Jalan Kebon Kacang area budget hotels.

Sarinah Complex ,The Indonesian emporium.
This is the first department store to open in Jakarta way back in 1967.
A popular place where every Jakartans are familiar with.
In fact in the everyday life of the people commuting within the city using the Transjakarta Busway,the word Sarinah Halte will be mentioned every now and then.

 Another significant event in 1967 was the current US President Obama was just six years old when he moved to Jakarta with his mother,Ann Dunham.

He studied at the Fransiskus Asisi Elementary School and he was nicknamed Barry.
At third grade he was later transferred to Besuki Elementery School.These were related in his book:"Dreams From My father"

The Sarinah Emporium has lost its appeal due to the rising stars of newer and bigger megamalls nearby.

To international backpackers visiting Jakarta,Sarinah Complex will be a name to be reckoned as within this departmental store vicinity will be a good place to stay due to its central and strategic location.

 



Jakarta together with Singapore are among the cleanest city in Southeast Asia.
 Photo of Jalan M.H. Thamrin with the very wide city roads taken from the overhead bridge in front of Sarinah.
Vehicles stopping at the traffic light intersection with Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim stretching on both sides.
Turning right and walking pass Mc Donald Restaurant,the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel and after Jalan H.Agus Salim junction straight ahead will lead to Jalan Jaksa/Jalan Kebon Sirih area across the road here.

 The previous night I made a mistake by crossing the road on my left thus landing me in a community area known as Jalan Kebon Kacang.

My intention was Jalan Jaksa but anyway I have discovered cheap 'penginapan'(guesthouses) in the area.




 Gedung Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia(State Secretariat) building directly opposite Sarinah.

A department under Badan Pengawas Penilu. The main secretariat headquarters building is at Jalan Veteran.

Jakarta is like a mini Manhattan of the west.

 Tourist Office is at No:81,Jalan M.H.Thamrin,Jakarta Theater Building which is just across the road from Indosat(Indonesian Satellite)

.On the fifth floor of Sarinah Department Store is the post office.

 Menara Topas is an elegant high rise skyscrappers just ahead owned by a rich tycoon.It is part of the Bank Mayapada Group with vested interest in Duty Free Shoppers retail chain,Hospital Mayapada Tanggerang,and properties owner of Mayapada Towers,Topas,Permata Tower 1 and Sona Topas. 





  During my first night in Jakarta,I managed to walk through the whole of Jalan Kebong Kacang neighbourhood just by chance in search of a 'losmen'.

The narrow streets were just like the 'Sois' in Thailand and quite dark.
A few mosques were in the vicinity and the locals tend to spend their time hanging outside their house chatting.

 After enquring from some of the 'bapaks around,managed to find this Losmen Muara located at Jalan Kebong Kacang 1. Rates from Rupiah85,000(bathroom outside) while Rupiah110,00(aircond,attached bathroom). Rooms ratings very poor.

Just adjacent to the Losmen Muara is Wisma Muara,rooms here are much better and cleaner Rates from Rupiah120,000-140,000 aircond with bathroom inside.It belongs to the same owner.

At Losmen Muara the main hall is very spacious and vacant just to cater for goods storage. Most of the hostel guest are here to 'belanja'(shopping) at the nearby garments wholesale centre and the goods packed in bales are temporarily stored for safekeeping. Contact the young boy in charge to book a room:Wendi








Beside Losmen Muara is Wisma Davinci a newer building.
 No:94,Jalan Kebon Kacang.Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:(021)314 7783
Rates:Rupiah200,000 - 250,000.

  Penginapan Arina.
No20,Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:(021) 3145784 Room Rates:Rupiah100,000-150,000

Wisma Muslim,
No:2B,Jalan Kebong Kacang,Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat. Just after a small market.
Tel:(021)314 6559.
Room rates:Rupiah80,000-150,000










Penginapan Lampung.
This one has goods storage front hall.

Penginapan dan Runah Makan Icha.
N0:11,Jalan Kebon Kacang 1.Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:(021)3902545,0816 136 3422,0856 9731 2667 (contact Epen) an Indonesian Chinese.
This is just beside Hotel Focus and the back entrance to garment wholesale centre.








Hotel Focus,
No:9,Jalan Kebon Kacang 1,Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat. Location is at the far end of Kebon Kacang 1 with less than 600metres is the Metro Tanah Abang Mall.
Room Rates:Rupiah280,000-350,000.








There were many forwarding companies around providing shipping,air freight and land transport for delivery of goods both domestic and international.

The moment you walk into this Metro Abang and happened to be a businessman dealing with textiles and garments or having boutiques shop you are bound to make bulk orders here.







 The Metro Tanah Abang Mall,just nearby Hotel Focus.

 How do you walk to Metro Tanah Abang from Mc Donald Restaurant beside Sarinah Department Store?
Cross the road onto Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim,on the other side at the traffic light junction with another ten minutes walk and you'll reach the Grosir Tanah Abang market with lots of activities during the day.

Midway before the market is a sideroad Kebon Kacang 10 that joins Kebong Kacang 1.During night time the road here is poorly lit and it is safe to walk even though quite dark as there are many shops around. Most of the African students aka businessmen have made Tanah Abang area their santuary.

Jakarta a magnificent metroplis.

Half hour into the journey from Merak Bus Terminal,the bus made another half an hour stop at Terminal Pakupanan Serang,Banten Province.

 Upon paying the bus fare,there won't be any ticket being issued and this is something very odd using the private local buses.

Kota Serang is the capital of this province whereas Merak about 10km from here was the former capital.

Serang is bounded by the Java sea towards the north,Tangerang Regency (Tigaraksa the capital) to the east,Lebak Regency( capital Rakasbitung) and Pandeglang Regency(capital Pandeglang) to the south and Cilegon(major industrial city) to the west.

 Banten was part of the Sudan Kingdom according to a Hindu-Sudanese monk(Prince Bujangga Manik) who visited all of the holy Hindu sites in Java and Bali Island during the 15th century.
 The most dominant language spoken is the Sudaneses apart from Javanese and Betawi dialects. Two famous religious sites are the Banten Great Mosque and the Avalokitesvara Temple.

 Historical sites like the Speelwijk Fortress at Kampong Pamarican near Banten Gulf is where the Dutch overpowered the Sultanate stronghold. A 75.7 metres tall light house in Anyer Kidul was built by the Dutch in 1885.

The ruins of Surosowan Royal Palace is another attractions. The Larung Sesaji Ceremony held every February month is a glitzy ceremony held on Banten Beach,Panggungrejo District,40km from Blitar City to give thanks to God.In Blitar town lies the ancient Hindu Penataran Temple.

At 6:00pm the bus left Serang bus terminal and exited to the Merak-Jakarta highway.

6:45pm:Tenggerang Exit (20km west of Jakarta)An industrial and manufacturing hub.
7:15pm:Kedoya Toll booth (Plaza Kedoya Elok along Jalan Panjang nearby)
7:30pm:Semanggi Toll booth at Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto (Inner Ring Road leading to Jalan Sudirman,Jalan M H Tamrin).
Bus did not turn into the city. 8:30pm:Arrived at Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal which was 18km southeast of Jakarta Pusat.

It was such a hectic terminal and very busy at this hour.
Taman Mini Indonesia is just nearby off Outer Ring Road TMII-Cikunir Toll Road. There were a few guesthouses off the terminal's entrance charging Rupiah75,000 but the atmosphere made me feel uneasy.

I made another search of the busway platform which the bus conductor told me earlier. I managed to locate the brightly lit platform compared to those buses parking bays compound which have poor lightings.

Busway fare was Rupiah3,500 and the staff were very helpful in providing me the station stop information.
Being a newcomer here in Jakarta,trying to identify a station halt at night was a difficult task. I was lucky to meet one Mr Chien,an Indonesian Chinese working in a tax consultancy firm on his way home.Mr Chien guided me further on the bus transfer halt station at Harmoni and to get off upon seeing a big McDonald caption at Sarinah Halt,the prime location of backpackers guesthouse at Jalan Jaksa near Jalan Kebon Sirih area.

 Photo of Jalan MH Thamrin one of the arterial road of Jakarta Pusat. The highways towards and out the city have extensive traffic congestion but still move at a slower pace.

The situation was similar to that in Bangkok.




Metropolitan Jakarta is the tenth largest city in the world after Shanghai.
 In front of Jakarta's Hotel Nikko is Nikko Busway Halte along Jalan MH Thamrin whereby you have to get down here and walk to the huge mega malls which is a short distance further up.

 The Nikko Halte is just after Sarinah Halte if you were to come from the south.

At the end Jalan MH Tamrin was a big roundabout of Jalan Bundaran HI,the busiest traffic circle of Jakarta.

In the middle of the circle was a monument(Tugu Selamat Datang) of two waving sculptures(Hansel and Gretel) welcoming visitors and a colourful fountain.

It was commissioned in 1962 by President Sukarno to greet visitors and sportsmen attending the Asian Games held in Jakarta at that time.

 The Bundaran HI roundabout is also surrounded by prestigious buildings ranging from embassies,financial institutions and foreign companies.

During peak hours the influx of traffic was very massive around this traffic circle.

At the traffic circle towards the right will be Jalan Kebon Kacang where the megamalls were located.

Twelve o'clock turn will be lead to Stesun Sudirman and Jalan Jenderal Sudirman while another road on the left will be Jalan Diponegoro.





Grand Indonesia Shopping Town opposite Jalan Bundaran HI traffic circle on the right.

 It consisted of Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall,BCA Tower,Kempinski Private Residence and Hotel Indonesia Kempinski(the oldest and best known hotel inaugurated by president Sukarno on Aug 5,1962).

This is a one stop shopping paradise of Jakarta. BCA Tower is Jakarta's second tallest building (230m) after Wisma 46(250m)at Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kavling while third tallest is The Peak 1&2(219m),a Beaufort Residence at Jalan Sudirman.

There were very impressive 5 levels skybridge linking to all the malls and with ample parking lots.


The best of Indonesian arts and handicraft is at the Alun Alun Indonesia located on the 3rd Floor,west mall of the Grand Indonesian Shopping Town.

Antiques Gallery,Batik and Weaving demonstration which is an art wholly originated in Indonesia,jewelery showcase by local designers,arts collection and souvenirs are some of the main highlights at Alun Alun Indonesia.

  Grand Indonesia with eight levels of shopping experience spread over two main building linked by an integrated skybridge is currently one of the largest shopping centre in Southeast Asia.

There are three zones:Specialty Zone exclusively for branded stores,Main Mall Zone for popular brand beauty and wellness products,and the Crossroads of the World Zone for food and meals,entertainments,amusements and shopping through different cultural atmosphere.




 Prominent department stores like Seibu of Japan and Harvel Nicols of England also have their presence here.

Plaza Indonesia just across Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall has the largest showcase of boutiques of top international luxury brand such as Marc Jacobs,Chloe,Davidoff,Emporio Armani,Joseph Abboud Rebecca Taylor,Club Monaco,Camper and many others.

Plaza Indonesia is linked to the Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel and eX(Plaza Indonesia Entertainment X'nter.

'eX' is an entertainment and recreation centre as well as retail outlets offering to the young,sophisticated and dynamic Jakartans.

Metropolitan Jakarta is having a super boom especially with all the modern shopping malls and highrise skylines at every corner of the city.It will soon be the next upcoming economic powerhouse of Asia.

Bakauheni pier to Merak bus teminal.

As the ferry SMS Kartanegara left Bakauheni's pier in Provinsi Lampung Selatan,the view of the mainland was fantastic.

The crystal clear water of the Sunda Straits and the cool breeze of the afternoon was very refreshing.

This is one great holiday destination not to be missed while visiting Indonesia.

 Lampung is a very unique place for ecotourism and the many mountains here are suitable for trekking.

The highest peak is Gunung Pesagi (2,262m) in west Lampung near Liwa.





The Menara Siger in the horizon is very eye catching.

The building might be mistaken as a resort hotel especially when it is located on a mountain top overlooking the sea.

This is ground Zero marker for the Sumatran Highway.








S P Ferry passing by SMS Kartanegara.Both ferries are in fact very old made wayback in the 70's or 80's but with regular maintenance then only will they be seaworthy.

It's time that there should be a certain limit of lifespan for a certain vessels to operate and be replaced with new ones.

 A larger passenger ship with the theme 'We serve Indonesia'(Kami berkhidmat kepada Indonesia)

 PT ASDP Ferry Indonesia is the main operator.
ASDP means Angkutan Sungai dan Penyeberagan (River and cross straits transportation).

List of ports throughout Indonesia:
Java Island: Jepara,Merak,Surabaya,Ketapang
Kalimantan: Balikpapan,Pontianak,Batu Licin

Maluku: Ambon,Tual,Ternate

NTT/NTB: Kayangan,Lembar,Kupang,Sape

Papua: Biak,Sorong,Merauke

Sulawesi: Bajoe,Bitung,Selayar,Bau-Bau,Luwuk,Siwa

Sumatera: Bakauheni,Batam,Padang,Sibolba,Bangka,Bengkulu,Sabang,Sinabang

A modern skybridge linking to the ferry.

Latest ferry fares list in per 1000Rupiah( adult/children/motorcycle)

Tanjung Kelian-Palembang (46/31/70)

Merak-Bakauheni(11.5/7/20)

Ketapang-Gilimanuk (6/5/8)

Padangbai-Lembar(36/23/52)

Bajo'e-kolaka (62/41/90)

Sape-Labuhan Bajo (46/30/70)

Sape-Waikelo (45/30/71.5)

Selayar-Labuhan Bajo (111/71/177)

Pagimana-Gorontalo (73/49/115)

Balikpapan-Mamuju (111.5/74.5/175)

 Batulicin-Garongkong (126.5/86.5/190.5)

Bitung- Ternate (95/64/150)

Namlea-Sanana (117/88/175)





Merak Port workers waiting for the ferry to berth.

Lately the Sunda Straits is experiencing winds of 35 knots and the seawaves of 2.5m making berthing slight difficulty.

The workers are very professional in administering the situation. On the whole,Merak Port area including the bus terminal is very clean.

Even the crystal clear blue sea hardly can you find any rubbish strewn around or any eyesore sights.





We have to walk through rows of stalls selling snacks and drinks before reaching the Merak bus terminal.

 Foodstalls are available near the buses platforms.

The most popular package instant noodles in Indonesia is 'Mie Sedap' with chicken,curry and soto flavours.

The stalls here seemed to have ample stocks of pancakes and the 'krupuk'(prawn crackers)




  Merak bus terminal is just beside the Merak Port(Pelabuhan Merak) situated at the westernmost tip of Java Island in the District of Pulo Merak,Cilegon,Banten Province.

Merak terminal is about 125 km from Metropolitan Jakarta City or about 95km using the Merak-Jakarta highway

The small bus terminal have many buses both aircond and economy seats to Kalideres,Bandung and Cipularang,Pulo Gadong bus terminal,Tanjung Priuk bus terminal,Kampung Rambutan bus terminal and other cities in Central Java.

There won't be any ticketing counters nor touts except for the respective bus companies drivers and conductors scouting for passengers.

I took an aircond bus with a fare of Rupiah20,000 departing at 5:00pm(WIB) with an estimated travel time of 3-4 hours depending on traffic conditions.

  Provinsi Lampung has a population of over 6.5million where a large portion of the people are migrants from Java,Madura and Bali.

 Due to overcrowding in Java Island the government has embarked on a transmigration program.

The province has 8 regencies and 2 cities:
Bandar Lampung and Metro.
With a valuable assets of various ethnic cultures,cultural dances like the Ponogoro(Java's mask folk dance),wayang kulit(Java's shadow puppet show),barongsai(chinese lion dance) and Bali's Ogoh-ogoh (purging of evils) are popular over here in Lampung Province.

