Today is the longest day for myself. Being in Luanda by myself, it feels somewhat lonely. And there's almost nothing to do during this long weekend (Good Friday plus weekend). The only activity today is going to mosque early, since my beloved Egyptian friend was so eager to go very early so he can see the imam. It is difficult for me to sit tight for almost two hours, listening sermon in Portuguese, then one of African language and Arabic. What I understood is only porque, depois, iman and kufur. Fortunately, I've already used to the smell of this mosque.
As usual, we go to the famous halal restaurant in Luanda, the Lebanese Al Dar Restaurant, near Igreja Sagrada Familia. It is somewhat a religious journey for Indonesian to eat some Arab-Lebanese food on Sexta-feira. At least that was what my Pakistani friend said. They usually start to complain me if I try the carne de vaca or frangos in the restaurant. It is haram, although it is not carne de porco.
I am not complaining, since I can eat almost any food without any problem. I used to love Malaysian delicacies, especially spicy Kelantanese food at MZ Restaurant in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. But now, my tongue has privilege to explore new cuisines. Although I definitely need to control my food consumption in order to push down my cholesterol level on par.
So, I just sitback, relax and reading other blogs, while waiting my family signed in to gmail chat. I was inspired by this blog regarding personal fitness, written by meu caro amigo, Barry, um Indonesiano mora do America. Fortunately, I've already passed the struggle to keep the fire to exercise. That was around 7-8 years ago, when I - like Barry - started to walk around the house for minimum of 30 minutes every single morning. Although, I am not as lucky as Barry to go to the beach.
I am glad that I am physically relatively fit. I'll try to keep exercise 3-4 times a week. Three times a week is a minimum. When I was working in Kuala Lumpur, going to the gym means to sacrifice my lunch time, to get sweat in Fitness First located in Menara Maxis, next to Petronas Twin Towers. Since I really wanted to have more time with my family. One hour exercise means I can only do the treadmill for 30 minutes, stepper for 20 minutes and rushing to take a shower and run back to the office for another 10 minutes.
Now, I am in Luanda and start to explore the physical exercise activities. For a start, I'll try to jog around the city and marginal shore in the morning. If I like to jog in the marginal, I need to run 10-15 minutes across downtown Luanda. That's why I always envy with my friend that live at Ilha de Luana. Most of the people here are condemned my activities, but I thought it was really safe. Since most Angolan are not yet awake during that time, around 6-7 in the morning. That walk and jog exercise will take about 40-60 minutes.
During weekend, I will hit the gym provided by the company. It is located in one of the staff house and rarely used during weekend. If I go there usually I can enjoy all of the machine by myself. The treadmill machine is really huge and nice, branded Johnson and of course Made in USA. My favorite is to hit 5K button and run for 30 minutes. Then continues with 20 minutes walking for relaxation. After several weeks of hardwork, I've noticed that my beloved Nike shoes start complaining and making some noises. I need to get one of those from Nike Shop at Suria KLCC next month.
Since I have time, I usually try all of the machines. Including two static cycles (10 minutes each) and some bench press thingy. Previously, I don't like the weight machine. Usually I stick to aerobic exercise, but now I use everything. I think that's good and keep my body healthy.
I heard that there are gym in Hotel Tropico and Hotel Alvalade. But I don't need an urgent need to socialize in the gym. And by the way, when I was visiting Clube de Nautico two days ago, I've noticed that they start to moving several gym machine to the second floor, above the pool table. It looks like new gym coming to town.
Now, I don't have any complain. And I can enjoy the food what I like without any strict restriction. Last medical checkup shows a good health with slight marginal increase on the cholesterol level. At least nothing to be worried.
As usual, we go to the famous halal restaurant in Luanda, the Lebanese Al Dar Restaurant, near Igreja Sagrada Familia. It is somewhat a religious journey for Indonesian to eat some Arab-Lebanese food on Sexta-feira. At least that was what my Pakistani friend said. They usually start to complain me if I try the carne de vaca or frangos in the restaurant. It is haram, although it is not carne de porco.
I am not complaining, since I can eat almost any food without any problem. I used to love Malaysian delicacies, especially spicy Kelantanese food at MZ Restaurant in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. But now, my tongue has privilege to explore new cuisines. Although I definitely need to control my food consumption in order to push down my cholesterol level on par.
So, I just sitback, relax and reading other blogs, while waiting my family signed in to gmail chat. I was inspired by this blog regarding personal fitness, written by meu caro amigo, Barry, um Indonesiano mora do America. Fortunately, I've already passed the struggle to keep the fire to exercise. That was around 7-8 years ago, when I - like Barry - started to walk around the house for minimum of 30 minutes every single morning. Although, I am not as lucky as Barry to go to the beach.
I am glad that I am physically relatively fit. I'll try to keep exercise 3-4 times a week. Three times a week is a minimum. When I was working in Kuala Lumpur, going to the gym means to sacrifice my lunch time, to get sweat in Fitness First located in Menara Maxis, next to Petronas Twin Towers. Since I really wanted to have more time with my family. One hour exercise means I can only do the treadmill for 30 minutes, stepper for 20 minutes and rushing to take a shower and run back to the office for another 10 minutes.
Now, I am in Luanda and start to explore the physical exercise activities. For a start, I'll try to jog around the city and marginal shore in the morning. If I like to jog in the marginal, I need to run 10-15 minutes across downtown Luanda. That's why I always envy with my friend that live at Ilha de Luana. Most of the people here are condemned my activities, but I thought it was really safe. Since most Angolan are not yet awake during that time, around 6-7 in the morning. That walk and jog exercise will take about 40-60 minutes.
During weekend, I will hit the gym provided by the company. It is located in one of the staff house and rarely used during weekend. If I go there usually I can enjoy all of the machine by myself. The treadmill machine is really huge and nice, branded Johnson and of course Made in USA. My favorite is to hit 5K button and run for 30 minutes. Then continues with 20 minutes walking for relaxation. After several weeks of hardwork, I've noticed that my beloved Nike shoes start complaining and making some noises. I need to get one of those from Nike Shop at Suria KLCC next month.
Since I have time, I usually try all of the machines. Including two static cycles (10 minutes each) and some bench press thingy. Previously, I don't like the weight machine. Usually I stick to aerobic exercise, but now I use everything. I think that's good and keep my body healthy.I heard that there are gym in Hotel Tropico and Hotel Alvalade. But I don't need an urgent need to socialize in the gym. And by the way, when I was visiting Clube de Nautico two days ago, I've noticed that they start to moving several gym machine to the second floor, above the pool table. It looks like new gym coming to town.
Now, I don't have any complain. And I can enjoy the food what I like without any strict restriction. Last medical checkup shows a good health with slight marginal increase on the cholesterol level. At least nothing to be worried.
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