Attractions
Indonesia's most
famous landmark, the National Monument or Monas is a 137 m obelisk
topped with a flame sculpture coated with 35 kg of gold.
Climbing to the top of the monument will provide the viewers with
a panorama of the city.
For a brief glimpse
into Indonesia's rich past, the National Museum holds an extensive
collection of historical, pre-historic, archeological and
ethnographic artifacts and relics that provide an introduction to
the life of the various ethnic groups which populate
Indonesia. It houses one of the most complete collections of
bronzes and ceramics dating back to the Han, Tang, Ming Dynasties,
and statuary and sculpture which display Indonesia's Hindu,
Buddhist and Islamic influences. Cloth and money,
traditional musical instruments, arts and crafts provide an
introduction to the life of the various ethnic groups which
populate Indonesia.
A visit to the old
town area and Chinatown in North Jakarta is like stepping back in
time to the days of the Dutch colonial rule. Old warehouses
of the Dutch East Indies Company and period buildings now house a
variety of museums. The Maritime Museum in the Sunda Kelapa
Harbor area with its landmark old harbor-master's tower exhibits
Indonesia's seafaring tradition. Models of sea going vessels
from all parts of the archipelago are displayed. The Jakarta
Historical Museum was once the Dutch East Indies Company's Town
Hall in the 17th and 18th century. Old maps and antiquities
used by the Dutch colonists in the 18th century are put on
display. Across from the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, the
Wayang Museum holds a collection of wayang puppets from
parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Shortened
performances of the wayang kulit (leather puppets) are
given every Sunday morning.
A collection of
over 327 kinds of textiles from all over the country; handwoven
cotton, silk and batik cloths, both of the ancient and
contemporary productions are put on display in an authentic Betawi
house which is the Textile Museum. A small workshop shows
the process of batik making.
In the early 16th
century, Sunda Kelape was an important trading port for the
Portuguese and the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran. Even today,
one is still able to witness remnants of its past glory in the
ruins of an Old Batavia's Kasteel (castle), warehouses and
relics from the days of the spice trade. Still functioning
as a fisherman's wharf and an inter-island port, Sunda Kelapa
provides a safe harbor for tall-mastered Bugis schooners carrying
merchandise as they have been doing for centuries.
Around the
archipelago in one day! The Indonesia Miniature Park or
Taman Mini is an extensive park which presents the diversity of
Indonesia, its people and culture. Visit the orchid garden,
bird park, the Keong Mas Imax Theatre and the Museum Indonesia.
As centers of
Jakarta's cultural activities, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and Taman
Ismail Marzuki offer monthly programs which may include
exhibitions, plays, musical and poetry recitals, fold art, dance
performances and drama from local artists and visiting performers.
As a cosmopolitan
city, Jakarta's indigenous inhabitants, the Betawi people,
fiercely preserve their culture and traditions. In the
city's several Betawi cultural reserves, such as Situ Babakan and
Condet in South Jakarta, the Betawi live in traditional designed
houses, speak in the distinct Betawi dialect and keep alive
traditional Detawi arts and culture. The tanjidor
orchestra, the Topeng Blantek dance and Betawi wayang
performances, to name a few are some of the traditional
performances that are presented during important ceremonies.
Cuisine
Jakarta has a
distinctly cosmopolitan flavor. Tantalize your tastebuds
with a gastronomic spree around the city's many eateries.
Fine French gourmet dining, exotic Asian cuisine, American fast
food in stylish cafes, restaurants or interesting hawkers' stalls,
all compete to find a way into your heart through you stomach.
The tastes of
Indonesia's many cultures can be found in almost any corner of the
city. The hot and spicy food from West Sumatra, the sweet
and gungent tastes of Central Java or the tangy fish dishes of
North Sulawesi served in an elaborate rijstaffel (rice
stuffed with an assortment of meat, fish or vegetable side dishes)
are bound to meet favorably with the most discerning palate.
AN astounding array of sweet beverages and desserts feature
crushed, shaved or cubed ice to compliment the hot and humid
climate, although some are served warm to promote greater physical
well-being.
Leisure
Activities
Shopping
Whether you're a serious spender or half-hearted shopper, there's
sure to be something for everybody in Jakarta, the country's
shopping capital. Catering to diverse tastes and pockets,
the wide variety of things that you can buy in Jakarta is mind
boggling from the best of local handicrafts to haute couture
labels. Modern super/hyper markets, multi-level shopping
centers, retail and specialty shops all compete to sell quality
goods at a competitive price. Check out the city's modern
shopping havens, Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan, Pondok Indah
Mall, Pasaraya and Mall Taman Aggrek, said to be the biggest mall
in Southeast Asia.
Most traditional
open-air markets are one-stop shipping affairs where haggling is
the name of the game. Activities start as early as two in
the morning when vendors begin preparing fresh vegetables,
luscious tropical fruits, meat, fish and even household goods,
clothing and stationery for the day's sale.
Sidewalk bargains
range from tropical blooms of vivid colors and scents arranged in
attractive bouquets to luscious fruits of the season.