Unique Rumah Adat(Customary Houses) are the Nuwou Balak(Balai Keratun) which is the home of Village chief and Nuwou Sesat or Sesat Balai Agung, a place where the chiefs of the villages convene can be observed at Taman Mini "Indonesia Indah"

About 80km from Bandar Lampung is the Elephant Training Center (Taman Nasional Way Kambas,Lampung Timur) and the nearest zoo(Taman Wisata Bumi Kedaton) is 7km from the city in the direction of Kampung Sukarame II,Batuputu,Kecamatan Teluk Betung Barat.

The main entry to the zoo is via Jalan Pangiran Emir M Noor.
Entrance fees:Rupiah3,000
Animal shows:Rupiah10,000
Elephant ride:Rupiah10,000

The most famous food of the Lampung people is the Pindang Lampung,with a gravy similar to 'Tom Yam' of Thailand.
Try it at No:45,Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim,Taman Santap Rumah Kayu. Another popular dish is the 'pempek' which can be found everywhere. When it comes to shopping for souvenirs,the Kain Tapis Inuh is a traditional hand woven embroidered silk fabrics in various design.

Ferry ride across the Sunda Straits.

Depart Rajabasa bus terminal in an aircond bus (fares:Rupiah 22,000) for a 3 hours journey to Bakauheni ferry pier.

 On arrival I had a plate of 'nasi padang' (Rupiah14,000) at a nearby restaurant before making my way to the ferry ticketing counter.

Nasi Padang is rice with some Minangkabau cuisines.

 It was not so congested at this time of the year as the Lebaran (Idul Fitri) New Year has already passed which at that time saw an estimated million travellers exodus.

Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world having a population close to 50million whereas Indonesia on the whole has 237million,the world's ranking number 4.

Bakauheni port has six piers,Pier I,II,III for unloading passengers and cars while Plengsengan Pier I,II,III will only operate when there is a need.

 The ferries main operator is PT ASDP Indonesia (Persero) and adult fare was Rupiah11,500.

Just infront of the ferry terminal are the buses platforms that goes back to Lampung City.

 The Sunda Straits (Indonesian:Selat Sunda) is a narrow sea lane between the Sumatra and Java Island having a width of 24 km.

The seabed is like a flat table but deepens towards the east as it approaches the Indian Ocean.

With a depth of only 20metres in most of the eastern part of seabed,navigation might be problematic with the presence of sandbanks and at times the tidal flow.

 One of the volcanic island called Gunung Krakatoa and a newly formed Anak Krakatoa back in the 1927 volcanic explosion is along the Sunda Straits just opposite Lampung Bay.

Being on a plate tectonics or fault line,this area is within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

An islets with white sandy beach near the Bakauheni pier.

In the case of Mount Krakatoa,the shoreline will be black volcanic sand,hot under the tropical sun.

  A fishing vessel returning to base after a great catch.

The Sunda Platform which is part of the Eurasia plate has as a shallow sea with warm seawaters and a good breeding ground for planktons.

From the Straits of Malacca till the Straits of Makassar,the abundance of planktons invited most of the marine fishes to feed in these areas.

Planktons are responsible for providing food source and nutrients to fishes. Most of the fishes caught in domestic waters are processed locally while the better species like tuna and sashimi are exported.
Morotai near the northeastern tip of Maluku Island is a center of tuna industry because the tuna fishes from the Pacific Ocean made a stopover here.

Carita coastal town is the main gate to Sunda Straits and a great place for fishing tour or deep sea fishing.

15km west of Carita is the Krakatau Archipelago that have nice fishing spot such as Rakata Island,Pulau Panjang,Batu Mesjid and Serdang Islands.

For deep sea fishing,Ujung Kulon Panaitan Island is a good base.

Outstanding hotspots are at Karang Copong,Karang Jajar,Tanjung Parat,Karang Kereta and Tanjung Layar. Fishes like tenggiri,yellowfin tuna,marlin,wahoo and sailfish can be caught.
Karang Jajar faces the Indian Ocean and have strong tides.
Tanjung Parat is shelterd and suited for small boats.
Tanjung Layar is the lighthouse and rocky sea bottom.

