Karate

I thought this was such a beautiful photo I had to post it. Before we left for furlough Phil and Soren were doing karate together with some other families. Pak Frans on the right is the Sensei.

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!

Aussie Friends

After much anticipation, our friends Shane, Mel, Bethany and Isaac arrived in Malang for language study.

Phil cut some bamboo to construct mosquito net frames for their beds.

Their house needed a bit of work before they arrived.

We did some fun things as part of orientation, like visiting a local waterfall.



Reuben and Bethany got reacquainted.

We also went to a zoo/theme park up the mountain. Despite the arctic temperatures Soren and Phil braved the pool.

I love Soren's crazy zany side.





Something appears to have happened to my family.

Phew, that's better! Soren on the tractor ride, ready with his cup of carrots and apples to feed the animals.

Mel's mum Raelene came and helped out for their first few weeks, which was fantastic.



We were ambushed by an overly friendly and slobbery camel.
Not sure what Spongebob was doing in the acquarium section. Not sure where Reuben's other thong is either.

Fun at the Mall

Every now and then, when the afternoon is dragging and the heat is awful, we pile into a mikrolet, a public minibus--which the boys think is great fun while I act as a human seat-belt--and head to the mall, where there are a couple of indoor playgrounds and a really nice frozen yoghurt shop.

Soccer

It's possible they asked him to join their team as goalie for reasons other than his extraordinary skill, but who cares! These are some of the guys Philip chats with on our street.

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!

Berenang (to swim)

Ok, time for a bath!

Or better, a swim, and then we can skip bath time!

Fun and Games

Tea party time.

Soren ready for bed in his new shark pyjamas. Thanks Nana and Papa!