As a person who likes to walk to enjoy the surrounding environment, I have several recommended areas for those of you who like the same thing. The areas that I will mention, I have passed several times just for a walk. Walking is one of the ways I let go of fatigue and enjoy my free time. Besides being pleasant, on foot is a healthy activity.
Not everything that is seen on the passed-road is pleasant, but that experience should not be slided away. Seeing the activities of people on the streets that only exist in this country, occasionally bump into beggars, homeless people, punk kids, even crazy people; sometimes amazed by the old design luxurious houses with the grounds planted with trees. The pungent odor that comes from the evaporation of dirty river is often disturbing; Another sight that can only be found occasionally when it rains is the heavy overflow of bright brown water when crossing the bridge to the village area.
I want to share some some palces I have been passed on foot. The thing that underlies this writing focuses on the Central Jakarta area because I live in Central Jakarta. Wouldn’t it be nice to travel on foot not far from where we live? Here are some of the pedestrian areas that I recommend to just take a walk.
- PASAR BARU to Jalan MEDAN MERDEKA
This area is always crowded on weekdays nor weekends. You can start the journey from Juanda train station or Juanda busway stop. In this area there are many places that can be visited. The first option, can immediately walk to Pasar Baru or Istiqlal Mosque.
Pasar Baru will usually be crowded after 12 a.m, so if you walk here in the morning you will see some shops not open yet. Pasar Baru is more widely known as a textile center, there are many shops that sell fabrics, some stores provide clothing sewing services.
Not far from Pasar Baru, when you walk toward Lapangan Banteng, there is a painting booth. Various kinds of paintings displayed along this road display figures who are mostly people who sit on the government. From here you can walk to Lapangan Banteng, a park that is not so wide but is attracting many people to visit. Stop by for a while, the atmosphere in the park is quite cool. From here you can continue the trip to the Katederal Church which is adjacent to this park, or to the Istiqlal Mosque which is located opposite.
Sidewalks along the road in this area are in good condition, comfortable for pedestrians. To cross use the zebra cross or the people-bridge cross. If you want to continue the journey towards Jalan Thamrin-Sudirman, try the free double-decker bus which available in front of the Juanda busway stop, only if you are interested, it’s usually full. It’s good to end the trip at Monas, there are many green areas and benches to take a break after a long walk.
- Jalan M.H. THAMRIN
You could say this area is the heart of Jakarta; along the way are skyscrapers, always crowded with vehicles passing by and many foreign tourists in this area, especially in Sarinah. There are many shops with foreign brands sell fast food that are usually preferred by tourists.
The interesting thing here is that when the time has begun towards the evening most of the streets turn into a place to try local culinary such as fried rice, pecel ayam, bakso and various other types of food. It is highly recommended to try one of the foods sold here. However, you must adjust to the smoky air conditions that come from several food stalls and also from passing motor vehicles.
Heading towards the HI roundabout, you can see taller buildings as well as a welcome statue to welcome your presence in this city. Night view at the HI roundabout when the fountain is on, interesting to capture as a photo. This spot is the most iconic, many people who came from other province stop by here just to take a picture proven that they had ever visit Jakarta, haha.
If you want to go to another place by riding public transportation, MRT and TransJakarta transportation modes are available. You can also stop by the Grand Indonesia mall or Plaza Indonesia.
- MENTENG
For those of you who prefer shady and classic areas, Menteng is the place for you. Here you will find a little or almost no more than three floors buildings, which most of the buildings are residential. Generally these houses are old buildings that are still retained by the original model, others have undergone renovations.
The scenery in this area is very different from other areas in the city of Jakarta where your eyes will be spoiled with green trees along the road on the left and right. As far as the eye can see, there are no minimarkets or shops found, even snack carts are very rare, only houses; some buildings are residences for ambassadors. The houses are almost entirely fenced so it is difficult to see clearly when driving, you can only see a little style of building houses from the fence gap when walking across this area.
Street sidewalks in this area are quite shady for pedestrians even in broad daylight. Not many people passed by on foot, only the roads remained crowded with vehicles going back and forth like other roads in the capital.
There are several parks worth visiting, green areas that are cool and fresh. Namely Suropati Park, Menteng Park and Situlembang Park. The location of the three parks is close one to another and can be reached on foot in only about 10 minutes from each park. In these parks you can find people doing a lot of different activities, some just sitting around, children playing in the children’s play-field, a group of people doing group outings in Taman Suropati, some adult men fishing in Situlembang park, then there are also those who play basketball or futsal in Menteng Park.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take pictures with doves in Suropati Park. If these animals are approached, they will usually fly away and perch in the trees. The trick that can be tried is to feed them by spreading the seeds of corn or rice. When the birds are eating, that’s your chance to take pictures.
- SCBD
This area is the elite spot in Jakarta. Skyscrapers towering next to each other in close proximity. For pedestrians, of course there is no need to worry because the sidewalk is very comfortable and clean. Here of course you will more often look up your head when walking down the street. My first impression when visiting here, this area was very modern and elegant. The arrangement of this area is so neat and pleasant to see. Both morning and evening, this area is comfortable to go through; even at night it will look cool.
As your information, not far from here there is an iconic bridge namely JPO GBK that connected to busway station. At night it will beautifully shinning, many pedestrians stop for a moment to take pictures.
- GBK – SENAYAN
The sidewalk is quite wide and comfortable for pedestrians. Go inside too, this place is always open every day for public. To use sports facilities, of course, you have to contact the management department first, except for jogging and cycling that can be done in open areas throughout the GBK area.
The best time to come is in the afternoon, because the air and atmosphere of the afternoon here are cool and very pleasant, the air also feels fresh. At night, you can go to Jl. Asia Africa; along the road opposite the 12 GBK entrance line Taican satay sellers. Smoke billowed along the streets of Asia Africa from Hotel Mulia to the end of GBK stadion. If interested please try, eat lesehan on the roadside. But these taican satay traders don’t always operate every night, so … chancy.
The best time to take a walk in Jakarta is in the morning between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and evening hours from 4:30 to 8:00 local time. It is not recommended to walk during the day because the weather will be very hot, very uncomfortable. Use sunblock to prevent your skin from burning. Do not forget to bring enough mineral water and if necessary, snacks. For those of you who are not comfortable with hot air, you should wear a hat and bring a tissue or small towel to wipe your sweat, also always have an umbrella because the rain can come down at any time. Wear clothes that are comfortable and polite, you should wear shoes instead of sandals and it will be better if the shoes you use are waterproof. It is not recommended to let your hair loose for those of you who have long hair, it should be tied so that it is comfortable walking under the sun. If air pollution and odor are things that bother you, you should wear a mask. If on the way you are dying to pee, immediately go to the nearest public place where the toilet is provided for visitors.
Keep in mind that motorized vehicles that rides on the streets mostly ignore pedestrians. So, when you want to cross, wave your hands towards the driver as a sign that you want to cross and walk carefully when crossing the road.