The Padang food in the window looks great - coconut shreds, tempeh, pecel vegetables, fried fish and chicken and eggs. Could seriously be tempted with the non meat options for lunch; it looks so yummy. What do you think?
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Sunday, Mataram, Lombok
Playing cards and enjoying kelapa mudah and mango juice in a small warung on the street next to the Mataram Mall for lunch.
The Padang food in the window looks great - coconut shreds, tempeh, pecel vegetables, fried fish and chicken and eggs. Could seriously be tempted with the non meat options for lunch; it looks so yummy. What do you think?
The Padang food in the window looks great - coconut shreds, tempeh, pecel vegetables, fried fish and chicken and eggs. Could seriously be tempted with the non meat options for lunch; it looks so yummy. What do you think?
Saturday, 14 July 2012
The Mann-sion @ Windy Beach Cottages
The Mann's have moved into their new room which is a 2 story cottage. Double bed & verandah upstairs & 2 single beds & bathroom & verandah downstairs. Both verandahs looking straight towards the beach! 
Saturday, Sekolah Nusa Alam, Montong, Lombok
Here i sit at the breakfast table with a Lombok coffee on a very brisk dry season morning. It is quite chilly for me which is a worry because this time next week i will be back in winter weather!
Our time yesterday morning at Seklolah Nusa Alam began at 9 where we met the new principal, Derek Pugh, on the steps to the front office. We briefly explained the history to our connection with Nusa Alam and then even more briefly outlined what our plans were while at Nusa Alam and again apologised about the timing - being there for the first 2 days of the school year!
We then headed towards the new senior building towards the back of the school while Febi quickly pointed out classrooms. Half way through the school, we had to step aside for a stream of elderly local men arriving for the selamatan (blessing ceremony), almost all wearing peci's (muslim hats). We then met two of the 4 original founders, Pak Peter, and his wife whose name i've forgotten. After chatting briefly, we headed upstairs to the classroom where many people were already seated cross legged on carpet on the floor with their backs to the walls and others too forming an inner circle. Most there were men and the only women were the indonesian and white staff.
As i was one of the last to arrive, i sat with my back to everyone in the inner circle and felt very uncomfortable. I can not cross my legs and so was sitting sidewards with my soles facing those behind me. Thankfully Febi was also sitting like this but it didn't help my unease. I wondered if i should be sitting holding my legs so my feet were flat on the floor but it didn't feel right so i remained as i was.
I'd asked Febi about filming during the ceremony and been given the ok however with my back to everything, it was too awkward. I did pan the teachers who were seated along the wall in front of me and got a little footage of the imam intoning from the koran.
It was absolutely lovely listening to the imam and watching the locals gesturing appropriately or echoing what sounded like the anglican 'glory be to god' equivalent. I especially loved the background noises of the ducks softly quacking in the rice field behind us and the occasional rooster crowing.
Towards the end of the selamatan Febi was told that some visitors had arrived and guessing it to be Sandy & Peter, i followed Febi out and we headed back to the front office where Sandy & Peter were waiting.
By the time we had left the office, the selamatan was finished and the stream of men was in reverse and they were all carrying a plastic bag of food and drink.
We then wandered back to Feb's classroom which is in the new block and is new in that it existed before but without walls as it was more like a verandah. So now it is closed in with a connecting door to the next classroom.
There we met Dianne, Febi's team teacher, who thankfully was very relaxed about us spending time with her on Monday & Tuesday. We talked about observing lessons with different year levels and attending the whole school assembly on Monday and then withdrawing their entire class of 12 year 5 students (4 students each) to borrow for 50 mins or so to film some kenalkans and a school tour on Tuesday.
We also met the JP principal, Ibu Eni, who has kindly agreed for one of us to observe her teach a senses science lesson to a kindy class Monday afternoon although she did warn us that this lesson could be disrupted if students are not coping! Reminds me of teaching receptions last lesson on the first day of school!
We then left Dianne in peace to get her head around sorting out her new room and finish her teacher prep while we headed outside. There we met Pak Mark (is that right?) and his wife, Ibu Sopan, the other 2 founders. Mark is from Tasmania which explains the constant reference to Tassie.
I then dragged Peter Bevan to the baruga i have fallen in love with to get his technical perspective. On his advice i have taken lots of photos however Sharon warns me that there are many design aspects that the Dept will not accept, so i will have to keep that in mind. I love the elevated table area in the middle! What do you think?
