AUGUST WRITING PROMPT RESPONSE
Looking up at the sky (and the scenery around)
On a joyful trip to one of Indonesia’s most beautiful towns

This is a somewhat impulsive trip taken by my friend and me because we’re tired of the poor air quality in our city — which I wrote about a while ago, check it out here.
We’ve decided to visit another town that’s most likely free from air pollution, offering clear skies and beautiful scenery for us to enjoy.
With Indonesia boasting 98 charming towns nationwide, be it cities or villages, we had a plethora of options. In the end, we settled on Purwokerto, a town situated on the Central Java island.
Purwokerto takes pride in its serene natural beauty. Even during our train journey, we were treated to a stunning sunrise over expansive rice fields, shrouded in morning mist.

Exiting the train station, I gazed upwards, greeted by the exquisite skies we rarely witness in our city. And behold our discovery:

Beyond the captivating skies, we were treated to a distant yet striking view of Slamet Mountain. With an elevation of 3428 meters above sea level, it’s often referred to as the ‘roof of Central Java’.
Our awe didn’t end there. We explored the town on a rented motorbike, making frequent stops to soak in the beauty of the skies.


Beyond the skies, enchanting scenery surrounded us. During dinner, a tranquil river provided a soothing backdrop.

We were so immersed in enjoying our dinner that we didn’t notice that even the sky above held its own beauty.

The following morning, we enjoyed breakfast by the rice fields, beneath another set of stunning skies.


Despite the brevity of our visit, every moment spent in that enchanting town felt profoundly significant to us. From gazing at the captivating skies and the majestic Slamet Mountain that seemed to stand as a guardian over the landscape, to savoring meals accompanied by the serene sounds of the river, and breakfasting amidst the tranquil embrace of rice fields beneath yet another mesmerizing sky, each experience etched a lasting memory.
Our impulsive trip might have been fleeting, but its impact was enduring, a reminder that even brief escapes can infuse our lives with meaning and rejuvenation.

As we bid farewell to the town, we remained captivated by the sky during our train journey back home.

We relished every moment of our stay here. While we long for pollution-free days in our city, we’re already contemplating reasons to return to Purwokerto — or perhaps explore another equally stunning Indonesian town.
In response to August Writing Prompt: Looking Up by Dennett!
Thank you for journeying your time through these words. If you’d like to show support, you can leave a tip below (next to the subscribe button). Wishing you safety and warmth!
