Hello Local Guides family,
My journey to Indonesia is like a beautiful dream for me now. Even though I returned to Karachi a month ago, I still enjoy recalling that stay.
Today, I want to share my experience of the first day in Jakarta with you, which was truly amazing.
I arrived in Jakarta on November 28, 2023, and as it was quite late at night, I ordered Nasi Goreng through Grab food and had it in my hotel room. Then, I was looking forward to the morning when I would have the opportunity to meet Indonesian local guides for the first time.
In the morning, my eyes opened when I received a phone call from Devi, who was coming to pick me up from my hotel. I quickly prepared myself to go out, but I was a little late because Devi had arrived at the appointed time.
Here , I want to tell you about Devi @Ddimitra . If you haven’t met Devi yet, I feel it’s essential to let you know that this lovely soul like her name is so energetic and radiates such positive vibes that you’ll be happy and smiling just by being around her.
Her kindness is so immense that she prepared breakfast at home and brought it for me while I enjoyed it with coffee near Sudriman station. From morning till evening, she put in so much effort for me that I am still grateful from the bottom of my heart. Otherwise, with so many places and joyful moments in one day, I might have missed out.
Here you can check Google Maps Review of Sudriman station.
Anyways, with Devi, we reached Sudriman station where we were waiting for a friend. Interestingly, neither I nor Devi had ever met this friend, despite being close friends for the past 5 years.
Yes, I’m talking about @Erna_LaBeau . Interestingly, the purpose of choosing these dates for my journey to Indonesia was precisely so that during my trip, I could meet my dear Indonesian friends who live in Indonesia, including dearest Erna and @indahnuria . It was a coincidence that just two days after this meeting, Erna had to go back to the US
We were standing at the station when suddenly there was a slight scream. When I turned around, Erna was standing next to me, tears streaming down her face. It was a very emotional moment for me because I was so happy to meet her for the very first time.
Well, then we had breakfast brought from home by Devi, which was noodles and it was very delicious.
From there, our first destination was the Jakarta HI Roundabout, Jakarta’s HI Roundabout stands as a captivating landmark, a bustling intersection where the vibrant spirit of the city converges. If you go to the first floor from the nearby Tosari Station, either by stairs or lift, you can feel this place as, surrounded by towering structures, not only serves as a pivotal traffic hub but also offers a unique vantage point to soak in the city’s essence. With shops and coffee spots nearby, it provides a picturesque balcony-like setting, allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning views of the high-rise structures that encapsulate Jakarta’s history. It’s a place where the architectural charm and contemporary life of the city come together, creating a must-visit spot for those exploring Jakarta for everyone, including people with different abilities.
Google Maps Review of HI Roundabout.
With Erna and Devi, we did some photography there, and some Indonesian tourists present there requested to take pictures with me, which I happily accepted. The funny thing is that at that time, I felt like I was no less than Shahrukh Khan or Arnold Schwarzenegger myself.
Our next destination was Istiqlal Mosque, which I can call a magnificent masterpiece of beautiful architecture.
Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta is a majestic testament to both architectural beauty and historical significance. This grand mosque, one of the largest in Southeast Asia, boasts a stunning blend of modern and traditional Islamic architecture. The intricate details of its design, including the prominent dome and towering minaret, showcase the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia. Completed in 1978, Istiqlal Mosque holds historical importance as it was inaugurated to commemorate Indonesia’s independence. Its expansive courtyard and prayer halls can accommodate thousands of worshippers, making it a spiritual and communal hub. Beyond its architectural grandeur, the mosque stands as a symbol of unity, peace, and Indonesia’s journey to freedom. And of course an Accessibility friendly place for everyone m
Google Maps Review Of Istiqlal Mosque.
We spent about an hour in this beautiful mosque, where we also had to offer the Zuhr prayer, and then we headed outside again, taking some more pictures there.
And then our next place to visit was the Jakarta Cathedral Church located right across from the Istiqlal mosque, counted among Jakarta’s beautiful churches.
Jakarta Cathedral Church, officially known as Gereja Katedral Jakarta, is a historic landmark built during the Dutch colonial period in the 19th century. Completed in 1901, this neo-Gothic cathedral stands as a testament to Jakarta’s religious heritage. With its intricate architecture, it serves as a spiritual haven for the city’s Christian community.
It was my first time entering a church to observe religious rituals up close, and indeed, it was a very beautiful and spiritually peaceful experience. We were lucky that there was an event happening at the Cathedral Church, and witnessing it was truly delightful. Perhaps it was a wedding ceremony. I was so impressed when I saw so many Accessibility-friendly features at this beautiful church like Accessible Ramp etc.
Jakarta Cathedral Church Google Maps Review
There, we stayed for a while, and then after lunch, our journey continued via Grab Taxi. Our destination was the Pacific Century Place that housed the Emirates Airlines office and, on the upper floors, the Google office.
During this trip, my friends made great efforts to arrange a visit to that office for me, but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible.
After the visit to the Emirates office, we took a bus back to HI Roundabout, where we awaited the Accessibility champion and Guiding star, Doc Dells.
A little later, @doc_dells also arrived, and it was delightful to meet someone with whom I share a great friendship. It feels so good to meet such a personality. From there, we walked ahead, and soon, I had the pleasure of meeting my buddy Radja. Although it was our first introduction, it felt like we had been friends for years. And let me tell you that if you are in Jakarta, and you know @Radjasitanggang , then you shouldn’t worry about anything, Radja is like a superman who knows and can do everything for you my great buddy.
Radja took us to a nearby food street famous for its authentic Indonesian cuisine. Our dinner was planned at the renowned Kedai Lilie Singkawang restaurant on that street. The restaurant, though of moderate size, left a lasting impression on me due to its flavorsome food and distinctive spices. Here is Google Maps of this wonderful place.
Erna, Doc Dells, Devi, Radja, and I each ordered our preferred dishes. Since I wanted to try seafood, they ordered fish and rice for me. Until the food arrived, we were deeply engrossed in our conversations, covering topics related to Google Maps and the Connect community, resulting in a fruitful discussion.
Later, @RahmatHarmanP joined us, he kindly took the time to meet us directly from his work. In Arabic and Urdu, ‘Rahmat’ means blessings, and true to his name, my friend proved to be a blessing for his friends. Rahmat’s sincerity and affection had a profound impact on me throughout the entire trip
So, during dinner, I called my meetup partner @JaneBurunina to introduce her to new friends through a live video call and of course to let her meet old friends of hers like Devi, Erna, Doc Dells . It was a joyful moment for us, as I was physically with the friends I usually meet virtually
After dinner, we captured more memories with some photos outside the restaurant, marking a beautiful moment from this fantastic day.
As Erna was bidding goodbye, knowing it was almost her last Local Guides meetup in Indonesia for that trip before returning to the USA, we shared our farewells.
In the end, I must say that Indonesia exceeded my expectations. It offers amazing places, excellent infrastructure, delicious food, and, most importantly, the warm hospitality of the people you encounter there.