Public Transportation in Jakarta [1]

The strong heat of Jakarta welcomes you at Soekarno-Hatta airport. Soon enough, you (specifically addressing Jakarta-first-timer) may experience the big fuzz every traveler mumbles about Jakarta all year long: traffic!

Yes, public transportation in Jakarta can be considered as a BIG headache!

As soon as you get off Soekarno-Hatta airport (assuming that you have no escort) you will be magically drawn into the mass of taxi drivers offering you to have their services.

Hmm.. what should you do?

The best thing is to order a taxi from inside the airport. You should check on the taxi desk nearby the baggage area. The cost will be around 200.000 IDR, and you will be driven straight to your destination. Rent a car is also an option, but the cost is higher, around 500.000 IDR.

DAMRI
The second best thing (backpackers, this one is for you) is to hop on the DAMRI (Djawatan Angkoetan Motor Repoeblik Indonesia). It's like airport-city shuttle bus. The buses are nice, clean, with AirCo (don't worry), and luggage dock. It only cost you around 20.000-30.000 IDR to get to the city center. From the city center you can continue by taxi (see below).


You can ask the airport staff, where to sit and wait for the DAMRIs. The DAMRI starts very early, around 4 am. and the interval between the DAMRIs are 15-20 minutes.

Here are some DAMRI routes:

• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Blok M (bus terminal, south Jakarta). IF you are heading to west/south Jakarta (Slipi, Semanggi) you can ask the driver to drop you there.
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Lebak Bulus (bus terminal, south-east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Rawa Mangun (bus terminal, east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Kampung Rambutan (bus terminal, east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Pasar Minggu (bus terminal, east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Tanjung Priok (north of Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Kemayoran (north part of Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Bekasi (east part of Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Cikarang
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Gambir (train station, central Jakarta). IF you accomodation is located on the central Jakarta (Kebon Sirih, KH. Wahid Hasyim) you can ask the driver to drop you there.
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Serang, Banten (West Java)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Bogor (West Java). The cost to get directly to Bogor is a little higher, around 30.000 IDR. But it's considered very cheap, if you compare it with taxis.

Click here to see DAMRI routes and hours.
Of course, you can also go to the airport using the DAMRIs.

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NEXT!
So, since you are now in town... How do you get yourself to places? Unfortunately, Jakarta has not yet equipped with fancy rapid transportation system such as the subways, or trams. But we do have several options :)

TAXI
If you are blessed with extra money on your pocket, then use taxi to run around Jakarta. Just go to you hotel lobby, usually the taxis are already lined up there, waiting to serve you. The standard taxis i recommend are from:

* Blue Bird (light blue with some kind of wing atop), to order by phone: +62 21 7917 1234


Taxi Pusaka Nuri, Pusaka Satria (also light blue, but different logo) are also part of the Blue Bird group. Please do beware that there are a lot of "Blue bird" imitation - as in the colour and the logo. Make sure that there are "Blue Bird Group" stated on the taxi before you take the ride. Besides blue bird, you can also ask for a more sleek and fancy taxi, Silver Bird (black ones). The cost is slightly higher that blue bird.

even the picture looks fancy

Some taxis are considerably cheaper than blue bird. You can see the sign of "tarif lama" or
"tarif bawah" or basic fee usually written on its window. Here are some "tarif bawah" taxis that you may trust:

* Express (white), to order by phone: +62 21 2650 9000


Express taxi also offer a big luxurious transport using Toyota Alphard. It's called Tiara Express. To order by phone: +62 21 2650 8000


* Putra (dark blue), to order by phone: +62 21 7817771



* Gamya (dark blue-green), to order by phone: +62 21 8779 5555 and 840 3838


* Trans Cab (bright yellow, like those in NY), to order by phone: +62 21 583 55 500. This one is nice because it has cable tv on it that you can watch during your trip :) takes your mind off the busy road.



Some TIPS:

• If you are (unwillingly) stranded somewhere in Jakarta at night, you can always call the taxis. But if you forget to write down taxi phone number, and you can only find the "suspicious taxi", always make sure that the driver will use the argo (meter). Otherwise, you may find yourself giving away thousands IDRs for a short ride.
• Even if you take a ride on the taxi, please make sure that you have the specific destination/address at hand (esp. when you are looking for an address - some friends/relatives' place) so that it will ease the driver too.
• You can also talk with the driver to "bond" in some way that the taxi ride will be more enjoyable :)

There are also another public transportation that you can take. Let me start with the big and shiny one...

TRANS JAKARTA
Trans Jakarta, or the local often calls "BUSWAY" - which actually refers to the bus lane, currently have 9 routes called "koridor" that can take you to most places in Jakarta.

