Visiting Dr Tan Kok Kheng in Singapore

 On December 28 of 1986 we arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia in Singapore and took a taxi to our Century Park Sheraton Hotel.

On Monday, December 29, we got picked up by Dr. K.K. Tan to visit his Shiitake business.

Pieter knew him for many years as he had visited the Practical Mushroom Training College in Horst.

Actually he used to be an eye doctor and he noticed Pieter's eye problem and recommended he have surgery soon. At that time in 1981, there were only 3 eye doctors performing the lens implant surgery. 

One in Singapore, that was Dr. K.K. Tan and one in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and one in Los Angeles, USA. 

He wrote a letter of recommendation to his colleague in Rotterdam and Pieter had his surgery there.

It was quite an experience being able to see for 92% with his right eye—instead of only 8%.

Well, it was about that time when Pieter fully noticed me and in 1983 I became his wife and started a long and blissful relationship.

Husband Pieter next to Dr Tan Kok Kheng, at his then Everbloom Fresh Mushrooms in Singapore

Dr Tan Kok Kheng in front of the row with sheds and me standing next to him...

Inside the shed, harvesting.

We had lunch together before we went on to go shopping.

DR TAN KOK KHENG: Science Alumni: Outstanding Alumni Award 2005

Dr. Tan Kok Kheng: Organically grown mushrooms... from SG

Shopping at South Bridge Centre Jewellery Mart (Dr. Tan's tip!) where I got my string of pearls with bracelet. We never saw that many jewelry stores together!

We walked also through China Town where we purchased one kilogram of fresh mangosteen and then by taxi to Orchard Road Shopping Centre... prices were duty free!

Both of us fell in love with the beauty of Orchard Road... we enjoyed a cup of coffee and ate somewhere.

We also loved all the tiny white Christmas lights in the tropical trees; so beautiful and atmospheric.

This is from a card we sent to Mom, she collected them..

We were so lucky that our Century Park Sheraton Hotel, Nassim Road in Singapore was near Orchard Road!

December 30, we left our hotel by taxi to go to the airport and leave beautiful Singapore with its 2.5 million citizens on 617 km². A long wait as we could only check in at 19:00.

We found a nice 14k Venetian necklace with charm for my brother Harry's wife. 

By 21:30 takeoff for Kuwait and on to Amsterdam...

Brother Harry picked us up and that was our ONLY time that we were at Dad's Birthday!

Four Nights at Sanur Beach Hotel Bali

 From the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta we departed for a flight to Denpasar, Bali

December 20 of 1986, my 2nd visit to Bali

Fanning out my rose dress, just like the shape of the Traveller's palm or Ravenala madagascariensis behind me! 

For four nights, we would reside here...

On Sunday, December 21, we had a lazy pool day, walked on the beach and from 10-11:00 with a Prahu on the sea, which was blissful.

Pieter wrote cards and helped a Dutch widow from Itteren, Limburg who came from Darwin, Australia and lacked enough English... 

She tagged along with us, in a taxi to the Catholic Church in Denpasar.

Mass at the Gereja Katolik (Catholic Church) St. Joseph in Denpasar that lasted 1.5 hour and was so full, that people were standing outside, to follow Mass over the loud speakers...

People were very respectful and well dressed!

We all sang the Latin Avé Maria and the Dutch widow, just like both of us, were very impressed.

On Monday, December 22nd, after first doing some business at Bali Raya, the tuna cannery, Rita went with us to Mas and Ubud, the artist villages.

Quite a collection of wood carved items!

Also being able to see the artist at work...

They do use gold foil!

Several items went home with us and also three wood carved panels, one for ourself.

At Bali's oldest jeweler we bought several gifts for my sisters Diny and Gerd, a silver necklace for Mom and some silver bracelets with 22k gold and moonstone for Pieter's Goddaughter and for me and also my best friend. 

We also asked if they had matching brooches, and they would custom make them for us!

Two days later on December 24, we departed on our 10:15 flight to Yogyakarta.

We ended up in Central Java where we later lived and worked at the mushroom project.

Christmas Eve at the Catholic Church of Wonosobo, Java

A beautiful two hour Mass at the Catholic Church, without a Christmas tree but with lots of orchids!

People all wished us Merry Christmas; a warm feeling.

On December 27, we drove back to Yogyakarta for our flight to Jakarta at 9:30 and as a surprise we received the silver with 22k gold and moonstone brooches, hand delivered inside the plane.

In Jakarta we went back to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, feeling quite at home there.

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My 2nd Trip to Jakarta and in Heeroom's Footsteps | our stay at the Mandarin Hotel, Jakarta

My 2nd Trip to Jakarta and in Heeroom's Footsteps

Jakarta City Museum

On December 9, 1986 we arrived in Jakarta and stayed on my 2nd trip, at the Mandarin Oriental

Feeling like being home again!

All the way from Atlanta to Amsterdam and from there we flew to Kuwait, Singapore and on to Jakarta aboard another KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Too bad we stayed only for one night but would be back again on December 18 for two nights.

We had 1.5 hour free time from our boss and went shopping in Sabang and found a nice Pierre Balmain belt and Dior handkerchief for Dad...

Also went to the Jakarta Cathedral for following Heeroom's footsteps...

We ate the best Steak au Poivre ever, at the Mandarin's Club Room!

On December 20, we flew to Denpasar, Bali... and from there, to Central Java.

Back again here at the Jakarta Mandarin Oriental on December 27.

Again dinner at the Club Room with once more a delicious Steak au Poivre, as our late Christmas dinner.

So romantic with strongly scented Arabian jasmine buds strewn over the damask tablecloth, which created a perfect atmosphere by candlelight!

On December 28 we took a taxi and went to the Cathedral for the 10:30 Mass.

Arriving at the Cathedral in Jakarta where Heeroom has been...

We were lucky for being at a Javanese wedding Mass where a Frenchman married his Indonesian bride.

Very special...

In the afternoon by 14:30 we went with our driver to the airport and flew to Singapore for yet another mushroom related visit...

~

On Easter Sunday, April 15 of 1990, we again were attending Mass at this Cathedral.

A solemn Mass with the Bishop and two concelebrants.

They had a beautiful choir that sang a Mass of Perosi.

{March 14, Written Life Message for me by my Favorite Great-Uncle} | 2012 post about Heeroom