On the road again. We say our goodbyes to the few friends
we'd made at Toba, other travellers wish us luck as we leave. we walk the
length of the jetty, boarding the ferry in which is to take us back to the
mainland. Familiar feelings of nerves, excitement and anticipation turn our
bellies as he boats nears the shore.
Today we have decided to brave public transport, both to
save money and for the experience. We follow suite from a nearby American as he
hails down an opelet (small bus taxi thing), we find our own to take us to a nearby
ATM, and the journey costs us 2,000rp each (14p). To our relief the ATM graces
us with money, a comforting feeling.
Finding the bus station that will take us to Medan, we
clamber aboard a knackered looking bus, with a chicken in a box as a
co-passenger. The 5 hour bus journey costs us 25,000rp (£1.75) each. The bus
stops every 10 minutes for people to clamber on or off. In places parts of the
road had collapsed, exposing sheers drops below. Landslides had caused dirt and
logs to spew across the road. We was slowly becoming desensitised to the Indonesian
lack of road safety.
When we reach Medan anarchy ascends upon us. Unsure of where
we are meant to be, we stumble around the bus station saying "Banda
Aceh" to anyone who cares to listen. Eventually we are hassled onto an
Ojek (motorbike sidecar taxi), realistically a DIY tent on wheels. We weave
through traffic as we desperately cling to our bags in fear of them flying from
the cart. After 3 bus depots later, we take another mini bus to a further
terminal, where we finally find our way onto an executive coach set for Banda
Aceh, paying roughly 164,000rp (£10ish) per person for the 12hr journey.
Funky fresh pineapple
Cockroach friends
Public busses
Ojek fun
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