Ticket price:
05.00-07.00 = 2000 IDR
07.00-22.00 = 3500 IDR

Trans Jakarta is nice when it's not so crowded

Usually, we can differentiate the bus route through its different colours:
Koridor 1: red-yellow Mercedes-Benz & Hino
Koridor 2: blue-white and grey Daewoo
Koridor 3: red-yellow and grey Daewoo
Koridor 4: grey Daewoo & Hyundai (JTM), Hino (PP)
Koridor 5: grey double HuangHai (JMT), double Komodo (LRN)
Koridor 6: grey Daewoo & Hyundai (JTM), bus Hino (PP)
Koridor 7: grey Daewoo & Hyundai (JMT), bus Hino (LRN)
Koridor 8: grey Hino (LRN) bus Hino (PP)

Trans Jakarta - the red one

Here are some links (taken from www.suaratransjakarta.org) to download the Trans Jakarta routes:
Download link (printable version) - 507 KB
Download link (complete version) - 1536 KB
IF by any chances, you left your luggage or anything on the bus, you can call BLU Trans Jakarta +62 21 7228727

KORIDOR 1 (Blok M - Kota)
*Halte Kota: Stop here if you wish to continue you journey by train (Station Kota) or to Mangga Dua shopping district (with a short angkot ride).
*Halte Glodok
*Halte Olimo
*Halte Mangga Besar
*Halte Sawah Besar
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 2, 3, and 8 (holiday only)
*Halte Monas: Stop here if you wish to go to Monas (the national monument and iconic symbol of Jakarta) or to pay a visit to Museum Gajah (the national museum).
*Halte Bank Indonesia
*Halte Sarinah: Stop here if you want to go to Sarinah, Jl. Sabang, or Jl. Jaksa. This area is blessed with 24-hour food, late night snack, and cozy place to hang out (with beer, of course).
*Halte Bundaran HI: Stop here if you want to go to Plaza Indonesia and EX mall.
*Halte Tosari: Stop here if you want to go to Grand Indonesia.
*Halte Dukuh Atas: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 4 and 6.
*Halte Setia Budi
*Halte Karet
*Halte Benhill: Stop here if you want to go to Plaza Semanggi.
*Halte Polda Metro: Stop here if you want to go to Pasific Place (walk a little bit).
*Halte Gelora Bung Karno: Stop here if you want to go to FX Mall (walk a little bit).
*Halte Bundara Senayan: Stop here if you want to go to Ratu Plaza. Get to the back of Ratu Plaza, and voila! you are already in Plaza Senayan. Another 5 minutes walk, and you get to Senayan City :)
*Halte Masjid Agung
*Halte Blok M: Stop here if you want to go to Blok M area.

KORIDOR 2 (Pulo Gadung - Harmoni)
*Halte Pulo Gadung
*Halte Bermis
*Halte Pulomas
*Halte Asmi: Stop here if you want to go to Kelapa Gading area.
*Halte Pedongkelan
*Halte Cempaka Timur
*Halte RS. Islam
*Halte Cempaka Tengah
*Halte Pasar Cempaka Putih
*Halte Rawa Selatan
*Halte Galur
*Halte Senen: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 5.
*Halte RSPAD
*Halte Deplu
*Halte Istiqlal
*Halte Juanda
*Halte Pecenongan
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 1, 3, and 8 (holiday only).

Trans Jakarta - the blue one

KORIDOR 3 (Kalideres - Pasar Baru)
*Halte Kalideres
*Halte Pesakih
*Halte Sumur Bor
*Halte Rawa Buaya
*Halte Jembatan Baru
*Halte Dispenda Samsat Barat
*Halte Jembatan Gantung
*Halte Taman Kota
*Halte Indosiar
*Halte Jelambar: Stop here if you want to go to Mall Ciputra/Citraland.
*Halte Grogol: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 8.
*Halte RS Sumber Waras
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 1 and 2.
*Halte Pecenongan
*Halte Juanda
*Halte Pasar Baru: Stop here if you want to go to Pasar Baru area.

KORIDOR 4 (Pulogadung - Dukuh Atas)
*Halte Pulogadung
*Halte Tugas
*Halte Pertamina
*Halte Telkom
*Halte Tarakanita
*Halte Sunan Giri
*Halte IKIP
*Halte Kehakiman
*Halte BPKP
*Halte Utan Kayu
*Halte Pasar Genjing
*Halte Pasar Pramuka
*Halte Matraman I: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 5.
*Halte Manggarai
*Halte Pasar Rumput
*Halte Halimun
*Halte Dukuh Atas 2: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 1 and 6.

