[Day 2] WAY KAMBAS LAMPUNG

::: 17 Days Sumatra Trip 2014 :::

Ian was preparing his car when I woke up. It was 5.30 am and the birds were singing beautifully in The terrace of the house.
We planned to go to Taman Nasional Way Kambas today, the Indonesian Elephant Conservation Centre. It was built in 1989 and well-known as the oldest national park in Indonesia.

Before we left Bandar Lampung to go there, Ian took us to his special breakfast place. It's noodle with pork and small portion of vegetables. Wow!! Yummy! Thanks Ian for this good start of the day!

To get to Way Kambas, usually you need to rent a car (starts from 250000 IDR). Or, if you have limited budget you can take a bus from Rajabasa Terminal to Way Jepara. Then rent an ojek (motorbikes) to take you to Way Kambas, paying 40000-50000 IDR.

It took us 3.5 hours from Bandar Lampung to Way Kambas by car. The entrance fees were 5000 IDR for local guests and about 100000 IDR for foreigners.

Monkeys were easy to find along the bumpy street, playing around. When we parked the car, 1st things we saw were souvenir booths and food stalls. There weren't many food stalls, actually so I think it would be good if you prepare your own lunch. We, ourselves, bought our lunch beforehand. It's Nasi Padang sold outside the Way Kambas area. 


There were only one or two elephants for The Elephant Ride. We chose to sit at the edge of 'their giant bath tub' and wait until 2 o'clock, the time for them to come back from the forest and take a bath.


Since then, the excitement began.

Watching the elephants bathing. How exciting!!

Please meet my new elephant fellows, Edwin. He's been nice and patient. XXOXX

Indah was taking a picture with Ratu, who was only 7 months old. Cute!

Trying to take a picture while the elephants were bathing. Indah's selfie stick (Tongsis) was quite helpful!  ;)

So, the day was ended with Indah's favourite food. Bakso Sony is a famous meatball soup in Lampung. If you like hot and spicy food, it's a recommended place to go. Both Indah and me were happy with what we had on our second day. 

I think, Way Kambas is also a good place for family holiday. Even though the elephant school is no longer exist, but the children can watch the elephants wandering around, touch them, hear them screaming, or ask questions to the keeper. I'm happy with all information I got from the keepers. I took some videos for my son and planned to come back here again with him.

We left Lampung to Palembang by Sriwijaya train. It will be an 8-hour travel. Bye Lampung! 

Day 2 is over! Let's see what will the third day offer us.... :)

Expenses (IDR)

Gasoline for Ian's car 200000 

Lunch (take away) 19000

Way Kambas Entrance for 4 people and 1 car (insurance included) 35000

Bakso Sony 12000/bowl

Train ticket Lampung-Palembang 133500

TOTAL Expenses day 2 is 399500

[DAY 1] JAKARTA-LAMPUNG

::: 17 Days Sumatra Trip 2014 :::

The first day starts today. Got a bit upset with the long bus trip from Pulogadung East Jakarta to Merak Harbour, as usual: traffic!

I just love the fact that Indah and I enjoyed the 5 hours travels to the harbour, eventhough we realised that we might got to Bandar Lampung late at night.

My early dinner was nasi bungkus (rice, vegetables, a boiled egg and chili.) I Never forget to bring a small plastic container and spoon every time I travel.

Enjoying a cup of warm tea that Indah brought from home at one corner of the ferry "Shalem Surabaya" with a view of sunset in Sunda Strait.

After 2 hours, we arrived at Bakauheni Harbour, Lampung. It was 6.30 pm. It's the first time for Indah to travel in Sumatra. For me, myself, it's my second time, but still the night landscape in the Harbour was unbelievable. 

Off to Bandar Lampung at 9 o'clock. I gotta experienced another Sumatra drivers' craziness while driving! Speeding on bumpy road, driving like crazy! I pretended to sleep, but of course I couldn't! I was just hoping that we arrived as soon as possible, safe and sound.

Finally, we arrived in Bandar Lampung, Kemiling area. We planned to stay a night in my friend's house. It was 23.15 pm, late at night, but the house looked like waiting for us. My friend's parents still awoke to welcome us into their home. Ian, my friend, looked surprised to see me. I might not wanted to be in his house before, in any way.... But hey, here I am!! Long time no see Ian, I haven't heard a lot about him except he married a few years ago. 

We took our time to chat a little bit. Ian and his wife, Icha, gave us some additional information about the areas in Sumatra that we're going to visit. Icha comes from Medan, North Sumatra and Ian is actually Javanese but he and his parents live in Lampung. I feel lucky as we got all these informations from trusted persons; such as do not eat too many durian in Padang -OR- how to enjoy Aceh during Ramadhan as non-Muslim girls.

Day 1 done. Thank GOD! Off we sleep to start the second day tomorrow!

Expenses (IDR)

Pulogadung - Merak by bus PO MURNI JAYA 25000

Pulogadung entrance 1000

My early dinner, nasi bungkus 10000

Mineral water 600 ml 4000

Ferry to Bakauheni Harbour 13000 

Travel Bakauheni - Bandar Lampung 40000

TOTAL Expenses on day 1: 93000