Strolling down a busy street in the Barito area may even lead you
to an impromptu pet market selling furry animals, pretty
parakeets, cockatoos and even fresh and salt water fish of bright,
iridescent colors. At the Pramuka bird market visitors are
greeted with a cacophony of singing birds, talking birds and
pretty decorative birds. It's worth visiting the Jatinegara
gemstone market if you're into precious and semi-precious stones. Brought
in and auctioned at dawm, fish and other bounties of the sea are
absolutely fresh at the Muara Angke fish market. In the
evening, the air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of grilled
seafood that comes from food stalls that are always packed with
hungry crowds. If
hunting for repro and antique furniture at Ciputat or browsing
through an array of brassware, ornate lamps, old china, and faux
antiques on Jalan Surabaya is not how you want to spend your
money. Jakarta's glittering malls and department stores are
guaranteed to tempt you with the latest items. From
audio-visual and electronic equipment and accessories, home
appliances, interior decorations, textile and fabrics to sports
goods, designer clothes and footwear, watches, jewelry, cosmetics,
handicrafts and toys, the list of things you can buy is endless.
At Mangga Due, textile, garments, electronics and computers at
wholesale prices and cheaper with large quantity buys. Pasaraya
Grande and Sarinah are the best places to find handicrafts and
ethnic treasures from regions all over the country. Of
superior workmanship, batiks, ikats, gems, brass &
exquisite silverware and wooden carvings are put on display in a
distinctively Indonesian setting and ambience. Spa
Jakarta's
fast pace belies a turn towards tranquility and relaxation,
physical and spiritual harmony. Various establishments offer
professional pampering service with floral baths, body scrubs,
aromatic oils, massages and meditations; rituals and treatments
that use spices and aromatic herbs to promote physical and mental
wellness. Discover both your inner and outer beauty at
Martha Tilaar, with treatments such as bio enery massage, jamu
(traditional herbal drinks and foods), meditation and traditional
beauty therapies. Private suites with everything you need to
relax can be found at The Spa, Dharmawangsa Hotel. At Jamu,
all spa products are prepared from vegetables, flowers and herbs
each morning. For an intoxicating experience of spices,
flowers and essential oils, visit Mandara Spa. Or try ten
different kinds of massages that are Gaya Spa's speciality. Golf
The
spectacular tropical settings and challenging greens of Jakarta's
amazing courses give a whole new meaning to the sport of
golf. Klub Golf Senayan in the heart of the city is renowned
for its traditional tree-lined fairways. Long, rolling
fairways and greens characterize Cengkareng Soewarna in the
vicinity of Jakarta's international airport. Just an hour
away, Gunung Geulis Country Club has two 18-hole
championship-standard courses while the Imperial Klub Golf off the
Jakarta-Merak toll road boasts a stimulating variety of golf
holes. Recreation
A wonderful
place for children and grown ups, Jaya Ancol Dreamland on the
north coast of Jakarta is a popular recreation venue complete with
a fantasy theme park, Sea World, swimming pools, an artificial
lagoon for fishing and boating, a bowling alley, nightclubs,
restaurants and first-class hotels. Lying
just off the Bay of Jakarta, over 130 islands, coral islets and
sand bars from the Thousand Islands or Pulau Seribu. This
cluster of islands offers an array of activities, from lazing on
golden beaches, camping at ruins of an old Dutch fort or enjoying
first-class accommodations to joining in vigorous water
sports. There are also diving sites that take only about two
hours to reach from the Ancol Marina with clear waters and pretty
coral reefs. International-standard accommodations that
cater to divers are available on the islands of Putri, Pelangi,
Sepa, Kotok, Pantura and Matahari. Other islands, such as
Kelor, Onrust have ruins from the Dutch colonial period. Festivals
& Events
Amidst the
capital's modern living, centuries-old practices can still be
witnessed during symbolic ceremonies celebrated by the different
ethnic groups that form Jakarta's population. Weeks
before the 17th of August, the red and white of the Indonesian
flag becomes the favorite color and decoration for
Indonesians. Sport competitions, games and contests are held
everywhere in the spirit of friendship and sportivity to celebrate
the Republic's Independence Day. Commemorating
Jakarta's anniversary on June 22, every year the city holds a
month-long fair, the Jakarta Fair at the Jakarta Fairground
Kemayoran. A wide range of products is exhibited and sold to
visitors at a relatively lower price. Items ranging from
cars, electronics to basic necessities, such as food and clothing. Sometime
between January and February, the Chinese celebrate the Lunar New
Year. The area around Kota or Chinatown which has the
largest concentration of Chinese descendants has a decidedly
festive atmosphere with lanterns, orange trees and barongs
decorating shops and houses. After
a month of fasting to atone for their sins, Hari Raya led Fitr is
a joyful time for Muslims to ask forgiveness among friends and
family with cleansed spirits. On this day, people dress in
their best, visit friends and relatives and enjoy specialties such
as ketupat, rice cakes wrapped in woven coconut fronds and
served with an assortment of curry-based meat, chicken and
vegetables dishes. |
