JBR - Bali and Java 1st Jan - 21st Jan 2008
The Salatiga adventure.
Kota Salatiga is located in the Central Javanese Highlands 50 kilometres South of Semarang, the Capital of that Province, about a 2 hour drive north from Yogyakarta and about a 1 hour drive to Solo in the South East. Salatiga is situated 600 metres above sea-level in the foothills of Mt Merbahu which dominates the southern horizon. Beyond Merbahu some 50 kilometres away one can see the ever smoking peak of Mt Merapi.
Salatiga has population of around 140,000, most of whom are Moslem however, there is a strong Christian (Kristen) section of the population, both Catholic and Protestant. The University I attended was 'Satya Wacana Kristen University'. The Anabaptist Mennonite movement played a significant role in the development of this University. It is listed as a 'Protestant' university
I have been studying Indonesian for a few years now but really hadn't got a real grasp on more than just the basics however, in his wisdom, our good forumite friend 'Ibopp' sent me an email on Satya Wacana and it inspired me instantly.
A course was available early in Jan 08 and I could have applied for participation in either of a 2, 4 or 6 week intensive program however, I could only afford 2 weeks away at that time of year so I applied for and was accepted into the PIBBI 52 (Program Intensiv Bahasa dan Budaya Indonesia) 2 week course.
The domestic airport in Bali is very small compared to the international building. After checking in, handing over RP30,000 departure tax, then relaxing for almost an hour I found myself walking across the tarmac for my flight to Java. The journey was uneventful but I did notice, as we flew across the channel separating Java from Bali just how narrow it is. It made me realise that plans to 'bridge' the gap were indeed feasible. The other noticeable feature was that the villages and towns seemed to be only separated by a few kilometres, if that.
I arrived at Yogyakarta airport, after a flight of hour and ten minutes from Bali, at 12.40pm having left at 12.30pm!! (due to a further 1 hour time difference). In effect I gained an hour. There to meet me were Surya, Monica (Pacar Surya) and Suroto. We had to wait a few minutes until another Student, Vivian (from Brisbane) came out from the carousel area. He arrived much to the amusement of Surya,. Monica and Suroto, all of whom chorused 'you're a man'!!!! having not realised that 'Vivian' is the mans spelling as opposed to 'Vivien' the ladies spelling. Much mirth - however, we were soon bundled into a nicely air conditioned van and set off for lunch to a place that sold only chicken and soft drinks. We wrote out our order and handed it to a passing waitress, the prices were amazingly low.
The journey was to take 2 hours or so and I eagerly looked forward to getting (Finally) to Salatiga and 'Quality Wahid' a 4 star hotel in the centre of Salatiga only 1 km from Uni. The journey was quite interesting, not because of the scenery but more due to the tactics of drivers on the various roads we travelled. Our guy was really good and safe however, the rest of the mob were, to say the least, 'suicidal'. The cost of the transfer from Yogyakarta was included in my lecture fee.
I was the first off, the others were billeted with various families in the immediate area. 'Quality Wahid Hotel' was my chosen accommodation for 13 days having decided that cold water showers and squat toilets would not suit me for that length of time. I think I made the right choice. Breakfast was provided in the same style as in Bali; an large buffet and believe me I wasn't going to starve. My room was more than adequate, the bathroom was excellent and the view from my 5th floor window took me across the town's main roundabout to the hills in the distance. It was wifi friendly and I was able to communicate with Benny et al. Had I been in Bali this would have cost around RP800,000 (AUD$100) per night. This little beauty cost me the princely sum of..................RP270,000 per night or AUD$33. Additionally there was a Gym, large swimming pool and Sauna. Absolutely the best value!!
That evening I walked down Jl Dipenogoro and located the entrance to Satya Wacana University. It was about 1.5 Km and in that stroll I passed 3 large Army Barracks, 3 Christian Churches and a KFC however, no sign of the 'Golden Arches' could I see.
Monday morning came and after a sumptuous 'Makan pagi' which I ate on the balcony overlooking the swimming pool,also from where I could see Mt Merbahu and on the left the smoking peak of Mt Merapi way in the distance. It was a clear, cool (22c) morning and I couldn't have wished for a better place to eat brekkie.
After that I gathered my books, documents including passport etc and walked outside to catch either of Anggota 1 or 2 , both of which passed the Uni. For the princely sum of RP2000 an adult could use the 'Bus' for the length of its journey within Salatiga and if you were a student then it was only RP1000. I had extreme difficulty in trying to persuade the 'conductor' that I was indeed a student but I suppose at 66 it was too tall a story for him to swallow. Needless to say I gave up and paid the full amount.
An 'Anggota' is, in reality just a small combi type van with seats (I had to stoop low to get in), basic but they was got you to wherever you were going. The 'Stasion Bis' was just over the road from my hotel and there were always dozens of them just waiting for the chance to get a fare. They were all light blue in colour, had a driver (of course) and a 'conductor' who just hung outside and touted for business. There are no bus stops, you just stick up your hand and one materialises. I often travelled with the odd Duck, bundle of vegies, sacks of rice or with a host school kids all of whom wanted to practise saying 'My name is....'
Monday was to be taken up with matters administrative, speeches and many introductions, but more of that later......................