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Last night, we slept like logs, completely wiped out from our first day in Jakarta. Our second day promised to be even busier. We kicked off our adventure at 10:30 AM, heading straight to the historical wonders of Kota Tua. Our first stop was Fatahillah Square, where we explored the old post office, Kantor Pos Kota Tua. This building, no longer a functioning post office, is now a hub for food and art vendors. The colonial architecture was captivating, with its grand, weathered facade whispering tales of the past.

The sun was shining brightly, making it a perfect day for photos. We took tons of 360-degree shots with our Insta360 camera around the square and outside the office, capturing the essence of this historical spot. After our mini-photo shoot, our stomachs reminded us it was time for a snack. We stopped by Kopi Nako, a trendy café nearby, for some much-needed caffeine and a light bite.

Next, we headed to Toko Merah, an iconic red building known for its striking Dutch architecture. As luck would have it, there was a Pasar Peranakan event in full swing. The market was filled with beautiful Baba Nyonya jewelry, traditional performances, and cultural exhibits. The atmosphere was relatively quiet, probably because it was a working Friday. I imagine weekends would be more lively and vibrant.

From Toko Merah, we planned to visit the Sunda Kelapa Port, an old port that’s a popular tourist spot known for its historic sailing ships and bustling maritime activities. We envisioned exploring the old wooden schooners and soaking up the maritime history. However, our plans took a turn when we got lost and ended up at a rather eerie, off-limits port area, complete with warning signs and an ominous vibe. Concerned for our safety, we quickly abandoned that plan and decided to head straight for Ancol Dreamland, also known as Taman Impian Jaya Ancol. It is a popular recreational area in Jakarta that includes various attractions such as Dunia Fantasi (Dufan), SeaWorld Ancol, Atlantis Water Adventure, and more. However, before diving into the specific attractions, there’s a general entrance fee to access the Ancol Dreamland complex:

• Per Person: IDR 25,000 (approximately RM7.50).
• Per Vehicle: Car: IDR 25,000 (approximately RM7.50) & Motorcycle: IDR 15,000 (approximately RM4.50).

By then, our stomachs were growling, so we decided to grab lunch first. We ate at a restaurant called BeachFood, where the food was delicious, prices were reasonable, and most importantly, there was air conditioning. We ordered a variety of local dishes and savored every bite. After our meal, we strolled over to Ancol Beach, taking in the refreshing sea breeze and snapping more photos. Ancol Dreamland offers a variety of attractions that would be perfect for families with kids, but we enjoyed our laid-back beach time.

Next, we headed to the Kramat area because my two junior friends are bookworms in need of their book therapy. Kramat is like a literary treasure trove with its traditional bookstores. We spent a good chunk of time browsing through stacks of books, the air filled with the musty scent of old paper. After about an hour, Ainur mentioned wanting a massage, so we searched for a spa. The prices were a bit steep for our budget, so Sharul and I opted out, leaving Ainur to enjoy her massage while we ventured to Sarinah Mall.

Sarinah Mall has a touch of class, unlike the quiet Element Mall. We aimed to find some souvenirs to take back to Malaysia for our staff and families. The mall was bustling with shoppers, and we found ourselves drawn to the beautiful scarves, a step above the typical street market finds. Sarinah offers more upscale options, perfect for gifts.

After our shopping spree, we headed back to the hotel for a break before dinner. But my stomach had other plans—I was starving. I ordered Grab Food and finally got to try the famous Richeese Factory, which I had never tried in Malaysia. Their chicken was smaller than expected—probably hormone-free, I joked, but still delicious with its spicy cheese sauce.

Just as I was settling in, Sharul suggested we check out the street food near our hotel. Initially, I hesitated since I had just eaten, but I didn’t want to miss out on the local flavors. So, I joined him for a second dinner, ordering Nasi Goreng Gila and sipping on Air Kelapa Jeruk. The street was alive with the hustle and bustle of vendors and customers, the air thick with enticing aromas. The nasi goreng was insanely delicious, with a perfect blend of spices and toppings, and I had no regrets about my double dinner.

As the night grew late, we finally made our way back to the hotel, satisfied and exhausted from another adventurous day in Jakarta. Stay tuned for more of our Jakarta adventures and misadventures!

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After a much-needed rest in our hotel, our stomachs were grumbling loudly, demanding something more substantial than the bread we had earlier. So, we decided to hunt for a hearty meal. The verdict? Nasi Padang. A quick Google search pointed us to Restoran Garuda for a late lunch.

