It was raining in the morning when Kamila from my guesthouse was driving me on the ojek (scooter) through two river bridges to the Kertapati railway station. I was completely wet when we reached the station at 7.30 am, but thank you a lot dear Kamila for your free service – in 1,8 mln Palembang theydo not have taxi service!
There are two trains per day crossing South Sumatra to Sunda Strait, I decided to take the day train, not only because it is less expensive, but also because I wanted to meet the people and to see scenery. You have to show your passport to buy the ticket. Seats are numbered and subclass C – like 3rd class cost me only 32000 IDR – like 2,5 USD – for 12 hours journey! What a deal!
The staff in the train wanted me during first hour of our trip to keep the courtains closed (-Because the local people are throwing the stones!) But later I enjoyed in full the landscapes of rubber gum plantations, rice fields, oil palms, little villages with miniature mosques… People in the train were very kind to me – they offered me food, they wanted to have a pictures, they were asking questions (one young student was very proud to translate).
It was 6.20 pm when we reached the final station of Tanjung Karang. Prepared with a good map I found easily my Red Doorz motel.
Uff… What a day! Now it is time to look for my daily portion of nasi -rice and to have a rest. Tomorrow I want to cross thd strait to Jawa!
But the comfort was very little so after 8 hours I became tired (they too)
