Indonesia: Sumatra to Java Island-hopping

Leaving Kalianda on the beautiful island of Sumatra today for a little Indonesian island-hopping by bus, ferry, and another bus to Jakarta, on the densely populated island of Java.

Sorry for the poor-quality scanned 35mm film photos. My negatives and prints are in awful condition, from decades of less than optimal, storage.

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Leaving Sumatra

After over a month of fantastic exploring through Sumatra, sadly, it’s time to move on to another exciting destination and continue the island-hop. This time to the island of Java – pronounced Jawa in Indonesia.

For the world’s 6th-largest island, travel through Sumatra is not a walk in the park and more often than not, intrepid. So far, travel has been challenging.

Kalianda to Bakauheni

The 30-plus-kilometres through southern Sumatra canvases lush and picturesque vistas, for our final Sumatran good-bye.

Bakauheni to the Port of Merak

Arrive at Sumatra’s busiest port Bakauheni, unscathed from the taxi ride – always a bonus as Indonesian taxi drivers are not the safest.

Buying our tickets for the 2-hour ferry ride, decide to treat ourselves and pay a few dollars more for Business Class seats. In 1998, ferries from this ferry terminal, leave every half-hour.

Huge velour comfy seats await in Business Class of this intra-island route connection ferry. Without too many passengers on this level, this is luxury.

Important during the 16th-century because the Dutch East India Company used this Strait as a portal to the Spice Islands.

The 2-hour ferry journey proves comfortable and uneventful on entering Jakarta Bay in Java, the world’s most populated island.

A welcomed surprise for travel in Indonesia, but also because last month’s violent racial riots targeted foreigners. Read a 2018 update in the Jakarta Post of the 1998 atrocities. The unrest is also a reason for spending more than one month in Sumatra, to wait until things simmered in Indonesia.

Port of Merak to Jakarta

The next leg of the journey today is to head to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, some 80-kilometres away.

Meeting a friendly local, he helps us get off at the right bus stop to then take a taxi to Jl. Jaksa – Jakarta’s 400-metre hotel route road, which also offers backpacker accommodation.

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Jakarta

The chaotic noise, aromatic and pungent odours, and whirling pace of this massive city Jakarta hit the senses like a brick wall. This city is intoxicating.

For the countless beggars lining Jakarta’s streets and alleyways, endless stalls selling everything imaginable cluster and overrun the same paths. Needing more cash, I mentally prepare for another banking experience…

Banks

Unfortunately, no bank in Jakarta is willing to exchange Australian Dollar Travellers Cheques (remember these?) for Indonesian Rupiah, or any currency. And, contrary to advice from our Australian bank before leaving Australia.

On phoning American Express and quoted a rate, we need to go tomorrow for the transaction. But of course, on arriving, today’s rate is less – banks! At least we’re cashed up again with wads of Indonesian Rupiah – literally wads of cash. A millionaire for the first time. Sadly, the bundle is only equivalent to a couple of hundred Australian dollars.

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Exploring Jakarta

Established in the 4th-century and steeped in a plethora of colonial history from the 18th-century, decide to spend several days exploring Jakarta even though this city functions at an insane pace.

Tasting the local divine delicious dish of Gado-Gado (peanut sauce salad) – easily, available street food – to die for, addicted! The scrumptious Sate Ayam (satay chicken) and Nasi Uduk (coconut rice) combination are also addictive. But, enough of food and onto exploring Jakarta…

Jakarta Bahari Museum

Several warehouses in the old Sunda Kelapa harbour district turned into museums, including the maritime museum Jakarta Bahari, offers a venue to explore colonial history in Jakarta.

Close to the impressive Jakarta Bay waterfront, take a day to wander through unique history and to enjoy the district.

Built during 1652-1771 and used by the government until converted to a maritime museum in 1977, the museum now houses models of ancient traditional wooden boats, actual dutch canons, and Indonesian seafaring history.

Sunda Kelapa – Kota

Following a stroll through Indonesian maritime history, why not stop at the port of Sunda Kelapa?

Forming a part of the Kingdom of Sunda in 1527, the port was established in the 12th-century. Although, believed to have existed as Sundapura in the 5th-century.

The Pinisi design is impressive and based on centuries-old traditional Indonesian timber designs. Traditionally, the Pinisi is built on the beach with logs that originate from Celebes (Sulawesi forests) and Kalimantan in Borneo, then transported to boat building sites.

The incredibly high and steep bowsprit carries several sails and great for light winds or ploughing into heavy seas. Centuries of re-design replaced the boat’s aft design to house a substantial bridge and living quarters for the crew.

These heavy workhorses are built as cargo ships that plough around the islands of Indonesia, transporting goods.

Roam around Sunda Kelapa to glimpse a taste of Indonesian local life…

…before returning to the madness of Jakarta.

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Leaving Jakarta

The Kereta train to Yogyakarta departs tomorrow night and scheduled to arrive around 7am. This is Indonesia in 1998, so anything can happen. Hoping the train is on time and the journey is safer than Indonesia’s treacherous roads…

Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts at Image Earth Travel.