Jakarta

 This is my 1st ever trip to Jakarta and it is very different from what I expected it to be. I didn't expect the traffic to be so bad. It took us about an hour to reach from the airport to the hotel and more than half the time, the traffic was literally crawling. We saw people weaving through halted traffic selling their wares, from drinks to tidbits to tissue paper. It was bad. A few times, we were stuck in the traffic for more than an hour when our destination wasn't that far away. The traffic was basically not moving.

We stayed in a nice hotel in a upmarket area of Jakarta. This area is generally populated by Chinese.

There are arty farty exhibits everywhere.

I have a nice room with a big bed, which I definitely put to good use.

Our hotel is right next to a huge shopping mall. There were so many international brands and I found so many familiar food. I felt as if I was in Singapore. I didn't know that Jakarta is so modern.

Shopping cost in the mall is about the same as in Singapore though, which I suppose is considered as expensive for Indonesians, but I see many Indonesians shopping and buying. Food is definitely cheaper and very good. I fear for my waistline. Haiz.

We also see many of such security posts. The are everywhere.

But they hardly do much real security job. According to my Indonesia friend, it is more like psychological effect. Win already.

Tomorrow will be another long day with many hours on the hour.  I hope and hope and hope that we wouldn't stuck too long on the road.

Mummy Lim

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I am heading to Jakarta for a 4-day business trip and I think I am taking the trip harder than anyone else in the family. For reasons beyond me, I hadn't been feeling good emotionally in recent days and I presume that it is bcos of the trip since this is the only out of the norm thing that is happening to my life recently. The feeling was a little mixture of anxiety and depression. Why? I don't know! Sob... feel like crying already.

Things are good otherwise. Daddy Lim is ok about my trip. I have already told the kids and they are heading to RWS for 2 nights stay with Popo and my bro's family in celebration of F's 9th birthday on Wednesday. I would be back on Friday after their tiny adventure without mummy. Lil Shauna didn't at all care that mummy wouldn't be around.  She had her eyes only on the staycation and couldn't wait to sleep over with Felicia. Lil Isaac was a little more sticky but jiejie's enthusiasm rubbed on him and he too had been talking about Sentosa. So, it is just me. Pout.

So I need lots of prayer to get out of whatever you call this thing. I should too enjoy my little "break" without the kids. Daddy Lim, download skype! Breathe, breathe..

Mummy Lim