Great Asian Railway Journeys

S01E11 Jakarta to Bogor

Michael Portillo’s extensive 2,500-mile train journey through Southeast Asia brings him to the southernmost point in Indonesia. He travels across Java, the bustling heart of this nation of 270 million. In Jakarta, the vibrant capital, Michael explores the remnants of Indonesia’s Dutch colonial history and its significance as a port city, while grappling with an uncertain future. He navigates the infamous traffic, enjoys a lively bike ride, tests out the new MRT metro system, and savors the delicious street food that Jakarta is known for. In Bogor, he visits the Botanical Gardens, a hub for research and conservation, originally established by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the former Governor of Java.