The Great Race gets underway at last

On Wednesday we had a final Great race mtg in the morning and made all the final decisions about which teams would start where and which of us would meet them. The whole idea was to have the teams operating on their own, not following each other. With all that done we could complete the copying and set up the folders on Thursday morning before work. by the time work started it was all finished which was terrific as Friday was a public Holiday to celebrate Vesak Day, a holy day celebrated by Buddhists. It represents the birth, the Nirvana (enlightenment) and the Parinirvana (death) of Gautama Buddha and is the most significant day of the Buddhist calendar. Vesak Day usually falls in May, on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
We had planned to play tennis with some work colleagues at June's condo in Yio Chu Kang but unfortunately it was a washout. Eric was not feeling particularly well so he decided to have a quiet day but I headed out only to find that by the time I got there it was not clearing but instead a good downpour. 

Carrying 4 tennis racquets i couldn't even get to the condo until June came to rescue me with an umbrella. We had coffee and I returned home to find Eric putting our Sri lanka photos together into a new photobook. 
Saturday went pretty smoothly but Sunday was a pretty dramatic day for me. The first class ran as usual but then I tried to do finger painting with nine 4 yr olds; I really should have known better with some of the little cherubs in that class. Next session a lad managed to projectile vomit while sitting at the table. Fortunately most of it finished up on his worksheets and lap so I quickly bundled it all into his lap and lifted him (chair and all) out into the corridor. the others worked on as if nothing had happened while I got some help. In the last class one very excited boy exposed himself, not just once but twice. He is returning to visit family in Korea after the weekend and I hope thats what it was all about. I didn't even tell his mother when she collected him. Meanwhile I remembered to send off the final instructions for all 7 Great Race teams during the 35 min lunchbreak that I had set-up as drafts in our inbox. 
It was hectic, and the day went so quickly, it was only as I was walking to Joe's that I realised neither of us had left keys out for the visitors who would have just arrived! Oh No! But what can you do? Eric was already on his way home to meet his brother Laurie and wife Sue, who he found waiting on the doorstep. So I went ahead and relaxed with the branch.  I caught up with them at our local hawkers stalls soon after. 

Monday was the day of the race which began at 1pm. Eric took L and S for a walk to  orientate them in the local area. I made a few necessary updates to the instructions I'd handed out (couldn't get them out of my head all night). At 1pm everything got underway. Eric met teams at Chinatown and I did the same at City Hall. Shortly after June joined me from Marina Bay and Richard joined Eric from Dhoby Ghaut. We spent the day checking off the answers on the scoresheets as the teams circulated around the 7 different legs. L and S spent the day at Chinatown too. At 5pm we all headed to Bugis where Wine Bos hosted us for the after-race party. Eric did a terrific job of emceeing and we received lots of positive feedback for the whole organization. Some teams went to great lengths to dress up. Below are some sample pics. 

 Best dressed winners

 The eventual winners

 And the best team of them all

The night finished up with a few of us at Park View Square to show the visitors how the wine fairy goes about her business. 
Eric took Laurie and Sue to Gardens by the Bay on Tuesday and then the Marina Bay Sands precinct while I had a morning at home tying up all the loose ends for next year's race committee. After having a peaceful potter at home and playing the guitar I went to Chinatown to confirm our Beijing holiday in September, get the soles of a favourite pair of Eric's shoes repaired and replace the glass on my ipad. 

Eventually I caught the train home and Eric called to find out where I was. That's when we discovered we were on the same train. With all the people and all the trains in Singapore it is almost unbelievable that we managed to be on the same one.

And then the Ampts arrive

Joan spent the best part of Wednesday afternoon with her leg elevated and on ice. We headed off to work and Jim found his way out to Punggol a little later where he spent some time in the classroom before meeting up with Joan, Peter and some other friends from 2004 at Bishan while we remained at work. When we returned home we found that they hadn't waited for us, the three of them were very comfortable in our lounge room with a drink in hand and not really very interested in how our lessons had proceeded for the evening.  I can't imagine why. Peter made it clear he needs more practice on the guitar before playing in public.  

