Exploring Indonesia : Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Lombok and Bali

Indonesia is still a beautiful country that seems to be in the news almost every day. Even with the turmoil – lots of natural disaster happened in Indonesia nowadays, it is still an incredible country and a safe one (as long as precautions are taken in certain areas). With 17,071 Islands across all over country -- it covers an enormous distance.

This report will cover some exotic destinations i.e, Yogyakarta, Lombok and Bali and the capital city Jakarta as the major tourism destination in Indonesia and we look at some recommendations on interesting places to visit.

Jakarta : the capital city of Indonesia

Jakarta is in the news almost every day. It is still a safe place as long as common sense precautions are taken. When you are travelling, please always use Blue bird or Silver Bird taxis as these are highly reputable and the safest of all taxis in Jakarta.

Some historial and sightseeing places in Jakarta;

Kota. This is the old town of Batavia’s , known as ‘Kota’ today, is the oldest and finest reminder of the Dutch presence in Indonesia. The centre of old Batavia is the cobble-stone square known as Taman Fatahillah. A block west of the square is the Kali Besar, the great canal along Sungai Ciliwung (the river). This was once a high-class residential area and on the west bank are the last of the homes that date from the early 18^th century.

Jakarta History Museum. It is housed in the old town hall of Batavia, which is on the south side of Taman Fatahillah and one of the most solidd reminders of Dutch rule within Indonesia which was built in 1627. Today it contains lots of heavy, carved furniture and other memorabilia from the Dutch period.

Wayang Museum. Still on Taman Fatahillah. This museum occupies the best collection of wayang puppets in Java and as well from China, Malaysia, India and Cambodia.

Balai Seni Rupa (Fine Arts Museum). It was built between in 1866 and the house is full of contemporary paintings with works by prominent painters i.e, Affandi, Raden Saleh and Ida Bagus Made. As well occupies ceramics museum with Chinese ceramics and Majapahit terracottas.

Museum Bahari. It is located near to the entrance to Sunda Kelapa which was built in 1645. It exhibits craft from around Indonesia and also has an interesting collection of old photographs recreating the voyage to Jakarta from Europe via Alden, Ceylon and Singapore. Near to Museum Bahari you can visit “Pasar Ikan”, the early morning fish market which has an intense, colourful scene of busy crowds around dawn and later on in the day sells household items and a growing collection of souvenirs.

Sunda Kelapa. It is on the north of Taman Fatahillah, this port has lots of magnificent Macassar schooners (phinisi) – ships which are still an important means of transporting goods to and from the outer islands.

Glodok. This the Jakarta’s Chinatown and the city’s flourishing commercial centre with a massive shopping and business centres, big blocks of building/malls sells fashion, jewellery, clothes, electronics, computer hardwares and softwares.

Museum Gajah. It was built in 1862 and located on the west side of Merdeka square, this museum is the best in Indonesia and one of the finest in South East Asia. Outside of the museum is a bronze elephant that was presented by the King of Thailand in 1871, thus the museum building id popularly known as the Gedung Gajah (Elephant House). The museum has an enormous collection of cultural objects – costumes, musical instruments, model houses and fine bronze from the Hindu-Javanese period, some stone pieces salvaged from Central Javanese and other temples. As well there are superb display of ancient Chinese ceramics.

MONAS (National Museum). It is very popular as the most famous architectural landmark in Jakarta and built in 1961 and contructed entirely of Italian marbles and the flame is guilded with 35 kg of gold leaf. MONAS exhibits the history of Indonesian of Indonesia’s independence struggle in 48 dramatic dioramas.

LAPANGAN BANTENG – You can visit the greatest "Istiqlal Mosque" and the Catholic Cathedral. The lapangan banteng is located in front of the Borobudur Inter-Continental Hotel or east of Merdeka square, where the area has some of Jakarta’s best colonial architecture. Near to lapangan banteng there is Istiqlal Mosque, as the largest mosque in South East Asia and opposites to the mosque is the Catholic Cathedral which has twin spires and built in 1901.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Near Kampung Rambutan, this park is just the city’s south-east represents as a whole country in one park miniature collections. This 100 hectare park has 27 full scale traditional houses with displays of regional handicrafts and clothing, and also a host of museums, theatres, restaurants, an orchid garden and a bird park with a huge walk-in aviary. Theres even a mini Borobudur.

Taman Impian Jaya Ancol. This ‘Dreamland’ park was built in 1962 covering huge landscaping recreation park, non stop entertainment, has hotels, nightclubs, theatres and sporting facilities. The prime attraction inside the park i.e, Pasar Seni (Art Market) – which has sidewalk cafes, art exhibitions, live music and a host of craft shops; Gelanggang Samudra, Another oceanarium with a boat ride and dolphin shows and a swimming pool complex (Gelanggang Renang) and the Ancol Beach. Dunia Fantasy also as prime attraction as a fun park resembling to Disneyland and great for kids with lots of fun rides.

Ragunan Zoo. It is 10km South of the city centre in Pasar Minggu area. This large zoo has a good collection of Indonesian wildlife including Komodo dragon and orang utan.

Depok – New City. Near to Pasar Minggu this city now is becoming one of the largest shopping centre beside Mangga dua with some big malls and cinemas centres.

Thousands Islands. These islands are just scattered across the Java sea to the north of Jakarta which have whitesands beaches, palm trees, coral reefs and calm waters. There are some big island inclusive i.e, Bidadari islands – the closest resort island, Kahyangan, Kelor with its ruin old Dutch fort, Onrust – where the remains of old shipyard from the 18^th century, Ayer – with its comfortable accommodation sites and good beaches, Pramuka, Kelapa, Panjang, Kotok – has a good reef for snorkelling and diving, Macan with its the Matari resort, Putri – is notable for its aquariums, Sepa, Pelangi, Bira, Antuk Timur and Antuk Barat island.

Indonesian antiques & arts districts i.e, Kebon Sirih – at the central of Jakarta and Kemang – at the south of Jakarta has a number of shops that sells antiques and curious i.e, woodcarvings, furnitures, brasswares, jewellery, batik with good quality and prices to bargain.

For shopping places recommended; Sarinah Pasar Jaya has very good collections of Indonesia souvenirs from all over cities to bring home selling handicrafts, paintings, clothes, textiles/ikats, wood carving, bronze & silver collections with very good prices! Other big shopping malls i.e, Glodok plaza, Blok M Plaza, Plaza Indonesia, Pondok Indah Mall, Slipi etc – with huge range of entertainment, cinemas, places to eat, good quality products, services and prices!

Because of the turmoil you can stay at some of the best hotels at excellent prices and as well you can find lots of restaurants, pubs and great bars you will find here with great foods, beverages, menus and entertainment. Some best hotels recommended to stay in Jakarta includes ; Hotel Indonesia, Grand Hyatt Jakarta, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Sangri-La Hotel Jakarta, Kempinski Hotel Plaza, Sahid Jaya Hotel, Le Meridien Jakarta, Hilton Hotel, Hotel Atlet Century Park, Hotel Mulia Senayan, Borobudur Inter-Continental Jakarta, Hotel Aryaduta, the Omni Batavia Hotel, etc.