Novotel Solo

... windows!!! Actually the shutters were left open so that we could look at horse drawn carriages belonging to the Royal Family. As I was finished the guide signaled me over to say that although the palace was still not open today, a security guard would bring us inside the interiour. I had really wanted to see the museum (Lonely Planet was highly recommending it) but it was still closed. However, we did get a glimpse of Royal life from ...

... days at the pool side, this one is amazingly huge and lots of sunbathing chairs!!!<br><br>After settling in at the hotel I went exploring the area and once again walked and walked and walked. <br><br>Following day which was Sunday, I visited Kraton Surakarta (Surakarta is the old name for Solo) which the King Pakubuwono II called his home in 1745 and following Kings also ruled from here. Most of the Palace is closed to the public ...

After an amazing night of sleep in Solo, I was ready to explore this city, which the Lonely Planet made sound very like such a cool cultural city. I should know by now that the Lonely Planet...is only accurate a small amount of the time. I also have to remember that I am in Java, where a very large amount of the population of Indonesia lives, so it's a bit more impossible to have a small charming town...everywhere is going to be ...

... I have mentioned before that travel is usually accompanied with busker's earning their way and helping to pass long journeys , and if a busker is not on the bus then ...

... wasn't 6 inches higher and I wasn't yawning! (arg...I just grossed myself out).... Anyway, I think this is a better method of updating my journeys than sending out a bunch of e-mails with tons of attachments. Besides, now others can enjoy my embarrassment as well....I'm always happy to share... So, tomorrow I'm off to Surabaya...Can't wait to see some of the other expats....Until next time... Cheers!

... of water every time I wanted to flush the toilet. Oh well, you get what you pay for! Dinner was pretty crazy. We ate at a little hole in the wall. I ordered a cheese and garlic jaffle, which I thought was an Indonesian waffle. Nope, I ordered a garlic sandwich. The garlic was so strong that some bites burnt my mouth. I could taste the garlic the next day, it was pretty wild. I spend most of the time just discovering the streets ...

Maybe the snake charmer isn't exactly the right name for this guy...actually the 'snake slapper' would be more appropriate....well it all starts with a trip to Solo - or Surakarta being its real name...in Java. It's about 2 hrs east of Yogyakarta and is the center of the universe for batik making. It's also a zone red for travelers because it's the home base of an extremist Muslim group and there has been some action here in the past. But we're ...

... horse drawn carts - the traditional street stalls and the modern shopping mall mixing into one hot dusty haze. A very different atmosphere to Singapore (and a lot less expensive too!) After a false start heading in the wrong direction, we eventually arrive at the Kraton (royal palace) but unfortunately it was closed and so instead we visit the local batik market. It was ...

... to take goods and people to market and town. On arriving at the terminal, I secure transport on a big bus before getting the bonus of being put on a tourist shuttle bus direct to my next destination of Solo. My fellow travelers are two Dutch girls who are a little surprised when two hours into the journey we pull over and pick up 4 Indonesian guys. Driver getting a little extra compensation for his efforts, and considerable efforts they are as we arrive an hour early, inspite of ...

... He was kind enough to point out the 'male chastity belt' which looked jolly uncomfortable - rather like a penis thimble with barbs on the outside - and reminded me of something from the movie Se7en). In the evening we saw a traditional Gamelan performance - jangly music and dancing - at the Srivideri Wayung Orang theatre. It was interesting but all in Bahasa Indonesia - unsurprisingly - so we couldn't understand a word ...