Jakarta, Java – First stop

I am back on the road and just arrived in Jakarta – the start of my adventure. This time for 105 days with one 65L backpack onto public transport most of the time. The journey will be mostly in Indonesia and will take me from island to island (island hopping). Also going to be my first adventure alone. As i am writing this blog, i am finding myself in Jakarta (the city on Java island and also capital of Indonesia). This city is crazy like no other. I have to prepare myself for the unexpected.

So here is my plan: From Jakarta I will travel east on Java island from city to city until I reach the most eastern point where I will cross to the Island of Bali. From Bali I will go to the next islands: Nusa Lembongan, Nusa penida, Gili and finally Lombok. These islands including Java will take me 2 months. After 2 months my visa for indonesia will expire. I will then fly from island of Lombok to Japan where i will stay 2.5 weeks. One week is for medical congress. Then back to Lombok island, Indonesia where i will further travel east for another month (from island to island). After Lombok it will be Sumbawa, Flores and then West Timor. After spending a few days on Timor I will then fly back to Jakarta. Will be back in Cape Town 6th of August. Yeew!! A mouth full. So let’s put this plan into action…

My first day in Jakarta was a nightmare! I arrived 24th April at Sakoena Hatta airport at 15h15.

Getting my bag took so long. After i draw my first indonesian rupiah (1 IDR = R 0.0089) I got my telkomsel SIM card for 300000IDR with 11GB data. Too expensive but still cheap compare to South Africa. From there i decided to meet up with a friend that work at the airport. But she work at terminal 1 and I was at terminal 2. It took me awhile to figure out that this airport has 3 sections (termimals) and they are connected with a train (skytrain). So i had to find skytrain and get to terminal 1. After meeting up with my indonesian friend it was almost 19h00 and dark. I asked around if the train can take me to the area of my accommodation but they were closed by that time. So my next option was the damri bus. For 40000 idr it took me to Gambir area that was still a bit of a distance from my accommodation in kota tuha. When arriving in Gambir I realized that there is not really transport that can take me to kota tuha. The driver of the damri bus agreed to take me to kota tuha train station (kota karta station) for an additional 100000idr. I payed him 80000idr but still overpaid. But it was getting late i was tired. From Kota Karta train station i walked a block to Tudah hostel and arrived at 21h30. What a day it was with not much sleep on the plane.

It is now the next day and the day went much better. I slept till 10h00 and missed breakfast. It was raining outside and i could not go out to do sightseeing. But I chose to stay near the hostel. I walked to the supermarket (indomarket) to buy some soap and hand sanitizer because everything feels dirty here.

Back at the hostel i took a nice cold shower and met a nice guy from Surabuya, Java. He agreed to take me for some local food. And this time i was very hungry.

Back at hostel i ordered a go-jek transport for going to the mall since it was getting late and not much else to do. Go-jek is the same principle like uber but much cheaper and with motorcycle and car to choose from. I took the motorcycle option and had my first experience in Jakarta traffic.

Not a great photo but was difficult taking a selfie in traffic!! Central Mall Jakarta is stunning with 5 levels and many shops to choose from. Met a dutch guy from the hostel there and i chat for a bit and went back with go-jek. But this time with less traffic and a driver that can speak some english. So he was explaining all the buildings while he drove. What a great day it was and the people are so kind.

Now in bed at Teduh hostel. Scary outside the hostel with rats ? running around that is the size of a cat. The cats don’t even chase them. I think they are friends.

Can’t wait what the day tomorrow will bring. Will post more pictures.