Jalan Jaksa-Kebon Sirih backpackers hotels

Wisma Nusantara is another landmark building at 59,Jalan M.H.Thamrin with is 30 floors high and a trasmitter on top.
 Built in 1964 by Japanese construction company Kajima Corporation and this was the first high rise building in Jakarta.
 Apart from commercial,residential ad public facilities Wisma Nusantara also housed the President Hotel.
The building is earthquake proof on a 7.0 Ritcher scale.
Skybar is on the 28th floor,open Sunday to Thursday 10am to 2:00am
Friday and Saturday 10am to 3:00am.
Happy Hours 5pm to 8pm,alcoholics drinks 50% off and with live bands.
TV One a private television broadcaster aired the popular 9:00am talkshow 'Apa Kabar Indonesia' (How are you Indonesia) outside Reuters studio here in Wisma Nusantara.
Embassies nearby include Japanese,British,French,Myanmar and Thailand. Hotel Nikko is just beside it while Hard Rock Cafe is across the road nearby.

 


Often we heard of the notorious traffic in most emerging economies but in Jakarta the mass rapid transport is very different to those in Bangkok,Kuala Lumpur,Manila nor Singapore.

Transjakarta Busway is doing a very good job with its efficient services. With a fixed standard fares of Rupiah3,500 in a comfortable airconditioned bus irrespectable of the distance within the route,travelling within Jakarta is very swift and easy saving ones valuable time and money.
The special bus lanes have a small concrete divider ensuring other vehicles do not cross the line not like some neighbouring ASEAN cities.

Just imagine a ride from Tanjung Rambutan bus terminal to Sarinah Halte,a distance of 18km takes about 20 minutes.

Transjakarta Busway only started in early January,2004.

This is the world's longest bus rapid transport with 172km system length and more than 520 buses in operation.

The red and orange Hino buses uses fuel mixed with biodiesel.

During peak hours Chinese buses like those used in Beijing were also in service. The bus shelter platform are all in the middle of the road so this is very convenient to decide which direction of station halt one is going.

There were route maps near the exit door and their respective halt stations.So who says it's so difficult to travel in Jakarta City if travellers don't attempt to use the efficient public transport.This is more luxurious than driving in the cronic traffic congestion.



   

Getting to Jalan Jaksa-Kebon Sirih from Mc Donald Restaurant in front of Sarinah Complex.

 Walk to the right which is also Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim passing by Pan Pacifi Hotel.
Cross the junction at Jalan Agus Salim and walk straight.
 After say ten minutes walk you'll see the Ibis Tamarin Hotel and then Cipta Hotel.
Stop right here and look across the road is Jalan Jaksa which is a side street.







View of entrance to Jalan Jaksa from Cipta Hotel.
This street became well known in the late sixties when the early backpackers stayed at the only hostel here,the Internationa Youth Hostel Federation.

It is now well known for the low budget entertainment spot of Jakarta with many budget accomodations.
The street is just 400metres in length.





  Hotel Cipta,
No:53,Jalan Kyai Haji Wahid Hasyim. Menteng,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:62 21 3904071
Standard:Rupiah375,000
Moderate Room:Rupiah1,506,450 Deluxe:Rupiah1,633,500

The area around Menteng is where US President Obama spent his childhood days in a 'kampung' (a malay village)--Cikini area. During the early 1910s,the Dutch used Menteng as their residential area.
Nearby is the Ciliwung River towards the east.

 Bangkok Bank is at the Jalan M.H.Thamrin corner junction with Jalan Kebon Sirih before the roundabout at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.

 Menteng Residence Apartment is a service apartment hotel and inn near Menara Kebon Sirih. Address:No:20,Jalan Teuku Ditiro,Menteng,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:62-21-3106323 (opposite Hotel Marco Polo)





  Wisma Haji,No:30,Jalan Jaksa.Jakarta Pusat. This is owned by the Ministry of Religion and chiefly meant for government employees.

The building has been here since 1987.

 Masjid Ghoru Jami is a small mosque near Wisma Haji.

Hostel 35,Jalan Jaksa.
Fan:Rupiah150,00
Aircond:250,000
Easily fully booked by tour agents.
A homestay with beautiful internal settings.
 Beside Hostel 35 is a slightly modern building housing Djody Hostel and Hotel.
No:27-35,Jalan Jaksa.Jakarta Pusat.
The property is very clean and they have facilities like free safe deposit box,drugstore,laundry,bar,fan and aircond rooms.
Tel:(021)3905977. Hostel rooms:Rupiah90,000 Hotel rooms;Rupiah250,000









Hostel Bintang Kejora in the middle of Jalan Jaksa.
Room Rates betwen Rupiah 40,000-100,000
Can be noisy if motorcycles past by.

Borneo Hostel 35,Jalan Kebon Sirih Barat.(west of Jalan Jaksa with 30 rooms)
Tel:(021) 3140095
Rates:Rupiah 65,000-135,000

 Kresna Hostel 175,Kebon Sirih Timur 1.( small alley eastern side of Jalan Jaksa).Three floors building,14 rooms. Tel:021-31925403(Mr H Iersyal) Rates from Rupiah 40,000-50,000.

