A Journey Following the Scenic Window Views: The Train to Yogyakarta
I entered Gambir Station, cutting through the bustling and humid morning air of Jakarta. Today's journey is a train ride to Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Indonesia's Java island. From early morning, the front hall of the station was busy with a constant stream of people pulling suitcases and sedans passing by.
Morning at Gambir Station and the Luxury Lounge
Since I had booked a luxury ticket in advance for this trip, I was able to use the exclusive lounge. Stepping inside, I was welcomed by a cool and refreshing blast of air conditioning, with sofas and marble tables neatly arranged. A wide variety of drinks and snacks were prepared, but because I unfortunately had an upset stomach since morning, I could only look at them like a pie in the sky. Leaving my disappointment behind, I rested in the cool air and waited for departure time.
As boarding time approached, I headed toward the platform following the announcements. On the digital display board of Platform 4, train details were being clearly shown, and countless passengers were waiting at each platform bench for their respective destinations. My coach was located at the very back, so I walked my way down while asking staff for directions. It was impressive to see porters in red uniforms moving diligently with large luggage bags on their shoulders.
Opening the door to the luxury cabin at the very back, a spacious electric reclining seat unfolded before my eyes. The legroom in front was so incredibly wide that even when I stretched my legs all the way out, they didn't touch the seat in front. A personal cushion, blanket, and a bottle of mineral water were neatly provided, and the quiet, high-end atmosphere inside the cabin raised my anticipation for the train journey even further.
The Moving Scene Outside and a Sweet, Savory Train Meal
The train smoothly accelerated as it glided away from Gambir Station. I really love train travel. When you gaze quietly out the window, the fresh green countryside scenes and small villages keep passing by like an endless travel documentary. These days, train facilities are excellent and extremely comfortable, so just leaning against the window and watching the scenery put my mind completely at ease.
At lunchtime, a flight attendant delivered a neatly packaged lunch box. When I opened the box, I saw a bundle carefully wrapped in banana leaves, so I secretly hoped for a special dish rich in seasoning. However, when I unwrapped the banana leaves, only white rice came out, which made me slightly disappointed at first. But when I tried it with the crispy potato chips and the spicy seasoned side dishes that came along, the savory and rich flavor was excellent. My initial slight disappointment vanished instantly, and I finished the whole plate of rice clean.
A Sanctuary at the End of a Maze-like Alley
After traveling for about 6 hours, we finally arrived safely at Yogyakarta Station (Stasiun Yogyakarta) at exactly 3:00 PM. Stepping out into the station square, a classic, old yellow steam locomotive model and red banners welcomed me warmly. Now it was time to head to the hotel I had booked.
While looking at my map app to find my accommodation, I encountered a small, narrow alley with a large yellow sign hanging. The sign was packed with the warning 'HARAP TURUN DARI KENDARAAN'—which means do not enter on motorcycles or bicycles but get off and push them—along with no-entry symbols. I got intimidated and wandered around for a while, wondering if it was okay to enter, but once I actually stepped inside, it was a cozy and welcoming alley filled with the warm nostalgia of a charming traveler's street.
Walking a bit further along the alley, the grand white columns of the Patra Malioboro Hotel that I had booked finally came into view. Because it was the dry season, I didn't sweat much even under the blazing sun, allowing me to complete check-in in a clean and comfortable state. After unpacking my bags in the room, my heart fluttered naturally at the thought of going out to eat something refreshing.
The Sound of Horse Carriages in Malioboro and a Simple Meal
Dressing lightly, I went out to stroll around the Malioboro area near the hotel. In this area, quite uniquely, classic horse-drawn carriages traveled on the roads as if they were a natural form of public transportation. Even though horses were pulling them, it was fascinating and charming to see that the roads were kept very clean without a single piece of horse manure on the ground.
I headed to a fried ramen spot with good reviews that I had searched for on Google Maps beforehand. Hunger was the best sauce, but the noodles, combined with crispy fried dumpling skin toppings, vegetables, and soy sauce seasoning, clung perfectly to my palate. It seems that no matter what or where you order Indonesian food, it always delivers an excellent taste that is above average. I enjoyed a satisfying meal accompanied by a cup of cool tea.
On the way back to the hotel, I dropped by a nearby convenience store and bought an endearing canned drink. It was a Nestlé Bear Brand can, and I picked it after staring at it for a while because its plump, tiny design was exceptionally cute. Drinking it, it tasted like a typical sweet and smooth milk tea.
The Cool Dry Season Night Breeze and Malioboro's Night View
Around 7:00 PM, after the sun had completely set, I stepped outside again. Perhaps because it was Indonesia's dry season, the heat of the day had vanished without a trace, turning into cool and pleasant weather that was perfect for walking after sunset.
I walked as if taking a stroll toward the end of the traveler's street. In that place—which might be the starting point of a journey for some, but was the tail end for me—a striking red structure reading 'JOGJA KOTA BATIK DUNIA' (Yogyakarta, the World's City of Batik) was glowing grandly in the night view.
While turning back toward the hotel, I spotted a shop brilliantly decorated with pink neon signs. On the glass door, the phrase 'Ramen is love' was written vertically in Korean characters, but because the reading order was awkward, I momentarily paused and tilted my head before reading it. The Korean neon sign encountered locally brought a small smile.
Concluding the Journey — Afterimages of a Pleasant Train Travel
After finishing the day's itinerary, I returned to my quiet hotel room and quietly reflected on this long day. The journey starting from Jakarta and leading to Yogyakarta was a much more pleasant and comfortable train ride than I had expected. The spacious and cozy seats of the luxury cabin, the green countryside scenes of Indonesia painting the view outside the window, and the simple yet delicious train lunch box. Choosing the slow pace of the train instead of the speed of an airplane seemed to deepen the leisure and charm that a traveler can enjoy. The lingering impression of the comfortable train journey will likely stay in my heart for a long time, along with the night breeze of Yogyakarta's streets.
