Horses still play a role in transport in Indonesia, as they did until about 1960 even in Europe.
The most famous are the little Mongolian descended horses from Sumbawa and Sumba islands, which are incredibly hardy and strong for their size.
Actually because they still forage in the forest on Sumba and Sumbawa islands their milk is seen as having cancer curing properties, and is sold for that purpose nowadays. Animals from instinct and experience know which plants protect against disease.
The most famous are the little Mongolian descended horses from Sumbawa and Sumba islands, which are incredibly hardy and strong for their size.
Actually because they still forage in the forest on Sumba and Sumbawa islands their milk is seen as having cancer curing properties, and is sold for that purpose nowadays. Animals from instinct and experience know which plants protect against disease.
In the past horses were the main form of transport almost everywhere, except where elephants and camels provided some competition.
Horses and donkeys and mules played a big part in human life, but have faded out now, which is a pity as motor vehicles pollute and create noise and mayhem wherever they are introduced.
Horses and donkeys and mules played a big part in human life, but have faded out now, which is a pity as motor vehicles pollute and create noise and mayhem wherever they are introduced.
The English dog cart or small passenger carriage became the Dokar of Bali and Java.
Still widely used in 1969 when I first visited Bali they are less common now
but try one at least once.
Still widely used in 1969 when I first visited Bali they are less common now
but try one at least once.
The Dutch built a patchy but quite extensive railway system in the East Indies, mainly in Java and Sumatra.
It was of course neglected by the Indonesians but has had periods of investment and improvement at times.
The lines often wind through spectacular tropical scenery.
It was of course neglected by the Indonesians but has had periods of investment and improvement at times.
The lines often wind through spectacular tropical scenery.
Starting in 1864 the Dutch started the railway age in the East Indies.
The first line was from
Semarang to Tanggung which seems surprising nowadays but we have to remember that priorities were different in those days. Hill stations to escape malaria were important throughout the tropics and plantations and ports were the inspiration for railways.
Various gauges were used, just as in Australia, which created confusion in later years, leading to delays switching from one gauge to another mid journey.
The first line was from
Semarang to Tanggung which seems surprising nowadays but we have to remember that priorities were different in those days. Hill stations to escape malaria were important throughout the tropics and plantations and ports were the inspiration for railways.
Various gauges were used, just as in Australia, which created confusion in later years, leading to delays switching from one gauge to another mid journey.
The Indonesian Bemo is a kind of taxi which you hail and sit on a plank on the side. They are not the safest way to travel but are cheap and convenient. Be careful of pickpockets (always use a money belt under your shirt in Asia).
Similar to the Thailand Tuk-Tuks and Philippines Jeepneys in function. Privately owned, safety is not exactly a priority for the operators.
Similar to the Thailand Tuk-Tuks and Philippines Jeepneys in function. Privately owned, safety is not exactly a priority for the operators.
A Jeepney in the Philippines, a larger version of an Indonesian Bemo.
Jeepneys are often brightly painted whereas Bemos do not have such artistic credentials.
Jeepneys are often brightly painted whereas Bemos do not have such artistic credentials.
The Tuk-Tuk is the Thai equivalent of the Indonesian Bemo, a clever but rather risky way of moving lots of people quickly through crowded cities without the need for fixed stops and timetables.
Remember the sun really beats down in the tropics, so taking a hat is a good idea on a journey and take plenty of boiled water with you in a flask or bottle, even on a night trip.
Buying drinks on the way might be less safe, even bottled ones.
Of course the many islands of Indonesia are surrounded by sea, so ferry transport is needed between islands.
Although cheaper than planes, Asian ferries are usually overcrowded, unhygienic and down right dangerous.
Pelni are the main government ferries in Indonesia but the conditions are often very bad onboard. You might be better off swimming.
Although cheaper than planes, Asian ferries are usually overcrowded, unhygienic and down right dangerous.
Pelni are the main government ferries in Indonesia but the conditions are often very bad onboard. You might be better off swimming.
Indonesian ferries could be the adventure of a lifetime but perhaps for the wrong reasons. Take your own food and water and be prepared for awfully primitive sanitation onboard.
Indonesia often looks better by night, when the poor sanitation and overcrowding can be forgotten, or at least not seen.
The tropics can be spectacular.
The tropics can be spectacular.
Garuda is the national airline and has a patchy history. Safety has been problematic at times, but when the Dutch KLM were running it the airline was okay.
Some other Indonesian airline operators are very doubtful.
Some other Indonesian airline operators are very doubtful.
The mythical birdlike Garuda is a potent symbol in Indonesia and to the Hindus is the mount of the god Vishnu.
The enemy of serpents, with a rich store of tales about him in India.
Asking other travellers about transport is best, so you might avoid the worst mistakes, infact the grapevine is the main information highway in these places and you need if possible to seek out information from previous victims before taking the ferry or whatever.