Where is Rune?

After two failed attempts at Bank Niaga and Bank BII, CME finally succeeded in withdrawing cash on his defect ATM card at Bank BCA in jl Sudirman today. BCA accepted a cash advance over the counter and was scanning the chip on the card instead of the defect magnetic strip. BCA’s cash advance fee was a reasonable Rp 20,000.

So I guess CME is not depending on my goodwill after all.

After celebrating the lucky outcome at PH, we took an Rp 10,000 becak to the bird market. The becak was motorised, which is quite unusual.

Unexpectedly, the bird market had relocated from its original location near the kraton. The relocation took place on 22 April 2010.

Now sitting at the restaurant at Mercury guest house and drinking bottles of Bintang.

Motorised becak and its driver.

This 5 meter long and 9 years old python snake is for sale for IDR 30,000,000 (USD 3,400).

Another reptile for sale.

CME’s ATM card stopped working today. So I guess he is dependent on my goodwill in order to survive the rest of the trip. We tried in several different ATM machines, but it is most of the time impossible to insert the card into the slot. The slot mechanism refuses to open. And when it does open, the card is rejected. I had no problem with my own card though. And I carry several. CME carries only one.

I am now sitting at the veranda outside the room at the guest house.

Our becak driver is preparing the becak. Kota Gede.

Eating fried duck at restaurant near guest house.

Yesterday, 9 March: After finally managing to leave the guest house around noon, and then coming back again for an emergency toilet visit (CME), and after having “breakfast” at 15:00 at a nearby restaurant (pizza), we took two becak to the post office and roamed around in that area, including Malioboro street. Back again to the guest house afterwards in another (single) becak. A nap. Taxi to Bintang Cafe in Sosrowijayan at 21:45. Then off to Cafe Republic when the Bintang closed at 01:00. And then back to the guest house around 02:30, after an Rp 4000 indomie meal at the usual warung.

Wall I.

Wall II.

Wall III.

CME and I took the 08:45 Taksaka train to Yogyakarta on Tuesday (8 March). There were 220V sockets for each seat in the train. Nice. Ticket = Rp 220,000.

On arrival in Yogya, we went to eat at Pizza Hut (PH) before checking in at Mercury Guest House in the Prawirotaman area. Room = Rp 135,000. And then a few beers nearby (at 4 different places). Finally an Rp 4000 indomie meal at a warung a stone’s throw away. It was the same warung we frequented in 2000. No changes there, except for a new TV and a new guy.

Train to Yogya. Gambir railway station, Jakarta.

Train to Yogya.

Eating indomie at warung.

Not much happened on Monday, 7 March. Just staying in the apartment, a trip to the mall across the street, and a trip to the swimming pool.