The journey began at 12 PM from Kampung Bandan Station in Jakarta. With just a small backpack and a sense of adventure, I boarded the Commuter Line train heading toward Cakung Station. The weather that afternoon was pleasant, not too hot, and the train ride was smooth and comfortable.
Upon arriving at Cakung Station, I decided to walk to Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal, which was only about one kilometer away. It was a short and enjoyable walk, allowing me to take in the surroundings before the long bus ride ahead.
I reached the terminal around 2 PM and waited for the Cahaya Kembar Gemilang bus, scheduled to depart at 4 PM. The bus arrived on time, and after a brief 10-minute wait, we were on our way.
By 5 PM, we had reached Karawang. However, due to the one-way traffic policy in place because of the upcoming holiday, the bus had to exit the toll road and take the Pantura route. Unfortunately, this route was heavily congested, and we were stuck in traffic until around 8 PM. As the night fell, the atmosphere on the bus became quieter, with most passengers dozing off.
Around midnight, the bus reached Brebes, where we made a stop at Rumah Makan Kedung Roso to rest. I took the opportunity to buy some famous Brebes salted eggs—an iconic local snack. The rich aroma of the salted eggs was irresistible, and they were the perfect treat for the long journey ahead.
After the break, the bus continued, stopping briefly in Pekalongan to load some wooden crates and other items. Around 6 AM, we re-entered the toll road in Semarang.
By 12 PM, we arrived at Rumah Makan Puritama in Situbondo for a well-deserved lunch. The simple meal was just what I needed to recharge for the rest of the trip.
At 4 PM, we arrived at Ketapang Port and prepared to cross over to Bali. Two hours later, around 6 PM, we reached Gilimanuk Port in Bali.
Finally, after over 30 hours of travel by land and sea, the bus arrived at Ubung Terminal in Denpasar at 10:35 PM. Exhausted, but grateful, I reflected on the journey. It wasn’t just about reaching the destination, but the experience of the road itself—each stop, each face, and each unique moment along the way.
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