On Thursday the Crisps took on one of our other Great Race legs which took them near Chinatown. They thoroughly enjoyed this area of town which they had not discovered before. They then returned home in time for a Chi massage downstairs. As happens, the leg injury is feeling much better but since the appointment was made they decided to commit to it. Joan was impressed by the treatment and tried to encourage Jim to indulge but he was having none of it. Unfortunately Eric had a senior management meeting so he had to leave early for work. We met up with them for dinner after work at the usual. 

The Crisps were leaving for Sri Lanka on Friday and Judy and Roger were due to arrive from Europe.  Both events took place while we were blissfully unaware at work. Somewhere in between we managed a quick vac and mop of the floors and a change of linen and towels. We took the Crisps back to Kampong Glam area for the best murtabah in Singapore at Zam Zams before we had to head to work. 

We left them to finish their unfinished business and apparently they misjudged the bus timetable and cut it very fine to make it to the departure lounge in time. Fortunately they did make it but I'm glad I wasn't in that taxi. They have already sent through email updates from Negambo. We sent them off with more educational ICT programs to give to Dilip when they eventually make it to Galle in another week's time.

Judy and Rog have had a fabulous time in France, Rog was so fortunate to be at the US Masters to see Adam Scott win on his way over. We arranged for them to meet us at our local hawker stall for a late meal after work. In the morning it was business as usual for us, heading to work early but they managed a good sleep-in which they obviously needed. They took the opportunity to cruise around town in the jump on-jump off bus tour. Rog noted that things have changed since he was here in the early 80s! 

They finished off the tour on the Sunday and then visited the Botanic Gardens. 
Sunday night saw us celebrating the last of the parent teacher interviews for another 6 months. It's a tough call managing a class and having interviews at the same time so we were very tired. quite a few staff met up at Wala in Holland Village afterwards and Rog and Judy joined us. 
On Monday we ventured out for our usual Monday walk, this time throyugh Bishan Park and around Lower Peirce Reservoir. Guess what? With backpack slung over the shoulder in the usual fashion, Eric sauntered by the security guard at the MRT without a problem. Jim, you seem to be the one that attracts their attention, the only common denominator. Jude and Rog needed a rest from all the sun and tropical heat so we left them relaxing at home and met up for Chicken Rice at lunchtime. 

Walkers with the intriguing Cannonball Tree

Flower of the cannonball Tree

In the afternoon we all went out and about,scouting the Great Race legs. As you would understand I cannot divulge any detail but let it be said we wore Roger out and left him snoozing on the couch at Marina Bay Sands at one point. We had already had an afternoon break at Raffles Long Bar where you traditionally drink Singapore Slings and toss your raw peanut shells on the floor. Maybe that was his problem. 

At Chijmes across the road from Raffles

 In the Raffles Courtyard

In Raffles Long Bar

Meanwhile, Eric left us to meet up with Peter and other likely trekkers for this year's December trek to Annapurrna, Nepal. While I keep saying I will not do it, I cannot stand the thought of not doing it so ............We all went to La Pizzaiola near Peter's for dinner. It was lovely to catch up with June from last year's trek, we haven't seen much of her lately as she has been working too hard, doing extra shifts at Orange Tree Pre School to fund a needy cause.

Bev and Eric looking through photo albums of previous treks

On Tuesday we had all sorts of plans lined up for the day but Rog had had enough of 'school excursions' as he called it, and just needed a lay-day at home, interacting with his ipad interrupted occasionally by a dip in the pool. A true holiday-maker's holiday. As he says they have been on the go for 7 weeks. We never ventured further than lunch at Nex. Jude was up for a walk but our timing was bad and we found ourselves confronted with a downpour just as I was intending to take her for a stroll to Kovan and show her my workplace. We did manage a fish spa where we sat for half an hour having fish nibble the dead skin off our toes and ankles. The fish seemed to prefer her feet, not sure why - European cobblestone corn flavour perhaps?  We sat there comparing our bunions and reminiscing about growing up in Dixons Creek. We are now beginning a collaborative google doc to jot down our memories and hope Col will contribute too. 

