Travel begins
Trip Start
Mar 10, 2007
1
87
153
Trip End
??? ??, 2007
On the road between places,
Indonesia
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Ooh, i do have one of my now more common stories regarding me and long bus journeys, namely another episode of me eating too much fruit when i have a bus to get on. Once again it seems to be that i have not learnt from this experience, and i was in quite alot of pain trying to hold a large amount of crap inside me for about two hours in an overcrowded, smoke filled minibus as it passed over some of the bumpiest roads i've seen in my life. Hence when we got out for our stop i was out of that bus like a shot, only for the toilet to be in use by some asian guy. He was bloody ages whilst i was frantically hopping up and down outside, getting more and more desperate. So when he eventually opened the door and motioned to me to come in and share the toilet with him i was not at all impressed
nice view
. I think he got this from the look on my face and quickly stopped laughing and left. So then it was just me and one of the filthiest squat toilets i have seen in a while, but to be honest i didn't care. i was that desperate (think trainspotting). Half a stone lighter, the horrible realisation that i had no toilet paper dawned on me, so the truly messy cleanup had to be done asian style. Put it this way, any eating with my hands will definatley be done with my right hand for a long time now!
Sorry about that disgusting account. Arriving in Ketembe, i talked to Mansa for a bit, the guy who runs the guesthouse here. He is also one of the few intelligent lifeforms in this village it seems and as i will find out over the next few days, the only one worth talking to at all if you need any help/information on anything. He was keen to discuss politics and my opinion of GAM and the free Aceh movements, which would have been interesting, but sadly i was just too shattered that evening.
Comments
Takengon Hotel
Where did you stay in Takengon? There is the lovely Gayoland Hotel for only 50,000/night for the room with soap and towel provided.
Did you get to walk around the beautiful Danau Tawar?
I ate out in the street at midnight on my arrival in Takengon from Ketambe via Balngkejeren and even met up with a guy who could speak some English. We walked around the Lake the next day and he helped me buy bus tickets to Banda Aceh for the next day.
There is a great internet cafe at the one of the local schools in Takengon and I spent a few hours there one night writing on one of the travel forums Indahnesia.com
Apparently out of Balngkejeren is the wonderful remote Kedah definitely worth visiting- will be on my list for next time.
Pamela.
Re: Takengon Hotel
For me Takengon was really just a stop gap as i was travelling to Ketembe, i don't remember where i stayed to be honest, it was just the first place i could find. I also didn't get to see the town as i left asap.