Pangandaran – A South Coast Getaway

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Janette

Thanks to Susi Air, I was able to take advantage of a quick one-hour flight from the area near my house to the beach town of Pangandaran.  It’s usually an 8-10 hour bus ride, so the flight was worth every penny.  Plus, since I was on an 11-seat plane, I was able to see Java as I never could before.  The view was simply amazing.

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After arriving at the Southern coast of Java, I immediately went to see the ocean, dip my toes in the water and walk along the beach for about an hour.  Most people come to the area by bus, so it was great getting there before the crowds.  There was time to leisurely walk around and enjoy the area without being overwhelmed with tourists.

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There was also a tourist office on the main street, so it was very easy setting up activities for the next day or two.

The first order of business was to see what day trips could be arranged, and a trip to Paradise Island was be the first excursion, set for the next morning.

Our guides drove us by motorbike for about an hour through small villages, over pavement with so many potholes that it could barely be classified as a road, to meet our boat.  From the dock it was a quick 10-15 minute boat ride to the island.  Once we landed, we had to trek about 25 minutes or so to arrive at the almost pristine, white sands of a seemingly untouched beach.

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We found out that only a very small number of people live on the island and that locals from the mainland don’t usually travel there because they feel it’s unsafe.  This has nothing to do with spiders, or scorpions, which we saw…but because in the center of the island is a prison.  Just a few days prior to our relaxing beach time, the Indonesian government carried out the executions of 7 foreigners and one local who were on death row for drug trafficking.  But that’s another conversation for another day.

I enjoyed the solitude of swimming in the ocean and getting some sun without random people taking my photo.  The two guides had a nice afternoon chatting to themselves and our small group relaxed the afternoon away.

On the way back to the dock, we walked through a farm growing peanut plants, coffee, bananas, and papaya (which our guide sliced up as a snack for us, mmm!)  Then it was back to the boat, on the motorbike and into town we went.

Most people go to Pangandaran to see the Green Canyon and Green Valley, so my last day was used for this day trip.

The Green Canyon is a very popular spot, and it was a holiday weekend too, so the guides took us there to get our group ticket and then immediately took us to explore the Green Valley first.  It was a pretty hot day, so taking a dip in the cool river was very refreshing.  Plus, it was fun watching the locals floating down the river in human chains with their life vests secured as if their life really depended on it…in the not-very-deep water.

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We made our way back to the Green Canyon and ate some lunch to kill some time.  Finally, our number was called, we got into a boat and made our way deep into the canyon.  We motored around rocky cliffs, other boats and some people swimming as we made our way to the end of the line:  a boulder, next to a small waterfall, inside a quasi-cave.  Due to the number of people and boats of the water, there was even a traffic light system that was constructed…awesome 🙂

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The only things to do was take a few photos of the area before heading back to the landing, but it was worth the wait…it was such a neat place.

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Not too far from the canyon was a neighborhood that solved a tricky problem of getting from one side of the river to another by building a bamboo suspension bridge.  It’s pretty wobbly, which makes it exciting or terrifying to walk across (depending on if you scare easily).  The coolest thing is that motorbikes travel across the bridge too! Because of this, every six months the locals replace the bamboo to ensure it’s safe and in good condition.

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The last stop was a beautiful beach with rocky cliffs hovering above the sea.  We made it there just before sunset to see the sky and water become the most beautiful colors of the day.  It was a great spot to watch the waves crash, do a little climbing and drink in the last rays of the day before heading home.

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An Eastern Java Excursion…Part 3

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Janette

The last full day I had to spend in Eastern Java was reserved for exploring the city of Surabaya.  It’s the second largest city in Indonesia and has lots to offer.

After freezing for the past two days, the heat and humidity of this city was like a punch in the face.  Ahhh…just like I was used to 🙂

Surabaya is perched on the North Eastern coast of Java, so naturally, some time near the water was sought after.  A short taxi ride got me to the Sanggar Agung Buddhist temple.  The complex was a pretty nice size, with plenty of space to walk around, see people praying, lighting incense and making offerings to the sea.  Once you pass through the main area, the rest of the complex opens up to face the sea, under the watchful eyes of two very large dragons.  It was quite a vision to be greeted with.

