The Sixth Day in Surabaya

Today is my sixth day in Surabaya (East Java, Indonesia). I’ve been very busy for the past few days. My father needed my help to prepare all his matters that related to his pilgrimage. This Monday, my father, brother and SILs have gathered in the hajj dormitory in the city. Tomorrow Tuesday, they will leave the country by Saudi Arabian airline. Hope every thing is going well there. I really wish my father will be back from his pilgrimage in better health condition. Who knows; miracles can happen! My husband and I plan to go back home this next Thursday. For my late Blue Monday post, I’ll share the plane that we rode in last week and one quick shot of my father and brother in their hajj uniform.

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Camera Critters: A Monkey

Right now I'm still out of town, visiting my father in my brother's home in Surabaya, Indonesia). I saw this monkey two nights ago; while my husband and I were buying things at the store nearby. He was trained to do some different tricks. I felt pity for this monkey.

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Investing in Colombian Hotels

Colombia is seeing a boom in the construction of hotels, like no other country in the world in 2011. It seems strange a country that has a reputation of being dangerous and corrupt is seeing so much investment. The northern end of Colombia is full of white sandy beaches, perfect for relatively low-cost holidays, excellent weather all year round, and is a short distance from the United States and Europe.

Backpackers who are on party holidays have always been attracted to Colombia. Now we are seeing a more mature and sophisticated traveller, as the better hotels and better services are being built. Flights to Colombia are numerous, and the country has a high number of airports. Here is a look at some of the main issues to consider, and the recent improvements in relation to investing in hotels in Colombia.

· Evaluation. Evaluation of any real estate and predicting realistic returns is not easy to do. The use of sophisticated property valuation software and hotel valuation software with the functions and features to incorporate local conditions is essential for correct calculations. The professionals who can analyse this from their experience are also essential.

· Independent Legal Support. Not unlike any foreign country, and particularly in Colombia, having your own independent and legal support is mandatory. The last thing you want to be using is the seller’s attorney. You need your own legal support to communicate with tax advisors in Colombia. You need to work with real estate agents with a reputation for excellence and openness.

· English Translation. It can be difficult to find an English translator and interpreter to handle the legal issues you will confront. While there are a growing number of younger Colombians, who do have excellent English ability, at this level of business, you are going to need an outside professional. The available information on taxes, rules, laws and residency permits can be difficult to find in English.

· Ground Work. You should expect considerable more ground-work than compared with other similar ‘gringo’ locations. There just has not been the investment in the past for those facilities to be available in your language.

· Visas. Colombia is known for complicated and outdated visa practices. This is starting to change, and visa application processes are being simplified. Visas are not as complicated as they once were, and the chance of bribing your way to a visa is also being diminished. Long-term visas are easily obtainable for investors in business and real estate alike.

· Locations. Colombia is still a country torn from many years of internal conflict. Knowing where to go, and not where to go, is extremely important.

Buying real estate and the buying of hotel real estate is a pretty straight-forward process as long as you have your own independent support. The local economy is not waiting around for anyone, and you will see a large number of hotels and other accommodation already well into construction.

The Sheraton has invested in two towers in the beach town of Cartajena, when their original plan was to build one. The fact that you will have little in the way of language and international support without bringing your own shows how open the market is. If all that support was already there, that would mean you are too late.

/image: canstockphoto.com/

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How to Build Stronger Family Relationships

Do you wish you had a stronger relationship with your family? Particularly when you do not live close by, or you lead very busy lives, keeping that close contact and support can be very difficult. Maybe you have never been very close with your family, maybe even estranged, but are hoping to re-establish a bond. Here are some ideas that will help you build and strengthen your family relationships.

1. Establish Regular Contact.Whether it is a weekly phone call every Sunday night at 7pm, or even better, a weekly or fortnightly dinner (face to face contact is of course preferable), having a routine makes it easier to keep in touch.

Make sure the responsibility to keep up regular contact is shared equally between all family members so that none of you fall out of the habit. Take turns hosting the dinners or initiating the phone calls so you know everyone is taking it just as seriously.

2. Try New Experiences.Particularly if you aren’t very close, or do not feel you have a lot in common with some of your family members, trying something new together can be a great way to bond and break the ice.

It means family outings will be less awkward as there will be something different that you can also focus on or be distracted by. If you are already a tight family, new experiences will serve to strengthen that bond further, and create great photo opportunities for the family album!

3. Be on Call for Help and Advice.Make it very clear to your siblings, your parents or other relatives that you are there to help in anyway you can.

Whether it’s cooking your parent’s dinner if they are particularly busy one week, offering your services as a babysitter so your brother and his wife can have a night off, or even offering business advice such as recommending a debt collection agency if they are struggling to get money back from an employee.

Paying attention, offering advice and simply being helpful in anyway you feel able will mean you will hopefully soon be able to lean on them to do the same.

4. Show How Much You Care.Not just at Birthdays, Christmas or other such special occasions – but throughout the entire year.

Of course these occasions are important for a reason, but that doesn’t mean that they should be the only time you display affection or caring. Unexpected kind gestures go a long way and mean much more than you think.

It can be as simple as sending them a parcel with their favourite chocolate the next time you happen upon it in the supermarket. Think of how thrilled you feel when you receive something unexpected and pleasant in the mail – why not share that feeling around?

5. Don’t Force It.
If you try all these ideas and you still struggle to establish or strengthen the bond…remember it’s okay. After all, we do not choose our family. Turn to friends instead and spend that energy with those who truly care about you.

This doesn’t mean to give up if it is something that is really important to you, but it does pay to bear in mind that “family” doesn’t always have to mean blood relation.

Make sure to protect yourself: if your dad only ever seems to talk to you to borrow money, let him know you will look into debt recovery services if you do not get the money back. Think carefully about whether they are a positive of negative influence in your life. You might find, in the end, you would be happier if you let them go.

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