Train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, June 2012

So we hopped on the train in Jakarta for the trip to Yogyakarta.  After seeing rice paddy’s for 8 hours on end, it is more than obvious that rice is a staple food of Indonesia.  We were witness to the crop in all its various stages of growth and production, from the flooding of the paddy’s to the thrashing of the rice crop to the seeds drying in the sun.  It is such back-breaking, labour intensive work with people and water buffalo often knee deep and higher in mud.  Still, I must say that the views of the countryside at times were absolutely stunning – lush and green with terraced paddy’s at the higher elevation.

It is always a bit disappointing to see garbage/plastic just thrown everywhere so we were pleasantly surprised that about an hour outside of Yogyakarta the refuse just disappeared.  Waterways were clean as well as the towns.  I have always thought it would be nearly impossible to educate a rural population about keeping the environment clean when day to day subsistence is of upmost importance.  I am now pleased to say I stand corrected.

One other note – we heard there was an earthquake (5.9) not too far from Jakarta and the tremor was felt in the city.  We were miles away on the train when it happened so we are safe and sound.