I took the “executive” class train to Jakarta today. It was pretty nice since I got served tea and a small lunch on the 8 hour journey. I saw much of Indonesia’s countryside pass by. There were long stretches were I could barely see any reminders of modern life, but only rice paddies, forests, and rivers. There were not any sizeable cities the entire way. It was a relaxing trip, and an air conditioned one as well. I’ve been getting used to having no A/C for almost two weeks now and entering a mall or train feels really freezing!
Indonesia has the 4th largest population in the world, just after the USA. Today I arrived in its capital and biggest city, Jakarta. I talked to a couple of people who have been here and they said they hated it. My guidebook doesn’t have much good to say about it either, especially about crime, pollution, traffic, and lack of anything good to see. The guidebook says it is “suicidal” to cross the streets on foot here.
I’m planning on only staying one night here. I just want to go see the National Museum and then get out. I’ll cross the fewest number of streets possible, only go out in daylight, and just play it safe.
On arrival at the Gambir train station I walked to the area where the cheapest rooms are. They weren’t lying, the traffic here is crazy and it is tough to cross the streets. You can see the smoke from all the exhaust coming from the buses, cars, and motorcycles on the major roads. Some motorcycles don’t have any mufflers. I made it to the area and looked at 3 rooms before deciding on one. Once I got in my room, I never left for the rest of the night.