80-Cent Breakfasts and Small Culture Shocks
I kicked off my morning (August 21st) by heading to my go-to street food stall.
I ordered a local dish they called Sarumento, which is essentially Indomie (Indonesia's iconic instant noodles) mixed with an egg. It's incredibly simple but hits the spot perfectly in the morning! The best part? It only cost me 12,000 rupiah (about $0.80 USD). Cheap and delicious—my favorite combo.
While eating, I noticed an oddly shaped ashtray on the table. It made me realize that when you cross borders and the world changes, even the design of an everyday ashtray changes with it. I love stumbling upon those little details.
A Private Museum Tour
After breakfast, I walked about 5-6 kilometers southwest of central Ambon to check out a local museum.
According to Google Maps, there are only one or two museums in this whole area. When I walked inside... surprise! There was absolutely no one else there (laughs).
Having the entire museum to myself felt like a VIP tour. They had a massive display of traditional costumes—likely wedding attire—from Maluku, Sulawesi, Java, and other regions. Taking the time to dive deep into local history and culture always adds such a rich layer to my travels.
On the grounds outside, I also came across a monument commemorating local history—a nice reminder that the culture here extends well beyond the exhibit cases.
Spicy Fruit and the Reality of Beautiful Beaches
For lunch, I grabbed some Bakso (meatballs) from a nearby stall. I tried a unique version called Bakso Telur, which looked like a chain of eggs and meatballs, crispy on the outside and super tasty!
Later, I headed toward a seaside spot that locals recommended.
On the way, I stopped at a fruit stand and bought something called Rujak. It's a mix of fresh fruits absolutely drenched in a sweet and spicy peanut sauce.
I took a bite and... wow. It was sweet, then suddenly spicy, and my brain just couldn't process the flavor combination! To be completely honest, it was a bit too intense for my palate, and I couldn't finish it.
I shook it off and finally reached the beach, which was completely empty—a true hidden gem.
However, as I walked further down toward a rocky alcove, it suddenly got pitch black, even in the middle of the day. There was trash scattered all over the ground, and it honestly gave off a creepy, horror-movie vibe like someone might be hiding there. Seeing the litter in such a gorgeous natural setting was a stark reminder that we must always remember to take care of the world so these beautiful places don't lose their magic.
Traditional Ice Cream and a Heavy Dinner
On my way back, I bumped into a super cheerful guy selling traditional Es Puter (coconut milk ice cream) from his cart. We took a fun photo together, and I bought a scoop for just 3,000 rupiah (about $0.20 USD). The coconut flavor was strong and definitely unique.
For dinner, I returned to my favorite spot and ordered Nasi Geprek (smashed fried chicken with rice).
After a long day of walking, you really just need a heavy, satisfying meat dish to end the day right. My stomach and my heart are completely full!
