Jakarta as i see it

Assalammualaikum every one.

In this entry, I want to write about the biggest city in South East Asia, Jakarta.

I visited Jakarta for a second time last April 2018. The first one was in 2007, and that was only for a night transit coming back from Bandung.

I spent about 4 days and 3 nights in Jakarta this time, but I was on a business trip and therefore did not have enough chance to explore this metropolis city. However, I'd observed enough to share with you how does Jakarta looks like to me.

1. Airport / Bandara

The new terminal was newly completed as Jakarta is preparing for Asian Games. I was impressed with the huge and modern terminal building, definitely bigger than the old terminal but i prefer the old design which reflects Indonesian architecture. The new terminal is similar to Hong Kong International Airport open concept. Because of its gigantic size, i feel it is somehow hushed and empty. Comparing to KLIA for example, people are everywhere despite the airport is already so massive. The check-in counter was during my time were snailing slowwww like really slow. All flights back to KL that morning were delayed more than an hour because of them! What annoyed me the most, the staff acted like it was not a big deal. They continue doing their job slowly while being chatty at the same time. 

2. Road

The airport is well connected to the city center via expressway. That's it. You have to take a taxi or bus or grab, no rail services available. Traffic wasn't that bad on the expressway until we reached the city road. Vehicles were everywhere, macet the locals call it. There was no lane on the road, it could be up to 5 or 6 lanes, but the road is small—total messy. I dare not to drive in Jakarta. However, i witnessed only one road accident during my stay...that's a miracle. KL has more road accidents despite being in order. I asked the taxi driver how far in KM from the airport to our hotel, he replied...not essential to know how far, in Jakarta it all depends on traffic, not the KM.

3. Hotel

We stayed in Gandaria Hotel in Gandaria City, far from central Jakarta, because our Indonesian office is situated in that area. However, the hotel rate was still so expensive even our currency is higher than the Indonesian Rupiah. The hotel is at par to Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, MO is located in KLCC, which is a premium land. But MO is still cheaper. Imagine what is the hotel rate in Jakarta central would be? 

4. Eatery and Shopping

The hotel was also attached to Gandaria Mall, a semi-hi-end mall perhaps similar to One Utama. Local and halal food is everywhere, but the price was high too for me, a Malaysian. I killed my nighttime by window shopping in the mall, i went to brand that i familiar with, like Uniqlo, H&M etc...the price was higher than in KL, and the design was a bit dated. I ended up buying local brand in Metrojaya for my kids, but it was not cheap either. 

I love the food, especially At the restaurant Bebek Tepi Sawah...

Back to shopping, i guess it is widely known that Indonesia is famous for excellent and cheap textile. Unfortunately, my hotel is far from the famous textile bazar but i went to a nearby market with a reasonable price and an acceptable variety of textile products.

Overall. I enjoyed my trip to Jakarta. I would love to come back for a personal vacation and explore the city like the locals. Avoid mall and luxury hotel, i would be ok haha.

We were at Kon Ferry office

Bebek goreng super yummy

Lemongrass satay

I bought these pair at Jakarta Kraft Expo... cheap

Weekend gateaway at Singapore

Assalammualaikum..

We visited Singapore for second time in April 2018. 

We flew with Singapore's budget airlines, Scoot. The price was reasonable, for return ticket of 2 adults and 2 kids, it was about 1k++

Changi Airport is smaller than KLIA. Hence not much walking required from one part to another. Well connected to MRT station direct to anyplace in the city. We bought Singapore Tourist Pass at SD30. The pass can be used for unlimited bus, MRT and LRT ride within certain number of days. Cheap!

The famous sup tulang merah. Da baek!

Must buy this for cheap transport.

Flower domes. Only SD 20 for entrance. Must visit place in Singapore.

Masjid Sultan. Nearby is the famos nasi beriyani.

Haji lane

Arab lane. Many souveniers at very cheap price.

Orchard road

Changi Airport

Bai...

Hong Kong Disney Adventure

Whatsap peep!

My baby boy refuses to sleep at 12 midnite, so i decided to share about my recent trip to Hong Kong particularly Disneyland.

Flight from KLIA 2 departed at 7 am and we arrived HKIA at around 11 pm. Original plan we wanted to go to Masjid Ammar for quick lunch. However we were stranded at the airport for almost 1 hour because we couldn't locate our baby's stroller. 

Instead we had to go straight to our Hotel because we have booked peak tramp ticket at 4pm. We stayed in Butterfly on Prat, Tsim Tsa Shui area. From my online searching, it is the spacious within my budget. Walking distance from MTR station. From airport we took red line taxi with fee of HKD 270. It is cheaper than airport express and less hassle because airport express only up to kowloon and you need to take MTR afterwards.

For peak tram, i recommend to buy online from kloop. Not only its cheaper but also for faster que line. The view was speactacular. The tram though nothing different than Penang Hill. Madam Tussot museum is also up there incase you are into wax celebrity.

Day 2. We woke up early morning. We took MTR from Tsim Tsa Tsui to Disneyland! Supprisingly for us, the last station connecting to Disneyland provides coach with disney team...so exciting.

We also bought the ticket from klopp together with meal coupons. Thus we don't have to que at the ticket counter. Once we entered, we went to the city hall to collect the meal voucher. Then we have also to rent another stroller for my other kid. The rate is HKD 60. 

We made a mistake by spending to much time visiting the souveniers shops along the USA road. We didnt realize that the theme park had yet begins! Hahaha we were so like excited and wanted to enter every single shops and hello thats not the theme park.

Almost at noon we finally arrived at the theme park. We waste time no more and started to experience the magical disney adventure. My son loves iron man ride so much...he feels like he is really a superhero hihi.

I personally like small land and mystic mannor...both were thrilling in different ways. I cannot forget seeing those small cute little puppets singing and dancing in various charecters in the small land. While mystic mannor is really up to its name...full of mystery but so chanted at the same time. I would repeat it anytime.

The others was joyful too but nothing special.

We waited untill nite for the parade and mickey stage performace. We were amazed with the lazer and light work, world class. The parade was huge and for real, i was expecting something simple like mini car or just disney charecter walking pass us. Apparently it was not and i love it. I instantly understand why the ticket is expensive, because they hire professional and real talents to perform.

Day 3. Finally we went to Masjid Ammar for lunch before fly back to KL. Yes it was a short trip and mainly for disneyland. Tje food, dimsum was awesome and cheap too.

Overall my observation which could be wrong:

1. Hard to communicate using english at public area even in airport. I watched many kantonis movie but i cant speak canton hehe.

2. The MTR is not stroller friendly.

3. Getting taxi in town is real strunggle. Taxi driver dont speak english and dunno where u want to go.

4. HK people is real nice and helpful tho. Just ask them for favor and they wont hesitate to assist. 

5. HK is pretty much the same i saw in Jackie chan movie, they still use bamboo scalf folding at construction area. Amazing!

Would i go again? Maybe not to HK but yes to disneyland.

Bai and do visit my ig @muhazamshah