Kota Tua

I woke up a bit sore from yesterday actually. I had my breakfast and asked the receptionist where I should go if I wanted to visit Kota Tua, the old town. He didn’t really understand my question, I first wanted a spot or address where I could direct the cab to. Then I wanted some directions on where I should go. It’s not like in Stockholm, where the old town is one island and as long as you don’t cross any water you’re still in the old town 🙂

Anyhow, I found the Kota train station which seemed to be a good place to start. Left the hotel around 12 and it took nearly an hour before the driver could drop me off. And that was after I asked him to drop me on the other side of the station because it was closer. I started to walk around a bit and stumbled upon a small information booth, probably the first touristy thing I’d seen in Jakarta. I asked plainly, when I’m here, what should I see? He pointed out three museums in the direct vicinity so I headed for one of them, the history of Jakarta.

I went into the café and had some lunch. realized after a while that they allowed smoking inside, not to my liking. Not the most attentive staff so I ate pretty quickly and then left, going for the river.

Definitely a clear difference in architecture compared to the malls I visited earlier. Buildings are more worn down. I followed the river for a block, on a road closed off for traffic. Seemed unusual in this city. I came to a crossing three-lane street, and it seemed like the road was blocked off on the other side, so I didn’t dare to try and cross it. So I followed the busy street a block inwards, finding a parallel street where I could continue my journey northbound. Still a bit tricky to cross a street, wait for a gap in the traffic, and then hurry across waiving apologetic.

Went another block and then returned to the river, and found the drawbridge. It looked nice, and very small compared to the car bridge just behind it, featuring two lanes in each direction and no sidewalk. I crossed the drawbridge just to realize, that the area I ended up in was enclosed by a fence and a locked gate. I didn’t feel like climbing over the fence so I crossed the bridge back again, and for a second time walked from the river a block inward. Followed a street northbound again, passing a bunch of small shops and different stores. Some people were sitting on the sidewalk working on some materials. I didn’t see any customers at all. At the same time, traffic passes by on the street all the time.

I made it back to the river and had to cross a three-lane road to get to the maritime museum. We joke about the USA not being fitted for people on foot. This one isn’t either, but people don’t care about that. Just walk across and wave and pray that you don’t get hit.

When I was just about to enter the museum a man approached me and asked if I had bought a ticket. I said no and then he asked where I was from. When he heard Sweden he cried out Gothenburg! He told me to follow him, not to bother buying a ticket, stating he was running the place, and then he showed me a model of the ship Gothenburg. Apparently, the new replica that is currently touring the world made a stop here a few years ago. He continued to give me a tour of the many items in the museum, sometimes saying, “You might take a picture of this if you are interested”.

After half an hour we made it through and it was very interesting. I asked what the price for entry normally was and he said it is what you feel it is worth. Writing this I realize I actually never saw any credentials from him and we met outside. Apart from that he seemed to know a lot of the stuff inside and he said he had been working there since 1984, he might just have been a guy who follows people inside, gives them a tour, and then hopes for a good tip. The staff didn’t seem to mind him and one of the security guards called him boss, but that could also just be a nickname.

I booked a cab and he was adamant on waiving in my cab for me, something I had managed to do several times on my own so far. We shook hands and bid farewell. The driver spoke pretty good English so we had some interesting conversations during the 40-minute trip back to the hotel.

I took a shower and wrote the first part of this post, before heading out again to get some dinner. The guide from yesterday gave me the tip Abuba Steak and they had several locations in town. One was pretty close to me but I took a cab anyway, still hot outside 🙂

Traffic was heavy as usual so he dropped me off before an intersection so I could walk like 50 meters and save us both some time. I entered the restaurant and didn’t really know what I was expecting, but the arrangement was like a Subway or Burger King. Chairs, couches, and tables but a rather sterile environment. Got a table assigned and a menu. I think it’s the first time in Jakarta I’ve seen prices specified in a single rupiah. Again, 1 rupiah is about 0,00072 SEK

I ordered a mocktail and a wagyu steak, both came rather quickly. While waiting I checked in on my flight home. Good that I have a paper copy of my passport in my wallet since I don’t know my passport number by heart. The steak was fine, the pepper sauce rather strong and they could use some proper knives, but all in all I’m happy I went here.

I paid and left the restaurant. Started to walk down the road, looking at all the small shops, the different food stands and restaurants, the locals strolling and eating. It was still hot but I checked the map and it was only a 15-minute walk back to the hotel so I kept walking. At one intersection, an old man approached me and wanted to sell me a ring for 100,000 rupiah. “Not for me!” I said and then quickly crossed the road. I found two Circle K-stores, but as far as I could see, they didn’t sell any gas.

When I got back to the hotel I crossed the street to take a couple of pictures of the 15-story building. It’s quite nice, especially when it’s dark outside.

Tomorrow is the last full day. I have a reservation at Skye for some (expensive) dinner with a view. Other than that, I expect it to be a slow day, maybe some hanging by the pool. And packing.