Dienstag, 19. Februar 2008

Montag, 18. Februar 2008

Indonesia's rail road design...

PT. KAI Recheck the passanger train for Mudik 2007

Thursday, October 18, 2007


PT. KAI had recheck the passanger car and the locomotive to haul passanger train before Mudik 2007. PT. KAI recheck the preparation of all passanger train in order to avoid accident during Mudik 2007. They found 4 passanger cars in Tugu Station Yogyakarta have to repair and unsuitable to transport the passanger to another city or province.


And General director of PT. KAI, Soemino Eko Saputro say that PT. KAI do this recheck to increase level of safety trip by train. They hope repair and rebuild the passanger cars that unsuitable to transport the passanger will finish on two or three day later.

On the other hand, The passanger car point for Pregnant women, children, and Old person will be not operated anymore. PT. KAI do this decision, because they think it won't use any more and it less function anymore also.

Central Java Old Railway Development

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The line towards Yogya (called 'south' on these pages although it actually runs roughly south-west from Ambarawa) was of particular interest because it contained sections of rack railway between Jambu and Secang, the only such operation in Java. This line beyond Bedono closed in the early 1970s after it was damaged in an earthquake, but had already lost most of its passenger traffic to buses on the parallel road. The line from Kedungjati (called 'north' on these pages because its ultimate destination was Semarang although it actually runs east initially from Ambarawa) survived into the middle 1970s but saw very little traffic near the end, not least because it was far quicker to travel more directly by road to Semarang. The presence of the rack line meant that there was probably never much through traffic from Semarang to Yogyakarta.

Also kept was the original locomotive shed which for over 25 years has served as the operational base for a service to Jambu and up the rack to Bedono. This has always operated as a 'charter train on demand' service. For many years it ran only a few times a year, but now it is extremely popular and during the dry season between June and August trains tend to run almost every day. Currently four locomotives are serviceable, the 2 B25 0-4-2T (B2502/3) are from the original fleet of 5 supplied to the line about 100 years ago. (A third locomotive (B2501) is preserved in a park in the town nearby.) The E10 0-10-0T E1060 was originally delivered to West Sumatra in the 1960s for working the coal railway there but was brought to Java a few years ago. It cannot (yet) go up the rack section. Similarly, conventional locomotive C1218 which was restored to working order in 2006.
The line north to Tuntang was left in place when the service was withdrawn and it is currently being reinstated (Part I - Ambarawa and Part II - out in the country). The trackbed onwards to Kedungjati is still largely in place but it would be an extremely expensive job to restore it.


Ambarawa Railway Museum



The museum was established in the 1970s primarily to preserve a wide selection of the steam locomotives which were then coming to the end of their useful lives on the 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge railways of the Indonesian State Railway (the then Perusahaan Negara Kereta-Api, PNKA). These are parked in the open air next to the original station, originally a transhipment point between the 4ft 8½in gauge branch from Kedungjati to the north-east and the 3ft 6in gauge line onward towards Yogyakarta via Magelang to the south. It is still possible to see that the two sides of the station were built to accommodate different size trains.
Ambarawa lies some way above sea level and was an administrative centre for the Dutch colonialists. It is now a popular area for local tourists, particularly with the nearby hill station of Bandungan and the Hindu-Buddhist temples at Gedong Songo. Foreign tourists pass through the area particularly in conjunction with visiting the Buddhist temple at Borobudur. Hence the museum is well situated and its development into a world class site is not only desirable but feasible with the right kind of backing. Currently it is still part of the State Railway who have supported it to the best of its ability since formation although funding has never been generous. Now the provincial Government of Central Java is increasingly taking an interest from the point of view of its heritage significance and its potential as a tourist attraction. Non-Governmental bodies like the Semarang Heritage Society are also acting to assist and there is also an unofficial overseas group The Friends of Ambarawa Railway Museum'. Click here for information about visiting the museum.

Joy Ride with C1218 steam locomotive

Friday, October 5, 2007




Ambarawa Steam Locomotive Depot finally finishing restoration once of steam engine nuber C1218. The restoration is initiated and supported from many railfans who cares about the existence of steam locomotive in Indonesia expecially in Ambarawa.

