西爪哇的狂欢序曲

西爪哇的狂欢序曲

国慧

爪哇岛作为印尼第一大主岛当之无愧为最具人文气息的地域。在西爪哇岛，从首府万隆开始，与温泉同乐，耳听竹节碰撞般清脆的昂格隆音乐，再到首都雅加达一睹老城的丰厚和慈悲，旅行的欢愉似乎就藏匿于浓墨重彩的景色中，古老的广场上以及当地人深邃的眼眸里。发现印尼，应该从西爪哇岛开始。

Java dominates Indonesia politically， economically and culturally. On West Java，"Angklung" bamboo orchestra as well as the classical Sundanese gamelan and dances echoes the passage from provincial capital of Bandung to nations capital Jakarta. Humanity and vicissitudes of Old Jakarta， along with delight of travel are hidden in the splendid scenes， ancient squares and discerning looks of the local residents. Discover Indonesia should begin in West Java.

BANDUNG，THE FAIRY KINGDOM

Bandung meaning "the fairy kingdom" derives from its hilly volcanic terrain. To Indonesians， the city gained fame in 1955 as the venue for the first AfroAsian Conference. Nowadays， the streets of Bandung still pulse with the charm of multiethnic cultures， as unspoiled natural landscape and concrete jungle of modern urban scene form the conflicted beauty. The city like smoldering volcanoes is both unique and mystifying.

FOR A SENSIBLE TRIP

The trip began at wee hours of the morning. At 6：30 am， as sun was just breaking the darkness in Beijing， we headed to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport （CGK）， seven and half hour flight crossing one time zone. We gained one hour daylight when landing in Jakarta. Indonesia doesnt have alternations of four seasons， with only wet and dry seasons. Summer is the carefree time， and for new arrivals still in harsh winter a few hours earlier， the exotic aura started to sink in.

The first stop was Bandung. Tol Cikampek expressway connecting Bandung and Jakarta was built in commemoration of 50th anniversary of Bandung Conference. Heading west， flat and wide thoroughfares and modern buildings gradually gave way to verdant vegetation， as we left city center behind. Tropical region began exhibiting its abundance， with palm trees， coconut trees and frangipani trees occupying your vision. Many plants faded away before you could call their names， but another wonder was just around the corner.

SOAKING IN SARI ATER HOT SPRING RESORT

Sari Ater Hot Spring Resort lies in the middle of spreading clove and tea plantation， Subang， some distance from Bandung. Its getting late when I arrived at Sari Ater； its not as brightly lit as urban center， but indulging in another kind of excitement. Walking uphill along the slab stone path from the entrance， tourists laughing intermingled with waterfall thunders. The hot spring that comes from Tangkuban perahus cauldron forms natural hot spring pool at the lower and flatter terrain. We dropped off shoes jumping into the open-air hot spring pools， to seek fun of being soaked from head to toe.