Category Is: Jakarta, Indonesia!

Jakarta was like a box of chocolates, different in taste and appearance, I never knew which element would be the coffee one! From Jakarta's National Monument (Monas) to a former 'Dutch Post Office', I was served much more as the day progressed. Chinatown brought serious grit, those streets were real! I had worked for those Lanzhou Noodles! The 'category' was what? 

Jakarta's Halal nature secured a brighter tomorrow for me, no alcohol had passed my lips the previous night. Embracing that newfound period of 'situational sobriety', I woke up feeling fresh! I was ready for another day in Indonesia's best-known capital city. Best-known capital city? Yes, there's a scheme to relocate the capital from Jakarta but I wasn't paying attention to that plan during that July 2025 moment! My first place of the day was the 'National Monument' otherwise known as 'Monas'. Walkable according to my maps displayed on my phone but not so much in real life, I wanted to talk to that Jakarta manager! After dicing with death, I arrived by foot at 'Monas' with a sigh of relief exhaled. Jakarta's premier monument in the round, I had clocked this place of interest as one of the top things to see. The locals were uber friendly, they clocked my Islamic style 'henley collar' breathable shirt, asking me if I was Muslim? Blending in? I'm not Muslim, but I was flattered. That guessing game wouldn't be the last time! Muslim? No. 

This towering structure stood strong, making a statement stronger than the structure itself was. Built in 1961, 'Monas' was designed to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence from former Dutch rule. The call for this Jakarta icon to be built was after the Indonesian capital was relocated back to Jakarta from Yogyakarta. The meaning behind this iconic monument bore golden flames to show the fight the Indonesian people went through to be a self-governing country. Located in front of the Presidential Palace, the gardens surrounding 'Monas' were well manicured, it was giving Jakarta's own version of the Eiffel Tower! During that morning moment, local people were going about their business with no crowds nor hoards of tourists altering my experience. It was positively peaceful, I was able to clock that monument and move along because I had things to do! It was great to experience a calmer space in the city as the mornings traffic made Jakarta look so crazy, I loved it really! Real talk, I was very hungry! 

I was done with my 'Like A Prayer' pursuit, well with the cathedral and mosque I was. Jakarta was leading me to something on an 'odd ball', with a hidden Dutch reminder once again. 'Pos Bloc' otherwise known as 'Weltevreden Postkantoor', was a former Dutch built central post office. Fashioned with the familiar arches, I was getting used to those European features. I did not have a plan, this chance encounter was appreciated because spontaneity can be good for the soul. Constructed in 1913, I wanted to know more about this now 'creative/heritage space'. I walked into the main hall, a sorting office? That focal point looked like it was in transition, an art installation or project was being cleared up. I had missed a key opportunity to see life through a different lens, I wasn't mad because it was quiet and it was hot! The focus of the venue looked very 'en-trend' with independent food businesses lined on the left hand side of the main hall. You know I was getting hungry! Those closed outlets weren't going to feed me, no! JK, I pivoted! 

Distracting me from my hunger, I headed into a courtyard that reminded me of the suffocating humidity that continued outside. I loved that 'heritage' style, with those white washed walls, adorned with pillars and stone settings. 'Pizza Head' saved me, I bought myself a huge slice of pizza, not quite pepperoni for obvious reasons but it was good enough. I was then able to plan my next move because 'Juanda' wouldn't be my only neighbourhood clocked that day. I took my time as I enjoyed my pizza, this underrated city required more research because it wasn't KL nor Singapore. My time at Pos Bloc might've been brief but it allowed me to see something colonially unexpected. Back out onto those Juanda streets, I was sensing that public transport would needed to be used, Chinatown would be my next port of call. With a third 'Like A Prayer' location set in my sights, I wanted to maximise that Glodok location! Getting back onto the train at Juanda was easy breezy, I didn't yet know what madness would front me at Kota Tua Station!

My Jakarta Red Line train took a few minutes to reach 'Jakarta Kota' from 'Juanda', I got comfortable with that familiar line. Construction around the exit that I wanted to leave from saw the pavement completely get cut off, I was not joking, it was a state! I picked myself back up and moved along, Jakarta's Chinatown was pint-sized and I would find my intended location. The day had so far been textbook, from 'Monas' to 'Pos Bloc', I thought I had that 'Category' covered! Crossing the road put me in a state, I had to adapt, I made things happen as the rhythm of Jakarta charged ahead. I had things thrown in my face but the realness was unreal, I was being force-fed chaos and culture in one breath, it was a lot! Balls to the wall, I loved every second of it because there was endless grit served, Jakarta brought me back to life! Were they bananas or plantain? A 'Malaysian' flashback was brought before my eyes, I knew that I wasn't on a tourist appropriate path! It was getting real! Keeping it moving, I kept focused! Not the hood? It was, J! 

The station didn't impress me because those scenes were not helpful, I was lucky that I was delusional about the whole situation! Jakarta kept me on my toes, there was no way I was going to miss out! The shopping streets of Chinatown had disappeared as I ventured down a certain alley way. The market stalls kept things lively, they were my reference. The maps APP that I used really had me going into some sketchy settings, it wasn't telling any lies because I headed in the correct direction. Local people who looked down on their luck definitely clocked my tourist presenting self, my face said it all! I kept things strong, I knew it wouldn't do me any good to look like a target! This Vihara saw me doing the most, I almost turned back or looked for an escape route but I was addicted to the buzz of that adventure. Why do I do these things to myself? I am not going to reveal anymore because what use would that do for Jakarta's 'Like A Prayer?' All I wanted was to get something to eat because that slice of pizza had digested, sure!

After doing the most within those alleys, I found the Main Street once again! Safe back within Chinatown, I clocked the Chinese gate that officially welcomed me. I did see some heritage buildings, they didn't look Dutch and that was fine with me! I was relieved to be back on a street that I could see completely, I didn't have to watch my step although the traffic was berserk! I was hungry and being through such an experience to find that vihara had left me feeling starving and needing some peace. Would I find that calm in a bowl of Lanzhou Noodles? Being Halal, it was quite nice to find these familiar Chinese noodles, I felt that I could relax within that noodle shop. Would they taste as good as those China served noodles? They were tasty and filled a space within my stomach but Chinese food is supreme in China! I even got to speak some Chinese on the pavement outside another shop, although I don't understand Hokkien! My visit to Jakarta's Chinatown was brief, I had had a manic day out! My hotel was just down the road? A long road!

Jakarta had left me shell-shocked, I needed some calm because the manic nature was getting to me because it was unlike no other I had experienced! I had my maps switched on, I had a twenty minute walk to reach my hotel but the worst thing was I needed to cross the road! In any other place, it would be normal to find street lights and a navigable crossing but Jakarta tested me! I wasn't mad at Jakarta's roads, they were just really not suitable for pedestrian use. By some miracle, I ducked and dived, making my way across the road was no mean feat but Jakarta was schooling me! I walked and walked but kept going, I knew that a relaxing evening would be had, Jakarta would see me work on an overdue blog post. I had a very early departure the next day, I was heading to Bandung on a 'sightseeing' train, not quite the 'Whoosh' because I wanted a more scenic experience! I needed to talk with reception about keeping my suitcase until my second booking activated. Jakarta had been mental, so I knew our chapter would come to a natural end.

Jakarta... I'm Out! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure