One day in Jakarta

I am staying in Jakarta for almost 19 years. I came to this city for the first time when I was around 4 years old. I stayed in Surabaya at that time.
I still remembered when I got lost at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Lots of people at that time. Lucky me, my parents found me back.

This city is getting worst from time to time. Getting dirtier and even the traffic jammed was getting worst. But, with the newest Governor - Joko Widodo and his vice governor - Basuki Tjahaja Purnama - I am pretty sure that Jakarta will getting better and better. As long as, the people support them and would like to change too.

Jakarta got lots of interesting places. From traditional culture until the modern thing too. I loved to explore this city, as long as, I didn't get bad pollution from public transportation or bad vehicle. I hate vehicles with bad exhaust pipe. Very dirty or even black smoke came out. It's not for my lung, off course.

Once, me together with my friend explored Jakarta by motorcycle. I rode my motor and I showed my friend the place he never knew it before.


Museum Prasasti / Cemetery Museum

    Pose in front of hearse

If you like to have spooky moment, you should visit this museum. It was an old cemetery in Jakarta since 17th century. But right now, lots of corpses been relocated in Dutch. So, the current one was only remaining. Before, this area was quite wide, but some areas of this place been changed to be part of Central Jakarta Mayor office. 

I still remembered this area became popular place for fashion photography, music video or even for pre wedding photo. On some tv, they made this place for guts testing. It's a sacred place, I don't think it's good think for make this area got ghosts or not. So silly.

I saw many beautiful tombstones on this cemetery. The ticket fee was very cheap, it was Rp. 3.000,-. But if you have any special photography, you have to pay some more money.

                      Tombstone with anchors

 

Angel tombstone was the famous. Lots of angel tombstone

I spent less than 1 hour at this place. As, the weather got little rain. So, I had to leave this place. I'll visit this place someday. I wanna spend more time, to enjoy the tombstone one by one.


Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa / Sunda Kelapa Port

This sea port was famous since 12th century under Pajajaran Kingdom. Lots of thing happened at this sea port. Especially when Indonesia under Dutch colonialism.

Right now, Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa became a tourism object in Jakarta. Many tourist came to this port and see daily activities. Many traditional boats/ships (called Phinisi) backed in this sea port. Those ships were doing loading and unloading among islands in Indonesia. I was surprised when a boat loaded many cars and motorcycles to Bangka island. I thought only daily stuff will be loaded at this sea port. Even at this sea port, you can go to Sumatra or Kalimantan by long boat. 

The ticket fee was so cheap only Rp. 1.000 for motorcycle. The officer didn't charge me and my friend. In here, you may see all those activities by bicycle. There were bicycles for rented. Even the owner provide some hats and colonial cloth. So, you can pretend like Dutch people at the past.

If you don't want to walk or ride your bike, you can hire "ojek sepeda" (bike taxi) to see the sea port.

    Phinisi boat at the back

    Long boat to Pontianak - West Kalimantan

The water in here was so dark and so stink and lots of garbage. Sunda Kelapa management need to upgrade the pier and the facilities. So, it may attract more tourist to come. Due to, the situation was so traditional and look original.
I came to this port quite often, maybe more than 10 times. I came here with my friend from out of town. They were always amazed with the activity, they had the same opinion about water, garbage and pier condition. I hope in the future, there were no complaint about dirty water, garbage and pier condition.


Menara Syahbandar / Harbormaster Tower

Not far from Sunda Kelapa sea port and near to Maritime Museum, there was a 12 meters high of Harbormaster Tower. This tower called "Menara Miring" or skew tower. This tower was established in 1839. The tower got skew due to the road establishment.

In the past, the function of this tower was looking after all ships through Sunda Kelapa sea port and Kali Ciliwung (Ciliwung River). Under this tower, there was an underground tunnel connected to Fatahillah Museum and Prins Frederik Hendrik Fort (now Masjid Istiqlal). But the tunnel was closed, it closed for avoid danger thing.