Judy's feet were more appetizing 

At 6pm we bundled them into a taxi for the airport. We think they will both enjoy getting home after being away so long.
Eric's brother Laurie and his wife Sue, from Maryborough, arrive next Sunday so the sheets and towels are back in the washing machine. they'll be just in time for the Great race. Another 'Baptism of Fire' coming up! The Yve arrives the following Sunday. 

I can't believe our trip to Portugal is less than 4 weeks away! We fly to Madrid and take the train to Porto for a few days then on to Lisbon. From there we train to Faro then can catch a bus to Seville. We have really enjoyed what we have seen so far of Spain so couldn't resist the opportunity to see some more, this time more to the south. Then we train to Madrid and home. 

Crisps return to Singapore

We are in the midst of Parent Teacher Meetings again at work.  It makes for a hectic week but it's good to meet the parents and understand why they are sending their children and what they want from the sessions. When an interpreter is required you realise just how little exposure some students have to spoken English, others want lots of help with grammar and comprehension, in some cases the parents just want to be assured that their children are able to confidently participate in classroom conversations. The whole range exists across your classes, including those that expect to see miracles in 6 weeks.
On Thursday we had another pd session. Eric ran one, updating the lessons for one of the Yr 3 themes. I attended a P6 session which was all about the English curriculum in this yr level where the exam results determine which secondary school the students will be able to enrol in.
On Friday morning I collected this from the framer at Boon Keng. Our one and only wall display. Very happy with our Javan batik. 

Today was my big sister's special birthday and to avoid any special attention, silly birthday celebrations or public humiliation (like she suffered at her 16th surprise party) she ran away to the other side of the globe. We hope she has had a wonderful day.
Saturday was our 34th wedding anniversary. As it was also Mother's Day this weekend, I was given a beautiful long stemmed rose by one of my kindergarten students which almost made me cry. When I told the class why I was so touched they all broke into a spontaneous round of applause. Wasn't that sweet! We tried a new local Nyonya restaurant during the week which was fabulous but the one we chose for our anniversary dinner, brew Berries,  was a shocker. Can't win all the time.
On Sunday night I dashed home to meet Joan and Jim who are with us for a few days on their way to Sri Lanka. We went to New Everest Kitchen together with a few of our closest friends here. It was beautiful food, good company and lots of flowers thanks to Peter! The only problem all night was when Jim double tapped his card at the MRT and was marched off to the management office to ensure he had a valid card. It seems maybe they have him under surveillance; on record as 'Jim the Crim', recognised from ten yrs ago when he was living here and was questioned over attempting to import pirated dvds from Malaysia (as everyone else was doing at the time) but he and an unnamed accomplice got caught. A very funny story we'll share with you off record sometime. Or you can ask Peter all about it. 
What makes us think this, is that next morning he and Eric were asked by the security guard at our local MTR station to surrender their bags for a check. Now Eric has walked through this station at least twice a day for the last 18 months without being checked, in fact neither of us have ever seen the security guards at any station doing anything much except sitting at their stations looking very bored. He was very obliging though and happily agreed the request for a picture. 

Our walk this week, requested by Joan because they hadn't done it already,  was the Southern Ridges from Kent Ridge to VivoCity via Hort Park, Henderson Waves and Mount Faber. The fountain of Thompson Reuters, who call themselves "one of the largest sources of intelligent information for businesses and professionals" (in other words offshore investing) was interesting. Are they brains on those poles? keeping the intelligence centres cool.