Pro tip: When dining at a Nasi Padang restaurant, remember that you only pay for what you eat, even though they serve a variety of dishes. So, don’t be shy about trying everything, but keep track of what you actually consume!

We set off on foot, a nearly hour-long walk that left us ravenous by the time we arrived. We dug in like starving explorers, ending up with a bill of IDR480k (about RM144). It seemed a bit pricey considering we didn’t eat that much, but the experience was worth it.

With our hunger satisfied, we continued our adventure to the Monumen Selamat Datang for some obligatory tourist photos. To get the best view, we headed to the top of the Halte Transjakarta Bundaran HI, a comfortable and safe bus stop—something you won’t find back in Malaysia. To access this spot, you need to purchase a card called “TapCash”, priced at IDR50k (RM15), which also works for the MRT.

After snapping some photos, we couldn’t resist stopping at TOMORO COFFEE, a cozy cafe right there. Indonesian coffee is among the best in the world, and this place did not disappoint. We were amazed by the prices—delicious coffee for as low as IDR9k (RM3). Where else can you find such a deal? As we marveled at the affordable coffee, a friendly local who had just returned from Malaysia struck up a conversation with us. They were kind enough to recommend a place for dinner: Bakso Malang.

After our coffee break, we headed to Plaza Indonesia to browse around. Some of my friends bought shoes, claiming they were cheaper than in Malaysia. I just listened, having recently bought new shoes myself, but it was fun to see them excited about their purchases.

Taking the local’s advice, we set out to find Bakso Malang for dinner. We walked to an area bustling with food carts. The atmosphere was vibrant, with many people grabbing dinner after a long workday. We found a seller named Bakso Malang Abah. This version of bakso was different, featuring bakwan—fried wontons filled with a mixture of ground meat or fish/shrimp and flour.

We were a bit nervous about trying street food, but we decided to embrace the experience. The bakso malang turned out to be decent, with generous portions, and the experience of eating street food in Jakarta was something to remember.

Disclaimer: If you’re picky about food quality, street food might not be your thing. But hey, when in Indonesia, you’ve got to try the local street fare! I took a deep breath and dived into the bakso malang.

By the end of the day, our legs were tired, and we were ready to call it a night. We made a quick stop at Alfamart for some snacks and bottled water before hailing a Grab back to our hotel. Walking was no longer an option for our weary feet.

Stay tuned for more adventures in Jakarta as we continue to explore and experience all the city has to offer!

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The much-anticipated day finally arrived, and I couldn’t contain my excitement for my first-ever flight to Indonesia, our neighboring country. I arrived at KLIA around 8:30 in the morning for my flight scheduled at 11:45 AM. While waiting for my friends to arrive, I grabbed breakfast with my family at the airport—a precious moment considering we wouldn’t see each other for the next 10 days. It was nearly an hour before the rest of the group arrived.

Once everyone was present, we headed to the self-check-in kiosk to print our boarding passes and luggage tags. As we waited to board the plane, we took care of one essential task: purchasing travel insurance to ensure our safety throughout our stay in a foreign land. Thankfully, it was a breeze to buy through the Touch ‘n Go app only RM55.00 for 10 days with protections up to RM100,000.00.

Alhamdulillah, our flight departed on time, and we safely arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport around 1:00 PM (WIB), just a little over an hour flight, barely reaching the two-hour mark. Upon landing, we queued up for immigration and customs clearance. Just friendly reminder for you guys that planning to travel to Indonesia, we are required to submit an Indonesia Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD) prior to departure to go through customs clearance. The Indonesia e-CD form is mandatory for all travelers even if we do not have any restricted goods. Once submitted, we will receive a QR code to be presented during customs clearance. If you are planning to stay in Indonesia for more than 90 days, you have to register your phone imei no to customs..

With all the passengers lining up, we joined the queue, ready to go through the necessary procedures. Despite the crowd, the overall process was surprisingly ok, taking us less than 40 minutes to clear immigration and customs. We wasted no time and immediately called for a Grab car to take us to our hotel. Our hunger pangs led us to grab some bread as a quick snack before continuing our journey.

Continuing our Jakarta adventure, the journey from the airport to our hotel took about an hour and a bit—because, well, you know how Jakarta traffic can be, it’s like a perpetual traffic jam! We were prepared for the cacophony of car horns blaring at every turn, adding a lively soundtrack to our road trip. It was like being serenaded by a chorus of impatient vehicles—haha!

