Java Jumping

(Hanging out at Baturedan, Borobodur Temple, Learning Batik in Jogja, crossing the river in Solo on a bamboo raft, Dave in front of Mt Bromo and Mt. Semeru, Mt. Semeru smoking at 5am).

It has been awhile since the last blog, but we have a good excuse! Dave and I were both sick with a far stronger Indonesian strain of stomach misery. Imagine being followed around by every Indonesian's eyes all the time. Now imagine heaving into a garbage can in a hospital waiting room while they are suppressing the urge to ask you for a photo. Crowds of people touching you, asking you for money and taking photos of you and running away. Can't wait to see how much worse India is going to be!

Dave and I evacuated the tour as well as a few other things and spent time at the World Heritage site, Borobodur. It is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world and was built in ~800AD. Yogyakarta or Jogja (as it's known locally) is a busy city revolving around the arts. The tourist neighbourhood was full of great restaurants, galleries and of course...trishaws. If I hear another, "Hello Mr." (referring to either Dave or myself), I might go crazy. Trishaw drivers are the bicycles that carry people back and forth and could be quite aggressive at times. The other mode of transportation is horse and carriage, yep it's like being back in olden times. Dave and I did a Batik course (surprisingly fun) and explored the Sultan's Palace.

Solo (Suryakarta) is a quieter city with numerous markets and a few decent lodgings. Dave and I took a bike tour that showed us the making of arak wine (60%+ rice liquor), Krupek (cassava flour chips), tofu processing, a bakery etc. It actually just created a list of things that we will never eat again. We did learn a few things though.

We've since scaled Mt. Bromo and caught a beautiful sunrise, waking up at 3:30am has it's advantages. The more active 3600m volcano behind it is the real view, puffing out smoke consistently during our visit. It was nice to get a taste of freezing air up in the mountains!

Got to Bali last night!