Left the hotel at 8.00am by bicycle, battled the Yogya traffic for 15 minutes, then turned a corner where we found the traffic was left behind and we were in the quiet streets of a village. First rest stop of the morning we fed some buffalo. Next stop was a Tempe and Tofu home business. We were invited to join into the manufacturing process. I am sad to say 'made with ignorance' doesn't value add to a business. I am impressed with how little processing goes into these products, Tempe is Soya beans soaked, boiled, cleaned, boiled, yeast added and naturally fermented in its packaging. Tofu is soaked, cooked, cleaned, ground with water into a paste, cooked, strained, pressed, cut and soaked. I am a covert.
We arrived back to the bikes just in time for the primary school kids break time, we were swamped with smiling faces, keen to practice English and give high fives. We rode off again with a stop in a rice paddy and a brick makers shed. The girls practiced making bricks, just like making mud pies when they were little, but with more knee complaints it seems. We set off again and the rain started, we rode a little in this but fortunately our next stop was not too way away, we were welcomed with tea at the Batik painting showroom. It is filled with the final product from Indonesia's only Batik art college, university age students. The students are allowed a free hand to produce what they like so we have a great variety, from stained glass to portraits to abstract to Indonesian landscapes. We were given a display of how this ancient craft is manufactured, although the painting form is only 20 years old, it has evolved fast. We bought two pieces, it took a while to decide on the final choices, this gave the rain time to clear up a bit, it was very heavy for about half an hour. We arrived back to the hotel via back streets.
After lunch and a rest period for me and massage for Lynette, we headed into Malioboro Street which is renown for its Batik. I bought a hand made piece then we went to eat. I had Tomato soup, Lynette and I shared Tempe and Cap Cai (stir fry veges). Then coffee banana split for me banana pancake for Lynette.
Tomorrow we head to Seloliman environmental education center, we won't have power, internet or hot water so no blog tomorrow.
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