Journey to Jakarta

Name: Java
Population: Approximately 9 million
Capital City: Jakarta
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch and many local dialects.
Flag:

Official Currency: Indonesian Rupee (IDR or Rp)
Religions: Islam (86%), Protestant (6%), Roman Catholic (4%), Buddhism (4%)
Geographic Coordinates: 6°10' S, 106°48' E
Land Area: 13,0000 sq km

Jakarta, from Village to Metropolis

Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, a country composed of more than 13,000 islands with a population of over 180 million. Comprising more than 300 ethnic groups speaking 200 different languages, the Indonesia population exhibits marked diversity in its linguistic, culture, and religious traditions. As the Capital City, Jakarta is a melting pot of representatives from each of these ethnic groups.

Jakarta is the center of the nation's industrial, political and cultural life. It is home to many of the country's finest research institutes, educational facilities, and cultural organizations. Jakarta is uniquely the seat of both the national as well as the regional goverment. Strategically positioned in the archipelago, the city is also the principal gateway to the rest of Indonesia. From the Capital City, sophisticated land, air, and sea transport is available to the rest of the country and beyond.

Over the last several decades, Jakarta has proudly developed into one of Asia's most prominent metropolitan centers. With a current population of nearly nine million, Jakarta has undergone dramatic growth. Today, Jakarta's skyline is covered by modern highrises. The many state-of-the-art shopping centers, recreation complexes and toll-roads have become hallmarks of the city. The quality of life and the general welfare of its inhabitants have improved considerably with the city's fast pace of development. Jakarta's cultural richness and dynamic growth contribute significantly to its growing importance as one of the world's leading capital cities.

Jakarta is one of Indonesia's designated tourist areas. It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Indonesia and is equipped with all the means of modern transportation by air, sea, rail, or by land. It has the largest and most modern airport in the country, the most important harbour in Indonesia and is well-connected by rail of good roads to other destinations in Java, Sumatra, and Bali.

Jakarta, once considered as primarily a stop-over to more worthwhile destinations in the country, has become a major destinations in its own right. Visitors come for Jakarta'' complete facilities and attractions that are in many ways unique and not available elsewhere. In the field of tourism Jakarta offers four and five star hotels on par with similar establishments elsewhere in the world, convention facilities, amusement parks, shopping centers, historical buildings, museums, tours, and many other tourist attractions.

Left: Here am I just had my burped after a small meal on board of my AirAsia flight and waiting for a cab to my apartment. Right: Hoping in a cab (Toyota VIOS)


I stopped by Vietnamese Kitchen in a local mall for a quick snack and we had ordered some fried fish fillets dipped in yummy thick soya sauce. I personally ordered a Foo-Cheow Fried Rice with extra egg.


Being an avid coffee lover, my eyes caught the Vietnamese Coffee. First, the coffee need to be sieve (took approximately 5-10minutes) contained inside an alumiunium container. The coffee will dripped into the glass below which already contained milk. (Picture 1 below left). After the coffee had stopped dripping, the aluminium top will be removed (Picture 2 below right). Next, the coffee-milk mixture need to be carefully stirred and lastly ice is added. Yummyyyy....



This is Cilandak Service Apartment. Here am I waiting to be checked in at Cilandak Service Apartment Lobby.


CITOS is a place for hang outs and there are many foreigners as well as locals. The store ranging from the usual Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Dome till some very nice Asian restaurants and pubs.



Here am I waiting outside Mister Bean Coffee for a bunch of my Indonesian friends. This outlet is located inside CITOS (Cilandak Top Spot) which is just beside my apartment.


Inside Mister Bean Coffee with my friends having a small discussion.



Dinner time!! I personally ordered a Seafood Carbonara pasta (so-so) and Highland Coffee (left of me with foam on top). Highland Coffee consists not just regular coffee but they had made it special by adding whisky inside. Fuhhh!! And I talked a lot that night!



Night still young and so, I took the oppurtunity to walk around CITOS. Here is on the 1st floor view on what's happening in CITOS. The crowd was tremendous! By the way, if you guys are asking what cat breed depicted on my Tee, that is a Birman.



I was fortunate that night whereby a live band by local is performing, trying to shake down CITOS.



The next day, I went to Mangga 2 Megastore which is approximately 45mins from Cilandak. The journey would be cut short without the jam and floods in Jakarta. Here am I just outside Mangga 2, by the river looking at the water level. By noon, the river had overflowed to the street. I was fortunate I was already left Mangga 2 and head to Cilandak.



Imlek means Gong Xi Fa Cai in Indonesian language. Here am I, proudly taking picture of the zodiac of the new year.



View inside Mangga 2.



For lunch, I was taken to this Sundanese restaurant and I must say I love Sundanese food. They comprises mainly fried stuffs and I personally love their fried and grill fish.

Below starting from left: Sundanese popular salad (fresh sliced cucumber salads dip in thick sauce which tasted like Rojak sauce and some crackers), Deep fried Gurame (it comes together with their local black thick soya sauce and it is a must to try).



Below starting from right: Grilled Gurame and deep fried soy called Tempe.