Traveling Central Java: Bandung
Bandung is about 3 hours drive from Jakarta, in Central Java. I've done the drive before, for a highway it is reasonably picturesque. However, I've heard that the train trip is very pretty, and being a fan of Paul Theroux I liked the idea of a train trip.
Trains can be booked cheaply, but not so easily. We found the timetable on the internet (but no english version, lucky I was using google chrome which can translate). Choose your class of train, drop down menu's for location and destination. Then what? You cannot book online! If you have a particular ATM card (Bii, BRI, Mandiri) not much good for tourists or even myself. In the end I sent my driver to the train station to pick up the tickets. I suppose a tourist could use a hotel or travel agency could send a messenger. I think the total price was about $5-6. Executive class train, air con carriage with comfortable cushioned seats. Non-smoking.
Trains leave hourly from jakarta to bandung. However, the first class train that we chose to travel had two morning options. 05.45 or 09.15. Leaving from Stasion Gambir (located in sth jkt near Monas) Booked an early morning taxi the roads were empty at 4.30 am and it took us less than 30 mins to cover what normally takes almost 2 hours.
Plenty of people at the station, staff, taxi drivers, travelers etc. But the signs had me confused, no names of towns/cities. The signs have the names of the trains. So I had to find the sign for the Argo Parahyangam train, go figure, again not very tourist friendly imo.
The actual station looks like any train station around the world. No smoking signs were mostly adhered to, but not 100% this is still indonesia! Surprisingly enough (or maybe I'm just too jaded the train left on time. Ticket in hand we checked with a helpful staff member if we had the right train, then found the correct carriage and seats.
In the morning darkness, cool breeze and drizzly rain, the iron train began creeping out through the back alleys bordered by the slums and shanties while the city still slumbered, like a guest sneaking out before his hosts awakes... The romanticism of my thoughts was broken by the concession to the modern world, each carriage had a 38“ flat screen tv blaring out news, music and Indonesian soaps!
Actually I'm being unfair the tv is at a rather muted, almost background noise level.
Staff came by within 25 mins, firstly a free newspaper to all, the girls brought around a trolley of food, coconut rice and a bottle of water.
To be continued...