 Enjoying the shade

 On Henderson Waves

When we finished the 2 and a half hr walk and had eaten lunch at Food Republic at VivoCity we returned home and in no time we were in the pool. As Joan said "That was a Baptism of Fire". 

In the afternoon the boys took off to explore the local area, eating their way from here to Kovan and back. Well, they told us they had visited all the hawker stalls they could find each way. if they weren't eating, what else could they have been doing? We had plenty of cold beers in the fridge so why would they walk out there in the hot sun? Some behavior just cannot be explained......

In the evening we caught a bus to Serangoon Gardens and ate at Chomp Chomp. We feasted on seafood fried rice, black pepper crab, stingray flaps and satays. You wouldn't believe this! The beer stall was closed. Unheard of! Fortunately 7/11 across the road was open and no one objected when we brought in some take-aways. 

As it happened we were sitting right beside a soya bean curd stall, something I have been tempted to try since we enjoyed the buffalo curd in Sri Lanka. I took the chance and bought a selection of flavours to try at breakfast on Tuesday. We all agreed the mango and almond choices were good but no one showed much enthusiasm for the natural flavoured one. We found the only way to cope with the durian option was to hold your nose as you ate it.

 

Hmm, interesting

 

Pretending it was delicious to encourage the boys to be brave

 

Holding the nose to manage Durian flavour

We spent the morning at Gardens by the Bay which Jim and Joan found astonishing, this was all land being reclaimed when they were living here. 

 A different view of the super trees

 Tulipmania in the flower dome

We were joined by Peter for lunch at Marina Bay Sands and then wandered along the river to Clarke Quay and took the train home from there. 

In the evening, after some time with our feet up and creating a blog for the Crispy's, we went to the Botanic Gardens for dinner with Denise Purdey who has returned to MAE after teaching here back in the days when the Crisps were also here.  It was very pleasant sitting in the outdoors.

Wednesday morning we were taking the visitors on our regular local walk but Joan pulled a calf muscle scampering across the road so she and I returned for  an ice-pack and coffee treatment while Eric and Jim finished the walk and had breakfast at the local hawkers. Joan needs to recuperate before she tackles the walks in Sri Lanka.

A short week that felt like a long one

This week the Great Race preparations took us to new heights. One of the city's Housing Commission Buildings consists of seven connected 50-storey towers. It also features the world's two longest sky gardens of 500 metres each, on both the 26th and 50th floors. All seven towers are the world's tallest public housing buildings. It was to the 50th floor level that we ventured this week to check out the views. 

 Busy dockyards and Sentosa

 Business District

Then we wandered all around the streets in the area coming across some charming old shophouses and interesting eating places that we will need to investigate further with the next lot of visitors. Jim and Joan Crisp arrive next Sunday and when they leave on the Friday for a trip to Sri Lanka, Judy returns with Roger from France. 

 Back on the ground

On Monday the walkers took on a new venture we haven't done before from Bukit Batok Nature Park through to Chinese Gardens.  Near the entrance of the park, at the foot of a high cliff wall, is a lovely waterhole - a positive outcome from an early quarry. Up at the peak is the remains of a Japanese Memorial to their dead soldiers, a relic from WW11 which informs visitors of the significance and meaning of the location.

Our highlight was 2 new bird sightings; the white crested laughing thrush and the striped tit babbler. Both were easy to observe as they were not at all concerned about us. 

We walked the park connector from this park to the Chinese Gardens which kept us well off the road. Once we reached the Chinese Gardens you couldn't help but soak up the tranquility of the meandering footpaths, the gentle stream and the carefully structured plants and rocks, positioned with as much attention as you would furnish a home. It has been some time since we were last here and it was beautiful. 

 Koi fish 

 Top level of the Pagoda

On  Tuesday we were out and about again. I dropped a piece of batik from Java at the framers, had my haircut and we double checked some more legs of the race. Getting plenty of legwork done with these preparations. For dinner we tried out a little Nyonya Kitchen not far from our back gate. Enjoyed a beautiful curry chicken dish for about $5 ea. Then met Peter and Richard for a quick drink at our local wine bar. 

