Singapore and Java

After Borneo, we experienced a small culture shock in Singapore: out of the jungle...into the city, which is sometimes rather unnaturally modern and exaggerated!

In any case, we enjoyed the hospitality of Tim and Regula (thanks again if you're reading this blog!) and treated ourselves well in terms of food and sightseeing. From Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Little India, Night Safari...we did it all and always ate well too (whether it was Indian, Turkish, Asian or whatever).

After Singapore, the next culture shock followed with the arrival in Yogyakarta, Java (Indonesia). We could best observe the bustling activity from the terrace of our hotel on a small street... whether morning/noon/evening/night...there was always something going on. The ride in the rickshaw (European hips are a bit too wide for Asia) is a rather daring venture, but it was perfect for exploring the city's sights!

Of course, the excursion to the Buddhist 'temple' Borobudur and the Hindu temple complex Prambanan could not be missed, which will remain a beautiful and impressive memory. There was also a cultural event in Yogya: the Ramayana Ballet, in which an ancient love story is played/sung/danced.

Today we took the train from Yogyakarta to Solo, the stronghold of Javanese batik. But the biggest attraction in the city was probably the two pale-faced foreigners (we might even be used for restaurant advertising now). In any case, the people here in Java are incredibly friendly and enjoy the funny tourists, even if we don't understand each other most of the time. :-)

Tomorrow we will continue by train and in the following days to the two volcanoes Bromo and Ijen, and then to Bali, but more about that in the next post on this page.

Selamat Tinggal!