Java Jottings

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Having now caught the ferry to Bali here are some random observations, photos, facts and other things we have been told which may or may not be true!



- petrol is 6500 Rp a litre (50p) and there is only one petrol station franchise: Pertamina, except in Jakarta

- people are very aware of other road users and constantly give little unaggressive toots of warning

- the traffic lights have a countdown advising how many seconds to the next light change

- men stand at difficult junctions and other places to assist vehicles to join the traffic flow, they have flags and whistles but it is private enterprise so they earn their crust from tips given to them by grateful drivers

- they drive on the left

- getting a visa on arrival at the airport was very easy and cost US$25, so glad I did not bother to get one in the UK

- no pensions except for civil servants and no disability payments

- schooling compulsory and free for juniors but some have to pay for high school

- the Javanese seem to be always sweeping up so generally areas look clean around houses

- no one seems to have clothes pegs, they either hang the clothes on coat hangers on a line or drape them over giant wooden clothes horses

- Muslim island so many women wearing head scarves, and the day starts early with the 4am call to prayer after which most people seem to start their day

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Photos

butterfly on the drying snacks
They do get deep fried after they are dried!

village house
A particularly smart one

school trip to the Sultan's Palace
They were very well behaved if not a little overwhelming as three was about 100 of them

The ballet Purawisata
Even with a resume of the plot I had little idea of what was going on but some spectacular acrobatics, dancing, music and costumes.

wide m/c load of greenery
Many people keep goats or cows in their yards so go out each day to collect greenery for them to eat