Same Same?

After all these years of not seeing, I thought there would be a lot of changes. If not, at least some.... It's still the same as I've remembered. Did time stop here? Did I step into a time machine that brings me back to the past? I guess certain things are just unchangeable, like how a rock can never be turned into a sparkling diamond. For the first time, I really appreciate what I'm given and already have.

Apart from a few new buildings here and there, Pontianak city hasn't changed much. Poorer people in the rural areas still use the dirty drains, ponds, rivers, any place with water as their kitchen, bathroom and toilet. Just imagine this, somebody's neighbour might be doing big business upstream while she is taking water for cooking *vomit* Scary but that's how these people live :(

The city itself kinda reminds me of Hanoi city. Lots of motorbikes and the air is smelly and dusty. The buildings are also quite run down and there are rubbish everywhere. Certain places at the countryside reminds me of Sapa, especially the green paddy fields...

City Centre - Gajah Mada

Photo taken when we were taking a break from our 'tuna-can' ride
- The Countryside

Something interesting about the city is that, whenever you try to park or reverse a car, somebody or any passerby will suddenly pop up from nowhere and give you directions. And for that, you will have to pay for their 'unwanted' services. Nvm, as long as these suddenly-pop-up people don't do illegal things to earn a living....

My trip was pretty good... unexpectedly. The city gives me the impression that it's backward but in actual fact, they do have a very nice mall! Much better than ours over here! *jealous*

There isn't much to see in the city itself except for the Monument of Equator.

Jenn is SEPARATED!
One leg in Northern Hemisphere, One in Southern Hesmiphere

Food is our only agenda. We basically ate all day long! From morning til midnight! Our Indonesian friends really know where all the good food are! Am surprised at how delicious their food are except that they are all BROWN in colour.

Everything is either fried, BBQ-ed, grilled or with lots of chilli padi. Mannn.... why are all the unhealthy food more delicious?! Hmmpphhh.... I sufferred from 'greens deficiency' in Pontianak. I hardly see any vegetable dishes there! The only veggie I saw is chilli Padi. The Indonesians eat their kuih with that. I tried it. It was damn hot! I couldn't taste anything for a while :( Not my kind of food definitely hehe...

Can u see the tiny but SUPER hot chilli on the kuih?

Good thing that i don't live there long term or else i would be stuck in the toilet everyday! Not because of diarrhoea but constipation!

Pontianak is an interesting place to visit. If not for it's long car ride, I don't mind going again. Just for the food....

Left: Nasi Uduk, Nasi Padang, Kueh Chap

Left: Ayam Lemongan, Lele (egg in fish fillet), assorted Indon kuih

Didn't have pictures of all the food. They disappeared before I even had a chance to turn on my camera!