Comfort Inn Solo

As I had been told that the Puri Mangkunegaran (Palace) would be open today I started early to be there at 8:30 when it was to open. When I arrived the main gates were open into the courtyard but the ticket office was not. There really was noone around so walked in and started exploring the courtyard. As I was walking around a young couple from Belgium arrived with there guide and they also started visiting. As the guide was just leaving ...

... they were going and that of course also includes me!!!

I had not reserved a hotel room but had asked to be dropped off at a Hotel that was recommended in Lonely Planet. Room looked fine but was way overprice. Again, because of Ramadan ending, the festivities starting and everyone going home to celebrate "Idul Fitri", the hotel prices are double what they normally are. As well, the hotel was quite far from the center so I ...

... they way to bathe! This was the first time I had bathed in what I have come to call a "poo bucket". We had dinner across the road with some lovely home cooking, where a very friendly owner did everything he could to sell us a tour for the next day. We checked out the prices at other places, realised his deals were reasonable, so went back to book, having thought about it over a pancake with cream, a ...

Batik is an interesting way to paint. I went to both an art gallery and to a clothing manufacturer. The art gallery definitely had nicer items. Did actually purchase a silk painting. Got a good price and I met the artist Kabul. Tried to find something that wasn't Indonesian. Had to look hard, but came away with an interesting one.

... even then it only runs two main routes. Solo was very similar to Yogya in it had the large modern feel in certain parts of the town but also had a kraton offering a more ...

So, DC (USA) is where it all began. The orientation and departure for my experience living and teaching abroad. It was quite wonderful. The hotel was beautiful, and aside from running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get shots, etc., it was a great event. But I didn't know about this travel blog thing....I've been living in a cave for some time now, so I'm just getting the hang of ...

... I learned was about the batik colors. Green is supposed to ward off frustration. Purple is supposed to discourages bad thoughts. Red is supposed to get rid of evil spirits. White keeps hunger away. I love this stuff. I mean to write it down. But, I am always afraid I will look like the biggest dork doing that. We only had a day in Solo. So, there wasn't too much to report. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Shutterfly has been updated as well!

... This scene is pretty far out...I'm thinking a snake dinner is going to happen but it seems everybody in the group has gotten a little squeamish...looks like we're passing on the dinner...moving on to something less alive. And that's fine with me...especially when someone else delivers this large turtle...larger than Apollo...about a foot in diameter. He's already shown us all these shells of dead turtles so I know that the prospects for this ...

... in the darkness. We are the first ones here and sit facing east with our clothes drawn over our mouths and eyes shut when Bromo belches. Between the emissions, an increasing number of lights dance in the plain below, from jeeps, motorbikes and other walkers. Mixed into this are the bright orange jets of flames that shoot out of vents in the lava flows, reminding of the active status of the region. More people arrive for the glow that develops in the sky. The sunrise is masked by the ...

... to wait for me while I played a game with one pony-tailed gent. I lost, unfortunately. At the mall we indulged in a couple of posh coffees in a smart cafe and then got the blog up to date in a couple of different internet cafes (the first was so slow it would have been faster to send the text by carrier pigeon to be typed up back in London). Dinner was western fare at the very pleasant O Solo Mio Italian restaurant - delicious ...