Brunch at the Ritz Carlton, Jakarta

We don’t often tend to go out to restaurants at night, we could here in Jakarta as we have access to a driver and cheap childcare, we just prefer to have family friendly dinner parties/BBQ with our circle of friends.

We like to save up and go to the big balls (Irish Ball in March booked and paid for!!!! German ball and British Fashion Ball coming up in April and May) as well as do family groups for brunch.

Sunday Brunch is institution in Jakarta; all the big hotels offer it.

I think that the Ritz Carlton does it the best!

Brunch starts at noon and is supposed to go until 3pm (we get very politely asked to leave a lot later lol) and all have an option of free flow sparkling wine etc with a scrumptious buffet.

Last month we tried something new at the Ritz Carlton, a private room for Chinese New Year.

WOW, what a great idea it was.

There is no extra charge, as long as there is a minimum of eight adults.

The service, as usual, was superb and we had a great time.

There was no background noise and not a hint of disgusting smoke.

We were recently introduced to the Martini Brunch @ Prime , also in the Ritz Carlton.

WOW very, very nice but not suitable for kids—it is quiet, sophisticated and refined. Our usual group of co-brunchers (do you like my cool new word I just made up lol) has a minimum of 10+ kids….I can’t see the Ritz welcoming us back if we let them loose in the Martini brunch!

We are having an adults only Valentines day brunch this weekend at the Martini Brunch.

I will take photos!

Brunch in a private room at the Airlangga Restaurant, Ritz Carlton Jakarta.

What do you do when you are asked to go home from Brunch at the Ritz Carlton....you continue the party at home. This turned out to be an 11 hour brunch......I think you should be able to see that we all love to brunch; oh, and that I need to buy a slightly bigger chess set!

Isn't it ironic

Prohibition has eased in Jakarta and it is now possible to buy some alcohol.

I managed to get GJ a bottle of scotch, it is favourite weekend tipple.

I personally think most spirits taste like medicine, but GJ likes them occasionally.

GJ like to drink his scotch with Dry Ginger ale and ice.

Only there is no dry ginger ale for sale in Jakarta at the moment.

No scotch and dry for GJ......

You can get tonic water, so he has switched over to the second best, the classic G&T, gin and tonic......

I think this tastes like perfume and medicine combined lol

This is classic example of our life in Indonesia.


Edit: within 3 hours of posting this I find Dry Ginger Ale!!!!!!!!!!
Now I can't find the kids fruit juice......maybe posting about it will make it appear!

Wireless recharging of electrical devices

A new invention, please.


I have a need; and I want someone to invent a device to fix it.

I want a nice box, (timber, leather, rattan etc) approx A4 size and about 6" (15cm) deep with a matching lid.

I want it to be connected to electricity in some wireless way.

I want to throw any electrical gadget (cameras, phones, ipod's, itouch DS's etc) the family owns in it overnight and have it recharge them.

I want no cords, no plugging in, just a simple "put it in the box" and it will happen.

How long until it is a reality?

A tough week

Last Tuesday would of been my brothers 36th birthday.

I am finding it hard to imagine what he would of been like at this age, he will forever be a gorgeous eighteen year old to me.

His birthday, as well as the anniversary of his death, are always tough times of the year.

This year was even tougher.

On Nicholas's birthday this year, my mother and sister attended the funeral of my mums closest friend.

They had been friends for nearly fifty years.

Sonya was one of the few people that has known me for my entire life.
Most of my childhood memories include her and her lovely daughters.


The day before, my mum attended the funeral of another of her close friends.

Unfortunately I could not get a flight out to Australia in time for either funerals.

It has been a tough week.