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

Rumah Tembi - written by Cristan

Rumah Temebi is a hotel but it looks more like a village but it has a very cool swimming pool!
and the house is made out of wood surprisingly! it is not made out of stone.




But when I came to the hotel it was raining and I brought my umbrella and the cover fell into the pond when I was crossing the bridge.




We only stay in the first house only for one day,in  the next morning we moved to the house near the pool! so me and my brother swim along together! so we had fun! the end.

Magelang

Magelang  was approximately two hours north from Jogja. We stopped here while others towards Jogja on our traveling back from touring peogeot 806

We stayed in Puri Asri Hotel. Huge area  with complete facilities from sport to fun, children friendly. The rooms itself divided into many area, located in some kind of hills as many ups and down path. Very nice view, good food! I'm none of the shareholder nor the sales guy but it was highly recommended!

There was a river where we can rafting or just play in the edge. Below was the river condition in December, the guard said during high rainy season the water covered all the stones even the grass. 

The view from our room

The room we stayed was small yet fit for four of us. It was old room quite clean. 

The resto. 

Kiddos were very satisfied with the menus. Besides eastern and western food, they also served  traditional food, such us pecel (boil vegetables with peanuts sauce), peyek (deep-fried savory Javanese cracker). Sorry for the pajamas (phew)

 On the second day, we decided to try our first rafting. Hubby bit worry about the kiddos as he just read bad news that people lost during rafting. Yes, it was rainy season and the streamside was in high level which can brought us in jeopardy.

They offered three types of journey. The shortest was thirty minutes that recommended for kiddos. The longest was nearly two hours with nine kilos distance.

Lucky on us, the debit level was in grade 2 from grade 10, which very save for kiddos. Then, we decided to take the longest distance.

I recommended you to take the longest distance, as when you were on the boat time flew in a blink :)

In the end of rafting, you had to walk for about ten minutes to the road where in the small hut served fried tempe and hot tea... * what a life, I love Indonesia* Near by the hut there was an angkot (small public transportation) ready for us back to the hotel.

Kawah Ijen - Crater Ijen

Back Date: Dec 28, 2013

Near Banyuwangi and Bondowoso, this is a spectacular area of volcanic activity. The Ijen Plateau is the centrepoint of the large mountain range west of Banyuwangi. The Ijen Crater is certainly one of the great natural wonders of Indonesia.

 With its acidic turquoise waters and its violent steaming Solfatare he is indeed a striking, for safety reasons but not always freely accessible tourist destination.

Alas Purwo National Park

Back date: 29 Dec 2013


Alas Purwo is Javanese Language, which means "First Forest", where the earth firstly emerged from the ocean. 

It took time  from downtown. We arrived after lunch and still need another two hours to Plengkung. We had to rent 4x4 wheels to get inside. There were only four cars available and couldn't fit for us. Then, we decided to just explored around the forest.

way to the heart to the forest 

There were so many interesting to observe the wildlife, yet short time we had. The ranger said we could see the Olive-Ridley turtles laid their eggs in the dry season. Over hundred species of birds, wild rhino. Gosh! Look, we saw some of wild buffalo in savana. 

what last from forest fire 

This was our first step to the wild life and we felt lucky to be part of a group. The sun slowly left us with slightly light and some  warning sign as YES! we are really in the jungleeeee....

Touring to Banyuwangi

BACK DATE: 26 December 2013

It's really challenging invitation to joint touring with Peugeot 806 club across Java. We connected by a high freq radio in each car which enabling nine of us  to stay in a row. 

Even bit difficult to keep it steady as most of time none of car will allow we - nine only-  just passed them by *grin*  

It was started on rainy season which firstly I doubt about the schedule. Yet, it accomplished smooth with no rain during nine days touring. 

Day 1: Jakarta - Surabaya

We started at around 02am with some stops in Semarang where we took lunch then arrived in Surabaya late evening and took overnight here. 

Day 2: Surabaya 

Before off to the edge east of Java, we sneaked to  "House of Sampoerna". It built by Dutch in 18th century for orphanage shelter. Later bought by Sampoerna to run his first tobacco factory which been developing to be one of the largest tobacco company in Indonesia.  

In the center of the house were a museum. Many of the unique items are displayed. Some brought my childhood back *nostalgia* 

The warung, traditional shop. It provided snack, candy, chips, softdrink, etc. Just like mini circle K

Oldish Warung. Here, they served hot beverages: tea, coffee, wedang ronde (glutinous balls in ginger water) and some snacks. Usually only open at night. 

The Gallery

Banyuwangi is the eastern most end of Java island. It serves as port between Java and Bali. It is surrounded by mountains and forests to the west and by the sea from east to south. 

We stayed for two days in Ketapang Indah Hotel. Nice hotel with a great view, clean room and ordinary so-so food. From here we headed to Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater) and Taman Nasional Plengkung (Plengkung National Park),  

 From the backyard of the hotel, the silhouette of Bali island was peeping.