Fabulous Jakartan:  The Diplomatic Wife

Today we are meeting The Diplomatic Wife. The Diplomatic Wife has been living in Jakarta for the past 4 years and is about to endeavor in a new adventure. I met her a couple of years ago and she hasn’t only been a huge source of inspiration but a great friend. The DW has not only inspired me to venture out in Jakarta but she has been an incredible source of advice for anything related to life in Jakarta. Check out her blog and be inspired to explore the Big Durian. DW, you will be truly missed!

So, here’s The Diplomatic Wife’s Fabulous Jakartan Friday Interview.

The Diplomatic Wife and The Diplomat

Tell me more, tell me more

1. First, tell us a little bit about you. What’s your background? Where did you grow up? How long have you been living in Jakarta for? What does your family look like?
I’m a Filipina currently based in Jakarta. Originally I am from the south of the Philippines, but grew up and worked as in marketing in Manila. When I moved to Jakarta four years ago, I left my  carreer and became a housewife, to take care of TD (The Diplomat) and DiploDog.

DiploDog enjoying the balcony breeze

2. Is Indonesia your first post abroad? What’s the hardest thing about being an expat in Indonesia? What did you struggle with the most?
Yes it’s our first post. I think the hardest thing about living in Indonesia is the language barrier and communicating in general. Even if I am speaking in Bahasa, I feel like I have to repeat myself a lot. Do you feel the same way? (Ana’s note: ALL THE TIME!)

Looking for things that I need is also a challenge.  Jakarta has many secrets and wonderful treasures. You just have to really look for it, explore, be resourceful and ask a lot of questions. After being here for almost 4 years, I feel like I am finally starting to know Jakarta.  Though Jakarta is massive, it’s like a town in a way, because instead of going to a one-stop shop, usually you have to go to specialized shops in different locations.

3. Your blog, the Diplomatic Wife blog has been a source of inspiration and tons of useful information for me when I first moved to Jakarta! Why did you decide to start a blog?  How long have you been blogging for? What’s the best thing that has come from blogging?
Thank you so much! I am happy that someone, who has a really great blog like yours, finds my blog useful. Blogging was a way to cope with losing my identity. I was such a workaholic when I was in Manila and my identity was tied to what I did. When I moved here, I became “the wife  of…” But with my blog, I am able to write and take photographs and basically express who I am now.

I love that I also get to share my discoveries and observations (be they good or bad) with fellow expats who might be experiencing the same things I am experiencing. I like being able to help out because, though being an expat is fantastic and fabulous, it is difficult adjusting to a new place. Information is crucial.

Living in Jakarta

1. What three adjectives would describe Jakarta the best?
-       Slow
-       Gritty
-       Paradoxical
2. What’s your biggest Jakarta Love and Jakarta Hate?
-       I love how beautiful the city is with all it’s trees and nice main roads, and how much art, design and thought goes into the buildings, restaurants,  interiors, etc.
-       My hate how supposedly-simple things can be such a big hassle with the traffic, slow customer service, language barrier, etc.

3.    How do you find the sweetness beneath the Prickly Surface of the Big Durian? What activities or things keep you happy and thriving in Jakarta?
You really need to explore and be persistent to find the sweet things in Jakarta.  I find it strange that things that are readily available and so cheap in malls in Manila are hard to find and expensive here (Random things like simple glass vases, a salad spinner, etc.) People wont really tell you about them, unless you specifically ask. When you ask, Jakartans can be very helpful… And can lead you to amazing finds!

Blogging, taking pictures, baking and DIY have given fulfillment to my life here. Because though it can be challenging to find the “ingredients”, it’s fulfilling creating something I find beautiful in the end.

The Diplo Abode

Gorgeous Design and stunning pics

4.    For a first time visitor coming to Jakarta, what would you recommend they try out that is uniquely Jakartan? A specific food, activity, or place?
Cream bath in a salon or spa! It’s a spa treatment that I’ve only ever found here. Even men should try it. I know many male Jakartans who enjoy this luxurious treat!

5.    If someone was to move to Jakarta shortly, what would be your biggest piece of advice for them?
Learn the language as soon as possible. Pay for a professional language course if you have to. It will greatly reduce the stress!