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After being reabsorbed into the tropical climate at sea level, the breeze coming off the water felt refreshing and it made a beautiful showing of the flower petals being offered to the sea.

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The surrounding area was also very nice to walk around and explore.  It seemed like a type of amusement park in a way.  One side faced the water while the other opened up into a lush area with walkways and sculptures of its own.

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Next, it was time to move deeper into the city.  I couldn’t leave without seeing the “House of Sampoerna.”  It’s a free museum based in the house of the family owned cigarette company of the same name.  It’s also the only museum in the country, that I’ve seen, which lives up to Western standards.  That must translate to mean the cigarette industry is continuing to boom.

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The aroma of cloves greets you as you enter, along with the smiles of friendly attendants.  The ornate bathrooms are wall papered with brand named carton wrappers in shades of gold and an old label printing machine is on display in the lobby.  The factory work room can be seen from the gallery on the second floor and I tried to imagine how loud and hot it must be for the workers sitting extremely close to each other, rolling and packaging hundreds of cigarettes a day…each.

I may not agree with the habits, but the is industry is ingrained in Indonesian culture and I was happy to visit this tourist destination.  And, since the company has expendable funds, they were proud to show other projects that the Sampoerna company funds.

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A city tour bus also departs a few times a day from the House of Sampoerna front door, which was tempting, but it was off to the airport for me instead.

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An Eastern Java Excursion…Part 2

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Janette

After a freezing cold night in the mountain hotel, we were allowed to sleep in a bit.  This time we met our guide at 4am.  Our guide needed to procure a jeep and driver to trek up the steep path to the scenic overlook where we once again waited in the dark for the sun to shine on Mount Bromo.

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Of the cluster of volcanoes in the picture, Bromo is the smallest one, and is ever-smoking.  But the entire area is magical and breathtaking…especially at first light when the low-lying fog still covers the ground and the volcanoes appear to be floating on clouds.

After some nice photos, we made our way down the trail, walked across the “sea of sand” to the Buddhist temple, took a horse up the steep path to the flat landing, climbed the huge staircase to the crater rim and explored the crater.

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This crater rim was small and steep and narrow with a protective railing that extended a few yards on either side of the staircase terminus.  I didn’t venture very far beyond the railing, but you really didn’t have to.  There were plenty of photo ops from the safer parts of the path.  I took plenty of photos on the way down the path on my way to meet the jeep.  Everything was easy to see after the morning fog finally burned off.

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Some beautiful carvings could be seen clearly in the rock bed, that were really cool, and unexpected.  I never found out the significance, but it was pretty cool to see these frozen faces guarding the mountain.

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An Eastern Java Excursion…Part 1

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Janette

Seven hours to the East of the city of Surabaya, near the edge of Java, sits a site not many Westerners go to see…comparatively.  Which is why I was pretty excited about it.

Seeing the Ijen Crater was one of the most memorable experiences during my time in Indonesia, thus far.  It combined a unique set of travel/adventure aspects all rolled into one awesome excursion.

It felt like I wasn’t even in Indonesia anymore.  Instead of the noisy, hot, bright nights at sea level that I was used to, I was now bundled with three layers of clothing, high in the quiet mountains just after midnight, in the pitch black.  At the base of the crater I drank hot coffee to get warm, dabbed my runny nose and purchased a knit hat for my journey.  It felt very different from the home I’ve had for the past year and a quarter.

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My layers began to peel off as the 3 km (pretty steep) trek continued.  They were replaced by scarves over my face, and respirators for a brief minute, as the sulfur fumes began to choke everyone near the summit.

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With small flashlights or cell phones to light the way, the crowd made the ascent in the dark, reached the top in the ark and found an area to settle into, in the dark.  After about 2 hours of climbing, it felt good to just sit and wait, although it did get pretty cold as soon as we stopped moving.

