hour,
Breathe in, breathe out, just don't be sour.

Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the ride,
Jakarta ants on every side.

By Sarah Kuhn

Hello from Jakarta Indonesia

Hello everyone—

It’s been awhile since I’ve done any traveling internationally…this trip I’m flying around the world in 56 days hitting Indonesia, Greece, Netherlands, and Norway. My first stop is Jakarta Indonesia for some business….I’ll be here for three weekends.

This Saturday the team toured the Indonesia Safari which was very fun…there were white tigers, lions, and bears walking next to our vehicle, and of course the normal type of animals that you see at any small safari in the states. A small baby zoo was at the end of the safari where I got to pay to hold a cheetah, baby tiger, a snake, and a baby orangutan (which by the way pee’d on me). What is it with babies pooping/peeing on me?

Baby orangutan was excited to see me…

Ken and I holding a cheetah…

Sunday is shopping for some fake purses and whatever else we find…however I wasn’t feeling well, so I hung out in the hotel room…

Cheers,

Tamela