Traditional candy

In the middle of sight-seeing in  Malioboro street, I found this! 

It was my childhood candy stick. Made from sugar castor which melted and mixed with some of food coloring, in here green and red. They put the sugar dough in small wok which continuously heated with small traditional kerosene stove put under the wok. 

The seller made variety shape  and look a piece of cake. Quite curious then I took some of the dough and tried to make a flower. Well, it was not that simple. The dough itself was pretty hot so you have to make the shape as fast as you can unless the dough will burn your finger. 

I never saw this for  more than twenty years! What a luck to show it to kiddos.

The edge of the shape was very thin that once you bit it will crunchy like sweet crackers

Satay Bekicot - written by Kei

On the way to Madiun, We stopped in some of gift  shop. In the front of it, I saw a man with small box carried behind his bicycle.

I was so curious to find out what was he selling. It surprised me that he sold sate bekicot. Bekicot is a type of snail that lived in the river or kennels.

I was wondering how did satay bekicot taste. So, I dared myself to give it a try. It sold in a package contains 10 skewers pour with peanut dressing. Tasted just like chewy but soft. I like it very much until I ordered another package. But, as this was the first time for me, mom did not allow me to try another one as she afraid that I will get stomachache afterwards.

It was no regretting to try something new as specially satay bekicot.

Do you dare?

Rumah Mertua

Rumah Mertua means the house of mother-in law. It was a name of a home-stay in Jogja. I read in an article  mentioned some recommended home-stay in Jogja, Rumah Mertua was one of those.   

We arrived late at night and bit disappointed for the first look of the house. But, once we enter it just like a pocket. It only look small outside but large inside. 

The welcome drink. A cup of tea with some fried tempe. Just prefect in the middle of the rain. 

There was a greenery garden with nice landscape. We took our breakfast in the middle of it. The food was pretty good. But the petite size of traditional snack were very tasteful!     

Below was a corridor connecting the front side - small lobby, restaurant and the back side - some rooms. Beside was a small swimming pool. 

The view from our room

Well, as it located in a big house with some rooms, so we have to maintain the voice level which frankly bit difficulty for children. On the second day, we moved to bigger room and lucky the next room was empty. 

Kasongan by Cristan

We went to Kasongan, is a famous place of handicraft and ceramic village. We stopped at one of the kiosk. I and my brother coloring the  piggy-bank ceramic but the shape is  a penguin. My brother made an animal made out of clay. my brother

Brebes the city of Onion

Brebes located in West Java. We saw the farmer just cropped the onion. The city well-know as producer of onion and duck salted egg. 

The scenery of Brebes with paddy in the left side and small river to irrigate the field in the right side.

Lourdes of Indonesia

Sendangsono well-known  place for Catholic community just Lourdes in  south-western France. Sendang  means water spring and Sono was a type of tree, united means the spring under 'Sono' tree. 

It took an hour and half to bring us from our hotel in Magelang.

Similar type  with other cave of Mary, there were path of Jesus sacrification but it just in short distance and flat path. At every stop of it, we can light a candle and pray.

Many people believed this place will bring good luck as story behind. Back in 18th century there was a man that suffered from skin disease that hard to cure. In each pray he promised to devote himself if he can cure. Since the miracle he dedicated his life to serve others within area.

I got my spiritual experience here. Frankly speaking, I did not intent to pray  as just short visit and let boys knew this famous place. As came from far away, I decided to say hello by praying Rosario.
And.... even from the first sentence, the tear dropped without controlling. I barely can say any single word. The hardly I forced to pray, the harder tears dropped..
I felt ashamed to myself for doubting the presence of God... as He really in there when you spoke to him...

In the backside, you can find a store that sell many merchandise and books. Three of us bought a bracelet with printed pray "Our Father in Heaven" in Latino while hubby choose the book.

Before we left, we took some spring water flowing from the taps at the side of the river. It was believed to give blessing either to those who drink it or for other purposes. The spring water also can be given as a souvenir.

Jogjakarta