Tag: travel

Week 47 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

IT IS MY BIRTHDAY I AM 63 TODAY

Good morning everyone, I hope all are doing well.

Even though I don’t have an alarm set for Sunday I was still up at 5am this morning, it is a nice 19C or 66F, my BGL was 6.8 at 6am.

The first birthday message I received was from Kelli, then I got one from Jonathon, then Sue, Sandy and Jeannie.

It is starting to get hot and at midday it is 29C or 84F. Kathy came over to see me; she bought me a bible.

Tim cooked me a piece of rump steak with chips and gravy for lunch it was really nice.

By 3pm it was 31C or 87.8F

I have had a nice day, I did bugga all just wrote letters, watched YouTube and vacuumed once.

Steps: 4,691 = 2.3lm’s

Good morning, everyone in blog land.

I had a good night’s sleep getting 8hrs and 57mins last night, I know I didn’t wake till 4.10am to pee, then up at 5am.

It is 17C at 5.30am, my BGL was 6.8

After taking Sam to Tafe, Sue and I went to Big W and she bought me the cushion I wanted for my computer chair. However, when I sat on the computer chair it went down and wouldn’t go up again, damn the struts are gone. I had to get the old black chair I am glad I still have it.

It’s been a warm day with a top temp of 25C or 77F

Steps:14,703 = 7.5Klm’s or 4.6miles

How is everyone this morning

LEIGH’S BIRTHDAY

I had a good night with around 7hrs 33mins of sleep, I have nothing on today and it is currently 12C at 5.30am.

My groceries will be delivered between 12 & 1 today that is late. After they arrived, I turn the air con on.

Tim has an appointment to get his Xray’s, and scans done. He is convinced they will show something bad but that is his negative attitude. He has thought things like this before and was wrong.

I started to sort through photos and add them to albums well I filled one album and sort the rest of the photos, tossing out a lot of duplicates. Still have a lot more to do and still can’t find my photo albums which is so annoying.

Steps: 12,075 = 6.1klms or 3.7miles.

Good morning everyone reading this, I hope life is treating you well.

After a rough start to the night, I ended up sleeping well and had around 6hrs and 30mins of sleep, this morning it is 15C or 50F at 5.30am but we are supposed to have a stinking hot day with a top temp of 30C.

I tossed a load of clothes in to wash and hung them out to dry and took the clothes hoists outside.

Sue and Sam came and helped me with the Christmas decorations; I am happier now.

At 1.30pm it is 29C or 84F, so I turned the A/C on.

It is 4pm and I am really starting to feel tired but I don’t have to do anything so I will stick it out till 7.30pm when I will go to bed.

Steps: 11,833 = 6klm’s or 3.9 miles.

Good morning everyone, hope you are all feeling good today.

I had a good night slept straight through getting around 9hrs sleep, even though my watch says I only got 7hrs & 42mins.

This morning it is a nice 17C or 62F, we are headed towards a top of 28C or 82F.

My BGL this morning was 6.5 at 5.30am before breakfast.

I started to feel unwell around 11am the hotter it got the worse in felt and had no energy. However, after a small bowl of ice cream and a 20m minute nap I felt better.

I had a phone call from Centrelink about my DSP claim they want more information about Tim’s compo claim after his accident.

We had some rain this afternoon, nothing heavy but we did have some thunder as well.

Steps: 7,142 = 3.8klm’s or 2.3miles

Hello everyone, it is the last day of the working week and it’s going to be a cool day here with showers throughout the day according to the weather app.

Another Friday has arrived, and it is going to be a much cooler day then Thursday was, we are looking at a top temp of only 21C or 69F. At 5.30 it is 19C or 66F. My BGL was 7.1 at 5.30am.

I had 8hrs and 51mins of sleep last night and was awake for 24 mins according to my watch.

I had to change out of shorts into 3/4 pants as my legs were cold. I also closed the front door.

By 5.30pm it was raining not heavy but steady and was still raining as I get ready for bed at 8pm.

Jessica gave Tim a present gardening tools, not for any special occasion but just because she loves her dad. She saw them and thought dad will like those, so she bought them for him.