6. What’s the one thing you wish you had brought or brought more of?
I usually bring stuff for the home in Jakarta, that are readily available in Manila. This is a really geeky answer but here are the things that I make sure to bring from Manila to Jakarta:
-       Baygon roach baits (safe way of dealing with cockroaches without spraying anything into the air and harming pets/children)
-       Aquasana shower head filter and refills  (to  filter and dechlorinate our shower water)
-       Potentilla Tea Party oil diffuser for a sweet smelling home
Other than that, the rest are just icing on the cake. But to be honest I bring a lot of things from Manila to Jakarta. So many things are not available here, or are much cheaper in Manila or IKEA in SG/KL

Jakarta Expat Socialite

1. What do you think about the expat community in Jakarta?  Was it easy to embrace expat life in Jakarta?
I think that there are many expats but it is harder to meet expats that have the same interest and you can connect to. I am not really sure why. Maybe it is also harder to meet up because of the traffic? I tend to stay home in Jakarta (A big difference from my always on the go persona in Manila)

2. Are you involved in any community organizations or associations?
No. My blog,  maintaining my OC household, designing and creating accessories and baking for friends keep me very busy.

3. What’s the best thing about being an expat in Jakarta?
We get paid more when we are at post than when we are at home. Haha sorry I can’t think of anything that is related to the category this question is in.

4. What are your favorite places and things in Jakarta

a.     Shopping Center:  Gandaria City and Senayan City – affordable  and practical shops. Special mention of ACE Hardware store is needed too.
b.    Clothing Stores: I try to shop local here because it’s so much cheaper. I love Chez Bella,  Magnolia, Etcetera,  and The Executive. I always go when they are on sale.
c.     Cultural Outing: Is eating and shopping for Indonesian arts and crafts considered cultural? Haha! For culture we travel to Yogya and Bali.
d.    Date Night Outing:  Dinner at a new resto and then enjoying a Premier Movie with some beer and popcorn in a lazy boy haha!

Traveling in Indonesia

1. If you could only visit one place in Indonesia while in Jakarta what would it be?

My favorite place in Indonesia is Yogyakarta. Some of my best memories have been riding in a becak, going to Borobodur (It doesn’t get old!), watching the Ramayana ballet with the prambanan as backdrop and shopping around in Mirota BAtik. It is also where I tried Jamu and  Lulur for the first time!

2. What is the best advise to anyone traveling in Indonesia?
Have a translator/dictionary  on your smartphone for easy translation. Don’t ask for ice with your drink at not so high-end restos, and never ask for free water… you are going to get tap! (read: not potable)

3. Bali or Lombok? 
Definitely Bali. I think I was traumatized by my first and only experience of Lombok. We went when it was off-season, the weather and the waters were rough. Bali has great food, art, shopping and massages!

4. Yogyakarta or Jungle Trekking in Sulawesi or Krakatau?
I absolutely love Yogyakarta. Mainly because I love shopping for art, Indonesian crafts, lulur, Monggo chocolate, etc.

Gotta love Indonesian Massages

Jakarta Foodie

1. What’s your favorite restaurant in Jakarta?
Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao (when it was still open in the basement of Grand Indonesia), Duck King and anything from the Ismaya Group.

2. What food do you miss the most from back home?
Sweet Philippine mangoes! There is no comparable substitute here. Other food, you can bring, make yourself or create a substitute. But mangoes are tricky to bring.

3. You are from the Philippines, are there any Philippine restaurants in Jakarta?
Only one, called Muffin House or Manila Connection in the basement of FX Mall. I wouldn’t say it’s the best representation of Filipino food, but they do what they can with the limited supply of ingredients. They always have problems with customs and supply, so I feel for them. I know it’s a challenge to recreate a taste when you don’t have the right ingredients. But somehow it still tastes like home. We especially love the tapa with the sweet vinegar and the bistek tagalog.

4. What is the one Indonesian dish that everyone should try?
Sambal butter corn from a vendor on the Jimbaran, Bali beachfront. It is the best! A close second is the grilled seafood called Ikan bakar Jimbaran. You can find it all over. My favorites are from…
1)   Warung Menega in Lombok
2)   Menega Cafe in Jimbaran Bali
3)   Ikan Bakar Jimbaran in Yogyakarta
Fresh seafood marinated in special spicy Jimbaran sauce then grilled to perfection. If you are already in Jimbaran Bali, order your seafood, then head over to the shore and find yourself a sambal butter corn vendor. It’s the perfect appetizer while waiting for your seafood to cook

Thank you very much for joining us in Stumble Abroad today, just one more request:

Describe what life in Jakarta is like in one sentence.

