H

undreds of passengers waited patiently to board a ferry at Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana, West Bali, which would take them to Ketapang in Banyuwangi, East Java.

A friendly ship attendant welcomed the passengers on board. The airconditioned ship was clean and comfortable with lines of cushioned seats. A small cafeteria in the corner of the cabin offered snacks and drinks.

A safety procedure video was screened, informing passengers on how to put their safety jackets on and other producedures in case of emergency.

Dozens of foreigners took pictures of the beautiful views of the Javanese island.

Operated by PT Indonesia Ferry ASDP, the ferry offers new facilities to both domestic and foreign passengers.

The days of dirty, stinky and crowded ferries with dozens of vendors are finally gone.

Many people have in the past been reluctant to travel from Java to Bali by ferry.

Taking the ferry across the two islands used to be like visiting traditional markets. Sometimes passengers brought poultry such as chickens and ducks on board. Numerous sellers used to offer various goods, often disturbing other passengers.

Public toilets were dirty, stinky and had no running water.

"

We gradually upgraded all facilities including ferry cabins to bring them up to air travel standards.

"

The company has worked hard to renovate its ferry facilities and provide passengers with a comfortable traveling experience.

"I was so surprised not to see any sellers hanging around the ferry cabin," commented Dewi Umaryati when she traveled back to her home in Bali.

The company's manager, Ospar Silaban, said the firm had renovated the interior and exterior all ships as well as port facilities.

The state-owned ferry port company PT Indonesia Ferry manages 34 ports across Indonesia including Gilimanuk Port in Bali and Ketapang in Banyuwangi, East Java.

The company also operates around 98 ships and ferries.

"We hope to improve all facilities here including ferries, to attract more passengers to this service," Silaban said.

On the Gilimanuk-Ketapang route, the company operates 27 ferries. The number of ferries was increased during the last Idul Fitri holidays when hundreds of thousands of travelers used the company's services.

"We gradually upgraded all facilities including ferry cabins to bring them up to air travel standards," he said, adding that two of its 27 ferries -Prathita and Mutis - already had VIP rooms, karaoke facilities, restaurants, children playgrounds, etc.

"In upcoming months, we plan to improve the other ferries," Silaban added.