Jalan Jaksa Festival

Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Jakarta, Indonesia

I flew to Jakarta last Saturday with Lion Air and checked into the usual place in a narrow alley near Jl Jaksa (Asri). I had booked the room in advance, just to make sure I didn’t get any unpleasant surprises.

There was a festival going on in the street, the so called Jalan Jaksa Festival, from Friday to Sunday. The street was packed with people. While walking the street, I was approached by a TV team from the Indosiar TV channel, and interviewed. Just questions like “what I think about this street and this festival.” Hope my face won’t end up on the TV…

GPS track log. Yogya to Jakarta.


View over East Java from the plane. At least two volcanoes can be seen in the picture.


Jalan Jaksa Festival.

Motorbike accident

Friday, 8 August 2008
Yogyakarta, Indonesia

I just took a becak from my hotel in Prawirotaman to Mall Malioboro, when I witnessed two motorbikes crashing in an intersection. My becak driver crossed the intersection first, and then I heard a loud bang behind me. I think it was two school students involved in the accident. Several people immediately rushed in to help them.

I am now sitting in Cafe Excelso in Mall Malioboro. The security guards didn’t bother to check my bag when I entered the mall.

On the street outside I was approached by a student who asked me if I had time to fill in a questionnaire about tourism in Yogya. I happily completed it and got a key chain in return, shaped as Borobudur temple.

Bali, and then Jogja

Friday, 8 August 2008
Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Last Friday (1 August) me and a bunch of other girls and guys flew from Balikpapan to Bali to attend a wedding, which was held on Saturday, in Bangli.

We stayed at a simple hotel in Kuta (Sayang Maha Mertha) and rented a car for 3 days. Car rental price was Rp 150,000 per day (USD 16). Saturday was mostly devoted to the wedding party, but on Sunday we went – among other things – to Dreamland beach, a quite nice beach, with really high waves though. I brought my GPS with detailed maps of Bali and Java, to find our way.

The other girls and guys flew back to Balikpapan on Monday, but me, with my great freedom of mobility, opted to stay two more nights. I chose to find myself another accomodation, and walked down the street and checked out a few guest houses before deciding upon a place called Bali Dwipa. HSDPA coverage in the room. Room price was Rp 60,000, or about USD 6.50. A simple, but functioning room with bathroom inside. Big fan in the ceiling.

On Wednesday I flew to Yogyakarta with Lion Air, price Rp 350,000 (USD 38). Unfortunately, my favourite place Mercury was full, so I was forced to find another place. I checked out a few places, and ended up at Wisma Gajah, near Mercury. Wisma Gajah and Mercury are owned by the same family, but Mercury is the newest and nicest, although the price is about the same. Cost me Rp 100,000 for the room.

I will fly to Jakarta on Saturday.


Street scene on the way from Bangli. The flames in the background are the cremation of dead bodies, a Hindu tradition.


Sunset over Kuta beach.


Astrid and Sanjay at Dreamland beach.

GPS track log. By car from Kuta to Bangli, and by plane from Denpasar to Yogya.

House rental is due

Saturday, 19 July 2008
Balikpapan, Indonesia

We just extended our house rental contract for another year. The rental has increased by one million Rupiah to Rp 15 million (USD 1640) per YEAR, and my share of this is one quarter, means I am paying Rp 312,500 (USD 34) per month. Electricity etc. is extra of course.

Visa extension

Thursday, 17 July 2008
Balikpapan, Indonesia

Yesterday I extended my visa again, for another month, until 21 August. I was also registered as a foreign alien and fingerprinted.