Life in Jakarta is crazy and full of paradox, but it’s helped me grow and become really resourceful and patient!

In that context, when my good blogger friend Erica invited Kaho and I for a little fashion play date I was ecstatic. Le Petit Society, a chic kid outfitter company based in Hong Kong, provided the kiddos with the cutest and coolest child’s wear I have ever seen! The pops of color, the whimsical designs and the cool European edge made the kids look not only cool and urban but still like the playful and bouncy children they are.

Boat Style

Too cool for school

Let’s run!

I get knocked down, but I get up again!

About to jump

Ahh, what a day…

Beautiful Stella

Chillaxing

Cool in blue

Taking a Break

Let’s rest

Dancing?

I’m number one!

Stella

Happy Boy

I can undress myself

My pensive little man

I think Le Petit Society’s collection has struck the perfect balance between a cool and edgy look and a playful spirit in their clothes. Evan was obsessed with the shirt with suspenders and asks to wear the jean shorts way too often. I don’t mind him doing so since he seems perfectly comfortable being the boy he is, climbing, jumping and just monkeying around and the clothes have not succumbed to Evan’s roughness.

Train Time!

Evan loved the key chain accessory. He wears it with everything now!

Cool little dude!

Love the Stripey Look!

Kaho’s Cute Munchkin

Boys will be boys, and will look very cute in suspenders!

Vrooom!

The pants are the perfect length to play!

Loved the indigo color!

Le Petit Society’s fashion has come to fill a gap in the Asian market. European design plus chic Asian urbanity mix into the perfect combination of cool and cute. Their prices are not only affordable but definitely an excellent price to value rapport due to the durability and quality of their garments (trust me, they have been tested in rough terrains in our house).  Check out their facebook page for their latest trends, including their upcoming mommy designed collection. Le Petit Society SHIPS FREE all throughout Asia so go ahead, check them out, and make your kid’s sartorial dreams come true!

Thank You Le Petit Society for Evan’s outfits, he is fascinated by them, and so am I!

Check out Kaho’s and Erica’s blogs for a different perspective on the same cool clothes!

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew from friends who had been there that the trip was definitely worth it but that the ride there was a bit rough. I started doing some research and learned that the Krakatoa volcanoes erupted in 1883 and that thousands of people perished in what was considered to be the loudest sound ever heard in modern history, talk about making an impact. As we embarked on the three-hour car ride to the port of Carita I got very excited about finally paying this old island a visit.

When we arrived in Carita we were greeted by very friendly smiles that led us to a restaurant where the bules (us) were fed western fare, because who doesn’t want pancakes with tomato chilli sauce? After we used the “facilities” we took a quick drive to the port where we hoped on a speed boat and sped away towards the islands, or what was left of them.

Speed Boat to Krakatau

Good Bye Charita!

Going Fast!

After about 40 minutes into the bumpy ride we were able to catch a glimpse of the volcanoes, what was left of them and the anak Krakatoa that is currently emerging. You could see the Anak Krakatoa smoking and getting ready to reveal its fury in the near future. I was very excited to see this historical natural site but was very upset to see dozens of pieces of debris and trash all over the ocean. So much so that we had to stop often to keep the speed boat’s motor from clogging up.

First glimpse at Krakatau

Enjoying the ride

Getting closer

It was skoking

White Smoke

Fuming

The three islands

Almost there

Nazira looking out the window

Closer look

Almost there!

When we finally arrived we stopped to take a look at the gorgeous black sand and got ready to start the trek up the volcano. As soon as we got there we lathered ourselves in sun block and left the stuff we were not using in the speed boat.

We’ve arrived!

Awesome Flora

and Fauna…

The first few hundred meters were a very easy climb. It was not very steep and the gorgeous tall trees provided a very good shade. I was very glad to be wearing tennis shoes since the sand was very loose and it started getting in my shoes.

Sandy climb

Black sand

As we got closer and closer to the peak the terrain started getting steeper. The sand was looser than in the bottom and there were many rocks all around. The trees were gone due to previous eruptions and sandy dunes became the norm. As we walked on some of these dunes our feet slipped since the sand was not very firm.

