Malang

Java - Malang

01 Bird market

Fresh from the invigorating lofty altitude of the mountains, we headed for more of the same. BRING ON THE COOLNESS! We travellled by train to the rather delightful hill city of Malang.

Arema Malang FC was by now my adopted Indonesian football team. I had watched them play on TV the evening before in the presence of a few devout hardcore fans. Unusually for footballs fans in my own experience, one of the 'fans' seemed very interested in my testicles and penis, and after persistent attempts at low key fondling, I was 'obliged' to point out I was in fact married and my wife was sitting at the top of the restaurant!  I was an Arema FC convert, which had little to do with the homosexual encounter, and more to do with the simple passion and enthusiasm clearly visible from the very large crowd in the stadium.  Every day here, they show live premiership equivalent football on free to air TV. The footy is pretty good, but never before have I seen game officials being made to flinch as irate players shout and scream into their faces, while faking to punch the said official in the mouth! Meanwhile the referee did nothing to prevent this treatment and no punishment was administered as a result! All on live TV!

02 Li'l Boydies

Catching a live game was something which would have been one hell of a proposition. Unfortunately they were playing away and was impossible.

Hopefully Tweeks will attach a pic or two of a wonderfully conceived hotel we visited by accident. Choked with beautiful antique carvings, paintings and themed rooms. If only I could recall the name of the place!

03 View down to the river

04 Lily at the Flower market

05 Posh Dinner

06 'Tunnel of love' Inside a gorgeous themed hotel