A guide for how to travel overland from Java to Bali by train, ferry, and bus. Java and Bali are separated by the Bali Strait, and the islands are 2.4 km apart at the closest points. Ferries run continually between the two islands, so this is one of the easiest crossings when overlanding across Indonesia. […]
Bandung to Yogyakarta by train – one of the most scenic rail journeys in Southeast Asia
The train from Bandung to Yogyakarta is one of the most scenic rail journeys in Southeast Asia. I’ve been on most of the rail lines in Southeast Asia, so I feel confident making such a claim. In fact, I would say that this rail journey through West and Central Java should be more globally famous. […]
Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (Whoosh): A guide to the fastest train in Southeast Asia
A complete guide to Whoosh, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. Station guides, buying tickets, what to expect onboard, and how to get to the stations. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia, with a top travel speed of 350 km/h. After years of construction delays and cost blowouts, the railway officially […]
Singapore to Indonesia by ferry: A list of every port and ferry operator
A guide to every ferry service between Singapore and Indonesia, including how to connect to other ferry services in Indonesia. Singapore and Indonesia are close maritime neighbours separated by the Singapore Strait. The two countries are just over 5 km apart at their closest point, and the fastest ferry services take a little under an […]
Notes on Lake Toba: The paradise lake of North Sumatra
Lake Toba is a volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It’s the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. It should be more famous, yet somehow it gets few visitors. I first visited Lake Toba in 2009, and I ended up going back to spend a month there. The centre […]
Palembang to Lubuk Linggau by train in South Sumatra
Kertapati (Palembang) to Lubuk Linggau is one of the main passenger rail routes of South Sumatra. This is a review of train service KA Bukit Serelo from Palembang to Lubuk Linggau. I have previously been to Palembang to take the train from Palembang to Bandar Lampung. Like the Bandar Lampung service, the service to Lubuk […]
Hotel Review: Hotel Royal, Lubuk Linggau – Indonesia
Hotel review of the Hotel Royal in Lubuk Linggau in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Hotel Name: Hotel Royal. Address: Jl. Yos Sudarso No.88, RT.2, Jawa Kanan Ss, Lubuk Linggau Tim. II, Lubuklinggau, Indonesia. I stayed at the Hotel Royal in Lubuk Linggau, Indonesia. I booked online at the rate of 330,000 IDR ($20.36 USD), and I […]
Hotel Review: Ayola Sentosa Palembang
Hotel review of the Ayola Sentosa Palembang, a mid-range hotel in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Hotel Name: Ayola Sentosa Palembang. Address: Jalan Kolonel Atmo No. 16 17 Ilir, Ilir Timur, Palembang, Indonesia. I stayed at Ayola Sentosa Palembang in Palembang, South Sumatra. I booked online at the rate of 392,931 IDR ($24.23 USD) per night, […]
Notes on Rantau Prapat, and a rant about Google, Tripadvisor, KAI, and Tourism Indonesia
Rantau Prapat is a city in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Its main claim to fame is that it’s at the end of a railway line, which was what brought me there. There are things to do outside the city, but you wouldn’t know it from the railway website or Tourism Indonesia. And I’m going to rant […]
Notes on Medan: Gateway to North Sumatra
Medan is the largest city on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It’s the capital of the province of North Sumatra, and if you are visiting Lake Toba and/or Gunung Leuser National Park (for the orangutans) then you will pass through here. I have a soft spot for Medan as it was the first place […]