Nazira and Pete halfway there

Closer look

My sister Dany

Volcanic rocks

A few water breaks later, we arrived to the top. The views were stunning and well worth the climb. The colors of the ocean were breathtaking and the smoking volcanoes were just an impressive sight and one that I will never forget. Being by the top of the volcano provided us insight on how amazing nature is and how God’s creation is just astounding. Feeling the heat of the volcano emerging from the ground we couldn’t help but think about God’s perfectly created ecosystem and the harmony it has with humanity.

Dany

Dany and I (please excuse the redness)

Our guide led my hubby to the edge and explained to him the effects of the previous eruptions. For a moment we thought about the many people affected by the natural disasters the eruptions have caused.

Almost on top of the volcano

It was very hot up there

Minerals

What a wonderful day it was. After our climb we were able to snorkel for a couple of hours and were provided lunch, cold drinks and fresh fruit. The service we used provided the snorkeling gear and our guide led us to the best areas to contemplate aquatic life. From beautiful blue starfish to schools of fish we enjoyed every second of it. What a perfect day. If you are in Jakarta and are willing to spend a day out in sync with nature, Krakatau is the best choice.

The 5 of us

Tips

• Bring closed toe shoes. The walk of the volcano isn’t very treacherous but wearing flip flops or sandals would make it even harder and the sand is HOT HOT HOT. Bring sandals to change into for the snorkeling bit.
• Bring lots of sunblock and reapply every hour or so. I got really sunburned and have some funky streaks on my back from where my hands couldn’t reach all of my back. So much for being self-sufficient.
• Bring an extra change of clothes to change into after you snorkel. Although you won’t be able to take a shower you really don’t want to go back on your sweaty hiking clothes.
• If you want to bring the kiddos make sure you pack snacks and lots of water or drinks. It is very very hot and you really need to keep hydrated.
• Why not book at hotel at Charita? I would consider doing that and bringing the boys. Maybe leaving Josh behind with his nanny for the volcano bit and bringing Evan in hopes he wouldn’t want to be carried all the way up.
• Toilet conditions are precarious at best. Bring tissues or whatever you deem necessary. Most of the toilets at the port are squat toilets and toilet paper is unavailable.

Krakatau Volcano Tours
+62 8138666 88 11
+62 8787 14 777 80
e-mail : info@krakatau-tour.com

Since we had already visited the aquarium and Park Guell and eaten way too many tapas we ventured out in the neighborhood surrounding our hotel. A short walk away was the world famous Placa Espanya and the vivid fountain show showcased at the Fountain of Montjuïc.

Amazing view of Plaza Espanya

Walking on Placa Espanya

Roundabout

A mesmerizing show encompassing all sorts of music from around the world, the Magic Fountain Show is a show worth witnessing. The music, the atmosphere, the gorgeous lights make this show one that should not be missed. I was hesitant to take the boys there since it was late at night but as soon as we got there grumpy sleepy toddlers became smiling happy babes.

The Magic Fountain

Evan was very excited to be there

Mr. Independent wanted to get as close as he could

Gorgeous Fountain

A happy little boy

Evan loved running around the park while Josh sat on his stroller contemplating all the lights and action around him. The Placa was full of people from the four corners of the world.

Evan was dancing the night away

Great music, amazing lights and a superb atmoshphere

I wish I had been able to capture this incredible show in a better way!

Evan running around

Light show

So many different colors

Someone has dancing the night away

Cool from any angle

Joshua loved the music

Evan was very impressed by the street ventsA

After a long day roaming around two sleepy boys were ready to go home. The Magic Fountain is a place to be seen and I would recommend anyone visiting Barcelona to add it to their to do list. After all, it will be later at night, after the sun has set and the tapas have been consumed once again.

Let’s fly!

Or not….

This hotel has an observation deck from where you can see the whole street

Tips

• Come after you’ve had dinner. There are some convenience shops that sell drinks but there isn’t any substantial food.
• Bring the kids, they will love it.The shows during the summer start at 9:00 pm and go on until 11:30 pm. If you are willing to carry sleepy kids back to your hotel, just do it. It is tons of fun.
• If you want to sit right by the fountain or on the steps of the Placa it is recommended that you arrive a few minutes before the show. To be honest we moved around and were able to enjoy the show from every angle.
• Check out the city website before you visit so you have the most current showtimes.

Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
From the Palau Nacional to Plaça Espanya in Montjuïc

For the Easter weekend we decided to fly over to Bali. We’ve been there a few times already and it just seems very different each time. On each occasion we discover new things and the boys seem to enjoy their visits more and more each time. The first time we visited I was pregnant  with Josh and we went with my sister. Our second visit was with my dad and we did all kinds of fun stuff.

