Chennai to Semarang

Semarang 

A lovely town on a hill by the sea

India to Indonesia 

A lot of changes I see

What have I left 

What do I expect

How different is it

To live in this land

A lot like my homeland 

And a lot unlike it

The beauty and warmth 

at first sight I'm liking it...

I came to Semarang from peak summer in Chennai to the onset of summer here. The first thing that catches you whew it's a lot cooler here and a welcome break from the Chennai heat. 

The drive from the airport to our house was beautiful at night and even better during the day. We come home and drop our bags and of we are to the Indomart which is there on every street to cater to our emergency needs and is open 24 X 7 . We had everything from toiletries to kitchen needs to food on the go. It really makes life easy here. No excuse that shops are closed.

Another major change i don't find ceiling fans here. They use pedestal/table fans. Most houses I've been to have air conditioners in the bedrooms and the living room is well ventilated with a number of windows and doors. The newer houses do have air conditioners even in the living room. 

There are a number of Malls here and you get all that you need. Can't believe that it is not one of the big cities on Java Island as it has everything to be one.

On the toll road you will never find a motorbike but the minute you get off it you will see a lot of them but everybody on the bike 1 or 5 of them will wear helmet and they are quite fast. No Auto's or buses inside the city like in India a welcome change.

Cooking Indian food a big challenge . There is no local Indian Shop. There is only a small Indian restaurant Dawaat where you get Indian food. My Husband had come earlier so had found pressure cookers but it is advisable to carry a small one as i didn't get a small one here. Those who stayed for long say that these cookers don't last long. But good news we get  provisions from an Indian shop Mustafa in Jakarta and it is phone call away. They courier it to you for an additional charge really worth it. I finally picked up a small cooker from there. You have no choice so if you want your favorite brand bring it from India. Another must is our Mixie. We get blenders here but they cannot handle the load of grinding coconuts or rice and dhal for our favorite Iddly or Dosa. Bringing an Ultra is a luxuary and if you can bring it nothing like it, Bring also Iddly stand . You get nonstick tawa's which can be used for dosa or chappathi's. We get rice flour so those who make appam and Iddiyappam make sure you pack you appam kadhai's and Iddiyappam press. A good  indalium/aluminium khadhai is advisable. 

There are a number of Indian families so if you meet anybody ask them and they would help you around. If you are a Muslim, There is a mosque on almost every street. I haven't seen a temple. Though they say there is one about 4 hours from Semarang in a place called Borobudur.Churches i saw many but they all have a Bahasa service. After one month our our stay we came across a English church which meets in Gereja Bethel Tabernacle Kristus Alfa Omega and we were blessed by it. Our kids enjoy the lively Sunday school there. 

I hope this helps you to get started in Semarang. Welcome to living in Semarang!!!!!