Punapi Gatre (means how are you in Balinese). This page is a special tribute to all the friendly Balinese friends i met in Bali. Also a big shout out to my friends from UK whom i met in Bali; Benny Forte (Ireland), Gavin Taylor (England) and Paul Allaire (England). Yes i do fancy milkshake! Not forgetting the others; Andy & Marita Walther (Germany), Megumi-san (Japan), Tomoko-san (Japan), Chie-san (Japan), Nanako-san (Japan). Thank you for making my trip an emotional and sentimental one.

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Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, the third most populated country in the world (350 million people). Jakarta alone has about 13 million people. Whether you’re a night owl or a morning dove, Jakarta has something for everybody. The prices are relatively low too, due to the prolonged financial crisis. The Golden Triangle in the centre of the city contains the more developed and up-market sights and attractions, including up-market malls and some very beautiful statues and landmarks.

Highlights:
Shopping: Jakarta surprisingly is not the best place to shop compared to nearby cities like Bandung and Jogjakarta. Nevertheless, i would recommend ‘Mangga Dua’ area for shopping. There are 3 shopping complexes in Mangga Dua; Mangga Dua ITC, Mangga Dua Mall, and Mangga Dua Pasar Pagi. Don’t forget to grab yourself a genuine pair of Nike or Adidas shoes as they are very cheap in Jakarta.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Bribery and Corruption: Yes folks, you heard of this before and it is true and widespread. It is considered a normal practice here if you want to get things done. So, be warned and adapt to their custom.

Eating Method: People here do eat with their hand although eating utensils are available. Dont be ashamed to take your meals with your right hand. It will be interesting when you dine with the locals.

Traffic Jam: Beware! Jakarta has one of the worst traffic jams in the world. Plan your journey correctly and leave for airport at least 3 hours before your boarding time. It is sad to tell you that taxi is the only option for travelling to/from the airport.

Best Way to Get Around:
Public transport is extremely bad in Jakarta. There is a plan to build a monorail by next year. Here are your best options:

‘Bai Cai’/'Bemoh’ (Three wheeled taxi): This form of transport is fun to ride but can be dangerous at times especially if you dont know how to bargain. They can be easily identified as they come with three wheels instead of the usual four and they are all painted in striking orange colour. Try avoiding taking Bai Cai at night if you care for your lives. To know how Bai Cai looks like, please see the pictures below.

Taxi: Taxi cab is the best so far. Just make sure to take legitimate ones. Blue Bird (the ‘blue’ cab) is the best and they are everywhere. Fare for Blue Bird cab will start at Rupiah 4000 (MYR 1.50). President Taxi (the ‘yellow’ cab) is the worst. The drivers are notorious for over-charging visitors. Some are also known to have been ‘hired’ by robbers to rob the passengers. The ideal way to get around is by renting a car, including the driver! (Don’t be surprised to find out that the price is far lower than you’ve ever dreamt about!)

For more information, please visit: Official City Info Website ; Indonesia Info website