The Flight from LCCT Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta
My flight was at 7am and by 5am, I was already in the airport. I left office at 2am just before that. It was a really tiring journey without me realising that the journey from KUL-JKT took only two hours. I thought I had a ten minutes nap. Anyway, the journey was really smooth although LCCT was so packed and squeezy.
As I reached Jakarta airport, I knew it was exactly what I had expected. A little run-down, more cultured with lots of floral prints and wood.
“Kamar” actually means cubicle or place. “Kecil” means small. So funny how it seems like toilet means “small cubicle” which in fact, does make sense.
Teh Botol wasn’t exactly packed in a bottle though, a popular Indonesian drink (tea).
That night, I was on my way to the MotoGP Red Racing Night party at X2 Club.
Checking into the hotel
I checked into Grand Kemang hotel, a very decent one with reasonably-priced rates. I loved the look of the lobby which was modern, elegant and chic especially this figurine.
Clean and pristine lobby.
However, the style and concept of lobby didn’t match the rooms which still had old designs (from 1974 apparently).
Nonetheless, the rooms was really comfortable.
Meeting up with Sarah
Just before heading to X2 in the same mall, Plaza Senayan that night, I met up with Sarah and Fel. www.xanga.com/sass_fel.
Sarah and I share three main things in common – braces, a good fiance and a diamond engagement ring.
We’re gonna be the “Braces Bride”. It was really fun sharing tips and exchanging information on wedding. I love that. It was also a trip where I hear about the true culture and lifestyle of Indonesians, from the horses’ mouth.
Sarah & Felix.
I love the concept of their popcorn – as they went to watch movie after that.
X2 club is equivalent to our Zouk in Malaysia / Singapore. I cannot fathom the fact that apparently there are two other popular clubs like Blowfish and Republic. Unfortunately, time only permitted me to experience one club – X2 Club. X2 is located on the highest floor of Plaza Senayan and the doorstep of the club is actually within the mall. To stop right outside the club, you have to enter the parking lot.
The ambience? Quite different from the usual clubs in Malaysia. The fact that the crowd was different already changes the mood. Nice kind of mood. However, not many people flooded the dance floor even till 2am. I was told that Indonesians are quite conscious of themselves in the club and don’t really dare to dance. Not sure how true that is.
When this picture was taken, it was 12pm. Many people were sitting down at their tables drinking away.
Some dancers came out to dance on the stage. Pretty cool concept, like race girls, synonymous with the MotoGP theme.
I loved the toilet upstairs near the VIP area.
Shopping at Mangga Dua
People have warned me about the dangerous Mangga Dua, that there are many unscrupulous people around and it’s so packed, I could get pick-pocketted and so on. However, I really beg to differ. Mangga Dua is the Indonesian version of:
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s Sungei Wang / Petaling Street
- Bangkok, Thailand’s Platinum Mall / Chatuchak
In Mangga Dua, you get one floor for baby supplies, another one for Muslims’ garments, female clothings and so on. Very well-organised albeit the lack of space for each stall.
It was indeed really packed and there were so many people shouting out, “Mau belanja?”
To translate, it meant, “Want to spend?” or “Come buy…”.
I went to the food court and to be honest, nothing seemed safe to consume (as I had not prepared my stomach well for this meal). I was hungry and was willing to eat anything but had warned myself that I do have a weak stomach. So, I decided to order “Mi Special”. Special noodles, with nothing really special about it besides more Monosodium-Glutamate (MSG) and some extra beans, that might be out of the ordinary. Nonetheless, I thought it was rather safe to consume.
Coconut drink with jelly and syrup was the drink of the day.
After that, some damages for the day, all below RM150. The three pairs of shoes cost RM10 each. Dresses and blouses cost about RM30-40 each. How reasonable. I think I prefer the variety in Mangga Dua to Platinum Mall.
Real Indonesian Food
That night, I met up with Sarah and Fel again for some real good Indonesian food at Senayan City (across Plaza Senayan).
I just love how the fry the fish and bend it upwards to stand tall.
Some salted fish.
This kangkung (water convulvulus) dish actually tasted abit sweet. Rather unusual.
Later on, we went to get some of Sarah’s dog food at the Food Hall and found this note below, in a very Kenny Sia’s style of spotting such errors:
NO COMMENTS for the note above.
Later on, we went to have some drinks at Grand Hyatt hotel where The Fortissimo band from Philippines played. They were so fantastic, really. I enjoyed so much.
And that was the end of my work trip where work was squeezed in between the two full days. I’ll go back to Jakarta next time.