22nd July 09 - Borobudur

I woke up early in the morning hoping to visit other temples before I leave Borobudur to Jogjakarta. I rent a motorcycle with driver and went to the Mendut temple and the nearby monastery. I love the monastery as it represents a myriad style of Buddhist art. From Ghandara, Thai, Japanese to Burmese style, it exudes the harmony of how each Buddhist tradition can blnd in together. It’s also a peaceful and serene surroundings. I met the kind and lovely abbot of the temple whom patiently explains how the monastery can accommodate Buddhist groups for retreat or meditation.

After the visit, I meet up with N&N to take the bus back to Jogjakarta. We check in to the hotel and Natasha recommends seeing a cultural dance performance on the story of Ramayana. Interestingly, I enjoy it!! I thought that’s a great idea as I don’t usually patron the theatre. But before attending the show, we split up to enquire and compare several travel agencies to Mount Bromo. In the end, we discover a great deal to take a mini bus to Mt B with accommodation plus a sunrise package inclusive of a trip heading directly to Bali for only 285,000RP (S$43)!

19th July 09 - Bandung

What can I write? The shopping must go on…

20th of Jul 09 - Bandung > Jogjakarta

My dream of staying in the tea estate comes to an end as the local transport from the city to the south is inexplicable. The only way is to get into a tour package. I’ve manage to meet a few backpackers to see if I can lessen the load of my wallet. The best way is to rent a car with chauffeur and split the cost among us. There are total of 5 people including me. 2 guys decided to dropout and left Niel and Natasha. So instead of heading south to the tea estate, I decided to follow them to the Mount Trehanu Prahu before I leave Bandung to Jogjakarta.

The air is cooling and the view from the top is divine! Standing on top of volcano is simply emancipating! We even stay for hot cup of instant noodles before trekking down the mountain.

Overall, the first experience with volcano is incredible!

We rested a while before hopping on the train leaving to Jogjakarta. The night train is torturing, Thank goodness; I met a lady whom stays in the same guesthouse as me in Bandung. We chatted for a while before we dozed off to sleep…