Way to Semarang

Yesterday, when landing in Jakarta from KUL, I realized that indeed, my perspectives have started changing. Two weeks ago, when I was in Bali, saw a Barong dance, with the traditional outfits and Indonesian movements from ladies that had a make up according to the most beauty and ornamental style in this culture. My first reaction was not precisely attraction, nor being delighted by such exhortation to prettiness, I found it interesting and traditional.



Yesterday in the flight, after being sorrounded by only Malays and Indonesian, where 95% of the passengers were such, I started detecting myself on thinking that some ladies were nice looking, and that some of them were indeed, very attractive. I assume this change is due to the familiarization to see other type of people, and due to the fact that all the people I have been dealing with, is so kind and nice. As a matter of fact, some of these girls are extremely flirty, smiling, staring directly to the eyes, and politely listening to what one says, answering back always with a sweet gesture. On the male side, it is the same, however between people from the same sex it is far less explicit. This behaviour must be part of their culture. It is nice, because the feeling of cordiality is so strong, and so comfortable, that makes the environment to look much more nicer.



In relation to the food, I have realized that my stomach is growing bigger. The food in this side of the world is so tasty and plentiful. There are so many varieties of spicies and combinations that is difficult not to enjoy any dish. In addition, if we join the different cultures, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian, we have a huge variety. And all tastes great!! I now understand why the people coming from this part of the world, insist on using their spices for cooking, specially when they are abroad.



I am now on my way to Jakarta, my plane leaves in 55 minutes and I am still sitting at my hotel room. Lets see how effective this transit hotel is, being located on the upper part of the departure gate.

Penang, Malasya

I have spent the last couple of days in Penang. Just after my arrival to KUL at 6.00 hrs, I changed terminals from the main one, to the secondary one, to take the Air Asia flight, leaving at 11.10 to Penang. Waiting time was long, but did not feel so. I went peacefully, without running or rushing, by local bus, to the terminal, which looked like and old warehouse adapted to check in people to the local flights operated by this brand new airline.

The fact that I did not documented my lugage in Helsinki made things extremely easier, I was able to walk directly from the plane to my end destination without the hassle of wating hours for my, yet to arrive, luggage. (which is not always certain that it will happen, specially if making a stop over in CDG)

I boarded the plane, and in 45 min I was already landing at Penang airport, it took 35 min to get to my 4 star hotel, which costed 22 euro/night pp in a double room (Bayview Hotel Georgetown). Exhausted after a 24 hrs trip, I checked in, went for a walk in the old town, went eating, went for a feet manage (reflexology), went eating again, went back to the hotel, and relaxed in the lobby while enjoying the performance of a Philipine band, formed by "4 ladies" singers and one man keyboard player. After few songs and some observation I realized that one of these ladies was a ladyboy! That was so much fun to realize!! LOL!! I think that (better she) didn't like my suspicious smile, specially after singing a girly song with a manly voice!



Alex, alias Chili, was expected to arrive that night at 2.00 hrs. He flew from Jakarta to Penang via Yogjakarta and Kuala Lumpur. His trip was somehow long, it took 10 hours due to the huge loop, this was the last opportunity though, given the situation that all other flights, with a human pocket reach, were sold out.

I went sleeping at 23:00 and at 3:00 am he was at the hotel. His flight was adventurous, first of all, his flight from Jakarta to Yogjakarta was delyed 1.5 hrs, so the flight from Yogja to KUL. So only 15 min before the flight was taking off, we was able to check in.

Today morning, at 9.30 our tour was starting, fortunately waking up at 9.00 am helped to catch the tour, almost on time, with the fashionable 10 min delay.



We went to the Fort Cornwallis, where the British East India Company Headquarters in Penang were located in 1786. Then to Weld Quay Clan Piers, where different Chinese clans live, where the oldest was founded in 1870s. These piers are houses built above the sea, literally supported by wood pylons. Most of them have been covered with concrete.

After a while we went to little India, founded in the beginning of the 19th century. This consisted on an area full of narrow streets selling all kind of south asian products. Inside there we visited the Sri Mariamman Temple, dedicated to the Great Powerful Mother, the carving and the painting was superb.

The next stop belonged to the Kuan Yin Temple or the goddess of mercy dating to the beginning of 1800s.

After spending some half an hour in the museum we went directly to the botanical gardens, where we had a close encounter with the local inhabitants, thousands of hungry, and sometimes agry, monkies begging for peanuts. These small creatures were so sweet when they got what they wanted in an easy way, i.e. taking the peanut from my hand without making any effort. However, when I gave the peanut and didn't let go, the got extremelyt angry, showing their immense teeth and doing atacking movements, sometimes even shouting or making horrible, guttural noises, scary indeed!



After spending some time having fun there, we decided not to go to Penang hill, where the cable car was not working. Instead we went for a nice and plentiful Indian meal. Then for a reflexology body massage, which was so intense, but so good, that the initial hour was extended to a 2 hours session. Luckily this was a great experience, and brought me back to life after an intese week. Unluckily there was no time to make the visit to the biggest Buddhist temple in Malasya, the Kek Lok Si temple. Instead, on our way to the airport, we visited the snake temple, where snakes are worshiped, and considered as holy with curative powers.

The way to Jakarta should be smooth, with only one stopover in KUL. Tomorrow Sunday morning, starting at 6.00 my flight leaves to Semarang, where I should meet my colleges and start preparing for the beginning of my assignment.

On my way there...

The feeling of no rush, after being under a tight timeschedule for the last few days, is as pleasant as being on holidays. This happens after my stopover in CDG on my way to Indonesia, the result of a last minute decision to take a 2 months assignment in Central Java.

Last week's Friday I was asked to be part of this assignment, the conditions were very strict, I should decide during the weekend, and start one week later. Due to the short notice, I was not sure whether it was or not a good idea. But after deep analysis I finally took the decision and arranged all the appropriate permits according to our corporate governance guidelines.

By Sunday afternoon everything was arranged and it was agreed that I would take charge. This implied a hard travelling, rescheduling of activities, and restructuring of my time schedule and responsibilities back home, and all worked out nicely. This is the beauty of having the IT infrastructure that allows to work offshore.

I am writing this diary as an experiment, so see how my point of view evolves and keep track of my working habits. Will these be greatly affected by being in such a non disciplined culture? Being immersed on a different environment has always strong influence on ones own behaviour, but until what extent?



So far I know what to expect, Semarang, where I will stay, is ugly, unorganized, with huge social differences, and many times people try to cheat foreigners, specially taxi drivers. On the other hand most of the people is friendly, nature is superb, and there are plenty of opportunities to get to know all the country. A land of contrasts, I would say.

As in any developing country these characteristics have a strong impact on a person coming from abroad, and it is possible that at the beginning I will not like it, but eventually I will start linking it very much, and this diary should keep track of this change.

Now I have about 13 hours left for travelling. Alex, my friend in Indonesia, has suggested me to take a nap for the whole trip, LOL, and to wake up just before landing in Kuala Lumpur. From there we'll see.