From top of the tower, we can see surrounding like Maritime Museum, Fish Market, Sunda Kelapa Sea Port and Jakarta City too.

    Maritime Museum and Fish Market from Harbormaster Tower

    Zero Kilometer Monument

The view from top was quite OK. But, we can see how dirty the water near the sea port and in the river. Jakarta Government need to work hard to clean, while the people need to look after their surrounding.

                      Pose on the roof top

 


Continue on One day in Jakarta part II


T






 





   

Green Scenery in Singapore

The most I like in Singapore is Green Scenery.

This country is even smaller than Jakarta - my city. But, the city was so green. Lots of plant and trees been well planted. Less pollution from vehicles and or even the weather was so humid, but it's OK to get sweated. It's so healthy.

When I visited this country, I always spent my time to see the green area. I needed to enjoy by myself. I am glad to share this experience with you.


Pulau Ubin / Tile Island

It's easy to reach this island. We needed to go to Changi Village Terminal. This terminal may be reached by MRT and stopped by at Bedok MRT Station and continued by double decker bus no 2. On the way to Changi Village Terminal, I saw trees everywhere - so green.
After I reached this terminal, I needed to walk for 3 minutes to reach Changi Village Point Terminal.

    Changi Point Ferry Terminal at Changi Village Terminal

The bumboat was ready to bring 12 passengers to go to Pulau Ubin. By paying S$2.50 per passenger or direct pay S$30 without wait full 12 passengers, the boat will go directly. We paid directly to the boat captain. Around 10 minutes, the boat will reach Pulau Ubin pier.

    The bumboat

In this island, we can rent a bicycle to see around or rent a minibus. The bike may be rented from S$2 - S$20. For the minibus, it's depend on the negotiation price.

It's the last kampong or village in Singapore. We can the original kampong on an island. The most I like from this island was the situation was so green and you won't believe that you were in Singapore. It's very different situation.

I rented a bike and started to see this small island. This island got some quarries, as Pulau Ubin produced granite for tile. That's why this it's called Pulau Ubin.

    The bike "Polygon" made in Indonesia

Lots of thing can be seen or do on this island. Like quarries, Chek Jawa - conservation area, camping, original kampong and even local cemetery. The beach water was so clean and even I saw lots of rare plants. And don't enter private area of National Police Cadet Corps, you'll get shoot.

Lots of local people visited this island. Pulau Ubin was liked a sanctuary to relieve the stress. Or they were doing mountain bike or even jogging. It's a nice place to do that.

After 3 hours to spent my time on this island, it's time for me to leave. I needed to wait the boat full 12 passengers and returned back to Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

    Warning sign near the quarry

    At Pulau Ubin pier
   
 I needed to get back to this island again. As, I didn't visit Chek Jawa yet. And need more time to enjoy it.


Fort Canning Park

    Fort Canning Park from River Valley Road

I felt amazed with this small fort area. It was so green with lots of big tree. This fort was built on top of Bukit Larangan in 18th century. Singapore Government kept this area in a good way up to now.

There was a big tree which reminded me on movie "Avatar". In this fort, I saw not only fort, but a hotel, reservoir, cemetery - tombstone, a museum and a multifunction park. Even a small botanical garden which established by Raffles.

                      Big tree was liked on "Avatar"

Lots of tropical plant been planted on this area. It's nice place to do jogging, running or just walking. This place was so accessible. We can reach from River Valley Road. This fort behind National Museum of Singapore. We can walked by escalator. And it's an easy place behind Park Mall. It's very accessible place to visit Fort Canning. It's good for children to learn their surrounding or learn about plants. As the information given was so communicative and very understandable.

    At the Gate of Fort Canning

    Restricted Area at Fort Canning

In here, I was not just got fresh air but I got knowledge too about the history of Fort Canning. The most important how they kept the history together with maintain the green scenery. Two thumbs up for Fort Canning, I never got bored eventhough I had been there for twice.


Henderson Waves

I was flying to Singapore when I recognized Henderson Waves for the very first time. The airlines magazine mentioned about this bridge. A must see bridge in Singapore.

