Social Networking

Well, we've spent four months in Indonesia already (time really does fly) and we cannot get enough of the energy, the spirit and the joy of the people who live here.  Our small village in West Java is completely beautiful and the people are so friendly.  I love everything about it; the unique and small shops, the schools, the homes and the social network (not Facebook) that all of the people have with each other here.  Friends gather on a verandah, cooking and sharing food, stories and laughter.

One of our many local shops - So many things tucked away!

The local stores are charming and have everything you can imagine in their tiny spaces.  Coffee, garlic and shampoo packets hang colourfully from the rafters and anything you cannot see is usually tucked away somewhere.

Energy efficient light globes? Tidak apa-apa (No problem)!

We even have a small plant nursery in the village, as everybody here takes great pride in their gardens.

Children always take advantage of the warm days to take a dip.

Those who know me well, know that I don’t like being around kids that much, but here in Indonesia I love being around the children; they are fun, curious and above all very grateful for any activity they do, from drawing to walks in the forest, they are always excited.   We even went swimming in a beautiful clear waterhole one hot day, which I will remember forever.   We ‘wagged’ book club like naughty school children and headed off into the forest stream.   “Look Miss, Look Miss” they would say as they showed me proudly how they could swim.  Once I felt how cold that water was, I bailed out!  IT WAS FREEZING ... These kids have no feeling, I’m sure of it!

Forest Protectors get creative!

The education side of the Little Fireface Project is coming along very nicely, with weekly visits to the local schools to complete the Forest Protector pack, which are pre-planned lessons about the loris and their habitats.  It is fabulous concept making a real difference in Children’s environmental education in the area. 

I also run the newly re-vamped “Nature Club”, an after-school ‘hands-on’ program to learn about the environment.

Weddings, no matter whose they are, are always colorful events.

As you can probably tell, socialising is a large part of the culture here and I have been to more weddings than I care to mention ... and a circumcision.  I didn’t get to see the ‘snip’ but I did get to experience the beautiful ceremony, prayers and food that followed.  Truly a moving experience; with the little boy, who was six, happy and playing around all afternoon. 

Me and Anna getting our wedding on!

The weddings are something else; a whirlwind of colour and noise.  There is dancing, singing and musicians on the stage, where guests can join in.  Weddings are a huge highlight in the village calendar and the families go all out to ensure the VERY full day is successful.  I love the weddings and the work and pre-planning that goes into them is almost unbelievable.

Speaking of weddings...

Dr Anna Nekaris and I took some time out and visited a bridal salon at the bottom of our village.

After hours of primping and pampering we were miraculously transformed into Indonesian brides and we had a photo-shoot.  Our crack team, Nea and Ariff are well known in Indonesia and have won many awards for their make-up and hair work.  I think they really do work miracles, as I am no spring chicken and my photos turned out pretty good!

No two days are the same in Indonesia – I LOVE IT!