We have reached our destination. After 10 years, we were finally able to see Ary in person again.
After a quick breakfast at the Crowne Plaza in Singapore, we got on the plane for the final leg of our inbound trip. This flight was the shortest of the four legs, being only two hours from Singapore to Yogyakarta. The Yogyakarta Airport was much smaller than I expected. After deplaning, we picked up our luggage and went through Customs and Immigration very quickly. Ary’s sister, Iluk, greeted us and her uncle, Edi, drove the SUV that took us to Wonosobo.
Ary had sent along water and snacks for us, and stocked our hotel room with the same. I’ve had a few troubles with my blood sugar today, most likely due to lack of exercise as we have been sitting much of the time.
If you’ve seen The Amazing Race, you know just how crazy traffic can be in many parts of the world. The road from Yogyakarta to Wonosobo was really busy. In fact, it was a little busier than usual as today was Indonesian Independence Day, also known as “The Seventeenth”. The road we travelled was like driving through main roads (but not freeways) in the parts of a big city that don’t have skyscrapers. Adi was adept at weaving through traffic. There are lines on the road, but they are more of a guideline than a rule. About 50% of the traffic are mopeds and motorcycles. Bike drivers use any inch of the roadway to get ahead, even when that means cutting between two cars. Drivers here drive exactly like I do when I play Grand Theft Auto.
There were a few times Diana got very nervous. I found that all I had to do was trust that Edi didn’t want to scratch that beautiful SUV, and that he knew how to drive here. He’d tap the horn politely to warn bikes pulling out of blind spots, or to announce he’s passing. It took over 3 1/2 hours to reach our destination.
A highlight of the drive was seeing the large volcanos and mountains along the way. I would encourage you to load Google Maps and check out the Street View on the road between the two cities.
We arrived at the Kresna Hotel. The lobby was decorated in traditional Indonesian and really beautiul. We ate a quick lunch before heading to Ary’s parents house, where they were preparing to have a traditional ceremony, Bapapai, for the bride. When we arrived, we were ushered into the foyer, where we quickly drew a lot of attention. Ary’s relatives swarmed around and took photos, or got behind us for selfies. We felt like Brad and Angelina! Everyone came up to us and shook our hands. When shaking, the children touched their cheek to the back of our hand. Diana practiced some of the Indonesian that she had been studying, but there was still a large communication gap. The family was very friendly and generous. We were so honored to be there.
After about 30 minutes, Ary came out. She was stunningly beautiful with a headpiece and neckpiece made from Jasmine flowers and wearing a beautiful green outfit. Ary cried as she gave us a hug. Seeing a loved one after a long absence is a unique experience that I can’t put in to words. I’ll just say it was wonderful to see her again.
During the ceremony, Ary kneeled before her parents as they sat in chairs, bowing to them. They in turn embraced her and kissed her cheeks. Then Ary sat in a chair with her parents on each side of her. A large container of water mixed with flower petals and a ladle were in front of her. Her parents each took some of the flower water and slowly poured them over her head. Then several women in the family who had already had children who were married also ladled water on her. Diana was invited to ladle on some water, as well. The parents then helped her wash her arms and feet and stood in front of her, casting the vessel they used to pour the water to the ground as the crowd cheered.
After the ceremony, we went back to the hotel. There was a group of people in the lobby playing traditional music. Still a bit full from lunch, we ate peanut butter sandwiches and snacked on some of the treats Ary left. Then we headed off to bed for the big day tomorrow.
I’m having trouble uploading photos but will try again later.
That sounds like a beautiful ceremony! I’m so glad you were able to make the trip and share this with her. I can’t wait to hear what the wedding is like.
I know what you mean about the driving, especially the lines on the road just being suggestions. I’ve experienced that fingernail-biting traffic in many places and like you, just trust they know what they’re doing and hope for the best. I’d rather walk than try to be the driver.
Thank you for making the effort to keep up your posts, Jim, even with all the demands of the wedding. I’m sure you’re very tired, but excited too. I think you can count on sleeping on your flights home.
I’m so very happy for you all; it is so very special that you got to be there to share in Ary’s big event. It’s such a wonderful gift that you have given her, to be there to honor her relationship with you. An Indonesian wedding, especially when it’s of someone so dear to you, is truly unforgettable.
I hope that all goes as well with the rest of your visit. What an experience!