KORIDOR 5 (Ancol - Kampung Melayu)
*Halte Ancol: Stop here if you want to go to Ancol or Dufan.
*Halte Pademangan
*Halte Gunung Sahari Mangga Dua: Stop here if you want to go to Mangga Dua area.
*Halte Jembatan Merah
*Halte Pasar Baru Timur
*Halte Budi Utomo
*Halte Senen: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 2.
*Halte Pal Putih
*Halte Kramat Sentiong (NU)
*Halte Salemba Universitas Indonesia
*Halte Salemba St. Carolus
*Halte Matraman 1: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 4.
*Halte Tegalan: Stop here if you want to go to Gramedia bookstore. The one in Matraman is the biggest in Jakarta.
*Halte Slamet Riyadi
*Halte Urip Sumohardjo
*Halte Kebon Pala
*Halte Pasar Jatinegara
*Halte Kampung Melayu: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 7.

Trans Jakarta - the (double) grey one

KORIDOR 6 (Ragunan - Dukuh Atas)
*Halte Ragunan: Stop here if you want to go to Ragunan Zoo.
*Halte Departemen Pertanian
*Halte SMK 57
*Halte Jati Padang
*Halte Pejaten Phillips: Stop here if you want to go to Kemang area, continue with minibus or taxi.
*Halte Buncit Indah
*Halte Warung Jati
*Halte Imigrasi
*Halte Duren Tiga
*Halte Mampang Prapatan
*Halte Kuningan Timur
*Halte Patra Kuningan
*Halte Depkes
*Halte GOR Sumantri: Stop here if you want to go to Pasar Festival, and Mega Kuningan area.
*Halte Karet Kuningan
*Halte Kuningan Madya Aini
*Halte Setiabudi Utara
*Halte Latu Harhari
*Halte Halimun: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 4.
*Halte Dukuh Atas 2: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 1.

KORIDOR 7 (Kampung Rambutan – Kampung Melayu)
*Halte Kampung Rambutan
*Halte Tanah Merdeka
*Halte Flyover Raya Bogor
*Halte RS Harapan Bunda
*Halte Pasar Induk Kramat Jati
*Halte Cililitan PGC
*Halte BKN
*Halte Cawang UKI
*Halte BNN
*Halte Cawang Otista
*Halte Gelanggang Remaja
*Halte Bidaracina
*Halte Kampung Melayu: Stop here to transfer to Koridor 5.

KORIDOR 8 (Lebak Bulus – Harmoni)
*Halte Lebak Bulus
*Halte Pondok Pinang
*Halte Pondok Indah 1: Stop here if you want to go to Pondok Indah Mall.
*Halte Pondok Indah 2: Stop here if you want to go to Pondok Indah night area.
*Halte Tanah Kusir Kodim
*Halte Kebayoran Lama Bungur
*Halte Pasar Kebayoran Lama
*Halte Simprug
*Halte Permata Hijau: Stop here if you want to go to ITC Permata Hijau and Belleza Mall.
*Halte Permata Hijau RS Medika
*Halte Pos Pengumben
*Halte Kelapa Dua Sasak
*Halte Kebon Jeruk
*Halte Duri Kepa
*Halte Kedoya Assiddiqiyah
*Halte Kedoya Green Garden
*Halte Grogol 2: Stop here to transfer to Koridor 3.
*Halte Tomang Taman Anggrek: Stop here if you want to go to Taman Anggrek Mall.
*Halte Tomang Mandala (only during holiday)
*Halte RS Tarakan (only during holiday)
*Halte Petojo (only during holiday)
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here to transfer to Koridor 1 and 2 (only during holiday)

Koridor 9 Pinang Ranti - Halte Pluit (coming soon, 2010)

Koridor 10 Cililitan - Tanjung Priok (coming soon, 2010)

Koridor 11-15 are still in development :)

Hopefully, the trans Jakarta transportation system can be fully operated by 2012.. I mean , before we all die because of the end of the world hehehe *jk. Then, it will be so much easier to transfer from one place to another. Easier, and hopefully, faster.

NEXT!
There are more about transportation in Jakarta: buses, angkots, bemos, etc. on the (upcoming) second [2] part.

My Travel Wishlist

Traveling is one of my passions.
I developed this certain passion since i was a little girl, used to travel with my nomad family across Indonesia. I said that i want to go abroad someday.. and got everybody laughed at me as a reply. Somehow, I managed to get a 'scholarship' and went to the Netherlands... where my world-wide adventure begun :)


So far, I have visited several countries (outside the Netherlands) - all using my own saving and salary :) Switzerland, Greece, a little bit of Germany, a little bit of Austria, a little bit of Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Singapore, and Australia.

