TheBigJ - jakarta attraction

What to do in Jakarta. If you're planning to visit TheBigJ with no intention for shopping at all, perhaps below list of attraction might help. Me. Finish below list in one day only. Or should I say half day? Hahaha. Nevertheless, if the Jakarta History Museum is not closed, maybe we would lingered around Fatahillah Square a bit longer. 

1. Museum Bahari at Port Sunda area. Entrance fee is cheap. Only 2000 IDR. Great info on maritime history in Old Batavia. For ship and sailboat junkie this is a must visit.

2. Fatahillah Square or the local call Kota. I've been told to hop on bus number 02 and ask to stop at Kota. But we didn't choose this option and take bajaj instead. Kena charge 50000 IDR for a short distance. Tsktsktsk.  T___T

On another note, you can walk from Jakarta Kota Station to this square. We went there on Sunday. There is market selling foods and drinks, selfie stick, handphone case, knock-off shoes and bags, etc etc.

In the same vicinity, lies an old charm cafe named Cafe Batavia. You can google it and find numerous good review for this cafe. As for me, I like the ambience. So soothing and relax for a hot day. We just manage to try pancake and latte here. Ok la. And yes. A visit to the loo is a must. ;)

3. Monas. Tugu Monumen Nasional. Bare in mind, it is a long walk from the front gate to the tugu entrance. Along the walkway numerous vendor selling numerous stuff. Didn't manage to visit observation centre since it's close for public. Reason wise? Sebab orang-orang besar nak naik. Benci betul. Visit during night time here is also recommended. Heard that tugu will be light up. So cantik la untuk bergambar2. No entrance fee untuk masuk dalam kawasan Monas. Only fees for entering museum and observation centre. 

4. Masjid Istiqlal. Located near monas. We just walked here. In front of this mosque is Jakarta Cathedral. Plenty of food stall outside mosque area. 

5. Places that I did not manage to go. But in my opinion worth for visit is Textile Museum, Taman Mini Indonesia and Masjid Angke. 

6. List of shopping area that you might want to visit for the sake of been there done that. Tanah Abang. Mangga Dua (WTC Mangga Dua, Mangga Dua Square, Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, ITC Mangga Dua). Grand Indonesia. Plaza Indonesia. Plaza Senayan. Thamrin City.

7. On the eatery side. A lot of cheap and affordable eating place. A good set of rice meal (either fried chicken or fish with salad and sambal) range from 30000-50000 IDR. For halal eatery, look out for halal sign or just follow your instinct. Of course no halal jakim in Jakarta. No, I did not try any bakso here. The one at Bakmi in Thamrincity is not recommended. I just taste a bit from my friend dish. 

The end.