Holidays well spent :)

So, i spent the islamic new year vacation this year in east java, the first time i've ever been there. Went with my bf's family, his dad drove from jakarta and here's a breakdown summary of events..

- 21 September
Moved at 12:30 from jakarta, planned for Babat, province in East Java. Arrived at 7am following day, stopped at several gas stations for petrol and meal breaks.. (his mom makes the best rendang ever). Enjoyed views jakarta can never offer, seen sunrise on the road. Beautiful.

- 22 September
Arrived at Babat, settled down, showered, ate, took a little stroll around the neighborhood. Decided to bear with the oddities i encounter. Huge lizards, ew.

- 23 September
Left early for Malang, another province. Visited graves at lamongan and surabaya on the way. Stayed overnight at a cottage in the midst of fields, cozy i thought. Hate the bathroom. Don't like the city cuz we were brought to shitty department stores. Not much impression of the place though..

- 24 September
Left early back to Babat, can't believe locals woke at 4am and eats rice for breakfast. Thank god we're leaving, slept on the way, temperature hot as hell. Reached Babat, eventually showered and slept decently. Woke. Confused of family overpopulation, took a stroll (with some locals), hated it. Went back to camp, watched tv. Bored, shat. More huge lizards. Being left by bf at camp for some barbeque reunion. Bored, wanted to listen to ipod. Battery flat.. Fuck!

- 25 & 26 September
Left early for Solo, temperature was fine. Went through mountains and gorgeous views. Nice and neat city, relatives were nice to us (not to each other, odd. there were many relatives clustered in one neighborhood). Liked the place for its overall, but foodstalls close early too bad for big eaters like me.. Loved the Rp. 2,000 bbq corn and the honey milk by the road side. Not much agenda for these two days..

- 27 September
Woke early for Grojogan Sewu (Thousand Steps) waterfall site, weather was nice. Went uphill with some relatives, saw many food-stealing monkeys there. Took pictures there but sadly their in my bf's phone i haven't the chance to upload them. Went back to Solo, rested, ate more corn and honey milk. Slept.

- 28 September
I'm supposed to be at office by today, but not. Woke early (yet again) and headed to Yogya to shop at the famous Malioboro for its traditional arts and goodies (batik) for a fairly good price. Thanks to bf's mom for bargaining, i can't do anything when i see something i like. Got 1 tie-dye dress, 1 butterfly top, 1 pj, and 1 skirt. Lunch. Headed straight to Semarang afterwards. Squeezy, had to sleep at the kitchen on a mat.. X( Saw some wedding photos, looked sad and serious, no laughter, love and happiness shown in the pics. Terrified by it. Hot and attacked by countless mosquitoes, dammit!

- 29 September
Woke earlier than ever today at 4am, showered, had a piece of tahu isi for breakfast while the others ate mutton. Headed straight back to Jakarta. Then office.


I never thought there were nicer places than Jakarta since I've never been out, turns out that Java is a nice place to be in. Of course with a certain level of lifestyle for me, I don't think I can live in kampungs where peeps sleep all over the place, life with extended family, rooms with no doors and outdoor bathrooms. I'll cry myself out seriously.. Just simply like to live in a quiet environment.

All my experience made me thankful for what I have and having the thought to move forward. September 2009 may be the best month of my life so far.

Signing out,
ID