Febi can seat about 12 students at this which would be amazing for group work! So now, i need to fund raise the $10,000 to build it - built here it cost $1,200.
Our time yesterday morning at Seklolah Nusa Alam began at 9 where we met the new principal, Derek Pugh, on the steps to the front office. We briefly explained the history to our connection with Nusa Alam and then even more briefly outlined what our plans were while at Nusa Alam and again apologised about the timing - being there for the first 2 days of the school year!
We then headed towards the new senior building towards the back of the school while Febi quickly pointed out classrooms. Half way through the school, we had to step aside for a stream of elderly local men arriving for the selamatan (blessing ceremony), almost all wearing peci's (muslim hats). We then met two of the 4 original founders, Pak Peter, and his wife whose name i've forgotten. After chatting briefly, we headed upstairs to the classroom where many people were already seated cross legged on carpet on the floor with their backs to the walls and others too forming an inner circle. Most there were men and the only women were the indonesian and white staff.
As i was one of the last to arrive, i sat with my back to everyone in the inner circle and felt very uncomfortable. I can not cross my legs and so was sitting sidewards with my soles facing those behind me. Thankfully Febi was also sitting like this but it didn't help my unease. I wondered if i should be sitting holding my legs so my feet were flat on the floor but it didn't feel right so i remained as i was.
I'd asked Febi about filming during the ceremony and been given the ok however with my back to everything, it was too awkward. I did pan the teachers who were seated along the wall in front of me and got a little footage of the imam intoning from the koran.
It was absolutely lovely listening to the imam and watching the locals gesturing appropriately or echoing what sounded like the anglican 'glory be to god' equivalent. I especially loved the background noises of the ducks softly quacking in the rice field behind us and the occasional rooster crowing.
Towards the end of the selamatan Febi was told that some visitors had arrived and guessing it to be Sandy & Peter, i followed Febi out and we headed back to the front office where Sandy & Peter were waiting.
By the time we had left the office, the selamatan was finished and the stream of men was in reverse and they were all carrying a plastic bag of food and drink.
We then wandered back to Feb's classroom which is in the new block and is new in that it existed before but without walls as it was more like a verandah. So now it is closed in with a connecting door to the next classroom.
There we met Dianne, Febi's team teacher, who thankfully was very relaxed about us spending time with her on Monday & Tuesday. We talked about observing lessons with different year levels and attending the whole school assembly on Monday and then withdrawing their entire class of 12 year 5 students (4 students each) to borrow for 50 mins or so to film some kenalkans and a school tour on Tuesday.
We also met the JP principal, Ibu Eni, who has kindly agreed for one of us to observe her teach a senses science lesson to a kindy class Monday afternoon although she did warn us that this lesson could be disrupted if students are not coping! Reminds me of teaching receptions last lesson on the first day of school!
We then left Dianne in peace to get her head around sorting out her new room and finish her teacher prep while we headed outside. There we met Pak Mark (is that right?) and his wife, Ibu Sopan, the other 2 founders. Mark is from Tasmania which explains the constant reference to Tassie.
I then dragged Peter Bevan to the baruga i have fallen in love with to get his technical perspective. On his advice i have taken lots of photos however Sharon warns me that there are many design aspects that the Dept will not accept, so i will have to keep that in mind. I love the elevated table area in the middle! What do you think?
Febi can seat about 12 students at this which would be amazing for group work! So now, i need to fund raise the $10,000 to build it - built here it cost $1,200.
Friday, 13 July 2012
Cafe Montong in Lombok
Here we are at Cafe Montong with the Bevans. They arrived at Nusa Alam School this morning half way through the selamatan (blessing) ceremony for the new building which is absolutely amazing. It was lovely sitting on the floor listening to the imam from the local mosque speaking from the koran with the sound of ducks and a rooster crowing in the background.
We have just finished eating, sitting in a lesehan restaurant where we sat at a table cross legged eating pecel, fish, and chicken sate.
Sandy & Peter are now saying their goodbyes so they can head off on a driving tour around Lombok.
We have just finished eating, sitting in a lesehan restaurant where we sat at a table cross legged eating pecel, fish, and chicken sate.
Sandy & Peter are now saying their goodbyes so they can head off on a driving tour around Lombok.
