In the wind down to our trip to Brisbane in a few weeks (half yearly break), I thought I would share a small post.
Meet Lolita, my closest Indonesian friend here in Manado. Lolita is from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city, and has been living in Manado for nearly 5 years whilst her husband studies to be a Doctor here at one of the hospitals. Their son, Nathan attends Sekolah Citra Kasih with Harrison and they share the same class.
Lolita, Julie and kids
Lolita and I met before we had moved to Manado. We’d both been using a cool little phone software program called Foursquare where you ‘check-in’ every time you go somewhere. Only those who love technology and quirky little applications would appreciate this trend. I checked in to some places here in Manado during our pre-relocation tour and Lolita added me as a friend.
She has been a wealth of information and support from day one and I am thankful we crossed paths. I hope we will remain good friends for many years to come.
So what exactly do we Mums do? Well, once we drop the kids off to school at 7.30am we head to the gym. Lolita works out for a few hours whereas I find myself doing a quick 30-minute session 4 days per week. At least once a week we go for lunch! Our favourite places are Excelso Café & Black Canyon. Black Canyon makes a lovely Salted Fish Fried Rice dish – my favourite.
Salty Fish Fried Rice – a favourite!
We’ve had a few swimming dates with the boys and a race around on the BomBom cars (Dodgem Cars), each 3 minute ride costing Rp.15,000 (about $1.50). Shopping is often on the agenda; we are women after all. Our grocery shops vary greatly but we both go to HyperMarket, the major grocery chain here in Manado. There is a little place called Galael, which we also visit on occasion to stock up on unique imports and fresh fruit & vegetables. Lolita loves to cook and I can recommend her Potato Bake and Pasta dish!
Harrison on the BomBom car
I’m sure Lolita would agree we have a privileged life here in Manado and this allows us to be great ‘busy’ Mums and good wives 
Nice blog Julie…^^
Its been a great time knowing you as my white blonde Australian girl friend…and I will always remember you as “Miss Cardigan” lol……
Nathan also feels the same about his new friend Harrison…his first white boy friend here at Manado…
Sure, I’m gonna miss this city someday when my husband finished his school..
Hopefully you can stay a more year too..lol….*forget about the spider,lol*
so I guess….see you tomorrow at our lunch with the boys…..^^