Bloemsteen Hostel 174,Jalan Kebon Sirih 1.(farther inside small lane Kebon Sirih Timur and quieter) Tel:021-323002(Mas Slamet) Rates Rupiah 50,000 (18 single beds non aircond rooms)

Le Margot Hotel 15C,Jalan Jaksa.(Four floors building,34 rooms) Tel:(021) 3913830 Rates Rupiah 150,000

Hotel Karya Bahana 32-34,Jalan Jaksa. Tel:(021) 3907119 Rates from Rupiah 190,000-310,000

 Terima Kost(guest)(daily(harian)/(bulanan)Monthly).
 Karyawan(male)/Karywati(female).

Indonesian language is the national language which serves as the unifying language of the Indonesian people whereas the Malay language is exclusively reserved for the language indigenous and spoken by the Malay people.

Thus Malay is "legally" a regional language in Indonesia.

There was no name for this homestay owned by a lady.
I saw the host acceptance sticker at the main entrance gate. Rooms for Rupiah35,000 but fully booked.
She would like to arrange one room for me at Rupiah900,000 per month at another place thinking that I was working around here.






Walking through one of the smaller alleys which are quieter and noticed a sign 'Ada Kamar Kost' (room to let).Again the word karyawan and karyawati noted.

This means that if backpackers ever see such wording,the place is not for daily usage.It is for long term guests .





  This lane was near the end of Jalan Kebon Sirih Barat 1 with an exit to the main road.,Jalan Agus Salim.

There were undiscovered hotels along the small narrow backstreets suited for walking pedestrians.

The room to let sign was at the green grills building with side entrance.
Another 100 metres is back to the Agus Salim main road.

Model Kamar Hotel,a backstreet lane less than five minutes from the Jalan Agus Salim main road. 'Kamar Kos Wanita'(Ladies ONLY rooms).

There was no one at the reception and the flooring were all tiles,so beautiful and clean.Owner must be a Christian as a holy cross was on the wall. 'Ada Kamar mandi-wc kloset'(attached bathroom wc closet) 'air panas-wastafel'(hot water),aircond rooms,television and free Aqua mineral waters.






Main reception area of Model Kamar Hotel.
The Aqua Water dispenser in the main hall.You'll save money on buying 1.5 litres mineral water at Rupiah11,500.

Model Kamar Hotel Interior room was spacious and very clean.Room rates:Rupiah120,000 daily.












 Duty Free Shop was just opposite the narrow backlanes leading to Kebon Sirih 1.


 Just 500metres from Jalan Jaksa at No:17-19,Jalan Johar is a five storey Bumi Johar Hotel. Tel:(021)3245746 Room Rates:Rupiah297,000-450,000.

Arcadia Hotel 114,Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim. Tel:(021)2300050 Room rates:Rupiah450,000-650,000

Paragon Hotel 29,Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim Room rates:Rupiah250,000-400,000(exclude tax) Tel:(021)3917070

 Cemara Hotel 69,Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim Tel:(021) 3147580 Room Rates:USD50-USD69.

 Kawasan Kuliner BSM.(Bank Syariah Mandiri),same row as MaxOne@Sabang Hotel and Duty Free Shop.

There were many food kiosks and a great place to savour the best of Indonesian cuisines from all the provinces.
Kuliner means Culinary.

Max One Hotel.No:24,Jalan Agus Salim directly opposite the narrow backlanes from Kebon Sirih,Model Kamar Hotel.
Rates:USd36-69.(Rupiah350,000)

 Kopitiam OEY,No:18Jalan Agus Salim.
Tel:(021)3160971.
A chinese style decor with wooden seats.
They have wonderful coffee topped with vanilla ice cream known as Wiener Malange,
Moroccon ice tea and a traditional dish Lontong Tjap Gomeh-rice cakes served with chicken broth.

 The pioneers who brought the idea of a kopitiam to Southeast Asia are the Hainanese people from Hainan island in southern China.

 Beside Kopitiam OEY is the Kedai Tiga Nyonya.This restaurant offers Peranakan cuisines which are the origins of the Baba and Nyonyas from historical Malacca.It is a great place to dine in this ambience surroundings.









Waroeng(restaurat) Shanghai Blue is another wonderful place to dine.
The restaurant belongs to the Tugu Hotel group,owned by the family of Anhar Setjadibrata,a famous art collector from Malang,East Java.
The decor is so exotic and stunning.There will be jazz music on a large stage.
Location :From OEY Kopitiam cross over to No:79,Jalan Kebon Sirih Raya.

 Street Directory of Kebon Sirih-Jalan Jaksa

Jalan Kebon Kacang area budget hotels.

Sarinah Complex ,The Indonesian emporium.
This is the first department store to open in Jakarta way back in 1967.
A popular place where every Jakartans are familiar with.
In fact in the everyday life of the people commuting within the city using the Transjakarta Busway,the word Sarinah Halte will be mentioned every now and then.

