What is Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC), its kind of Jember (one of famous city in East Java, Indonesia) grand exhibition and carnival presenting combination between art and fashion show. Not only local products, organisation and creative art participate on this event by opening stall at the exhibition area located in Jember Central Park (Alun-Alun Jember) but also special performance are available to attract visitor such as painting, dancing (both modern and traditional) and DJ performance.
How to get there?
Its better to start from Surabaya, the capital city of East Java.
1. By Train
I think it was the most comfortable way to reach Jember. From Stasiun Surabaya Gubeng you can take Logawa or Sri Tanjung for economic train with cost only IDR 50K or Mutiara Selatan wth cost around IDR 80K-180K (depend on the seat class). Its only take 4 hours, so i dont think we need the expensive one. In addition, all train in Indonesia currently served with air conditioner, only the seat comfort-ability that matters.
The best thing is, Central Park, Mosque and Convenience store is on walking distance from the train station.
2. By Bus.
From Surabaya, you better to take direct bus from Bungurasih Terminal to Jember. It cost around IDR 30-50K.
3. By flight
Garuda Indonesia currently have direct flight from Juanda International Airport to Jember with cost around IDR 300K-500K for flying around 30-40 minutes.
Some public transportation available in the city with cost IDR 4K for 6AM up to 10 PM, and IDR 7 K for ride outside those schedule. Ojek and Tricycle available around the city almost 24 hours if you knew the spot ^^
Day 1
And finally, after hearing some stories of some friends; i got the opportunity to visit Jember Fashion Carnival XIII this year. I have a plan, but it seems remain as a plan since i did absolutely nothing. No ticket, accommodation, itinerary bla bla bla. I almost throw this plan away, but at the very last moment i decided to go.
Its started with a rush hour on Friday morning, 22 August 2014. I tried to get my flight from Jakarta to my hometown, Surabaya but it was too expensive. Its Friday night actually, so no wonder about it. I have to come home by today or very early tomorrow morning to catch Logawa train to Jember. I thrown flights from the option, and still there's no cheap train ticket available.
Its 10 AM already when i found not too cheap train ticket departing at 3 PM today. Yups today. And i take it. Hah!!!
I packed 2 t-shirts, sleeping bag, disposal and toiletries. 2 pcs t shirt to change during my stay in Jember. Sleeping bag to keep me comfortable during my stay that absolutely everywhere since i have no hotel booking at that time, and trust me, all hotels are fully booked during JFC. I tried to make a CS once, but its so unexpected and unplanned, what do i expect then? Disposal to reduce my belonging and toiletries to make me stay fresh even though i have no idea where i can take free shower with no pre-booked hospitality.
Day 2
Arrived in Surabaya Pasar Turi around 3 AM, early in the morning, i planned to take a sleep at the entrance hall of the station but after almost an hour laying on the long chair at the departure hall, my father called and took me home. Lucky then, i have around 7 hours at home for rest and get some food before heading to Jember. My train departed at 3 PM.
It was a short trip i thought. Spending 4 hours in the train doesn't feel that miserable for the economic passengers. I was seated next to the old lady that not talking too much, short question and go back to sleep. So am i until the train stopped at Jember station around 7.30 PM. Yeah it was late around 30 minutes.
I walk towards the exit, have some pic of the station and heading to the Central Park. I stopped by at the chicken noodle stall and have my dinner. Alone as usual. And after having my meals i spent the night visiting central park and look at what i found there!!!
Almost midnight, i walked in front of the grand mosque but it was locked. I decided to go back to the station, try to find a comfortable spot to spend the night but nothing. The departure hall itself was quite small and already full with two lines of long chair as a waiting room (half of it are occupied by the overnight train passenger), a small office for customer service, a small bank office and three cube for the ticketing office. I went outside and found two guys sitting on the right side of the entrance. Two huge backpacks were sitting next to them. I remembered their face at the Surabaya station hence i push my courage to say hello.
