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My Balcony!
See, these cracks are not just in the paint! So, when you are quoted 8 hours drive that is definitely a “perfect world” quote and the road to Jogja is far from perfect. Bikes by the billions, narrow roads and totally insane truck drivers mean that in the end it will have taken us closer to 16 hours driving.
The map system for TRAVELBLOG is not accurate enough for JAVA to really show you the route, so here it is:
Drive across Bali (we started in Kuta) and catch the ferry to Java - then the trip begins in earnest.
First we hit Banyuwangi and spent the night in Genteng (see article and pictures for Genteng) at the Asri Hotel.
From Genteng we followed the main road west to Jember, Lumajeng and Malang where we stopped for the night. The hotel we stayed in was once magnificent - the toilets and bath were solid marble. That was then, now the hotel is quaint, run down but provided a well needed night’s sleep. Driving such distances, on windy roads with minivan packed full of food, water, medical supplies and us is hardly comfortable. Still, it is enjoyable and reminds me a little of those long drives
to places like La La Ronge and Yellowknife as a kid - okay, sans huskies and Canadian shield country.
There are mountains however, or volcanoes rather. Yesterday we drove past Mahameru and, as if on queue, it belched a large cloud of smoke miles into the sky.
The rest of the country-side is a scattering of small third world villages and rice fields with the odd city thrown in. The cities, however, just JUST like the small villages but with more motorcycles.
Ands speaking of motorcycles, I managed to find a Cybercafe in Malang but it involved grabbing my laptop and jumping on the back of a local guy’s bike for a 5 minute ride through rush hour traffic (by the way, it is ALWAYS rush hour in the cities here.) I told him that I was reluctant to get on a bike - showed him my recent scars and remaining stitches. He said, “Same Same for me too!” and showed me a horrific 18” scar on the front of his leg as if somehow this would make me feel better about riding with him! To his credit, he was very careful the entire way.
So,
Our Hotel
The Inna Guarda -- from the sounds of it we got the LAST room in town! I checked my mail and the progress of donations - more came in so I think we can afford to get some tents now as well. Apparently shelter is one of the biggest prolems for those in Jogja. It was also nice to catch up with a few people on MSN.
Speaking of MSN, I should say that I am grateful to the Internet Gods, Microsoft and SKYPE for making communication so easy. Today a friend called from Los Angeles, on my California number and it came right through to me in the middle of a rice field in Java! Thank you Skype!
From Malang, we set out on the final let - we will get to Jogja today. Thus far our west-bound route has taken us through Kepeanjen, Blitar and as I am writing this we are racing along behind a truck full off furniture - that looks as though it might fall out at the next bend - just outside of Tulungagung (TOO-LOONG-A-GOONG).
We just stopped at an army surplus store to see if we could get some tents with the latest round of donations but they did not have any in stock. They then
Our Hotel -- Outside Window
Cracks like this are all over the outside of the building. asked us about our route, we were planning to go the South road to Pacitan, on the edge of the quake zone (where we are now, they felt it, but no damage). The army surplus people warned us that there was looting on the roads around Pacitan, that mobs of as many as 100 people would swamp the car and try to take the food and supplies by force. They suggested going North, through Wonogili and Sala where the roads are wider, safer and the population is less sparse - there have been no reported cases of looting there. They also said that we should be able to get a police escort from there.
Yesterday as we passed through Jember, word of us go to some local reporters. They raced ahead and ambushed us. They wanted interviews and to take pictures - it was really kind of cool.
We are also planning to meet up with a reporter (and his team) for one of the largest nationally televised news programs in Indonesia who has asked if they can travel with us and do a story about our efforts. Cool.
--
15:13 - Edge of Jogja Province
We are starting to see signs of the earthquake now as we pass through some amazing mountains. In many places there have been landslides that must have covered the road before they were cleared. The road itself has been badly damaged in spots with damage ranging from new potholes to sections of depressed road. In one spot, there was a rock the size of our van on the side of the road where it came to rest having fallen down the mountain during the quake.
The people here do not appear to be in any distress and thus far we have seen no damage to houses, even those on stilts.
21:00
We have arrived in Jogja (Yogya) and the damage here is obvious, but not terrible. Apparently the real damage is in the smaller surrounding villages. We checked into our hotel, the Inna Guarda, and there are severe cracks throughout the building. Is it safe? The hotel staff and Red Cross seem to think so and I am so tired that I do to.
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Nick
non-member comment
Great start
Sounds like a great start to the mission. I hope to hear some good news about it... But more importantly, come home safely ASAP.