Another Victoria's Secrets

We got up early and after the nasi goreng breakfast the hotel served, we were ready for the journey. Pak Supri, our driver with black Avanza rental car, was already there by 7 a.m. and we headed right to the north to Sendang Sono, a Catholic retreat place. It was around 9 a.m. when we reached the place and we were like the only visitors there, out of nowhere, and it felt incredibly quiet and peace in there.









After (more of) a little shopping, we headed to Borobudur and had a tour around but without any guide for Anna and I had been there before and we thought that there wouldn't be necessary to have the tour guide. Shockingly, international tourists had to pay $15 and 50% discount for students, but only around $2.5 for domestics. Marion was terribly upset about that for she paid the most expensive of all (Maartje and Andrea still had their student cards).



So after they covered each of us with sarong, we went up from the east steps and went around clockwise at each floor and went down from any other steps (we exited from north). Too bad more of the stupas were damaged by the earthquake and volcano eruption happened lately so we couldn't go further.


Of course, we did a little shopping again on our way out, and Pak Supri was already there waiting for us. We had lunch on the way back to the town, planned to go to Sekar Kedathon but found that it was kind of too expensive so decided to go to the Bale Kambang next to it. The lunch was a nice Indonesian meal and everybody was happy.

We went by the other road but it was again too boring for us so we fell asleep (except for Maartje for she was having this motion sickness if she falls asleep in the car) and by no time we were passing Jl. Magelang which still had huge rocks from the eruption on each side of the road and saw how awful the houses were damaged by them.



We headed to Kaliurang near the Merapi volcano, but we were late for Ullen Sentalu Museum which was closed by 3 p.m. Too bad, cuz the spooky museum holds the story of Keraton Solo and Keraton Yogya and all the cultures and horror stuff inside of it. But it was okay and we headed to the watching tower which was also closed (but we sneaked in there, led by Marion) and went to the top of it.

It was such a beautiful sight from the tower, to see the mighty grayish volcano behind the clouds up there, tho around that was still covered with a lot of sands and rocks from the eruption. I was continuously amazed by the mightiness of Merapi, standing quite distant and taller from the other mountains around it, giving me sort of a goosebumps just to imagine what's boiling far down inside of it.

After a while we felt enough and went back to the city, looking for another internet cafe for Andrea's flight booking and then trying to find Gadjah Wong, a riverside fine restaurant by friend's recommendation. But too bad it was closed, so we asked Pak Supri for another nice dining place but near the hotel. He showed us K-Meal.

It was such a nice little place with lots of woods, serving wood-fired pizza and other western food, filled with lots of foreigners eating beside us. The price was good (not expensive at all for pizzas that good) and we closed the dining by ordering le Fondant au Chocolat et Glace Vanille. It was awfully nice!

We were walking back to the hotel because Pak Supri's 12-hours rental was done by 7 p.m. and by 9 p.m. we were all ready on our beds. It was kind of a new thing to me, having 5 girls inside a room, each busy with books or laptop or smartphone. Indonesian girls tend to be chatting or doing other stuff before sleep but it was so funny--and fun--to see us all disciplined by ourselves on our beds. Sort of a new experience to me.

Andrea was flying to Bali that morning so after saying goodbyes, she went by taxi and we were left with our breakfasts. Nadya and Cahyo arrived around 7 a.m. along with Pak Supri as well, and we headed to the southeast now, out of the city and up on the mountains to Gunung Kidul (kidul means south in both Javanese and Sundanese).


We arrived in Ngrenehan Beach by around 9 a.m., one of those beaches my friend recommended us to, but disappointed to see so many fishermen and a small village around and fisherman's boats in that little bay, so we decided to go to the other beach Cahyo already knew about. The beach next to it, Ngobaran, had some kind of Balinese little temple on it, but not quite a good one to spend a day in.






Going to the direction of Baron, we stopped by Tritis, a Saint Mary Cave. It was a large natural cave with stalactite and stalagmite and big Saint Mary handmade statue and a Catholic altar for masses. It was quite chilly and peaceful place to say prayers, and we were amazed by the glory of God's creation there. A lady said a prayer for all of us before we left, and more ladies brought umbrellas for each of us. It was a nice stop we made.









Marion and Maartje and I prepared our sarong and lay down with our books under the midday sun while Anna was hiding from the sunlight for she has this allergy of the sun. Nadya and Cahyo were playing by the sand and sea water, then got along with a local family. It was really a nice day in the sun, and I had a terrible sunburn after that, but I think it's just worth it. I fell in love huge time with the beauty of Krakal Beach and the shining sun and the chilly sea breeze.

By around 1.30-2 p.m. people were get bored and hungry so we had to end the relaxing time. Not too far from it, just when we reached the main road, we found Kampoeng Baron, an artistic restaurant belongs to a foreigner. I could instantly tell by seeing the interior and decorations of it. We had quite a nice late lunch there, and after that, headed back to the city.


