Living and Working in Sorowako

Today I am going to do something a little different. Rather than describe one of my local adventures I am instead going to show you where I have been staying and working.

This first picture is of about two thirds of Block A of the dormitory complex. In total there are three 2 story buildings surrounding a central cafeteria building (you can just see a corner of in on the right hand edge of the photo). Currently I am staying in room A24, on the ground floor, just in behind the red ford truck peeking out amongst the pack. That truck by the way is the one I have been using the last few days.

The rooms are comfortable enough and certainly aren't what you would call fancy. All have a bed (so far rooms I have stayed in have had: a single, two singles, and now a queen), a desk, a small refrigerator, a small TV and some chairs. My friend Andrew is staying at another complex called the "guest house". Other than nicer TV and furniture the rooms are essentially the same size. The one advantage of the guest house is that it is right beside the Yacht Club so it is just a short walk down to Lake Matano if you want to go for a swim.

Because they pickup and deliver laundry every day it isn't imperative that you have lot of clothes here.

My day usually begins at 4:45 in the morning at which time I shave, shower and get ready for the day. I had been spending some time on my previous visit instant messaging with Janice and my mom until breakfast time (6:00 am) but for some reason that isn't working now.

I usually end up at the office sometime between 6:30 and 7:00 and stay until 4:30 to 5:00 - long days for sure but then there really isn't much else to do as the sun is set by 6:30 pm!

This next picture is of the Mines Engineering building where the geology department is based and where I too have been hanging my hat. The big rock out front is an example of peridotite with Ni rich saprolite seams and can be distinguished by the emerald green colour.

Of note here is that just about everyone from Superintendent and up has a company supplied vehicle with Toyota Kijang vans being very common as are Toyota, Isuzu, Mazda and Ford compact pickups, typically with four-wheel drive (when it rains the laterite can be pretty gummy).

Like many I usually wait until 7:00 pm for supper. At that time I can expect to see most of the usual crowd, many of whom are from New Zealand although there are a couple based in Vancouver and some from Toronto.

Lights out is usually at 9:00 pm and then the cycle begins all over.

Tomorrow I am off to Pomalaa. Myself and Ade Kaderusman are off to Makassar where we will meet 2 people from AMEC. From there we will fly to Kendari, on the east coast of South-east Sulawesi and will then drive across to Pomalaa on the west side. We return to Sorowako (I was informed that this is the correct spelling although you also see "Soroako" a lot too) on the 10th. By then I should have more to add. Until then!