Steps: 6,785 = 3.4klms or 2miles

Hello everyone, I all have a good day, here we are at Saturday, it is still cool the temp at 5.30am is 19C or 66F, there is no rain at the moment and my BGL was 6.4

At 9.30 Tim and went and picked our granddaughter Sydney up from her dad’s and drove her to her mum’s this we did so we could say goodbye to them as they are leaving tomorrow for a holiday in Bali.

This afternoon Tim sent an email off to Youi about his motorbike accident as Centrelink wants information he can’t find. This has stressed him out and he started yelling at me. He went on about why does Centrelink want to know all this stuff, I said I have no idea.

Tim also planned our week away in December and booked accommodation we are only going to Dubbo, Orange and Cowra but it will be nice to get away.

Steps: 5,998 = 3klm’s or 1.7 miles

Japan Pt 3

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Time for some more facts about Japan we will start with the fact that it is the custom to remove shoes before entering a house.

This is a deeply intrenched tradition which is tied to cleanliness, respect and cultural boundaries. In fact, it dates back to the Heian period which was way back in 794. Back then nobles would remove footwear to protect raised wooded floors. However, it became widespread from 1603 thus evolving into the national norm across all social classes.

Now days the removal of shoes is a sign of respect for the homeowner and their space; it reflects the idea that the home is a sacred and private place.

Now many of you like me may wonder why they do this, well shoes carry dirt, moisture and bacteria into a house these things can damage delicate flooring like tatami mats. Tatami mats are used for sitting, eating, and sleeping, so keeping them clean is essential.

Japan’s humid climate makes homes vulnerable to mould, especially during the rainy season—removing shoes helps prevent this.

In Japanese homes there is an area called a genkan, this is a lower entry area where shoes are removed. This space marks the transition from the “soto” (outside) to the “uchi” (inside), reinforcing social and spatial boundaries.

So, what do there wear inside? Usually slippers if not barefoot, however, special slippers are used for bathrooms to maintain hygiene between rooms.

Many wear socks inside their homes, especially in formal settings or during the colder months.

When visiting someone’s home, it is considered polite to wear clean socks after removing outdoor shoes. Bare feet may be seen as too casual or unhygienic. It is normal for people to carry clean socks with them as not to be caught wearing socks with holes, as this would be highly embarrassing.

Week 45 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

I woke at 6am up washed and dressed it is supposed to   be another warm day, I slept well got 7hrs 16mins of sleep. The temp this morning is 18C or 64F.

Tim and I went shopping and by the time we were done I was so exhausted, it showed so Tim told me to not walk so fast and to take it easy.

Today’s top temp was 25C or 77F and I have felt sticky most of the day.

By 7.30pm it’s 20C and I am so exhausted I am going to bed.

Steps:12, 710 = 6klm’s or 3.8 miles

BGL: 6.5

Up at 5am as per usual and waiting for Tim to leave for work till I have a shower, speaking of Tim he looks exhausted I asked how he slept only got a mumble reply, he said something about heat stroke but that’s not what’s wrong with him but what do I know. We are in for another very warm to hot day. At the moment it is 18C or 64F.

Sue’s Dr’s appointment was stressful as the doctor she saw went on about her weight, smoking and did she need her anxiety medication. Sue has her regular GP and only saw this woman because her GP was booked out. Her toe is healing well.

By midday the temp here is 28C or 82F and I had to turn the air con on.

BGL:6.0

Steps: 16,600 =n 8.5klm’s or 8 miles

It is 1.30am and I have had no sleep due to dyskinesia, and I am so tired but every time I lay down the jerking movements will not let me settle, I have been up and down for hours, and I am so frustrated.

At 3.15am I decided to come and sit in my recliner should had done that earlier as I fell asleep quick there.

I was still up at 5.45am dressed and reading blogs while I wait for the groceries to be delivered after that I will go back to bed for a little while. I had around 2hrs sleep.

I had a 1.5hr nap at 9am.

It has been a warm day.

