The island of Java forms part of the Ring of Fire. See the topography and the number of burnt cracks on the map below. Anyone interested to climb, peer into or simply admire a volcano puffing smoke from a distance need not venture too far, thanks to our neighbouring country Indonesia which is littered with volcanoes. August is within the dry season but it's also the Ramadan month. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world where fasting and praying are religiously followed and practised. This means no lunch in more remote areas and mosques blasting prayers for long hours, day and night. Snacks and earplugs are essentials.
LP claims they have the only complete guide to Indonesia in the market. This statement is true in my country. Shame to say, it was not well written. Directions were unclear and some reviews were overrated. In my opinion, Surabaya (with the exception of the House of Sampoerna) and Malang are not worth visiting so you may want to give them a miss. We managed to get around easily with the limited Malay he speaks (we got blank looks when we asked where's the tandas though lol) and of course with the help of the hearty residents of East Java.
Cheetahs don't lay eggs ok.
Returning from a less developed country can be an emotionally rewarding experience. Some return home feeling more appreciative of what they have. For me, I was envious of what the Cambodians have. We were once like them before we became prosperous, competitive, nonchalant and selfish. I saw life as it really is and experienced the sense of community that we have lost in the face of modernity.
Camaraderie in the village or kampong spirit means lending your helping hands when accidents happen. If this were to occur in my country, I'm sure most people would just walk or drive away, pretending nothing had happened.
This is all you need to set up a petrol kiosk. Low cost and profitable business!
They don't have to fret over availability of and eligibility for flats.
Children grow up selling postcards and handicrafts under the hot sun and pick up foreign languages during their interaction with tourists. Every dollar is hard earned money. They invent their own games and play with their siblings and neighbours in the temples. I don't see such resilience and independence in kids back home. Life is simple and poor but we could tell they are happy.
Temples built in the jungle are subject to weather conditions and the invisible forces of Mother Nature. People come to see how the jungle has ruined the temples but at the same time, works are ongoing to protect the temple from being destroyed by nature. Paradoxical tussle.
