Sign in with Facebook
Jl Laks L RE Martadinata 1, Jakarta, Indonesia
21-07-2010
Canal through Batavia
Pasar Ikan
Bike driver in Pasar Baru
Dear friends:
Got a chance to visit jkta 2 days
on our cebu pacific budget fares.
How best to manage time?
I reserved at margot hotel, jln jaksa,
but since i will get to cgk rnd midnight,
will there still be a DAMRI bus to gambir stn
then ojek to jln jaksa at the time?
the hotel suggested a bluebird taxi with meter.
what are the places to see and the things to
do within 2 days?
got to connect to bali on air asia budget far
on the 2nd night.
where to exchange to rupiah, ie., should i
try the atm machines or should i just change
usd100 at the airport where i know the rates
are lower and they usually charge a 3% commn?
many thanks for any tips frm fellw travellers.
To be honest, the best use o your time would be to go somewhere else. I hate Jakarta.
Jakarta is heavily conjested and the traffic is horrendous, but having said that, I LIKED it. Don't exactly know what tickles your fancy, but while I was there, I took a tour of:
-Old Batavia,
-went to the water park for half a day, (forgot the name, but it is close by Old Batavia)
-Toured the Monas and,
-at night, got drunkingly silly at Hard Rock Cafe which is inside the EX Plaza,
(Nice band played when I was there, they played my requests too.)
-Went to Bogor and relaxed there on another day,
-Shopped at quite a few malls all the while,
-Dined all over the places. (loved the food)
Plenty to do, check with your hotel brochures, for your two days stay on what you might wish to do.
Yes! Take the Blue Bird taxis, they are more reputable and their prices are fixed so you'll not ending up getting shafted once you're at your destination. Once you're outside the terminals, you'll noticed the vast majority of people will opt for the Blue Bird taxis, despite maybe having to wait up to half an hour for one while other available taxis are all over the places seeking passengers.
Regarding money exchanges, SCREW that idea!!! You'll get screwed over the rate, and for other reasons, they are EXTREMELY picky about the USD currency. At the time, I had ten $100 USD with me, and they'll only take the one that is CRISP and POST-2002 (or was it PRE-2002). I was told it's an "investment" on their behalf as they in return, will exchange it with other entities. (Better the condition the money is in, the more they'll get in return for it.) Legal Tender doesn't apply here, I suppose.
Anyhow I only exchanged the $100 USD once, only because I was given a very favorable rate since they found my $$$ to be extremely crispy and it met their criteria. My point being, they are PICKY. The bastards!!!
Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.......stick to the ATM machines. Simply put, convenience which is priceless.
Hope these tips will help you in transitioning to a more "pleasant" experience in Jakarta.
hi chris and johnboywalton:
tks for your replies :-)
and many tks to the web developers
of this site, truly bringing all
travellers together, wow!!!
mart
You have to see Monas, the symbol of Jakarta. The form is golden torch on the top of a huge column. You can see it from a two or three miles distance.
Monas in the weekend is full of people, having picnics, cycling, jogging, and playing games. You can find a lot of Indonesian food, sold in tents and cars, like Gado-gado (mix vegetables with peanut dressing), chicken rice porridge, meatballs, and other. I incredibly miss the FOOD!!!!
At the front entrance Villa Chempaka Hotel in Ubud, Bali. In Bali, most of the lobbies or entrance of hotels we stayed at are enclosed, outside type. We arrrived from Jakarta and stayed at this hotel for three days.
Surprising to find an outdoor climbing wall here in Jakarta, was wondering around Pasar Festival (a shopping/restaurant/sports complex)
Huge wall will full facilities ie roopes and safety equiment.
I also stumbled acreoss a sports hall where I came across a live Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball)match with Jakarta vs Raiu. Very cool. Climbing wall, bring shoes and gloves.
Evening at Megacity like Jakarta- but it is recommended out side the big malls better with tour guide, or much more better together with friends.
So don´t miss to look the " Monas" at central area at early evening with the great Park roundup.
It is surprising how much people walking and talking this park, in special young people, and mostly there are some music performances. or much people like "jalan jalan" (walking) together like here in north Europa. At photo is not so to see but quiet and friendly atmosphere.
But don`t forget: So after 9 usually the smaller side doors of the monas park garden are closed, so exit is able only at the south main gate. The Monas park is quite big!
Along Jalan Surabaya, Menteng area in the downtown of Jakarta, you can find antiques shops plus second-hand discs and cassettes. Antiques home appliances or old CD and cassettes. You can get bargain galore here :) About 500 - a million per visit
Similar to Grand Ancol Hotel
Near Grand Ancol Hotel
Cheapest in Jakarta
Great Hotels for Less
Latest Jakarta hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
