A Military Cop & his Harley Davidson. Both very impressive. Cool & "dwarfing" me 🤣

At Gambir Stasiun. Waiting for the train to take us to Bandung. Saturday 30 March 2019

We arrived in Bandung after a 3.5 hour train ride. You have to walk across "live" rails to get to the Exit. Just hope that the Guards give you enough time to miss an approaching train.🤣.

Made a "pit stop" at the Cimahi train station. ( formerly called Tjmahi )  Emotional story will follow next week.

Bandung Branch Family history Powerpoint slide presentation.

Just a collage of the some 100 photos taken at the former "Puncak Gedeh" ( now called Gunung Mas ) Tea plantation above the town of Gedeh. ( Puncak means Top/Summit)

"Gambir Train station Jakarta. "Ready to Roll to Bandung."

On our way to Bandung 30 March 2019.

The Bandung Branch & Family History Power Point slide Presentation.

The train to Bandung was late. Not a problem. Opportunity to talk Family History with our new made friend Josie. 

On our way to "Gunung Mas" tea plantation. 

After many weeks of getting organized, including the install of a State of the Art brand new PC with "the brains & works" included in the 24" screen ( without a "brick") the new Jakarta 1st Ward Family History Room is off & running to a bright future. In attendance for the "Grand Opening" were: Sr. Vitria Simaremare, the 1st Ward Family History Consultant,  Sr. Irene Natasia Setiadi the Jakarta Stake Temple & Family History Consultant (& 1st Ward member),  as well as 1st Ward Bishop Setiadi and Jakarta Stake Presidency member President Pangestura Kentjana Putra. Sister & Elder Schmid "Sangat Senang dan beruntung menjadi bagian darinya" ( Very Happy and fortunate to be part of it.)

Zone Conference Jakarta on Friday 15 March 2019.

ANGKLUNG

The ANGKLUNG is an Indonesian Traditional music instrument made of Bamboo tubes. It is popular throughout Southeast Asia but it ORIGINATED in INDONESIA. It has been played by the SUNDANESE people of West Java since Ancient times. A photo of  a small example of an "Angklung" attached to this update. We bought one & will bring it home so the small grandchildren & grown up "children"  at heart can play music on an Indonesian handmade Angklung.  

The Puncak Gedeh, now named "Gunung Mas" is the Tea Plantation where my Father Emile Schmid was the Chief Administrator (Civil Engineer ) of the Puncak (summit) Gedeh. The Gunung Mas Tea Plantation still produces High Quality Tea. It also is presently a very popular  Historic Tourist attraction. The 3 homes, of which one was occupied by us, are now renovated to state of the art condition. The Tennis court at the bottom of the homes, where my parents & friends played, is still there but not in shape anymore to use as a tennis court. The old Warehouse is renovated & instead of storing the tea is now used as a tea test & restaurant facility. The location of Gunung Mas is part of the West Java area where the Sundanese roam & speak their own language, Sundanese. The same language our Nanny & Personal Assistant to my Mother Jenny, named "Kokkie" taught us instead of Javanese. We will be visiting Gunung Mas again in the near future. The 1st visit was cut short. Quite a bit too emotional for me. This time we have planned a full day visit as an extension of our Family History to Bandung. An update of that visit will follow soon.

Mission President & Sister Mackay invited us & Senior Couple Elder & Sister Porter, in Jakarta after the Solo Stake Zone Conference last week. Fabulous company, lively conversations and tasty food. You kind of "fondue" style  cooked your thinly sliced meet yourself at the table. Added by buffet style entrees. We will go back for visiting & introducing the 4-Generations Family History Online plan to this East side of the enormous Indonesia Mall in Jakarta soon. Very impressive shopping & plenty of a large variety of eating establishment. One in particular caught our attention. The magnificent Indonesian store with original Indonesian food "warung2" & restaurant. Photos of that store will certainly follow. 

Zone Conference Jakarta 15 March 2019. Surabaya Elders.

Elder Schmid has added the following link:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2230584057155389&id=100006114494590&sfnsn=mo

The Jakarta Stake Center. It also accommodates the 2nd & 3rd ( English speaking) Ward.    

The Jakarta Stake 1st Ward building. Three stories high with a chapel, class rooms. Stairs & an elevator. A baptism font, Bishop's & Clerk Office on the ground floor. It is part of an office complex. A name plague is not allowed on the outside wall. Instead, a sticker on the front door.

Sat. 9 March. Movie Night. After the show, young Full-time Missionaries assisted member & non-member visitors at the Family History "Booth."