Fishing boat rental at Berkah Resort.Tel:0252-5600378/9 HP:087880269951 (bapak Slamet)

Oil palm plantations in the high mountains near ferry terminal.

The hills in the foreground is the Rajabasa Mountain and over the mountains on the other side is the Kalianda town facing the Lampung Bay with the Krakatoa Nirwana Resort in the locality.

 Canti fishing village along the coastline is before Kalianda town from the direction of Bakauheni.
 Ranau Lake is the second largest lake in Sumatra after Lake Toba located in the Lampung Barat Regency at Sukau,in the village of Lumbok or 31km from Liwa the regency's capital.

Hotels around Liwa town: Dana Insani,Gunung Putri,Karang Nyimbor,Pesagi,Sarijo,Sempana Lima,Losmen Fajar Bulan,Wisma Sindalapai,Wisma Selalau,Losmen Gembira,Stabas,Serdahana,Purnama,Permata,Dwi Putri and hotel Jembar Manah.





  Kids swimming near ferry hoping for passengers generosity.

A small token of the rupiah notes folded and thrown into their direction will see them diving for it.

Siger Tower just opposite Bakauheni's terminal port inland is a landmark symbol to reflect Lampung's identity as a province of south gate and Zero highway marker point of Sumatra.

Canti ,a small fishing town is an hour minivan drive from Bakauheni ferry terminal.

There were speedboats to the smaller islands like Sebuku Besi,Condong Sulah and Umang-umang island.

 On the eastern part of Lampung Province facing the Indian Ocean,Belimbing town is the southernmost point which is near to the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (a World Heritage) at Sukaraja and near to Kota Agung town facing the Semaka Bay.

















Vessel: 'WE LOVE INDONESIA' (kami cintakan Indonesia)

There are three express ships Pascadana 2,Ele Expres and Ctra Jet 2.

Ferry's slogan: 'WE BRIDGE THE NATION' (Bangga menyatukan nusantara)

About 33 ferries in operation among them BSP II,Duta Banten,Nusa Mulya,Nusa Agung,Nusa Jaya,Jatra I/II and Panorama.







Large ship like Trubuna I had a capacity to transport 175 four wheeled vehicles and 395 passengers.

A 'KELONG',fishermen floating shelter platform.

  Merak bus terminal ahead as the ferry approached the north western end of Jawa Island.

On leaving the ferry,just walk along the pedestrian bridge till the very end and turn right.Walk down the stairways and continue into a building passing through many stalls and there were many buses to Metropolitan Jakarta.

Night at Rajabasa Bus Terminal,Lampung

It was 6:45pmWIB(Waktu Indonesia Barat) when the train halted at the Stasiun Tanjung Karang in Bandar Lampung,Lampung Province.

The skies were already very dark as the time zone is similar to those of Thailand and Indochina.

 The Indonesian archipelago has 3 time zones (UTC+7 to UTC+9)

 The western time zone(WIB) covers whole of Sumatra and Java.

Central time zone (WITA) covers Sulawesi,Kalimantan and Lesser Sunda (Denpasar area) while the Eastern time zone(WIT) is observed in Maluku and Papua.

 Near the exit of the station were many green coloured angkot waiting to transport passengers to town center and the Rajabasa bus terminal.

I followed one 'bapak'(a name used to address an Indonesian male senior) who was also going to catch a ferry to Jakarta who guided me.

For the ladies we called them as 'ibu'.The fares charged was Rupiah5,000 and the minivan was packed like sardine.

Bapak used to pay for Rupiah3,000 using the angkot and was telling me no reason for the hike in price.

 The train station was off Jalan Raden Intan(near Plaza Lampung) and the angkot headed northward along Jalan Teuku Umar via Jalan Zaenal Abidin Pagar Alam which is quite a straight stretch of road to the Rajabasa Bus Terminal.

