Day 70 - Steam Trains, Coffee Plantations & a Touch of Adventure

I can hardly believe it’s Day 70 of our journey already. Today marked our first port in Indonesia – Semarang, and it turned out to be a full, fascinating, and slightly adrenaline-fuelled day.

As the ship arrived early, I headed to the gym, which thankfully was far less crowded today — a small but welcome victory. After that, I picked up our veggie juices and got ready for what we knew would be a long day ashore.

We had booked a full-day tour, and much to my surprise (and delight), Joe was early — even joining me in the lounge while we waited for our bus number to be called. His motivation? Securing his beloved front-row seat, which he did successfully.

Buses, Belts & Bravery

However, joy quickly turned to horror when Joe realised that there were no seatbelts on the bus. According to the guide, there’s no legal requirement here — so buses simply don’t have them. This meant the first part of the journey was spent with Joe anxiously eyeing the water dispenser in front of us, convinced that any sudden stop would send him flying into it.

Once we arrived at Ambarawa Railway Museum, Joe cleverly relocated to a free seat behind the guide — padded seat in front, less perceived danger — and instantly felt safer. Given the driving style here, his concerns were understandable!

Interestingly, we also had a police escort, something we hadn’t seen since West Africa. We weaved through traffic at speed, following the convoy in all directions — definitely not for the faint-hearted.

A Step Back in Time



At Ambarawa, we boarded a steam train powered by teak wood — and you could actually smell the wood burning as the engine worked. Our carriage dated back to 1907, and the onboard guide brought the history to life beautifully.



The journey lasted about 30 minutes, rolling through the countryside to Tungtang Station. While the train was prepared for its return journey, we explored small stalls and soaked in the rural surroundings. The return trip was just as charming, offering a gentle window into daily life beyond the city.

Back at the museum, we had a little free time before heading onward — narrowly missing a short but intense tropical rain shower.

Coffee, Calm & Gratitude



Our next stop was a coffee plantation and resort — a true slice of paradise. We were treated to a delicious lunch and shared our table with a lovely couple from Sydney, which made the experience even more enjoyable.



After lunch, I toured the plantation, learning the entire coffee process — from growing and harvesting to roasting. Naturally, I bought some coffee… it would have been rude not to.

Back at the clubhouse, I enjoyed coffee or tea with local snacks, all delicious. Then came some precious free time, where I discovered the Wishing Pond — a serene, beautiful spot that invited stillness, gratitude, and reflection. I stayed there quietly for a few moments, soaking it all in.

Back Just in Time

The return drive to the port was every bit as lively as the journey out — but we made it back just in time.

Joe unfortunately missed the quiz today, though his team still did well with only three players. He then went to see the ship’s doctor about his back and followed that with some spa pampering, which was very much needed.

I spent the late afternoon recording some EFT scripts and catching up on messages.

Joe decided against heading to a hotel pool this evening and preferred to plan a different outing instead — but destination services had already closed, so that’s a task for tomorrow morning.

Dinner tonight was at Compass Rose, followed by an early night for us both after such a full day.

✨ Daily Reflection

Today reminded me how much comfort zones stretch when we travel — different rules, different rhythms, and unfamiliar ways of doing things. And yet, within all that unpredictability, there’s beauty, kindness, history, and moments of deep stillness — like the Wishing Pond — that ground everything.

🌟 Highlight of the Day

🚂 The teak-wood steam train journey
Riding in a 1907 carriage through the Javanese countryside — sights, smells, and stories — felt like stepping gently back in time. A truly special experience.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 7 - Lanzarote: Sunshine, Family, and a Tale of Two Ports

Image
The day began in a haze — quite literally. A thick morning fog had settled over the ocean, and for a while, the ship’s horn sounded regularly as we carefully made our approach toward Arrecife, Lanzarote . The mysterious mist wrapped around us like a soft blanket, but as we neared the island, the clouds lifted , revealing a clear blue sky and glorious sunshine. Disembarkation was a little slow today, as most of the excursions were departing at the same time, but eventually we were off the ship and ready for a wonderful reunion. Cousin Joe had sent us detailed directions and was waiting patiently for us at the port. Or so we thought! As we stepped out, we began walking… and walking… and walking . Poor Joe’s back was not particularly pleased about this unexpected trek, and as we checked in with Cousin Joe, he reassured us he was “just nearby.” What none of us realised was that there are two ports in Lanzarote — we had docked at the old commercial port , while Cousin Joe was waiting ...
Read more

Day 5 - A Day Without Wi-Fi: Casablanca Adventures and Serendipity at Sea

Image
  Another beautiful morning greeted us as we sailed into Casablanca — sunlight glinting off the water as we arrived into the port. There was an immediate sense of arrival in a city filled with colour, culture, and history. But as we soon discovered, Casablanca had a little surprise in store for us. Because it’s a naval port , all Wi-Fi was cut as soon as we docked — and it stayed that way for many hours, long after we had left the harbour. At first, the silence felt strange, a sudden digital stillness in our usually connected world. But as the hours passed, it began to feel… refreshing. A day without Wi-Fi turned out to be a quiet gift — unless, of course, you’re Joe! Joe had to head into town to collect the medicines that were missing from our luggage. Since no taxis are allowed into the port and the shuttle bus had already left, two kind gentlemen kindly offered him a lift into town . It was such a lovely reminder of the goodness of strangers and the small kindnesses that m...
Read more

Day 3 - Our First Day at Sea: Finding Our Rhythm

Image
  There’s something magical about waking to the gentle movement of the ocean. This morning, I slipped out onto the deck just as the sun began to rise — soft hues of pink and gold spilling across the sky. The ship was quiet except for the sound of the waves, and it felt like the perfect setting for a mindful start to the day. I walked the deck, breathing in the salty air and feeling gratitude wash over me with each step. After my morning walk, I found a quiet spot for meditation and my daily EFT tapping session — a grounding way to tune into the energy of the sea and the peace of the moment. Afterwards, I treated myself to a blissful morning in the spa — a pampering start that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant. Meanwhile, Joe enjoyed a lazy, leisurely morning in our suite catching up on his broken nights sleep. We met later for a lovely lunch in the Compass Rose restaurant, enjoying fresh, beautifully prepared dishes and the gentle hum of conversation around us. J...
Read more