CC20015 hauling Cirebon Express train feeder

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

For the launching ceremony of The Cirebon Express Feeder, CC200 15 hauling the train set from Brebes to Cirebon. All feeder passanger will move to Cirebon Express Train at Cirebon station.

The Cirebon Express Feeder arrive from Brebes at Cirebon



Regullary Cirebon Express Feeder was hauled by CC201 locomotive series

trials the 8000 series of Electric Railway (KRL)



IRPS has been invited by PT Kereta Api’s officials for trials the 8000 series of Electric Railway (KRL) between Jakarta Kota and Bogor on September 19, 2005.

the 8000 series of Electric Railway (KRL) at Jakarta Kota station




the trials and inauguration of the Indonesian Electric Railway (KRL Indonesia) between Manggarai and Bogor



IRPS has been invited by PT Kereta Api’s officials for the trials and inauguration of the KRL-Indonesia in early March. Below are the photographs of the trial run.


KRL-Indonesia at Manggarai station before the test run




IRPS members and PTKA staff in front of KRL-Indonesia at Bogor station

jakarta's transportation









Bajaj

Bright orange and noisy ... easily describes a bajaj. These vehicles became popular in India where they were developed with Vespa and later imported to and built in Indonesia. Similar vehicles are known as rickshaw in Africa and Tuk-Tuk in Thailand. With an estimated 20,000 bajaj in Jakarta, it is evident they are very popular here too! Bajaj seat two passengers comfortably and up to five passengers - depending on the size of the passenger of course. Their areas of operation are limited to one mayoralty in the city. On the side of the driver's doors you'll see a big circle in which the area is designated ... Jakarta Barat, Jakarta Pusat, etc., with a different color for each mayoralty. The drivers are not allowed to go out of their area and aren't allowed onto many main roads, so routes may be a bit circuitous. Fare determination is by bargaining. It's always best to ask an Indonesian what they would pay for a trip to a particular destination from your point of departure, and then bargain and pay accordingly. A ride in a bajaj is hot, utilizing AC alam - or nature's air conditioning. The ride will also be noisy, smelly (car and bus fumes), bumpy, harrowing, and a grand adventure. My favorite maneuver is when the bajaj driver decides to flip a u-turn in the middle of the road. There is some protection from the rain, unless it's blowing hard. You'd think you'd have to be careful about robbery since the vehicle is so open - but it's not as common as robberies in buses. Having said all that ... bajaj are extremely convenient in many areas of Jakarta for a short drive. In April 2001 the government announced that they are going to replace bajaj with kancil, a new 4-wheel transportation. It will be interesting to see if they are any improvement!

Becak

Becak were banned within the Jakarta city limits in 1994 due to their propensity to cause traffic jams. Former President Soeharto (and others) also wanted to eradicate becak from the city streets because they felt the work to be degrading to the drivers. Becak are widely missed by people who live in housing complexes off the main roads and small roads which are not serviced by bus routes - as their sheer numbers in the city prior to the crackdown attests to how widely they were used. It used to be a common site in Jakarta to see becak drivers taking children to school each morning, and women home from the pasar (traditional market). However, you can still find a few becak drivers ignoring the ban in certain locations within the city limits - like behind the luxurious Plaza Indonesia. Outside city limits becak are still found at the junctions of main roads and smaller country lanes that don't have smaller bus routes. Different models of becak are common in many cities across Indonesia. Becak fit two passengers comfortably and possibly even more, depending on the size of the passenger. There is some protection from the sun ... and a plastic sheet that comes down over the front helps protect passengers during rainstorms. Bargain before you get in ... ! And don't expect the driver to have change for large bills.

Ojek

Ojek "motorcycle taxis" began appearing in Jakarta after becak were banned in 1994. Ojek service began as a people's initiative to provide a transportation options for people who used to use becak from main roads into housing complexes. There is no government licensing for or control over ojek. By law all motorcycle passengers should wear helmets, so ojek drivers should have a spare for you to wear. Ojek tend to congregate at t-junctions on main roads and near smaller roads that are not serviced by bus routes. Ladies have a careful balancing act if wearing a dress and must sit sidewise on the back of the vehicle. Bargain before you get on - ask a local what the price should be first. Ojek are a very comon way of transport in the countryside of Java if you want to move on to your final destination after dropping off a bus in a regional bus station

Ojek Sepeda

Rarely seen in areas of Jakarta outside Kota and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. Ojek Sepeda "bicycle taxis" operate much like ojek, except for shorter distances.

