A few weeks ago, Kathy and I spent the weekend on Tiger Island, a tiny island with an eco resort, which is part of The 1000 Islands Group. We were picked up at 8:00 am Saturday at the port in Jakarta for what was supposed to be a 2 hour trip. We weren't long on the boat before it got really rough and brought back memories of our trip to Krakatoa. The good thing was that this was a bigger speed boat. We were speeding over the waves and crashing down into the troughs so hard that we came off the seat. The young American beside me, who was a sailor, said they were 10 foot swells. He thought he was amusing when he whistled the tune from Gilligan's Island! The boat stopped after we had been travelling for about half an hour. We had read that this was common as sometimes things get caught in the propeller. We got going again after a few minutes then stopped again for a longer time. Eventually, we stopped for a third time at an island and waited there for another boat to come and pick us up. I guess it was more than propeller problems. So our 2 hour trip turned into 4 hours but it was all worth it when we got to Tiger Island. We had a beach hut built with a deck out over the water. It had no walls, just bamboo shades that could be rolled up and down and mosquito netting around the beds. There was great snorkeling and an even tinier, uninhabited island that you could walk or swim across to which really made you feel like Robinson Crusoe.
It was a fun get away and the best part? The ride home was smooth as glass!
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Monday, 24 March 2014
Funny Things About Indonesia
There are many things that strike me as funny about Indonesia and one of them is the fact that the number 4 is considered unlucky. In my apartment building there is no 4th floor, or 14, 24, 34 etc. In the huge malls nearby, they go to great effort to avoid the number 4, but still have malls with many levels. There is a Basement level, then Ground followed by Upper Ground, 1, 2, 3, 3A, so a 7 level mall without ever getting to 4!
Another thing is that it is uncommon to have hot water in the kitchen, except for in the fancier homes. In my apartment the only hot water is in the shower. The kitchen and bathroom sinks have only cold. The good thing is that the "cold" is actually tepid. No cold showers here!
Another rare thing, at least in apartments, are ovens. Most apartments come only with a stove top. I think that may be because most Indonesians seem to eat out rather than cook. There are small cafes and food carts everywhere. Speaking of eating out, some more funny things; water is always served at room temperature unless you specifically ask for cold (mostly foreigners), you could sit all day and they would never bring you the bill until you ask for it but once they bring it they stand by the table waiting while everyone sorts out the money.
The movie theatres are amazing. There are the regular theatres which are spacious with comfortable seats and are really cheap, ($3 for newly released movies) and then there are the more expensive theatres. For a few dollars more, you sit in a comfy reclining seat (like a lazy boy), configured in twos with a table in between to hold drinks and snacks which you order from a waiter. In the drawer of the table are freshly cleaned blankets to cuddle up with while you watch the latest release and wait for your drink and snacks to be delivered.
Some men here have only one name.
One last thing - you don't go to "pick up a dozen eggs" because the cartons here hold 10!
Another thing is that it is uncommon to have hot water in the kitchen, except for in the fancier homes. In my apartment the only hot water is in the shower. The kitchen and bathroom sinks have only cold. The good thing is that the "cold" is actually tepid. No cold showers here!
Another rare thing, at least in apartments, are ovens. Most apartments come only with a stove top. I think that may be because most Indonesians seem to eat out rather than cook. There are small cafes and food carts everywhere. Speaking of eating out, some more funny things; water is always served at room temperature unless you specifically ask for cold (mostly foreigners), you could sit all day and they would never bring you the bill until you ask for it but once they bring it they stand by the table waiting while everyone sorts out the money.
The movie theatres are amazing. There are the regular theatres which are spacious with comfortable seats and are really cheap, ($3 for newly released movies) and then there are the more expensive theatres. For a few dollars more, you sit in a comfy reclining seat (like a lazy boy), configured in twos with a table in between to hold drinks and snacks which you order from a waiter. In the drawer of the table are freshly cleaned blankets to cuddle up with while you watch the latest release and wait for your drink and snacks to be delivered.
Some men here have only one name.
One last thing - you don't go to "pick up a dozen eggs" because the cartons here hold 10!
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