It didn’t take long before the sun began to rise and brighten the sky.  We were so high and it was so foggy that we realized very quickly that the thick fog was surrounding us, so we waited for the better part of an hour before we could really make out our surroundings.  But when the fog eventually burned off…what a sight it was.

The crater was a lot bigger than I envisioned, the lake was a beautiful turquoise and the sulfur being dug up and carried away by the miners was a bright yellow.

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We saw the miners in action, carrying around 80 kg on their backs all the way down the treacherous mountain pass we had just climbed up.  I wonder how many are injured each year from falling down the mountain….

After taking some pictures and enjoying our surroundings…now that we could see them…it was time to make the return trip, which was NOT easier by the way.  Then it was time to make the 4-5 hour journey West to the base of another amazing volcano.

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East Meets West: A Showdown

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Janette

Never before have I valued my high-school’s almost prison-like atmosphere.  That is, until I began working for a regular school system in Jakarta.

As someone who always tries to find best practices and appreciates practicality, it amazes me that 1.) my crappy little school system in PA actually did some good things, and 2.) Indonesia needs wide-spread change in the education system as well.

In the middle school and high school I work for, students don’t have lockers…because they don’t change classes.  This reminds me of my elementary school days where your desk was sacred because everything you needed for the day was stored inside.  With the exception of gym and the arts, all the other subjects are received in one classroom, with all the various teachers coming to the students.

I pretty much reject this idea.  This creates an environment of ownership in the classroom that doesn’t belong to the teachers, but to the students.  Subcultures form unnecessarily from this arrangement.  Students feel that this room is an extension of their home, and being teenagers, they don’t treat the property with respect.  They mark up their wooden desks, leave trash and wrappers everywhere, (because there is no actual cafeteria…with students allowed to eat in the rooms), and they don’t end their conversations when a teacher enters a room.  There are also between 36 and 41 kids to a class instead of the 20-25 I had experienced years ago.

Timing of the classes are about the same with roughly 45 minutes, and 8 or 9 periods a day, but the organization is crazy.  I rather liked my old system of 42 minute classes with a 3 minute break in between.  It was just enough time to get to your next class and go to the restroom…or maybe stop at your locker if it was on the way.  My Indonesian students have a few classes back to back and then a break of somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the time of day.  Because of this, students are always asking to use the restroom because they don’t have time to in between classes, and by the time the end of third period in a row is half-way finished…the kids have already mentally checked out, because they know a larger break time is coming up.

I also find that having the students stay in one classroom all day lowers their attention span, diminishes any ‘sense of urgency’ they may have had and takes away from their education, considering how many minutes are lost or wasted between the bell always ringing late and teachers rushing to get to their next class.

Being in the room all day makes the kids numb to certain things, feeling as though the next teachers to come is someone who is over their house for a visit…and not necessarily that important.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m well-liked by the students, but it still takes me a little while to start the class to really get going.  Perhaps before my year is over, I can make some slight improvements in my own little way.  I may not be able to change the country, but I’ve got 1,000 students in one school complex that will be exposed to a Western woman’s ingrained sense of efficiency.  I feel that only positive effects can come from that.

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I want a man…

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Janette

I want a man who is a good person, a good kisser and a good hugger.

I want a man who likes to cuddle and who will read a few pages of my book to me when                       my eyelids grow heavy, but I refuse to succumb to sleep.

I want a man who gives me compliments like “your hair smells amazing,” and “your skin is                 so smooth.”

I want a man with an active mind and creative nature so that life is never boring.

I want a man who can make me laugh to always keep me youthful.

I want a man with nice arms to put around me, broad shoulders to cry on and a strong                         back to help carry the weight of a momentary burden.

I want a man who listens to me.

I want a man who calms my fears and encourages my ambitions.

I want a man who is proud to hold my hand in public.

I want a man who is excited about life and likes to travel in all forms…including road trips.

I want a man who is comfortable with himself and accepting of all nice people.

I want a man who will share his own fears and insecurities, but is not plagued or held back                 by them.

