At the tail end of 2012, I took a ferry from Singapore to Bintan, an Indonesian island only a few hours' ride from my then-home. So impressed was I that upon returning to the Lion City thereafter, I predicted on this blog that the country would become "a frequent destination for me in 2013."
Well, as proud as I am to point out my accurate prophesies when they come to pass, I am equally deficient at highlighting forecasts that turn out to be dead wrong. In reality, it took until last Wednesday evening—in other words, nearly four full years—for me to set foot in Indonesia for the second time. It was for a quick business trip barely forty-eight hours in length, but it was enough to confirm for me what a fool I've been to wait so long to return.
Between meetings and work, I loved exploring the Indonesian capital, and I am happy to report that in spite of the smog and horrendous traffic jams, Jakarta's innumerable charms well outweigh any negative side effects.
Simply walking or driving around a new city is something I find endlessly, ineffably enjoyable. In Jakarta, I loved just reading the signage, mostly because of how quirky written Indonesian appears to a native English speaker. Similar to written Malaysian, words often look like childlike misspellings. Indonesians get around in taksis, while away the hours at a kafe, upload their fotos to Instagram and catch the train at the stasiun.
My hotel was, to coin a phrase, a diamond in the rough. Jakarta isn't necessarily known for being a polished metropolis, but the Hermitage, a heritage hotel in a restored Dutch colonial building, is a real stunner. The next time I find myself back in town, I'll do my very best to stay there again. I was upgraded to a deluxe suite, and the marble floors and luxurious sitting room made me feel like a true executive.
The common areas of the hotel were impeccable, from the antique-strewn lobby to the airy rooftop swimming pool, with sweeping views over the low-lying neighborhood all the way across to the dense, skyscraper-lined business district.
By the time I finally arrived at the Hermitage on Wednesday evening, there was little to do but settle in to my room, watch some television and fall asleep on the comfortable bed. The next morning, I awoke early and headed out to explore Menteng, the district where the hotel is located. Funnily enough, it's the same quarter where a young Barrack Obama lived and attended school during his childhood years in Southeast Asia. Before long, I found a trendy kafe around the corner where I had a single origin Sumatran coffee before I had to suit up and head downtown for the work portion of the trip.
Friday morning, bright and early, I was in Kota Tua, the town of Old Batavia, the epicenter of Dutch colonial Jakarta many moons ago. The morning sun was just beginning to warm the cobble stones of the central square, with its noble edifices overlooking the start of a new day. I grabbed an outdoor table at Cafe Batavia and ordered a coffee and waffles. And afterwards, I checked out two museums, including the Jakarta History Museum in the Stadhuis of the colonial capital.
By the time I finally arrived at the Hermitage on Wednesday evening, there was little to do but settle in to my room, watch some television and fall asleep on the comfortable bed. The next morning, I awoke early and headed out to explore Menteng, the district where the hotel is located. Funnily enough, it's the same quarter where a young Barrack Obama lived and attended school during his childhood years in Southeast Asia. Before long, I found a trendy kafe around the corner where I had a single origin Sumatran coffee before I had to suit up and head downtown for the work portion of the trip.
Friday morning, bright and early, I was in Kota Tua, the town of Old Batavia, the epicenter of Dutch colonial Jakarta many moons ago. The morning sun was just beginning to warm the cobble stones of the central square, with its noble edifices overlooking the start of a new day. I grabbed an outdoor table at Cafe Batavia and ordered a coffee and waffles. And afterwards, I checked out two museums, including the Jakarta History Museum in the Stadhuis of the colonial capital.
In the afternoon, I visited the famous National Monument, commonly called Monas, a four hundred foot high obelisk capped with a golden flame. Walking up to the park-like enclosure that is home to the monument, I made friends with Tommie, a twenty-five year old Dutch tourist as confused as I was about how to get in to the grounds themselves, since all the fences and gates seemed shut.
Eventually we found our way through, bought tickets and took the elevator to the top, for unhindered views in every direction, with a gorgeous breeze eliminating the mid-afternoon humidity.
Like that, it was nearly time to check out of the Hermitage and head back to the airport. Tommie and I found the time to squeeze in a few last Bintang beers and browse the flea market along Jalan Surabaya, but as great as the day had been, I was in no way ready to hop on the flight back home. Alas, I didn't have much of a choice. Around midnight, I was back in the skies on Garuda International's red eye to Hong Kong.
And you can bet that almost as soon as I scaled the six flights of my Happy Valley walk-up, my new Starbucks mug was placed in the spot of honor on the living room bookshelf. I've said it before, but I'll risk appearing foolish once again. Mark my words: Indonesia will become a frequent destination for me in 2017!
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