BGL 6.0

Steps 7,307 = 3.6klm’s or 2 miles

I slept really well, got 9hrs & 54mins, didn’t wake at all. Sue took me to the doctors then we went to Woolies before coming home.

I have been referred to have a cortisone injection in my right hip area, as I do have bursitis.

It is a nice 22C today, well it was till around 1pm when it went up 25C or 77F.

I am feeling sad this afternoon, I don’t know why I just do.

Steps: 8,882 = 4.5klm’s or 2.8miles

BGL:6.1

I slept well had a good 8hrs sleep didn’t wake at all. It is 13C or 55.4F here this morning it is supposed to be 25C today.

I have had a busy morning, vacuumed twice, swept the kitchen floor, unpacked the dishwasher, did a load of laundry hung it up and took the clothes hoists outside to dry. Emptied a couple of bins and Sam took the bags outside to the black bin. Cleaned the skirting boards in the hallway. Checked emails and read some blogs.

Yes, Sam came over for food she made herself a toasted ham & cheese sandwich.

It has been a warm day with a top temp of 25C or 77F.

It has felt like a long day.

BGL @ 5.30am 6.1

Steps: 13,868 = 7klm’s or 4.2 miles

I didn’t have a good night I was unable to settle and at 12.40am I got up and checked emails, then I sat in my recliner and went to sleep, I only stayed there 50 minutes then I went back to bed and fell asleep pretty fast.

I got up at 5.30 after Tim left and had a shower, after getting dressed I came out opened the house up, tidy the kitchen and vacuumed out. Yes, I am still tired and yes, I could have stayed in bed longer, but this is my best part of the day, and I can have a nap later.

Last night when I was unable to sleep, I emailed the Xray place about an appointment and they rang at 9.30 to let me know that they have one next Wednesday at 10.20am.

I went and had a nap at 11am, I slept till 12.20 and didn’t move at all during that time.

The temp at 5.30 is 15C or 59F

The temp at 12.30 is 25C or 77F

The temp at 4pm is 29C of 84F

BGL @ 6.30 is 7.0

BGL @ 9.30 is 7.7

BGL @ 4pm is 8.1

Steps: 7,851 = 4klm’s or 2.5 miles

I slept well I was in bed by 6.40pm as I was so tired and slept through till 4.40am when I got up to pee. When the alarm went, I laid there for 20 minutes before getting up. No milkshake this morning as I took the blender apart and put it in the dishwasher which hasn’t been on yet. I might just have a glass of Milo instead.

Tim and I went shopping and it took a lot out of me and Tim started to fill unwell, so cut it short and came home.

It has been a sticky day, and I had to turn the air con on around midday, the wind is a hot one.

I am feeling exhausted and will be in bed early again.

The temp at 6am is 20C

The temp at midday is 27C or 80.6F

The temp at 2pm is 33C or 94.4F

BGL: @ 6am 6.1

BGL: @ 12pm 7.5

BGL: @ 5pm 7.0

Steps: 9,866 = 5klms or 3 miles

Japan Part 2

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Good morning, all another Monday has arrived, Sam is off to Tafe and I am now going to write some more about Japan.

The population is 126 million, the country has the longest life expectancy with many over the age of 100.

The country is known for its cleanliness with the culture emphasizes personal responsibility for littering. A person can be fined anything between $45 and $4,500USD, and repeat offenders may find themselves in jail. People often take their trash home as public bins and often scarce, they can be found near convenience stores, train stations, and vending machines.

Speaking of vending machines, the country has more vending machines then any other country with a large variety of products.

In Japan bowing is deeply ingrained in cultural practices and is used to express gratitude, apology as well as social hierarchy. The angle, duration, and context of the bow all convey different meanings, and mastering this etiquette is key to navigating Japanese society gracefully.

Men typically bow with arms straight at their sides, women often place hands together in front of their legs. Eyes should be cast downward—not making eye contact during the bow is considered polite.

Bowing is used for the following, greetings and farewells, apologies and expressions of thanks, ceremonies, religious rituals, and martial arts. Even in customer service interactions, even train staff bow to passengers!

