Episode 17: First day of vacation in Indonesia
Early in the morning, before the sun fully rises, Jerony and the puppies were seen at the Lawang Sewu, which is becoming the most iconic place in Semarang.
The old, colonial-style building stood tall and mysterious, surrounded by lush greenery. It was once a bustling office space, but now it was a popular tourist attraction, known for its spooky reputation.
"Well, pups... During our two week vacation in Semarang, what should we do first?" Jerony asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he looked at each one of them.
"A walk around the city, and then we visit our old house when we first met!" Svara suggested, her tail wagging with excitement. "But, can we go to the Simpang Lima now, Master?"
Jerony laughed, "patience, Svara... We've got plenty of time."
"Master, I've heard about the beach nearby... It's called 'Marina Beach'... Can we go there? I've always wanted to see the ocean," Maxtone asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Of course... Let's go to the car," Jerony said with a nod.
The Pups Gang followed Jerony out of the Lawang Sewu and into the waiting car. The vehicle was a sleek, black sedan with tinted windows, the perfect ride for a top-secret agent and his pack of pups.
As they drove through the city, the early morning light painted the buildings in warm hues, casting long shadows on the damp streets.
Not even fifteen minutes, they arrived at the beach, the smell of saltwater and the sound of crashing waves filled the car as they rolled down the windows.
The early morning light danced on the water, and the beach was almost deserted, save for a few fishermen and a couple of joggers.
"Wow... This is incredible," Luna whispered, her eyes wide with wonder as she stared out at the vast expanse of water.
"It's been a long time since the last time we visited here, hasn't it?" Jerony said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice as they stepped out of the car.
The cool ocean breeze ruffled their fur as they took in the view.
"It has, Master... It feels like home," Maxtone nodded, his eyes never leaving the horizon.
Jerony looked around, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"Let's go for a walk along the beach, shall we?" He suggested, and the pups eagerly followed him towards the shore.
The sand was cool and damp between their paws, and the waves rushed up to meet them, retreating with a hiss.
Hershell, despite his condition, was the first to rush into the sea, his diaper not hindering his excitement.
Anna watched him with a mix of amusement and concern, ready to jump in if he needed help.
For almost the whole day, they were at the beach, playing fetch with a frisbee, hunting for shells buried in the sand, and digging holes that filled with water.
In the afternoon, they finally left the beach and decided to see their old house. It's was a two-story building, painted in a faded blue color, with a small garden in the front that was now overgrown with weeds.
The gate creaked as they pushed it open, and the pups' tails wagged with excitement as they trotted up the path, memories flooding back to them.
"Wow... It seems that since we left Indonesia, no one has lived in this house," Seca said as they approached the old house, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air.
Jerony nodded, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
"It's been a while," he said softly, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "But let's not get too attached... We're just here for a visit."
"Master... How about tomorrow we go to the great mosque of Central Java? It's called Mesjid Agung, and it's beautiful," Anna suggested, her bicolor eyes shimmering with excitement.
"I think we don't go there," Jerony said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"But why not, Master?" Anna asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.
"Because... It's a place for muslim... Dogs or puppies are not allowed inside," Jerony said, his voice filled with a hint of regret.
"Why are we not allowed to enter, isn't that amazing place for everyone?" Svara asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's better if you don't know it, pups," Jerony said gently, his gaze lingering on the dilapidated house.
Jerony knowingly looked at his pups, understanding their curiosity.
"Let's just say it's a place of worship with rules we must respect," he petted Anna's head, her tail drooping slightly in disappointment.
"Well... Let's clean up this our old house before sunset," Jerony said, trying to lighten the mood.
The pups nodded in agreement, their spirits lifting at the thought of making the old place feel like home again, if only for a little while.
They worked together, pulling weeds from the garden and cleaning the dusty windows. The house was empty inside, but the echoes of their barks and the sound of their nails on the wooden floorboards brought it back to life.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, they stepped back to admire their work. The house looked better than it had in years, and the pups couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
"Alright pups... Let's have some rest and tomorrow I'll take you all to Simpang Lima," Jerony announced, his voice filled with excitement.
"Simpang Lima?!?? Yeeeaaahhh!!!!" The pups barked in unison, their tails wagging with excitement.
