Day Eighteen

If you have never tried to fly with 27 people at one time, please do not start. Especially in foreign airports where there are no rules. I haven't talked much about the transit yet, aside from my disastrous arrival. Checking 27 bags is a challenge as is going through an average of 3 security check points per airport who all seem to have their own rules when it comes to what's allowed on a plane and what isn't. Language hasn't really been an issue as I find most people speak English and so far all flights have been successfully made with luggage in tow. I do miss jet bridges though- boarding from a tarmac when it's 90 degrees outside is less than desirable. I also have a newly developed hatred for budget airlines who feel beverages should be paid for and that legroom is optional.

Munchies at dinner

Today was no exception to the chaos of travel. We left the hotel at 6:30 am for our flight from Yogyakarta to kuala lumpur where we were supposed to have an 8 hour layover due to some flight cancellation issues. Somehow a flight magically appeared at 2:50 in the afternoon and before I know it 27 of us are trying to get re-checked in (had to uncheck our bags, don't ask) and back through immigration and security. 27 white people hauling ass through a Malaysian airport is in no way discrete. So, here I sit on my most hated Air Asia flight that feels like constantly driving over speed bumps with an estimated arrival in Vietnam in about 2 hours.

Allow me to back track through the last few days though as they were absolutely amazing. We sadly left the Ritz in Jakarta Friday morning to catch a flight to Yogyakarta for a cultural getaway. Upon arrival, we did our usual deep dive into action without first going to the hotel or anything sane people would do. Our first stop was the Prambayan temple where we were basically let loose for a few hours. Maddy and I found ourselves talking to these adorable school boys who were practicing their English with tourists as an assignment. We were then accosted by a mob of not so nice 13 year olds who wanted to take their picture with us because we were white. I find that is a trend everywhere we go, parents want to take their children's picture with us- I can only imagine where these pictures end up.

Prambayan Temple

Took a long time to figure out this timed shot, Julia, on the end had to be the runner

We then went to watch a traditional leather puppet show and had an amazing dinner back in this jungly mystical area which was absolutely fantastic. Once we finally got to our hotel, the Hyatt Regency, we were blown away. We figured it was only downhill from the Ritz but boy were we wrong. This hotel was absolutely beautiful and everyone should go when you decide to take your casual jaunt to Indonesia. It had a very natural feel with lots of water and stone and character. Pictures do not do it justice at all. It also had a pool that went on for days that we much enjoyed. We seem to be a pool crowd- choosing to spend our free time by the water since we can't quite go out in Indonesia like we could in Singapore. We also saw blue skies and stars for the first time in like 2 weeks. It was heaven.

Playing with leather puppets

Entrance to our hotel, beautiful

Part of the pool

Saturday was the real kicker. We all got up at 3:30am to board a bus to go out to Borobudur to watch the sunrise. One of the cooler things I've seen in my life. I'd guess the sun started to come up around 5? But I don't really know. We then wandered around the site taking pictures and being touristy. Naturally we were mobbed by school children before we could leave to be in even more pictures. I am successfully one of the whitest people in the bunch and with Julia's blonde hair we are a definite target. I remember writing a report on this monument several years back so it was really neat to actually see it in person. Definitely on the same impressive level as something like the Eiffel tower or the coliseum.

In front of Borobudur

Watching the sunrise while sitting on Borobudur

People storming my classmates/white people

From here, we went to watch how local Batik is made (which is basically wax-resist dyed cloth). This was pretty cool to walk around and see firsthand since I had personally learned about in during my undergrad. We then went to some local village where we rode Javanese horse carts through the streets. These were not particularly friendly to the boys- tight spaces and no leg room. Nonetheless very cool. It makes me happy to see the kids run out and say hello, I could do things like this every day. Lunch followed at some cool house and then we headed back to the hotel around 2 or so to rest. Some people took naps, I swam and powered through. We had big dinner/ballet plans for that evening which we scraped for lighter plans at the hotel so we wouldn't have to leave. That night most of the gang went to the hotel bar and danced to top 40 hits sang by a local band. I may or may not have embarrassed myself by dancing to 'only girl in the world' while surrounded by a circle of people. Scarlett was definitely out.

Batik demonstration

Countryside from the horse cart

anddd the horse cart

Last night in Indonesia

Today was another super early morning- Kathryn and I drug ourselves out of bed around 5:15 this morning and tried to pack which is getting more and more difficult every time. It was clear on the bus ride this morning that everyone was feeling delirious and had gone completely mad. There was some singing, clapping, and general hoopla on the way to the airport which brings me to now. We are all so excited for Ho Chi Minh city and cannot wait to see our friends in Hong Kong next week! Fatigue is kicking in but I'm hoping now that we have crossed the halfway mark we can all perk up and keep trucking along. Until next time- Becca