A central java bride. As the hijab becomes trendy, many brides use artificial hair and cover the neck with hijab, or roll layers of hijab to make it like a hair bun.

Srikandi, Arjuna's wife

I agree, large motorcycle is very unsuitable for Indonesian road. It cannot stop easily. It has consumed many victims.

It is clay roofs 😃

Graham, very clever. Hunting down the mushroom restaurant today. Ian

Lyla, always nice to get a little encouragement. The trip has had its tricky bits, none concerning cycling. Ian

Hi Ian
I am in awe of this trip. I have been to UK and Europe on vacation for 6 weeks and found that tiring in the end. A well earned days rest for you I am sure. Will write a longer message directly but thank you for supporting indigo foundation via this ride. I see there's still a way to go but you have gone so far already!! Lyla

Ah … I forgot about the constraints of apiaries & visas.
Back to Plan A… beeline route to Singapore.

Graham, that's true but it will also mean ducking out of Indonesia and returning to renew a visa. Also, are you going to deal with my bees so they don't swarm. It's pretty easy! Ian

Ian you might have noticed that the two most popular pages of your journal to date are the two most recent pages when you reported on days when you didn’t ride. Instead you journaled the very interesting places you saw within Solo.

This should allay any concerns you had that journaling non-ride days wasn’t within the protocols. Quite the opposite. It seems that your non-riding day reports are more appealing to the reading public.

So that could be another good reason to enjoy more rest days, and soak up the local sights as you progress across Java and Sumatra.

That's what I need, Paul, spreading the word, being my disciple. Ian

I love all the different colours…your journey looks amazing I hope everything is going well for you…I was chatting with a cyclist this morning at the tathra hotel and was telling him about you and your journey…also about cycleblaze and the charity you’d chosen…

Paul, good to see you popping up. Actually, I am seeing paint shops. I'm a bit dubious of all of the outdoor painting done with no prep. I would have thought a quick blast with a pressure cleaner would be worthwhile. But, I'm no painter!

Brilliant photos Ian… and what a fascinating experience the market looks…if you any quality tins of paint would you bring them back with you please…haha…have a safe journey…

Jackie, Don't be conned! The Ducati is real - a 700 cc Monster, a few years old. The BMW, however, is a 150 cc Honda!