Saturday, 2 July 2016
Then to the Batavia café for lunch. This is probably the second oldest building on Fatahillah Square, built between 1805 and 1950. Over the years it served as a residence, warehouse, office and more recently, a café.
Then, as we still had some time, we walked around Fatahillah Square, and took a 3 wheeled cab with open doors (similar to the tuk-tuk in Thailand and Cambodia) and drove around Kota Lama. I saw the Bank Indonesia Museum which was originally a hospital. In 1828, it was used by the Dutch as a bank and in 1953, was used as the Central Bank of Indonesia. It is now a museum.
Another interesting building was the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum which was completed in 1870 and was used as the Court of Justice by the Dutch, Paleis van Justitie. Later this building was used as the Indonesian military dormitory and logistic warehouse; in 1967 as the West Jakarta Mayor Office; in 1974 as the office for the Jakarta Museum and History Department.
Behind the Puppet Museum is a huge canal built by the Dutch for transport and trade. It now looks like a very large discarded drain. There is still a draw bridge built by the Dutch that can be seen, it was to let larger vessels through all those years ago.
Across the canal is a building known as Toko Merah which means Red Shop. This building was constructed in 1730 by the then Dutch governor general as his house and office. He is buried on the grounds of the Puppet Museum. It was used by the Dutch as a maritime academy and a guest house. In 1851, the building was bought over by a rich Chinese trader and used as a store. He painted it red, which for the Chinese is an auspicious color. It has been this colour since the 18th century.
Then a cab back to the hotel to pick up our luggage, and a cab to the airport. We made a mistake of going into the boarding gate too early because there are no restaurants or bars here. I purposely kept some rupiahs to buy a beer but there are none available. So I wrote this blog instead since there was nothing to do.
Overall I find the people in Indonesia friendly and helpful, and they get all excited when I speak in Malay to them. I am really enjoying the local Bintang beer. It’s good. And cheap. Who can ask for more. Jakarta reminds me of home.
And then it was time to go home again. Till my next adventure!
Then to the Batavia café for lunch. This is probably the second oldest building on Fatahillah Square, built between 1805 and 1950. Over the years it served as a residence, warehouse, office and more recently, a café.
Then, as we still had some time, we walked around Fatahillah Square, and took a 3 wheeled cab with open doors (similar to the tuk-tuk in Thailand and Cambodia) and drove around Kota Lama. I saw the Bank Indonesia Museum which was originally a hospital. In 1828, it was used by the Dutch as a bank and in 1953, was used as the Central Bank of Indonesia. It is now a museum.
Another interesting building was the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum which was completed in 1870 and was used as the Court of Justice by the Dutch, Paleis van Justitie. Later this building was used as the Indonesian military dormitory and logistic warehouse; in 1967 as the West Jakarta Mayor Office; in 1974 as the office for the Jakarta Museum and History Department.
Behind the Puppet Museum is a huge canal built by the Dutch for transport and trade. It now looks like a very large discarded drain. There is still a draw bridge built by the Dutch that can be seen, it was to let larger vessels through all those years ago.
Across the canal is a building known as Toko Merah which means Red Shop. This building was constructed in 1730 by the then Dutch governor general as his house and office. He is buried on the grounds of the Puppet Museum. It was used by the Dutch as a maritime academy and a guest house. In 1851, the building was bought over by a rich Chinese trader and used as a store. He painted it red, which for the Chinese is an auspicious color. It has been this colour since the 18th century.
Then a cab back to the hotel to pick up our luggage, and a cab to the airport. We made a mistake of going into the boarding gate too early because there are no restaurants or bars here. I purposely kept some rupiahs to buy a beer but there are none available. So I wrote this blog instead since there was nothing to do.
Overall I find the people in Indonesia friendly and helpful, and they get all excited when I speak in Malay to them. I am really enjoying the local Bintang beer. It’s good. And cheap. Who can ask for more. Jakarta reminds me of home.
And then it was time to go home again. Till my next adventure!
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