Jogjakarta: Pindul Cave and Parangtritis Beach

We got to sleep-in, which really meant we got up at the same time, but had time to shave and relax a bit rather than rushing to get ready. We drove about and hour and a half away and were introduced to our cave tubing guide for the morning, Thomas. His English was a bit rough, but we either laughed or nodded in understanding. I was told it would be safe to take my camera with me, but I was still a bit skeptical. The camera survived and the pictures are awesome! Thomas was like our personal photographer the entire time, getting pictures at different angles placing us in the right place for the light, therefore we dubbed him “Thomas, the little engine guide who could.”

drip-drop, we are getting beautiful!

We went through Pindul cave, which had 3 parts, it got darker and darker until you reached the light from heaven. In the first chamber we were shown the swallow nests, and as we continued to the second and third chambers we were shown bat families and bat poop on the wall, and told legends about the cave. In one area it is believed if the water drips on you and you are female you will be more beautiful, and in another area if you touch the rock and are male you will be more strong. Once we reached the light of heaven we got out to swim, rock climb and jump a very short distance to the water.

After some time cooling off in the water, we were piled into a small truck and driven 2km to a river. I felt like I was back at summer camp, in a tube, on a river, lazing about. We were told there were all sorts of scary animals, especially sharks, and sure enough (in the form of a rock) there was. 

OH MY GOD! A SHARK!

Eventually we came to a waterfall and were able to jump, first 5meters off a bridge, and then 10 meters off a cliff. I was fine with the bridge, but the cliff freaked me out a little. Angie had to talk me down a bit, and finally I screamed “Go Pack Go!” and went for it. I almost made a rookie mistake of keeping my legs apart, but remembered about 3M before I hit to put them together. Thus in my picture I look like a complete idiot. Oh well, at least we were able to show up some older men who were too nervous to jump. 

yeah, a little nervous

We cooled off under the waterfall and were on our way, with a large group of Indonesian men who kept taking our pictures. Once we got off the river we played with bubbles using some Indonesian plants Thomas showed us, while waiting for our ride back. Sweet ginger tea and traditional Indonesian music to relax for a bit and then it was time for lunch, as it was already 2 in the afternoon.

awesome!

Andi and Diang were unable to take us back to the city for lunch, since it would have been too late, so we were asked if we minded eating a local place. This was no problem for us. We were served soup, veggies (I think papaya leaves in garlic pepper sauce) and the BEST chicken I have ever had. I started with a leg and continued digging in until suddenly I noticed there was a head. They had literally cooked the entire chicken for us, and it was so good that me and Angie ate every single bite. Anyone watching us eat this thing would surly have thought we hadn’t eaten in days. We nibbled on the bones, including the neck, until every inch of that thing had been devoured.

best. chicken. ever.

The car ride to our next destination was quite long, so I snoozed a bit, and eventually was awaken by Diang hitting a small bump, to which he responded by apologizing over and over again. Then we were told a bit about the beach we were going to, though we had already heard the legend of the beautiful princess who haunts the beach. If you wear green (her favorite) color she gets jealous and will take you. Angie was, of course, wearing green, and so Diang and Andi got nervous and told her she mustn’t stare out at the sea or she would be taken. 

sunset!

We were also told that we could not swim because the water was too rough, and no ship had ever been able to pass this beach and survive. We spent an hour or so walking along the water, watching crazy kids surfing in these dangerous waters, and be asked to practice English or take our picture. We decided that from now on we will just pretend that we don’t speak English and Angie will speak Afrikaans while I speak Albanian back. I was craving a beer, because when don’t I crave a beer, and I was lucky enough to find a shop that sold it. 

Happy 3 months in Indonesia and 3 months of knowing each other :)

Me and Angie split a large on the beach while random strangers once again came up to take pictures with us. We managed to get away with only taking one, but it was absolutely ridiculous that these people managed to miss the sunset because they were taking a picture with us. We headed back to the car and poor Andi was searching for us because he was nervous about Angie and her green. Dinner was seafood, but I could hardly eat as I was so stuffed from the chicken. Chris came over to the hotel with beer and we exchanged stories of the day and watched How I Met Your Mother before passing out.