Bemo

Another noisy little neighborhood vehicle is the bemo, which is used for local transportation in limited areas in Jakarta. Originally brought to Indonesia by the Japanese government as part of a disaster relief package in 1962, the vehicles were never manufactured in Indonesia in as great a number as bajaj or becak. Bemo are found in and near Benhil, Tanjung Priok, Kramat Jati and other areas outside Jakarta.

Delman

Perhaps the only truly traditional mode of transportation left in Jakarta, delman (horse-drawn carriages) are getting harder to spot in Jakarta nowadays. However, they are still very popular in the countryside and provide a common mean of transport in Yogya and Central Java. Delman are most commonly used to transport goods from major markets. In Jakarta, Delman can often be found around Pasar Palmerah, Kemanggisan, Cipulir, around big pasar run by PD Pasar Jaya (the city market authority). On Sundays you can rent a delman in the roads surrounding Monas (the national monument). The locals usually pile in the kids and have the delman driver take them for a fun ride around the Monas park. Delman are often rented by a Betawi family to transport kids around the neighborhood to celebrate a sunatan ceremony (circumcision). When rented for parties such as this, the delman are often decorated with traditional Betawi ornamentation which lends a very festive air. Delman have been used by the expatriate community in Permata Hijau for years to carry their kids around the housing complex to the participating homes for trick-or-treat fun. They provide great fun for a expat child's birthday party as well. Bargain ahead of time to settle on a price as the price varies depending on the distance. Delman pictured above is from Cibadak, near Sukabumi.

Bis

There are a large number bus (bis) companies servicing routes in Jakarta. Many of the larger buses seat 25-40 people (depending on type of bus). The buses have set prices (which should be posted on the bus), currently Rp 700/trip (March 2001). Bus companies include the government-owned PPD and Damri, which provides service to the airport. Private companies include Metro Mini. Some buses are air conditioned like Mayasari and Patas AC; they are more expensive - Rp 2300 - 2750. Other bus lines are run by cooperatives like Kopaja and Kopami. All buses have set routes and set fares, but not set schedules. Students in uniform pay a lower rate of Rp 300 - no matter the distance. If you're not sure of the fare, ask other passengers what it is. Pay the "conductor", who is usually hanging out the back door. He won't have change for big bills. Buses are the most common transport of the masses. As we near the fourth year of the monetary crisis, they are almost universally in bad condition. There are less buses on the road as the price of spare parts has caused companies to vandalize other buses in their fleet and up to half of many of the fleets may not be roadworthy. Bus passengers are often the target for robberies, street singers, and beggars - both on the buses and in the major bus terminals. Many bus drivers are notoriously dangerous as they race against each other to try and pick up passengers before the other buses plying the same route. Metro Mini has the worst reputation for poor drivers. Buses do not necessarily stop at bus stops ... they stop wherever they can pick up a passenger be it in the middle of the road or on a busy intersection. Buses do not necessarily come to a complete stop for passengers to get off and on. So be careful as to which foot you step off the bus with! The beginning and end points of each bus route are found on the front and back of each bus, along with a route number. If you don't know which bus to take, just ask the people at the bus stop and they'll tell you (helps if you speak Indonesian, of course). Inter-city buses to other cities in Java and Sumatra (bis antar kota) can be found at the biggest bus stations - Pulau Gadung, Kampung Rambutan, Lebak Bulus, Blok M, and Kota.

Mikrolet / Angkot

Mikrolet and angkot (these vehicles go by other names as well) are smaller vans/mini-buses that serve set routes on smaller main roads. They seat 9-12 people, depending on the type. Fares run from Rp 500 to 1,200, depending on the distance. Students pay Rp 300 if in uniform - for any distance. The beginning and end points of the routes are visible on the front and back of each bus, along with a route number. For example, Tanah Abang - Meruya M11.

