The city took me by surprise. Really!!! I had a distinct impression that Jakarta was a low profile city but i found otherwise.
The airport is located less than half hour's drive to Ibis Slipi in West Jakarta. With a population of more than 8 million, the city was buzzing with activity. Jakarta has developed as one of the significant financial centers of South East Asia. The city is spangled by towering buildings and meandering highways. The greenery of the city gives it a calming effect. Several places in Indonesia are scenic and picturesque and the country has the world's second largest level of biodiversity.
Indonesians are charming and polite...Be sure to be asked about Shahrukh Khan if you are from India..he has a huge fan club there. One of the staff at the hotel asked me to bring her a huge poster of his when i came back.
The population is largely Javanese with Malays and other Asians making up the rest. There is a strong influence of the west. The major religions practiced Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism. The dances, architecture as well as arts and crafts have a large influence of Hindu culture and mythology (Rama and Sita) esp. those from Bali. You can find beautiful and exquisite masks, wooden carvings, batik paintings and fabric to take back home as souvenirs. I found them riveting...
City transportation is mostly through taxis, buses and autos (orange in color called bajaj that run in the backstreets of the city)... traffic clogs are certainly a distinct trait as with any other city...
While I wasn't able to go to the historic places, I did go around the malls and the cinema there. A satiating experience!!
Indonesian food is primarily non vegetarian and so vegetarians like me have to survive on bread and boiled vegetables or salads....
Indonesian food is primarily non vegetarian and so vegetarians like me have to survive on bread and boiled vegetables or salads....
March 2010
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