Jakarta a magnificent metroplis.

Half hour into the journey from Merak Bus Terminal,the bus made another half an hour stop at Terminal Pakupanan Serang,Banten Province.

 Upon paying the bus fare,there won't be any ticket being issued and this is something very odd using the private local buses.

Kota Serang is the capital of this province whereas Merak about 10km from here was the former capital.

Serang is bounded by the Java sea towards the north,Tangerang Regency (Tigaraksa the capital) to the east,Lebak Regency( capital Rakasbitung) and Pandeglang Regency(capital Pandeglang) to the south and Cilegon(major industrial city) to the west.

 Banten was part of the Sudan Kingdom according to a Hindu-Sudanese monk(Prince Bujangga Manik) who visited all of the holy Hindu sites in Java and Bali Island during the 15th century.
 The most dominant language spoken is the Sudaneses apart from Javanese and Betawi dialects. Two famous religious sites are the Banten Great Mosque and the Avalokitesvara Temple.

 Historical sites like the Speelwijk Fortress at Kampong Pamarican near Banten Gulf is where the Dutch overpowered the Sultanate stronghold. A 75.7 metres tall light house in Anyer Kidul was built by the Dutch in 1885.

The ruins of Surosowan Royal Palace is another attractions. The Larung Sesaji Ceremony held every February month is a glitzy ceremony held on Banten Beach,Panggungrejo District,40km from Blitar City to give thanks to God.In Blitar town lies the ancient Hindu Penataran Temple.

At 6:00pm the bus left Serang bus terminal and exited to the Merak-Jakarta highway.

6:45pm:Tenggerang Exit (20km west of Jakarta)An industrial and manufacturing hub.
7:15pm:Kedoya Toll booth (Plaza Kedoya Elok along Jalan Panjang nearby)
7:30pm:Semanggi Toll booth at Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto (Inner Ring Road leading to Jalan Sudirman,Jalan M H Tamrin).
Bus did not turn into the city. 8:30pm:Arrived at Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal which was 18km southeast of Jakarta Pusat.

It was such a hectic terminal and very busy at this hour.
Taman Mini Indonesia is just nearby off Outer Ring Road TMII-Cikunir Toll Road. There were a few guesthouses off the terminal's entrance charging Rupiah75,000 but the atmosphere made me feel uneasy.

I made another search of the busway platform which the bus conductor told me earlier. I managed to locate the brightly lit platform compared to those buses parking bays compound which have poor lightings.

Busway fare was Rupiah3,500 and the staff were very helpful in providing me the station stop information.
Being a newcomer here in Jakarta,trying to identify a station halt at night was a difficult task. I was lucky to meet one Mr Chien,an Indonesian Chinese working in a tax consultancy firm on his way home.Mr Chien guided me further on the bus transfer halt station at Harmoni and to get off upon seeing a big McDonald caption at Sarinah Halt,the prime location of backpackers guesthouse at Jalan Jaksa near Jalan Kebon Sirih area.

 Photo of Jalan MH Thamrin one of the arterial road of Jakarta Pusat. The highways towards and out the city have extensive traffic congestion but still move at a slower pace.

The situation was similar to that in Bangkok.




Metropolitan Jakarta is the tenth largest city in the world after Shanghai.
 In front of Jakarta's Hotel Nikko is Nikko Busway Halte along Jalan MH Thamrin whereby you have to get down here and walk to the huge mega malls which is a short distance further up.

 The Nikko Halte is just after Sarinah Halte if you were to come from the south.

At the end Jalan MH Tamrin was a big roundabout of Jalan Bundaran HI,the busiest traffic circle of Jakarta.

In the middle of the circle was a monument(Tugu Selamat Datang) of two waving sculptures(Hansel and Gretel) welcoming visitors and a colourful fountain.

It was commissioned in 1962 by President Sukarno to greet visitors and sportsmen attending the Asian Games held in Jakarta at that time.

 The Bundaran HI roundabout is also surrounded by prestigious buildings ranging from embassies,financial institutions and foreign companies.

During peak hours the influx of traffic was very massive around this traffic circle.

At the traffic circle towards the right will be Jalan Kebon Kacang where the megamalls were located.

Twelve o'clock turn will be lead to Stesun Sudirman and Jalan Jenderal Sudirman while another road on the left will be Jalan Diponegoro.





Grand Indonesia Shopping Town opposite Jalan Bundaran HI traffic circle on the right.

 It consisted of Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall,BCA Tower,Kempinski Private Residence and Hotel Indonesia Kempinski(the oldest and best known hotel inaugurated by president Sukarno on Aug 5,1962).

This is a one stop shopping paradise of Jakarta. BCA Tower is Jakarta's second tallest building (230m) after Wisma 46(250m)at Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kavling while third tallest is The Peak 1&2(219m),a Beaufort Residence at Jalan Sudirman.

There were very impressive 5 levels skybridge linking to all the malls and with ample parking lots.


The best of Indonesian arts and handicraft is at the Alun Alun Indonesia located on the 3rd Floor,west mall of the Grand Indonesian Shopping Town.

Antiques Gallery,Batik and Weaving demonstration which is an art wholly originated in Indonesia,jewelery showcase by local designers,arts collection and souvenirs are some of the main highlights at Alun Alun Indonesia.

  Grand Indonesia with eight levels of shopping experience spread over two main building linked by an integrated skybridge is currently one of the largest shopping centre in Southeast Asia.

There are three zones:Specialty Zone exclusively for branded stores,Main Mall Zone for popular brand beauty and wellness products,and the Crossroads of the World Zone for food and meals,entertainments,amusements and shopping through different cultural atmosphere.




 Prominent department stores like Seibu of Japan and Harvel Nicols of England also have their presence here.

Plaza Indonesia just across Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall has the largest showcase of boutiques of top international luxury brand such as Marc Jacobs,Chloe,Davidoff,Emporio Armani,Joseph Abboud Rebecca Taylor,Club Monaco,Camper and many others.

Plaza Indonesia is linked to the Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel and eX(Plaza Indonesia Entertainment X'nter.

'eX' is an entertainment and recreation centre as well as retail outlets offering to the young,sophisticated and dynamic Jakartans.

Metropolitan Jakarta is having a super boom especially with all the modern shopping malls and highrise skylines at every corner of the city.It will soon be the next upcoming economic powerhouse of Asia.