Day 18 - Batu to Yogyakarta
The past week has been filled with unexpected activities, and it will definitely be a week that I will not forget. Yesterday (Thursday the 28th) was our last day in Batu, and it was a day filled with goodbyes. Before beginning our goodbyes, we took one last outing with our new and wonderful friend Mima. We were able to ride Batu public transportation for the first time and we headed to a natural hot spring in the mountains of Batu Malang. It was a perfect way to end our stay in the beautiful mountain town, and we enjoyed ourselves amongst friends of Mima.
Then it was time for our last meal in Batu and the start of many goodbyes. We shared special moments with lovely people we had met during the past week. When we said goodbye to the lovely girls at the orphanage, we again had many laughs and they sang a beautiful song for us before we departed from the Bible school. As the evening ended, it was time to leave, and we loaded our belongings for another trip to another Indonesian city. Driving through the gate of the school allowed for mixed emotions. Tola and I both excited to see another part of Indonesia, but I was also leaving a part of Indonesia that I had been dreaming of visiting. Seeing a few of the places my Dad had lived in Indonesia was something that I will always remember, and I hope that next time I can visit Indonesia with my Dad. I am so thankful that we were able to visit Batu and meet so many lovely people. As we left, I realized that doors had been opened, and I don't have to feel like things are ending .. only moving forward.
We are now in Yogyakarta (the old capital city of Indonesia). While in Batu we made a new friend Benjamin, and he has been kind enough to take us to Yogya. Benny's friend Bobby also came along, so the four of us will be enjoying Yogya together this weekend. It is great to have two people who can show us around because they both know Yogya well.
Yogya seems to be a beautiful city so far, and today we went to Prambanan Temple which is on the outskirts of Yogya. Afterwards we decided to go to the beach, so we could view the sunset. The beach was wonderful and it was special to go to a beach where only Indonesians seem to spend time.
The shameful (just kidding) news of the past few days is that we finally caved today and went to McDonald's .. we really only wanted a burger and we could have gone anywhere .. butMcDonald's was the first place within view. Sometimes it just helps the stomach to have something a little more familiar. ;) Hopefully we can hold off for a while now. :)
Then it was time for our last meal in Batu and the start of many goodbyes. We shared special moments with lovely people we had met during the past week. When we said goodbye to the lovely girls at the orphanage, we again had many laughs and they sang a beautiful song for us before we departed from the Bible school. As the evening ended, it was time to leave, and we loaded our belongings for another trip to another Indonesian city. Driving through the gate of the school allowed for mixed emotions. Tola and I both excited to see another part of Indonesia, but I was also leaving a part of Indonesia that I had been dreaming of visiting. Seeing a few of the places my Dad had lived in Indonesia was something that I will always remember, and I hope that next time I can visit Indonesia with my Dad. I am so thankful that we were able to visit Batu and meet so many lovely people. As we left, I realized that doors had been opened, and I don't have to feel like things are ending .. only moving forward.
We are now in Yogyakarta (the old capital city of Indonesia). While in Batu we made a new friend Benjamin, and he has been kind enough to take us to Yogya. Benny's friend Bobby also came along, so the four of us will be enjoying Yogya together this weekend. It is great to have two people who can show us around because they both know Yogya well.
Yogya seems to be a beautiful city so far, and today we went to Prambanan Temple which is on the outskirts of Yogya. Afterwards we decided to go to the beach, so we could view the sunset. The beach was wonderful and it was special to go to a beach where only Indonesians seem to spend time.
The shameful (just kidding) news of the past few days is that we finally caved today and went to McDonald's .. we really only wanted a burger and we could have gone anywhere .. butMcDonald's was the first place within view. Sometimes it just helps the stomach to have something a little more familiar. ;) Hopefully we can hold off for a while now. :)
So delighted that you pursued your dream.
Nice to finally be able to read your blog without going through a VPN. We're in Uppsala now and we received the welcome back card from you!
A bit jealous of you guys, it's below 20 degrees Celsius here and so much snow. Jetlagged and tired, think I'll go to sleep soon :)