K was away in Sabang for a week on a work retreat, so A took the opportunity to get out and do a little exploring on his own. He ended up in Yogyakarta (pronounced jogjakarta with a long o) in Central Java. It's an artistic and culturally rich city that is home to Indonesia's top university. It's partially independent from the central government, as it is still under sultan rule. A really enjoyed it because it was walkable and bikable.
On the first day, A rented a bike and rode the city from bottom to top. He stopped along the way to check out some art galleries and the main tourist streets. He treated himself to a delicious lunch at at a place called Jimbaran. As soon as you walk in the restaurant, you pick a fish from a large ice display, and they cook it up as you wish. A enjoyed some huge grilled prawns while relaxing on a deck overlooking a rice paddy. It was a magical meal! Leter that night, he enjoyed watching a local band play some old punk standards. There was a lot screaming and a lot of laughs.
A decided that he didn't need to stop here.
The second day was filled with a tour of local
jamu makers. Jamu is the traditional medicine of Indonesia, and apparently a lot of people still use it for everything from passing wind (Indonesian's blame a variety of ilnesses on trapped wind) to abortions. A drank bitter conconctions, wore a sticky rice mask, and got a massage from a blind woman. He doesn't think it cured what ails him, 
but nothing else has either!After his Yogya adventures, A did some island hopping and ended up back in North Sumatra to meet K for another weekend in Sabang. It was a lazy couple of days at the beach, but at least we made it to the other side of the island this time. We got in some great snorkelling (we saw a sea turtle!) and had lunch with some local expats.
Best of all, K got some R & R after a long work week.
Stumpy had her babies
Best of all, K got some R & R after a long work week. Stumpy had her babies
Our balcony view
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