At every tourist hotspot in Java I have ran into groups of students practicing their english skills on tourists. I like the interrogation, even if it’s always the same questions. I always find the students to be friendly and enthuiastic. I can see why teaching English as a foriegn language appeals as a travel job.
To prove that they have been doing their homework the students usually get your email afterward and take your photo on their mobile phones.
English Students at Prambanan Java
Having a TV again for the first time in weeks I was mindlessly channel surfing and discovered English Bites.
English Bites
The show is on the Australia Network by the ABC, and delivers mini english lessons.
Education has replaced tourism as Australia’s number one service export. That is not surprising considering that Australia is the largest English speaking country in the region.
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
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
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 Fan's Club - Jakarta
In Yogyakarta I spotted this Obama stencil on a wall.
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.
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
I was happy to find that my hotel in Bandung have breakfast start at 5am.
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
The trains are spacious and comfortable and have a meal service.
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
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
On the way back I got the express train, which could be any commuter train in the world.
Bogor Express Train
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 evena few days before flying.
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.
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 - more than just a salad dressing
