Dearest…
My exploration throughout the Java Island from east to the west was getting better as civilization appears heading west of the island. I went on the dodgiest bus ride so far in my life heading towards Yogyakarta. The bus was 85k Rp. per person and it took us 12hours. It was economical all right but it was so packed that you cannot even sleep nor do anything for a matter of fact and it puts me in numb circumstances at times. There were 5 seats within a row and almost at every stop there will be buskers approaching on and off the bus trying to get change off you with their one hit wonder cover. Food sellers were typically around too despite the daytime of Ramadhan.
We were at Jogjakarta right before the Sunday (15/08/10) sunrise and took a local bus 3k Rp. per person. Our destination was to Ibu Tuti’s house nearby University Gajah Muda (UGM). Ibu Tuti Loekman and her husband were warmhearted mates of my parents during their stay in The Hague, Netherlands when my dad was studying there in the mid 70’s. Her husband passed away about 10 years ago and her two children have a family of their own. She now lives with her maid’s family at her home. Her husband was active in politics and since his death, she took over. We took a long nap to cover our sleep for the day. That evening we went for a wander at the notable Jln Malioboro (like Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia) which was the main street that sells inexpensive stuffs mostly made in Jogja. Jogja was known for its batik, so there would be all sorts of materials to be sold in batik form. Remember always to bargain half the price and slowly rise up bit by bit until both parties agree. The terawih in Jogja reminded me a lot of kampongs (village) in Malaysia during Ramadhan, almost similar to some differences. They usually have a recite before the prayers and the terawih was at regular speed contrasts to the ones in Muncar, Bayuwangi which was ultimately quick.
We woke early on the next day as we arranged for Borobudur, a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument near Magelang. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, only to miss it out because the price was ridiculously high compare to the local price of 15k rp to international price 125k rp. How we expected that they would consider us as we were brothers in blood and a neighbouring country. Instead we alter our destination to Taman Nasional Gunung Merapi by noon. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. Although smoke can be seen emerging from the mountain top at least 300 days a year, several eruptions has caused fatalities. Hot gas from a large explosion killed 64 people on November 22 in 1994, mostly in the town of Muntilan, west of the volcano. Another large eruption occurred in 2006, shortly before the Yogyakarta earthquake. We did not actually climb the volcanic mountain but a Serampangan hill nearby which we can view Gunung Merapi from the peak. Gunung Merapi was said extraordinary due to of its white sand on top cause by the 300C lava. I was not prepared for the climb as it was spontaneous and it took us an hour with slippers and jeans to reach the peak. Plus, we were fasting, but our disappointment of not entering Borobudur kept us going. There were also caves from the Japanese occupation during the World War II at this National park.
It was a routine for us during our stay in Jogjakarta to head for Malioboro Road for the night and day if we did not have elsewhere to go. The daytime was mostly to see or to shop and thenight was just to hangout. There was a Ramadhan Independence Yamaha 2010 concert going on for the eve of Indonesia Independence Day broadcasted live at the end of Malioboro Road. As always and since it was a holiday, the event and the streets were full of people as their spirits were highly energized on their 65th independence day. Jogjakarta was also known as city of students, known for many universities and colleges. UGM itself is well known throughout Indonesia and only the bright ones belonged there. Throughout my stay I met Riya, she was a student at Muhammadiah working at Malioboro street helping her mom out during her free time. We also met Danny for our last night hangout at a Chilli restaurant nearby Ibu Tuti’s house. He was working at the restaurant and randomly we were buddies with him. He just moved from Jakarta to Jogja because of his desire to study but in need of money to save up before he can register. Danny brought us where the nightlife hangout. It was next to the famous ‘Kali Code’, a river which was once filmed.
We left Jogja on Thurs evening on a train economy class which cost us 26k Rp. compare to the executive which was 200k plus Rp. The train ride was another unexpected experience. When we accessed the train, most of the people would take as many spaces as they can so they can have a restful sleep. They would spread their legs out or even put their bags and would just ignore us looking for seats. The only way was to tip the workers to get us some seats. People in the train would sleep in all sorts of position and even on the floor. Again it was 12 hours journey to Jakarta and certainly I did not get my sleep with food sellers walking throughout the train regularly. To keep yourself entertain, you have to communicate with public around you and exchange stories to one another. I met two Ibu’s, infront, next to me and a group of students at the seats opposite us. After sahur I thought, I could acquire some sleep as some seats emptied because some passengers had left for earlier destinations and food sellers had left too but to my dismay, the buskers came singing their lungs out.
We reached Jati Negara station, Jakarta timur just after sunrise. Ebby and Vania, whom we met earlier in Bali came to pick us up and brought us to Central Jakarta as we checked in at Jalan Johar at a house with rented rooms for 110k Rp. We had our rest and soon after Ebby and Vania brought us to Dufan (Dunia Fantasy) at Ancol. Ancol is like Disneyland for Indonesians and thanks to Vania, our admissions were free. We mastered all the adrenaline rides while waiting for breaking fast. The rides were better than the ones we have in Malaysia.
I realized that the Indonesians appreciate music at every class. They strive to survive by singing mainstream songs to the crowds, on the bus, at hangouts or wherever there are many people. Besides music, there were people who would sell foods, hot drinks, cigarettes, toys and even onions or anything that is convenient for walk around with. Sometimes it can be annoying when it comes to that stage when they kept on bugging you. My recommendation is always to prepare small changes less than 1k Rp. for these buskers or just simply say no and shake your head. Avoid eye contacts to these sellers because it gives them hope. We did not go around much in Jakarta as we were saving it for our next Jakarta trip throughout our exploration. For now we were chasing time, as our 30 days visa stay was almost over and we aimed to travel to Dumai, Riau, Sumatra Island and cross borders to Melaka so we can extend our visa for another 30 days.
Menggo
P/S thank you for being there… =>
