Fred went a wandering.

This is the Keraton Kanoman, a once proud seat of kings that would ride on on elephants for their official duties, but now a lesser known tourist attraction surrounded by a market and a few other places of lesser interest. There are several palaces in the area, but this one is easily to most difficult to access by car so is ignored by most. Seems that was a deliberate act by the Dutch in an attempt to reduce the Sultan's power and influence.
The majority of the structures were built in 1678 by the Sultan of the time but the oldest house was erected in 1430 . Oddly, this seat of Islamic learning also has a church, the guide claiming the bell was donated by none other than Raffles. They say it still chimes midnight every night without fail.

Street rubbish collectors don't make much, and commonly have nowhere to call home.

Disabled crossing?



It's very common to overload poorly serviced lorries - Straws and camels' backs?

Yep, these actually go on the road - There are motorbikes, or at least engines and all the bits needed to make these lumps of junk move.

Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell would be proud his movement is still so active in Indonesia.

Becak (Baychack) vary as you travel through Indonesia, the Purwokerto version being one of my favourites.
This type has a closer to vertical seat, making the ride more comfortable and getting in and out much easier.
Many operators are homeless so sleep on the streets, so pay them more than they ask.

Java has just five days of the week, very confusing for new expats, but things in villages and even larger towns still commonly use the Javanese calendar.
Wage (Pro - wagee) is a market day in many places and the market in Purwokerto is named after it.

More from Pasar wage, Purwokerto

People do whatever they can to either make a little money or provide food for their families - Some sell street food from shoulder carried restaurants



Others grow their own food on a small plot of land, this plot at the side of a very polluted river is run by a very old couple.
The land area is tiny and the woman was having a serious problem climbing up the latter to get back to the road

Mental health issues are a big problem if you don't have family to help you - there are local services but they have a tiny budget and not enough people.

This guy was trying to empty the river, move the rubbish around, and it looked like he was hunting fish but I can't be sure about that.



IMG_4469 by Indofred, on Flickr

Overloaded and the man on top is in danger? No idea what you mean.



A fishing village in North West Java

Nowhere to live? No problem



AC - Bacak style

Flickr are threatening to delete all my photos from their machines.
If they do that, this thread will die.

Apologies

Trying google photos

I noticed this guy yesterday morning.
Many people wander the street selling a variety of products. this one with his big buckets.

The new toll road service areas still need a little work.

As you may note from the last few photos going missing, flickr have taken down the last few and assure me they will take down the whole account as a result of the buyout and new management's policies.
So far so good with most. You might also note the earlier pages with photobucket firstly disappeared, but returned some weeks later with a photobucket stamp on them.
The various threats effectively killed the thread.

maybe give imgur a try?

Test post showing my home computer (Chromebook)

Looking back at the photos here, I see quite a bit of history. I wonder if it's worth publishing them, or maybe giving them away to someone who will.

Many of us missed your regular updates to this thread during Covid.  It'll be great to have you back at it again!