January Archive

I'm BAAAACK!!

So here we are again. Its nearly 2 and a half years later and me and Matt are back at it again. In Indonesia again, for 2 weeks again. This time though we are over to visit Ian who is studying in the University of Indonesia. So far this is what has been happening...

Thursday after a long flight we got in to Jakarta airport and met up with Ian at about 7pm. From there we got a taxi to his place in Depok which is to the south of Jakarta city centre and where his University is too. We got some dinner and went for a few beers to catch up. The following day it was getting up for a swim and heading of to the Theme park in Northern Jakarta. Anybody who knows me, knows that I am not really one for theme parks and rides and what have you. This is mainly because, well, I am a pussy! But fair play to Matt and Ian who went on a good few things including the Tornado (which when Funderland is on, I believe its called the Terminator?). I stuck to one that shoots you up into the air and you freefall down for a bit called Hysteria. The feeling when upwards motion stops and gravity takes over again was about the worst feeling I have ever experienced. When I got off the ride, my bicep was sore from holding on too tight and my legs were like jelly!

We spent the weekend then in a place called Bogor to the south of Jakarta, about an hour and a half away from Depok on the A/C train. There we got accommodation in a nice hotel for 310,000 (inc tax) a night for 2 single beds, although the name of the hotel escapes me now. It was near the train station though if anybody is looking for it. We got there on Saturday and basically used every mode of Indonesian land transport there is. First it was a horse and trap looking for a place to stay after getting off the train. When we headed to Lido we were in a taxi and then on ojegs (moped taxis). After this it was a little mini bus that reminded me of a tiny hi-ace (when added to the horse we really did feel like knackers!). This was then followed by being in a rickshaw-esque bike thing.

Anywho, the reason for going to Bogor was to go to Lido which has an adventure centre. While there we went on ATV's (quad bikes) through the jungle followed by white water rafting. The quads that they had there were not hectic. They only had one big one working which Ian took because he was sharing with his girlfriend Tika. Unfortunately for them, it wasnt working great and kept cutting out. The one I had and the one Matt had suffered from one similar fault, they were too small and with not enough power, so we kept getting stuck in the mud (although me a bit more, having a few more kebabs under the belt than Matt). After the quads it was white water rafting. We wanted to do the "adventure" package but they were expecting bad weather which meant we only had time for the "family" package which meant that we didnt really have too much white water to deal with. While the above sounds disappointing for both, both were great fun and I would say to anybody looking for a bit of craic to head there. There are other things you are able to do also from the centre in Lido.

After a good night's sleep to get rid of any remaining jet-lag, we got up and headed to the botanic gardens there for a look. This place has a flower (is actually a fungus) which only comes up every 3 years or so. It grows massive and flowers but only lasts a few weeks. I am not sure what its called but I remember something similar being in the Denis the Menace film when I was younger.

We then got the express train back to Depok and had a massage, my first one ever! Why on earth people find that an enjoyable experience I do not know. It was excruciating pain and no tangible benefits that I can make out in the couple of hours since I have had mine. My first and likely my last massage.

So the plan for the remaining time here. Tomorrow we are up at a sparrows fart to get the economy train en route to Batukaras. From what I understand this will be a full days travel and we probably wont arrive until 10pm tomorrow. Once we get there the plan is dependent on Ian's college commitments. If he has to be in the following Monday, then me and Matt might stay on there a bit longer or head to somewhere else for a few days. Otherwise it is back to Jakarta and from there get a boat out to an island from there for a couple of nights.

The blog will probably only be updated a couple of times on this trip but sure since we have it, may as well use it

Batukaras

As I sit here on the floor updating the blog, in a puddle of sweat, I am about 20 minutes from Batukaras. This is where we are going to stay at least until the weekend. The reason is my first ever try at surfing! I know, I went around the world and never did it but here I am to rectify the situation.

We got here last night and the journey was epic. A taxi to the train station was followed by probably the 10 most enjoyable hours I have ever spent on a train. It is a very different experience. When you are sitting in your seats, loads of people come up selling all sorts from back scratchers and phone batteries to food and coffee. When the train is moving then you can sit down at the door and enjoy the view. It was a fairly class thing to do and cost about 40,000 (less than 4 euro). All the locals were so friends and were laughing at both my height and the size of my feet as well as the usual requests to have your photo taken with a little kid (not in the Gary Glitter way).

Off the the train in Banjar (I think) and a local bus to a small town where I am now. From there it was on the back of a moped to Batukaras where we got ourselves a beer and room for the night.

This morning we went to go surfing but unfortunately there were no waves, although we are expecting some shortly. So we rented some mopeds and headed to a place where you can get a boat up the Green Canyon. It was class. A boat ride through some spectacular jungle followed by a swim upstream against the current and a very quick swim back. If you are ever here it is worth it. 75000 for the boat and another 100000 I think to do the swimming part. If you are not a strong swimmer, they will give you a life jacket.

For now, I am off to check those waves but will update again soon as the moped ride here is enjoyable. I dont have a camera cable with me but photos will come later

Hasta luego