Joanna James
Jakarta is an age old city most travellers are quite familiar with. But apart from the well-publicised venues, there are some very interesting, not so popular attractions that are well worth a visit.
This is a maritime museum that is also part of the Syahbandar Lighthouse. Located in North Jakarta the colonial period museum is quite close to Sunda Kelapa Harbour. Although the museum is not very well maintained the picturesque surroundings are quite interesting to explore. On the southern edge of the place, you will come across Galangan VOC which is a former warehouse now refurbished to serve as a sunny café. This place with its central courtyard is lovely to relax in on a hot day. Explore the area and you will stumble upon a number of colonial buildings as well as traditional Chinese architecture in some; this is due to Chinese traders running business centres during the height of the colonial period.
The Kota Tua district is most prominent for the Museum Fatahillah; the History Museum of Jakarta. Easy to reach from your serviced apartment in Jakarta, the place is a treasure trove of artefacts that chronicle the city's vibrant and tumultuous history.
Try a glass of traditional bir pletok which in truth is not a real beer but a drink derived from ginger within the vintage confines of Café Batavia. Located within the historical Dutch quarter of Kota, Batavia sports marble table tops, old fashioned parlour floors and charming art deco furniture. Couple all this with jazz music in the background and you will love a quiet meal there. Mind you the place does get a bit crowded over the weekend with window tables offered for a maximum two hour slot.
Vintage lovers do pay this place a visit. You may see the iconic arched roof of the station in many an ad but it's rarely a tourist will actually take the time to go into the historic station. Less than half an hour from Ascott Jakarta the place deserves some undivided time and exploration. Built in the 19th century the station was fully refurbished under the design of a Dutch architect and re-opened in 1929; the place displays an amalgamation of local styles and an art deco frontage.
This is a mini park located in East Jakarta. Indonesia's answer to a huge Disney Park the place is vast and interesting to explore. There are various exhibits such as those chronicling the history of telecommunication in the country as well as those highlighting the cultural allures of Indonesia's various regions.
Also located within the Taman Prasati Museum this theatre alternatively called Golden Snail is an IMAX Theatre that carefully displays the diversity of each region in Indonesia; it is in fact thought of as a relic from the Suharto era due to its excellent programmes from this period.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
