We drove out into the farther stretches of the Central Java countryside today (Nglobo) to meet Dad’s older brother & have lunch with them. I’m not sure if it’s me, or if it’s the rareness of a western visitor, but everywhere I went- long & interesting conversation followed. It’s probably me. The ritual was: usually within the first 5 minutes, Nina & mom disappear somewhere- and 45 minutes later I looked up & notice it was just us guys crouched around the sofa,,, dissecting life in Indonesia,, life in America,, and ways to overcome the evil cycle of poverty, corruption & low education.

Nina’s family has a blend of Police officers, college students (Agricultural sciences), security managers, mechanics,,, many perspectives all agree that this cycle needs to be broken. It’s difficult to see what efforts should come first in this chicken vs. egg argument… Effective law enforcement follows adequate salaries; adequate salaries follow improved economy; improved economy follows education and adequate law enforcement. Government promises to tackle all three at once, but the track record is disappointing.

After lunch, we drove through Blora on our way to Remang beach.

I was impressed at how many homes are built of wood here. Forests have long ago been chopped down, but this used to be wood-rich land. Nothing sophisticated. Some of these villages reminded me of the old Walt Disney ‘Songs of the South’ stories with Briar Rabbit… not log cabins- but rural by definition.

Remang, by the way, is famous for a famous daughter, Raden Ayu Kartini (1879-1904), a young Javanese girl born into an aristocratic family, who became a pioneer for women’s rights in Indonesia. Her legacy is large, for a girl who died at 25 years old.
I’ve seen this before, but always find it interesting that most Indonesians don’t wear swimsuits to the beach, but brave the waters in jeans, t-shirts, or whatever they’re wearing. Proper Muslim etiquette.