Throughout the country villages are decorated with alleys of German banners.

• Is this another ‘Cristiano/TdA Special’ for one of his/their alumnae?
• Was the town expecting my passage and giving me a warm welcome?
• Is this still post-Soccer World Cup decoration? The Indonesians seem to be very aware of the German victory in this year’s WC final. I am often asked, from where I am, and immediately given half a dozen German soccer player names, when I tell them I am German.

Which ever is the case, I enjoy the ‘special’ treat.

Terima Kasih (thank you).

Shortly after the Equator passage I passed a little village with a big assembly on a public ground. Although the ride was already consuming a lot of energy, and the final climb to Bukit Tinggi was still to come, I couldn’t resist to drop my bicycle and step into the crowd to watch the spectacle. ‘Rachma’ with her little one ‘Colby’, explained to me that they are celebrating a Christian holiday and at the end of festival they do the pole climbing. Aim of the participating teams is to reach to the top first and pick the attached gifts for their team.

It was great fun to watch them building / failing to build  the pyramids – it didn’t look very organized or efficient – but everyone seemed to enjoy it. After a while the focus deviated from the climbers onto me and I eventually became the main attraction again – as so many times in the past, when I stopped to take photos or interact with the locals. Obviously this area is rarely visited by tourists.

Very basic but spacious room for 2 humans and their bicycles.

My Mrs. Wriggley II and her temporary new partner in safe haven.

Hard working fellows. Strong man competition. Piece by piece makes its way onto the truck until it is loaded to the top. These guys do really have their daily workout. No need for gym and protein shakes.

Uphill with a kind of smile and wet to the bones I wish there were only downhills

Enjoying the cooler breeze.              A welcome for our American riders!

Afrisanti, my beautiful shop assistant opposite of the PIA Hotel

Helmet attraction

Give me 5