Greetings Readers,
Yes, it’s true, after eight years of residing on Batam Island, Indonesia I’m returning to the United States to continue my bitter fight against corporations and for Truth, Justice and Equality. In the meantime, I must sell my elegant and attractively located apartment by the sea. It is a roomy three bedroom, two bath with fantastic views of maritime scenery.
Each morning I awake to the sun shining through the palm and mango trees just outside my brightened master bedroom window. I walk to the terrace with coffee in hand, peer past a rather large green leafy tree slightly to the left to view a distant variety of 20 to 30 seagoing vessels rotating each day or two. They move slowly in and out of the Malacca Strait to exotic ports unknown, each pausing to anchor several long miles out from my secluded apartment which sits 60 yards above a grassy embankment, that is fronted by a wavy blue sea. It is a quiet setting, secluded, a paradise, a location of peace and quiet far from the hustle and bustle of Singapore city’s tourist traffic that lies approximately 30 miles to north-west by easily acquired ferry.
Besides the lovely venue there are many amenities offered by the Indah Puri Resort, discounted golf membership played on a beautiful 18 hole course, a larger than life Olympic size swimming pool gardened and cared for efficiently with taste. This is but half the local beauty of the partly occupied complex servicing the very best people. I describe further the wonders of the flora and fauna, like the visiting monkeys, an occasional rare dark brown lizard passing, quick agile squirrels, and the chirping birds. Among them the high overhead circling hawks, and the dozens of visiting white cranes during the harsh North Asian Winters. In short it is a winner for anyone wanting peace and quiet in a busy stressful world.
The prospective buyer is a fine Catholic Nigerian doctor and from all appearances a highly qualified lifesaving practitioner in his field. Doctor Nabona has sent group photos of this lovely family, and his attractive well dressed cultured wife and of their lovely children, a boy 3, and a girl 6 that were taken with the background of the green lush Northern Nigerian hills. Other photos are in the forefront of the white washed St. Merriam General Hospital where the part-owner Doctor Nabona labors most in the outpatient and surgical theater. At times he treats and, or performs surgery on as many as 120 patients a day he tells me.
Doctor Nabona has visited the Indah Puri Resort over the years and has described his fondness for it to a T. Repeatedly he has informed of his desire to purchase my apartment and vacation in Batam with his family and friends as often as he can get away. His generous offer of $650,000 U.S. dollars in nothing to sniff at, and I have gladly accepted. I’m sure it will be a win-win sale for both of us.
We have negotiated the deal mainly over the internet, and through the Nigerian Consulates in New York, Jakarta, and Logos, and of course the Nigerian National Bank. With guaranteed funds on the way I signed the property over to the good doctor on 10 July, and am waiting for the transfer of funds to arrive. Since I have impatiently contacted the doctor who has told me he is waiting for the most satisfactory rate of exchange he can acquire that I understand is near 8,374, 250,707 each North Provincial Njgaria dollar for one American dollar. The doctor informs me to not to pay any attention to the Media reports of instability in the Independent Province of Njgaria where elements of the Baoko Harum insurgency are running amok. Yes, there are problems of insurrection, but they are highly exaggerated, he states.
Recently the Media reported that Muslim guerrilla groups massacred 210 worshipers in a Mosque in Kenno, a nearby district capital on the Chad border, when the more accurate figure was actually only 175.
My patience is starting to run out, and it was disconcerting that just last evening a black man knocked on my apartment door and inform me I would have to move out by 20 July because his African brother had bought the apartment for him and his family. He then walked through several rooms and thought it “lovely.” and wanted all the furniture kept in place. He said he would be back in ten days ready to take over.
Currently this Nigerian stranger is living with his family of seven near Batam Center in one room. He says it’s okay there, The room has electricity, a TV, running water, and an inside toilet.
Now it has been over a month since the sale and sign-over. I’m wondering did I make a mistake? I just trust people too darn much is my problem.
All the Best,
Ron.
