Jakarta: 15-27 March 2010

I’m definitely not done with my travel photos :P. If you are bored with travel photos, you may skip this post :).

As mentioned earlier, I spent 2 weeks in Jakarta. Longest time spent overseas since I started work in my current company. Not forgetting, longest time ever I’m separated with my 2 kids. The last time it was only 9 days, when we went to Melbourne.

I guess my stay was way too long till Faythe asked, “Mommy, how long more I have to stay with Grandma O.o”.

I tried not to lock myself up in the hotel room during the weekends cause I’m already working OT every night during weekdays.

On the 1st Saturday weekend, I decided to make a trip to Jakarta National Museum. It was not far from Hotel, just take a cab there. Very easily accessible.

As I mentioned before, I’m pretty much of a history freak. Hence a visit to Museum would anytime be better than a visit to Shopping Mall :P.

When I first enter the Museum, I was greeted with plenty of stone statues collection from all walks of life & places in Indonesia. All of them are marked with date, some as old as BC dates. Amazing!! Makes me wonder how come we don’t have such thing in Malaysia’ Museum :P.

Most of these are brought from outside of Jakarta I believe.

After this section, then you are brought to another section where it tells you about the history of human kind. Another thing which I don’t recall that’s available in our National Museum. There were also alot of historical goodies on display. Seriously, this place is filled with artifacts!!

Gamelan & Wayang Kulit

Then, they have this huge room, where they display all the 80+ ethnics in Indonesia and all the details of it. Very interesting, but I was too lazy to read thru every single thing. Just scanning thru the artifacts to me is good enough :P.

This I remember very clearly is from Bali. I took this photo cause I want to show my children this the Indonesia Version of Lion Dance. The eyes looks pretty scary.

Then this part of the Museum is connected to another new building where they display newer items which is of our generation. I decided to skip this since it’s not really history to me :P.

So I went outside and took some photos of the National Museum. The building was probably built during the Dutch Era. Still very well maintained.

Then I walk across the road to Monas (Tallest Monument in Jakarta)….While walking across the pedestrian bridge, I some photos too, as this place is actually facing a huge roundabout.

On weekends, it’s a bit more quiet at this part of the world. But on weekdays, the traffic is horrendous.

I admire their buildings because the designs are very different from those in KL. I’d say they are more creative :).

After I cross the bridge, then I realised that Monas entrance was not that side, but another part, I got a bit lazy and decided to skip Monas.

I took a cab to Jalan Sibu, to buy some souvenirs for MIL. This place is like our Central Market. They sell all sort of local stuff.

There were also student artist sitting by the roadside drawing.

It started drizzling shortly after that, so I took a cab back to the Shopping Mall next to my hotel. The Loft. There’s nothing much at this mall, but there are plenty of food here. I spend most of my meals trying out each and every restaurant, except those which are not Indonesia Authentic, e.g. Singapore Chicken Rice ^.^.

I went to this Restaurant for many many times…cause the food they serve is simple & quick haha…I usually take a quick bite & head back to hotel, hence I try to avoid places which are too crowded. They serve local Indonesia cuisine.

This is a plate of Nasi Liwet. Don’t really like this cause it’s a bit too dry. If it comes with some kuah, will be perfect.

A glass of drink I ordered. The green ones are jelly strips, while the ones that looks like frog eggs are selasih. Nice cooling drink.

Everyday after meal, I’d take a short walk back to hotel. It’s very convenient. Definitely better than Shangri-La.

This is a Service Apartment that is next to the hotel.

Looks more like an office than an apartment right :P.

At the Loft, there’s also a factory outlet which I discovered eventually. I went there a few rounds to do some shopping. Bought plenty of clothes for my children particularly (it’s about RM20/piece – top & bottom). Luckily I didn’t bring extra bag, so I had to buy with cautious LOL. If not I think the damage would have even been more.

The selection of clothings there are much more better than our FOS/Brands Outlet. Cheaper too!! Good thing I didn’t have any baby, if not I probably gone broke buying baby clothes.

That’s all about Jakarta for now.

If you ask me if I like travelling for work, definitely it’s not something I can choose over. If I don’t have family et al. that’s absolutely OK.

But one of the things I enjoy travelling for work is I actually managed to catch up with alot of movies/series that I’ve not watched in recent years. Since I continue working every night in my hotel room, I usually switch on the TV while checking my emails, etc.

I listed down the movies that I watched during my 2 weeks tenure in Jakarta:

1. Changeling – Must watch. So touching that I cried.
2. Hellboy II
3. 7 pounds – bought the DVD, but never watch it at home. Another touching movie. Guarantee needs tissue :P.
4. Edward Scissorhand – whoa..ancient years movie
5. Radio Flyer
6. Elizabeth – Golden Age
7. Connected (Cantonese)
8. Australia
9. Curious Case of Benjamin Button – OK, it’s another tear shedding movie.
10. Rob-B-Hood (Cantonese – Jackie Chan)
11. Red Cliff 1 & 2
12. Seoul Raiders (Cantonese) – another old Cantonese movie
13. Tudor II Series – thumbs up!! Now I’m tempted to buy rest of the season
14. S@x & City Series – not sure season what though

I won’t be going there so soon since my right hand man is there now :). Phew…what a relieve.

I’ve also stopped travelling for now. Time to plan for other stuff in office.