My Indonesia's Adventures

As if what I have told everybody isn’t enough, I have to write about it? I guess I just need to… Feel a bit off these past two days… gotta let something off my mind. So, where do we start? Hmm…

The capital
Jakarta is a very hectic town indeed. The worst traffic jam I ever been to. Lots and lots of people everywhere, crowded by the side of the road, the middle of the road and even on the divider. No space whatsoever to breathe. Okay a bit exaggerating. Despite all of it, to me: it was all very interesting to experience in another country. The crazier it gets the wider smile I have on my face thinking about it. And there in Jakarta, I score some good food, good shopping, good walk or rather run around town, and a very good SPA session… ahh, what a way to end 12 day trip that very last day. The best experience there was when we had a ride on the 'mikrolat' (a public transportation in a van) that were driven in reverse in a very heavy traffic with intention to avoid it during a peak hours. The driver managed to piss many people off, and we glad we arrived in location in one piece. Phew…

The Love Stop
Bandung. As you all know it is a town among mountains in Java, it is also a hectic town, a shopping haven and good food all around, too bad my stomach failed on me on my first two days in Indonesia, yet; we still managed to go from one café to another, enjoyed every delicacy Bandung has to offer, yeay! The sick feeling in my stomach also caused an uneasy feeling during our shopping spree with Joj and Teteh Felis and has only caused me to not be able obtain enough things for my family and friends, sorry ya. Second day, after a visit to Tangkuban Perahu with Pak Agus, Felis and Joji, I continue the journey with another friend. And even with me not really fond of motorbike, I rode on one there with that very guy who was the focal point for me coming to Bandung. Suprisingly, not a single awkward moment felt throughout the journey, and it only make sense to travel by bike to the mountain and back rather than any 4 wheel automobile or It will take forever (or so I thought). The view of bandung and its vicinity from the top? Breathtakingly amazing! The exhilarating journey to the top gives me peace at its peak, and savour every minutes of the cold air and the beautiful scenery , eventhough with not much conversation conveyed, as there was a busy snapping session. The hot coffee and banana with cheese made a great companion, and the guy I finally got to meet face to face after being acquainted for years made the experience one I will never forget. Been so deep into it since the day back from Bandung, but now I am down to not to think about it so much. It was a weird feeling but it was good while it lasted on my mind and in my heart. *sigh*

The Backpacking
Now, this is the most important part of the journey, the one that made me captivated with the idea brought by Joji, so thanks Joj, for made me coming with you to this trip. It started with us anxiously driven through a traffic jam to the train station to catch the 4.45 pm train to Semarang. After successfully crawling out of traffic we then came across another obstacle with the law who said we took the wrong turn, (I didn’t really understand, maybe it’s Indonesia’s traffic violation or something). Rp 40.000 and without caring whatsoever in the world later, we found ourselves dashing to the platform (forgetting we do not have a good stamina) only to find out the train was late. Phew…

Everybody was touching their heart which beats like crazy and started to laugh it all out after boarding the train when it arrived. Imagine us missing that 7 hour ride train? Mbak Yuni will need to make a major reschedule to our trip and it will not be cool.

Semarang
After spent a night in Mbak yuni’s borther’s house, we started early for that day activity, we went around town, visit the famous temple, famous church and a very old and ruined office building which were used during Dutch-Japanese invasion. We then went to the famous Candi Gedongsongo which seeing me only managed to go up to the Third candi, Joj, Mbak Yuni and Mbak Adwi went all the way to no 4 and 5 and back. Candi number 6 to 9 is mysteriously invisible. Anyways, to my defense, I stopped to accompany Cici who were not feeling very well and had to go back down after the third (I am not tired ok, just lazy). Hehe. The view again… amazing! We ended the trip in Wonosobo, staying in a very low budget hotel; PARAMA. Joji demam at this point. Felt sorry for her, and all I can do is be as motherly as possible and took care of her so she can at least enjoyed the rest of the journey at her pace.