Kereta Api

A commuter train (kereta api) runs several times daily from Bogor to Jakarta. These trains are quite simply furnished and often quite dirty. Scores of passengers brave the dangers and seat themselves atop the trains to avoid paying the fares.

Trains to other major cities on Java leave Jakarta from train stations at Gambir, Tanah Abang and Senin. Different classes of service are available, with the first class or executive class being quite comfortable. Some trains are bookable in advance. Trains are a good transportation option for inter-city travel on a budget. Information on train schedules can be found on the National Railways web site.


Source:
This page is based on data from the very resourceful website Living in Indonesia, which has also the copyrights for all materials found on this specific page. Visit their web site for more background information on any aspects about visiting or living in this beautiful country.

Indonesia

Thousands islands, different cultures, numerous languages, diverse ethnics, several religion, ONE nation…


Indonesia

Indonesia_06_450
Indonesian Children
General Information

The name INDONESIA has its roots in two Greeks words "Indos" meaning India and "Nesos" meaning islands. Indonesia often referred to as the world largest archipelago. It is estimated to be total of 17.508 islands, and they are stretching over 5.150 km between the Australian and Asia continental mainland and dividing the pacific and Indian ocean at the equator. Because of its strategic position Indonesia's cultural, social, political and economic patterns have always been conditioned by its geographical position.

The Indonesian sea area is four times larger than its area, which is about 1,9 million sq km and the sea area is about 7,9 million sq km. Five main island are Kalimantan or two thirds of the island o! f Borneo (539.450 sq.km), Sumatera (473.606 sq km), Papua which forms part of the islands of New Guinea (421.952 sq km), Sulawesi (189.035 sq km) and Java including Madura (132.035 sq km)

Indonesia_04_450
Mount Batok, East Java

Mountains lovers will find plenty to enjoy Indonesia. A great volcano chain, the Bukit Barisan, runs the entire length of Sumatera. On the west coast, the mountains fall abruptly to the sea, while in the east they ease gradually down to plains in a broad fringe of coastal mangroves. Vegetation - clod - volcanoes also rise dramatically from the sea at Banda, Ternate and Makian. Many of the volcanoes are still active, despite being one of the most active volcano on the archipelago, mount Merapi in central Java is favorite for climbers.

Mountain lakes are also abundant in dormant craters of many volcanoes, the most famous of these being lake Toba in the northern highlands of Sumatera. This mountain lake covers area four times of the size Singapore. The mountainous island of Flores is famous for its multi coloured volcanic la! kes, known as Keli Mutu. The tree lakes are in a close group and range from dark red to turquoise.

Indonesia_07_250
Bali Dancer

Located between two distinct bio-geographical groups - Asia and Australia. The flora and fauna of the archipelago is also quite idiosyncratic. In glacial period Java, Sumatera and Kalimantan lay on the Sunda self and were joined to each other and to the mainland of Asia, but Papua and the Australian continent at the time lay on the sahul self. This original geographical segregation explains why the typical oriental fauna species found in Java, Sumatera and Kalimantan are completely lacking in Papua. Similarly, the marsupials which occur in Papua, are not found in the oriental region. Species found nowhere else on earth have flourished in several areas.

Indonesia_09_250
Enchanted Bromo

Indonesia lies within the botanical region of Melanesia, covering the Malay peninsula south of the isthmus of Kra, the Indonesia archipelago, the Philiphines and the whole of Papua New Guinea ex! cept the Solomon islands. For the most part the Melanesian region is covered by the luxuriant growth of the characteristical tropical rain forest vegetation, a type of ever wet vegetation containing a large number of timber species harboring various kinds of epiphytes, saprophytes and lianas. These caracteristic features and high number of general and species endemic within this region make the flora of Indonesia completely different from that of the world.

