Kemtuik Day Trip

Phil's Mum and Dad at the Sosiri lookout, Lake Sentani on the way to Kemtuik.


Philip had no idea that Bernard (left) could speak English until John spent the day chatting with him.

It was the 33rd anniversary of Kemtuik Literacy. They launched the book of Matthew on mobile phones!

John took up the invitation to share a song--How Great Thou Art--and they sang along in Indonesian.

In nearby Besum local Javanese have harvested their rice and wait their turn to run it through this mobile processor. Husks come out one side, white rice out the other.

The vibrant colours of Genyem's local market.

Hotel Fun in Jayapura

View of Jayapura Harbour from our hotel window. Jayapura is the capital city of Papua province, an hour or three's drive from Sentani depending on traffic.


We were bemused to see this sign on the way to the army base lookout: If in doubt, better turn back.
General MacArthur brought an end to Japanese occupation of Papua during WWII. This is one of the tanks he brought ashore in Jayapura Harbour.

Dinner at our favourite fish restaurant. You choose the fish; they scoop it out and grill it for you!

Yes, this is for real.

But this is the real Jayapura.

TeeeeeVeeeee!

Beach Trip

We took the Swans Senior out to our favourite beach while they were here.
It takes about 20min by boat to get across the bay.
Almost there..

We rent a pondok for the day for about 100,000 rupiah ($10).

Out on the town

It was interesting to see what things John and Marg noticed and were struck by in Sentani, some of them now so familiar we hardly notice them anymore. The sign outside a restaurant lets us know what's on the menu.

Balloons for sale.

The saying here goes: They were selling like fried bananas.

The gutters are deep to cope with the torrential rains..

..and unfortunately they quickly fill with rubbish.

Time with Nana & Papa

The boys had such a grand time with Nana and Papa, everything taking on a whole new dimension of fun.
I think they're awful but on this occasion put my better judgement aside and asked Nana and Papa to bring the boys a Transformer each as a gift. They managed to find some that were not entirely predatory and the boys were beside themselves with happiness.
We hosted a ladies fellowship group from church on the Friday night, and they were thrilled when John and Marg joined them for dinner.

Enjoyng the river behind our house.

John was interested in, and wanted a picture of everything, including me taking Soren to the school taxi drop-off spot in the morning. Note alarmed viewers: Phil has since insisted we both wear helmets, even though I don't leave our culdesac.

Soren made the most of having guests to make some special 'treats'. Such a sweet boy.
It was so nice to have Autumn and grandparents meet at last.
A walk through the neighbourhood one afternoon..
..enjoying the view..

..Phil and Dad off to pick up some dinner.

Soren enjoyed a fresh audience to show off all his tricks to.

Soren & Reuben soak up the love.