We reached our hotel by 6 p.m. and separated with Nadya and Cahyo there. We quickly changed clothes and in no time were heading to Prambanan Temple in the east. We didn't go to the temple for it was closed by 5 p.m. but we were there for the Ramayana Ballet at 7.30 p.m. We paid for the Special seats for IDR 175,000 and got the frontal back seats.


The dance was kind of boring sometimes but pretty much okay and they gave us time to take pictures with the dancers at the end of the performances--which made me and Maartje bursted in laughter to see them up close for they looked really nice from afar. What a magic make up artist could do. Lol.

We did take photos of the Prambanan too, which was standing so majestic, helped with the spot-lighting from below. I was always looking in an awe for Roro Jonggrang temple in the middle, which was also damaged greatly in the inside from the earthquake last year. It was so close and familiar yet felt so mystical and distant. It always take my breath away just to look at it.



Pak Daliman, colleague to Pak Bambang the taxi driver picked us up and we headed back to the hotel by around 10 p.m. We packed up that night a little for it was also a tiring day for all of us, and for me, a painful night dealing with sunburn all over my legs and arms. But should I say it was another great day that we spent.

It was our last day there and basically there was no such plan for the day so we got up a little late, did a lot of packing and checked out from the hotel by 9 a.m. We then took a bus to Malioboro street and after got some cash from the ATM, we walked along the shops to Beringharjo Market. There, we found so many shops selling batik clothing with cheap prices (as long as you can bargain like Maartje--she has an amazing bargaining skill indeed).


Marion had to get her phone fixed so she and Anna went to the phone shops while Maartje and I stayed for more shopping. We did found many beautiful and cheap stuffs there, all batik for cloth, shirts, dress, bag and laptop case. We also found nice souvenirs for our hommies back home. At 12 p.m. we took a taxi to Jl. Wijilan and had a gudeg lunch. This time, it tasted better. Way better than the first one.


We headed back to the hotel hurriedly and then stopping by at Bakpia Pathok 25 to buy some packages home before we finally arrived at the airport. We were 1.5 hours early, but we still had to check in and stuff, and waited for our 3.40 p.m. flight came. Marion's flight to Bali was 30 minutes after ours. It was kind of sad to depart from each other after 4 days we've been together, but we hope we'd meet again with each other soon.

We landed in Jakarta before 5 p.m. and Uncle Patrick, Aunt Paula and Andrew were already there fetching us. They dropped me at around Slipi then I continue by taxi home to Joglo. I was tired, sleepy and sunburnt, but also contented by all the new experiences and new friends I got the last few days. It was such a valuable thing to treasure and I'm surely gonna do the backpacking trip again soon :)

P.S. I'm still waiting for the pictures from the others because I didn't bring any camera with me, so I'll update them ASAP. Just wait! :)

I'm just super busy now with work and got nearly no time for anything else. But in two days I'll be leaving the city to Yogyakarta town in Central Java with my cousin and her friends for a short holiday and I'm so excited about it. So pardon me for disappearing from posting till at least Sunday! Btw, Happy Fasting to all Moslems... Cya!

"your favorite song at this time last year"

Well, I was going on to a break up and I was pretty much torn inside for the moment, so I don't really sure what song I fancied this time last year.. I guess a rather mellow songs, but I'm not really sure. But I loved Maliq & D'Essentials' Coba Katakan so much during the whole year last year, it fitted pretty well with me then, Lol. Now come sing this with me!

"a song from your childhood"

This was my lullaby song by Dad. He used to sing this to all of us before sleep and I had always thought that this was actually a lullaby song like Indonesian "nina bobo". I just knew that this is actually a Christmas song years later. When I asked my sister about the same question above, she answered straightly the same song title: The Little Drummer Boy. While browsing for the video I found this short movie about the song:

Oh my! I'm so pre-occupied lately I nearly had no time for myself! But luckily, I could slipped in a day for fun, on Saturday (23 July), to go to Ancol with Rachelle. After dealing with some stuff at home, I went to pick her up by 2 p.m. We had lunch at Tanjung Duren, then arrived at Ancol by 4.30 p.m. We still need to go to Carnaval Beach, which was located on the other side of the site.



We met Sume as we reached the entrance gate to Java Rockin' Land then we headed to Propaganda Stage for Sarasvati performance by 5.30. So we had some time to lounge at the shore before they started to sing. It was my first beach moment again after more than a year, so I was enjoying it tho it was just for a quarter of hour there.



During Sarasvati, we met James of Signals band and his friend, also Ester and Eko--Rachelle's friends. We had dinner too, and after a while, met Sume at Tebz booth. Again I met James and followed him to BNI stage where Erland was, and by the time we got there, Kensington band was just started playing so Erland and I watched them till Rachelle, Ester, Eko and Sume joined us.