This year, I have plan to go on a budget travel (kapan sih engga hahaha) to Vietnam and Thailand.

But don't see me as an Indonesia-hater. On the contrary, I love every culture carved in perfection in Indonesia. I would love to spend months of traveling across Indonesia, drink in all the stunning view, know every local languages, master every traditional songs and dances.. However, traveling inside Indonesia cost a fortune! The plane ticket is freaking expensive... and one can not really depend on transportation. The journey that was supposed to be one-month journey can extend to 3-or-4month journey. So far, I have been to 4 out of 5 main islands in Indonesia. The only places left untouched is Papua. I have to go there someday :)

If i do have the time, the money, the luck, and the strength...
I want to go to:
I shall skip the places i have visited, even though i do want to go there again. ..

*Japan!
Going to Japan is my living dream! I want to live there and breathe the air in the country of the rising sun! I can only wish I was born a Japanese >.<

*Russia: Moscow
Russia and Japan trip will be the most expensive trip offered in any travel agencies (at least in Indonesia), I don't know why. Personally, I am amazed on how big the country is, how marvelous the architectures are, and.. I love Anastasia.

*Argentina
Recently, i have a growing passion of visiting Argentina. In my imagination, Argentina appear to be a little different from the all-hectic all-summery all-bikinis Brazil. With the blue blue sky and beautiful mountains. If i am not mistaken, Argentinan speaks Portuguese instead of Spanish. I'm gonna love Argentina more because it is the birthplace of Tango!

*Italy: Rome, Venice, Cicily, Vatican
I missed out Italy when I was having a road trip back in Europe. The exotic handsome men... with brown eyes and brown hair... the scent of salty water... the beautiful architecture... the intertwined love and religion... all in one.

*Morocco
The Mediterranean-African breeze tingles my ears every time i think about Morocco.

*Turkey: Istanbul
The sound of the belly dancing music follows you every step of the way. The smoke of Shisha and the indulging smell of Turkish kebab and falafel will keep me there and drown me.

*Greece: Santorini (again), Crete, and other cities in the main island.
Greece is one of my favourite countries. It is not because of it's white and blue houses (because white and blue are not my colours), it is because of the myths within. Yes, I fancy astrology, I fancy Greek Gods & Goddesses. My superstitious soul comes from my Greek DNA hehe..

*Spain: Seville, Canary islands, Granada
I love Spain! I can see my self living in Madrid, walking around in the city, loving life. I have only been to Madrid and Barcelona during a road trip with my girlfriends back in 2006. Going back to Spain again, visit more places, drink more sangria, eat more paella, and maybe fall in love... aww, what a dream...

*Egypt
The cosmic of those giant pyramids makes me wonder if i can sit at the top of one of its sphinxes and eat my lunch - just like that scene on Jumper hahaha

*Norway & Finland
The Scandinavian islands! I imagine chilly wind blows every now and then, making me wish i never went the first place. But i guess it will cool to wear furry winter jacket most of the time. Also, i want to see the place where several of my classmates come from.

*Germany: Berlin
Next to Holland, but I never really got the time (or money) to travel to Berlin. Yes, I am lame :P

*UK: London
I mean, c'mon... Europe without the all hectic, weather-crazy, English men with strong British accent London? I want to hop on to the double-decker bus, ride on the cute taxi, and be preppy. Maybe, i will see Hogwarts too - sprinkle myself with a little bit of Harry Potter's magic dust, disappear under his cloak. Pfff... why is UK so expensive?

*Ireland: Dublin
The home of Irish pub for a change. I will be dizzy trying to figure out what the people are talking. Or yet, maybe i will be fluently talking English with Irish accent!

*Africa
The thrill of safari in Africa fills the head of every real traveler, that is my belief. The extreme heat, the wild life, and the drumbeat of local people dancing with their colourful dresses... Gosh! Why does travel to Africa can be so expensive?

*Fiji
It is like being in the middle of nowhere, literally! Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, disappear from the map of the world for a while. That will be a "WoW" experience.

*Thailand: Bangkok etc
Thailand will be the closest exotic destination in Asia. I imagine living around people talking in funny Thai accent :) like some of my Thai friends in Holland. Plus, i love love love Thai food!

*Vietnam & Laos
Next to Thailand, there are Vietnam and Laos. I don't really know what to expect in those to countries. Need to have more researches! Well.. I'll be going to Thailand & Vietnam this year! yay!

