Haze, Haze Go Away!

...and don't come back!

Yesterday was such a delight - the weather seemed to take a turn for the better. By about 3.30pm, the clouds began to gather. Shades of light grey appeared. Not promising, but present all the same. Could pass off for a false-alarm, very much like the clouds visiting on days past.

But yesterday, by about 5pm, all doubts were cleared, ironicaly, by a heavily clouded sky. It was so dark, it reminded me of that Will Smith movie, Independance Day!

Looks like I will finally be able to breathe air worthy of proper clarnatic vocal practice - minus the stuffed nose. The weather may seem to be merely a pleasant change for the average person, but for a singer whose nasal cavities protest at the slightest hint of the haze, yestarday's downpour was music to my ears!

(Photos: The frightfully delightful storm that cleared the haze yesterday!)

Jakarta Reviewed...Really Quickly!

Some memorable moments: a. Nirmala Chandran, the perfect hostess, b. an evening at a spa c. history visited in Jakarta's biggest muzium, d. The Chandrans' backyard.

What I liked:

1. Hawkers and push-cart vendors selling simple foods along the roadsides, in every part of the city.
   
2. Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenery! And what superb landscapists Indons are!
   
3. First hand experience of religious tolerance.
   
4. Appreciation by the people, of all their heritages that were there, through the ages.
   
5. The food (Laguna, Stix, you have my vote!)


6. The Spas!
   
7. Beautiful Batik.
   
8. The endearing language used by the locals, e.g. "Pecel Nasi Ayam Pete" is actually "Special Nasi Ayam Petai" for us in Malaysia.

What I loathed:

1. The traffic and the narrow roads.
   
2. The fact that my impecable Malay (so I say!), made me soooo Malaysian when I spoke that I was a tourist waiting to be taken for a ride despite what I thought was an advantage.
   
3. Endless Security checks at the airport.

Verdict: DO VISIT!