We have been "off the grid", so to speak, since Sunday afternoon after arriving in Batam, Indonesia. Batam is a small island near Singapore, accessible only by ferry. We are staying at the Turi Beach Resort, which is very nice, but the island of Batam itself is far from a "resort." Most of the people are very poor and live in what we would call a shed or a shack. There is almost no tourist industry or cultural sights, only the beach as an attraction. Food and household items are very inexpensive and the economy seems to be built on knockoffs of purses, shoes, wallets, watches, and sunglasses. The malls, we've been to three, are full of them. Nevertheless, we have had a wonderful time...the ladies that is...the guys worked for three full days and some leisure time today.
So, what have we done? Well, besides eating, which we have done often and in huge quantities, we have been wined and dined and spoiled by the company Bechtel has partnered with over here for Tom's project. One of Tom's counterparts in their company, Randy, and his wife Karen, are Texans who have lived in Singapore for years and recently moved to Batam to work on the project. Randy took care of the guys all week and Karen escorted us all over the place for three days. We toured housing developments, schools, country clubs, grocery stores, malls, and restaurants, gathering information to build a portfolio for the Bechtel families and workers who will be moving here next year. We've met the most amazing people and toured incredible private homes belonging to consulates, ambassadors and wealthy Singaporeans. We are all now BFFs! And I am ready to redecorate our house in the Batam/Bali decor!!!
I'll post pictures when we get to Singapore. YOLO!!
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