Java

After checking out lots more that bali had to offer, including Sanur, Canggu and the Bukit Peninsula we decided to move off into Java. We took a bus, ferry, another bus and before we knew it, we were at the second viewpoint of Mt Bromo for Sunrise! It was truly beautiful and we had the view pretty much all to ourselves. This was one of our goals to see this and it didnt disappoint.





After getting some well deserved rest and food we browsed the area and enjoyed the surroundings which were a great change from Bali. The following day we planned a jeep trip to the highest viewpoint of Mt Bromo which was a different experience. Hundreds of jeeps lined the tiny path upto the top again for sunrise (4am!!!) which was hectic and almost sickening due to the pollution and mass of tourists. After the trip up, we actually headed to the crater rim. Shireen took a horse up which was great fun and myself decided to trek the 250 steps and take in as much of the sulphuric air as possible. Rad. The views from here were sweet and made our morning.





When back in town we experienced some rather unpleasant scenes unfolding, such as my ipod being stolen followed by our transport rushing us onto a crammed bus and then onto another for the 12 hour trip to Yogyakarta. Nice. It was boiling hot, no air and so uncomfortable we were at quite a low in spirit. A big change from the highs of Bromo. Finally arriving in Jogja we shacked up in a cheap room and woke up to a new day.

The fun didnt end there - no. This is what indonesia repeatedly throws at us and although there are some amazing things to do, see and experience here, the journey to the end goal is a huge undertaking - extremely tough, demanding and challenging.
In Jogya ( Indonesias city of soul) we began to enjoy again and unwind. We found a great homestay with a pool and met 2 great guys - The Ranger (from french canada) and Hendrik (our medical student from berlin)

We took a wonderful drive to Borobodur, got a guide and really enjoyed the history and beauty of this Buddhist temple. It was spectacular. Even better was that shireen paid the entrance fee for 'Local indonesians' after we kicked up a fuss and i used my dutch train discount card as student I.D to get in for half the price! haha suckers! We also went to the Kraton, an area ruled by the Sultan inside the city of Yogyakarta, had a very special meeting with some snakes at the 'snake market' where hendrik drank the snake blood and then ate its meat. lekker. Our stomachs will never be the same again. I enjoyed a great night out with the boys and some bintang beers - see the video!





The Train journey from Jogja to Jakarta was a MUST DO before this trip ended for me. The reality (as we have come to suspect always now) is that it should have been substituted for a plane journey. We sat there for 12 hours with a non stop flow of people selling the craziest things possible, ALL DAY. It was so frustrating, like being stuck in a market and constantly having to tell people you dont want their goods! It was very tough but we made it to jakarta and then onto Bogor, a more 'relaxed' city 1 hour from JK in the night.

In Bogor we went to the amazing botanic gardens and then upto the 'Puncak Pass' for a high up view over the city, tea plantations and for some 'internet' - no not the web based internet, but a culinary specialty in indonesia, its a noodle based dish made of 3 different foods which definitely didnt put a smile on our faces - It did afterwards though as we laughed so hard about it. classic indo. This was a really charming moment as they really had us fooled but in a warm hearted way (for a change!). we really didnt mind and instead just ordered another beer and soaked in the view.