Jakarta

Before starting the review I?d like to wish everyone a very blissful Eid and affluent Diwali! It feels great to be back with a review after an invigorating holiday in Jakarta. Thus, I thought it wouldn?t be a bad idea to make a come back with a review on Jakarta itself!

The City

Capital of Indonesia. One of the most sophisticated cities on the world map. Situated on the island of Java.

The People

Jakarta people are one of the most courteous, honest and obliging mortals I?ve ever seen. Right from a cab driver to a storeowner everyone will be ready to lend a hand with a smile on their face. Unlike India and most other countries people prefer to have a girl child rather than boys. In the top offices 90% staff consists of females and even on tollgates girls are doing the honour. The main reason for this is that Indonesian boys are a bit lazy and dull compared to the girls. But they are very chivalrous. Girls can roam around in mini skirts even at 3 AM if they like without a threat of even an infinitesimal comment from a street guy.

Climate

The ambiance is humid much like Mumbai. It?s impossible to survive without air-conditioners. The only places, which aren?t air-conditioned, are the roads, parks and auto rickshaws. It rains almost daily. Even if there are no thunderstorms it will drizzle at least!

Culture

Although it?s a Muslim place but the masses aren?t of the traditional type like in Pakistan or Afghanistan. They follow the western culture and there aren?t any stringent precincts to hamper their style. Their philosophy is to live for the present and not to think too much of the future (no savings). They enjoy life and consume most of their salary.

Places to Visit

Sea World is a must see for anyone who is passionate about that calm sunset on the beach! The coastline is much more uncontaminated and shipshape compared to our Chaupati!

Taman Safari is yet another place one must visit. Animals have been brought from various parts of the globe and being nurtured in the forest. People can visit it on their four wheelers as the animals come right till your window. There are all sorts of animals from Zebras to Tigers. The only drawback I found was the Pukka road. If they had a muddy road instead of that it would have given a more realistic feeling of being in a jungle!

Few kilometers away from Taman Safari is a small hill station. The enthralling sights of mountains and valleys will take you to an altogether new world!

Also there is a lot inside the city that you can see like Malls, Pubs, Discos and Offices! A few of the malls I visited were Pondok Indah, Plaza Senayan (the best and biggest mall in Jakarta according to the retailers and the public), Plaza Indonesia and Plaza Pondok Indah. You will find everything there right from a pin to a car. But you must be financially well off if you want to shop here! Those who are a bit low on cash prefer places like ?Block M? rather than a mall!

A couple of pubs, which I really liked, were the Hard Rock Café and CJ?s in hotel Mulya! The music in Hard Rock Café was captivating to say the least. And as far as CJ?s is concerned although the music wasn?t as good as Hard Rock Café but the atmosphere was much more informal and party like with hardly any place to keep your foot! Hard Rock Café was more like a live music concert! Thus, if your priority is good music hard rock café is the place and if you just want to have a ball forgetting all your tensions CJ?s is your destination!

Also there is discothèque near Stadium but a pick-up bar too functions there. So besides music and dance it?s a den for some other night activities as well!

Transport

It?s an expensive affair to own private cars here because of the high taxes thus the public transport is very strong. Not only buses, taxis and auto rickshaws but you can even hire a motorbike! The safest of them all are the two taxis ? Bluebird & Silverbird. They are trusted so much that if the school bus doesn?t show up for some reason the school authorities inform the parents after sending their kids through them!

Currency

The currency used here is Rupiah (Rp).

1 US $ = 9, 003 Rp.

1000 Rp = Rs 6 (Approximately).

Language

You can have a language problem, as the only language used here is Indonesian. Very few people can understand or speak English although the situation in that regard too is changing drastically.

Food

?Nasi Goreng? is the traditional Indonesian dish. It?s fried rice filled with vegetables, egg and some other eatables. All kind of non-vegetarian food is available from chicken, fish and beef. Indians may find the Indonesian dishes a bit sweet.

Jakarta and Indians

Indians are treated with love and respect. The only place abroad where they can work peacefully without being called ?Bloody Indians?. Bollywood movies and Shahrukh Khan are very eminent in the whole Jakarta. There is an India club too where the NRI?s celebrate all their festivals together and keep conducting programmes. Indian restaurants like Ganesha won?t let you feel home sick because of food!

My favourite place in Jakarta

I loved ?Mal Pondok Indah?. I used to visit this mall daily once or twice and spend hours their roaming, shopping and enjoying! It?s the smallest mall in Jakarta (two floors) but the first ever here (1991). Also whenever I missed my Pari, I came to this place to chat on yahoo, talk on phone or to buy something for her! I don?t understand what?s all this hype about Plaza Senayan! If you ask me, I think Pondok Indah is the best mall in Jakarta! Far more homely, merry and tapered compared to Plaza Senayan. Indian malls will look like a big joke once you visit the malls of Jakarta!

What I liked most about Jakarta

The honesty, decency and hard-working nature of people.

People are very honest. It?s a peaceful city with hardly any cases of robbery, theft or pick pocketing.

Just as I mentioned before, boys are very decent. Forget rape you won?t even find a case of eve teasing. Guys sitting on roads won?t even look at a girl no matter how provoking her dress is!

Also the people are very hard-working especially the girls! You won?t find anyone begging. They all like to work for their living!

Terima Kasih for reading my review.

Aku Sayang Kamu all.