Windy Beach Hotel
Here we are at Windy Beach planning what we can do at Nusa Alam School with Febi's students.
We are hoping to catch up with the new principal tomorrow afternoon after meeting Sandy & Peter Bevan for lunch.
We are waiting for Febi to give us a call after her staff meeting. Their school year begins Monday; the day we hope to borrow some students to video them introducing themselves and talking about their school. Unfortunate timing really but it can't be helped.
We are hoping to catch up with the new principal tomorrow afternoon after meeting Sandy & Peter Bevan for lunch.
We are waiting for Febi to give us a call after her staff meeting. Their school year begins Monday; the day we hope to borrow some students to video them introducing themselves and talking about their school. Unfortunate timing really but it can't be helped.
Lombok - Friday
Here we are back on Lombok! Our trip back was soooo much less stressful but it cost us a little extra. Rp100,000 per person and this included a cidomo from the hotel to the dock then the 8:30am public boat to Bangsal where the owner of Sejuk's grabbed his car and then dropped us at Windy's. The best thing though was it also
included porters to help with our ridiculously unportable luggage. Suitcases would have to be the least practical form of luggage if traveling to places like the Gili's. A backpack makes a lot more sense if having to travel anywhere by public transport. The public boat includes a small wade from the edge of the sea to the boat and luggage which can be carried by back means free hands to grab overhead beams as the boat tips from side to side in one hand and shoes in the other!
I am currently in McDonalds in the Mataram Mall so that i can access the wifi as my carrier is still really slow. But waiting for McDonalds wifi to kick in is also taking a long, long time.
If i can't get this to publish soon, i will save it & publish later from Windy's.
included porters to help with our ridiculously unportable luggage. Suitcases would have to be the least practical form of luggage if traveling to places like the Gili's. A backpack makes a lot more sense if having to travel anywhere by public transport. The public boat includes a small wade from the edge of the sea to the boat and luggage which can be carried by back means free hands to grab overhead beams as the boat tips from side to side in one hand and shoes in the other!
I am currently in McDonalds in the Mataram Mall so that i can access the wifi as my carrier is still really slow. But waiting for McDonalds wifi to kick in is also taking a long, long time.
If i can't get this to publish soon, i will save it & publish later from Windy's.
Vila Ombak, Trawagan, Thursday
Caught the 8:30 boat over to Gili T this morning. After a mango juice and a couple of rounds of cards, the girls went shopping while i headed to Vila Ombak to catch up with the Mann's.
So while Bec & Kate are shopping, i am sitting by the pool enjoying the cool breeze while Kyle is checking his emails, Kelsey is mooching in the pools wearing flippers and Sharon & Jason snorkel out the front of their hotel.
I am really impressed with Gili T - it isn't as bad as i thought it would be as far as development goes. I really expected more high story hotels and fancy facilities, but it is similar to Gili Air except it targets wealthier tourists who have a higher expectation of the facilities which should in their eyes be available eg 3 ATM's, lots of internet cafes, chemists, and for younger tourists there are many watering holes. Vila Ombak not only has an amazing pool which includes a spa, baby pool & waterfall, there is also a table tennis table & 2 areas to play chess!
Nethertheless,we all agree that Gili Air is the best and our hotel is awesome.
Our trip back to Gili Air was quite rough and again we went via Gili Meno. The filthy water under the boards under our feet was sloshing right up the side of the boat.
So while Bec & Kate are shopping, i am sitting by the pool enjoying the cool breeze while Kyle is checking his emails, Kelsey is mooching in the pools wearing flippers and Sharon & Jason snorkel out the front of their hotel.
I am really impressed with Gili T - it isn't as bad as i thought it would be as far as development goes. I really expected more high story hotels and fancy facilities, but it is similar to Gili Air except it targets wealthier tourists who have a higher expectation of the facilities which should in their eyes be available eg 3 ATM's, lots of internet cafes, chemists, and for younger tourists there are many watering holes. Vila Ombak not only has an amazing pool which includes a spa, baby pool & waterfall, there is also a table tennis table & 2 areas to play chess!
Nethertheless,we all agree that Gili Air is the best and our hotel is awesome.
Our trip back to Gili Air was quite rough and again we went via Gili Meno. The filthy water under the boards under our feet was sloshing right up the side of the boat.
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