The Equator Monument

It's absolutely pissing it down this morning with not much sign of stopping but we've decided we're going to attempt to send some stuff home again so head to the post office ... they direct us to another post office and we take an angkot to get there. Angkots are a local taxi type thing we've heard about - just like pick-up taxis in the other counties we've visited but are few and far between. We get in, the man holds up 5 fingers, perhaps a little naively we think we've agreed 5000 rupiahs (about 25p) and off we go. As we get out and offer the money he goes mad. Admittedly Fred did only give him 500 initially!! A local boy who speaks English stops to help - the driver says we agreed 50,000. With all the raised voices we get confused and think that's way more than it actually is and refuse. Andy shouts, the driver shouts, Fred speaks to the boy and he says 15,000 is actually a fair price - she pays it, the driver goes, Andy is still not happy he feels we've been diddled ... until we actually do the maths and realise it's 75p ... oops. 50,000 was too much though but we feel a bit bad.

We eventually get our parcel packaged and sent for a hefty price of nearly 100 quid! They don't do shipping here only air mail so its our only option. We almost didn't send it but take the hit for lighter packs and not carrying round a useless computer and two chargers.

This afternoon we decide to try some sightseeing and go the equator monument. We have a map so wander downtown and to the river where we hope to get a ferry across then pick up an angkot on the other side. After asking directions many times we end up at what we think is the ferry place although it's just small wooden boats. We cross and are in a really residential area. We walk, ask people and are getting more and more confused. Andy's ready to call it a day but Fred wants to try a bit longer so we head back to the river. After much negotiation, we charter a small fishing boat for about six quid and we're off. It's quite a long way and we pass what looks suspiciously like a proper ferry on the way. Anyway we get there. It's interesting enough for 10mins and then the guy who works there tells us that the last time it was actually measured in 2005 the equator had moved ... It's now officially 170m away on the other side of the river! And sure enough we spot it on the way back where there is another replica monument and some boats to take people to the old monument ... it seems we we hadn't come nearly far enough although when showing people the map and asking for directions the locals seemed to think we had ... no matter ... we made it and we were the only ones there with our own boat!

It's all fun and games (and hard work) trying to get anything done here but we do manage to find a restaurant that does beer tonight ... :-)