Let's Eat

Fresh fish and shrimp that Regina had bought in the market that morning. The food, company, and weather were all delightful.

Oma Murphy

My other duty at Medi's barbecue was feeding her 3 month old son, Akeyla. I forgot how little they are! Medi's mom wasn't thrilled that I was holding her grandson, she couldn't wait to hold him herself. Medi overheard her mother saying to her son, in the house, "you are much better in here with me, your Oma (grandmother)"

Regina cooking!

Medi's mother invited us over to "cook again". However, since I was so inept with the banana leaves last cooking class, I was relegated to skewering shrimp. The actual joy was seeing Regina cook - something she rarely does!

Nursery School Performers

Two of the nursery students "preparing" for their parts in "Who Sank the Boat"

Two of my students getting make-up for their Chinese Dance performance. The staff at the end of the celebration. I'm tucked way in the back.

Opening Music

Special chairs for Ministry of Education big wigs.

End of year party at a local hotel

Our program started at 7:45 and went until 12:00. We had three rooms and lots of people. The programs were divided into grade levels which were about an hour long each

Hard to Believe

Today, June 21st here (2oth back home) marks one year that I have been in Indonesia! The time has flown and I can't believe I'll be back on American soil in a month and a half.
We finished the school year out with a bang- a school performance in a hotel, and then report card distribution last Friday, June 19th.
My work visa always runs out today, and given the "Indonesia way" Regina told me to be prepared, I may have to go to Singapore, not once but twice to get my exit and then travellers visa! I think I will only be staying in the Singapore airport both times, but the wait will be seven hours.

It's all part of the adventure!

Here's a real cutie!

This is Marcel, the school's secretary's son. He will be "graduating" next week from Kindergarten to Primary 1 (First grade). This is his graduation picture.

Kraton Konoman - musuem

The picture with the red tile is the remains of an offering. Every Friday night they leave offerings. That is a fish scale on the floor.

Sultan's chariot - Kraton Kanoman

This massive chariot only has room for one - the sultan!

Kraton Konoman - Cirebon

This kraton was founded by a sultan in 1588 who broke away from the main sultanate after a lineage dispute.

The massive banyan tree is partially blocked by the white pillars of the entrance.

batik shopping Cirebon

Streets in Cirebon just filled with Batik Stores. They lay the fabric on the floor as you browse. Or you can sit on this beautiful wooden bench and eat snacks as others browse.

Alleyways in Cirebon

Alleyways in Cirebon

nestled behind the main roads are miles and miles of alleyways.

Gua Sunyaragi

Looking through one of the many small areas that lead to no where at this rather ugly grotto.

Gua Sunyaragi Cirebon

Gua Sunyaragi was once surrounded by water.
Lakes, ponds, bathing pools and waterfalls formed an integral part of what was probably
a beautiful creation. It was originally a water palace for a sultan of Cirebon. Meditation caves and resting platforms were hidden behind curtains of falling water, allowing peaceful and private refuge from the world.

Gua Sunyaragi

Gua means "cave" The name Sunyaragi probably comes from two names. Sunya meaning "quiet" and ragi or raga meaning "body".
The upper part of this creation was an ornamental lake with a small island only accessible by boat. Now all that remains is a maze of concrete caves.

Gua Sunyaragi

In 1852 a Chinese architect had a go at this grotto. Now all that remains is a grotto of rocks, red bricks, and plaster, with some distinguishable features such as this large man with a snake around his neck and chest.

Mesjid Agung Cirebon

As my days are quickly winding down, I thought I'd finally see some of the sights in Cirebon. This is the first stop of Saturday's tour - the Mesjid Agung.

Not a particularly good picture except to show that unlike many mosques with the dome roof, this is a tiered roof.

One of the nine doors in to the main room of the mosque

Going in to the main room are 9 doors symbolizing the Wali Songo. If I understood correctly, the Wali Songo are the 9 saints who are responsible for the spread of Islam in Java.

Colorful rugs, and walls along with the screen are part of the porch area of this mosque

porch of Mesjid Agung

The porch area of the mosque. The picture to the far left is where the people wash before prayer, and the sundial tells them when it is time to pray.

Mesjid Agung Cirebon

One of the oldest mosques in Java, located right here in Cirebon!

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

It's a "whole country in one" type of park, which is very popular in Asia. There are full scale traditional houses, as well as small museums, food courts and cultural events. We just rode the sky lift, and eaten "KFC"! Now we are waiting in front of the Imax theater for the doors to open so that we can watch "Wild Oceans" about waters near South Africa. However, some of us slept during the movie!