IDEC Jakarta, 2017

what’s on Selamat Datang di Indonesia! Some tips to discover vibrant Jakarta in your time off n Buzzing Jakarta certainly offers a great deal to see and do after con- gress hours. However, as leisure ac- tivities are endless in South-East Asia’s largest city, today international has composed a selection of sites and places worth visiting during your time off—from exploring the coun- try’s diverse culture and traditions at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah [beauti- ful Indonesia miniature park] to din- ing with a view at the SKYE Bar & Restaurant. For visitors who have limited time in Jakarta, the 250-acre Taman Mini Indonesia Indah recreational park gives them the opportunity to relax in a beautiful outdoor environ- ment while discovering the rest of the country within an afternoon’s walk. Located in East Jakarta, the area is a synopsis of the diverse Indo- nesian culture and features each of the provinces’ unique architecture and traditions in separate pavilions. While the park shrinks Indone- sia’s essence into one space, the buildings are life-sized. The area in- cludes a lake with a miniature repro- duction of the country’s characteris- tic archipelago, as well as cable cars, museums and an IMAX theatre. Altogether, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah offers a fascinating journey through Indonesia’s various areas and islands, giving the busy travel- ler an opportunity to discover the world’s largest island country on foot! Although the city is sprawling and one of the busiest, a few loca- tions are best explored walking. Among them is the Old Town, Kota Tua, in the north. There, you can ex- perience living evidence of the country’s past as a Dutch colony. Most of the historical Dutch build- ings are on Fatahillah Square, Ko- ta’s central cobblestone square that offers modern visitors a glimpse into the colonisation period. Soak up the atmosphere with a stroll through the area during the vi- brant evening hours, learn more about the country’s past in the Jakarta History Museum, located right on the square, or while away the evening with a drink and a bite to eat at one of the many restau- rants and cafes. A pricier dining option—but well worth it—is the famous Café Batavia, set in a 200-year-old building—the second- oldest building in Central Jakarta— on the north-western corner of the square. From Fatahillah Square, it is only about a kilometre’s walk to Chinatown (Glodok) and the old harbour (Sunda Kelapa). Dive into yet another cultural experience on streets like Jalan Kemenangan and Jalan Kemenangan III. Some ideas are treating yourself to a Chinese massage or buying some herbal medicine and souvenirs for your loved ones at home. For those of you who are tired of walking after a busy day at the trade show, one of the many sky- high bars might be the best way to end the day in style. Probably the most popular is the SKYE Bar & Restaurant, which is located on the 56th floor of BCA Tower in Central Jakarta. With its spacious indoor and outdoor areas, the cosmopoli- tan bar offers one-of-a-kind pano- ramic views of the city’s skyline while enjoying the finest of Western cuisine. Other rooftop bars worth checking out are the elegant Cloud Lounge & Dining on the 46th floor of the Plaza hotel or the even higher Henshin restaurant on the 67th floor of the Westin Jakarta hotel. What would a visit to Indonesia be without a trip to one of its tradi- tional markets? One to see is Pasar Mayestik in the Kebayoran Baru neighbourhood of South Jakarta. Here, you can find everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to fabrics and stationery. Pasar Mayestik is most popular for fabric shopping and many stores offer in-house tai- loring. If you want to escape the heat of the day, visit Tanah Abang mar- ket. Located nearby the Tanah Abang train station, the market is housed in a new air-conditioned building and has loads of fabric stalls offering very reasonable prices. Those in more of a gourmet mood can go food hunting at Pasar Santa, a traditional market in the Santa area in South Jakarta that has become a must-visit hip hang- out spot for culinary delights in Ja- karta. However, there are around 150 traditional markets dotted around Jakarta, so there is defi- nitely something to see and do for every taste. 7 IDEC 2017 11 © leolintang/Shutterstock.com© khlongwangchao/Shutterstock.com

IDEC Jakarta, 2017

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