Wonosobo-Dieng
We started the second day with a new driver, Titus as our guide, and were off scaling Wonosobo and Dieng. Visited Telaga Menjer, Telaga Warna, Candi Arjuna and Banjarnegara. We also managed to watch a half hour history of the volcanoes’ site at the theatre. Had not so nice lunch, checked out and rush to Borobudur.

Borobudur-Magelang-Jogjakarta
Unfortunately, the borobudur was closed when we arrived, so the sunset view plan is cancelled and off to Magelang and had a very nice dinner, with o God, I forgot the name, something tauhu, kinda like our Tauhu Bakar in Johor Bahru but bigger portion and lots of tahu (then again, Indonesia is very generous with their food portion, all large, made for two). We spent the night in Mbak Adwi’s hometown home, which is the best place to rest for me throughout our 5 days backpacking journey. Ibu Mbak Adwi is so tiny but a very powerful hardworking old woman I ever met. The house is huge and immaculately tidy for a one person living in it. I was so happy; I slept like a baby in the living room, in front of the TV. Yeah… me and tv, inseparable.

After a good night sleep, we had another new driver, and off to Jogjakarta. On the way, we went back Borobudur and to Magelang to scale Ketep Pass, planned to see Merapi mountain from a top, unfortunately, it was raining, we can only see fog from the peak, few pictures snapped, a bowl of noodle soup and a jagung bakar later, we off to scouring the rest of Candi and Beaches before finally went to long awaited Jogjakarta. Arrived very late in the afternoon, managed to visit Mbak Yuni’s friend, Mbak Adwi’s brother and finally spent the night at Mbak Adwi’s cousin’s home in long awaited and the very final town in our trip itinerary, JOGJAKARTA.

Mbak Indah, Mbak Adwi’s cousin took us cruising Jogja town at night, we had supper in a much dimmed lighting café at the roadside where most of University’s undergraduates always hang out. Had a very nice pulut bakar and Nasi kecil? (similar to nasi lemak), yes I ate both. Gosh! The great entertainment for the night, a man dressing like a warrior dancing with his very loud Indonesian traditional music on the road by the café… the highlight of our very tiresome day indeed. Unfortunately, I didn't capture it on camera, I am such a bonehead in the camera capturing area, I tend to not quickly snap a good moment as I usually captivated too much by a certain moment I tend to rely it on my brain to capture it in my mind, which is a no-no lately when the memory have been down to 2MB. Gosh! anyways, gave the guy Rp1000 and off to cruising Jogja again before heading home for a good night sleep.

The next and the very final day of backpacking, we finishing off with a ride on a horse carriage, visited the famous Kraton and shopping spree for souvenirs at the Malioboro. It was crush time before catching the 4:45 pm flight (another 4:45). The purchase again all go haywired and I hadn’t had the slightest clues what I bought. Let just say, I ended up not giving anybody anything as souvenir… hehehe.. (Again, to my defense, this is not an attempt to ask for forgiveness for not getting you guys anything ya…)

After a gruesome long drive climbing up hills, mountains, winding road for five days, the only time I remembered breathing is when we landed back at Mbak Yuni’s house. But it was all worth it. I fell in love with Jogjakarta. I think I can settle down there. ;-)

The return
Phew… the trip was awesome huh. I hope I do justice with the story telling. I wouldn’t want to write the names wrongly and have the wrong memory written in here but I do have to put this in writing so I can have this in written as another proof of my attempt to scale the earth and witnessing amazing place starting at our very own Asia. I know I have a LONG way to go, but this is a heck of a start. I fell in love, fall out of love, met a lot of good people of Indonesia starting with Mbak Yuni. Their hospitality is ridiculously amazing, I felt weak with all the care and aid bestowed upon us, Joji and I. Thanks also to Mbak Adwi, Cici, Teteh Felis, Hanny, Corey, Jersey, Mbak2 lain yang aku lupa namanya.. maaf ya, for being so friendly and made us feel so close to home and smiling at all time. I apologize in advanced should your visit to our country won’t promise a first class service equally to what we received in your homeland. I cherished the friendship and forever have you all close to my heart. Thank you for the amazing journey I will never forget.