Istana Batik Ratna Hotel Jogja Yogyakarta

I got up today at almost midday, given the trials and tribulations of the previous day. I went downstairs to the most amazing breakfast I've ever seen in a hostel; it was better than what I make myself at home! Each guest at the hostel had a place set for them. There was orange juice and water, and a choice of coffee or tea. To eat there were croissants and doughnuts, toast, bread, a huge variety of jams and spreads, fruit... the list just goes ...

... everything is possible with us. <br> In giving service, we always pay attention to what you need, which is what we offer. You are totally free to make your own tour style for your clients.You are not committed to a fixed package which sometimes can bother your ideas ...

... to get us to go to an &#8220;art exhibition&#8221;. We gave up and took a becak (cycle rickshaw) back to the hotel for a proper rest. <br><br>Felt a lot better and started to explore the &#8220;gangs&#8221;. These are alleyways with loads of character. Small hotels, places with rooms (Losemen) and a couple of great wee places to eat. Martyn found his new favourite snack food &#8211; banana pancakes with chocolate sauce! Yes, it ...

... about 2am. Now the next day I have a hangover. Fair's fair. But I gradually get worse as the day progresses. Wondering what the crazy Dutchies did to me I contemplate all possible illnesses. Not wanting to be put down by this monster hangover I try to battle it but just cannot move. Gradually I feel horrendous and by the evening I'm shaking like a leaf and shuddering all night. In steps Nurse Kellett, who by my own admission is THE BEST number one ...

... these little scrawny guys are carrying them for kilometers down a mountain and then.......they go back up to do it again!! If they carry 100 kilos down the mountain then they will earn about $7 per trip. Next time you think your job sucks, please think of these guys. So back to my pathetic ascent up my own personal Everest. There came a point where I would manage to take 5 steps and then stop to rest as my heart pounded in my chest. It really was ...

... This was consistent with the men we saw in Lombok and Gili Air; sitting around all day doing absolutely nothing and somehow able to feed themselves. Even the kids at the hotel who helped run the place/sat around all day doing absolutely nothing would always ask "where are you going?" The Javanese are a curious people and with such population density, are used to being in each other's faces at all times. There is urban ...

... und habe den Eingang von dem Tempel auch ziemlich schnell gefunden. Hab an d** Kasse in ganz 'tollem' Bahasa gesagt, daß ich für VSO in Bali arbeite und dann statt 60.000 nur 15.000 gezahlt - den lokalen Preis *g*. Auf einen Führ** habe ich v**zichtet, dafür haben mich ab** am Eingang 2 süße Mädchen angesprochen, die von ihr** Schule geschickt wurden, den Touristen die Tempel zu **klären und damit ihr Englisch zu üben - kostenlos - sup**!!! Hatte ich also doch ...

... it was really neat to get their unique perspective on things. They told us about religion and politics in Indonesia as well - extremely interesting to get it from both the minority and majority's point of view. We also visited a Chinese cemetary along the way - it was wild - massive plots and shrines to the deceased - apparently it also serves as a place for young couples to "watch the sunset..." :-) Our tour ended mid afternoon - hot and starving we ...

... along the terraces depicting Buddhist teachings. Latticed stupas shroud 72 large Buddha images on the upper, circular levels. One is said to ascend the levels of spirituality while ascending. <br><br>Also nearby, but less visited, is an ancient Hindu temple that was built 50 years after Borobudur. Prambanan consisted of more than 50 temple sites, only a few of which have been reconstructed/restored. The Shiva temple is the largest, towering 47 ...