After Kensington, we headed to the main stage where Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE was performing. Feeling bored, we went around and met Otto of Rock Salad band and his gank, also met with Felix and Corry of d'Ave band. They went for Neon Trees, but Rachelle and I were heading straight back to the main stage where The Cranberries would be playing. It was too crowded even 1.5 hours before the performance! Luckily we met Egan, another friend of Rachelle, who got a spot with his friends. Soon, we joined up and befriends with them.


It was finally 11 and The Cranberries was there on stage! Geez I couldn't believe that I was finally watching their live performance, being about 2 meters far from the furthest stage (still it was around 6-8 meters from where the other band members were, but thankfully, Dolores came our way now and then). I was already super hilarious about it. Lol.
At the end of the day, we met Markus and Slamet, my Binusian friends, by accident (we tried to keep in touch but the non-Simpati phone signals was ugly) and also met Yonas, my junior high mate, before the show. Otto joined us by around 1 a.m. and after people went home, we finally met Toba, Obay and their friends, who were so hard to be contacted before. I guess that completed all the people I ought to meet that night on JRL. Rachelle stayed over at our place that night and it was very tiring for all of us, but I should say, it was all worth it! :)

"a song that makes you feel guilty"

are all gospel and charismatic songs. Lol. I'm not as intense as I was to go to church and follow all those komsel, PDKK, Mudika (now OMK) and stuff. Any Christian songs would lead me back to God and remind me of how far I've left Him. Not that far, actually, but it's just not as close as before. Ah, life...

"a song that you wish you could play"

There is one ultimate song that every musician can play--at least every musician that I know. This song is sort of a "must" in every jam session (I'm not talking about jazz or blues session, definitely not) and I really wish I can grab a guitar and play this on a relaxing gathering occasion with friends or family. The song is definitely More Than Words by Extreme.

"a song that you can play on an instrument"

is the one with the easiest and limited chords in it. I learned to play guitar during my junior high years and only chords of this song that I remember till now. Here I present you... *drum chores* Last Kiss by Pearl Jam. LOL!

"a song that makes you laugh"

is definitely a song from Naif. Even in their "most serious" songs, they slipped funny lyric on it and successfully made me laugh whenever the first time I listen to their songs, made it memorable to anyone's mind, for sure. Well, their not-too-new song Karena Kamu Cuma Satu is my favorite. I especially love how they put "Kau satu-satunya, dan tak ada dua, apalagi tiga". I wish you all understand Indonesian to laugh with me here)

"a song that you want to be played at your funeral"

Oh my, this one is the hardest of all those 30-days songs! Gosh, I really dunno what to be played on at my funeral.. My teenage soul would want something sad like Kavana's "Will You Wait For Me?" or The William Brother's "Can't Cry Hard Enough" (for I was kinda an emo girl back then... Lol) but my adult soul now would like something more mature, more calming to the ones I'd left behind. Maybe something like... Somewhere Over The Rainbow (but the newer, lighter, more cheerful version). This one is from Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

I'm kinda new to divorce stuff actually, for my parents never did it--perhaps I do better on facing people's death than this. But people around me are divorcing and I'm learning from them. I know a very close family whose parents got split up and the kids are going their own ways after that. It's kinda sad, seeing a solid team now splattered, but that's life, and hard times are coming to us in one way or another.

While seeing the other siblings put up with this understandingly, this one kid caught my attention more, for he's playing the victim here. Now I can see how true Coelho's saying here: "you are not a victim". This boy here thinks he's the victim of his parents' ugly marriage and he's blaming them for not sticking together like their vows and now living a miserable life alone, separated from his family.

He chose to stay away and lamenting on his fate, how on earth things could be so hard on him, why his parents don't just be together, bla bla bla. He's choosing his ideal way on dealing with this, drowning with his own thoughts and accusation. His siblings, on the other way, listen to their mother's version and understand.

They don't judge--they understand. I think life is way easier to deal with by understanding. With love and big heart, you can feel all peace, tho things aren't going the way you're planning to be. But with hatred and having to blame things on people, you're playing the victim and can never get enough about it. You will keep living in such agony, keep asking why--while even the real 'why' is coming to you, you won't ever accept it, for you'd already have your own version on pitying your sad life.

This ain't healthy, not for you and the people you're blaming on. This is the tumor you need to get out of your body. Clean up your mind and love one another from the heart. Things won't always happen according to your plan, but by His plan, who had arranging and managing it from long before you were even born.

Now why playing it sadly, while you can choose the other way by a more positive spectacles and be happy all the time? Remove all the sadness, agony and stop think of yourself as the victim, whatever condition you are in. Parents may be divorced, spouse may leave you at one point. People disappoint you, but God has greater plan for you. Why don't we all just concentrate on that and be graced? You are blessed from the start, but it's always your decision to keeping it or not. You are the better judge to yourself, but the Almighty God never judge.