Maaf...(sorry).....I have been lazy with next JBR...
5.00am up and showering. I checked out of the Duta Hotel because I had already pre booked Manohara Hotel in Borobudur for the night. That was where my day would finish. Driver arrived at 5.30. I grab some juice and fruit from the breakfast bar and we are on our way. My friend Ririn had come down from Semarang and joined us for the day.
Firstly we went to Boko Palace. This is a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist built by King Rakai Parangkaran around the 8th Century. Pak Amri,my guide, was very knowledgeable and afterwards Ririn told me that he also saw visions. Hmmm.......he told her something about me which she said she would tell next time I came back to Java. Now I'm thinking this is a good stunt for getting return visits from tourists. What a marketing tool. So maybe I try to slip him a Fiver......so he tells me? It's cheaper than return airfare plus accommodation. His lips won't budge. This had better be good if I return. I'll be dirty if his vision was 'MY HAIR WOULD GROW BACK'! ........ because I prefer to be bald now .............. Or worse......His vision was 'I KNEW YOU WOULD COME BACK'!
Anyway is worth having an experienced guide to gain a full appreciation of these fascinating locations. The views from Boko overlooking Yogjakarta City are beautiful.
Afterwards it was time for Breaky. We went to a Warung and had Soto Ayam (chicken soup) with extras, steamed rice and sambal. I love putting a spoonful of steamed rice in warm spicy soup with chilli...Yummm...I paid.....They had a hat and my name was pulled out. Haha... I am sure it was all legit? Anyway it was only 30000 for the 4 of us.
Next stop was a village in Jogyakarta that had been rebuilt after the earthquake in 2006. Construction was built by 'Domes of the World'. Small buildings made in a dome shape from concrete. I never realised the enormity of displacement caused by the earthquake. There were so many people without homes or shelter.
Afterwards we drove up the base of Mount Merapi. This volcano last erupted in 2004 and though the loss of lives and villages was tragic, it was amazing to see the deep valley and remanets of the lava flow. There are bunkers constructed underground so people unable to escape in time have a chance of survival. I hoped they knew the exact location of the bunkers because you may have to dig the survivors out? It was beautiful up here. The mist had set in and it was getting cool. I live in Darwin so anything less than 23c is dingin (cool).....bbbrrrrrrrr
Did I mention we picked up my tour guides Daughter before going to Merapi? Another mouth to feed. But at the time I was sure my name wouldn't be picked out of that hat. AGAIN!
Anyway her name was Sasha and she wanted to come to Borobudur with us. She also wanted to learn English. So after getting the giggles and looking at me funny, a few hours later I had her talking a sentence without being malu. (shy)....hhmmm she was 8 so surely she wouldn't eat much. ' Stop it Craig! Your name won't get picked again'!
We drive to Magelang about 2.00pm and are all getting hungry. Out comes the hat.
I am pumped. So I watch as paper comes up and opened. There are laughs of amazement as my name is plucked out again. My guide says he has never seen this before. Hmmmmm......reminds me of those bloody scratchies in Bali........OMG you have won 5000 USD, OMG I never seen before. ........
I excuse myself and go to the toilet to wash the Large L letter from my forehead. Then we all sit down for lunch. Everybody is happy....Oh yeh......... Sasha eats like a HORSE.
Ok so the bill is paid and Sasha is looking at me with that funny grin again. I wasn't sure if it was the faded L on my forehead or she finally got to meet 'RICHIE RICH' in person? I nearly said she looked geeky because she has one front tooth missing. But a 44 year old teasing 8 year old isn't fair. Sometimes I hate being the mature one.
We hop back in the car. And I feel much more comfortable now. Having a thin wallet in your back pocket makes the drive physically pleasant.....
Arrive at Manohara hotel. It is only a few hundred metres from the Buddhist Temple. I am excited. So I check-in, grab my camera and throw bags in room. Ririn went up the temple with me while the other three waited at the hotel resting after their big lunch.
I just read back and I forgot to mention. Amri was my guide but we also had a driver.
Hmmmm..........females are the multi skilled ones.
The Borobudur Temple is amazing. And the architecture is so intricate. There are many stone carvings on the walls telling stories as you walk along. If anyone comes to Java you must visit this place. It started to rain before we left the hotel so I got 2 umbrellas. It came down heavy but it was still beautiful up the top. Looking around at the mountains and volcanoes in the distance, it was very special.
So today is nearly finished. I say goodbye and thank everyone. Then Sasha takes my hand and touches her forehead with the back of it. This was very touching as I hadn't seen this before. It is a sign of respect from young person. I am glad I didn't tease her about the missing tooth.
Its been a long day. I sit back outside my room and have my first Bintang looking around the hotel grounds. No food tonight I am still full from lunch but have few more quiet ones while appreciating how lucky I am.
Sugeng Dalu...........(good night) JAVA....
Tomorrow Sunrise walk up Borobudur.