27.01.2024 — Our last day in Jakarta, and we decided to go our separate ways to do our own thing. Shahrol took the MRT to explore popular hangout spots, Ainur planned to meet her friend Avia, whom she met during her travels in Europe, and I intended to shop for souvenirs to bring back to Malaysia. We had complained so much about the heat yesterday that the universe decided to balance things out with a heavy downpour that lasted from morning till noon. Despite the rain, I had a schedule to keep. I grabbed breakfast at Tomoro Coffee, conveniently located right below our hotel. My usual order—a latte and a cinnamon roll—hit the spot, fueling me for the day ahead. I then hopped into a Grab and headed to Tanah Abang, the largest textile market in Southeast Asia.
Tanah Abang is a bustling marketplace, a labyrinth of shops selling everything from fabrics and clothing to accessories and more. The atmosphere was electric, with vendors calling out their wares, the hum of bargaining in the air, and a sea of colorful textiles as far as the eye could see. However, it’s important to stay alert here. Scammers often approach tourists, offering unsolicited help or deals too good to be true, only to rob you later. My local friends had warned me to be cautious, describing Jakarta as a city of opportunists.
Navigating Tanah Abang can be tricky, especially if you’re not prepared. Here are some essential tips for shopping there:
- Payment Methods: Most vendors don’t have card terminals and usually accept payments through cash and QR code using QRIS.
- Using QRIS: QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) is a standardized QR code payment system in Indonesia. It allows payments from various e-wallets and banking apps. Fortunately, Touch ‘n Go eWallet and MAE by Maybank support QRIS, so you can use them seamlessly.
- Foreign Transfers: At that time, I wasn’t familiar with QRIS, so I decided to use the transfer function via Wise. Wise is an online money transfer service known for its low fees and competitive exchange rates. Instead of carrying a lot of cash, I converted my money to local currency using Wise, which offered better rates than money changers.
- Security and Convenience: Transferring money with Wise is secure and user-friendly. If you don’t have a Wise account yet, you can use my referral link to get a free card. [Link here.]
With these tips in mind, I navigated the market quickly, buying ten pairs of kain pelikat and ten batik shirts. Next on my list was coffee. My brother had specifically asked for Kapal Api coffee, but finding it in Tanah Abang proved challenging. I wandered around, unable to locate any grocery stalls selling the brand. Frustrated but determined, I asked a local where to find good coffee. They directed me to a traditional coffee shop where coffee beans were roasted on-site and ground fresh upon purchase. I selected two top-quality grades to bring back home. As for the Kapal Api coffee, I decided to try my luck at Alfamart or Indomaret later.
Feeling a bit uneasy and paranoid—perhaps from the sheer number of people and the bustling environment—I wrapped up my shopping and decided to head back to the hotel. The relentless rain meant I had to wait at the coffee shop for a while. When it seemed like my Grab wasn’t going to arrive anytime soon, I opted for a bajai (similar to a tuk-tuk in Thailand) for the experience, even though it wasn’t as comfortable as a Grab. The fare was IRD30k (about RM9.00), and despite the driver’s attempt to ask for more, Channeling my inner negotiator, I firmly refused to pay extra, surprising even myself with my boldness.
Back at the hotel around noon, I dropped off my laundry at the reception. With my clothes running low before our trip to Jogja, I had no choice. I had never used a hotel’s laundry service before, and the cost shocked me—over IDR502k (about RM150) for just a few items! I blamed Sharul for insisting on hotel laundry.
Once everything was settled, I checked in with the others. Ainur was still at the hotel, just about to leave to meet Avia. Sharul was still daydreaming at a café in M Block. After a shower and with no solid plans for the afternoon—and still a bit paranoid from the morning—I decided to join Ainur and Avia at Grand Indonesia.
Next up: Our final day adventures at Grand Indonesia and wrapping up our Jakarta journey. Stay tuned!