Java is a very beautiful island that you should see for yourself. Here is an inspiring beutiful story written based on an adventure driving experience to the heart of java.
Friday
Bangkok – Jakarta – Bandung – Garut
I succumbed to a rare vision of delight upon waking in bangkok with the sunrise. My Excitement was due to the approaching chance of fullfiling one of my life’s ambitions – driving through the mystical heart of Java towards the magnificent temple of Borobudur. Mydawn flight from Suvarnabhumi to Soekarno-Hatta airport marked the beginning of motoring excursion that would take me from jakarta to Central Java and back again in three days.
The few friends who had made exploratory trips into Central Java had brought back tales of a stunning, majestic and raw landscape, dominated by active, dormant and extinct volcaanoes, exquisitely sculpted padi fields, vast coffee, palm oil and rubber plantations and isolated, almost medieval villages set on lush slopes and valleys. I couldn’t wait to see it for myself.
Another source of excitement was the choice of steed for the expedition, a handsome anthracite black BMW X5 3.0i. In my mind, this sport utility vehicle really looks the business – sporty, stylish and luxurious – with an air of elegant understatement.
As the daylight began to fade, the heavens gushingly opened and suddenly we were driving through thick swarms of flying ants – the annual sign that the monsoon rains have arrived. On unknown roads in the dense Java night, things could get interesting. Four rather exciting hours later – it was my first introduction to the mesh of javanese traffic maneuvers – we arrived safely in the hotels that have sprung around the springs of garut. Our accomodation for the night was the area’s first and most established hotel, the Tirtagangga Gitamaya, where after some steming nasi goreng and a quick stroll to walk off dinner, we called in early – the next day promised to be quite a drive and I was eager to get started as early as possible.
To be continued
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