Ramayana Shopping Centre is within vicinity.

The city centre and the seaside will be southward along Jalan Raden Intan passing through traffic circle on to Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro till Jalan Ikan Bawal which is near the coast.

The Universitas Lampung and museum were located north of Lampung city.

 Hotels and guesthouses(rumah penginapan) in Lampung:

1) Hotel Seraton:Jalan Wolter Mongonsidi. Tel:(0721) 486666

2) Marco Polo Hotel:Jlana Dr Susilo Tel:(0721) 262511

3) Sahid :Jalan Yos Sudarso Tel:(0721) 488888

4) Indra Puri:Jalan Wolter Mongonsidi Tel:(0721) 258258

5) Sumatra Elephant Eco Lodge:Dusun 1,Desa Ratu Iv Way Kambus

6) Hotel Hanum:Jalan Raden Intan

7) Hotel Hartono:Jalan Kesehatan Tel:(0721) 262525

8) Hotel Arinas:Jalan Raden Intan Tel:(0721) 266778

9) Grande Hotel:Jalan Raden Intan

10) Hotel Grand Anugerah:Jalan Raden Intan

11) Hotel Nusantara:Jalan Soekarno Hatta

12) Hotel Nusa Indah(Melati III):Jalan Raden Intan. Tel:(0721) 265242

13) Hotel Kurnia Perdana (Melati III):114,Jalan Raden Intan Tel:(0721) 262030

14) Hotel Andalas (3 star):89,Jalan Raden Intan Tel:(0721) 263432

15) Hotel Kurnia Dua (3 star):75,Jalan Raden Intan Tel:(0721) 252905)

16) Hotel Purnama (3 star):75,Jalan Raden Intan Tel:(0721) 26148

17) Hotel Ria (3 star):107,Jalan Kartini Tel:(0721) 253974.

18) Hotel Mahligai Puri(3 star):29,Jalan Cokroaminoto Tel:(0721) 253694)

19) Hotel Kemala (3 star):73/75Jalan Gatot Subroto

20) Hotel Sari Damai (3 star):Jalan Teuku Umar.Tel:(0721) 701935

21) Hotel Parahiyangan(3 star):Jalan Teuku Umar Tel:(0721) 255339

22) Hotel Pacific (3 star):13,Jalan Yos Sudarso Tel:(0721) 482334

23) Hotel Merpati(3 star):Jalan Yos Sudarso Tel:(0721) 341333

24) Wisma Lampung:1,Jalan Z.A.Pagar Alam Tel:(0721) 704676

25) Wisma Haji:Jalan Soekarno Hatta tel:(0721) 702077

26) Bukit Randu Hotel & Restaurant:1-2A,Jalan Kemboja Tel:(0721) 2566680

27) Hotel Chandra:1,Jalan Hayam Wuruk-Pemuda. Tel:(0721) 263787  

KOTA AGUNG (80km southwest of city,coastal area.Location of planet's most biological habitats park,the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park ranked by WWF .Needs permit to visit so get at main office in Jalan Raya Terbaya.Camping grounds near Sukaraja)


1) Soponyono Hotel :Jalan A. Yani Pringsewu Tanggamus Street Tel: (0722) 21051

2) Setia Hotel :294,Jalan Samudera Tel:(0722) 21065

3) KS Hotel :90,Jalan Samudera, Pasar Madang

4) Wisma Hosana :Jalan Raya Gisting Bawah - Tanggamus Tel: (0729) 41705

5) Balong Kuring Hotel :Jalan A. Yani Pringsewu - Tanggamus

6) Borobudur Hotel :Jalan Raya Pringsewu - Tanggamus

Tourist Office:79,Jalan Ahmad Dahlan. Tel:0721-263401

Terminal Rajabasa is for long distance buses and about 10km to city center.

Bandar Lampung is the fourth largest city in Sumatra with Teluk Betung being a coastal old town while Tanjung Karang is towards the inland.

The Rajabasa bus terminal is the main transport hub for travellers into Sumatran cities as far as Acheh in the northernmost point.