Indonesia_08_450
Jakarta after dark

Due to Indonesia's emergence into an archipelago, many islands are separated by seas and therefore lost contact. Each of them have caused the development of culteres, including their language and their growing into diversity and multiculture. There are 500 ethnic group in Indonesia and other sub communities are the Chinese, Arabs, and Indians. Culture and art are intertwined with religion and age. Portugese traders and Dutch colonists brought with them Western thoughts which also became part of the culture. Though the legal system is based on the old ! Dutch penal code, social life as well as the rites of passage are founcled on traditional law or "adat" law, which differs from one area to another. Islam is the predominant religion but it is somewhat tempered by elements of hindu-buddism, adat law and animism. Religious influences on the community are variously evident from island to island. Unlike some countries, arts forms in Indonesia are not only based on folklore. Many were developed in the courts of former kingdoms such as in Bali, where they are part of religious ceremonies. The famous dance dramas of Java and Bali have derived from Hindu mythology and often feature fragments from the Ramayana and Mahabrata Hindu epics. Music, dance and drama are very often intertwined. For example is the puppet play an important form of indigenous theatre. The puppet play has many forms.

Indonesia_03_450
Rice Terrace, Bali

The population of Indonesia is about 210 million and 60 % of of the nations huge population is living on the Java i! sland. Java island constituting just 7 % of indonesia's total land mass. It is the center of politics, commerce, administration, and education.

Indonesia_05_250
Rektorat Indonesia University

University of Indonesia: Located in Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia is one of the oldest universities in Indonesia. Today UI remains a dynamic and excellence for research and learning, attracting both Indonesian and international students. Institut Teknologi Bandung ( ITB ) located in Bandung, capital city of West Java. Indonesia Institute of the Arts ( ISI yogyakarta ) is located in Yogyakarta city. It was officially started as a state institute in July 1984. ISI Yogyakarta welcomes the application from overseas students who are interested in learning about the Indonesian traditional arts, usually as exhange students. Courses in traditional dance, karawitan music, and batik craft are the most popular study programmes for overseas students.


Indonesia tourism links
  • Ministry of Culture and Tourism
  • The official site of Indonesian Culture and Tourism
  • The first Indonesian travel portal company
  • Jogja
  • The Best of Bali
  • Updated information from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Indonesia Newspaper
  • The Jakarta Post
  • Indonesia News





  • Indonesia_01_450
    Grand Mosque Medan, Sumatera Utara

    Indonesia


    Indonesia

    Indonesia_06_450
    Indonesian Children
    General Information

    The name INDONESIA has its roots in two Greeks words "Indos" meaning India and "Nesos" meaning islands. Indonesia often referred to as the world largest archipelago. It is estimated to be total of 17.508 islands, and they are stretching over 5.150 km between the Australian and Asia continental mainland and dividing the pacific and Indian ocean at the equator. Because of its strategic position Indonesia's cultural, social, political and economic patterns have always been conditioned by its geographical position.

    The Indonesian sea area is four times larger than its area, which is about 1,9 million sq km and the sea area is about 7,9 million sq km. Five main island are Kalimantan or two thirds of the island o! f Borneo (539.450 sq.km), Sumatera (473.606 sq km), Papua which forms part of the islands of New Guinea (421.952 sq km), Sulawesi (189.035 sq km) and Java including Madura (132.035 sq km)

    Indonesia_04_450
    Mount Batok, East Java

    Mountains lovers will find plenty to enjoy Indonesia. A great volcano chain, the Bukit Barisan, runs the entire length of Sumatera. On the west coast, the mountains fall abruptly to the sea, while in the east they ease gradually down to plains in a broad fringe of coastal mangroves. Vegetation - clod - volcanoes also rise dramatically from the sea at Banda, Ternate and Makian. Many of the volcanoes are still active, despite being one of the most active volcano on the archipelago, mount Merapi in central Java is favorite for climbers.

    Mountain lakes are also abundant in dormant craters of many volcanoes, the most famous of these being lake Toba in the northern highlands of Sumatera. This mountain lake covers area four times of the size Singapore. The mountainous island of Flores is famous for its multi coloured volcanic la! kes, known as Keli Mutu. The tree lakes are in a close group and range from dark red to turquoise.

    Indonesia_07_250
    Bali Dancer

    Located between two distinct bio-geographical groups - Asia and Australia. The flora and fauna of the archipelago is also quite idiosyncratic. In glacial period Java, Sumatera and Kalimantan lay on the Sunda self and were joined to each other and to the mainland of Asia, but Papua and the Australian continent at the time lay on the sahul self. This original geographical segregation explains why the typical oriental fauna species found in Java, Sumatera and Kalimantan are completely lacking in Papua. Similarly, the marsupials which occur in Papua, are not found in the oriental region. Species found nowhere else on earth have flourished in several areas.