*USA: NYC & Hawaii
US is not listed in my travel preferences. Well, but i do want to see Hawaii. Me and my tanned skin will blend easily with local people of Hawaii. Another city i want to see is New York - and pretend to be one of SATC girls! :p

*Tibet
I think it's a wonderful place. Although i am not sure i will be able to climb. I'm no climber :P

*Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Sao Paulo
South America is a destination to go! I am mostly attracted to the infamous Iguazu Falls, located in the border of Brazil and Argentina. How to get there? When to get there? Pfff.. Have no idea!

*Israel: Bethlehem
This is more like a pilgrimage. I have been to Lourdes and Fatima. So i need to complete the journey and go to Israel, too.

...
But wait! Who says Indonesia is not on the list? It will take a year or more to travel and explore and unveal the ultimate beauty of Indonesia - both its marvelous plaves and exotic culture.


So, here's my "Travel Indonesia" wish list!

*Aceh: Danau Laut Tawar, Sabang
Never been to Aceh, dan ingin sekali.

*Sumatera Utara: Berastagi, Sipisopiso, Pulau Nias
North Sumatra is one of my heritage. My "kampung" is in Pematang Siantar, several hours away from the capital city, Medan.

*Bangka Belitung: Pulau Belitung
I have only been to Pulau Bangka and went to Parai Beach. Pulau Belitung is a smaller main island located in the west side of Pulau Bangka.

*Jakarta: Pulau Pramuka, Kep. Seribu
The nearest, most doable spot to go.

*Jawa Barat & Banten: Sawarna, Bayah, Karang Bolong, Ujung Kulon
I started to explore west java with my friends from 2008. At first, it was always be Ujung Genteng (gorgegous and advendturous place), then Bogor, then Sukabumi. There are many more places i still want to explore in west java :)

*Jawa Tengah: Dieng, Karimun Jawa islands
I always focussed my journey to Jogjakarta and never really to the highlands of central java. That should be lovely too.

*Jawa Timur: Mount Bromo, Malang, Pulau Madura
People said that East Java's landscape is the most beautiful in Java. I am curious indeed. Especially when my friends start talking about their journey in Bromo, about how the stars fill the dark sky like diamonds as your feet touch the warm sands.

*Bali: Lovina
There's so much about Bali than just Kuta. I mean, Kuta is for teenagers and Bali first-timers. Out of several towns in Bali, I love Ubud the most. But that's probably because I have never been to Lovina and indulge another side of Bali.

*Sulawesi Utara: Manado, Bunaken
The only place i've ever visited in Sulawesi is Makassar, the capital city of Sulawesi Selatan. I was only 15 and knew nothing about the art of traveling. My old friends from Ambon are also living in Manado. I should pay them a visit and enjoy the underwater scenery of Bunaken :) Hopefully that by the time i get there, I already know how to dive!

*NTB: Gili islands, Lombok
I've been wanting to go to Lombok for quite sometime now.

*Papua Barat: Raja Ampat islands
I have lived in Maluku for 6 years, yet I have never travel to Papua. Well, I was still a tween back then... I only travel to the big cities. However, I always envied my father for getting the chances to travel in Eastern part of Indonesia. Yes, i want to go to Papua and blend with the nature!

*Kalimantan, Borneo cross-over
Going through the thick tropical wood in Kalimantan is the ultimate experience! Then cruising with the local boat through its rivers. Challenging, huh? The woods and the mountains are not really my thing. But hey, who knows?

*Sulawesi Selatan: Toraja
Several of my high school friends come from Toraja. They are very proud of where they came from, and recommend people to go there... I only know that Toraja has an unique culture, and one of the must-go-see places in Indonesia.

*GOING NUTS!*

Ramadhan. Loh kok loyo?

Ramadhan, bulan puasa bagi yang menunaikannya.
Bulan penuh rahmat, bulan penuh berkah melimpah.

Sekarang, saya mau melihat makna "puasa" dari kacamata saya pribadi. Saya, yang adalah seorang awam, dan juga seorang non-muslim. Ini murni pendapat pribadi loh, kalau ada yang yang tidak setuju... mohon saya diberitahu.

* "Puasa" sebagai alasan untuk malas-malasan
Selama bulan puasa, bisa-bisa kinerja perusahaan berkurang karena banyak karyawannya yang malas-malasan. Puasa kok males? Lah apa gunanya puasa? Apalagi yang malas-malasan itu orang-orang yang bekerja di kantoran. Duh, bagaimana bangsa ini mau maju...

* "Puasa" sebagai alasan untuk pulang cepat
Baru jam 4 sore.. kok sudah kabur semua? Cek saja, beberapa instansi tertentu akan amat sangat dihubungi kalau sudah bulan puasa. Jam 3 atau jam 4 sore personilnya kebanyakan sudah menghilang. Gak produktif donk?

