We Made It!

Well, we finally made the big move to Tabua. We arrived at our cold and dark house at 4am on February 11 after a long journey from Tokyo (via Amsterdam). Unfortunately, we found the kind neighbour had locked all our bedding into a room for safekeeping and taken away the key -- so our much anticipated slumber turned into a frozen wait for dawn!

Next morning we went to our agent, who was supposed to have set up everything for our temporary apartment. But there were problems here too -- some fiscal registration issue meant we could not sign the contract, and therefore could not have water/gas/electricity connected. We are still in the process of resolving these problems -- and in the meantime are living in our house. Or perhaps "camping" would be more descriptive of the situation. We have water and electricity, but no heat or hot water. Not completely comfortable given the weather (below freezing at night, but nice and warm once the sun comes up).

As a result of this, we have not even begun the process of getting a phone line and ADSL connection for the Internet. When this will happen is anybody's guess at the moment.

But we have been keeping occupied. Megumi has somehow taken it upon herself to prune the grape vines -- all 200 of them. About a third done so far. As for me, I've been doing odd things -- including harvesting some of the oranges, of which we seem to have about a tonne on our three trees. We've been drinking quite a lot of freshly squeezed juice!

Well, that's all for now. I hope to upload a few photos soon.... Perhaps in the next few days or so.