Thai Spice

Just watched the movie Der Untergang, german version with english subtitles. Youtube, in 17 short parts. (Downfall in English) About the end of Hittler. Way better then the English dubbed version The German actor playing Hittler is absolutely fantastic.

Update November 2nd, a little walk near the house : OK, today we went for a little walk to the closest beach located near our place, called Mertasari Beach, a 10 min walk. Otherwhile we are about 10 / 12 minutes by taxi from the center. And the area is a nice and quiete. As this is a long holiday, a bit more locals on the beach. Pics were taken between 09:00 am and 11:am, so not to busy. Place called Fantasy or Dreamland, can't remember There is a nice footpath all along the beach, and it makes it a nice and relaxed stroll. No motorcycles use it, only bicycles. A few nice boats moored there, I think mainly for daily charters. To be investigated. \ And yes, there is a portion were they used the giant sandbags "technology"...but nobody swims there or thinks it is a "beach" First part of the beach is definitively "local", plenty small eateries around, but the Miss got a few looks in her shorts... In that area, quiete a bit of garbage floating around. Walk 400 / 500 m more and you arrive in "Bule" country (=farang). Plenty hotels, eateries, jetski and diving schools. You will bote a nice, relaxed walk way all along the bay. So Pattaya city hall, don't tell us it can't be done ! The activities are not specially cheap ! ! OK, a few pics of "in town", many streets lined with trees, and quite a bit of greenery around. And for those who speak Dutch, yes you left a few markings here ... any government office or lawyer office is called "KANTOR xxxx" Obviously from the Dutch "kantoor" ! Post office : "Kantor Post" A fridge is often referred to as "koelkass"

ok, next instalment. October 31 : Yesterday (Monday) went to immigration in Denpasar for my tourist visa extension. Well run operation, 2 very cute female immigration officers at the counter. Filled in a few more papers (even the file cover, which I guess she should fill...), gave my passport, plane ticket, prove of housing etc.. then was asked to sit down and wait. About 20 white (and less white) faces siting there waiting, after 15 minutes nobody been called or moved, and me starts to think "Hell, I am here for the day ! " Surprise, my name got called, "lucky day JM, you're first", well persuaded that I will be leaving the premises in a few minutes with my extension in the pocket... Girl with a big smile hand me a paper and tells me "Mr JM, you go outside at the mobile banking van, pay the fee, and then you come back on Nov 7th, OK ?" Ough, didn't expect that one. After a bit of thinking, explanation is (very likely) that the 3 coming days are public holidays, Friday is only 1/2 day for them, so no way to have it in 24 or 48h. A bit a disappointment for the Miss as she expected to return home for the festivities with her family... Told her she could go, I would stay here alone, no problem. She raised the question with the elder brothers, their decision was swift "You stay with JM, he is your husband, you need to take care". So much for the few days "solo" that I saw in my dreams.. So today we are moving in the rental house, did a run on Makro yesterday to buy the usual household stuff as broom, buckets, mop, etc.... OK some random pics : Nice Balinese wood building styles everywhere. Both pictures taken in restaurants in Sanur. A few for the Cat lovers This lovely family has settled down on our terrass at the hotel, papa, mama and the 2 youngsters A bit food : And the pancake lady at breakfast today went creative !

Excellent job E.P., as usual !

Complete change of life compared to working in HKG. But hey, thats the whole idea of retiring !

Bonjour, Donny, retirement visa is only about 55. Younger for long stay you may look up "social visa" but you will need a local sponsor and not so easy. Have a look at the Indo consulates websites. Some people do the VOA, extend it 30 days and then hop to SGP to start it over all again. I can PM you the email of an agency that I use if you want.

