School retreat 13 - 14 July 07

The term 'School retreat' in my opinion is an oxymoron. School is never relaxing but retreats are meant to be a balm to the frazzled nerves. Happily, some of my worst expectations are never realised and the newly-opened Tretes Resort turned out to be a gem....Roman-inspired decor abounds in the form of sculptures of Gods/Goddesses, Colisseum-type columns, swimming pool with and the most important trump card - the view of the valley dotted with houses and a panorama of distant mountains....but more beautiful than that was my encounter with a very nice Indonesian of Chinese origin on my recce around the place before breakfast...

....who showed me around her place, named 'Heaven' and it truly deserves its name. Just the kind of house I wannta live in .....

Mosquitoes

Dealing with mosquitoes in Sidoarjo

One unforgettable aspect of living in Sidoarjo, Surabaya must be the mosquitoes. Living in my house is like going birdwatching everyday in some rural part of Singapore but without the birds (well, a few) and the trees (average of 2 per house). The problem was so bad that initially, we would retire to an early night to avoid sitting in the sitting room where they swarm in by the dozens from a huge chimney hole (without the chimney) on the roof, which is so big that Santa's girth could fit in easily. A big insecurity as well, we are trying to get a wire mesh to seal it up, like our windows, but....

Oh well, it's better to rely on oneself. After one week of enduring kamizake attacks, I finally bought a high-power (but safe for humans, except a mild electric shock for the unknowing) electric mosquito racket to swat mozzies and flies. Makro Hypermart sells 4 types/brands but i settled for one with a good grip ... Cost around 30,000 rp (S$5+) but it will be great value for money. We reckon that it can double up for tennis. My housemate Chen Cheng has become quite good at it really... her backhand is awesome and it never fails to amaze us how a cursory sweep and throw up so many dead bodies. The most satisfying thing about the racket is that we'll see immediate results with a loud cackling sound and spark that means the hapless insect has been electrified to death. The most sadistically pleasant effect comes when it is rebounded a few times on the racket and its body burnt to pieces by the voltage, and then you know that its fate is sealed....

Selamat Datang...

After what seems to be a priod of an endless anticipation, I arrived in Surabaya on 8 July 07. Was pleasantly surprised when I was picked up by people sent by SNA before I cleared the immigration. Even more surprising (verdict is still out whether it's pleasant or otherwise) is that my new 'home sweet home' is only 15 minutes away from the airport.... hmmm, i do like going to Changi to watch the planes but having one zoom over your head every 15 minutes is something else...

Anyway, the apartment promised turned out to be a house.... cosy-looking one with a lamp in the little garden in the porch, 3 rooms (1 for my two housemates from China and me). There is a mysterious-looking spiral staircase at the washing area. My initial reaction wasn't that great but now that I've settled in somewhat (except for the mosquitoes), this place could look really pretty with a lot of sprucing up and decoration...