Ready to go!

Bye Bye Jakarta

As soon as we got to the hotel the boys got in a festive mood and decided to make the most out of their visit. I was so happy to see them giggle and smile and just take everything in.

Waiting for our room at the hotel

Tired boy

Taking a Break

Where’s Josh?

Dada and Evan

Behind the scenes

This time, we did a couple of different things. A first for us, was having lunch by the rice patties. What a wonderful experience. Not only was the food delectable, the view was astounding. Evan and Josh had tons of fun looking at all the locals walking by and I just enjoyed watching the boys grow stronger and more independent by the second.

Talking to the local girls

Evan

Gorgeous Rice Paddies

Local Boy

Another view of the rice paddies

Rice harvester

Beautiful Balinese Lady selling Durian

Playing with cars

Coconut Water

Comme d’habitude, we stopped at our now favorite place in Bali, Bali Pulina, our preferred agro-tourism venue in Bali. Evan loves to visit his friends the civets and feed them beautiful red coffee berries. Our little roaster boy roasted some coffee beans and we enjoyed the view while we avoided the tropical rain.

Feeding the Civet

Roasting Coffee

He got the hang of it quite fast.

I was a bit disappointed to be out of Jakarta for Easter, seeing that last year we had a blast celebrating Easter and participating in several Easter Egg Hunts. To my surprise and delight the hotel where we stayed had a special Easter Celebration for the kids which included an Easter Egg Hunt and a Chocolate Decorating Class. I was so excited to see the boys look for the Easter eggs although they were tiny quail eggs that Joshua decided to consume later on.

Ready to hunt for eggs!

Warming up.

Josh was ready!

Looking for quail eggs

There’s one up there!

Josh ended up eating the eggs.

Yum!

Overall, a wonderful Easter once again. We are so tremendously grateful for all the blessings from above and pray that our last year in Jakarta is full of surprises, adventures and everlasting friendships.

On a different note, you may be wondering (or not) why I’ve been so sporadic with my posts lately. The truth is that my sister is in town and chick flick time prevails over sitting in front of the computer time. And the reason why the sitting in front of the computer time is not as exciting as it was before is because I’m already doing that for a bunch of hours every day. I just started a new job and I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle the many exciting and challenging duties of my new job, plus spending time with the kiddos, plus making sure we don’t run out of milk so I don’t have a whining toddler begging for “leche” right before bedtime. I’m truly enjoying being back in the work force but I struggle with mom’s guilt every.single.day.

So please bear with me as I get back on track and reschedule my life around my priorities. I truly love Stumble Abroad and will continue to write, but chubby cheeks and wet kisses are definitely on the top of my list right now. That being said, expect a post a week and on the sporadic week where the work/life balancing act allows it, you can expect even more. God has been so faithful and I pray that this adventure we started a bit over a year ago will continue in the years to come and the lives of Evan and Josh will be documented for them to go back to some day and reminisce over the adventures at home and abroad.

By the way, isn’t Josh huge?

My big boy

When I was asked to review Story Box  I was delighted to receive what looks like a paperback book but is in fact a magazine for kids. Story Box comes with an audio CD an a delightful variety of stories, comics, activities and even scientific facts explained in a very child-friendly manner. My first thought was “Yay, we get to change tonight’s bedtime story”; Evan’s first thought was “Yay, a new book to read every single night”. Back to me, “Yay, we have two different ones, and there are over 10 different stories and articles to choose from so it will take me at least a month to learn the stories by heart”.

Story Box Magazines

Hailing from the UK these kid magazines have been awarded Parents’ Choice Gold status in the US and are used in schools throughout the US as supplementary reading material. Published by Bayard Magazines in the UK Story Box targets audiences 3 to 6 years old and have different illustrators and writers in each monthly publication. A similar format is used for Adventure Box created for 6  to 9 year-olds and Discovery Box for kids 9 to 12.

Reading about airplanes…

Although Evan is still not reading yet, he was thoroughly interested in the content of Story Box. He absolutely loved the scientific facts section since it talked about airplanes, dinosaurs and nature and I was very happy to see him exposed to all this information in a way he could understand it. Evan just turned three and his attention span is not very long, so the fact that as soon as he turned the paged opened a whole different realm and section kept him interested for a while.

