Java
Sea Topaz
Duncan Briggs
Mon 3 Oct 2011 02:47
|
05.52.491 S 110.25.620 E
On the 27th of Sept we set off on a tour to Java
with 14 other cruisers, all people we know. We took the ferry from Karimunjawa
to Jepara on Java. The fast ferry had broken down so we ended up on the slow
ferry, which was a very unpleasant experience. The ferry was overcrowded, we
ended up on the topdeck in the blazing sun for 7 hours. We were not told before
so we were not prepared and had very little to drink and eat. But after that
things got better. After lunch we drove to Solo, had dinner in a nice restaurant
and stayed in a very nice hotel. On day two we visited a royal palace in
Solo and a batik making shop. After lunch we visited the Prambanar temple,
the largest Hindu temple on Java. In the evening we saw a dance performance. Day
three we visited the royal palace in Yogyakarta and Kota Gede the silver
handicraft centre. In the afternoon we went to the Borobudur, the largest
Buddhist temple in Java. This is what we came for and we were not disappointed.
They have done an amazing job restoring the temple. That evening we stayed in a
beautiful resort and were entertained by a live band and we danced. The last day
was not that interesting. We visited a coffee plantation where we had lunch and
then drove back to Jepara. We stopped on the way at a big supermarket to stock
up on food, This was a special treat for us. It was a long drive to Jepara,
where we stayed in a not so good hotel with not so good, luke warm food. The
next morning back on the slow ferry, but this time we had seats in the
air-conditioned cabin and had a packed lunch with us. That trip went a lot
faster (or so it seems). We found all our boats in good order when we got back.
We have done some admin; laundry, cooking, baking and changing the fan belt on
the 24 volt alternator. We are now planning the next few days before we go to
Belitung, the last stop of the rally.
 
Javanese fishing boat
Welcome to Karimunjawa celebrations
  The Prambanar
Temple
The
Ramayan dance performers
The stupas on the Borobudur
The
Borobudur built on a hill
|