Road Trip

Idul Fitri holiday as we call it here “Mudik Lebaran” has become more of a culture for Indonesian. My family included. Daddy driving, mommy navigate with her limited sense of direction, sister and me sit at the back. Then we were ready to start our journey from Jakarta to Surabaya. It was years ago, when US$1 equal to Rp 2,500.

The habit continues until finally I could really sit behind the steering wheel. For anyone who calling him/her self love to travel, road trip is a MUST!!

Java island the south of the archipelago. The old Deandels track built on the north side, connecting Anyer and Panarukan. The road similar to rupiah and dollar fluctuation on 1997 lays on the south through the mountains, forests, paddy fields and beaches riches with great surf. Both tracks have their own attractions.

Journey through the north starts with 75 km freeway heading to Cirebon for lunch, a full plate of “Sate khas Cirebon”. Lamb skewer served with chili peanut sauce and rice. Need more spicy on it, just add the chopped green chili and red onion.

The old mosque in Demak with its giant pillars waiting 200 km east, took couple of great pictures here is necessary. Stayed for a night in Semarang where once the world greatest Admiral Cheng He has landed.

Heading east for Nganjuk having “pecel” and “nasi pincuk” for lunch. Visit Caruban, bought water melon and eat it fresh, what would you ask for more.

Before I tell you about the city finale. The south track should reveal.

Ducth inherited tea plantation 60 km south of Jakarta, then heading to Bandung “the parisj van Java”. The next 100 km then reached Tasikmalaya through Nagrek, the village famous with the 45 degrees “tanjakan”.

After had a wondrous sidetracked by finding great beach called “Karang Bolong” located in one of secluded village in Gombong. The journey continues, another 150 km east to Yogyakarta Ngadiningrat. Will need another story only to describe this beautiful city where the ancient javaness culture still rule by the existence of Sultan Yogyakarta. Stay for a night just to have small bite of this city to unwind your soul after 10 hours driving from Jakarta.

Start your journey early in the next morning to have another 10 hours driving to my city finale, Surabaya.

Yet this is not the end of the journey.