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Published: July 14th 2010
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Jakarta, Indonesia
July 6, 2010
Confirmed. We are infatuated with Jakarta. Since we had to fly in and out of this city, we were able to sniff out suspicions from our first visit as we readied to return home. And yes, the dining is de-lish, the contradictions are intriguing, and club scene is epic. I’m not sure what others do in Jakarta, but we did a lot of wandering in different neighborhoods to get a feel for it all. And of course, we ate and drank our way through all this wandering.
We also visited Mesjid Istiqlal which is the largest mosque in all of Indonesia. It was designed all mod in the 70s and is very welcome to visitors although you cannot go to the prayer rugs downstairs. Only Muslims and Bill Clinton (Yes, really) can step on that floor. Still, you can see the prayer rugs and everything else as the mosque is five open stories to represent the five pillars of Islam. Our tour guide was baffling to us as he kept talking about sex and menstruation during our visit. I mean, the information was all quite educational such as him letting us know how good
his wife looks and how hard it is during Ramadan not to have sex with her (this forbiddance is for only 12 hours out of the day)…. Still, we were surprised especially because he was mainly making eye contact with me. We’re just adding this up to more of how we don’t really understand the contradictions of this place. I think the error in my thinking is to have blurred Muslim countries into one a bit too much. There is such a huge difference between countries that have sharia and ones that don’t (sharia being if Muslim practices are made law—that’s a bit oversimplified though.) In Indonesia, there seems to be a much more laid-back, everyone decide for him or herself sort-of-vibe. The only thing that seems quite strict are the death penalties for drugs.
On our last official night here, we splurged since it was also the last official night of our honeymoon. (We’re thinking that we might have had one of the longest honeymoons in history.) Adam read some local papers and found this one place called Buddha Bar that has been winning the Jakarta “Best of” polls recently. And it was just fabulous. We had a
Obama's Fan Club
So many people love Obama in Indonesia. Here is one bar that doesn't even try to be a bit coy. five-course menu, lychee martinis, and the restaurant owner also gave us complimentary glasses of champagne for the longest honeymoon in history.
Tips for Other Travelers
*Lonely Planet is totally off in what is says about the backpacker area Jalan Jaksa. This is one of the hippest places to be—for Indonesians as well as other travelers. Since we had the (mis)fortune of being in Indonesia during the World Cup, we were able to see the bars in this area just packed in until 4 or 5 each night—and mainly packed in with Indonesians driving in from other neighborhoods. Girlie Boys danced and humped about the street, warungs sizzle after midnight, and the Bintang flows flows flows.
*Hostel 35 is just awesome—and for $20 US per night, it can’t be beat. I could see it charging twice as much and still being worth it.
*We went on a search for a good cup of Java—since we are in, well, Java. But like Colombia, no one really drinks the good stuff here. It is all exported. We first went to Bakoel Koffie that Lonely Planet recommended and then next door to Dua Nyonya where we asked for Kopi Java and
Last Night of Honeymoon
We splurged and dined at Buddha Bar for our last night. Kopi Luwak. This whole street is a good place to visit with solid, upscale restaurants, bakeries, and coffee houses, all in older buildings that have been nicely restored.
*Places to visit in Jalan Jaksa
KL Village: This place is a little bit of heaven. Great vibe, best wireless, and delicious Malaysian food—as good as anything we had traveling for 3 months in Malaysia. The must to try: roti canai, an Indian grilled bread with curry sauce.
*Clubs to Visit in Jakarta: These were are two favorites.
Stadium: Intense and Real. They keep it cold, I’m guessing to help with dehydration due to certain drugs of choice. The hookers stay near the bar area, the women in red jackets broker them, and the dancing gets going about 2 AM. Dress for women: Maybe since there are a lot of hookers here, the other ladies dress down a bit. I saw a lot of jeans and sweaters here. Frankly, the hookers downplay the clothing too, shorts and tanks mainly. Maybe this was just the night I was visiting though.
X2: We loved this place. People are dressed to kill.
*Restaurants
Buddha Bar: See the blog about this place. Must,
must. You can get out of here for ten U.S. or for a hundred. You decide.
Koi: Delicious. The grilled fish with peanut sauce is a must.
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mama jean
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last of honeymoon
Awesome. You make it sound so normal to be on the other side of the world and giving advice as to where to dine and shop. Most of my travels will be in books I'm afraid. Still trying to go to the Smoky Mts. this summer. You two are the bravest ones. Congratulations!