BEACH HOUSE

Check out that beach. This is the view we had at lunch yesterday from our awesome spot under the cabana at the Beach House. The pic is from my phone - believe it or not. (I'm impressed actually) Like a dumby, I forgot to take the camera yesterday. doh!

So things are really buzzing today in Balikpapan - getting ready for the Xmas Bazaar tomorrow. And another B Day event tonight, and a darts thing tomorrow and a dinner party. I think we need more days in a week here . More days in the weekend would help too.

My friend is off to Singapore today. Don't forget the M-A-G-I-C (broom).

TODAY: Go! Go! Go! Notice I italicized that to put some emphasize the busy-ness I/we have going on here today.

Not sure where's the sun's at today, but at least it's not raining. Not yet - anyways. And I'm sure hoping it stays that way. Makes the Go! Go! Go! a whole bunch easier.

Ok, driver's waiting - I gotta go.

Good to Go!

KELAPA

KELAPA, aka coconuts. At least these are the Balikpapan type. Yes I know they don't look anything like the outrageously over priced sort you see in the North American supermarket. But these are what you get here, and right now there are truck loads of them and piles alongside the roads all over the place. Fresh by the way - and they really do taste great. Oh yeah - these are about a dollar each. In season I guess. Just in time for Ramadan.

Something else I should point out is the popularity of fireworks and fire crackers around here these days. Including the ones someone decided to set off (fire crackers) in the middle of the pizza house the other night. Every night - and I do mean every night, starting just around 7 p.m. all the fireworks comes out. Just in time with Ramadan too. .......... a 30 day build up to the big night. Idul Fitri is next week in fact.

BIWA Coffee Morning day here today. At the brand new Arts & Culture Center. Which as it turns out, is a really nice place and with an awesome view. First coffee morning I've been to in quite a long time in fact. Good to see all the familiar faces that have come back (holidays) and a whole lot of new ones too. Welcome to Balikpapan everyone - hope you enjoy your time here as much as I do.

TODAY: aka THIS AFTERNOON. I think we need to get some pool time in. Tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day - think I'm going to head over and enjoy the sun while I have the chance.

Good to Go!

BULAI

Introducing 'BULAI'. No, this is not my cat. In fact I don't have a cat. And as much as I really do like cats, I do not plan on getting a cat. However, this little felis catus guy deserves a mention, and makes the Blog today for 2 reasons.

#1 - He's really, really cute, almost all white, blue eyes, without body shape deformities and comes complete with an actual real tail. And these things are all rarities for a local Balikpapan, Indonesian cat. Most cats here have crooked or bent up tails or no tail or just short stubby looking things you'd have to assume are tails. And at first glance one would think someone cut it off - but no, in fact they are born that way. And they're usually some mottled, mixed up versions of colours that don't match, most likely involve the colour orange and are not very often white. ............ maybe that explains how the cat next door has been nick-named 'Ugly Cat', not to mention the fact it's had 4 liters of kittens in the past year. Poor things - imagine being born like that.

#2 - His name. BULAI. Pronunciation: boo-lay. Bahasa Indonesian/English translation book definition for bulai: white-skinned person, which more often than not means an expat. I'm told that one of Bulai's parents is actually an expat cat. (Yes, cats can be expats here too). And so, this little cat got the name 'Bulai'. A perfect fit, a perfect match - and a good name for this little cat.

TODAY: Coffee with the BIWA group and a bunch of other errands to do.

Need to finish off some photoshop stuff, get some cards ready for some birthdays coming up and if at all possible I'm going to get in some couch time this afternoon too. Good day everyone.

Good to Go!