Indonesia

Some memories of my sojourn in Indonesia September 5-October 2:

• Fresh mango for breakfast every morning.
• The chance to assist some very keen and talented Indonesian jazz students
• Having to go to hospital because of extreme build-up of wax in my ears bringing temporary deafness. (Caused by wearing earplugs every night for 4 weeks to keep out early morning traffic noise)
• Touring regional Indonesia with the Dutch group Denise Jannah and Band. Very nice bunch of people
• Unbelievable traffic in Jakarta
• Visiting the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and finding it like a fortress after last year's bombing
• The gorgeous decor of the Nine Muses Club where I played
• Getting caught in an absolutely torrential downpour on my way back from hospital, lost, unable to hail a taxi, map turning to a sodden mess, soaked to the skin and mobile phone battery flat
• The helpfulness, warmth and hospitality of my hosts and just about everyone else I met