I want a man who is confident in making his own decisions and comfortable when he is in                   control.

I want a man who will come to the rescue and kill a spider if he hears me scream like a                         little girl.

I want a man who is willing to hang out with my family, because my family is freaking                         awesome.

I want a man who doesn’t take life too seriously, isn’t old before his time, and doesn’t                           create stress where none exists.

I want a man I can learn things with, have fun with, and consider a life partner.

 

…I want a good one.

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Hiatus

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Janette

Leaving the 95 degree weather with 89% humidity of Indonesia and being greeted by the -20F weather with 0% humidity of Canada was like a slap in the face…literally.  But Canada is not only magical in the wintertime, it’s also where my sister lives and I was so happy to get to visit for just over two weeks after my year away.  And truth be told, after being hot and sweaty for a year, the cold of Winter was actually refreshing.

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After some rest, relaxation, book reading and movie watching, I was able to help my sister with some home projects and still have time to have some fun.  Holiday decorating, bowling and sledding were all on the agenda.  Having never been on a toboggan before, that outdoor afternoon excursion was probably the most memorable.

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My next stop was Pittsburgh, PA.  I’ve only been to this city two or three times before (years ago when I was still in college).  I was excited to do some exploring…and it pays to have a friend who lives in the area.

After a stop at the Mattress factory (a really neat, installation art museum) and trying a famous sandwich at Pamani’s near the strip, I got to walk around the Christmas village where crafts of every material were on sale before the holidays.  It was great to have a hot beverage in my hand and walk around with the other cozy shoppers.  There was also an area nearby where adults and kids alike could try their hand at ice skating on that very brisk day.  And just beyond the skating rink was a building that housed life-sized Santa’s from around the world.  An orchestra was playing Christmas carols as the crowd wandered around, learning about the names, customs and traditional dress of the jolly gift-givers in different countries.  That was a real treat for me.

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As quickly as my week in Pittsburgh began, so too did it end, and I was once again on a plane.  This journey took me to the lovely state of Rhode Island…my former home.

The benefit of visiting right before Christmas was that friends who have gone far and wide were back in Lil’ Rhody for the holidays.  It was wonderful to have a wide range of friends in the area to say ‘hello!’ to.

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I was able to visit dear friends in the town I used to live in, and they were nice enough to have a holiday get-together during that particular week to ensure I’d get to see as many people as possible.  Those people are true gems!

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Then I spent some time catching up with former co-workers, who have remained very close to me.  From playing darts at a local bar, to going to the movies, to having a day-trip in Boston, to visiting my favorite place in the world…located on the East Bay Bike Path, I was able to spend time with so many who are very important to me.

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And after another blur of hugs and kisses, it was time for my last stop…home, to Halifax, PA, to visit my family.

After one complete day of resting and being lazy, ,it was time to wrap some gifts, make some cookies, hang out with my awesome nieces and enjoy a wonderful Christmas.  There were so many people I needed to see and visit with…it had been an eventful year.

Questions answered, hugs given and belly satisfied, it was time to turn my attention to New Years.  This holiday season worked out great with my parents having two very short work weeks, so I was happy for the time spent hanging out, cooking and watching old movies.

New Years was uneventful, as usual, with me being up past midnight, but forgetting to turn on the TV to watch the ball drop!  But it didn’t matter.  I was happy to get New Years messages all day from people back in Indonesia, and I was happy to spend the day reflecting on the awesome 12 months I was leaving behind to make room for the next 12 racing towards me.

Saying goodbye is always bittersweet, but it’s never actually “goodbye,” it’s really just “see you later.”  I realize that the important people in my life are worth the effort needed of staying in touch, and those who value the personal connections will honor your efforts and never really be far away…no matter the distance.

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Annus Mirabilis (a year of wonders)

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Janette

When I started writing this blog, I made it private for two reasons: 1) I was writing it for me, and for my sister, and that’s all that mattered.  And 2) I thought no one would want to read it anyway.

After a while I invited a few people to the blog because they knew I was making plans, taking trips and writing a little something about the experience.

