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Jakarta and Bjork
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Having been a fan of Bjork for a long time since her days of Debut and Post, I could not resist the temptation of taking a few days off work to catch her concert in Jakarta’s Tenis Senayan
Stadium. It was now or never. That was the closest to Asia that she was going to get and it was an opportunity for me to get up close and personal with Indonesia, the land of my maternal and paternal ancestors combined.
Jakarta is rarely the city of sights and sounds. A lot of time was spent in Jakarta raversing streets, back alleys and rows and rows of stalls with cheap and good food. In Jakarta, if you’re looking for budget-type accommodation, Jalan Jaksa would be a good bet. Wisma Delima is one of the youth hostels which provide cheap food and basic rooms. Rooms are Spartan- discoloured yellow walls, 2 su single beds and a basic rotating sitting fan within a cramped living space leaves much more to be desired. But, yes, it exudes a homely feel as the Lonely Planet books says as this hostel houses a Christian-Indon family who is very hospitable. Several times me and the family members spent time watching Indonesian shows. If you’re looking for a souvenir, bring a book that you don’t want anymore and exchange it here. In front of Wisma Delima, between 4pm-4am, there is a makeshift warong (stall) that sells really yummy Indomee topped with a dollop of black sauce, steamed egg and chopped veggies for that after-supper craving.
Along Jalan Jaksa are several dining places. There’s a place for sate, a comfy open-air stall selling Malaysian food that’s unmissable, a restaurant selling pork and ham sauerkraut and Bakmi (Kafe Ya Udah). At the entrance of Jalan Jaksa, turn left and walk down until you see an opening which houses a hut (yes, literally the small and cosy restaurant is built in the shape of a hut). They sell really sumptuous Mee Bogor which I observed is eaten with rice and keropok (crackers), and ended off with iced the limau (lemon tea).
Travelling anywhere is Jakarta is a breeze as metered taxi rides are very cheap. One, should also consider taking the bajaj (the red little truckers) for short distances like from Jalan Jaksa to Jalan Abdul Wahid. Flag the Bluebird company cab as it’s most reputable and jet off to Glodok to visit (and maybe buy a few if not stacks of illegally-made dvds) a rundown building packed to the brim with shops making and selling dvds. There is an air-conditioned restaurant selling really good noodles at Blok M and for cheap accessories and clothes, visit Jln Mangga Dua and Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua. The quality is a whole other matter though.
Visit Jalan Surabaya to search for oddities, knick knacks and antiques. Bargain hard and do not
show too much interest- it is more often than not not really worth the energy. You’d probably find such things much cheaper in your hometown. But ladies, do look out for interesting jewellery and mention your price. If they’re hard pressed, they’d probably run after you and both of you can enjoy a passing conversation about life afterwards as a transaction is made.
Jakarta has its many many charms – and it’s best explored by walking as well. Walk to Monas where the National Monument lies and to the Gambir Train Station to purchase tickets to Bandung and other cities. I’d recommend a train trip to Bandung as the scenery of sloping hills are quite breathtaking-and I say this even though I missed two train trips as I overslept. Being in Jakarta I felt very much at home, even as I went for the concert by myself. One can easily blend in with the hip young crowd there as everyone easily becomes friends with others.
A 3-4 day trip in Jakarta may be sufficient for a solo traveler. But Indonesia on a whole, that would take so much more time. There’s Bandung, Surabaya and Jogjakarta- a must for all planning to stay in Indonesia longer than 4 days. A country I would certainly return to in the middle of 2008 if not later.
Stadium. It was now or never. That was the closest to Asia that she was going to get and it was an opportunity for me to get up close and personal with Indonesia, the land of my maternal and paternal ancestors combined. Jakarta is rarely the city of sights and sounds. A lot of time was spent in Jakarta raversing streets, back alleys and rows and rows of stalls with cheap and good food. In Jakarta, if you’re looking for budget-type accommodation, Jalan Jaksa would be a good bet. Wisma Delima is one of the youth hostels which provide cheap food and basic rooms. Rooms are Spartan- discoloured yellow walls, 2 su single beds and a basic rotating sitting fan within a cramped living space leaves much more to be desired. But, yes, it exudes a homely feel as the Lonely Planet books says as this hostel houses a Christian-Indon family who is very hospitable. Several times me and the family members spent time watching Indonesian shows. If you’re looking for a souvenir, bring a book that you don’t want anymore and exchange it here. In front of Wisma Delima, between 4pm-4am, there is a makeshift warong (stall) that sells really yummy Indomee topped with a dollop of black sauce, steamed egg and chopped veggies for that after-supper craving.
Along Jalan Jaksa are several dining places. There’s a place for sate, a comfy open-air stall selling Malaysian food that’s unmissable, a restaurant selling pork and ham sauerkraut and Bakmi (Kafe Ya Udah). At the entrance of Jalan Jaksa, turn left and walk down until you see an opening which houses a hut (yes, literally the small and cosy restaurant is built in the shape of a hut). They sell really sumptuous Mee Bogor which I observed is eaten with rice and keropok (crackers), and ended off with iced the limau (lemon tea). Travelling anywhere is Jakarta is a breeze as metered taxi rides are very cheap. One, should also consider taking the bajaj (the red little truckers) for short distances like from Jalan Jaksa to Jalan Abdul Wahid. Flag the Bluebird company cab as it’s most reputable and jet off to Glodok to visit (and maybe buy a few if not stacks of illegally-made dvds) a rundown building packed to the brim with shops making and selling dvds. There is an air-conditioned restaurant selling really good noodles at Blok M and for cheap accessories and clothes, visit Jln Mangga Dua and Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua. The quality is a whole other matter though.
Visit Jalan Surabaya to search for oddities, knick knacks and antiques. Bargain hard and do not
show too much interest- it is more often than not not really worth the energy. You’d probably find such things much cheaper in your hometown. But ladies, do look out for interesting jewellery and mention your price. If they’re hard pressed, they’d probably run after you and both of you can enjoy a passing conversation about life afterwards as a transaction is made. Jakarta has its many many charms – and it’s best explored by walking as well. Walk to Monas where the National Monument lies and to the Gambir Train Station to purchase tickets to Bandung and other cities. I’d recommend a train trip to Bandung as the scenery of sloping hills are quite breathtaking-and I say this even though I missed two train trips as I overslept. Being in Jakarta I felt very much at home, even as I went for the concert by myself. One can easily blend in with the hip young crowd there as everyone easily becomes friends with others.
A 3-4 day trip in Jakarta may be sufficient for a solo traveler. But Indonesia on a whole, that would take so much more time. There’s Bandung, Surabaya and Jogjakarta- a must for all planning to stay in Indonesia longer than 4 days. A country I would certainly return to in the middle of 2008 if not later.
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Comments (1 posted):
I'm going to Jakarta on August 2008, possible to provide me more insight stories about Jalan Jaksa, plus things you think I don't wanna miss?
Yeo
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