It was Lutfi and Andy, a truly nature backpacker from Jogja and Surabaya. A pro hiker i thought, since they talk many about mountains and nature. They love hiking, but trust me, they hike in their own way. Randomly they make a visit to some summit or mountainsides area, get off from one station and another, but only the big station, after that.. they walked!!!
We talked a lot for a while, until i open my sleeping bag and sleep. Yeah, i spent my first night in Jember with them, in front of Jember train station.
Day 3
I woke up early in the morning (3.30 AM) since i need to go the restroom. FYI, restroom are located inside the station and after passing the departure gate that means impossible for me to pass since the gate itself not yet open. The first train will be departed at 5 AM. Lutfi woke up at that time while i packed my belonging and have a farewell, saying that i have to go, heading to the Mosque for both restroom and praying.
The mosque already open, some local folks are heading to the mosque for Fajr praying. I reached a huge area for woman and found some folks especially women were sleeping there. Gosh, i'm not the lucky one then. Lets try for tomorrow #evilsmile.
The mosque has a huge chamber for rest and pray, and also the main hall for Jamaah. Some restroom also available accompanied with a clean toilet and huge number of clean water. Its kind of my paradise at that time. Finally, Shower and Fajr praying!!!
I spent most of my time in the mosque since the carnival itself will start around 11 AM and the Grand Carnival started at 1 PM. One by one, the ladies who spent the night at mosque left. Only me, and old lady that i met at Fajr jamaah (i suspect she was living in the mosque since i met her everytime i got back to the mosque), and another girl who still stay slept next to me.
Her name is Rina, she told me. A college girl from Bandung who just arrived at 2 AM this morning. Same as mine, she said that visiting Jember was out of plan. Initially she and her friend, Moga, were heading from Bandung to Labuan Bajo. Uwooooooowwwwww!!!
I end up having my breakfast with these two rascals (hahahah), since all of us have no plan, we just stick to the Central Park till the Carnival begin. See, who said i'm solo traveler. A companion always be there ^^
We came by to the must visit and famous spot for the JFC to have some pic and again, i found Yoyo and Johan from Jogja and Wonosobo. Hah, we're full team of Power Ranger.
Apparently, Moga has spent his childhood in Jember before he move to many cities due to his parent's work. He decided to make a visit during JFC, even has registered for free access photographer of this event. While, the remaining four of us, nothing.
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| Rina, Moga and Me, power ranger full team coming soon |
JFC's event itselves has accomodated with any kind of entrance ticket, for getting free ticket, its better to make a registration 3 or 2 months before this event. Invitation are sold with cost IDR 100K and mostly are sold on pre-sale.
We strolling around the central park, visit some stall, meeting with the performer and crew and unintentionally i met with Lutfi and Andy at the Coffee stall. Fact no 2 about them, they are coffee lovers. They decided towards Argopuro tomorrow, so it means that i will have a companion to sleep at the station tonight hahahha
The Carnival held at 1.30 - 04 PM if i'm not mistaken, started with Mahabharatha, Tambora, Rain Forest, Stalagmite, Wild Deer, Borobudur, Phoenix, Chemistry and many more. It was wonderful. The pic would talk :p
Tiring and exhausted, we have our mixing of lunch and dinner at the area. Heading to Lestari Hotel (a hotel where Yoyo and Johan's prebooked for this trip) for free shower and air con. Rina and Moga leaving for their Labuan Bajo trip, while myself and Yoyo go back to the train station. Again we met Lutfi and Andy.
I planned to stay at the mosque, but again it was locked. Lately, after having proper meals for dinner i decided to sleep at Yoyo & Johan's room. No worries, i have my sleeping bag.
Again early in the morning, its my time to make a farewell to Johan & Yoyo. Grab some juice and chocolate for my breakfast at the closest convenience store and take a tricycle towards the mosque. Its Fajr praying.
4.30 AM, i walked towards the station. My train towards home will be arrived at 5. As expected i met those 2 rascals in front of the train station. Again make a farewell and get on the train. Goodbye Jember, this short visit taught me a lot. What a story remain a story, lets myself keep it as secret. Because i do believe, everyone has their own story.
Be safe. Be happy.
To travel is better than to arrive
