Day 6: By Train Through Central Java

We remained faithful to getting up early today (and I suspect it will stay that way for the rest of the tour). At least we were able to have breakfast early despite the very early hour, even though the buffet was not fully ready.
We took a taxi to the train station. Yogyakarta has two major train stations - one for economy trains and one for executive and premier class.

On time at 6:45 AM, the Sancaka train departed towards Surabaya. The ambiance in the train was more reminiscent of an airplane - complete with safety instructions and drink service.

We traveled for three hours heading east. Shortly after Yogyakarta, we could see Mount Merapi, which had been shrouded in clouds yesterday.

In Solo, we passed directly by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a gift from the United Arab Emirates to the Presidents of Indonesia.

We arrived in Jombang punctually at 9:45 AM. Our driver was already waiting. The journey continued in a minibus.

The landscape quickly became hilly, and the flat fields gave way to terraces.

We stopped at the Grojogan Sewu waterfall. The short path there led over a bamboo bridge.

More and more bamboo appeared by the roadside. Our guide informed us that 29 different species grow in Indonesia - small ones for decoration, larger ones for baskets and furniture, and the very large ones as building material, e.g., for houses.

For lunch today, we visited an Indonesian restaurant with typical dishes - including water spinach and satay skewers.

Upon arriving in Malang, our destination for today, we stopped in the old Dutch quarter - and, like locals, right in the middle of a busy intersection. With enough courage, we crossed the intersection on foot and walked a little through the area, where old traditional houses from the Dutch colonial period still stood.

After reaching our car again, we headed to Klenteng Eng An Kiong, a Chinese temple about 200 years old.

We arrived at our hotel around 4 PM.

For dinner, we went to a nearby noodle restaurant. As always, identifying the menu was a bit adventurous, especially with the drinks. But in the end, everyone enjoyed the meal.

Statistics:
Driven: 105 km by car / 260 km by train
Walked: km
Accommodation: Hotel Santika Premiere Malang