Wednesday we were back at work but not before a morning visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital Travellers Clinic for the second round of Hepatitis A jabs. We probably don't need it, but since we had the first of 2 before going to Nepal, we figured we might as well finish off the course for life-long protection. Eric has made the commitment to join the trekkers to Annapurna Base Camp in December but I am going to save my knees. At this time I am considering going to Nepal too, but walking the National Parks instead. Anyone free to join me?

Borobudur weekend

On Friday we each went out to complete further legs of the Great Race. We have more teams enlisted than initially expected so had to add to the list. The good thing about this is that it takes us to places we haven't been before. Cannot reveal details here or someone might get wind of it.  The first points were scored this week for responses by the team captains sharing email and mobile phone numbers with me. Really, it was just to ensure we are in communication with each team on the day but it also helped to raise  interest. Each week in the lead up we will be offering points to be won.

We have had a long weekend because Wednesday was May Day, so that meant our working week doesn't begin until 5pm on Thursday. On Monday morning we went to the airport to catch the 2 hr flight to Jogjakarta. We bumped into June and travel pal Helen who were on their way to Langkawi, just north of Penang, then Pam and David Walters on their way to the Cameron Highlands. Others from work were on their way to Bali, Phuket, Krabi, Kuching ...... but not all departing at the same time. Rarely do people spend a long weekend in Sg.

We were met by Johnny and driven to Borobudur, the site of a Buddhist monument even older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Thevi, a friend of mine at Palmerston High Sch told me about it years ago when we returned from our Vietnam and Cambodia holiday and I have always kept it in mind that we should try to visit. Living in Sg makes it very easy to do a weekend there. On the way we stopped for lunch at a restaurant that specialises in mushrooms and had mushroom satays, mushroom omelette and massaman mushroom curry with rice. It was all delicious and the display of the different types growing from the compost bags was really interesting. Some look more like flowers than fungi.

We checked into the Manohara Hotel which we had booked because it is right on the site of the monument.  It was initially built to house the restoration party and is now a very impressive hotel. We were greeted with a welcome drink of tamarind juice and soda water stirred with a lemon grass stalk which was just delicious and gamelan music. 

 view from hotel

We did a 2 hour tour in the late afternoon with Jamal, finishing just before sunset. The monument was built around a hill, there is no internal chamber. It took 3 generations to complete between the years 800 and 1000 AD. The bottom 6 levels are square-based and the top 3 are circular. Apparently there is a strong influence from India and Hinduism reflected in the design. These religions have existed in such harmony over time. Then the major restoration was undertaken while the majority faith of the country was Islam. Jamal explained a lot of the intricate stone carvings; those on the bottom levels depict desire, fables with animals as the characters and lessons about greed and power and envy, etc. 

As you progress up to the middle level you move through the reliefs depicting the story of Buddha's life and the teachings of resisting temptation. 

Finally the top layer is Nirvana.  There are no reliefs there, just 72 stupas each housing a statue of the Buddha with specific mudras (hand positions) depicting the 5 cores of life that people should aspire to: calling the earth to witness, understanding blessings, meditation, living without fear and the most important of them all teaching. I particularly like the stupas at the top levels which seem to have such feminine forms, like the Olgas, you just want to rub your hand over them.  

In all there are 504 carvings of Buddha here, add the numerals 5, 0 and 4 and you get 9 (also 7 and 2 for the stupas). 9 is the number of infinity in Buddhism. Not long after the monument was completed, perhaps 500 years the population converted to Islam and at some point a volcano erupted and it was buried in ash, like everything else around it.  Many local people died or moved away to other locations as they were unable to produce food. The monument was forgotten and it wasn't until 1812 that a farmer was digging and discovered it, alerting Sir Stamford Raffles who was the British Ruler of the time. The major restorations undertaken in collaboration with UNESCO  have taken years and a lot of damage and theft mean some statues are not complete but it is very impressive. 