* Buka puasa kok makannya malah jadi rakus?
Ini mau buka puasa dalam artian bersyukur atau mau show off? Segala macam makanan kemudian dilahap. Mulai dari kolak, cendol, bubur biji salak, teh botol, jajanan pasar, belum lagi makanan hidangan utama macam rendang, opor, dll... lalu ditutup oleh sirup buah. Yeh... ini mah masih bulan puasa.. belom Lebaran cuy! Mending juga itu makanan dibagi-bagi ke orang yang susah makan. Buka puasa kan gak harus lebay juga makanannya. Ya toch? Ataukah ini bukti orang-orang Indonesia gampang termakan oleh iklan tv? Semua makanan harus dijajal.

* Buka puasa = mal-mal penuh sesak, termasuk mushollanya
Iya lah! Orang-orang sibuk pulang kantor, beribadah di musholla mall, lalu lanjut buka puasa di mall sambil cuci mata. Begitulah gaya orang-orang kota hahaha

* Buka puasa = ruas jalan tertentu ploooong!
Mantaaaf! Ini dia yang paling oke pada saat bulan puasa. Berhubung banyak orang yang berusaha pulang cepat (sebelum jam 5) untuk buka puasa di tempat-tempat tertentu, atau baru pulang setelah buka puasa (setelah jam 7) ~ tentu saja hal ini tidak berlaku klo terjadi Act of God macam gempa beberapa hari yang lalu...

Apapun motifnya, yang pasti puasa itu baik.
Menahan lapar, dahaga, nafsu, dan yang paling penting... amarah.

Selamat berpuasa teman2!

Culinary Trip to Sukabumi

I traveled to Sukabumi last weekend with Chika and Ruben. A culinary trip - that's how we call it hehehe :)

It was my first ever trip to Sukabumi (the city) and to actually stay there for the night. Usually i only passed through Sukabumi without ever really enjoying the food, etc there. Where is Sukabumi, anyway? Take a look at this pic below.


Sukabumi is a vast region within West Java province. According to Wikipedia, "Sukabumi is a city located about 80 km (50 miles) south of the national capital, Jakarta. At an altitude of approximately 600 meters (2000 feet), the city is a minor hill station resort, with a cooler climate than the surrounding lowlands."

We went there by car from Jakarta on Friday night. We transited in Bogor, grabbed some stuffs and continued our midnight travel. We spent approximatelly 2-3 hours on the road.I can still recall the road as it is the same road that we took to go to Ujung Genteng (UGe). Aaaaw.. I miss Uge summer trip even more :'(

Back to Sukabumi!
I gained several pounds by just spending 2 days at Sukabumi! o_O'
Why? Because we ate 5-6 times a day! Noodles, batagor, yoghurt, more noodles - all homemade.

kyahahahaha.. how can one resist all these food temptation???

Mie Cinco, with chopped grilled pork

Mie Yamien Pangsit Penganten :P~

Peter Pan, it's time to grow up!

Minggu malam, setelah menghabiskan wiken saya di karawaci bersama ck, rb, dd, dan yanto dan kekasihnya, saya pulang dan menyalakan televisi.

Klak, klik, klak, klik.
Then suddenly my eyes were fixed to an image of a man, wearing a wet white shirt, with his hypnotizing eyes and hypnotizing voice. ARIEL, tak lain dan tak bukan! Entah kenapa sosok Ariel saat itu begitu... menggugah! ;p hahahahahaha

PeterPan, yang katanya merupakan super band di Indonesia, menggelar konser terakhirnya di pantai karnaval Ancol minggu malam kemarin. Konser terakhir karena setelah ini mereka akan berganti nama. Saya biasanya biasa-biasa saja sama Peterpan, well... walaupun seringnya suka ngiler sendiri klo ngeliat Ariel hahahaha. Tapi konser pamungkas mereka itu memang benar-benar bagus! Saya bukan berbicara mengenai visual, lighting, ataupun tata panggung yang standard ala Indonesia. Saya berbicara mengenai kualitas - performa dan musikalitas yang tinggi dari Peterpan :)


Bintang tamu-nya juga pentolan-pentolan yang top saat ini. Ada Pasha "Ungu" [uhm.. he's alrite, but i dont really like his songs. Too... ordinary], Giring "Nidji" [he's great, man! keren lah pas duet sama Ariel], Ryan "dMasiv" [original!], dan yang paling ok ada Iwan Fals! Mantaaafffff lah pokoknya. Walopun nonton siaran langsung konsernya Peterpan sambil klak klik liat channel tipi laen, tetap saja konser ini patut diacungi jempol! MANTAFFF!


