RED ROOF

Red Roof, RED ROOF! I just had to this get in. And I just happen to have one more cool photo from Surabaya that I happen like too. Anyways - I think it's rather amazing - all those red roofs. This was the view we had from a window on the 19th floor of the Sheraton Hotel we stayed at. A very nice hotel too. Pretty cool!

Yesterday went pretty smooth. I got a lot done yesterday - I made some serious progress on that big, big project of mine. And that is so cool - gotta love it when that happens. Now if I can just keep this momentum going, I'm going to have this thing wrapped up in no time. (I hope)

The AC - is finally fixed. It was definitely a third time lucky thing. I'm not sure who is more happy about this. Me, the other Me or the three maintenance men that were stuck here for the whole day yesterday.

TODAY: Is going to be an odds and bits kind of day. this, that and some other things too. Starting with - electric on, electric off, electric on, electric off. Grrrrrr. Some days that can just about drive a person c-r-a-z-y!!

The sky around the house this morning is a smoky mess. Not sure why or what that's all about. Quite likely the brick making people across the street and in a ways, have a big order to fill today. And the slight breeze that is blowing out there, is bringing all the smoke they make - my way. I don't even know if the sun is shinning out there yet.

Today have a lunch thing to do. Meeting up with a bunch before they all do the great escape on their summer leave. A lunch buffet kind-of-thing-to-do. And my friend's last day of work here today too, before her summer leave. Maybe tonight - we'll celebrate?

I'm hoping, later this afternoon I'm going to get back on to that big, big project of mine for awhile too. Need to put some more serious time into that thing. And then, just maybe a bit of time clearing up all those little its and bits of paper that have piled up all over the desk too.

Ok, time to get this show on the road.

Good to Go!

SURAMADU

The Suramadu Bridge, or Surabaya-Madura Bridge, between Surabaya, on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura. The longest bridge in Indonesia, 5.4 kilometers, and the first land link between the two islands. ................ expected to open to the public in June 2009. (I'm not certain if this has actually happened yet) (?)

Great weekend! And just like all the others blew by way too fast. Nice night out on Saturday night and a fabulous F1 Sunday too. The F1 Sunday thing that grew. What started out as a couple of us .......... well, in short - every go around now the crowd seems to grow by two. And what a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

F1 Sunday: The Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul - Jenson Button, does it again! Number 1. Good thing I've pledged my allegiance to him. He's a winner. 6 out of this year's 7 races are are now his. And I'm sure all the Brawn-Mercedes people are pretty darn happy with that. Next up - June 21, the Santander British Grand Prix.

Some good news - the AC is sort-of fixed. No more loud screeching sounds coming out of it anymore at least. Now it just intermixes with blowing hot and cold air - never quite sure what it's going to do. But we're working on it - this morning the maintenance guy has been here again and again and with any luck pretty soon things will be working just like new again. (fingers crossed)

Special Note: I figured out what that exclamation mark road sign meant from a last week post. I accidentally came across it in a children's English/Bahasa translation dictionary book. Be Careful. Hmmm - surprised I haven't seen a lot more of them.

TODAY: Cloudy day in paradise. Just have to wait and see.

Good to Go!

I AM HERE - I PREDICT

This is where I'm at. Tunjungan Plaza Shopping Mall in Surabaya. Getting all the last minute shopping in - before I head back. This morning, I'm guessing in the SOGO store.

Have a good one and see you when I get back.

Good to Go!

UPDATE FROM SURABAYA

Hey all - just enjoying an nice cold ice lemon tea at my newest favorite mall. This place is awesome - there's pretty much nothing you can't buy here. All good and STILL have money left.

Next stop SOGO!

And free internet. (that actually works kickass) (and we even have electric) (and you can buy beer in the grocery store) and, and, and ........

Good to Go!

GONE SHOPPING

And so, just what do you think is the meaning of this? I have no idea - just a good guess(es). Yield? Caution? PAY ATTENTION! Perhaps? Darn good thing I don't drive around here.

There are all kinds of strange (interesting) (weird) road signs around here just like that. This one has certainly seen a better day. A little worse for wear I think. Sure needs a good wash - and looks like a big truck passing by might have caught the corner and bent it a bit.

Ah - so maybe yield, caution or PAY ATTENTION isn't what they meant. Or is it?

TODAY: The electric keeps going off. And I have a plane to catch.

Today is the day me and my friend are heading off on our little shopping trip. We're doing the The Surabaya Shopping Trip. Empty suitcases and we're ready to go. We are so ready for this. And I'm sure hoping they have a Starbucks there too. (cause the one they keep promising in this town - still hasn't happened yet!)

This is what I pulled off the internet - Plaza Tunjungan with an exciting retail space of about 111,700 square meters, accommodates more than 500 retailers - wholly, now I'm scared. Are we going to have enough time to do all this?

Tell you all about it - when I get back.

Good to Go!

HELLO TUESDAY

Hello Tuesday! How are you?

The photo - this would be the new look (and I must say - it's looking good) of Mal Fantasi and with a new name too. 'Mal Balikpapan Baru'. Now how long do you think it's going take to get everyone on the same page with that. Changing names here is a difficult thing I think. Ever since I first came to Balikpapan the Le Grandeur Hotel (that's the real name) has been called by it's former name the Dusit. And this mall is getting a face lift too. They're finally painting over all those colouful bits that gave it the Walt Disney effect.

About the travel agent yesterday - off on a plane trip. To Surabaya later this week. Yes, I'll be missing in action again for a coupe of days. Me and a friend are off on a shopping trip. An over night shopping trip. We're heading to Surabaya's Tunjungan Plaza Shopping Mall - time for us to go check it out. We're told it's the 2nd largest shopping center in all of South East Asia. So we're taking with us empty suitcases and plan on filling them up for the trip back. Scarry isn't it?

TODAY: Ok, so starting at 9 a.m. - we officially have had all the water shut off. Pipe maintenance day ahead. Unofficially, maybe we'll go from tea water (water the colour of tea) to clear water instead. Things are looking good.

I have all kinds of plans for the day - and we'll soon see how it all works out. Things never seem to go quite as planned here. Flexibility rules - and then, before you know this day will be filled up and all will work out.

Just noticed, this whole post today seems to have a bit of a shopping mall theme to it. Hmmmm

Ok Tuesday - let's do it!

Good to Go!