This week in Bali is a bit special, as it is the period of one of the most important religious ceremonies for the Bali Hindu. Galungan, is celebration of good winning over evil. More details at Wiki : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galungan Arriving at the entrance of Denpasar, plenty shops selling the adequate stuff to decorate the house or property for this event. Those things will be hung from a decorated bamboo pole at the entrance of your property (and yep, we will have them at the jungle house, pics later) Plenty other crafts in the Denpasar area, Balinese are very in love with big stone sculptures, you will find them everywhere Stayed at a mid sized hotel, strategically located in the middle of Sanur, nothing really special Now for the little story : Today I signed the contract for my rental house with payment of the remaining balance, after having paid a deposit. Remember rent is paid yearly here, so for me that is 95,000,000 IDR (230,000 THB / 5,350 GBP / 6,000 Euro) Now the biggest bank note here is 100,000.... As for all transactions cash is preferred, so that represents 950 notes of 100 K ! A bit of a logistic challenge knowing that the local ATM will only dispense 25 or 30 notes at a time, simply because the limitation of the dispenser drawer vs the thickness of the bundle. Add to that the daily limit from your overseas bank (S.G. and HSBC for me), and you better start drawing money one week before having to make the payment. Poor me even had to borrow 20 M from the Miss to make the payment date. Anyway, key in my pocket now. Tomorrow off to Denpasar immigration to extend my 30 day tourist visa, but that is for the next episode !

OK, as planned Saturday we left the jungle house for Bali to get my tourist visa extended on Monday. Uneventful trip, seems Saturday traffic is better, less trucks, but still the same mess when leaving / arriving in the Denpasar area. Still took us 7 h ! As usual, a 45 min ferry trip from Java to Bali. Now Indonesia being composed of only islands, there are a multitude of ferry companies, and ferries to all destinations. This is our 7th trip on the ferry, and only one time we travelled twice on the same ship. As usual, as soon on board this old sailor goes for the upper deck and tries to find a seat near the bridge. WTH ? A ferry with an helipad ? But the markings, a bit non conventional had me scratching my head .... Looks more like a locomotive than a chopper ? Even had a look on the on board workshop : The ferry trip, approx 45 min cost for a car with 4 passengers 150,000 IDR ( 370 THB / 8,5 GBP / 10 Euro) A quick calculation makes me realize that from the 1,500,000 IDR I pay to our driver, only 1,200,000 goes in his pocket after he pays the ferry (2 way, and on the return he is empty) Gasoline / Petrol is not a big expense. 7,300 IDR / L (= 0,46 Euro /0,41 GBP / 18 THB) Anyway, the ferry company sure did not made a big profit with this trip, only 3 cars... OK, a few pics on the road on the Bali side :

OK, lets go for the next episode ! End October 2017, from the jungle house…. First small setback in the adventure. You may have understood that I entered on a 30 day V.O.A (Visa On Arrival), as this one can be extended for another 30 days, where as the visa waiver can't be. 60 days will cover easily the process of my 1 year pension visa. I entered through Bali, but now in the jungle and wanting to avoid a 2 x 8 hour trip to Bali just for spending 1/2 day at immigration I had the idea to give it a try at the local province city where there is an immigration dept. Ok, still 2 1/2 hour ride, with a good part in the hills on a pretty difficult road. City is Jember (2,400,000 inhabitants). Entering the immigration dept, about 50 locals queuing up, all looking at me like a was coming from Mars... Oops, doesn't look good, obviously not many westerners here. Find the right counter, a male immigration officer sits there, not really smiling, nobody around. OK, explain him my case, I am in the process of pension visa, secured a house in Bali and meanwhile being on visit in the region I would like to extend my visa. Him "where you stay" Me : Well, I have a house in Bali, I am just on visit at my friends house. Him : Yes, but where you stay HERE, in this province ? OK, I knew that was the end. "I stay at my friend's place, this is the address" Him : OK, so your friend is your sponsor. I will print you the list of documents we need from her.... ID, house documents, occupation, bank statement, etc...... OK, this is right moment to do a strategic retreat.... "OK, sir, let me see for all this documents, and I will be back" And gently moved out. So, today off to Bali to do it over there, as my "official" address is there. A few pics on the way to Jember, nothing special. Zoom in on the next one and look on what they are sitting....Even our driver said "illegal !" Brother in law went a bit fishing OK, as some asked, I will try to input a few information about costs of things here. Of course there is a HUGE difference between the village and Sanur. Although Sanur is still cheaper than Kuta.... Laundry . Laundering, Ironing, folding and packing 5,3 Kg x 4,250 IDR = 21,000 IDR ( 1,30 Euro / 1,18 GBP / 51 THB) Car (type Toyota Innova) with driver. Knowing that all the 2 or 3 usual drivers are all family related or friends. Jungle hous to Sanur Bali one way (or opposite) including ferry and gasoline. About 200 km, but a 7 to 8 hour trip. 1,500,000 IDR = 3,700 THB / 95 Euro / 84 GBP Jungle house to Jember R.T. including gasoline. 90 Km but a 2 1/2 hour ride each way, plus had the guy hunting around to buy a aluminium ladder (1,75 m) 600,000 IDR including gasoline ( 1,500 THB / 38 Euro / 33 GBP

Tried to play the young handsome latin charmer yesterday evening... Properly wrecked this morning..... Bintang for breakfast !

