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Published: March 22nd 2008
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Java Puppet Shop
He really wanted me to buy this.....haha I wish I could The trains are quite nice from Jakarta 3 hours to the city of Bogor. I opted for the air conditioned business class train so I could avoid the desperatly packed ekonomi (economy) trains. "Welcome to City of Rain" someone greeted me as I arrived in Bogor. He's right, I've read that Bogor is credited with 320 thunderstorms per years making it the rainiest city in Indonesia. He wanted to lead me into a tourist information centre to probably try and sell me a tour so I made up an excuse saying that my friends were waiting for me. He asked if they were from France, I told him Canada and he got confused saying that there are no Canadians here, just two french people. I find that hard to believe in a city of 600 000.
It was hot and sunny when I arrived, the rains haven't started yet so finding me guesthouse was a breeze. I opted to stay in a family home that they have converted into a 20 room hotel style building. Facilities were as basic as it get with just a squat toilet beside a ceramic tub full of cold water and a bucket that you could
Tea Plantations
At the incredibly scenic Puncak Pass use to flush the toilet or pour on yourself to use as a shower.
Bogor is higher in elevation and therefore cooler. It's famous for it's giant botanical garden park. As I arrived, I took a breathe of beautiful fresh air. I've been in Bombay, Bangkok and Jakarta, 3 of the biggest most polluted cities in the world that of course are lacking fresh air. So when I can escape to places like Koh samet and now Bogor it's a relief. Towering above me are giant plams, bamboo forests, and all kinds of tropical scenery including tress and plants I've never seen before. Deer are in the park grazing, while birds are singing. There are families having picnics beside fresh water lakes and rivers, most having at least one person playing the guitar or singing.
"Hello Mister!" I heard from several people as I walked by. Just like in India I soon found myself being photgraphed by locals. I guess I am famous once again! After about 1 hour of being followed by literally 50 students at any given moment the novelty began to wear off. Nice people but incredibly akward! At least the Indians take a picture
and leave. I got lost in the park and I was stuck with them from what seemed like forever. I heard a thunderous boom in the cloud sand then the rains came. They came fast and hard and we all ran for cover in an abandonded food stall.
It didn't ruin the peoples festive moods though. They're used to it. Kids started running into the rain, getting instantly drenched. The sidewalks turned into rivers within minutes. Adults just stood under cover patiently waiting for the worst of it's fury to pass. I got a lot of strange looks. I relaized that it's true. There are no other tourists here except maybe those two mysterious French people. I arrived at my empty hotel soaking wet. I dried off, read a book and did my daily calculating of how much I spent. 2 taxi's, 1 bottle of water, 2 meals, a long distance business class train ride, my hotel (including breakfast), rental of an umbrella from street kids. I've spent under $10 so far. Indonesia is a cheap country to travel in! wow.
With a few extra dollars in my pocket I decided to find a really nice restaraunt. It
was beautiful. It was overlooking a volcano, and had a waterfall in the centre going into a pool. Tropical vegetation all around. 5 star dining facility all the way around. Well except the prices which didn't go about 30 000 rupiahs ($3.00)
I watched the storm as it violently rolled by. Thunderous booms so loud that I would jump from my seat and lightning striking at least 20 times per minute. It was beautiful. And to remind me that I was in a different country the calling of prayer was played over the loudspeaker of several of the Mosques in the city and for that matter the entire country. It was truely romatic. Vacations are not about 'getting away' - but about getting in 'touch'. I find as I look back upon my life that the moments when I have truly lived are the moments when I have done things in the spirit of love. The storms, the chanting and the ambience of the classy restaraunt made for a perfect evening. They say before you can truely love someone else, you need to love yourself first. I felt great treating myself to a romantic evening lol
The next morning
I woke up early to go on a motorbike tour thoughout the city to see puppeteers make their handycrafts, gong makers and a trip into the rice fields. It was high pressure sales tactics and the tour didn't last long but it was interesting to say the least. I hopped on a comfortable bus to my next stop which is Indonesia's 4th largest city, Bandung. The bus weaved through the roads of an area called Puncak pass. It's simply breathtaking, the scenery of terraced rice and tea plantations scaling the side of the mountain. I saw ladies in conical hats and multicoloured umbrellas doing their work single file. The whole island so far, the views have been incredible and I don't want to miss a thing by not looking out the window. I wish I could've taken more pictures.
I specifically chose a spot that was said that have lots of travellers at. They told me that I'm the first foreigner they've had in a week. The people are friendly here as well and I can't walk 1 block without someone stopping me "Hello Mister!" I guess foreigners are a real site to see! This country just isn't just
visually appealing. I think Indonesia would be a blind man's paradise. So many people on the streets are playing musical instruments, especially the guitar. Men and women sing their heart out, loud and clear just out of the blue. You hear very little car honking and more street vendors ringing bells, whistles and instruments to grab your attention with their great smelling food.
Nothing was open in the city, this week the Muslim people are celebrating a holiday to do with the Prophet Mohommed, so going to the bar was out of the question. I made my way back to the hotel and quickly made friends with the 10 local people hanging out front of my hotel. We chatted for a few hours about eachothers different ways of life. Many of them have been overseas before and want to go back. They love Indonesia but the lack of job oportunities and money around here makes things tough. We both agreed that western cultures are missing something though. At home you can't just sit down on the side of the street and all of a sudden have all kinds of people join you making instant friends like you can here.
Mosque
One of the many many many in the small city that play the Calling of prayer over the loud speaker starting at 4:30am! Whenever I need to make a friend, I just talk to the first group of people I see and for the most part I am offered a cigarette and asked to join them. There's not much here in Bandung, it's a nice city but tomorrow I am off to the beach for some R & R.
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