My Sponsors

This post is very late because I was waiting for photos to include.  When we visited our visa sponsor family in Jakarta I was sick, forgot the camera, and probably infected everyone.  Banyak maaf.  I recently received the photos from Mr. Sony, my sponsor, but my current location provides a connection too slow for uploading photos of the resolution I've been using (after attempting one for an hour), so I'll need to continue with a much smaller one.  Ma'af.  


For our extended stay visa we had to submit a bunch of paperwork to Jakarta, along with a letter from Sony explaining our intentions during our stay, and Sony was the point man through the whole thing.  The timing and execution were perfect.

Our sponsors are warm and gentle people who welcomed us into their home with open arms, served us a classic Javanese dinner, and accepted us as if we were family. 


Wahono headed up the maintenance crew for the simulation division of the Indonesian Air Force while I was here in '83 and is now a retired General.

A4E simulator and crew

 

Poniden, Borkowski, ???, Fredricks, ???, ???
Wilson, ???, Wahono, Royki

He has done very well for himself and his family, and I am really not surprised as he was quite an ambitious young Captain.  A beautiful family and home.  I know he will read this and argue otherwise, but his home is something of a palace, very dramatic, the livingroom towers a full 2 stories.  The home is actually 3 structures, the main house, another for Sony, his son and family, and another for the maid.

While Wahono was in the hospital, unable to sponsor us himself, having surgery, and in intensive care for weeks afterword, his son Sony, a member of the military police, was attending to his father on top of usual familial responsibilities, and was studying for and taking his written and oral exams for his degree and promotion to Major.  At the same time Sony took over the role of sponsor, ferrying our visas through the Immigration Department beurocarcy, providing a reference letter and all the paperwork.

And after all that he refused to accept my repayment for the visa fees charged.  This is the way in Indonesia, open arms and open heart. From a Western perspective it can present some difficulties avoiding misunderstanding.  I will never be able to repay them enough.

Terima Kasih Bapak Wahono dan Keluarga.
Terima Kasih Pak Sony dan Keluarga

Purwokewrto to Jogja was a fairly short hop of a train ride, passing though a few smaller stations without stopping.  Please take note of the train passenger's teddy bear below, just like my brother's.  Wasn't it, Steve?

Purwokerto Station

nice Train paint job in Purwokerto, for women only

Winnie the Pooh rides to Jogja

Roof tile kiln house, lets smoke out, keeps rain out 

Jogjakarta, often the old spelling Yogyakarta, pronounced Joke-ja-karta, or simply Joke-ja, is similar to Jakarta, with everything imaginable for some, and nothing for many, as you might expect.  We stayed a few days only to refresh ourselves.  We did not see the must-see Borobudur, but will on another trip back to Jogja.  Our Hotel was very nice, Hotel Santika; I'll spare you the pix, they're on the web elsewhere.  Lavishly appointed, we might say, with a live gamelon band in the lobby.  Look, we don't stay in hotels like that all the time, we can't afford it.  I dare you to try and find the Hotel Indah in Madiun, Jl. Kalimantan, and find the price.  It's 20/night with breakfast.  So there.


Jogja, nothing for many, but better than Jakarta

Pulls in the patrons.  Not affiliated.

Hotel Gamelon