Our bus was zooming through the jalan tol or the freeway, and traffic was slowly building up. We had been on the road and on the sea for about 10 hours already. I looked out the window, the landscape was vaguely familiar. I was searching for something that can match my memory of Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, 15 years ago when it had been my home for seven months. Somehow, it looked similar to how it was then, but it is not exactly the same if you get my drift.
We were nearing Gambir, and I remember passing through this train station almost every day, yet the feeling was different. It was like I was visiting Jakarta for the first time. The city has become a bit busier, it looked more expansive now than how I remembered it more than a decade before. I feel even more at home now than when I spent almost a year there, traversing through its streets every day and living as a local. Most probably because it was something I was seeing on a daily basis back then. I was not absorbing the scenery much, unlike now.
Whilst we made a brief stopover in Jakarta after a long trip from Lampung as we had an onward journey to Yogyakarta, we had 3 days to explore Jakarta when we returned from Yogyakarta four days after. If you are wondering what to see and do in Jakarta in 3 days or less, here are some of the 10 places you can start with for your first-time visit in this city (or check these 25 best things to do there). Mind you, Jakarta is something you can consider for cheap travels because you can actually see a lot without spending so much.
1.) Monas
The golden flame of the 132-meter tower of the national monument, Monas, emerged over the Merdeka Square of Jakarta. This symbol of Indonesia’s independence has an observation deck and ticket costs at about IDR10,000 (PHP37.60 or USD0.74) per adult.
2.) Blok M
We had breakfast at the Kebayoran Baru area in South Jakarta as my friend Debbie took us to Anomali Coffee. We passed by the ASEAN Headquarters and other important buildings. Afterwards, we took some time to roam around Blok M, watching the local artists painting at the side streets. Bargaining is a common scene around Blok M and you can find many great buys and cheap goods, such as clothing, bags, shoes, and other items.
3.) Pasar Baru
Although the name Pasar Baru literally means “new market”, Jakarta’s Pasar Baru, or Pasar Baroe as the Dutch used to call it, it is actually one of the oldest markets in the city. Arches bearing the year it was established, which was in 1820, mark both ends of Jalan Pasar Baru. Textiles, clothing, accessories and food are found in this area.
4.) Jakarta Cathedral
The St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, which is more popularly known as the Jakarta Cathedral or Gereja Katedral Jakarta, has a neo-gothic architecture, located near the Merdeka Square and Pasar Baru, and just across the Istiqlal Mosque. The present structure was inaugurated in 1901.
5.) Istiqlal Mosque
Inaugurated in 1978, the Istiqlal Mosque, where the Arabic word “Istiqlal” means independence, is the national mosque of Indonesia and the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. The minaret is 96.66 meters high. It took 17 years to finish the entire mosque.
6.) Jalan Surabaya
If you are looking for some quaint finds, Jalan Surabaya is the antique and flea market that you should not miss. You’ll see Dutch lamps, wooden masks and decors, metal accessories, bags and pre-loved items sold in the stalls lined at one side of the street. The shopkeepers are quite relentless though as they will tail you around just to have you buy in their store. Just be nice and politely decline if you’re not amenable to the price.
7.) Sarinah
Sarinah Plaza, along Jalan Thamrin, was Jakarta’s first ever modern department store. In fact, it was the city’s first skyscraper. You can find batik and other traditional goods sold here. So if you are on the lookout for buying some souvenir items or anything you like to take home, Sarinah is one place you can consider for shopping. Also along Jalan Thamrin, you will find a huge roundabout water fountain surrounded by hotels. Indonesia’s hosting of the Asian Games 2018, with Jakarta and Palembang as the two host cities, are already publicly displayed at the fountain. Construction of the MRT is also underway, as Jakarta makes way for more developments.
8.) Kota Tua
If you want to see the old Jakarta, then Kota Tua Jakarta, or “Jakarta old town”, is the place to be. It was known as Oud Batavia, during the time of the Dutch, and you can find here structures like Café Batavia, Wayang Museum, Jakarta History Museum, Gereja Sion, the Post Office, and so much more. You can walk or bike around the area.
9.) Ancol Taman Impian
Ancol Taman Impian is a water park that has many attractions inside. Opened in 1980, the Sea World Jakarta or Sea World Ancol has a tank that is considered as the biggest aquarium in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, which is home to millions of underwater species, is believed to have the highest coral reef fish diversity in the whole world. There are plenty of activities that can also be done in Ancol.
10.) Taman Mini Indonesia
If you want to know more about Indonesia and its many provinces or regions, you can find a lot in Taman Mini Indonesia. There are museums, traditional houses, rides, and other attractions inside this theme park. It’s a huge complex. In fact, it’s so huge that it merits an entirely separate post for it.
There are more to see in Jakarta, and definitely, three days are not enough. In fact, I spent seven months here, but since it was more of work, I wasn’t able to really explore and see all of Jakarta. I used to go anywhere around the city on my own, so I’m wondering now why it suddenly looked new to me. But it’s a great feeling, wherein you return to a place and you find that your next visit seems like a first-time experience once again.
This is part of my 12 Days in Indonesia journey that took me to four cities within this Asian country.