Musi River + Pulau Kamaro

Hey there, readers! It's me (again). How have you been? Things here are going well!

Last week, Anggi and I went to Kamaro Island, a nearby island that houses a tower and other buildings that are of some religious significance to the Buddhists of Palembang. This visit requires a boat trip on the Musi river (Palembang's continuous stream of liquid chocolate).

For your information, the Musi is the main river that runs through the city and it is this river that the infamous Ampera Bridge (a source of pride for virtually every Palembangnese) crosses. In any case, the river has multiple uses. Nearby factories use it to dump whatever they need to get rid of while others use the river as a bathroom where they relieve themselves, bathe or brush their teeth (or all of the above).

[Note: So as our private boat made its way through the water at high speeds, you can imagine Anggi and I shrieked like little girls everytime some of this water splashed on us.]

I'm happy pictures exist, because it would be impossible for me to put into words what I saw along the river (and on the island). Take a look for yourself...

Fence-sitting is a lonely occupation.

In the background you can see the infamous Ampera Bridge, as it towers over Palembang.

The Tower on Pulau Kamaro

This guy - always in a good mood.

Anggi and I sat down here for some Dogan (young cocunut water). Quite the treat!

Primary colors are all the rage here, as you can see.

Wadlopen, anyone?

Birthday in Palembang

Yes, the rumors are true: I have indeed reached a quarter century. Here’s a list of things you need for a birthday in Palembang:

1. Banners in the teacher’s room, courtesy of mom and dad’s care package

 

 

2. Oreo cake from Cecilia (the boss lady)

 

 

3. A surprise cake and subsequent cake-attack from your class.

 

  

My face and hair were covered with cake after a dozen students savages attacked me - both my face and hair were self-conscious and felt fat for days after absorbing all those calories.

 4. On Saturday: swimming at a 5 star hotel

 

 5. Unlimited food and beer buffet at said hotel with party-hats and live music (including an acoustic version of GNR’s Sweet Child, performed by our own Nicholas and hotel band).

 

 

 

6. On Sunday: a day with Anggi that included a boat trip on the Musi aka Chocolate River, a visit to Kamaro Island and its Buddhist tower/place of worship, a cheap-ass pedicure and dinner.

[During our trip to Kamaro Island, I made so many amazing and fascinating pictures, I will have to dedicate a separate post to it. Please be patient!]

It was a great birthday but, truthfully, it felt strange to celebrate it without family and friends from back home. However, thanks to modern means of communication, I didn’t feel too far away from you all. Besides, you can’t expect to live in Indonesia for a whole fucking year and not give up anything for it! 

So, to everyone here and to those in other places: thank you so much!