 Another significant event in 1967 was the current US President Obama was just six years old when he moved to Jakarta with his mother,Ann Dunham.

He studied at the Fransiskus Asisi Elementary School and he was nicknamed Barry.
At third grade he was later transferred to Besuki Elementery School.These were related in his book:"Dreams From My father"

The Sarinah Emporium has lost its appeal due to the rising stars of newer and bigger megamalls nearby.

To international backpackers visiting Jakarta,Sarinah Complex will be a name to be reckoned as within this departmental store vicinity will be a good place to stay due to its central and strategic location.

 



Jakarta together with Singapore are among the cleanest city in Southeast Asia.
 Photo of Jalan M.H. Thamrin with the very wide city roads taken from the overhead bridge in front of Sarinah.
Vehicles stopping at the traffic light intersection with Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim stretching on both sides.
Turning right and walking pass Mc Donald Restaurant,the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel and after Jalan H.Agus Salim junction straight ahead will lead to Jalan Jaksa/Jalan Kebon Sirih area across the road here.

 The previous night I made a mistake by crossing the road on my left thus landing me in a community area known as Jalan Kebon Kacang.

My intention was Jalan Jaksa but anyway I have discovered cheap 'penginapan'(guesthouses) in the area.




 Gedung Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia(State Secretariat) building directly opposite Sarinah.

A department under Badan Pengawas Penilu. The main secretariat headquarters building is at Jalan Veteran.

Jakarta is like a mini Manhattan of the west.

 Tourist Office is at No:81,Jalan M.H.Thamrin,Jakarta Theater Building which is just across the road from Indosat(Indonesian Satellite)

.On the fifth floor of Sarinah Department Store is the post office.

 Menara Topas is an elegant high rise skyscrappers just ahead owned by a rich tycoon.It is part of the Bank Mayapada Group with vested interest in Duty Free Shoppers retail chain,Hospital Mayapada Tanggerang,and properties owner of Mayapada Towers,Topas,Permata Tower 1 and Sona Topas. 





  During my first night in Jakarta,I managed to walk through the whole of Jalan Kebong Kacang neighbourhood just by chance in search of a 'losmen'.

The narrow streets were just like the 'Sois' in Thailand and quite dark.
A few mosques were in the vicinity and the locals tend to spend their time hanging outside their house chatting.

 After enquring from some of the 'bapaks around,managed to find this Losmen Muara located at Jalan Kebong Kacang 1. Rates from Rupiah85,000(bathroom outside) while Rupiah110,00(aircond,attached bathroom). Rooms ratings very poor.

Just adjacent to the Losmen Muara is Wisma Muara,rooms here are much better and cleaner Rates from Rupiah120,000-140,000 aircond with bathroom inside.It belongs to the same owner.

At Losmen Muara the main hall is very spacious and vacant just to cater for goods storage. Most of the hostel guest are here to 'belanja'(shopping) at the nearby garments wholesale centre and the goods packed in bales are temporarily stored for safekeeping. Contact the young boy in charge to book a room:Wendi








Beside Losmen Muara is Wisma Davinci a newer building.
 No:94,Jalan Kebon Kacang.Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:(021)314 7783
Rates:Rupiah200,000 - 250,000.

  Penginapan Arina.
No20,Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:(021) 3145784 Room Rates:Rupiah100,000-150,000

Wisma Muslim,
No:2B,Jalan Kebong Kacang,Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat. Just after a small market.
Tel:(021)314 6559.
Room rates:Rupiah80,000-150,000










Penginapan Lampung.
This one has goods storage front hall.

Penginapan dan Runah Makan Icha.
N0:11,Jalan Kebon Kacang 1.Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat.
Tel:(021)3902545,0816 136 3422,0856 9731 2667 (contact Epen) an Indonesian Chinese.
This is just beside Hotel Focus and the back entrance to garment wholesale centre.








Hotel Focus,
No:9,Jalan Kebon Kacang 1,Tanah Abang,Jakarta Pusat. Location is at the far end of Kebon Kacang 1 with less than 600metres is the Metro Tanah Abang Mall.
Room Rates:Rupiah280,000-350,000.








There were many forwarding companies around providing shipping,air freight and land transport for delivery of goods both domestic and international.

The moment you walk into this Metro Abang and happened to be a businessman dealing with textiles and garments or having boutiques shop you are bound to make bulk orders here.







 The Metro Tanah Abang Mall,just nearby Hotel Focus.

 How do you walk to Metro Tanah Abang from Mc Donald Restaurant beside Sarinah Department Store?
Cross the road onto Jalan K.H.Wahid Hasyim,on the other side at the traffic light junction with another ten minutes walk and you'll reach the Grosir Tanah Abang market with lots of activities during the day.

Midway before the market is a sideroad Kebon Kacang 10 that joins Kebong Kacang 1.During night time the road here is poorly lit and it is safe to walk even though quite dark as there are many shops around. Most of the African students aka businessmen have made Tanah Abang area their santuary.

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.