What Would You Do After You Arrive in Jakarta?

Received note by AREA Magazine editorial just the other day. It’s a round-up of suggested activities for both travelers and residents before departing the Big Durian, originally titled What Would You Do Before You Leave Jakarta?.

What would I do? I’d do things listed below, though I’ve done and went to most–haunted places included!–I’d gladly do it again and again. Or just finding the right interlude between the highway, sidewalk gourmet, and the umpteenth floor of a skyscraper. (I’d also want to spend a night at a bamboo stake trap in the middle of the sea, but that’s in Banten gulf. Lucky to have spent a day there.)

Known most for the heavy traffic, Jakarta is hardly a typical escapist destination and likelier to be recognized as an economic fortress of the nation. Regardless so, as a melting pot of a variety of culture, Jakarta is founded on the belief of universal functions and aesthetics–a philosophy expected to unify one of the most populated and diversed countries in the world.

Experiencing Jakarta would resemble a treasure hunting mission. As if plunging into a sea of contradicting details and sharp contours, it’s a pressure dive, yet fluid enough to move along with each human motion. Unlike the natural havens in rural Indonesia, the nation’s capital is, afterall, mainly man-made; an invention destined to evolve.

Despite recent bombings at JW Marriott-Ritz Carlton hotels, Jakarta carries on serving as a gateway to global coexistence, also the satellite that beacons hope throughout the nation. Mark Jenkins, would probably have traveled the city long enough to say: “In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind–and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.”.

Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, or such as I am, a resident rekindling love for the city, try these out and let Jakarta adventures through you.

1. Take a drive on the city highway at night, enjoying quiet Jakarta.
2. Take photographs of places that iconize the city, for example Monas, Bunderan HI. Aside from sentimental feelings, the documentation also useful for promotional purposes.
3. Enjoy Ragusa ice cream.
4. Feast on Bakmi Gajah Mada and pack one for later.
5. Play all the rides in Dunia Fantasi!
6. Explore North Jakarta’s culinary paradise.
7. Buy piles of DVDs for entertainment purposes, especially if you’re moving into an entertainment-lacking rural area.
8. Feast on Betawi soup specials from H. Husein at Manggarai, Bang Madun at Barito, and most definitely, Nasi Uduk (coconut rice) Asli Jakarta and Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang.
9. Ride water taxi at Ciliwung river.
10. Visit Onrust Island.
11. Ride on an ontel bicycle to explore Jakarta’s old, historic places: Gedung Mandiri, VOC Galangan, Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa and many others.
12. Dine at Café Batavia’s unique atmosphere, decorated with antique furnitures and overlooking Fatahillah Square, and old City Hall from Dutch colonial era. Afterwards, take a stroll at Fatahillah Museum park.
13. Travel around the city by taking Kereta Dalam Kota (city train) to view the other, less metropolitan side of Jakarta.
14. Feast on Es Duren (cold beverage made of durian) Pasar Cikini.
15. Peek the insides of Terowongan Beos.
16. Explore Bunker Tua.
17. Learn more on Betawi culture at Setu Babakan.
18. Visit Stadium Club, one of mega night-entertainment spots in Jakarta.
19. Visit Monas, listen to the recorded voice of Bung Karno reading out Proclamation text, and go straight to the observation deck at top.
20. Stop by at Kubah Emas Mosque.
21. Visit Thousand Islands! Ride a jetski, have lunch in Nusa Café (in middle of the sea) located close to Ayer Island. Learn snorkling or diving and get a certificate. Explore from Pulau Ayer, to Pulau Pasir, also Pulau Panggang and Pulau Putri nearby.
22. Shop for antiques at Surabaya street.
23. Shop for cheap bargain stuffs in Mangga Dua, Tanah Abang, and Pasar Baru.
24. Ride on a bajaj. Although not originated from Jakarta, but the vehicle has become an inseparable part of the city. Just listen to the throttling sound. Who knows? Could just be something you’d miss.
25. Tour the malls in Jakarta, hunt for discount sales.
26. Eat Chinese chicken porridge in the Kamseng Restaurant, Kota.
27. Visit the fish market at Sunda Kelapa and Muara Angke.
28. Visit the bird market at Pramuka street.
29. Have a glass of chocolate martini at Darmawangsa Hotel.
30. Dine at Shantung restaurant in Pasar Baru.
31. Visit Crocodile Park at Pluit, North Jakarta.
32. Have an exciting night leisure up on Kemang area.
33. Watch Musical Fountain Show in Grand Indonesia.
34. Watch international films every day at KINEFORUM.
35. Pekan Raya Jakarta!
36. Study urban history with Sahabat Museum.
37. Cycling on Thamrin-car free day.
38. Use free wi-fi in Taman Ayodya.
39. Visit the Taman Primata, Ragunan Zoo.
40. Study contemporary art at Ruang Rupa.
41. Stroll around Kota district. Visit the Chinese Town, Gloria area, Petak Sembilan, Pasar Pancoran, Klenteng. Then rest easy at Tiam Café.
42. Busway is a must! It’s the best way to get to know Jakarta. Take a trip on a busway from first terminal to the last and document each scenic moment that impresses you.
43. Have a glass of beer at Jaksa street.
44. Watch 4D cinema in Ancol.
45. Test your courage by visiting the city’s haunted places: Terowongan Casablanca, Jeruk Purut, etc.
46. Buy stockpiles of Indomie and cigarettes.
47. Write a wall graffiti saying “Au Revoir Jakarta” in your home, instead of vandalizing public spaces.
48. Make a movie about Jakarta.

And, what’s yours?

Hat tip to Aksara Sophiaan from AREA Magazine.

AREA Magazine
PT. Media Satu
Plaza Bona Indah A2/A1, Jl. Karang Tengah Raya, Lebak Bulus
Jakarta 12440
Indonesia

Note:

• Above list is translated from original version in Bahasa Indonesia.
• Photograph courtesy of Velco Dojcinovski.

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