After walked around the whole day at Sentosa Island, I decided to fulfill my plan by seeing this bridge. In front of Vivo City shelter bus, I waited for the bus. The bus brought me to Henderson Road.

    Henderson Waves above Henderson Road

    Sign board at Henderson Road

I felt wonderful to see this high bridge. It's the tallest bridge in Singapore with 36 meters high above Henderson Road. Actually, this place may be reached from Vivo City by walked through Mount Faber Park. If you know Jewel Box (sky lift to Sentosa Island), it's very near from that place.

It's another thing from Singapore that I like. I love nature, I love green and I love fresh air. I just knew that I can walk from Mount Faber Park to Kent Ridge or even direct through Pasir Panjang. Someday, I will do it, as on my last visit, got lots of rain.

                      Stairs to Henderson Waves

This bridge was built to connect Mount Faber Hill to Telok Belangah Hill. People didn't need to walk down the hill and walk up the hill again. The construction looked like a wave. And the bridge was built above Henderson Road. That's why it called Henderson Wave.

 

                      Warning sign board at Henderson Bridge

Lots of people used this bridge for jogging, walking or just spent the time with friends or family, or even take photo on this bridge including me.
People can't pass this bridge by playing skateboard, rollerblading or cycling. They need to carry their stuff. 

                      Pose on the Henderson Bridge

The view from this bridge was so awesome. Combination from green scenery with concrete jungle. So clean with fresh air.

                      The view from the bridge

This bridge was made of steel and wood. In some part of the bridge, there was information about the height of the bridge above sea level.

    More less 65 meters above sea level

It's a nice place when you want to spent the time on this bridge. Like playing with friends, family members or even just spent alone. The weather was quite hot but it will become cooler at noon time.
At night time, this bridge will look awesome with LED light on the bridge.

                      The steel of the waves

The steel of the waves need to be repainted. As the color looked dirty. But, I liked this bridge and I had twice to visit this bridge. I will having my long walk from Vivo City to Kent Ridge and off course, I will pass through this bridge again. And I hope the green scenery from this bridge will still be the same.


Bukit Batok

When the first time I heard this place, I thought this will lots of coconut tree and coconut shell, in fact, this Bukit Batok got three meanings. Batok could be meant of coconut shell, stone or even cough. Anyway, for me, this hill was so great area.

I reached this place by MRT, as I stopped by at Bukit Batok MRT Station then continued by bus no 61. I told the driver to stopped me at the nearest bus station to Bukit Batok.

    Bukit Batok map

In the past, this area produced granite, just like granite at Pulau Ubin. This quarry before been called "Little Guillin". Right now, the quarry been closed. And this Bukit Batok became place for place to have sport activities or gathering.

On the top of the hill, I saw a memorial plaque of World War II. It was relate with Japan invasion at that time. And to commemorate their dead. The plaque was near to Bukit Batok Transmission Centre.

Near the quarry, I saw a big lizard walked. This lizard remained to komodo. But the lizard directly went to quarry when I tried to get the photo. Finally, I got it. The lizard was afraid of me.

    Big lizard near the quarry

    Pose in front of the quarry

    Warning sign board

    Warning sign board

In here, I found many warning sign  board. Like no swimming, no poaching animals, etc. At least, people who came here, they will understand that they have to obey those rules. Even, people can not ride their bicycle, they need to dismount and push the bike. Bukit Batok was so clean and I didn't see much trash even the toilet was so clean too.

Lots of green areas in Singapore had well maintained. It was not just responsible from the government, but the local people been asked to maintain the area.

I had been to Botanical Garden, without pay and I enjoyed the garden. Still lots of place in Singapore need to be visited. Need to revisit again Botanical Garden, Labrador Park, Bukit Gombak, Bukit Timah, Gardens by The Bay and Pulau Kusu. I know in Jakarta right now, the government still establish some parks for Jakartans. But, all Jakartans need to maintain the parks and not to throw the trash.

