Java jibe..

We already arrived here in Java on Saturday - but due to poor or no internet connection no sign of life from me for a couple of days.. Took the ferry crossing the Sunder strait - a trip that was estimated to take 1 1/2 hours but ended up by 3. Well, before we reached the harbor there was a climb - of course .- and some hopeless queues on a very narrow road going down there. I felt extremely fragile surrounded big big trucks coming from both sides and also changing lanes - could easily have been sandwiched in between them.. But we safely ended on the ferry and enjoyed the sea brise and heavy sea traffic from the deck. Before going into harbor we had a 1 1/2 hours wait outside - watching a little fishing boat where the fishermen worked really hard to get the fish in - and all of a sudden a submarine boat appeared - quite interesting.. We also had a chat with some nice young people  studying foresty - and really wanting to save Indonesia's forests. Reaching the quay happened with some kind of a bump - but we reached Java - ready to do the last approx. 80 k's of the day.
 Spent a rest day by some kind of resort just for Indonesians - strange to watch them - women apart and men apart - and the women wearing clothes going into the swimming pool or water. And a hell of a lot of children and teenagers. Another bad experience with food - so spent another day running to the toilet from my bed - shit! Just cleaned my bike and my clothes and there the trouble started again.. After the rest day - going to the most hopeless kind of faded glory place at the seaside - I got so depressed getting there with the luggage truck mid morning that I decided for at stroll along the sea - that saved my day..  Big waves surfing in - just beautiful.
 Today another hard climb: up to 22 % grade and 42 degrees heat - just tough! We thought that it was not so difficult today with just 86 k's - but don't cheat yourself - there will always be challenge out there. Also 2 accidents by the way: 1 x bruised ribs + the most unlucky big guy from South Africa that arrived just two days ago and broke his collarbone collapsing over his carbon race bike not avoiding a pothole..
 We have had one Canadian guy living in Djakarta just riding with us for 2 days. Interesting to hear him tell about expat life here. Both him and his wife are oil engineers - 2 small children - and 5 staff in their house hold. He told that corruption here is just over the top - and he did not recommend the South African guy to have his collarbone mended here..
 Got a room mate: Rosie from England/Sydney - so now I have to see to make it work between us - she sleeps long and early - I am opposite - but we will find out how to menage..
 Had the best meal of the trip tonight: grilled lamb chops with mashed potatoes and salad. We are at an Australian owned place by a surf beach - a middle aged man owns the place and has just younger women/girls working here. Met his mates for happy hour listening to Stones and the like - just like back in Australia..