Waltzing Matilda

Ever the good sport, Philip went along to a local Independence Day program (a month late due to the Ramadan fast in August). He thrilled everyone by obliging the presenter with an impromtu performance of an Australian song. Very glad it wasn't me up on that stage. It was a bit like a neighbourhood variety show (with rice).

Nesting

Philip and Soren get busy planting some flowers in the long-neglected garden bed at the side of our house.

Church in Malang

This church is about a 30min walk across the valley. We pass through a couple of 'village' suburbs on the way.

We meet Pak Mul, selling bakso, a broth-like soup with meat balls.
We pass many pet birds being put outside to enjoy the morning sun.
Stopping for a quick chat to answer the standard 'where are you going?' greeting.
Across the creek, up the hill..

..and we're ready for the air-conditioning. The song lyrics: '...that this story may be planted in my heart forever.'

Snack time.

Play time.

Time to get a lift home in one of the church vehicles. Nice!

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri

Hari Raya Idul Fitri is the day Muslims celebrate the breaking of the month-long fast of Ramadan. During the holiday week, family and neighbours love to drop in on one another. Ketupat, the woven parcels of rice, is one of the special foods prepared and shared when extended family and neighbours visit. We visited Ibu Anik's (our house helper's) family and later that week they dropped in with this gift of food for us!

Ruby Reubs

Please Sir..

Get me away from these crazy people!

Local wildlife

A stray kitten--a common sight here.

One of our neighbours is crazy about animals, perhaps just crazy. She keeps more than ten cats in cages in the garage, turtles, two dogs, rabbits, exotic birds, relatives, and on it goes.

Mango harvesting

The boys have been learning about 'harvesting' at Kinder. Everyone went to one of the kid's houses to pick mangoes, which was reeeally exciting! Here Soren and Ibu Lilik climb the mango tree to toss some down to eager hands below.


Attempting a catch. One poor kid copped a mango on the head.

Washing before eating. Yum!

Weddings

Our lovely neighbours Shelley and John got married recently.

Shelley found time to feed her favourite toddler at the lunch afterwards. A funny thing: the word for 'spoon-feed a child' is the same as 'bribe' in Indonesian.

Passport Photo Pain

Oh so tragic.

Oh dear.

Can you not be charming, just this once?



Bingo.

Local park

It's a bit of a dust bowl, but Reuben doesn't seem to mind, and he always makes a friend.

Junior Master Chef

Thanks for the superb present Ruth!

Runs in the Family

Soren takes his place in a long line of Swan men who've passed on an uncanny ability to pack a car, a suitcase or a whatever to within an inch of its life. Stand aside, Dad!