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A room with an airport view

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I’ve been staying at a business class hotel in Yogyakarta as part of a job. I like Indonesian guesthouses but it has been good to have access to free wi-fi from my room.

If it's Wednesday it must be Yogyakarta

If it's Wednesday it must be Yogyakarta

Most of the international hotel chains in Yogya are out near the airport, which is about 8km from the city. They have a shuttle bus that runs to the city centre, so I have to plan my days activities around the shuttle or get a taxi.

One thing about this hotel is that its a plane spotters dream. I can’t help but look at a plane landing everytime I hear one coming.

Room with an airport view

Room with an airport view

Obama in Indonesia

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Barack Obama lived in Indonesia from 1967 to 1971, and he attended local schools in Jakarta from ages six to ten.

Obama had stated that he was going to visit a Muslim majority country in his first 100 days of office. There was talk that the country would be Indonesia, but it turned out that Turkey got the honour.

In Indonesia have seen two Obama references that mark a shift in the general good will back towards the USA.

In Jakarta I found this “Obama Fan’s Club” bar.

Obama Fans Club - Jakarta

Obama Fan's Club - Jakarta

In Yogyakarta I spotted this Obama stencil on a wall.

Obama Stencil - Yogyakarta

Obama Stencil - Yogyakarta

So a fan club and graffiti without any derogatory remarks for a US president, something you would not have seen a year ago.

Hotel Breakfast Service

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I have often found myself staying at a hotel with breakfast included, only to find that the breakfast doesn’t start until long after I have departed. Breakfast that is served at 7 or 8am is no good if you are getting the 6am train.

Breakfast Served From

Breakfast Served From

I was happy to find that my hotel in Bandung have breakfast start at 5am.

Trains in Java – Indonesia

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Java has a useful train network which makes for a great way to get from Jakarta to major cities on the island.

Train at Jakarta Gambir Station

Train at Jakarta Gambir Station

The trains are spacious and comfortable and have a meal service.

Jakarta view from train

Jakarta view from train

After flying and overnight buses the train has been a welcome change. The train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta shows off Java at its most scenic, with dormant volcanos as the back drop of rice fields.

Java from the train

Java from the train

Economy and Express Trains to Bogor

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Bogor is about 60km from Jakarta and is practically a suburb of the capital. It makes for a great day trip from Jakarta to visit the world class botanical gardens.

There are two trains that run from Jakarta to Bogor, an economy and express train. I jumped onto the first train going to Bogor, which happened to be the economy train. It’s sort of like a chicken bus. As many people as possible squeeze in with all their boxes and produce.

Bogor Economy Train

Bogor Economy Train

On the way back I got the express train, which could be any commuter train in the world.

Bogor Express Train

Bogor Express Train

Pocari Sweat

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Pocari Sweat is a sports drink from Japan that is popular in Indonesia.

Pocari Sweat

Pocari Sweat

Putting the word sweat in the title of any beverage doesn’t leave a good impression in my mind. I have an image of a Pocari, whatever that is, having its sweat sponged off and bottled.

Despite the visual, it turns out to be an ideal drink in the sweaty climes of Jakarta.

Indonesian small change

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The Indonesian Rupiah needs to reset and drop a few zeros. Currently 1 USD will get you about 10,000 Rp, which means you only need $100 USD to be a millionaire here.

The maximum you can withdraw from most ATM’s is 1,500,000 Rp, which is about $150 US. If it’s a machine that dispenses 50,000 Rp notes, you will have a wad of 30 notes to stuff into your wallet.

The smallest note is 1000 Rp, which is 10 cents US. 500 Rp (5c US) is the largest coin but you hardly see it. I have noticed in Jakarta that many convenience stores have a jar of sweets and which they will give you in lieu of coinage.

Indonesian Small Change

Indonesian Rupiahs and lollies for loose change

Flight Review: AirAsia – Padang to Jakarta

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I had originally intended to get the bus from Padang to Jakarta, until I discovered that the cost of flying was only a few dollars more than the bus. Seeing that the bus was also going to cost me 30 hours, flying was an easy choice.

There are plenty of flights between Padang and Jakarta so the tickets are reasonably priced even a few days before flying.

Padang Departure Board

Jakarta air lift - Padang Airport

What I like about AirAsia is that seating is assigned, so there is no mad rush for seats like on Ryanair and easyJest.

When you book online you can pay to pick a seat. You can also pick your own seat at check-in without having to pay. I was fortunate enough to get window seat behind the exit row. This is possibly the best seat of the lot as there is no seat in front of you.

Emergency Row Seat

The best seat in the house - behind the emergency row

If you are going to be flying to Jakarta, get a window seat so you can see the Thousand Islands chain. This evocatively titled island group is closer to 100 islands than 1000, but it looks great from above no matter how many there are.

Thousand Islands

Thousand Islands - more than just a salad dressing

30 Days for 13,000 Islands

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Australians travelling to Indonesia are issued with a 30 day visa upon arrival, which costs $25 USD (payable in USD or Indonesian Rupiah). If you plan ahead you can get a 60 day visa before you arrive, which costs about $50 USD.

A 30 day visa to explore a country with over 13,000 islands a ridiculously short amount of time. It’s a hassle when you compare to visa offers in neighbouring countries. Malaysia give you 90 days upon arrival, as does Singapore, Thailand is 30 days if you arrive by air, and they are all free.

With 30 days my plan was to spend around 10 days each in Sumatra, Java and Bali. Quite a whirlwind trip when you consider the distances involved and it allowed no room for plan deviations.

My plan was blown away by an extended stay in Tuk-Tuk on Lake Toba. I got the overnight bus from Lake Toba to Bukittinggi which takes about 16 hours. It travels on the Trans Sumatran Highway, which is a highway by name only.

Bukittinggi is a pleasant enough place but it’s not really a destination, more of a base for exploring the regions mountains and lakes. I have to be in Padang in 2 days to get a flight to Jakarta so my time in Sumatra has all but run out.

Jam Gadang - Bukittinggi