At the Yogyakarta station, we had a 1.5 hr wait for the next train which I was a bit annoyed about because it was a Friday afternoon and I suspected the train would be more likely to be filling up with commuters from around that time(14:40), and more likely to be close to dark when we arrived. I got over it eventually and we sat around waiting and people watching etc. The kids busied themselves chasing a large rat that would emerge from a grating now and then. 
We were a bit late getting on the train as we hadn't realised the one sitting on the platform was ours., so had a bit of trouble finding the seats together.
Despite A/C it still seemed very warm on the train, not helped by the number of lengthy stops where they'd leave the doors open. I think it was around 6 pm when we arrived and jumped into a taxi for a 20K ride to Warung Baru which included a homestay.
This turned out to be a charming little place with only 4 rooms, so it was lucky Eunmi had booked in advance. It was run by a retired couple, who judging by the pictures on the walls were reasonably well off and of a high status. The area outside the rooms was really nice, kind of themed on older traditional Javanese style with nicely carved wood everywhere and antique furniture and other things. The guests are allowed to use this area freely and there was free tea coffee and milo included. Not bad for 100 k (£5/room) including breakfast. There were twin beds, our own bathroom and even our own TV. Yahoo!
This turned out to be a charming little place with only 4 rooms, so it was lucky Eunmi had booked in advance. It was run by a retired couple, who judging by the pictures on the walls were reasonably well off and of a high status. The area outside the rooms was really nice, kind of themed on older traditional Javanese style with nicely carved wood everywhere and antique furniture and other things. The guests are allowed to use this area freely and there was free tea coffee and milo included. Not bad for 100 k (£5/room) including breakfast. There were twin beds, our own bathroom and even our own TV. Yahoo!
After a rest and much needed showers we later walked out the small alley to the main road to where the actual Warung Baru is to have some dinner which was very good; no MSG we were assured. Somehow we found ourselves in conversation with the young local guy that was helping serve and cook in the warung. Amazingly it turned out that he had spent 2 years living in Marahau, not far from Nelson, my hometown! Apparently a German couple who live there in Marahau, where they run a hotel and farm, had met him at a hotel where he he had been working. They had suggested he came to Nelson to work for them for a while. Dodi, the local guy, was obviously keen, but lacking the resources to get there had almost dismissed the idea after they left. However, a couple of months later they contacted him and offered to sponsor him and even pay for his airfares, so it became reality for him. Gladly he spoke with very fond memories of his time there, not just the generosity of the very wealthy German couple, but of the NZers he met and befriended, along with other people from other parts of the world. I was very happy to talk with him about my home region and hear him being so positive about it. Small world sometimes!
In our discussion we brought up the idea of visiting the temples in the hills outside Solo. He then arranged a trip for us with car and driver, and himself as guide, for 650 k for the next day starting at 9.
On queue the next morning the driver had turned up in his Toyota Hiace, and soon we were on the way through the city and out into the surrounding rural area. On the way we had an interesting conversation with Dodi about the terrible time in Indonesia under Suharto and how it had affected Solo particularly badly. Apparently there had been a strong resistance based there so of course it felt the wrath of the dictator. He'd pointed out a large river as we crossed the bridge and explained that he was told how it had been blocked by thousands of bodies of people executed and thrown in there. Hard to imagine how people can be so utterly ruthless.
It took a while but eventually we reached the foothills of a large range and began a laborious climb up the sometimes very steep road where 1st gear was necessary. Eventually we arrived at the Suku erotic Temple and parked up. We were greeted by a bunch of local school children who were very friendly and keen to have their photos taken with us and practice their English. They ended up following us into the temple complex which was in a beautiful setting looking out over the surrounding countryside and hills toward the distant ocean. There were some interesting statues there including one with a massive erect penis.
On queue the next morning the driver had turned up in his Toyota Hiace, and soon we were on the way through the city and out into the surrounding rural area. On the way we had an interesting conversation with Dodi about the terrible time in Indonesia under Suharto and how it had affected Solo particularly badly. Apparently there had been a strong resistance based there so of course it felt the wrath of the dictator. He'd pointed out a large river as we crossed the bridge and explained that he was told how it had been blocked by thousands of bodies of people executed and thrown in there. Hard to imagine how people can be so utterly ruthless.
It took a while but eventually we reached the foothills of a large range and began a laborious climb up the sometimes very steep road where 1st gear was necessary. Eventually we arrived at the Suku erotic Temple and parked up. We were greeted by a bunch of local school children who were very friendly and keen to have their photos taken with us and practice their English. They ended up following us into the temple complex which was in a beautiful setting looking out over the surrounding countryside and hills toward the distant ocean. There were some interesting statues there including one with a massive erect penis.
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