Recovering from trying to beat a famous Scottish bar owner on the Bintang....

Never heard about it, and had to check your Wiki link ! So, scrap meat.... mmmmmmm

@DumbDucker Sorry, but nothing really inspiring appetite on here ! In fact my first reaction was "is that taken in some homeless shelter or refugee camp ?" Only thing missing is one of those Thai overcooked deepfried egg .....

Tonights dinner. Meat was a bit hard,.sadly.

Europe. 25 y in Asia, I am done with it.

Having nice weather all year long, swimming pool 15m from my terrace and some good looking birds in it. In fact the weather thing is the key point if I look for another country in the future.

Mamama......French fries with milked tea..... Shock and horror ! Hahaha, joking Phil. I know you Brits have some bizarre gastronomic tastes.....

Naah man, you aint alone. I like to see some colors also....

Mmmmm.... Lets see the next episode ?

We'll soon have to make a special section !

A bit more on the "made to order" furniture. There is a small furniture manufacturer about 20 km from here that works in a very simple way. They have plenty catalogues of European manufacturers, you show them what you and they make the same. I was a bit worried about the result, but hey, last visit we went for it. Delivery time is about 4 to 6 weeks. Here is the catalogue version : And the below is "copied" version. Note that the dark colour was requested by me, to fit in with the sofa and the general house style. I also asked to have the lower shelves closed with doors, as we all have some shit stuff that is better behind some doors. You will admit that it is really resembling the original. It is "real" wood, dont ask me which one (not teak, not heavy enough) Cost is not really cheap : Low meuble (l 2m) 3,700,000 IDR = 210 GBP = 9,000 THB Library meuble (1,00 m each) 2,850,000 IDR = 160 GBP = 7,000 THB Total 9,400,000 IDR = 530 GB = 23,000 THB But I am happy with it ! Now looking for a "classic style" meuble for the main kitchen.

Next instalment : Dated Oct 23th, 2017 first report from the jungle house : OK, first try to do an update from the jungle. Using my tablet with my mobile in tethering mode. So we arrived in the jungle home on Saturday 5 pm, after an 8 h ride from Sanur. Old frog properly wrecked of course... 5 of the boxes that we send in the past months from HKG had arrived already . F.Y., the cost door to door from HKG to the jungle house is 880 HK (3,700 THB) for the big ones, there is no limit on weight, I have pity for the guys handling them when I see how the average Indo's or Flippers fill them with as much they can. Takes about 4 weeks. The furniture (made to order, more on that one later) had arrived a few days before as well, and the Frog's cave looked like that : So, you may think that after such a trip one would like to relax and chat...no, at 8 pm the Miss decides to open the boxes, first one, ended opening them all. Opening and emptying them "Asian style" of course, that's how the place looked the next morning. I just watched, intercepting all of my belongings before they got put in the wardrobe, or kitchen cupboard. After a bit of sorting, and she moving all the 200 kg of her clothes to HER area, I could start organize "my house" a bit. This how it looks this morning. The green bags and the stuff on the low meuble are the things we will move to the Sanur house. 2 of the low meuble (Tv meuble) drawers are reserved for DVD's The 2 other are for my "strategic reserves" This of course in addition to the "buffer stock" in my mini kitchen....

Never come to Bali ! ..... Dcfc, yes on holiday. But when having lived in that environment for years it all wears off, and nearly becomes boring. When I will leave the region and head back home (and sure this day will come) what I will miss most is the weather. Being able to jump in the pool all year long is very nice. The girls etc....low down on my list now.

Thats where my technology still is..... Good I retired !

The border patrol will keep them out !