A Travel Starter

The first time was always a difficult one, but it was worth to try. I guess that was how I felt for my first travelling experience.

It was challenging even to get onto the bus to Pangandaran. I was almost late due to the traffic. Luckily, I came on time. At 8 PM sharp, I started my trip to Pangandaran – a quiet land in southernmost of West Java.

It was a long night ride. Nothing much to see at first. Only the outskirts of Jakarta and Bandung.  By 12 AM, the bus stopped in Nagreg to take a rest. I hadn’t been there before, but I heard this will be a bumpy bus ride started from Nagreg.

Once the bus rolled down the road again, the rumours proven to be right. The flat lane had been replaced by uphill and downhill roads. Dark forests were on our right and left side. The sharp turns seem to be endless. It was impossible for me to close my eyes. I gripped my jacket tightly.  It was my first time travelling  and I felt nervous. Especially with such bumpy ride.

I turned my head to the window next to me wishing for some distractions. I could see green landscapes vividly moved and the twin mountain shadowing a town outside. I bet this was Garut, a small town down the twin mountain. The scenery outside seemed so quite. The cold night air created hazy dews on the window glasses.

From Garut, we were passing another towns. Green landscapes and valleys were replaced with small roofs and trees. By the time the bus left Banjar, it turned right and crossed a big bridge. There was a board telling that this was the direction to Pangandaran. The light was getting dimmer since then.

Then the green landscapes and dark forests were back dominating the view. And this time, we had a tall uphill road with a sharp turning. I felt like riding a roller coaster. Up on its highest peak and ready to turn. To my surprise, the more similar road were greeting me ahead.

The rest of the bus ride was full of uphill-downhill roads with sharp turns. Like riding roller coaster for 3 hours! Indeed, we were circling and chopping the hill. It took 14 hours bus ride to get to Pangandaran from Jakarta. I bet you need to have strong nerves to step on Pangandaran, judging from what it took to get there.

This was a thrilling start for my travel journey. Nerve-wracking but also excite me. After all, Pangandaran was worth the effort. And I guess, it was my first love to the trip. I was addicted for more.


( A travel writing for the trip I took 2 years a go)