Evan enjoyed the different sections

A good portion of the magazine includes different activities such as crossword puzzles, follow-the-dots, fill in the blank and even fun cryptograms. Evan wasn’t too interested in them but I bet older kids would love to play with them and anxiously await the arrival of a new Story Box just as many of us crave the Sunday crossword puzzle.

Overall, we really enjoyed reading Story Box. The different activities and themes make it for a fun and entertaining read. As a mom I loved seeing all the different scientific facts explained to kids in a simple way and was so happy to have new material to read to Evan at night. Evan was very excited to see the comics and the pictures and wanted to be read the stories a few times. If you want to check Story Box out you can see some samples here, here and here. I would recommend anyone to get a subscription to Story Box. After all, who doesn’t want a whole new magazine to devour every single month?

A little bit of science

A little bit of Fiction

And a whole lot of fun!

In Jakarta you will find Story Box magazines at Aksara and Kinokuniya Bookstores. If you are anywhere else in Indonesia , you are able to get a subscription thru Our Book Club. They have subscribers in Jakarta and vicinity, Bandung and Cirebon and they are able to deliver anywhere in Indonesia. If you want further information you can contact Our Book Club by email or call them at +62-21-390-6991.

Happy Reading!

Jakarta’s folklore emanates from within the kampungs and fills the vivid streets of the City Center. On the way to Kota we caught a glimpse of all the food carts getting ready for the lunch break to make their business thrive.

Getting ready for the lunch hour rush

Because riding on the street would just make too much sense.

Kota Bicycles

Street Food

As we approached our destination, my in-laws were stopped by a group of students who wanted to interview them about their perception of Indonesia thus far. Both the students and my family left the interview with a smile on their face.

My in-laws enjoying their celebrity stat

We finally arrived at the puppet museum. I had been there before and was glad to be there again. After paying a very small fee of 5,000 Rp. per person we were given a guide of the Museum and ventured in.

Entrance

Indonesia’s rich culture and heritage is impeccably portrayed in one of its oldest and most renowned folk arts, the art of puppet making. The diversity in resources and customs throughout the archipelago is not only evidenced in the materials used for the puppets but also the way the puppets are showcased and used.

This guys greeted us upon entering the museum

The first floor includes several depictions of Wooden Puppets and shadow puppets. Looking at the Wayang Golek (wooden puppets) reminded me of the time we visited Pak Dase the puppet maker in Bogor and made me appreciate even further the work that goes into each intricate detail.

Monkey face?

Traditional Indonesian Puppet

Different Outfit

Now this one is a monkey…

Monkey Profile

Puppets here, puppets there, puppets here and everywhere

On the first floor there is a small garden where antique dutch inscriptions decorate the walls. They also have a nice sitting area for those in need of a break.

Beautiful garden in the midst of the museum

The section with the Wayang Kulit (shadow puppets) was particularly enjoyable for me. I didn’t realize that the puppets had colors since they are depicted only as a shadow during a show. The shadow puppets can be made out of leather of paper.

Shadow Puppets

Shadows

Bule looking puppets

Close-Up

Wood puppets

The second story includes puppets and dolls from all over the world. The Indonesian puppets are specially interesting because they emerge from the different islands. Different materials such as hay and batik fabric are used and many different works methods are evident in the details.

Giant Puppet

Indonesian Hay Puppets

Paper Puppet

The international puppet collection, although modest in size, is very interesting.  It includes puppets mainly from Europe and Asia. It was very insightful to compare the workmanship of the Indonesian to the foreign ones and I can attest that the Indonesians are far from behind in quality and creativity.

Dolls

More Dolls

Chinese Puppets

Cabinet with Indian puppets

Clown Puppet

International Puppets

Chinese Puppets

Going back down

Ondel Ondel

We truly relished visiting the Puppet Museum. It gave us a small glimpse of Indonesian culture as a whole and it was a very entertaining way to learn more about the archipelago. I would recommend it to anyone with little kids but be aware that some of the faces might be a bit scary for them.

Tips

• Don’t come on a Monday. The Puppet Museum, like the National and Textile Museums are closed on Mondays. They close their doors at 3:00 pm so make sure you come before that.
• Bathrooms are available but I would recommend you bring tissues or something similar since toilet paper is not always available.
• On Sundays they have a puppet show at 10:00 am. I have been meaning to check it out for a while! It looks like fun!
• If you have a stroller with you, you will have to use the ramp that is used for descending to go up. Just let the people at the acceuil know and they will let you go up that way.
• Be aware that it is very very hot at Kota since there isn’t any shade. Be prepared for that.
• There is a small souvenir shop at the exit. The prices are quite reasonable.

