Surabaya

26 – 28 March 2010

I travelled from Malang to Surabaya by economy train 4,500Rp (30p) for a 4 hour journey. This was even more interesting than the bus as there were far more food sellers with a very wide range of wares. I was sat on bench seats which faced another seat and each time a different item was offered for sale one of us bought it and then shared – a great way to get to know people. There were also sellers with children’s toys and small gifts for adults. At one point the buskers were a 5 piece group including a double bass! I was going to Surabaya to stay with Dr Meli and her family – they were horrified to find I had travelled economy and not business class! Travelling across Jawa what I notice is that

although there are vast tracts of farmland as in Flores and Bali there are also industrial areas that I have not seen anywhere else. Also the towns seem to stretch much further. The proportion of cars to motorbikes is also higher.

This was a combination of touristy and family/friend type activities. There are several staff from RSUD Baa studying in Surabaya so we all met up for a meal on Friday night.

I was taken round an art gallery, a cigarette factory/museum where cigarettes are still rolled by hand operated machines and had a bus tour of the city. In the evenings we went to various places to hangout.

The highlight was that a friend of Meli’s was married on the Sunday and I was invited along. During the morning the local beautician came to the house and did my hair with a traditional Javanese hairpiece – bit odd as this was black and my hair is brown. Between then they rustled up a full set of clothes that fitted well and a set of accessories including shoes. This was a wedding of families with money and the bridal party was ushered in by live music and dancers. The range of food available was amazing – I could have browsed all day.