Singapore is not just place for shopping but it's good to do something different there.




 

Winter Time in New Delhi

It's nearly 11 am, when my Indian friend called me. He said that he was downstairs. I directly took my jacket and went down. I met him at parking lot. He gave me another jacket and asked me to wear it. Total, I wore 4 layers of cloth on my whole body. The fog was still thick and the weather temperature was around 7-8 degree Celcius. It's very cold for me. My first time ever I had temperature less than 10 degree Celcius. My first time to feel winter time overseas.

Today, I had my tour to New Delhi with my friend. First, he told me to use bus and he would follow the bus. As the weather was cold enough. I rejected. I was OK with the weather. I was pretty sure that I can deal with the wind too. I sat at the back on my friend's motorcycle. And we went outside of parking lot. The wind blew so cold. Lucky me, the helmet had a protection and protected my face from the wind. We left Gurgaon and went to New Delhi.

Our first place was Qutub Minar. Qutub Minar was the tallest minaret and an Islam legacy in India.I couldn't go in. My friend bought me ticket for local people while I was a foreigner. The police caught me that I wasn't Indian and asked me to go out. I wanna bought foreigner ticket but my friend said I can have my photo session outside the park. So here we go. Qutub Minar is Unesco World Heritage Site. And up to now, I haven't seen this park inside. Someday, I must visit it.

                      Qutub Minar at the back

We continued our journey again to other site of Delhi. Not far from Qutub Minar, I saw a long wall with painting. The painting featured a king with his troops. I stopped and my friend took my photo. Too bad, I didn't really know this place anyway.

    Wall with a beautiful painting

Then continued again the trip to Safdarjung's Tomb or Safdarjang's Tomb. It's a tomb belong to Mirza Muqin Abul Mansur Khan or Safdarjung. He's the Governor when Muhammad Shah lead the Mughal Emperor in 1719 to 1948. The tomb color was in Red like a common tomb in India, except Taj Mahal was in White.
I spent around 1 hour in this tomb. Walked around and took some photos.

    Safdarjung's Tomb I

                      Safdarjung's Tomb II

Not far Safdarjung Tomb, I visited President's Palace, Parliament House Building and off course India Gate.

    President Palace and Parliament House Building at the back

    At India Gate

I spent around 30 minutes area. As, my stomach needed to have energy. We continued to Janpath Road and parked motorcycle over there. Next to Janpath Road, there were some restaurants.
I chose South Indian food. Due to, some food were liked Indonesian food. Like "apam" or Indonesian called "apem".

    At Janpath Road

After that we decided go to Janpath area. Janpath was famous for tourism area. You can find or buy any souvenirs. I bought Indian map and door ornaments from street seller. It's cheaper rather than I bought from store. But you still need to do bargain. Sometimes, the price was over too high. Once again, I loved to bargain. Anyway, Janpath was closed to Palika Bazar (underground bazar) and Connaught Place (3/4 circle building). Just like one stop shopping center.

My friend told me to go to Chandni Chowk if I wanted to buy saree. The price at Janpath or Palika and CP was too high. So, my friend asked to walk to Central Park next to Palika Bazar or CP, we went to underground MRT at Rajiv Chowk. New Delhi got MRT (they called it Delhi Metro) already and Jakarta still needed to develop this MRT.

    In front of Palika Bazar

                      At Rajiv Chowk - Delhi Metro

In New Delhi, you needed to queue when you'd like to use MRT. They got separated line for male and female and needed to scan you stuff. Lots of police were incharge to do body checking. They were so details and tight. Too bad, I couldn't take photo. When my friend took my photo, a policemen asked him to erased the photo. Anyway, I still got one photo in front of Delhi Metro Map.

    In front of Delhi Metro Map

The train was full packed of people. We reached Chandni Chowk MRT Station by less than 10 minutes. Chandni Chowk was the center of saree in New Delhi. This area closed to Jama Masjid and Lahore Gate/India Gate. This market was so wide and you bought many kind of things. Like gold, silver, souvenirs, shoes, food and many more. Even in the small path you may find many stores inside. Not just like that, even you will surprise with the stores upstairs of the building.