Giant Beads

The first time I “met” Ibu Yekti was at an AWA meeting where she lectured us about her trade and how she has converted her passion into a thriving business. I couldn’t imagine a greater blessing. During this lecture she showcased her ravishing beads and her splendid jewelry creations, all of which were astoundingly affordable (I’m talking less than 15 USD for a gorgeous recycled glass necklace).

Ready to buy jewelry

Beautiful necklaces

I had been told that she had a workshop but never really made an effort to visit it due to the fact that ever since I had Evan I stopped wearing a lot of long jewelry. You can blame that on lessons quickly learned in motherhood where necklaces become leashes and long earrings the best teethers. This time, I had three beautiful ladies visiting us for a couple of weeks and I thought this would be the perfect time to venture out to Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta and get our bling on.

After making an appointment with the ever so available Ibu Yekti we arrived in her divine Javanese house nestled in the midst of the bustle of South Jakarta. As we entered her abode we felt as we had been transported to the land of beads. The colors, the textures, the patterns were overwhelmingly beautiful and ready to ignite our creative juices (yeah, those that don’t sing the ABCs like a broken record).

Gorgeous Javanese House

The green corner

Ahh the colors!

Lovely patterns

Blues

Colors

I loved these patterns

Reds

I wanted to make something with these big ones bud didn’t know what!

I love this color palette

More beads

And it was all green

Patterns

Even more beads

As soon as we got there Ibu Yekti asked us what we had in mind. I had no idea. I was just astounded by the amount and variety of beads. I just wanted a bead in each color and didn’t have a clue how to put them together. I finally decided that if I made something for my mom at least I would have something to start with. I told Ibu Yekti the color I had in mind and just like magic she started designing a gorgeous long necklace for my mom. It was like she had read my mind. The pattern, the color, the length it was exactly what I knew she would like.

Ibu Yekti finding the perfect bead

Beadiful!

The teal drawer

After Ibu Yekti creates them this lovely lady puts them together

Meanwhile my husband’s Mom, Aunt and Grandmother started working on their creations. They were ecstatic to see that Ibu Yekti also carried semi-precious stones in her shop and tiger’s eye and turquoise were their materials of choice.

Ibu Yekti helping Mom-Mom pick the right materials for her necklace

My mother-in-law waiting for her necklace to be ready

Making sure the length is perfect

Ibu Yekti was telling me that many ladies bring over their beautiful evening gowns and dresses and ask her to make something that harmonizes with them. She also showed me she had beautiful Indonesian silk scarves and that she made necklaces to match the colors of the scarves.

Beautiful Scarves and matching bling

While we were at the shop I noticed a couple of moms with their little girls and thought to myself this would be the perfect place to visit with little girls who like bling. The girls were making their own necklaces with gorgeous glass beads shaped like fish, ladybugs, and flowers. This drew me to the dresser that contained all the cute glass characters and I couldn’t’ help myself but had to make a monkey key-chain for my oldest monkey at home.  I also ended up getting a few glass bunnies to use as décor for Easter.

A monkey keychain for my monkey

Monkey!

Amazing glass characters

When it was time to pay we were so pleasantly surprised at the affordability of our beautiful creations. For two bead necklaces, a monkey keychain, six glass bunnies and a fish pendant necklace I paid a bit under 300,000 Rp. Of course the turquoise and tiger’s eye were a bit pricier but not much.

We had a fantastic time visiting Ibu Yekti and I would recommend anyone who likes beautiful artisanal beads to pay her a visit. Ibu Yekti is an artist at heart and will help you make your dream bling com to life.

Thank you Ibu Yekti!

Tips

-Make sure you make an appointment with her before you visit her home. You are welcome to visit when she isn’t there but trust me, you will want her creative genius to accompany your jewelry creating process.
-Bring cash to pay for your jewelry.
-Beware that the Javanese style house is very tropical in nature so it can get quite warm. There is water available but don’t dress as if you are going to a frigid Jakarta mall.
-Bring your kids! Even little boys might be into making a keychain to hang from their backpack. There are tons of child friendly beads and very cute glass creations.
-Come right before Christmas or your holiday back home and make personalized gifts for your loved ones!