Ada satu scene yang memorable menurut saya. Saat Ariel menyanyikan lagu BINTANG DI SURGA seakan-akan dia menangis dalam kamuflase keringat yang bercucuran.



Saya rasa sih dia nanggis beneran... Lalu ia berlutut di tengah panggung, membelakangi penonton tetap sambil bernyanyi. Pada akhir lagu, Ariel merebahkan diri seolah pingsan dan terlelap. Saat kamera mengambil gambar dari atas, terlihat image Ariel terbaring di antara 2 sayap yang merupakan lambang peterpan. As if he's a fallen angel. NICE TOUCH!

Sukses untuk Peterpan!

*update
Watch the whole concert on Youtube :)
Sudah saya tularkan ke bea hahahahahaha

Siapa mau "Belah Duren"?

Pertama kali denger lagu ini pas otw ke Uge, di mobilnya si Yanto. Rada-rada setengah pusing setengah ngakak setengah berhalusinasi, maklum aja... dengerinnya tengah malem sambil dikocok-kocok perutnya di mobil ngebut di jalanan berkelok-kelok ha ha ha ha

Didenger-denger... musiknya Dangdut House abis, suaranya Jupe yang rada-rada mendesah basah... jadi penasaran ini video klipnya kaya apa yah. Bener-bener super temptation buat orang-orang yang lagi puasa bulan lalu! Pertamanya masih rada-rada gak nyambung apa maksutnya "belah duren" *wajah polos* Tapi setelah diperagakan gerakannya sama cowo-cowo sepetualangan Uge barulah saya mengerti wahahahahahhahahaha
Parah abis XD

So, kudu tau liat videoklipnya baru boleh komentar! Itung-itung menghargai musik asli indonesia, dangdut man!

Julia Perez - Belah Duren


Menurut saya, ini videoklip bagus banget untuk musik dangdut. Bahkan klo dihilangkan suara musiknya, tidak ada kesan dangdut sama sekali! Wong pakaiannya ala burlesque begituh... dengan tulisan La Femme Fatale pula di background-nya.

Silahkan dibelah :P

P.S. Sepertinya saya berhasil, terlalu berhasil malah... menularkan virus belah duren ke Mr. E XP

Celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day

, "Pemerintah yang bijak menjamin ketertiban dalam masyarakat, pemerintah yang arif adalah yang terartur. Seperti para penguasa, demikian pula para pegawainya; seperti pemerintah kota, demikian pula semua penduduknya. Raja yang tidak terdidik menbinasakan rakyatnya, tetapu sebuah kota sejahtera berkat kearifan para pembesarnya. Di dalam tangan Tuhan terletak kuasa atas bumi, dan pada waktunya Ia mengangkat orang yang serasi atasnya. Di dalam tangan Tuhan-lah terletak kemujuran seseorang, dan kepada para pejabat Tuhan mengaruniakan martabat. Janganlah pernah menaruh benci kepada sesamamu, apa pun juga kesalahannya, dan jangan berbuat apa-apa terpengaruh oleh nafsu. Kecongkakan dibenci oleh Tuhan maupun manusia, dan bagi kedua-duanya kelaliman adalah salah. Pemerintahan beralih dari bangsa yang satu ke bangsa yang lain akibat kelaliman, kekerasan dan uang."
Kitab Putra Sirakh 10: 1-8

Itu bacaan pertama di Misa hari ini. Menarik ya?

Kata orang, 63 tahun merdeka berarti baru 63 % mereka merdeka. Kalau untuk saya, 63 tahun merdeka berarti baru 63 % saya merasa bangga menjadi orang Indonesia. I don't know if figure will ever go up to 100%... Merdeka tapi kesenjangan sosialnya begitu jauh. Merdeka tapi rakyatnya belum dapat menghormati para pahlawannya. Merdeka tapi manusianya belum dapat menghargai keragaman agama, ras, dan budaya yang mereka bangun bersama. Kalau begini, terkadang saya berpikir... "Jangan-jangan bangsa ini akan lebih baik kalau tetap dijajah Belanda..." What do you say?

It is sad to know that Indonesia (nowadays) is mostly well-known as the home for disaster (tsunami, earthquakes, flood and such), corruption, and terrorism. My once proud Indonesian soul is wounded by the fact that foreign people consider Indonesia (and it's people) as a "low" country. Despite of all the genius brains we have, foreign people tend to underestimate us! Actually, I should be ashamed of myself for being speechless; not being able to defend my country by saying beautiful things about it.

