A small sign off postcard from Indonesia as we leave the day after tomorrow. We are in the sprawling capital of Java where crossing the road is an experience best captured by our small terrapin friend in the picture. We hope to last a little longer than this chap to enable our escape from this over populated Island. On an area half the size of the UK there are twice as many people. Couple this with the desire to drive anything motorised at high speeds, often overtaking on blind corners (of course it is safer if you cannot see what it coming towards you), and it is the feeling of being constantly alert and hot that soon tires us out. This is one of the reasons why we have forced compulsory afternoon naps to allow us to have another go at crossing the road outside our hotel in the evening. As Java remains the power vacuum for Indonesia it is easy to see why there is a resentment across the rest of the archipelagoe. There is obviously a lot of wealth here, although its distribution is all but clear to see. Personally I think the outlying islands are better off with the extra space and simpler way of life. This is not to say that Java does not hold some gems. Before the train to Jakarta we stayed with Freddy at his homestay in a place called Cibodas (Chi-bo-das). Here we salvaged some peace and quiet in amongst the two thousand scouts at the 175 acre botanical gardens and in national park at the waterfalls and hot springs. Although we are looking forward to moving on we will surely miss aspects of Indonesia. The people are friendly when not trying to fleece you, the children greet you in the correct manner (Hello Mister), the food is tasty (it is nice to be eating rice and chilli sauce for breakfast) and the local beer (Bintang - 60 pence a pint) is good, although repititive (Muslim so no hard liqueur on Java). Onwards to Thailand to see what the fuss in Bangkok is about. Sidney and Sasha