Japanese people may even bow during phone calls, out of habit.

While bowing is standard, handshakes may be offered to foreigners in business or casual settings.

If unsure, follow your host’s lead. A slight bow is always appreciated and shows cultural awareness.

Now for a bit about the Japanese flag, known as the Hinomaru features a red circle on a white background symbolizing the sun. It reflects Japan’s identity as “The Land of the Rising Sun.”

The red circle represents the sun, a sacred symbol in Japanese mythology and the white background symbolizes purity, honesty, and peace. The current design was formally adopted in 1999 under Japan’s National Flag Law.

Week 44 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

I slept well 8hrs and woke only once to pee, I woke at 6am, I am not setting an alarm for Sunday mornings just waking when I do. The temp at 6.30am is 14C or 57F.

Sunday’s will be my easy don’t do much day, I think, we will see how that works out.

Tim and I went to the shops all was good but when we got home, he parked on the lawn and when I was walking to the door, I found myself unable to move and called for help but couldn’t yell loud enough for him to hear me he was already inside. After a bit I managed to get inside.

It has been a nice day not hot nor cold just lovely, but it has been a long ass day, it has drawn on.

Steps:12,512 = 6.4klm’s or 3.8miles

BGL: 6.9

I slept well 9hrs & 38mins of sleep, didn’t wake at all, it is a cool start to the day. Although the temp is 18C or 64.4F.

I got up to a messy kitchen yet again; I have been up an hour and have vacuumed and cleaned the kitchen and put the dishwasher on.

It has another very warm day with the temp being 27C or 80.6F had to the air con on around midday, tried to have a nap and failed, just couldn’t settle so gave up after 20 minutes.

At around 3pm I went to check the mail, and it was lovely out, so I turned the air con off and opened the door.

Around 4pm the temp dropped to 17C or 62.6F and it got windy, had to shut the door, but I was finally sitting comfortably so I sent Sam a text to see if she would come and shut it for me and she did.

It’s 6pm and I am not with it, I am going to have a shower and go to bed, I am aching all over and feel like a zombie not that I really know any zombies but going on how we see them on TV I am like one this evening.

Steps:14,573 = 7.4klm’s or 4.6 miles

BGL: 7.0

SUE’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 56 TODAY

I slept well 9hrs & 18mins of sleep, didn’t wake at all, it is a cool start to the day. It is 13C or 55.4F and it is supposed to rain most of the day.

By midday then temp was only 15C or 59F but we haven’t had any rain.

The rain started around 12.30pm and it hasn’t stopped, and it is bloody cold temp dropped to 12C or 53F.

I tried to have a nap, but my body wouldn’t settle so I gave up after 20 minutes, when I got up, I felt lightheaded and not really with it. I was ok after an hour or so, but I am so very tired this afternoon I will be in bed early again.

Tim decided to walk up in the rain to check the mail there was only one letter for him from Care Super.

When I spoke to Sue this afternoon, she was drunk, but it’s her birthday and she is allowed to get drunk, she would miss not being in touch with 3 of her 4 children and 6 of her grandchildren. It hurts me that those children do not see how far she has come in the last couple of years, I am so proud of her.

Steps: 15,623 = 8kllm’s or 4.9 miles

BGL: 5.6-0

A wet morning and I have an appointment with the podiatrist this morning, I slept well got 8hrs & 26mins of sleep woke twice to pee and feel good this morning.

Had a podiatrist visit this morning mine was routine but Sue’s wasn’t she ended up having two lots and numbing stuff as her ingrown toenail was so deep it was extremely hard to remove. Sue cope wonderfully even though she doesn’t thing she did as she did end up in tears, but I do not think I would handle the procedure as well as Sue did.

I hope Sue is ok to go shopping tomorrow but I will not be surprised if she isn’t up to it.

Steps: 11,703 = 6klm’s or 3.8 miles

A good morning, Sue and I went shopping, not a cold day nor a wet day. I slept all night had 9hrs & 33mins of sleep woke only once to pee.