To add to the excitement, we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of election season (or should I say “PEMILU” season), similar to Malaysia’s PRU. Along the streets of Jakarta, flags fluttered proudly, billboards actively campaigned for various candidates—it was quite the spectacle! Talk about getting a taste of local politics while navigating through the city’s traffic mayhem.

As for our accommodation, we opted for a modest hotel in the Menteng area, strategically located near tourist hotspots like Plaza Indonesia and Sarinah. Sure, it’s not a luxury hotel fit for royalty, but hey, we’re here to explore, not to live it up in fancy suites. It’s all about individual preferences, but for us, practicality outweighed opulence. (hihi)

After settling into our hotel, we decided to take a breather before venturing out for lunch. We figured we’d give ourselves an hour to recharge before embarking on our culinary expedition. Stay tuned for the next installment as we dive into the culinary delights Jakarta has to offer! Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

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With the blessings of my parents and Dr. secured, I embarked on the next phase of my Jakarta journey. Given the constraints of our respective locations and busy schedules, we resorted to virtual meetings via Google Meet to hash out the details. What’s more, our planning session took place a mere five days before our scheduled departure—talk about last-minute!

As we delved into the discussion, I was initially under the impression that our trip would revolve solely around Jakarta. However, to my pleasant surprise, I soon discovered that we had also included Yogyakarta in our itinerary, with plans to travel there by train. The prospect of embarking on a train journey to a distant city added an extra layer of excitement to our adventure—after all, it’s not every day you get to travel such distances by rail!

The idea of visiting Bandung after returning from Yogyakarta also crossed our minds, although we decided to defer the decision-making process until after our arrival in Jakarta.

During our discussion, we managed to secure accommodations for our stays in Jakarta and Yogyakarta for the initial six days of our trip. As for the remaining days, we opted to leave the planning process open-ended, to be decided upon our arrival in Jakarta. Additionally, we purchased our train tickets from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, ensuring that our travel plans were firmly in place.

With the groundwork laid out, the excitement for our impending adventure reached new heights. Stay tuned for Jakarta Chronicles Pt. 3, where I’ll delve into the surprises and myriad experiences that awaited us in Jakarta.

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As we were strolling through the historical streets of Melaka, my junior from my university nonchalantly asked me, “Hey, do you want to join us on a trip to Jakarta next January?” Caught off guard by the spontaneity of the invitation, I couldn’t help but inquire about the details. How long were they planning to stay in Jakarta, I wondered.

To my surprise, they mentioned that the trip would span over 10 days. Instantly, I felt a sense of hesitation creeping in. Ten days seemed like a considerable commitment, especially considering my other responsibilities.

“Ten days? That might be a bit challenging for me to swing,” I responded tentatively.

Despite my initial reservations, the thought of exploring a new city with friends ignited a spark of excitement within me. After some contemplation, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing new experiences is what life is all about.

***

At first, I confided in Farah about the plans my friends had shared with me. Farah, ever the supportive friend, encouraged me to muster the courage to approach Dr. about the leave. As luck would have it, Dr. coincidentally crossed paths with Farah and me, providing the perfect opportunity for me to broach the subject.

With newfound determination, I mustered the courage to approach my superior, Dr., with an unusual request. “Dr., would it be possible for me to take an extended leave?” I hesitantly inquired, unsure of how my request would be received.

Dr. considered my request for a moment before posing the inevitable question, “How long of a leave are you looking for?”

“Um, about 10 days,” I replied, my heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety.

To my surprise—and immense relief—Dr.’s response was far more accommodating than I had anticipated. “Sure, you can take the leave, as long as you promise to be on standby at all times,” Dr. said with a reassuring smile.

With Dr.’s blessing secured, I wasted no time in contacting my friends to gather the details of our upcoming adventure. After swiftly arranging the logistics and confirming the flight details, I made the spontaneous decision to purchase my ticket to Jakarta.

In that moment, as I clicked the ‘confirm purchase’ button, a wave of exhilaration washed over me. Despite my initial apprehension, I felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation for the journey that lay ahead.

Little did I know that this impromptu trip would not only challenge my preconceived notions about travel but also provide me with a wealth of unforgettable experiences and cherished memories.

Join me as I embark on this unexpected adventure to Jakarta, where every moment promises to be filled with excitement, discovery, and the joy of stepping outside of my comfort zone.