    Indonesia_09_250
    Enchanted Bromo

    Indonesia lies within the botanical region of Melanesia, covering the Malay peninsula south of the isthmus of Kra, the Indonesia archipelago, the Philiphines and the whole of Papua New Guinea ex! cept the Solomon islands. For the most part the Melanesian region is covered by the luxuriant growth of the characteristical tropical rain forest vegetation, a type of ever wet vegetation containing a large number of timber species harboring various kinds of epiphytes, saprophytes and lianas. These caracteristic features and high number of general and species endemic within this region make the flora of Indonesia completely different from that of the world.

    Indonesia_08_450
    Jakarta after dark

    Due to Indonesia's emergence into an archipelago, many islands are separated by seas and therefore lost contact. Each of them have caused the development of culteres, including their language and their growing into diversity and multiculture. There are 500 ethnic group in Indonesia and other sub communities are the Chinese, Arabs, and Indians. Culture and art are intertwined with religion and age. Portugese traders and Dutch colonists brought with them Western thoughts which also became part of the culture. Though the legal system is based on the old ! Dutch penal code, social life as well as the rites of passage are founcled on traditional law or "adat" law, which differs from one area to another. Islam is the predominant religion but it is somewhat tempered by elements of hindu-buddism, adat law and animism. Religious influences on the community are variously evident from island to island. Unlike some countries, arts forms in Indonesia are not only based on folklore. Many were developed in the courts of former kingdoms such as in Bali, where they are part of religious ceremonies. The famous dance dramas of Java and Bali have derived from Hindu mythology and often feature fragments from the Ramayana and Mahabrata Hindu epics. Music, dance and drama are very often intertwined. For example is the puppet play an important form of indigenous theatre. The puppet play has many forms.

    Indonesia_03_450
    Rice Terrace, Bali

    The population of Indonesia is about 210 million and 60 % of of the nations huge population is living on the Java i! sland. Java island constituting just 7 % of indonesia's total land mass. It is the center of politics, commerce, administration, and education.

    Indonesia_05_250
    Rektorat Indonesia University

    University of Indonesia: Located in Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia is one of the oldest universities in Indonesia. Today UI remains a dynamic and excellence for research and learning, attracting both Indonesian and international students. Institut Teknologi Bandung ( ITB ) located in Bandung, capital city of West Java. Indonesia Institute of the Arts ( ISI yogyakarta ) is located in Yogyakarta city. It was officially started as a state institute in July 1984. ISI Yogyakarta welcomes the application from overseas students who are interested in learning about the Indonesian traditional arts, usually as exhange students. Courses in traditional dance, karawitan music, and batik craft are the most popular study programmes for overseas students.


    Indonesia tourism links
  • Ministry of Culture and Tourism
  • The official site of Indonesian Culture and Tourism
  • The first Indonesian travel portal company
  • Jogja
  • The Best of Bali
  • Updated information from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Indonesia Newspaper
  • The Jakarta Post
  • Indonesia News





  • Indonesia_01_450
    Grand Mosque Medan, Sumatera Utara

    Ubud

    Next: Gili AirPrevious: Yogyakarta

    Bali: Tourism and Hinduism in Ubud



    Sate Babi in preparation
    Bali is actually the only Indonesian island we are not eager to go to. It is very touristy in a way similar to the average beach destination. But we need to pass Bali on our way to the islands of Nusa Tengara, and decide to make a stopover in the village of Ubud. Once there the beauty of this island gets to us. The Hindu culture and beautiful landscapes guarantee a great stay, as long as it is not spoiled by mass tourism.

    Long trip

    From Yogyakarta, the bus drive to Denpasar, including the ferry, takes 16 hours. The ticket we bought suggests a luxurious bus, but we are picked up by a crowded minivan. We wonder when we will make the transfer, and fear we have to complete the journey like this.


