Bikes

After some intensive training sessions, Soren and Reuben are now both free of training wheels!

Piano (and Reuben)

We had Philip's electric piano shipped here from Australia, which has made him a very, very happy man, and means we can start Soren on piano lessons soon. It remains to be seen whether Reuben has been endowed with any significant musical talent, but he does enjoy bashing around on it every now and then.

Reaching for the grand heights...

Slightly deranged-looking Reuben. Perhaps he's already been exposed to too much jazz.

His favourite disguise (thanks Aunty Yvette!)

One thing both boys have been endowed with is good hand-eye coordination. Here Reuben expertly negotiates all the tight corners of the house on Soren's bike.

Bikes

Most afternoons I go out on the street with the boys, and chat with any neighbours who are hanging around. Soren's the one wearing a helmet.





Abdil adores Reuben, and will do anything for him. He often comes to our gate calling for the boys while they are resting/sleeping in the afternoon.

Abdil, his sister, and neighbour Fita.

Reuben and his ridiculous bike

Reuben looks longingly onto the street, waiting to be released. If you think the bike looks a tad ludicrous now, you should have seen it before Philip pulled off the rear-view mirrors, battery-operated cookoo clock, front basket, foot rests, adjustable arm rests and canopy!

Pak Anis

Pak Anis is our landlord and immediate neighbour, and is loads of fun. He's from the island of Flores (near Timor) and his Indonesian is very loud, very fast and very animated!

Reuben & friends

Reuben.

Reuben with Ibu Kety, one of our helpers.

Reuben with immediate neighbour and Landlady Ibu Susana. She is a great cook, and has taught me how to cook bunga papaya with kangkung (both green vegetables)--delicious! Mie goreng (fried noodles) is next!

Another neighbour, Ibu Milka.

Playing in the garage.