麻豆约拍

Michael Portillo鈥檚 rail tour of south east Asia resumes in the southern archipelago of Indonesia. Michael is in Java鈥檚 Central province, travelling east towards Surabaya. Beginning in Java鈥檚 royal city, Yogyakarta, Michael visits the Sultan鈥檚 palace and admires the ancient art of shadow puppetry known as wayang.

Struck by the colourful patterned fabrics in the city鈥檚 markets, Michael investigates the process of batik, a Unesco world heritage textile, and is tempted by a saucy sarong. Moving north to Ambarawa, Michael boards a scenic heritage line constructed by the Dutch with carriages dating from the time of his Bradshaw鈥檚 guidebook. Today, this restored relic of the colonial era is cherished by Javanese tourists.