Indonesian associate their Independence day with games and local activities. Mereka bergembira sambil lomba makan krupuk [karena krupuk itu murah!], panjat pinang, lompat karung, dst. They like these games so much they usually block the roads and not letting people [with cars] to pass by! It is really annoying as it happened to us earlier today. Geez, we freakin' live in this area!!! Some dude was blocking our way by just standing there in front of the car for a while. Gosh! Maybe we should have ran over him >.<' Some other things about Indonesia's Independence Day this year:

• President SBY got a grand daughter!
• I watch a short biography about Tan Malaka on tv. I think Tan Malaka should have more than one small alley to be named after.
• Panic at the Disco is in concert! Supposedly, i should watch the concert and thank them for being one of my musical supports during my final dissertation hahaha :P But E said that their concert in Jakarta will not be theatrical. Lameeeeee.....

Allrighty. I will be away for a while after this :)
Hup hup vakantie hup!

mini-trip to Bangka

I went to Bangka last Monday to visit one of RNW's soon-to-be partner station in Pangkal Pinang.

What a bless, I met some new people with great personalities :) There were Amoy i met during the flight (hope your mom's gonna be okay), Tya, Romero, and Dian. After discussing some business, it's time to have fun! It was quite hard to get us transport at the beginning. They offered to drive but I said NO! (berbahaya!)... while at that moment Tya and Dian were fighting over some misunderstanding they had 2 weeks ago.

Location: Sungailiat and Pangkal Pinang

Together (Tya, Romero, Dian, and I) went to Parai beach, Sungailiat. Bahagia ketemu lauuuuut! Mau teriak-teriak tapi kayanya gak pada tempatnya deh :P turis-turis bisa pada bingung. After several narcism episodes, we took off to see another spot. [At this point, Tya and Dian have re-conciliate, yay!]

The naming of the streets in Sungailiat really catch my eyes. It's written in three languages: Bahasa, Arabic, and Chinese. It really portrays the blending of three different cultures in this island. Nice, right?

Sunset didn't stop me from enjoying Pangkal Pinang city. After having double dinner (i was forced to eat twice!), Tya, Dian and I went to Klenteng located in the city center. Then we closed the night chillin at Jaguar, some kind of local "Hard Rock" they have there. It was all good :)

So now I can say: Bea! Gue udah sampe Bangka! tapi gak ikutan ceng beng kekekekeke

Read my journey to Bali!!
* Bali: Part One - day 2 to day 4
* Bali: Part Two - day 5 to day 7
* Bali: Part Three - day 8 to day 10

Hari Kebangkitan Nasional

Kemarin, 20 Mei 2008, adalah hari kebangkitan nasional untuk bangsa Indonesia. I dont really know how people call the day... "National Awakening" sort of thing?

So, there was a extravagant event held to commemorate the "National Awakening" at Gelora Bung Karno. It had wonderful wonderful performances... traditional musics, arts, and dances from all over the regions. The event also presents the greatness of Indonesian forces.

Watching the whole event from my tv at home, I cried a little. What went wrong with this mighty country that it suffered corruption and poverty? What is left of us, Indonesian people, to be proud of? This nation, I believe, has it all to be one of the world's greatest - the wondrous arts, the overflowing natural resources, the vast majority of natural sceneries. It is up to us, the young generation, to make the best out of it. How? The question remains...

Anyone?

Pilkada 2007

Lagi rame2nya kampanye di Jakarta. Terlebih lagi di depan kantor.. well, sapa suruh kantornya di depan Tugu Proklamasi hehehe...

Jakarta memang lagi rame PILKADA! Ada dua calon kuat yang foto2nya merajalela di seantero Jakarta. Yang satu memajang Adang Daradjatun dan Dani Anwar (no.1) sedangkan satunya memajang foto Fauzi Bowo dan Prijanto (no.2). Honestly, all of these parade draw me back to my childhood memory of "topeng monyet" (-tidak ada maksud untuk menyamakan loh ya!). Di mana ada tabuhan genderang dan seruan2 lewat megaphone, di sanalah orang2 berkumpul untuk melihat dan sesekali menyerukan yell2 kebanggaan.

Siapa sih yang bakalan terpilih untuk menggantikan sutiyoso? Hay, it's not my decision to make. I myself will not be in Jakarta during the BIG 8 aka the election day.

I will be in Semarang, getting prepare for Indah's BIIIIG day. hehehe...

Veel success buat kalian2 yang ingin membenahi dan menyatukan segala keragaman yang ada di Jakarta! Semoga yang terbaiklah yang terpilih. God speed!