Indonesia Trip Summary

With MYR getting lower each day, I thought travelling to Indonesia would be the best idea 😅. At the time of writing, the exchange rate for MYR10 = Rp30,769.

Travel itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Adisucipto International Airport, Yogyakarta and check in Rumah Roso
Day 2 - Borobodur
Day 3 - Sultan Palace and Taman Sari. Take night train to Bandung.
Day 4 - Check in Elenor's Home
Day 5 - Hang out with friends
Day 6 - Tangkuban Parahu and Sari Ater Hot Spring
Day 7 - Take bus (CityTrans) to Jakarta. Check in Tomang Residence
Day 8 - Ancol
Day 9 - Depart from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport - T2, Jakarta

Yogyakarta to Bandung to Jakarta

Why Indonesia? 

Other than my practical reason above, my biggest intention to Jogja is Borobodur, visiting friends and outlets in Bandung and Ancol in Jakarta. This is my second time to Indonesia. The first time was 2011 to Bali. Indonesia wouldn't be a strange place for us coz we have lots of Indonesian friends/acquaintances, our countries in the same region and etc. At least that was what I thought 😁. 

What I found?

I wrote few posts on some of the place below. Check out the link. To sum up:

Yogyakarta (Jogja)

• Jogja is a clean place. The people there don't litter around (as in Malaysia 😓)
• Beware of the self-claimed tour guide. 
• Jogja people in general are nice and friendly. 
• Safe to walk around the street at night. 
• I love Ronde 😍 . Kinda like a Chinese mix Javanese dessert. 
• I love Baso (Bakso) in Jogja.
• Must go Borobodur, despite of the expensive ticket (foreigner Rp200k; local Rp20k). Foreigner got to pay Rp300k in the weekend.
• Cheaper to travel by taxi (meter) than becak. You would think Rp50k from Malioboro to Alun-Alun Selatan (mere 2km) is cheap, but taxi from Alun-Alun Selatan to Tugu Station (3-4km) is Rp30k.

Bandung

• The worst traffic jam I ever encountered. We literally walked faster than taxi. If you must come here, come on weekdays.
• Not cold like what I was told. Even hotter than Jogja and Jakarta 😓
• I don't know what's the hype about the outlets here. Hong Kong definitely better. But outdoor adventurers: MUST GO Langit Enterprise 👍
• Must go Tangkuban Parahu, again although it's really expensive as compare to local.
• Sari Ater is great, just Rp25k

Jakarta

• Ancol awesome 
• Gojek is convenient. Goodbye grid-lock
• Use Uber, better rate than BlueBird Taxi

Final thoughts

Travelling to Indonesia isn't really as cheap as in 2011. I'm not sure if it's because MYR too low, or the cost of living in Indonesia getting higher. A decent meal at food court (Central Park mall, Jakarta) would cost around Rp 50k - Rp80k. But I'm happy and will be back (probably for Borobodur marathon?) Have lots of good memories made here.

Check out my reviews on the accommodation below :-

1. Rumah Roso at Yogyakarta
2. Elenor's Home at Bandung
3. Tomang Residence at Jakarta