I got headache with all things. You can find saree from cheap price until expensive one. You just needed to focus and smart to bargain.

I was looking for medium price of saree. I visited a store and I found saree like what I wanted. I bought 2 pieces of saree for my mom. Each saree got 7 meters and I must pay Rs 3000 for both sarees. Not bad price. It's so smooth saree and good quality.

    In front of saree store at Chandni Chowk

At Chandni Chowk, you needed to focus. As, this area was full of things. Like three wheel vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, rigshaw, small car or even truck. Off course people. If you didn't want to get hit or accident, so be careful.

                      Situation at Chandni Chowk

    Another situation at Chandni Chowk

    Pose in the middle of the road at Chandni Chowk

The weather was getting cold again. So, we had to get back to Janpath Road. As, his motorcycle was parking there. First, we needed to use bus and secondly, we had to walked until India Gate.

    Pose in front of India Gate while waiting for green light

Too bad, there was no bus passing through Janpath. So, we stopped otto. After got hard bargain, we got our otto to Janpath. I asked my friend to stopped by near Connaught Place. As, I wanted to see this area. We turned off at outer Connaught Place. Connaught Place got 2 separated buildings. Outer and inner building. In between, there was a road.
At Connaught Place, you can find hotel, cinema, clothing store, book store, restaurants, banks and so on. There was a famous small store and called Kaventer. Lots of people queue for bought beverage like milkshake. This shake was so famous and people didn't mind to get queue. You have try it someday.

We walked again to Palika Parking. Wow, lots of men were over there. On top of Palika Parking, it was place for men to men meeting area. We were just passing through, as I needed to find traditional sandal for my mom at Palika Bazar or Janpath.

I got headache at Palika Bazar, as lots of people inside there and the seller screamed to offer their stuff. So, I decided to buy at Janpath. I got some pairs of sandal for my mom at Janpath.

The weather was getting cooler and cooler. I told my friend that I wanted to had omelet and cardamom tea - my favorite tea. We bought omelet and cardamom tea near motorcycle parking area. It made my body warmer. After I got full stomach, I had to get back to Gurgaon. On the way back to Gurgaon, the road got thick fog and the wind was so cold. My friend offered me to use bus. But I rejected. I wanted to get this experience in my life.

Nearly 9 pm, I reached my apartment in Gurgaon. It was a great experience to had first winter time in India. And I missed that moment already.   

 
    

Sudden Trip to Bali and meal times

It was Friday night that I supposedly fly to Surabaya by Citilink at 8 pm. When I reached Soetta Airport at Terminal 1 B, the officer on check in counter told me that the flight will be delayed until 10 pm. No one called me about this information. So, I had to tell my friend that I will come late. Anyway, the plane was flying on 10.40 pm and landed at Juanda Airport by 12.00 midnight.

I met my friend at Juanda Airport. Bian, Ferdy and Juju - the only girl - were waiting for me for long already. We drove to Sidoarjo and stopped by near Alun-Alun Sidorajo. We had our supper time by having Rawon. The famous black broth in East Java.

On that time, I told my friends if they wanted to had holiday in Bali for short period. As, our first trip went to Ijen crater. We all agreed went to Bali. On the way to Bali, we passed through the famous Lapindo embankment. At a gas station in Probolinggo before Paiton, we had our rest for couple hours.

We woke up around 5 am and we continued our journey. Passed Paiton power plant, the road was so quiet. I saw mangrove forest on the left side. It's shore. Then we stopped at a wide gas station. This gas station got hotel, restaurant, minimarket and lots of toilet. The good thing they had some VIP toilets. By paid Rp. 5.000, we took shower and hot water plus tiny soap. Our breakfast was only small kebab. We had full enough with our supper meal.