One of the most amusing things that happened to us as we ventured up and around the different tiers was when locals  plucked up the courage to ask us to pose with them for photos. They were delighted when we obliged. Apparently they are tourists themselves having travelled from other districts where foreigners are very rarely encountered. We are a novelty and an opportunity to try out the English they all learn at school.

Arriving back at the Manohara we located the closest cold Bintang fridge and had a quick refreshing beer. Then I had just enough time to do a quick scoot around the grounds before dark to look for birds. The most interesting thing I saw was not actually a bird at all but a man collecting the juice from the palm trees to make palm sugar (and perhaps toddy though I didn't press that point since Muslims don't drink alcohol). I wouldn't have had a clue what he was doing, as he had no English, except learning about this in Sri Lanka in March.

 

palm flower encapsulated in cut bamboo length to collect nectar

We enjoyed an early dinner in the open air restaurant at the hotel and then had
an early night as we will return to the stupas for sunrise. How did we manage to book ourselves up for 2 sunrises within a week? First The ANZAC Day Dawn Service and now this. That's just ridiculous, we rarely see sunrise with the hours we keep theses days.

We were advised to rise at 4am for a 4:30 departure but in retrospect we didn't need to go for another hour as sunrise was more like 6am. Wish we had known that before we ordered the early morning wake up call and made the trip under torchlight.  However, we both appreciated the opportunity to sit and soak up the atmosphere between the stupas in the early morning light. 

 

A very popular destination these days

After returning to the Manohara for breakfast I watched an audio visual presentation about the history and cultural significance of the monument and Eric had a cat nap. We had just enough time for a 2 hr morning cycling tour before checking out. We began at Omars house from which he also operates an art gallery, there are about 30 artists in his collective. His art features caricature animals with comical smiles. One artist we were particularly intrigued by uses a lit cigarette to burn the image onto the canvas. Quite a unique style and very detailed result. The tour took us along the village paths that connect the homes to the plots of land where they grow the fruit and vegetables. The is an abundant range. 

We cycled across a road through rice paddies where they were planting out the new seedlings in the same fashion we watched 30 yrs ago in Malaysia, bent from the waist and up to their knees and elbows in mud. We did see a pedal driven threshing machine though, so some parts of the process are becoming mechanised. On the road there were sheets of rice drying and also the palm fibre used for making glass noodles. Rice is grown all yr round here if the paddi can be irrigated from the river in the cooperative supply lines like we saw in Bali. If not, then during the dry season which is just beginning, the farmer will grow tobacco. Sadly, smoking is still very popular here. 

 Looks like Nepali flat

Another diversion took us into a tofu factory where we watched the process from the soya beans being pressed to fried balls from which they make crackers. Give me potato chips anytime, these were very bland. I was a tad wobbly on the big classic touring frame cycle. No trouble on the roads if there was no traffic but that is rare and the paths we took often just lead between houses where everyone wanted to say hello and wave. I had to keep one eye on the potholes and speed bumps and one hand in the air waving. We really enjoyed the chance to see the village at this speed and interact with the friendly locals.

 Tofu production

 

Original homes made of wood and bamboo can deal with some earthquake shake but people are striving to build now with brick and cement. It is not so forgiving.

Back at the hotel we had time for a shower and then checked out as Johnny turned up to take us to Plawangan Turgo Nature Reserve, Kaliurang so we could wander about looking for birds. This reserve, on the southern slopes of volcanic Mt Merapi, is over 330 hectares and home to tall trees like banyans and pines which create a shady canopy as you walk and food and shelter for many birds, some endemic to this island alone. You quickly appreciate the cooler temperature which comes with being this high. Both Plawangan and Turgo are  hills that reach to about 1200m above sea level.  But still, once you start climbing you are wet and sweaty in no time at all. Other animals that can be found roaming the Plawangan-Turgo Nature Reserve include deer and Black  Lutung as well as  Macacas monkeys. Apparently you can also find black panther too but nobody told me that before I took to the trails in my thongs. I'm sure they are very rare though. 

