Exploring Jakarta
Looking towards Kali Besar
After breakfast on Sunday, I took a Grab ride back to Kota Tua. Since it was raining on my first visit, I wanted to give the place another look as well as the area surrounding it. The weather was certainly much better in the morning. Crisp blue sky, as well as not too warm. I got off my ride at the edge of Fatahillah Square and ventured in.
The place was already full by the time I reached there. It had been a car-free morning on a certain part of the city - similar to the one we had in KL every other Sunday. There was also a stage erected in the middle of the Square with live music and an MC. I was not sure what the event was, but there were plenty of school children with sketchbook doing drawings of the surroundings.
Cafes around Kota Tua
A group of students doing a photoshoot
Tulips - remnants of Dutch influence
I resisted the temptation of having a second breakfast at Cafe Batavia, deciding to walk to the North part of Kota Tua instead.
With the Lonely Planet book in hand, I exited the Square, walking towards Toko Merah, a red-bricked building which used to be a small museum. It has since been closed and fallen into disrepair. I should have taken this as a hint as to the more I walked away from Fatahillah Square, the more derelict I saw.
Venturing away from the main Square
Workers doing some cleaning on the river
Ever the patriotic lot
I walked up along the old canal - Kali Besar - towards Museum Bahari. The old harbour was too far away to reach on foot. I walked past a few more old buildings yearning to be restored. There were a few hotels in this area before reaching Jambatan Kota Intan - an old drawbridge. Unfortunately, it was still closed for the day, and I was not able to snap any photos there. There was also work being done on the river, and the placed was boarded up.
Next landmark was the Syahbandar Tower and the old East Indies warehouse. Again, I was too early, and the place was still deserted. I did not spend much time there, crossing the road instead to Museum Bahari, a maritime museum, celebrating the old harbour. Since it took me almost an hour to walk there, taking photos along the way, rather than entering the museum, I decided to call a ride back to the hotel. The journey back took me under half an hour as the heavy Jakarta traffic was starting to build.
Venturing forth towards the northern part of town
Crossing the bridge towards Museum Bahari
On the way to the museum, I passed by the squatter area, and to be honest, it was not the highlight of the trip. Indeed, I would not recommend walking around this area alone despite the walk being mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide. But in a group, I can imagine it to be exciting. After all, it was only around one kilometre. The ambience and people you encounter can appear intimidating.