By the time we were done with the shopping we both felt exhausted and in need of a rest, Sue’s foot was hurting a lot, and I am always exhausted after doing anything at all.

The day has gone fast, I feel like I have done bugga all today.

I ordered my personalised Christmas card postage stamps; I do this when they are reduced in price. Yes, they do cost more but I like doing them.

BGL: 6.4

Steps: 16,310 = 8klm’s or 5miles

DAVID’S BIRTHDAY HE IS 47 TODAY

A nice morning, I had a sleep-in till 6am as I had a rough night, I am now awake, dress and having my morning milkshake.

Sue will pick me up around 10am and we will go see Dave at his work to wish him happy birthday and give him his presents, which is Jack Daniels.

We arrived 20 minutes early for my ultrasound appointment, but we got in straight away which was good.

It has been a nice day warm not hot.

This afternoon Sam and Baliey came over to show me some books they just bought I like what they got.

At 7pm I heard thunder, and it is raining not heavy rain now.

BGL: 6.5

Steps:12,507 = 6.3klm’s or 3.8 miles

Today’s top temp was 26C or 78.8F

A nice morning had a good night slept for 9hrs 30mins, at 5.30am it is 18C or 64F.

Tim’s up early it is only 6.30, he said he woke up and was too restless to go back to sleep.

I did a load of washing and hung it up to dry by the time I was finished I was drenched in sweat, and it is only 20C or 68F.

When I was doing my morning exercises, I had to ask Tim to turn a fan on because I was sweating so much.

It has rained on and off most of the day. The top temp was 23C or 73F.

BGL:6.0

Steps:13,940 = 7.5klm’s or 4.6miles

Japan

~ joannerambling ~ 6 Comments

Hi everyone, this week we are looking at Japan, known as the Land of the Rising Sun, it is a country with a mixture of cultural heritage as well as advanced technology and has some unique traditions.

Japan isn’t just one island but has as many as 4,000 small islands and 4 main islands, which are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku.  It stretches approximately 2,400klm’s or 1,500 miles.

It is a mountainous place with about 80% of the land covered in mountains, including Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji is not only Japan’s highest mountain; it has been a sacred site for the Shinto religion since the seventh century. The cool thing is that Princess Konohanasakuya is the Kami (divine person) of Mount Fuji in the Shinto religion. The cherry blossom is her symbol.

It is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire which makes it prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and it has around 1,000 earthquakes each year. Most of these earthquakes are minor and unnoticeable, but large and destructive earthquakes do occur from time to time.

The capital is Tokyo and is considered the largest city in the world, with around 374 million people living there.

It is one of the most technologically advanced counties and is well known for its innovations in robotics.

They give a great deal of attention to education and is one of the most literate in the world. A distinctive awareness of natural beauty and interest in shape and balance are obvious.

The country is 98.5% Japanese and yes this may seem absurd, but the modern world is becoming increasingly multicultural. However, this is not the case in Japan. That is largely due to stringent visa requirements and a cultural mindset keeping its distinctive and ancient culture steeped in old traditions.

I expect when you think of Japan, you’re probably thinking of the country’s numerous cities or its main islands. You may be Surprised that 67% is covered in forest. It is not uncommon to see signs on forest trails warning to look out for black bears.

Ok that will do for this week.


Week 43 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

I had a really good night, slept straight through and woke feeling good, it is a cool 15C or 59F.

I had 8hrs and 45mins of sleep and by 7am it is 18C or 62F. I managed to hurt my hip again, I slipped while sitting at the computer because the shorts I have on are Lycra and they slip and slide on the chair, so I use a towel to prevent that but didn’t have the towel on the chair at the time.

I went and got Jess’s work shirts as I am doing the laundry. Even with a sore hip I managed to hang the clothes up to dry and Tim took them outside in the sun.

I didn’t have a nap and this afternoon I am really tired.

It has reached a top of 26C or 78F, I even had a shower this afternoon as I was so dripping in sweat.

Steps: 13,291 = 6.8klm’s or 4.2 miles

I had a good night’s sleep took me an hour to settle but I did get 6hrs & 50 Mins of sleep, and I am feeling ok this morning. It is a cool 13C at 5.30am I did wake up with a headache on the left side of my head.