 More Nepali flat

On Plawangan's western side we came across a number of large, man-made caves and tunnels, said by locals to have been made under the orders of Japanese military administrators during World War II. We were thrilled to find 3 new birds to add to our list but we never did make it to the end of the trail which we guessed must give you a good outlook to Mt Merapi. The track just became too difficult and we were conscious that even when we turned back we would have been walking for 2 hours. And we still haven't had lunch yet.  What a full morning.

 Mt Merapi

 

A better view of Mt Merapi out the plane window

We returned to Jogjakarta and checked in to the Grage Ramayana in the Malioboro district. After a very quick clean-up we made it to a little cafe across the street for lunch at 3pm. We found  Chicken Cap Cay (Hokkien pronunciation Chap Chai) on the menu which was one of my favourite meals Ah Bouy cooked for us at Butterworth. Cost us all of Sg $10 including 2 large bottles of beer. We slept and caught up on emails or wrote up this blog in the afternoon then had an early dinner and early night.

Wednesday morning Johnny took us to Prambanan Hindu Temple, about 30 mins through town. Jogja is the cultural and education centre of Indonesia so there are hundreds of tertiary students on motorbikes and scooters like swarming mosquitoes on the roads. The 9th Sultan of Java (the one before the current one) made an agreement with the Govt that free tertiary education be provided for any students in Indonesia to travel from the other 13,600 islands here to Jogja. At first this was made available in his palace and now there are something like 183 colleges and universities here. All the students live in boarding houses which in itself helps create employment.

 They have to be fed too

The Prambanan  temple was quite different in style to Borobudur being Hindu and built as Borobudur was being finished. Once again it has suffered from earthquakes and volcano ash however it has never been completely buried and forgotten. The restoration goes on and in the main temple of Shiva you have to wear a hard hat.  In the grounds we saw sooty bulbuls, sunbirds and spotted doves. Gosh it was hot that morning, we had to keep ducking for shade. 

 See Mt merapi in the background?

Next we visited the Sultans Palace. He still resides in the private quarters when he is town but the rest is open to the public so we were able to be guided through the various collections and museums devoted to past sultans. The current sultan is 66 and has 5 daughters so without a male successor the title will fall to his younger brother on his death.

 

We were just in time to catch a puppet show

 The musicians

 

Ornate decorations combining Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic colours and designs

 The daily tea ceremony

 

The security forces are not too busy today

Then we drove through an area that was once a community of fine batik designers but this tradition is dying out. We visited one local batik factory and I bought another sarong at special, special price. 200,000 rp about $25. At last we drove by a banana seller on a corner and I was able to buy a hand of king banana, the prized type. About 20 of them for 20,000 rp, $2.50. Then we stopped for lunch of grilled chicken and rice with iced lemon tea. Johnny dropped us at the Melia Purosani Hotel where the rare Javan Sparrows nest between Sept and Dec. We couldn't find any today but were very impressed by the lobby and gardens so if we ever do return we will stay here. We walked home along Malioboro Street which is famous for shopping. I managed to be talked into buying a batik print along the way. Something to brighten up the walls of Cherry Hill. We managed to resist the offers of trishaw rides, cheap shoes, bags, t-shirts, junk jewellery and batik fashion. After the last 2 days of walking and step climbing we decided we deserved a massage so both of us took the opportunity to try Javanese Traditional Styles at Monggo Relax across the road from our hotel. I chose reflexology foot and back for 90 mins at 75,000 rp and Eric indulged in the 2 hr Javanese massage with jasmine  oil including back, front, ear candling and face tapping.  Fabulous!
Thursday morning was another early one, we flew back to Sg arriving about 10:30am so with plenty of time to unpack and be ready for work at 5pm.