Back again (and so soon you lucky people). Just had success with photos after 4 attempts - horray at last. Anyway another long one for you to enjoy. I quickly mentioned Java on my last postcard and I guess you can all tell how suitably impressed with this place I am. One thing I forgot to add in my intro before which also makes this place so so intresting - Java has some of the best looking men I've ever seen - honestly they are divine and Jon and I are both walking around with our tongues hanging out. Mind you, Jon has to be careful as he could get arrested here. Enough of that what have I been up to since Singapore? Well I arrived in Java on Saturday night about 8.30pm and while queing to get through passport control Jon called - he'd arrived about an hour earlier but had no forward ticket (it was an e-ticket) so they would not let him in for ages until his travel agent confirmed he would actually leave Indonesia + he'd forgotten to bring our hotel details with him so he had no idea where to go. So I met Jon at arrivals and we both got a taxi to the hotel (or rather dive) together. We were staying in this really seedy part of Jarkarta but it was only one night and we were to leave early the next day. As soon as we got to reception we met our new tour leader called Uday - local guy - guitar playing drinker & fellow smoker - so we warmed to him pretty quick. After dumping our backpacks we decided to have a quick beer & check out the local talent at a local bar - not at all disappointed Bintang Beer is great and that's when we realised we'd be faced with plently of eye candy on our trip. 5 beers later back to hotel for quick sleep. The next day we had a lot of travel by train and mini bus. Normally I hate this part but travelling through Java is so different because the landscape is beautiful and as people are not used to seeing westerners you get hundreds of hellos, waves and big big smiles on the way. We finally arrived in Pengdangaran - a local beach resort and stayed at a hotel with a swimming pool - it was like being on holiday. After the travel and previous night we all had early nights. The next day was bike riding around the villages where we met a local puppetter who hand carved all his own stuff and also put on the shows - and he gave us a quick demo. And that afternoon we surfed... well Jon & Elisa surfed I just fell off a surf board abourt 100 times and drunk a lot of the Indian ocean but it was good. That night we all went to the local fish market with Uday where we chose our fish and had dinner - it was great food, simple and cheap and we we're entertained by local young buskers (aged about 10 and under I'd say) One thing, the Jarvenese are really passionate about music so you see about as many guitars as you do scooters (and belive me that's a bloody lot) and most times it's three guys on a scooter with a guitar and I'm quite used to seeing this now although at first it was odd. Well I'm afraid to say it was another early night (all that exercise). The next day we all decided to go to the Green Caynon. Our guide got us a mini bus and a driver who firstly took us to some local villages where we met the people and saw how they made sugar and palm oil and rice cakes which i attempted to make and then went to a waterfall for a much needed swim followed by a fantastic lunch (curry picnic no less). I really must stop eating so much but the food here is so good. So we made our way to the Green Caynon, but as it's rainy season here (I've not seen rain yet though just blue skies) it should have been re-named the Brown Caynon. Impressive anyway and a nice boat ride but no swimming. On the way back to our hotel Jon and I spotted a stage at the side of the road and people sound checking - we found out that it was a local rock concert so that was our night sorted. And we went about 10pm we're the only westerners (so got more attention than the bands). It was like battle of the bands and most sang Green Day or Foo Fighters or RHCP and it was great. No dancing though but lots of singing (and that was just Jon and me). After Jon, myself and Uday who had decided to join us for the gig found a good bar and then at 3am found ourselves at a local streethawker stall eating veggie broth and drinking Bintang Beer then attempling to get a lift home in a Beccket (imagine Rickshaw). The next day we left the beach for Yogyakarta and arrived here late pm. Again Jon and I decided on an early night after the travel and night before but after a late dinner we found ourselves at a local bar and then found our bed at 3am. More to tell you about Yogyakarta, ballet and impressive temples (+ we're going to local gig here tonight so looking forward to that) on the next log in which will probably be when I get to Bali where I'm hoping the Internet will be better - but that will be in about 3 or 4 days time. Can you live without me for that long - yes I hear you cry. Take care everyone. Still miss you all a little. xxx