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Published: January 22nd 2009
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So a group of really special friends (& not to forget 1 in Borneo - Dan) & a special place on Java deserve a special mention - so hence this "different" blog. & it is with lots of fond memories that I write this blog! For the general public reading this blog, dont bother trying to read up "Salatiga" in your Lonely Planet or Rough Travellers Guide, sadly it does not feature there ;-( YET!
So despite their doubts, & as a man of my word, we made the "Bali re-union" dream a reality & visited our friends we met in Bali (New Years) in their lovely home town of Salatiga - on Java! A couple of flights later from Mataram (Lombok) we were met by a few of them at Jogyakarta Airport & set on our 2hr drive to what would be our home for an extended weekend ;-) Along the route we stopped at a restaurant called Via Via - a truly fantastic concept - a chain of restaurants with Belgian origins (for more info, google Via Via restaurants). If ever you come across any one of these diners on your travels, just do it - good food
Our drive home
to Salatiga ;-) & great concept supporting the loclas irrespective where in the world on one of 4 continents! Finally we reached home something just after midnight.
Despite the long days travels & also a late night, Friday morning (the next morning) was an early start! We had an Algebra II class at 09:30 for whcih we arrived late! But with a valid excuse - I was riding Yohanes motorbike to school while Peco lifted Jay, & I got pulled over by a "corrupt" officer. Despite wearing a helmut & being similar in colour to Indonesians, he managed to spot the tourist & find a reason to fine me! Apparently I was riding recklessly! According the locals it is probably my watch & bracelet that stands out different to the locals. Fortunately Peco speaks Bahasa/Indonesian & managed to "sort it out" & I was slapped with a Rp100 000 fine (ZAR100 - actually Rp90 000 but he never had change for us so we "tipped" him - then he still refused a picture with me ;-)).
Finally we got to school & attended what was left of Algebra II with Miss Abbie Proud. At school we managed to get Yohanes in
trouble (unfortunately not fired ;-)), visit some other classes, have a tour of the school & checked out some of the facilities. In typical American style (remember this is an international school) the facilities are so impressive it is a case of "go big, or go home". We also enjoyed local chicken satay for lunch & dined in the "cantene area". Our Friday afternoon was surely a "bliss" as Ashley warned us ;-)
Jay & I was collected at school & treated to a 5 star spa treatment! Here we had 90 minute (yes 90 minutes) full body massages including a head massage & some hair treament - after I mentioned in an email/sms that my hair was taking strain from the 2 weeks no fresh water showers on the Gili Islands ;-) Our treat was completed with a 30 minute bubble bath & complementary drink on the balcony taking in the scenery & surroundings while chatting to Ashely & Abbie.
Our day did not end here. We were taken to meet Peco's English class who had been informed that there will be English speaking visitors in Salatiga so he will see what he can do - no
Peco & our mode of transport
we still smiling before my fine ;-) pressure Peco ;-) At 1st I was a little nervous, especially when we pulled up & there were about a dozen students. Nevertheless we had a great time with them & thoroughly enjoyed it - the hour just flew by - time flies when you having fun! From here we went & completed the Bali re-union! We all had dinner (at the "girls" place (sorry Dan that you could not make it from Borneo - CT in July buddy;-)) Between Leah, Mari & Christine (apologies if I left anyone out) it was great to have a home cooked meal again & a very delicious one at that! After dinner we had desert, chilled, ate skittles, played games, ate more skittles & chatted the time away ;-) The boys went home & did what we do best - lit up the hubbly ;-)
Saturday was again an early morning - well for me atleast! Having survived my 1st game of footie on Gili Air a week earlier, I joined in the weekly Saturday game of footsall (indoor soccer). Loved it ;-) Then I managed to get Ashley into trouble & got spoiled by Abbie with Nutella toast for b'fast ;-))
In police "cell"
writing fine before offering us Rp100 000 on the spot "fine" ;-) The rest of the day we lazed around at Abbie's place, she & Yohannes conjured up energy & cooked us lunch, we lazed around some more & then we headed off to Yohanes's place (our room) for a dvd & some hubbly. Later we proceeded to dinner & particpated in Salatiga's national sport - Kareoke! Looooaads of fun! Being our last night together, we smoked hooka (for the Americans sake) until the early (or late) hours of the morning!
Sunday it was time to start saying goodbye - but not before Abbie caught my hint about another Nutalla b'fast ;-) We all, except Leah ("you sexy bum"), despite me wearing a descent t-shirt ;-), met for one last Bali re-union picture at the school (see pics). We drove to Semerang Airport an hour away but not before stopping for lunch & desert along the way. I even got spoilt with t-shirt as a prezzie to add to my impressively growing collection ;-) Saying goodbye was a little tough - I hate goodbyes!
To all of you again thank you for your great hospitality to both Jay & I! Thank you for spoiling us! We loved & enjoyed our
Algebra II Lesson
Boy am I glad I am done with this! time Salataiga together! Posed with the same "dilemma" - a few extra island days or Salatiga - I would make the same choice again & would not change a thing - well maybe having Daniel there too! As we casually discussed, to have another Bali re-union would be exteremely difficult as some of you head back home soonish - so we scattered around the world. But I am sure, as we are currentyly doing, we will all continue to stay in touch & our paths will cross again! Maybe not all collectively at once - but it will, I am certain!
Thanks for the memories people ;-)
cheers.... for now
Zubs
Impressions of Salatiga:
the good:
- you guys & everyone else we met there are fabulous
- Salatiga will make it into the Lonely Planet & Rough Travellers Guide - soon!!
the bad:
- it is a shame that Salatiga is not mentioned in any of these guides
the ugly:
- that travellers who swear by these travel guides, have all missed out on a great place called Salatiga ;-)
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Alwi
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I Want to Know about Montain Few
I really interest with International school.. thanks