"Girls, do you have everything packed?" asked Mrs. Urwani.
Susi and Reema nodded.
"Then I guess we're on our way."
"What about me?" asked Reine.
"You're staying here," replied her mother.
"That's perfectly awful. We barely had a chance to visit," groaned Reine.
"If your mother will allow it, you can come along with us," said Mrs. Urwani.
"Can I, can I please?" begged Reine.
"Since it's okay with your Aunt Maly, then it's alright with me."
"Now you can be my tag-along," said Susi.
They packed themselves into the car and were just about ready to go when Susi hopped up in her seat.
"We almost forgot something!"
Susi ran inside and came out with the dried nutmeg.
"The manisan pala!" exclaimed Reine.
Susi got back into the car, the dried nutmeg resting on her lap as she rode in the back seat with Reine.
As they rode west, they played a game where they looked out the window, trying to find objects that began with a letter of the alphabet.
"Acacia," said Mrs. Urwani.
"Banana Tree!" shouted Susi.
"Coconuts," said Reema.
"Durian!" said Susi, pointing out the Indonesian fruit trees alongside the road.
"Elephant, Ficus, Gila Monster," stated Reema.
"I don't see any elephant or gila monsters," said Reine.
"They're on that restaurant sign over there," said Reema.
"You people are going too fast. How am I supposed to keep up?"
"Look harder," said Reema.
Reine heaved a big sigh then leaned back in her seat. She folded her arms and held her breath.
"You don't have to be like that about it," said Reema, "Go ahead, the next letter is H."
With her arms still folded, Reine glanced sideways out the window. However, she couldn't see anything that started with the letter H.
"I don't like this game," pouted Reine.
"Be patient. I'm sure you'll see something very soon," said Mrs. Urwani.
Just then, they passed a farm.
"Horses," said Susi, "Indonesian Boa," she added.
As they passed another billboard, it advertised the Wallacea Wildlife Habitat.
"Jaguars, Kangaroos, Lemurs, Monkeys," said Reema.
"Nectarines, Oranges, Pomegranate, Quince, Rambutan " said Susi as she pointed out the fruit on the Hawker Carts.
"This is just not fair!" exclaimed Reine.
"Girls, let Reine have a turn," scolded Mrs. Urwani.
Everyone remained silent for just a moment. Just then, they passed a pair large black marble statues alongside the road.
"Sumatran Tigers!" exlcaimed Reine. She clapped her hands excitedly.
The Sumatran Tigers guarded the entrance to the Wallacea Wildlife Habitat. It housed many of the animals throughout Indonesia and surrounding countries. It had been named for Sir Alfred Wallace, a biologist from Great Britain. Wallace had studied the plants and animals of Indonesia.
"Why do they call it the Wallacea Habitat, when we're in Bali?" asked Susi.
"It's named after Sir Wallace, who investigated the biodiversity of Indonesia."
"What's biodiversity?" asked Reine.
"It's the great variety of things around us," replied Mrs. Urwani, "Indonesia has more species of plants and animals than any place in the world."
"He also created the Wallace Line," added Reema, "It's a line between Bali and Wallacea that divides plants and animals based on their backgrounds."
"He also created the Wallace Line," added Reema, "It's a line between Bali and Wallacea that divides plants and animals based on their backgrounds."
"I've never seen this line," said Reine.
"It's an imaginary line. It's a boundary between two different types of animals. The ones on the Bali side are rarely found on the Wallace side and vice-versa."
"It's like a fence?" asked Reine.
"More like a property line," said Mrs. Urwani, "See the sign overhead now?"
The sign said 'Welcome to Yogya!"
"Some of the animals cross from one side of the Wallace Line to the other. Usually, though, they come back to where they started, to be with their relatives."
"Just like us," nodded Reine.
A fine layer of volcanic ash still covered parts of Yogyakarta's streets. For the most part, however, the city looked new again. They pulled into the driveway. Yudhi was working at Mr. Onato's while Mr. Urwani was on the porch, smoking one of his clove cigarettes.
"Uncle Yong!" exclaimed Reine as she ran to the porch.
"What a pleasant surprise!" said Mr. Urwani as he gave his niece a bear hug. Reine loved the smell of clove smoke imbedded in his cotton shirt.
Mr. Urwani helped the women unload the car. Meanwhile, Susi took the dried nutmeg slices to the kitchen. She briefly rinsed the nutmeg and then covered each piece in sugar. She carefully organized the slices on the baking rack and set it aside. She turned on the oven. It would not be long now.
After the oven pre-heated, Susi baked the nutmeg. After a few minutes, she pulled the tray out of the oven. What had been a tray of nutmeg was now a tray of Manisan Pala.
"Finally!" exclaimed Reine. As she reached for the candies, Susi pushed a hip into her way.
"What?"
"It's scolding hot. We have to wait a few minutes."
So they pulled a couple of stools beside the oven and waited. Reine fanned the tray with a dish towel, speeding the cooling process. When they were done, Reine got the first bite.
"Mmmm, so good, " exclaimed Reine.
Susi nodded in agreement as she prepared a small plate. She took it across the alley and presented it to Mr. Onato. He smiled as he plucked a piece of candy from the plate and popped it into his mouth. Then, Susi took the tray to Yudhi, who was working on a motorcycle in the back of the shop.
"Good timing, sis. After this, I'm finished for the day."
"Already? It isn't even noon."
"There's nothing left to fix."
"Oh," nodded Susi.
Yudhi replaced the clutch on the motorcycle and returned home with Susi. After he showered, he came downstairs, to find Reine and Susi playing video games in the family room.
"It's such a great day. Why don't we go to Kanisius Park and play?" asked Yudhi.
"Okay," said Susi.
"May I go, too?" asked Reine.
"Now I've got two tag-alongs," said Yudhi with a grin.
They loaded into the car and away they went. When they arrived at Kanisius Park, many of the trees had been scorched by wildfires. Still, there were patches of green where birds and butterflies gathered.
"It's terrible," said Reine.
"What's terrible? The burn spots?"
Reine nodded.
"It's what makes Indonesia beautiful," replied Yudhi.
"Black and gray are not beautiful."
"Yes, but the volcanic ash is plant food. The plants will grow back, more beautiful than ever."
For a moment, the sun broke through the clouds, as if signaling the natural path of things.
"Doesn't the Hindu god talk about destruction and re-birth?" asked Yudhi.
Reine nodded.
"Then think of it that way. All things must change, but it is a good thing. I think it's just one of the gifts of Allah. Without struggle, there is nothing to rejoice," said Yudhi.
"Blessed be Allah," he said.
With that, they left the birds and butterflies behind. They were splashes of color in an otherwise dull painting, thought Reine. Luckily, the gray would change to green, too. That made Reine very happy.
“Mom said she was cooking a big meal for lunch and I’m hungry. Are you two ready to go home?”
Susi nodded.
“I’m starved,” said Reine as she rubbed her tummy and licked her lips.
“Then let’s not waste another minute,” said Yudhi. They returned to the car, ready to see what was waiting at home.
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