Tuesday, October 27, 2009

JAKARTA 4 DAYS THREE NIGHTS TRIP

DAY 1 : 24 OCT 2009 (SATURDAY)

Left work at 1.15 pm and straight for Changi Airport to Jakarta by taxi with wife and daughter. We arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 @ 2 pm. It was a quick check-in and we had a wonderful rest time at SIA Lounge. Using Citibank's Priority Pass card, we took a rest and had some snacks. The place was quite cosy and quiet. The snacks were plentiful and yummy. We enjoyed for nearly an hour as we needed to be at the departure counter at 3. 10 pm.

The flight left at 4.15 pm(after a slight delay) instead of 3.50 pm and arrived in Jakarta @5.30 pm. (1 hour saving) We arranged for taxi services (Blue Bird Group) at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport to CBD. Various charges for taking a taxi (different types : luxurious, premier, ordinary) at the airport. The charges vary from 150K , 200K and 300K. Of course, we took the cheapest one. Mind you, the taxi fare could be double if you choose limousine !


Reached hotel IBIS ARCADIA at 6.30 pm. This hotel belongs to IBIS international chain of hotels. It is a small hotel in CBD and their services are OK. The rate is US$63 per night for a double room (with buffet breakfast for 2) . The room was quite spacious and comfortable. For the price we paid, it was slightly on the high side.

We went nearby for a stroll. The lane were full of roadside makan stalls. Because of hygiene consideration, we were afraid to try these food. Finally we had our meals at a posh Restaurant named GARUDA.

When we sat down, the waiter brought about 30 or more dishes out and placed them on the table. We were told to eat what we like and once we touched the food at a particular dish, it was considered sold. We chose what we like and 3 of us spent (300k) for the dinner.

We walked down the lane and stopped at American Gill for coffee ! American Grill is like sizzler in Singapore. It displayed salad bar, ice cream, soup, coffee and fruits, too.

We slept at 10 pm. local time

DAY 2 : 25 OCT 2009 (SUNDAY)

We had buffet breakfast in the hotel. The buffet breakfast was not that fantastics but it had quite a few varieties to suit different customers' tastes.

As it was Sunday and there was a grand bicycles' competition and roadblocks were placed at most of the major roads. We took local bus services. The bus fare was cheap (3K) and the bus drove along the main road with many stopovers. At one junction, we had to tranfer to a smaller van (with 8 to 10 passengers) to further our journey to our final destination : Mangga Dua shopping centre.

Mangga Dua is a gigantic shopping centre (with 4- 5 Singapore Peoples' Park area). There are many different types of shops selling clothings, handbags, shoes , VCD etc. You could bargain to half price and still the sales girls were willing to sell the merchandise to you !

The ladies had manicure and peticure and I had done my first FACIAL !

We spent the whole day there and it was a one-stop happy shopping day for the ladies. We took a taxi ( 60K) back to hotel at 6 pm.


In the evening , we walked out of the hotel and there are many restaurants and eating places along the street. We dined at AYAM GORENG SUHARTI. It served authentic Indonesia food. We have a very posh dinner for 3.( 238K)

DAY 3 : 26 OCT 2009 (MONDAY)

We went to SARINAH AND JAVE DEPARMENT STORES. We shopped at the basement for SOTO related products, local biscuits, etc . We had lunch and dinner at this shopping centre. We went (opposite street) to JAVA department store and I bought 4 Batik Shirts ( 3 short and 1 long) for 358K only.


DAY 4 : 27 OCT 2009 (TUESDAY)

We had our last minutes" shopping in nearby hotel areas. I had a wonderful 1 hour foot massage for only 75 K . The ladies had their hair wash plus body back massage, too.

On the way back , using priority card , we had our tea break and local snacks at Muriati Lounge at Jakarta international airport departure hall.

Reached Singapore airport at 8 pm and Home at 9 pm.