Buses to Palembang(10hrs),Bengkulu(16hours) and Bukit Tinggi (22hrs)

 Another local bus terminal is at Panjang,about 6km southeast of town serving places within the province.

To get here from train station get green oplet(minivan) to Sukaraja Street and transfer to red oplet.







It was around 8:00pm when the angkot reached Rajabasa's terminal right in the middle of the complex where the buses to Bakauheni Ferry Pier(connecting to Jawa Island) were waiting.

 In fact in front of the Tanjung Karang's train station is the Damri bus that have the bus-boat transfer shuttling passengers to the pier and picking up on the otherside at Merak(Jawa Island).

Only two trips per day at 9:00am and 9:00pm.
I decided to change plan and not to continue the journey to the pier as it will be past midnight so I spent a night at this terminal.





 Inside the main building were many food and snack stalls together with the private bus companies booth.

The ticketing booths are useless as there won't be counter clerks.

One has to roam around the compound and the many touts will be the director ensuring the bus you should take. Using the washroom cost Rupiah2,000






Spent a night at this police beat which also act as a temporary rest area for those who missed their buses.

There were also many nice spots over the other building which is good for resting.

Seating areas are limited. The last bus departure was at 11:00pm after which the whole area became quiet.

I was being approched by a tout offering the last bus to Jakarta for Rupiah120,000 which was a discount of Rupiah20,000 but was turned down by me.

There were no platforms for the individual buses but were alienated certain groupings within the station's compound.

Position 1 is the Information and enquiry dishub,medical centre,passengers waiting lounge.

AKDP Bus routes: Rajabasa to Bakauheni.

Bakauheni is 30km south of Kalianda,the departure point for ferries to Merak,on Java's northwest tip.

Rajabasa terminal main building architecture has a mix of Hindu and Buddhist culture.

The name itself was Hindu and the rooftop is a three-tier chinese pagoda look alike.

Tulang Bawang Kingdom(Lampung) is the oldest Hinduism Kingdom in Nusantara (Indonesia).

The Manggala area in Lampung was an active trading center during the 15th century where Hindu and Chinese traders first visited including the poet I-Tsing. Agama Hindu Dharma is still in practised by 93% of the population in Bali.,Sumatra,Java(especially the Tenggerese in the east),Lombok and Kalimantan.

Pos 2 is near jalan Zainal Abidin Pagar Alam exit where the mikrolet and local bus waiting area.

Position 3:Terminal C (ASDP/AKAP) is from the entrance at Jalan Kapt.Abdul ASDP(Antar Kota Dalam Propinsi)-inside province: Tanjung Karang,Natar,Kemilang,Panjang,Kota Bumi,Unit.

 AKAP(Antar Kota Antar Propinsi)-outside province:- Palembang,Medan,Aceh,Jakarta,Bandung,Jogyakarta,Surabaya.

A vendor selling cake puffs standing beside the Puspa Dewi bus.

The bus name is reflective of the Hindu influence during the Srivijaya era.

A year 2010 transport bus price list in Lampung Province from Rajabasa terminal.

There is a minimum base price and a maximum chargeable price in Rupiah.

 1) Bakauheni (13,000/17,000)
2) Kota Bumi (13,500/17,500)
 3) Manggala (15,500/20,500)
4) Labuhan Maringgai (17,000/22,000)
5) Way Mili (22,000/28,500)
6) Kota Agung (13,000/17,000)











The main entry and exit point for most of the buses beside another section of the complex building.

Local province buses,the blue bus is to Kota Bumi.

A Javanese woman selling 'air mancur' to some of the drivers.

Air Mancur is a medicinal brews known as Jamu which has been a preserved tradition to keep one' health,strength and mental alertness.
















The group in purple uniform helped pick up baggages from the luggage compartment while touts will be zooming on the passengers.

  Gang of touts including bus drivers from other companies.





















Pushcart stall selling 'SoMay Goreng'.

Goreng is fried while SoMay sounds chinese,"siew mai" a kind of dumpling normally serve in a dim sum menu.