Visa Renewal in Yogyakarta
January 20th, Yogyakarta. It was Monday, and once again I headed to immigration to try renewing my visa. The last time I came, the system was down, and all I carried back with me was frustration and uncertainty.
This time, everything worked. At last, my visa renewal application was completed. Now I only had to wait for approval. Since it was my first time extending a visa, I wasn’t exactly sure of the process, but I figured staying in Yogyakarta until it came through would be fine.
The fee was 500,000 rupiah (about 4,800 yen), paid at the post office. Once that was done, my part of the process was finished.
A New Hobby: Collecting Stamps
As I was about to leave the post office, my eyes caught a small display of stamps. And suddenly, an idea came to me—why not collect stamps from every country I visit?
Many travelers sew patches from the countries they’ve been to onto their backpacks. I never felt drawn to that; it seemed too common. But stamps are different. They’re inexpensive—this one was only about 10,000 rupiah (around 96 yen)—and every country prints different designs that reflect its culture. They weigh nothing, yet they carry a story.
Maybe others have done this before, but for me, it felt personal and meaningful. That’s why I decided to start collecting stamps as I continue my journey.
First Taste of Catfish
After the post office, my stomach was empty. I stopped by a small food stall nearby, determined to try something new.
What came out was catfish, served with coffee. The price was 17,000 rupiah (about 163 yen). It was my first time eating catfish—even in Japan, I had never tried it. The taste surprised me: rich, savory, and absolutely delicious. It felt like a rare and valuable experience.
Sweet Coffee and Quiet Moments
On the way back, I noticed a café and decided to stop in for a short rest. I ordered a mochaccino for just 5,000 rupiah (about 48 yen). It was tasty, but as with most coffee in Indonesia, it was very sweet. If I stayed too long in cafés like this every day, I thought, I would surely gain weight.
Even so, I enjoy the environment here in Indonesia. The pace of life, the warmth of people, and the small daily surprises keep me wanting to stay longer.
