Jakarta (9 - 12th Dec '07)

I was just there in October, and now back again in Jakarta. However, it's a little different this time. We got to stay in the south of Jakarta...putting up at the Gran Mahakam hotel. It's a nice cosy hotel, with lots of detail. The journey from the airport takes more than half hour, costing about Rp 170,000.


Part of the lobby of Gran Mahakam.


The south of Jakarta gave me a different kind of feel than the usual city centre. The hotel is near residential area. There are several eating area near it such as Izzi, and a Padang restaurant are right across the street. An eatery called Dapur would be about 10 minutes walk from the hotel. There are several spa also within the vicinity...but if you're lazy like I was...I only check out the massage service at the hotel itself. A nice, 1 hour relaxing aromatherapy massage would cost around Rp 150,000 or only RM60.

For shopping, Blok M Plaza is also within walking distance. Things definitely to check out there is the local departmental store called Matahari. Found some good blouses that cost me about Rp 130,000 or RM 52. Good workmanship, with european designs. Found some flat shoes that cost me about RM30. Oh yes, do check out the hair salon academy. Can't remember the names tho...I had a hairwash there which cost me only Rp 17,500 or RM 7 (OMG...I initially thought that I heard the girl wrongly).

If you're into local music...check out a big music store right across the hotel. It's called Aquarius. Not that it's cheap but it has a good range. I bought some tho not as much as during my October trip.

Oh yes...talking about this trip...I definitely have to talk about the experience of a lifetime. On the first day of meeting, the organizer decided to give us a local experience during dinner. We were going to a local restaurant called Mbak Jingrak, right at the corner of the street. So, the organizer arranged for the Bajai, a local transport to pick us up from the hotel. It's something like tuk tuk. It fits 2 passenger at a time. Only cost us Rp5000 for the trip.

Seriously...it definitely isn't for the fainthearted. It cleverly maneuvre in the street...or in my standard, recklessly. I had the horror of my life when my bajai squeezed itself between a moving bus and a parked van. I thought the side of the bus was slighly more than a feet away from my face!!! When I reached the restaurant, my knees were still shaken from the horrifying short journey. The funny thing was that none of my Indonesian friends had even gotten into bajai themselves.

Things I saw in Jakarta

These are some scenes one can find in Jakarta.





A typical traffic condition during lunch time on a weekday...crawling...and there would always be someone selling stuffs on the road.



Gamelan set at the airport. Here, in the foreground, two men were playing saron.

Kuching, Sarawak and such

I was in Kuching in October...It's not something new for me as I've been there numerous of times but I thought it would be best to share it with others.

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, the Malaysian largest state located in the island of Borneo.

In brief the history of Sarawak...from the 14th century onwards, it was under the Sultanate of Brunei. Sir James Brooke became the first white rajah of Sarawak in 1841, as a reward from the Sultan. Sir James was later succeeded by his nephew, Sir Charles Brooke, and followed by his son Charles Vyner Brooke. Following the World War II, it was ceded as a British Crown Colony. In 1963, together with Sabah, and Federation of the Malay States, it formed Malaysia.

Anyway, for anyone who wishes to travel to Sarawak but do not have the luxury of time, it is best to start in Kuching. There are numerous historical buildings, a bulk constructed during the Brooke Raj (1841 - 1941).

You may want to start at the Kuching Waterfront. There's a historical walk that you may want to follow. It's indicated by the 13 bronze plaques located at the waterfront. Suggest that the journey starts from the Riverbank Suite, walking towards the Main Bazaar.

The waterfront:


From there, you would also be able to see part of the Fort Margherita across the river. The Fort was built in 1879, and most of it's existence it had served as the police headquarters.

As you walk further up, you'll be able to see the Astana.



The Astana was build by Rajah Charles Brooke in 1870, for his wife Ranee Margaret. It is now the residence of the Governor of Sarawak.

Other historical buildings that you can see along the way are the temple Tua Pek Kong, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

At the esplanade, you can't help but notice the Square Tower. It is located on the site of Kuching's first fort, which was burned down in 1857.



And about 50 metres away from the Square Tower, you'll notice another colonial building.



The above building is the court house, built in 1874. Now it serves as multi purpose centre.

If you want to get a unique local experience, you can take the boat ride across the river. Otherwise, you can check out the bazaar and also India Street. Also, walk past the court house and you'll see another colonial building i.e. the General Post Office, looking majestically with its Corinthian columns.

Walk further up, you'll reach the Padang Merdeka. Surrounding it are numerous historical buildings as well, such as the St. Thomas and St.Joseph schools, the Pavillion, and of course, the must see building of all is the Sarawak museum. It is said that the museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections in South East Asia.

I might have missed other buildings but it would be quite sufficient for the entire day. Be mindful to wear a good walking shoes as it'll be quite a walk.

Other things to check out in Kuching:
1. Climb the mount Santubong
2. Visit the Sarawak Cultural Village (Good to start on cultural awareness of the multi ethnic people of Sarawak)
3. Buy the famous kek lapis Sarawak (layered cakes but with artistic designs)
4. Eat Laksa Sarawak
5. Seafood, seafood, seafood

The ultimate Java experience

This is something that I've been toying with. I've asked around if anyone would be interested to travel with me but to date, only Dill is. Cousin Ron was lukewarm...as he already has plan to travel to LA for the Olympics.

Well, I've been travelling a bit to Java island. The more I see it, the more I'm interested in everything it has. So, it has got to be the one trip of my lifetime.

The plan is to fly to Jakarta, then take a train via the south route, travelling from West to East of Java. I haven't really decided on which stops but the south route should take me from Jakarta-Bandung-Jogjakarta-Surakarta/Solo-Surabaya.

I intend to make a stop at the major cities for 1 to 2 days. Among the must see sites would be Borubudur and Prambanan. Of course, not forgetting to visit the keratons in Jogja & Solo (the 2 great Mataram empires) and listen to the gamelan performances.

However, it doesn't stop there. From Surabaya, the journey continues to Ketapang, a town to the east of Java. Then take a ferry to Gilimanuk, Bali. Then fly back to Kuala Lumpur from Bali.

I'm not sure how long it will take me but I assume that it would probably take me more than 1 week. Rather ambitious...So, now I really have to plan carefully, especially on the logistics and timing.

Well, just check this blog from time for updates!