    Billboard about HIV/AIDS in Probolinggo

    The old loco brought sugarcane at Situbondo

    Obama Shop at Situbondo

We had passed Pasir Putih Beach, Situbondo City and Baluran National Parks, at last, we reached Ketapang Ferry Port. Police will check driving license and vehicle registration. It was good to have police check on the ticket counter. It took around 1 hour trip from Ketapang Ferry Port to Gilimanuk Ferry Port in Bali. We sailed through Bali strait. The ferry was not really full, due to, it's not a holiday season. We spent inside the hall on ferry. The weather outside was quite hot.

    Ketapang Ferry Port from our ferry

We reached Gilimanuk Ferry Port. On the way out, we got little bit problem. As my friend didn't bring his driving license, but the police let us go.
Our stomach asked for help, so we had our lunch near the port. We ordered Ayam Betutu - the famous culinary from Bali.

    Our lunch time with Ayam Betutu. Bian, Juju, Ferdy and Me

After lunch, we continued to explore northern Bali. We went to Lovina Beach. This beach was famous with dolphin. And Lovina was so quiet beach. So, it's like a sanctuary for tourist who love quietness.

    At Lovina Beach

We spent only 1 hour in this Lovina Beach. We just walked on the sand and enjoy our time in here. We need to go to southern Bali, especially in Kuta Beach. I was happy, it's my first time that I can visit Lovina beach. I had been couple times to Bali, but I never visit this beach before.

The weather was getting cold, especially when we reached Bedugul lake. The road to Bedugul was like roller coaster. My friend driving skill was so wonderful. While I was so afraid to drive on the mountain like this. When we reached Bedugul, I let Ferdy to had his nap time. He was the only person who can drive very well.

    At Bedugul Lake

In sudden, the rain was hard. Ferdy drove car very carefully and slowly. We couldn't see the road well, eventhough the glass been wiped by the wiper.
After the rain was finished, we had our meal time again at Rumah Makan Padang. We had to eat all the times, as this trip was quite tiring.

    At Kuta Beach

In Kuta, we just spent the time in front of Hard Rock Hotel and Cafe. As, I met my old friend there. We had our dinner time again a restaurant near there. By 10 pm, we left Kuta Beach, we needed to get back to Surabaya very soon.

Not far from Kuta Beach, we had our coffee time at a franchise mini market. We had our coffee and snack. Eat again to fill our stomach. By 12 midnight, we took a rest at gas station and sleep. We had to wake up by 2 am. And drive to Gilimanuk Ferry Port.

By 5 am, we got Gilimanuk Ferry Port. I drove, as we worried the police will check driving license again. I was the one who has it. By 6 am, we reached Ketapang Ferry Port. After 2 hours drove, we reached Pasir Putih in Situbondo. I was first ever in here maybe in around 1977. Had our bakso as our breakfast time. We spent very short time in this beautiful beach.

    Pasir Putih

    Bakso time for our breakfast

After having our breakfast time, we drove again to our yesterday gas station near Paiton. We had our shower time again at the same place for 2 days in a row. What a great place for traveler like us.

Before lunch time, we reached Rawon Nguling Restaurant at Nguling Probolinggo. This restaurant was famous with their rawon / black broth for years. It started by their father establish this business, now the children continued the business. Even they had expanded their business in other cities. What a great culinary business.

    Rawon Nguling standing menu

It's time to got back to Surabaya.
When we reached Sidoarjo, I visited my childhood friend there. She got 3 children already. She served us chicken noodle. It's was nice as the weather outside was so cold. It's good to had our meal time again. Time to said goodbye to her.

Near Juanda Airport, I visited my colleague friend house and again, we had our bakso time for our meal time. Not a dinner yet.While I had to go to Juanda Airport, Citilink called me and mentioned that flight at 8 pm, will be delayed until 10 pm. So, I returned to my colleague friend.
In fact, my flight to Jakarta at 1.20 am - it was Monday morning.

This trip was so tiring and made me exhausted. But I was so happy, Bian was nevver been to Bali before, it's second time for Juju and couple times for Ferdy.

So, I hope I will having holiday with my friend in another places at another times. What a great holiday