Merapi, hitch-hike home, drinks with the local ban

After seeing the incredible view of Merapi from the distance of the temple, we fancied getting up close so took a bus journey to the town built on the side of the volcano. The buses in Indonesia leave a lot to be desired and mainly consist of two benches in the back of a small truck, with as many people squeezed in as possible. Very cosy! Great way to meet the locals.

We found a basic family run motel kind of place. The town itself was pretty deserted, which was pretty cool as it meant we were the only Westerners around. Although this meant that our attempts to gain information on the walk up the volcano were met with blank faces and broken English. We eventually found a young guy who spoke good English, running a little restaurant in the town. It was a cool little hut with graffiti on the walls. At night there were a group of lads eating and drinking there who came over to talk to us and gave us their number to give them a call for a drink when we got back to Yojakarta.

The food in Indonesia is absolutely packed with garlic, even at breakfast! We went back to the same place at breakfast, before going on our walk up the side of the volcano and were served garlicy rice and gross coffee (I thought Java was renowned for its coffee?! Obviously all exported). The walk up the volcano was pretty tame, we declined the offer of a guide and it was an easy walk up. Unfortunately the view we had of the peak became hidden by the clouds once we got to the top so we didn't see very much! Met lots of school kids around one of the waterfalls - one of whom caught a massive leech, yuck!! Took a few photos then headed to a museum which was very impressive for such a small town (took us a while to find it, taking the wrong turning). we were led round by a well spoken Indonesian girl, the museum mainly representing royal women.

We managed to hitch hike a lift home with some very friendly Indonesian men who gave us water and sweets. Later on we bumped into them again listening to this local band - we shared a beer and bought them some cigarettes. The band were ace, best song being a rendition of 'Hotel California' by The Eagles!