I was surprised when Sam arrived at 6am she was here for an hour. 

I mopped the floors and washed the towels, oh and I sorted the medication for the next 4 weeks.

By 11am it was 31C or 87F and went up to 35C or 95F.   

Tasha is in a lot of pain and can barely walk she will see the doctor on Wednesday, and we expect she will need another Xray or scan.

By bedtime at 8pm it was 25C

Steps: 8,251 = 4klm’s

I had a good night’s sleep got a good 9hrs and 45 mins my watch said I was awake for 28 mins but I have no memory of waking at all.

It’s a nice 15C at 5.30am, I vacuumed, ironed the work shirts, emptied the bins and unpacked the dishwasher, oh and folded the towels all by 7am.

At 8am it was 20C or 68F, thankfully today isn’t going to be as hot as yesterday.

Tim had someone come and clean the solar panels, he arrived at 8.15 and was here for an hour and did a good job.

I had an hour nap which felt good.

The temperature reached 25C or 73F.

BGL: 7.2

Steps: 18,620 = 9.5klm’s or 5.9miles

You can tell by how high my step counter is how much my body was moving today.

Had a rough night but I am up and dressed and have already vacuumed it is 17C or 62.6F at 6am. I had only 5hrs & 35mins of sleep

We are in for another scorcher of a day but right now it is nice with the doors open.

I had a nap from 11am to midday.

Well, it sure did heat up by mid-afternoon it was 37C or 98.6F, I am glad I don’t have to go outside in this heat.

The temperature at 8.30pm was 24C or 75F

BGL:7.7

Steps:9,518 = 4.8lm’s or 2.9 miles

Had a rough start when I first went to bed last night but managed to settle by 10pm and slept straight through I got 5hrs and 59mins of sleep.

I didn’t feel like getting up so I laid in bed for an extra 15mins, I had a shower after Tim left for work. The t3emp this morning is 15C or 59F.

I have a doctor’s appointment at 8.24am. The appointment went well I have to have an Xray and a scan done of my right hip, he says it may be bursitis.

After the doctors we went to Lake Fair shopping centre I went to get batteries for Tim but was unable to find the size he wanted.

Tasha came down to get two eggs and some bread for her lunch, Tim’s bread only contained the crusts also known as the end of the bread and 1 slice and I know Timm will not eat the crusts I gave it to Tasha. Well, when Tim got home he wanted to know where his bread was, I told him and he went on about it saying there was more bread the that.

It has been a much cooler day to temp was 25C or 77F

BGL6.9

Steps: 15,249 = 7.7 klm’s

Had a good night, slept straight through had 9hrs 13min of sleep, the temp this morning is a nice 15C.

Sue drove Tasha to Charlestown to her ultrasound done; she also picked up Maccas’ for my lunch.

Sandy arrived to pick up something I had printed for her. Shem had Denni with her, Denni is now going to Glendale High.

At midday it was 23C, at 1pm I had to turn the air con on for 2hrs, by 5pm it was quite cool.

I went to bed at 8pm but had to get up at 10pm as I wasn’t able to settle. I used the powerfit and went back to bed.

BGL: 7.0

Steps: 17,505 = 8.9klm’s or 5.5 miles

After returning to bed I settled and slept the alarm went off, I got up took my meds and could hardly keep my eyes opened so I went back to bed and woke up at 6am. The temp was 14C or 57F. I had 7hrs of sleep.

Tim was already up and doing research for the job he is doping, this means looking at photos to make sure doesn’t take the bus down a road or driveway he isn’t able to turn around. He is doing the Crowded House concert.

I decided to order pizza; I don’t do that very often.

I did the ironing and it left me exhausted, I also spilt Pepsi while trying to pour myself a drink, then when I was trying to add water to the iron I spilt the water in the kitchen, cleaned that up, the spilt the next lot in the lounge-room and  then cleaned that up and when I wanted another drink I rang Jess and she came and filled my cup for me.

