Trip to Java from Legian
We set the alarm for 5.30 and went to the bathroom, as you to, only to find the globe popped and all power went out into our room. Bugger, don't you hate that these time wasters occur when you need to get organised early. A few minutes later we had a team in the room trying to help us, even Made dropped by to add some offerings out front of my room.
(A few days earlier, it was pointed out that the tyres on the APV were bald, like bald as, no tread pattern on the front 2 tyres. I brought it to the attention of Made and he arranged for 4 new tyres, thankfully, prior to our trip).
We found the power board and reset the fusey thing/safety switch and left just after 6. Davy (Badang) had suggested the earlier we left, the likelihood of less traffic and we liked that idea. Last year when we drove on the Gilimanuk road, the trucks and buses whizzed by with little care when they overtook. It was scary and I vowed not the drive west again unless absolutely necessary. Davy drove our APV this trip. He had to show the registration papers for the APV. We took about 3 hours and 135km to get to the car ferry at Gilimanuk, took about 40 minutes to cross, then waiting to dock etc then headed north through Banyuwangi to Tegaldlimo, Davy's family village. Overall we drove about 200km but it took over 7 hours.
Our first observations highlighted no family compounds, just housing without high fences. Many mosques of course, no taxis, 3 wheeler bikes with front carriage for passenger seating, similar vegetation, flat land, some rice paddies but no terracing, lots more trees and citrus orchards.
We arrived at Davy's family home and met his son Anggie then parents brothers, nieces, nephews, in laws, neighbours and friends. We felt very welcome. We went for a drive around the local area. We checked out the livestock, long tailed sheep, cows bred with Australian bulls, chooks etc. Dad checked out the motor bikes then took 2 for a spin down the bumpy village road. Talk about a lair! Cows last year sold for 15 million and this year, because there is so much Australian beef available, a cow this year is worth 9 million Rupiah.
Although it was Ramadan and the Muslims don't eat after sunrise and before sunset, Davys mum prepared a delicious chicken curry with rice and noodles with vegetables. Farmers are allowed to eat during the day else they would be unable to work a full day in the sun, I guess they would wilt.
After lunch we drove to Jajag to find a hotel where we could sleep for the next 2 nights. Davy's family had kindly offered for us to stay with them. We only saw 2 hotels over the countryside we passed so obviously this area is not frequented by tourists, or at least where we were.
Anggie snuggled into my side for our car trip but unfortunately his serve of chicken curry didn't stay within. We stopped and Davy borrowed a cloth to clean up the floor. Trevor had met a neighbour and they had headed off on a bike visiting other homes, farms and shops. On leaving we called into the fabric shop and I bought some gorgeous lace for a kebaya, suiting material and one of those baby mats (like Leonie and Lynne bought a few years ago.)
The Baru Indah hotel was on large acreage and very spread out. We chose suites for 220,000rp each, they were adjoining and had a pair of lockup tiled garages. I guess each suite was 6 or 8 squares in size with a front parlour, large bedroom with queen bed and 2 lounge chairs, side room for wardrobe then passage to bathroom. Staff didn't speak English. The light blew in the bathroom, the HWS only lit up once then the toilet rarely flushed so we used the bucket to flush. It would have been very grand in its day. The gardens were still magnificently manicured (or should it be pedicured) and every bush that could be was scultured. Most pleasant to the eye.
We had dinner at the hotel restaurant and selected our numbers from the menu and handed to waitress. Meals were delicious. Although we ‘could' have been tempted, we declined the fancy fish bladder soup, pigs stomach soup, fried spring pigeon, fish stomach, fried pigs lever, fried stone frog with salt vegetables, pig hibs and other unusual, to us, meals. They must cater for lots of non muslims with pork on the menu.
The bed had a fitted sheet over the mattress and no top sheet. They supplied 2 acrylic blankets and by the ‘scent' they are not washed between guests!
The moaning mosque man called to prayer his followers for half an hour at a time, a few times day. We could hear the local speakers as well as those half a km away and beyond.
Throughout the night we heard many loud explosions which I expect were fire crackers. From 4am we could hear lots of locals rejoicing. Maybe they were dining before sunrise.
Next morning breakfast was delivered on a tray by motor bike. Yep, one hand on the bikes handle bar and the other with the tray raised to shoulder level. Very well done fried eggs, with cakey buns, black tea or black coffee.
Davy arrived next morning and we went negotiating for a new bike for Anggie. The power went out in the area, but we were able to complete our purchasers. We found a terrific red one which Davy thought would fit him well. His other bike, with training wheels could be passed down to another child in their village. We went back to Davy's home again. I spotted a lady washing the family clothes in a narrow waterway so ventured over to take some photos. She couldn't have been older than 8 or 10. The ladies around the family home don't wear burkas. They grow oranges and lemons/limes, peanuts, corn and melons.
Anggie and Dare (a niece) hopped in our car for our drive to the coast, Muncar. Dare wanted to be in the front with Dad and they laughed about the air conditioning duct and mirror on the sun visor. Anggie snuggled into my side and when he woke I asked Davy to check if he felt ok. I was protecting my feet! Too late, up came his strawberry milk! After cleaning it up, I insisted to Davy although he, Trevor and Dad didn't agree, we needed to stop so I could buy a bucket.
The kids have ridden lots of motor bikes but rarely been passengers in cars.
Muncar, on the coast was amazing. A thousand or more large, highly decorative fishing boats in a bay about the size of Jimbaran bay. Boats filled the entire bay and there was a strog unpleasant odour. Off fish, maybe excretia. Apparently these fishermen supply Jimbaran fish market with fish as the Balinese cannot meet the demand.
As we wandered through the fish market, a lady offered Dad her daughter (aged about 40) for 200,000rp. Dad declined but we took the opportunity to photograph them together. No harm for a mans ego!
We stopped to buy my bucket and I showed Anggie how to use the bucket (one of those toilet water pails with handle). He practised then snuggled into my side and dozed off. When he woke up he used the bucket perfectly, then again before we got home for lunch. (See, I told you so boys!)
Davys Mum prepared chicken soup with rice and fried chicken. Once again, delicious.
We returned to the Batu Indah hotel to read and rest for the late afternoon then walked to the hotel restaurant again. I loved the prawns so much last night I ordered the same again. All meals and drinks were around 200,000rp.
The Mosque man didn't call his followers to prayer this day and we wondered why. Why not on a Sunday?
I read by torch light and when the power finally came back on Mr Mosque mans speaker came back on. So that was the reason why no calling to prayer, no power!
Davy picked us up at 7/8 o'clock (we just realised we should have set our clocks back an hour). We headed for the car ferry stopping at some local markets for red dragon fruits for Antoni's son, but no luck.
Once again, large car ferry which could carry about 16 trucks and seats about 600 passengers. They are powerful boats to cross the short body of water between Bali and Java.
When we finally berthed, as the front ramp lowered to the wharf, the motor bikes were revving and almost sped off the ramp before it touched land.
After 7 and a half hours travelling, we made it back to Legian, all feeling pooped!
SuriWathi felt like home!