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Jakarta Holiday & Sightseeing Guide
January 10, 2008 |
A trip to Jakarta
One of the oldest cities in Indonesia, Jakarta is a cosmopolitan metropolis that is just beginning to emerge as a tourist destination. The city offers vacationers a number of historical sites and ruins, various shopping options and a pulsating nightlife. From several appealing museums and lovely botanical gardens to an old harbour, an amusement park and a bird sanctuary, Jakarta has something to offer everyone. However, the city remains a paradox, with shacks sitting next to lofty skyscrapers, and roadside food stalls just around the corner from upscale restaurants.
Flights to Jakarta
Soekarno-Hatta Airport is small but modern and efficient, and it has adequate passenger facilities. A great number of domestic, no-frills and international airlines operate here such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Garuda Airlines, EVA Air, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific and more. Merpati, Garuda and Bouraq airways link Jakarta to major destinations in Indonesia. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Jakarta try
Ebookers.
The airport lies about 20 miles west of central Jakarta and the fastest way to reach the city is by taxi, the journey taking between 40 minutes and one hour. A pricier alternative is the Damri bus which will drop you off either at Gambir Railway Station or at Blok M Mall in South Jakarta.
There are miscellaneous ways to get around the city including metros (city buses), becaks (trishaws), ojeks (motorcycle taxis), scooters and taxis. The latter can be confusing to use as there are all kinds of taxis in Jakarta, such as regular, privately run and illegal taxis. The best option is to hail one of the black sedans, which are more expensive but well worth it. Traffic in the city is mostly chaotic, so patience and some sense of humour are unconditionally necessary.
Jakarta
Sightseeing in Jakarta
The National Monument (Monas) is Jakarta’s most imposing monument, looming 132m above Merdeka square and capped by a sculpted flame. This landmark offers some fantastic vistas from its top. The ancient port of Sunda Kelapa is home to numerous wonderful Makassar schooners and provides one of the most stunning sights in Jakarta. For a glance of the former Dutch colonial influence, head to the Old Batavia district (Kota) which features a fortress on the waterfront as well as several museums and Indonesia’s last remaining Dutch drawbridge.
The previous Dutch hill station of Bogor boasts world famous botanical gardens. Covering around 80 hectares, this extremely beautifully redesigned garden presents over 15,000 species of plants and trees and an amazing orchid house. Another must-see is the 100-hectare Taman Mini Park which is located just over 10 miles from the city centre and houses a bird park, orchid garden, museums, theatres and restaurants.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Jakarta provides an enticing selection of regional and international cuisine. You will find Indonesian fare at small cafés (warungs), food stalls, hip eateries and upmarket restaurants throughout the city. The fine dining places are placed in the Golden Triangle area, while Jalan Jaksa is flanked by a diversity of restaurants, trendy cafés and bars.
Nightlife options are perhaps overabundant in this metropolis, and in several areas the fun doesn’t end before 05:00. Jalan Wahid Hasyim and Jalan Jaksa are ideal starting points, while English and Irish styled pubs are located at Blok M. Various discos are scattered across the city as well.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
Jakarta offers plentiful large and superb shopping malls such as Srinah Department Store and Plaza Indonesia, where everything can be acquired from imitations goods to designer labels.
As an enormous city, it could take you weeks to fully explore all that Jakarta has to offer. Aside from the city’s museums and monuments, there are plenty of cinemas to cool off in should the humidity get to you, while sporting fanatics are well catered for with golf, bowling and soccer.
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