Started the day with a drive into the city, with Harsono, to the Monumen Nasional (Monas) – the National Monument. We walked all around the monument before we found the entrance. You pay money to get into the diorama history museum and then paid more to get the lift up to the top of the tower. The tower was built during Soekarno’s presidency and was opened in July, 1975. ...

Our first big day out in Jakarta saw us head into Kota, the old town of Batavia.  Three of us drove in with Harsono in airconditioned comfort, whilst my cousin James, his son Marshall and Harris took a taxi.  Every Sunday one part of the road is closed to cyclists so there were different bikes and people to watch along the way. We saw big flash hotels, dingy little side...

Just in case you were wondering, day 2 did occur but it was a lovely low key day at the apartment complex. Checked out the swimming pools – indoor and outdoor; playgrounds, walked around; ate; rested and chatted with my cousin James and his family Karen and Marshall.  We also spent a good amount of time just looking over the 11th floor balcony to people watch. The kids had...

6 am start on our last day in Australia. Arrived at Brisbane domestic by 7.15 am and sitting on a plane at 9.15 am. Checked in and no worries.  Arrived into Sydney with plenty of time to catch the shuttle to the international airport.  Sat and enjoyed a hot chocolate whilst the boys played in the McDonald’s playground and checked out the free Wifi on their iPods.

Flight out...

The week that was …

• I gladly said goodbye to Toowoomba and added more kilometres to the car driving all over to pickup kids and make it to my parent’s house.
• Squeezed in a movie with my mum and sister – recommend ‘The King’s Speech’. 
• Steve celebrated his last day of work and attended a race day/farewell with his ambulance mates.
• The ute got a new windscreen before handing...