East Java

So we're adjusting to life in Java, an island that boasts 121 active volcanos. This Muslim island is a far cry from Hindu Bali. I miss the smell of incense but the lack of other tourists has been an interesting change. We are celebrities here, I can't go anywhere without at least a few young girls asking to take a picture with me (or pretending to take a selfie and taking a picture of me). One guy actually approached us and just starting videotaping and asking questions! Funny stuff. 

On Friday, we were invited from the sidewalk to sit in VIP seats for a Batik fashion show which was pretty cool. We were caught without a camera for that one. Lucky us the festivities were all weekend..

Early Sunday morning we hiked up Mt. Ijen in the dark. There are men climbing up and down this volcano every day to mine sulfur (in baskets) and the pictures are hard to believe. We were able to pay a guy off to let us walk down to the blue flames that burn from the sulfur, so that's what that is below. The clouds of sulfur burn your eyes and throat and it's difficult to stay near for very long. It was also very windy on the crater rim so you'll notice Matt and I are wearing everything from our backpacks that could be considered warm (which isn't much). 

After Ijen we left Banyuwangi for Surabaya (8 hr bus for $8). We went to a cigarette factory where women roll something like 500 cigarettes in a hour. We also walked around the souks in the Arab Quarter. 

"Madam please we can take your picture?!!"

Slow first day at his new job...

xxL