A slightly perplexed owl at the Bird Market

The next day heralded further cultural escapades. Up early again, we began the day with a trip to the Bird Market. It was slightly odd, you could buy everything from fruit-bats and owls to puppies and lizards - a witches dream! I wouldn't recommend visiting though, whilst the birds all looked healthy, the mammals didn't look as if they were having such a great time of it! We also took pity on the pedi-cab drivers who had to pedal us across town.

Next on the agenda was Borobudur, billed as Indonesia's answer to Angkor Wat, I was expecting big things! Tickets bought, sarongs (not entirely sure why) donned, we approached the temple, I was horrendously underwhelmed. The site was under renovation and it just looked tatty, I wasn't impressed - the sunset was quite nice though, even if we did have to hang around for ages to see it! Oh well, box ticked!

Standard. Saronged infront of Borobudur

 The next day was passed in the sun and exploring a local market, not a lot to report! The following day was Hemma's last. Having spied a bed-bug scurrying around my bed the previous night, I was less than rested. We lounged around until check-out and grabbed a taxi to the airport. For the first time in my life I rocked up to the airport ticket-less and bought one then and there (I found it quite exciting even if you don't!). Rp. 392,500 later I had a one-way ticket to Surabaya. Shockingly, Hemma's flight was delayed (mine was...early?!). The flight was amazing, Indonesian's don't care for the emergency exit seats so I was swamped in legroom, sadly I was also swamped in the sweat from the fat man spilling out of his seat and into mine. The flight was short enough for it not to be an issue, we flew beside two volcanoes which was an experience!

Attempted creativity at Borobudur!

Once in Surabaya, I found a hotel and head out for street food. The streets of Surabaya were deserted and it was only 7pm, it was creepy. I sat with some locals and tucked in to a very spicy Soto Ayam. I retired to my hotel fairly early - mainly based on the lack of things to do in the city. Another night was spent with blood sucking b*stards! My room played host to what I can only fathom was some kind of International Mosquito Convention. I woke up and my back was like a dot-to-dot and there had been such a frenzy that as I'd rolled over on the sheets I'd squashed numerous semi-full mosquitoes, the result was NOT pretty.

Day two in Surabaya, I meant business! Another early morning, a little interpretive dance (of sorts!) and I was in a 'taksi' to 'immagrasi' (crazy language but I see what they did there!). Due to visa restrictions and my poor forward planning, I needed to apply for a second 30 day visa on top of that which I was issued on arrival. The immigration office was bedlam, a mass of sweaty, clearly annoyed people milling around with about as much clue as to what was going on as I did! After several moments contemplation, I had my forms, partially filled them in and within half an hour I had a slip telling me to come back five days later. So. much. bureaucracy!

The Russian Submarine

Next stop was Surabaya Plaza for supplies in the war which was soon to be waged in my room. I picked up some mosquito spray which looked more like some kind of anti-aircraft gun - they won't know what hit them! From the bewilderingly complicated and dated 'plaza', I head to 'Monumen Kapal Selam', a Russian submarine bought by the Indonesian's in 1962 and used to adorn what Lonely Planet calls Surabaya's 'prime-waterfront development'. I scurried through the sub but due to the cramped and sweltering conditions, it wasn't particularly pleasant, a few snaps later and I was trotting down the waterfront to the 'Croco-Shark' - a statue which portrayed Surabaya's emblem, lord knows why! A toe stubbing from here left me bleeding and so I jumped into a taxi and head back to the hotel.

Weirdest Statue Ever?

 My return to the hotel saw a massacre, having been bitten on the eyelid...the EYELID! I was taking no prisoners, by the time I was done, the bathroom and my room's floor were littered with the twitching bodies of many many mosquitoes. A good nights sleep followed!