The Bead Lady Ibu Yekti
Jl. Kalibata Timur No.49 (Off Jl. Pasar Minggu Raya)
Tel: 021 797 0948 / 021 798 9676
Hp: 0811 101 789
Email: kusmar@indosat.net.id

When my friend the Diplomatic Wife told me that one of my favorite restaurants in Jakarta, Turkuaz, was having a cooking class I signed up right away. Funny enough a few very good friends were interested in the class, too so we made a fun girls “morning out” out of it and headed to Kebayoran Baru to the epicurean gem that is Turkuaz.

When we first got there we were greeted by bustling staff working on prepping the demo table awaiting the Chef Sezai Zorlu. I was delighted to see beautiful local fresh ingredients being displayed on the table and got really excited about what was to come.

Gorgeous Decor

The demo table

Beautiful Fresh Ingredients

Yum!

Before the class started (we got there a bit too early thanks to me, sorry ladies), we sat down and sipped on Turkish coffee and tea. My goodness, the coffee was brewed to perfection and notes of Mediterranean spices and full flavors made it the perfect morning pick-me-up.

Before the Class I drank a deliciously rich Turkish Coffee

As chef Sezai arrived with his lovely wife Yanti  he gave us the recipe books and suggested we take a look at them and come up with any questions we might have. My only questions were regarding a couple of ingredients and he promptly responded to our inquiries.

We got our menus and reviewed them before the class started

Many of the people who came to the class have become regulars and as I was chatting with some of them I learned that this cooking class has been taking place for about a year now and each session has different dishes and recipes. I so hope I can become a regular myself! As more people started trickling in, the atmosphere became more lively and we were all ready to learn a few tricks of the trade.

The first dish Chef Sezai introduced to us was  Kisir, a bulgur salad which is usually eaten during the summer in Turkey. The crisp herbs and home made paste made this dish colorful, flavorful and fresh. As we all took down notes, Chef Sezai narrated stories about him growing up in Turkey and how his family made everything from scratch with beautiful fresh produce found on their farm.

Chef Sezai in Action

Delicious bulgur

Voila, Kisir

Chef Sezai encouraged us to experiment in the kitchen and emphasized that we shouldn’t panic in the kitchen, since anything can happen! A very wise piece of advice from him was not to try to catch anything that falls of the counter, particularly knives!

Perfectly cooked rice

Great conversation, delightful aromas, and the sizzling sound of the ingredients being cooked led to the next two dishes, Karni Yarik (Stuffed Eggplant) and Sehriyeli Pilav (slow-cooked vermicelli and rice) . As we learned more about Turkish cusine, we learned more about our own tastes and shared with each other how we did thinks at home growing up. I mentioned that I am terrible at cooking rice on the stove top and that I rely heavily on the rice cooker. The chef was very patient and taught us how to cook rice perfectly. Chef Sezai told us that in Turkey grandmothers say that the Spoon should never touch the rice until it is cooked!

Chef Sezai was very patient with our questions

While working on the eggplant, we learned many tips about cooking lamb meat and how olive oil (never extra virgin) is the best oil to deep fry veggies in.

He demonstrated every step to perfection

We were all very attentive and eager to learn from the master.

Working on the main course

We were all very attentive

Finishing touches

The piece de resitance was a beautiful Ottoman Zerde (Saffron pudding with pine nuts and black currant). As the flavors and aromas of the rose water, saffron and pomegranate filled the air, we all started getting hungry. We couldn’t wait to try all those beautiful dishes!

And this is how it’s done

Dessert

The time came to sit down and delight on our newly learned creations. Everything was perfect in every way and I don’t think we could have enjoyed it any more. As we munched down our delicious meal, Chef Sezai joined us with a rose hooka and amused us with stories of growing up in Turkey, living in Singapore and finding the perfect life and love here in Jakarta.

Finalized Menu

It was even better than it looks!

The cooking class at Turkuaz happens on a monthly basis, usually on the second Wednesday of the month. The class costs 400,000 Rp. net and includes a delectable Turkish meal cooked from scratch. Drinks are not included. To sign up and for more information contact the amazingly nice Yanti on her phone 087 889 102 169.  You won’t regret it!

Turkuaz – Authentic Turkish Kitchen
Jalan Gunawarman No. 32
Jakarta Selatan
+62 21 7279 5846