In Two Minds

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When speaking to friends on the road about my plans to visit Indonesia I was told not to bother with Jakarta but independent minded as I am I disregarded their advice and booked a flight from Kuching to the great big city on the North West coast of Java.

Typically unprepared I landed in Jakarta near around midnight without a place to stay and only a vague location in my head as to where I could bed down for the night. That wasn't the problem however, preferring as I do to take it as it comes. What I did find disturbing was the hands on nature of taxi touts pushing and pulling me this way insisting that I jump into their cab. It wasn't just outside the airport this happened but also inside where I took refuge from the noise and chaos. I was in no fit state to negotiate tired as I was and desperate for a bed. Instead I arranged a lift with the taxi booking offices within the airport. Stuff the cost I thought at least I will get to my destination and spare my folks the burden of a trip to Indo looking for their little lost girl.

So there I was in another strange city in another country in the back of a stranger's car speeding through the night wanting only to shut my eyes but acutely aware of my circumstances, I couldn't. Half an hour later I had safely arrived in Jalan Jaksa. Oh my god I thought. This was not for me. A small street lined wih bars playing piercingly loud music, boys on street corners just chillin', crowds of revellers shouting above the din. It was an assault on my senses and the prospect of a clean cheap room looked highly unlikely judging by the people I was surrounded by.

I was not wrong. I tried both homestays. The rooms were tiny and oh so hot. Normally I wouln't care for air conditioning but the humidity outside even at that hour was unbearable and the traps inside (that were advertised as rooms) demanded it. I looked at the bed and I thought I could just bear it for one night if I put a sarong over the covers so I wouldn't have to touch too much of the bed. But the determining factor were the bathrooms. I took one look and I walked out. Onto the next homestay I went and it was far worse. By this time it was touching 1.30 in the morning and with no where else to bed down I headed to the only hotel off the street. Hotel Margot. It was bloody expensive and it was either this or a trek into god knows where. I did not know this city or where I would go except the Sheraton. Which, would have had to be an option if this hotel was equally as bad.

Thankfully, it was clean and had all the amenities I required including a television, which for a traveller is truly a luxury. There I lay in bed considering my options. I certainly didn't want to spend another night here paying as much as I was. I hadn't particularly liked what I saw outside. I was in one huge city and what was there to do but shop and sightsee. Not what I came for. I turned to my Bible (the lonely planet) and explored my options. Kelly from Ton Sai had said I should skip Jakarta and head straight to Yogyakarta. Could I make it bearing in mind that I was already into the next day? The train would be leaving at 8am just another few hours from now. I enquired at the hotel reception and was assured that I wouldn't need to book in advance so there it was. All I had to do now was sleep and that didn't come easy.

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Photos

Jalan Jaksa
before the hordes (this was taken at 6:30am)

A typical joint in Jalan Jaksa
now you can see why the place wasn't much cop

A peek into the city
..far far away (taken from Jalan Jaks)

Comments

[Liz]

There is more in Jakarta than just Jalan Jaksa!! Its not that bad actually ;) Stay another day! Liz

[lena]

jakarta is a place u can enjoy only if u have a lot of money. the best stuffs in town are insanely expensive.