Then I thought… “Why NOT make the blog public?”  I figured since not many people would read it anyway, there would be no harm.  And just maybe, in time, I could actually connect with other travelers.

After about five years, I’m still writing the blog primarily for myself, but I’ve been overwhelmed by the stats.  I have received 1200 views by readers in 21 countries this year alone.  I know in the grand scheme of things these numbers are small.  (Just look at the YouTube sensations who get millions of hits in a few days.)  But for me, these numbers are not only impressive, they are meaningful.

It has truly been a wonderful year for me.  In many ways it’s been one of my best, and I’m so happy more and more people are sharing this time with me.

As 2014 comes to a quiet close, I find myself doing what I always do: looking back over my old monthly planner, reveling in the memories of all I was able to experience and accomplish in a quick 12-month time period, and scratching down tentative goals and opportunities for my up-coming year.

Stay tuned! 🙂

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How do you measure a year?

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Janette

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2 houses

3 months of flooding

2 bouts of food poisoning

30 days of fasting for Ramadan

7 modes of transportation

1 favorite coffee shop

17 books read

1 bangin’ tan (by my own personal standards)

3 dirty old men who thought they had a chance with me.

 

 

640+ language lessons given

100+ students

1 favorite class.

 

 

12 trips taken

3 border crossings

7 islands

12 beaches

2 snorkeling excursions

2 taxi rides where I thought I was going to die

1400 photos

1 well-used Lonely Planet guidebook.

 

 

1 moment of weakness

Countless moments of strength

11 meaningful connections

2 visits from friends

1 blast from the past

3 pangs of sadness

2 pieces of advice not taken

1 moment of denial

1 demon exercised.

 

 

4 admissions of why I wouldn’t be a suitable girlfriend.

 

 

7 family nights

1 fabulous birthday

1 birthday wish yet to be fulfilled.

 

 

1 person I will carry with me for the rest of my life

2 people I had to let go.

 

 

2 challenges overcome

2 important lessons learned

4 instances of wanting what I can’t have.

 

 

3 days of laughing so hard that I cried.

1 day of crying so hard that I laughed.

 

 

52 blog followers

32 blog posts added

2,000+ blog views

Multiple shitty internet connections…

 

 

6 months of language lessons received

1 language partially learned.

 

 

8 job applications

2 job interviews

2 job offers

2 jobs accepted.

 

 

3 mind-blowing moments

4 sleepless nights

A few unforgettable late-night conversations.

 

 

2 volunteer experiences

4 moments of extreme pride

365 chances to improve the world

1 horizon expanded

1 life-changing, unforgettable experience

1 promise to return.

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Quantifying Progress?

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Janette

Never before have I had a job in which the quality or effectiveness of my work has been hard to identify or prove.  Like nailing jello to a wall, sometimes it seems as if I’ll never pin down how much I’m delivering and if it’s enough.

And I’m not just talking about grammar points and formulas, but planting the seeds of creative desire, hopefully leading students to yearn for more, to experiment with a beautiful language, even if it’s wrapped in difficulty.

Repeatedly I ask myself questions like, “Have I gone above and beyond?”, “Have I been the inspiration I had hoped I would be?”, “Did I plant the seeds of knowledge and not just weeds?”

I put myself in the shoes of my students and wonder if they can relate to my enthusiasm and passion when their own language has so few words and mine has so many.

In addition to being a grammar instructor, writing coach and professional baby-sitter in some cases, I’ve also found myself taking on the role of female empowerer and tactful debunker.  I sometimes forget how young and shletered my students are.  This is through no fault of their own, but in those moments of realization, I’ve learned to take an opportunity to expand their minds wherever I can.

I know the students and management are very sad to see me go.  I combine that with the notion that I’ve worked my butt off this year, and feel that I’ve done my personal best.  So I absolutely feel successful, even though I’ve asked more questions than I’ve answered and learned more than I’ve taught.  But maybe that’s ok.  Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be.  If I’m always learning, perhaps I’ll be a better teacher.

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