The weather has remained 33-37, but I think it’s the 75-85% humidity that makes my perspiration run like hot lava without cooling me off!

Lovely, friendly people.

Smile. “Hello“. Smile. “Where are you from?”. Smile. “You are travelling alone?”. Smile. “How old are you?”

My favourite question is the age one because they think I’m 15-20 years younger than I am!

My journey through Java, Indonesia continued from Malang to Solo (also called Surakarta). Not to be confused with Surabaya.

There are several places that end with ‘karta’, and I was told it means ‘successful or prosperous’.

It was a 5.5 hour train trip.

Pasar (market) Gede Hardjonagoro

Keraton (palace) Surakarta Hadiningrat

Guards at the entrance of the section where the prince still lives.

Always another gate to lead me on!

And always food stalls! These are at the entrance to a mosque.

Inside Pasar (market) Klewer. Floors of clothing and cheap batik.

Kambung Batik Kaufman, the batik section of town with ‘Instagramable’ spots and expensive batik.

A huge banyan tree.

I discovered a little Bakso restaurant near my hotel. With tables.

I’ve seen lots of Bakso food carts, but wanted more than a curb to sit on.

Bakso is ‘meatball’ but I also got to chose other items. I know Siomay was the wonton-like item, but the rest was ‘point to choose’.

I went back the next day, thinking I could learn more, but my English speaking server wasn’t there.

Rp 32,000 (Cdn $2.75) for the soup and iced tea. Free hot sauce!

After playing ‘cross the road suicide’ on the previous days, it was ‘car-free’ and deserted on Sunday morning from 6 to 9 am.

I woke to the sound of music pounding, and found a 6 am Zumba class outside my hotel!

And streets were full of people walking, riding bikes, and eating!

My hotel was nice but rather staid after the activity outside!

Then off to the train station for a 50 minute ride to Yogyakarta, (known as Yogka).

Historical feel to the station.

And high tech printer for my boarding pass. I just had to scan the QR code on my e-ticket. I had reserved on an alternate website because it accepted my credit card. Otherwise I could have just had an e-boarding pass.

Water Palace at Taman Sari.

Photo from 1930.

Wedding photos!

Tunnel to the mosque.

Ancient banyan tree.

Then for Christmas it was a day trip out to Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, and second largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat.

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Candi (temple) Prambanan is an UNESCO site that was built in the 9th century AD. There were originally 240 structures.

There was major damage from an earthquake in the 16th century , and another in 2006 (with restoration until 2015). After years of looting and materials being repurposed by locals, it is amazing what still exists.

There three other smaller sites within walking distance. My driver was very helpful. I didn’t get lost, and I ended up with more photos of me that I usually have!

Restoration continues but it is very slow when searching for the original pieces.

Then another day trip to Borobudur, built in the 8th century, and the largest Buddhist monument in the world.

Until the 16th century, Java was primarily their own mix of Hinduism and Buddhism.

First we passed a whole line of old Volkswagen convertibles for hire.

But much more interesting was the line of Buddhist monks heading to Borobudur. There were hundreds of them!

My driver dropped me off, and I managed to get through to see them climb the stairs up to the site.

It was the highlight of my visit to the temple. Really fortunate timing!

And took away my disappointment that I couldn’t get a ticket to climb the structure because they were sold out.

I read after that they were ‘samaneras’ or prospective monks from Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Belgium, and Australia.

Then back to the city and another market – Pasar Beringharjo. And more batik.

Breakfast buffet at my hotel was an interesting mix of ‘Pecel’ (vegetables and peanut sauce sauce like Gado-gado) with mie goreng (noodles), omelette, and waffle.

Jawa Goreng, another local noodle dish with chicken, tofu and vegetables. Rp 25,000 (Cdn $2.15) with iced tea.

Then for something different! Greek salad and roasted eggplant dip at a Mediterranean restaurant. Rp 104,000 (Cdn $9.00) with iced tea.

Another palace. Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadingrat, built in the 18th century.

They were putting on a puppet show with live music.

And for lunch, iced coffee and a donut! Supposedly sourced from the best place in Jogka.

I know, I don’t like sweets or chocolate, but it was very good!

Families were having their photos taken. Sari patterns varied slightly, but the rest was classic ‘Yogyakarta-style’.

Statue at Pasar Ngasem market.

Songbirds are popular here. I’ve seen whole markets of them.

Propane tanks, original and repurposed in my industrial-chic hotel!

Lots of plants and wood. And great wifi!

Tomorrow I have a train from 12:00 to 18:00. Headed to Bandung for New Years!