Mbah & Atok go to… tour of Java: Day 9

Mbah & Atok go to… Java by Train — Day 9: Bandung - Malang

Sunday 21 July 2024

The restful day yesterday was also a preparation for the longest train journey of our lives today. But first, to breakfast we go. We had a buffet spread this morning. It wasn’t bad, but surprisingly, I didn’t have much of an appetite. Mbah, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy it. Good for her because usually of late, it had been the reverse.

Breakfast to prepare for the long journey ahead

We got to Bandung station in good time. However, the guy who picked up our rented scooter (and returned my passport and the deposit money) arrived panting and out of breath with less than 30 minutes before our train was due to depart. He apologised for his delay, explaining that the road was jammed due to a marathon event in the city. He had abandoned his motorcycle to reach us faster on foot. 

Stuck behind marathoners

While waiting for him, we had been watching the marathon runners and thinking of our son-in-law, who was running his first full marathon in Kuala Lumpur that morning. Well done, Haikal, for qualifying as a finisher. Next, Ironman, perhaps?

The train that takes us on a 13 hours and 5 minutes journey

We boarded the train and found our seats. They were the adjustable back type, which should be nice and comfortable. The only thing was, we were facing the “wrong” direction — we would be facing the rear for the whole 13 hours and 5 minutes of this journey. Oh, well.

The views in Indonesia are, as always, captivating

This long train ride allowed plenty of time to reflect on our trip. A couple of the hotels we stayed in were in serious need of refurbishment. Their decor looked very dated. They were mostly large hotels or resorts, probably grand in their heyday but now showing signs of neglect and disrepair. We found hotels in West Java were generally more expensive. In fact, for the same price range that we had been paying, we could get better value in Malaysia, even in the major cities. We will stick to boutique hotels in the future.

The economy class trains in Java have front and rear-facing seats in their carriages. Mbah prefers facing the direction of travel. A little research online told me that on westward journeys (e.g. Malang to Jakarta), front-facing seats are between rows 1 to 10, with four seats to a row — A, B, C, and D; an isle in the middle separates them equally. Rows 11 to 20 become front-facing on eastward journeys. Rows 10 and 11 face each other actually; good seats to strike up conversations with strangers. But you need to be mindful of where you stretch your legs. 😀

Then there are the touts. They are a fact of life at many tourist attractions, not just in Indonesia, but in other Southeast Asian countries too in our experience. They are like pesky mosquitoes, continually jiving annoyingly around your face. Just ignore them and pretend they are not there, although it never gets any easier for us whom can be considered as seasoned travellers.

Finally, know and accept the signs of travel limits. Our bodies are not as young and resilient as they once were. Continuous multiple days of hectic activities seriously affect our energy levels, and thus our moods. When we start to feel overwhelmed, it is time for us to slow down and take a break. We will try five or six days in a row as the limit. After that book somewhere (preferably with a swimming pool) to recharge. Visiting fewer places but in better shape makes for happier memories.

Mbah, still lively after the long ride home

We arrived home around 11:30 PM. Tired but happy to be home, the home away from home. It has been another memorable trip for Mbah and Atok. InsyaAllah, until next time.