Indonesia > Rain in Ruteng

I slept well last night. I did wake up briefly and heard the chickens, dogs, and cats walking around the house. The chickens on the bamboo veranda were especially noisy. At six o’clock, the lady of the house quietly slips out through the door next to me. About half an hour later, I follow. I wash myself a little at the mandi. Hopefully, tonight’s accommodation will have a proper shower. Once I am dressed, tea is served to me on the veranda. Breakfast consists of rice and eggs. I take a little bit of everything. Before saying goodbye to the family, we take a group photo together. Then I shake everyone’s hand and thank them kindly.

Indonesia - A warm stream flows through the green landscape

In just under an hour, we walk along the road back to the bus. The route is mostly downhill. The volcano is once again shrouded in clouds today. Just before the village of Aemere, where many tribe members also live because the school for the children is located here, Harris is waiting with the bus. The luggage has already been sent ahead by cart. We quickly get in as well. Today, we drive on to Ruteng, a small town in the mountains. It’s about a three-hour drive. Around halfway, we stop for coffee. I order a small cake to go with it. For 2,000 rupiah (about 12 cents), I can’t pass it up. As we drive further into the mountains, it gets increasingly misty and cloudy. It doesn’t take long before it starts to rain.

Indonesia - The naturally warm river of Wae Bana

When we arrive in Ruteng, it’s still raining heavily. Stickman had planned a walk through the rice fields for this afternoon, but we postpone it until tomorrow. At a restaurant in town, I order chicken soup with rice — something a bit different for a change. Since I can take it easy this afternoon, I also order a beer. Tonight, we’re staying in the guest rooms of the convent. The convent is located on the edge of town. When we arrive, it’s still raining. I quickly bring my luggage to my room. I don’t do much in the afternoon: I hang up the clothes from the past few days to dry, update my travel journal, and take a shower. At seven o’clock, we take the bus back to the same restaurant where we had lunch. This is probably the best restaurant in town. Because of the rain, the sloping path down from the convent has become slippery. I walk down carefully. Just when I think I’ve made it safely to the bottom, I slip and fall on my back. Although I feel my head a bit, I’m not hurt — it’s more the shock than anything else. At the restaurant, I choose mie hot plate chicken — an especially delicious choice, possibly the best meal I’ve had so far in Indonesia. When we get back to the convent, the entrance gate is closed. Harris, our driver, manages to open it quickly. I send a few WhatsApp messages and then go to sleep.