Jakarta and Bandung in Java Island - week 1 in Indonesia -

I am going to write about my sincere feelings about those cities, so please stop reading here if you are not comfortable knowing my thoughts because they are negative feedback.

Unfortunately, my stay wasn't filled with many great memories, except for catching up with friends from Perth. A cold and a severe stomachache drained most of my energy. This experience has made me hesitant to try local eateries or explore uncertain places, and I’ve grown more cautious about sanitisation. While I don’t view travelling as pathetic, I consider myself wiser now; I’ve learned what to choose for food and how to maintain my health.

Jakarta is a metropolitan city characterised by spotless high-rise buildings and clean shopping centres in the centre, while small, simple houses and local stalls surrounded by litter are found nearby. The disparity in living conditions is striking. The living situation is far from healthy; there is garbage not only in the streets but also in the rivers, and the air pollution is so severe that I occasionally wear a face mask. It may seem like an overreaction, but this is the reality of the environment, which can lead to serious health issues.

I believe we need to clean up all the bins, reduce air pollution, and provide durable, clean homes for locals to promote better health. The top priority for these cities should not be constructing luxury buildings, but improving infrastructure.

Bandung was even worse. During heavy rain, rubbish floated in the flooded streets, forcing us to walk through it because there was no way to avoid it. It was far too dirty. The little cafe we discovered was our small refuge. There were likely better places to visit, but we were unable to do so due to illness.