    Terrorist attacks

    Our visit stems from before the terrorist attacks in Kuta, Bali. These attacks harmed tourism in Bali and the whole of Indonesia. Although we think Bali is better of without mass tourism, we feel sorry for the friendly people in Bali and Indonesia, who lost an income from tourism. And we like to stress that Indonesia is safe for adventure travellers, since only the mass tourist destinations (like Kuta) are interesting for terrorist attacks.

    So please visit Indonesia (including Ubud/Bali) for a terrific adventure travel vacation!!!

    But after a few hours we arrive in Solo, and transfer to a bus. But it is not a luxurious one, but a crowded local bus.

    The rest of the bus drive goes smooth. Around 2 AM we arrive at the ferry, where we eat a complementary noodle soup. It takes a while for the bus to get on the small ferry, but without mentionable problems we arrive at 7 AM in Denpasar, the traffic hub of Bali. Immediately we are attacked by the taxi drivers, who offer to bring us to Kuta, or elsewhere (“No Kuta?”). But we prefer to take the local bemo, although we need to negotiate at these as well. After an hour and another bemo transfer we finally arrive in Ubud.

    In Ubud we are approached by someone from Eka’s homestay. We are tired and decide to follow him and take the bungalow in the nicely decorated garden. We lie down and decide to catch up on some sleep.

    Relatively expensive

    We wake up hungry and head out for lunch. We discard some restaurants since they are very expensive for Indonesian standards. But after a while we realise we have to eat fancy, expensive, and little, compared to what we are used to. These are the first signs of a tourism environment. But when we walk along Ubud, it doesn’t seem all too bad. In the center are many tourists, but in the outskirts of town we see more locals.

    Hindu religion

    Hindu temple in Monkey forest, Ubud, BaliContrary to the rest of Indonesia, Hindu is the common religion on Bali. Everywhere in Bali (well, apart from Kuta probably) the Hindu religion is visible. In our homestay, every morning offers are brought to the different gods. The good gods have offer houses hanging on the walls. For the bad gods, living undergrounds, small banana leaves with some rice are put on the ground. And as in every Balinese garden, a small part of the garden is reserved for a few temples.

    And then there are the public temples. Every small community has at least three of them. One at the entrance for the founders of the community, one for normal services, and one at the end for the dead, including a cemetery. But mostly, there are many more, dedicated to one ore more of the specific gods of the complicated Hindu religion. Ubud consists of many communities, that used to be separate villages. Consequently, the number of temples is huge.

    Monkey forest

    The most important street in Ubud is Monkey Forest Road. At the end, it leads into Monkey Forest reservation, where many macaques live. Funny animals, who know what to get from the tourists, but are not too aggressive. A little further are a few temples. To enter these, we need to wear a sarong and a so-called temple-scarf. Unfortunately, many tourists ignore these rules.

    Procession

    Procession in Ubud, BaliOn our way back to the homestay we pass many Balinese people in their Sunday sarong heading to Monkey Forest. When we ask why, it appears to be some kind of holiday, and people will participate in a procession through the village. We hurry to take a shower and return to watch the procession. The first part consists of men wielding their keris (traditional Indonesian dagger), some kind of Chinese dragons, and musicians. They are followed by women carrying umbrellas, and the rest of the population. It is a nice sight, although we have no clue what the festivities are about.

    Bicycle

    In order to see the surroundings of Ubud, we rent some bikes. First we cycle to the east and up-hill. We pass many woodcarving shops and end up in the village Petulu. There is a large heron colony here, which we can watch from a distance. We move a little further up hill after which we descend through the beautiful landscape with rice fields and small villages.

    Sabine in front of the ricefields in BaliIn the afternoon we head west. This road descends into a valley where a few rivers join. Then it goes steep up hill, end we are even forced to walk. But when it gets less steep we can cycle again. The road continues along a fast flowing river, but unfortunately the nice places along the river are taken by some expensive resorts so we cannot take a look into the valley. So we move back through some small villages and a steep winding road. On our way, we see a pig being transported upside-down, probably to be ritually turned into sate babi, a famous Indonesian dish that can only be eaten in bali since the muslim people cannot eat pig meat. A little tired we arrive back in Ubud.

    The few days in Bali have surprised us positively. The unique culture has a lot to offer in a beautiful landscape. Staying away from the beaches and annoying tourists, a stay in Ubud can leave a great impression.