A Train Trip Across Java

Andy Hill

I had to reach Yogyakarta, in the middle of the large, finger-shaped island of Java. I flew into Jakarta, located on the island’s western tip, and although it cost nearly as much to fly to my destination, I decided to take the train.

I love riding on trains. Even though I have spent many marathon sessions on trains and am thirty-years-old, I act like I am eight-years-old when riding a train. So, it was with childlike glee that I bought my ticket for 170,000 rupiah (about $17 US) and boarded a train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, departing at 6:10 a.m. and arriving at 2:30 p.m.

Although I purchased the cheapest ticket because I am cheap, there did not seem to be any class higher than the one I was in. I had a seat next to a window. The seat offered a little tray as well as a power source for my laptop.

Though it was probably built in the seventies, the train car was clean and air-conditioned and I could not imagine why it would need to be any nicer than it was. The train started chugging along past endless rows of shanties built adjacent to the tracks, and slowly Jakarta drifted away. We were soon following the verdant, volcanic, lush spine of Java.

Waiters from the food car came along with menus. I smiled and nodded at one of them, who smiled, bowed and handed me a menu. He waited next to my seat with one hand behind his back as if we were at a five-star restaurant. I ordered a cup of black coffee, which he attentively wrote down on a paper and scurried off to get for me.

It was a peaceful, quiet ride, and I thought of the many dynasties which had ruled Java, of the massive Buddhist and Hindu temples, the thousands of Mosques and of all the triumphs and tragedies which had occurred on that island.

Mountains, valleys, rivers and forests passed outside the window, and I watched with a contented gaze as we continued to our destination, arriving right on time at 2:30 in the afternoon.

I couldn’t think of a nicer way to spend the day.