Old Colonial Jakarta at Kota Tua
16/10/11
The "Big Durian" Jakarta was my third
destination in Indonesia after Lake Toba and Bali.
Travelling to somewhere new was thrilling enough to
me although I had the feeling that the capital of
Indonesia did not rank high on the itinerary of most
travelers and had little idea on what to expect. I
was lucky to have an insightful introduction to the
city thanks to a friend who lived and worked there.
Kota Tua (Old Town) topped the list of attractions
that I visited and was truly a gem in the city to me.
It was a happening place. Buskers, cultural
performers and street vendors filled the square with
old colonial era buildings in the backdrop. The
Jakarta History Museum, housed in the former
Dutch-build Town Hall, was a great place to pick up
some histories. The whole Kota Tua experience should
be completed with a visit to Cafe Batavia at the
other side of the square.
Dutch-build Town Hall (now housed the
Jakarta History Museum) at Kota Tua Jakarta