Sam and Bailey came down for cheese, ham and bread. Later on they came back just to say hi and show me what they got when they went to the Pride Festival.

Steps: 14,402 = 7.3klm’s or 4.5 miles   

Indonesian National Anthem

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

Hi, everyone well Friday is here again and today so here is some information about the national anthem of Indonesia. The anthem is called Indonesia Raya it has been the national anthem since the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945.

The first stanza of “Indonesia Raya” was chosen as the national anthem when Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945.

The song is played in flag raising ceremonies in schools across Indonesia every Monday. The flag is raised in a solemn and timed motion so that it reaches the top of the flagpole as the anthem ends. The main flag raising ceremony is held annually on 17 August to commemorate Independence Day. The ceremony is led by the President and is usually held in Merdeka Palace.

In 1951, ownership of the copyright to “Indonesia Raya” came into question. President Sukarno ordered a search for the rightful heir to Soepratman.  By law, Supratman was the copyright holder of “Indonesia Raya” as its composer. After Soepratman’s death in 1938, ownership of the rights to his works fell upon the designated heirs, his four surviving sisters. However, because “Indonesia Raya” was officially adopted as the national anthem of Indonesia on 17 August 1945, the work became the property of the state. In addition, the name of “Wage Rudolf Supratman” must be listed as its creator.

As a national anthem, copies of “Indonesia Raya” cannot be circulated as merchandise to be sold. Consequently, the government had the obligation to obtain all the rights to distribute the song, including the original recording, from Yo Kim Tjan. In 1958, the government obtained the sole right to “Indonesia Raya” from Soepratman’s family.  The following year, Yo handed the original record of the song to the Indonesian government. With the recommendation of the Department of Education, the government also rewarded Soepratman’s sisters with 250,000 Indonesian rupiah each on 31 May 1960.

Here is the English translation

Indonesia, our native country,

Our birthplace,

Where we all arise to stand guard

Over this our Motherland:

Indonesia our nationality,

Our people and our country.

Come then, let us all exclaim

Indonesia united.

Long live our land,

Long live our state,

Our nation, our people, and all

Arise then, its spirit,

Arise, its bodies

For Great Indonesia.


CHORUS

Indonesia the Great, independent and free,

Our beloved country.

Indonesia the Great, independent and free,

Long live Indonesia the Great!


Indonesia, an eminent country,

Our wealthy country,

There we shall be forever.

Indonesia, the country of our ancestors,

A relic of all of us.

Let us pray

For Indonesia’s prosperity:

May her soil be fertile

And spirited her soul,

The nation and all the people.

Conscious be her heart

And her mind

For Indonesia the Great.


CHORUS


Indonesia, a sacred country,

Our victorious country:

There we stand

Guarding our true Mother.

Indonesia, a beaming Country,

A country we love with all our heart,

Let’s make a vow

That Indonesia be there forever.

Blessed be her people

And her sons,

All her islands, and her seas.

Fast be the country’s progress

And the progress of her youth

For Indonesia the Great.




Indonesia

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Hello everyone, this week we are looking at the country of Indonesia which is in Asia. It is a vast and fascinating country with a wealth of unique facts.

The current capital is Jakarta, located on the island of Java. However, the government is in the process of relocating the capital to a new city, Nusantara, on the island of Borneo (East Kalimantan), due to overcrowding and environmental issues in Jakarta.  

It has a population of around 284.7 to 285.7 million people making it the world’s fourth most populous country. It has the largest Muslim population in the world, though the country is officially secular and recognizes six major religions.

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic state, comprising over 17,000 islands (though the exact number is debated). Due to its numerous islands, it has the second-longest coastline in the world, after Canada.  

It stretches over a distance equivalent to about one-eighth of Earth’s circumference and straddles the equator.  

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the most volcanic countries in the world, home to 139 volcanoes, with many still active. It also has the world’s largest volcanic lake, that being Lake Toba, on Sumatra.

The national motto is “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity), there are more than 300 ethnic groups with over 700 languages and dialects spoken. The official national language is Bahasa Indonesia, which serves as a unifying force across the archipelago.  

The island of Java is the most populous island in the world, home to more than half of Indonesia’s total population. It is where the capital is located.   

The flag of Indonesia, known as Sang Saka Merah Putih (The Lofty Red and White), is a simple yet powerful design.

It is a horizontal bicolour of two equal bands, with red on top and white on the bottom. The red symbolises courage (keberanian), and the white symbolises purity (kesucian).

It was officially adopted on August 17, 1945, the day the nation proclaimed its independence.  

However, the red and white colours and the bicolour design have a much longer history, tracing back to the Majapahit Empire in the 13th century. This flag was also used by Indonesian nationalist movements as early as 1928.

Beijing

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Today I am looking a bit more at the town of Beijing, the capital of China.

Beijing is a city with a rich and extensive history, with evidence of human habitation dating back hundreds of thousands of years. It has served as the capital of various Chinese dynasties for most of the past eight centuries and has played a central role in the country’s political and cultural development.

The area around modern-day Beijing has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The discovery of “Peking Man” fossils in Zhoukoudian, dating back 230,000 to 250,000 years, provides evidence of early human ancestors.

Beijing’s rise to a major imperial capital began in the 10th to 13th centuries, when nomadic peoples from beyond the Great Wall made the city their capital.

In 1215, the Mongol armies of Genghis Khan captured and destroyed the city. However, Kublai Khan, a successor of Genghis Khan and founder of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), decided to rebuild the city and make it his capital, renaming it Dadu (“Great Capital”). It was during this time that the city first became the political centre of a unified China. The Venetian merchant Marco Polo visited Dadu and was astonished by its grandeur.

In 1644, the Manchu people conquered China and established the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), with Beijing as their capital. The city’s layout and many of its iconic landmarks, such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, remained largely the same, though new palaces and gardens were added outside the city walls, including the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace. The Old Summer Palace was famously destroyed by British and French troops during the Second Opium War in 1860.

The Qing dynasty was overthrown in 1912, and the Republic of China was established. Beijing remained the political centre for a time but was renamed Beiping (“Northern Peace”) in 1928 when the capital was moved to Nanjing.

On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China from Tiananmen Gate, and Beijing was once again declared the nation’s capital. The city has undergone significant changes since then, with the development of modern infrastructure and the expansion of the urban area. Notable recent historical events include the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 and the hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

According to official data, the permanent population of Beijing was 21.832 million at the end of 2024. This marked a decrease of 26,000 from the previous year.

The housing market in Beijing is complex, with a mix of ownership and rental options. The government has played a significant role in housing policy, with a shift from subsidized public housing to a more commercialized market since 1978. This has led to a variety of housing tenures, including public rental, private market rental, and several types of home ownership (e.g., purchasing former public housing or market-rate homes). Residence status and income are major factors that determine the type of housing a person can access.    

The majority of Beijing’s population lives in multi-story apartment buildings, a trend driven by rapid urbanization and the need to house a massive population in a limited space.

The most common form of housing is apartment buildings, these range from older, multi-story buildings (typically 4-7 stories) to modern high-rise towers with over seven floors and elevators. They are found throughout the city, with prices and quality varying significantly depending on the location. Modern, high-end apartments are common in the central business district and upscale neighbourhoods, while more functional and affordable apartments are found in the suburbs.  

There are also siheyuans which are courtyard houses, these are Beijing’s traditional and iconic residential dwellings. A siheyuan consists of buildings arranged around a central courtyard. While they were once the dominant housing style, many have been demolished to make way for modern apartment buildings. Today, the remaining siheyuans are highly sought after and expensive, often found in the historic “hutong” (narrow alley) areas of central Beijing. Some have been converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, or shared by multiple families.  

Found predominantly in the city’s suburbs are villas, which are Western-style, single-family homes or townhouses. They are a much rarer and more expensive housing option compared to apartments.  

A significant portion of the migrant worker population and some state employees live in dormitories or other forms of collective housing provided by their employers. These are often located near factories or construction sites and are generally considered a more temporary or basic form of accommodation.