Swings and Roundabouts

There is nothing the Times Square Mall at Imbi Station doesn't have! We didn't go on the theme park rides there as we're far too mature for such things, but felt this photo summed up our day fairly well as it was a bit of a roller-coaster!

There are two types of visa for UK nationals to enter Indonesia on: a 1 month Visa On Arrival, which is extendible up to 2 months, and a 2 month Social and Cultural Visa, which is extendible up to 6 months. It's pretty hard to get the latter approved in Kuala Lumpur, but we sorted out an Indonesian citizen to act as a responsible 'sponsor' for us, and just went in dressed smartly and hoping for the best. When we got there though, they told us that new rules meant that if our visas were approved, we'd only get 5 months in the country, and since Jack's passport was out of pages for further V.O.A.s, we'd have to return to the UK a whole lot earlier than planned. Gutted, we set about revising our diving plans and cutting out travel destinations. Trying to salvage something from the day, we went to Times mall to pick up some bits and pieces, and a comfort KFC.

Bizarrely though, it all turned out to be a ruse, when we got a call from the embassy saying we'd be granted the 6 months afterall... Very strange! We hit the next showing of Interstellar at the Times Square IMAX to celebrate, before a few beers with new friends at our hostel. It's official.. We're going to Indoooo!!