Silver and Batik Workshop

 

Today we experienced how to make our own silver jewellery. The intricate work was to be admired. We also created our own batik and learned how to recognise authentic batik.

Tiarah Bocah Homestay

So we arrived in Tutap Ngisor for our home stay. The village is at the base of Merapi Mountain. My host family were so welcoming and Indonesian language studies really helped with communication since the family had no English at all.

The early childhood school was further towards the mountain base and the students walked to school with the magnificent view everyday.

We ventured into the local rice paddy's which was a real experience and learnt the village traditional dance.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur what can I say. Amazing! The weather was truly tropical sticky, warm but I loved it. With Jennifer MacKenzie's poetry http://www.australianpoetry.org/2012/10/18/writing-borobudur/, a gift from David our coordinator, under my arm and umbrella in hand - I was ready to discover this wonder.
Every step upward past the impressive stonework and commanding Buddhas, was a step closer to what it seemed like heaven, finally reaching the domed shrine at the highest level. There are 10 stages to pass through at Borobudur to reach the pinnacle this meant walking around the monument 10 times, each lap rising a level. This ascent, means you are moving away from the world of desires, through the representation of the renowned Ramayana legend. Eventually reaching the realm of the empty bell-shaped shrine, at the top.

To truly reach heaven and peace we then walked around the highest level ten times which was truly exhilarating, even through the teeming rain which amazingly stopped on the last lap to reveal the most serine view.

Plaosan and Prambanan Temple

Plaosan and Prambanan Temple is not as grand as Borobudur but is no less impressive. It is like transcending into a spiritual realm where all life seems calm. The artwork was intriguing and visiting the workshop allowed me to really get a feeling of the care that the local people take to restore and to make this monument notable.

Krapyak Islamic School Yogyakarta

Ramayana Ballet Performance

Unpar visit Bandung and Angklung workshop at Udjo Bandung

Tangkuban Perahu (The upside down boat) North of Bandung

Leaving Jakarta we traveled to Bandung and had another opportunity to get stuck  in the gridlock traffic but you  seem to get used to at as the locals do. We traveled up the mountain North of Bandung and had lunch in the most beautiful Indonesian hotel.

After lunch we continued up the mountain to the crater where we started our trek through the rainforest and down to the hot springs.Once reaching the pools it was rest time for our feet in the hot springs Ahh. You were able to get a foot and hand massage using the volcanic springs mud. It was really relaxing on my feet and allowed the trek back again so much more enjoyable. Unbelievable experience

The local expert volcanologists joined us on the tour which was amazing. We then visited the seismology centre to talk about how theymonitor seismic activity and warnings to the people.

Contrasts in Jakarta

On Tuesday we were welcomed at the Unika Jawa Jakarta with a beautiful ceremony.




Wednesday we visited contrasting living around Jakarta. I was humbled and inspired by students at the Kartini Emergency School. I met a lots of beautiful children and talked and played with Linda who was 12 and aspires to be a doctor. She loves school and was happy to be at school to learn to write sentences.


We then had the chance to visit the puppet museum and the museum of modern fine arts and had a drink at the Batavia.

Jakarta merupakan sebuah kota ramah (Jakarta is a friendly city)

Despite the population of Jakarta being just under 10 million in the city and over 12 million during the day when locals from the outer rims commute to work. It is still a vibrant and friendly place with people always taking the time to greet passers by. Our first day was amazing braving the hustle and bustle of the local traffic and catching the local bus. The locals were more than happy to help a group of bumbling tourists from Australia move around this amazing place.

We visited The Monument Tugu Monas




TBC...

http://www2.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/09/10/with-a-daytime-population-12-million-jakarta-overpopulated.html

http://www2.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/26/population-growth-greater-jakarta-and-its-impact.html

International Time Zones for Trip

This is to help know what time it is back at home while I am travelling.

                               

Jakarta/Bandung/                  Denpasar, Bali                  Buderim, QLD
Yogyakarta, Java

Embassy for Dinner!!!

Oh, look what just arrived. An invitation to the Embassy for dinner. Very excited. Now I need to get my lounge suit organised :)