Merit Mangrove Forest

A few weeks ago, my friend and I visited Mangrove Forest located at Pantai Indah Kapuk - North Jakarta. There is no easy way to get there unless you take a cab. But if you decided to have an adventure then get ready...

First go to the train station or busway station located at old city of Jakarta : Stasiun Kota

If you have exited the station then go across the street to Museum of Bank Indonesia

Then choose public transportation : KOPAMI JAYA 02 (blue kopami) going to Muara Karang. Ask to be dropped off at Muara Karang's bridge (said in Indonesian: Jembatan Muara Karang)

Arrived already? Nooo... Please continue with red KWK B01 going to Muara Angke. But ask to be dropped off at the gate of Pantai Indah Kapuk (In Indonesian: gerbang Pantai Indah Kapuk).

And finally, continue with red KWK U11 and ask to be dropped off at Txu Chi's school. After that, just follow the sign to Mangrove Forest.

Confuse? Better ask your Indonesian friend to take you there...

Tzu Chi School

Rush Hour

A few days ago I saw a bunch of tourists from Thailand at busway stop Central Harmoni. I couldn't help but wonder, why their tour guide is crazy enough to bring all of them during rush hour. Yes. It was around 4 PM where many people already finish their job and all rushing try to get home as soon as possible. Traffic jam will hit the street around 5 PM until around 8 PM. Which is why the goverment urge our people to use public transportation. Unfortunately, this is what you get by using public transportation. Long queuing and you have to bear many impolite people (me including...well, sometimes).

I think is great when you travel to another country and want to try the experience first hand on how was it if I use this public transportation? Will it be difficult? Is there something that I need to buy, like in this case e-ticket. And how much further you will want in that experience. Would you like to try how crazy people can be when all they can think of is home. As Soon As Possible. One minute this person can be nice to you, showing direction. But when the bus come he or she (usually is ...she).will brutally push you aside so you won't be in the way.

Why People Fight For A Seat

You probably wonder...why oh why seat on public transportation like buses or commuter line is so damn important.

Well, perhaps these pictures may give you an idea

Beware WIth PPD P 157

If you are in Jakarta right now and use regular buses please always be careful with your bags, wallet and so on. It has been a while since I used regular bus and a pickpocket succesfully took my wallet without me knowing it...

Don't expect another passenger will help you as they naturally worry they will be the next target. Especially if they are using the bus daily.

Watch it for this bus PPD P 157. If you wish to see the route you may refer to this link. Unfortunately is in bahasa Indonesia.

You may be friendly with other passengers but don't let your guard down. If your bag has zipper make sure the bag never lost your sight. If you are wearing backpack maybe you should put it in front of you. They can use cutter to open your bag and take whatever they can have.

Enjoy Jakarta but always be careful!

Get Ready For Traffic Jam on 20th Of October

You may refer to this site to find out more about our president's inauguration :)


President's inauguration will be held on 20th of October 2014. For all of you here in Jakarta, get ready for heavy traffic jam on that day. Especially those around National Monument. There will be celebration for the people by the people and from the people. Why oh why they have to do it on MONDAY? When many of us have to go to work. Though I am totally happy with this celebration, I have to prepare alternate route for me to go home.

So, let's pray for a NATIONAL HOLIDAY on 20th of October 2014 so, we can relax and enjoy the celebration....at home.

Unfortunately I only have the run down in Indonesian.

Prohibition on Commuter Line

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Once a while I used train aka commuter line during the weekend. To tell you the truth, getting on the train is another transportation torture. As both of them takes forever before finally arrived at the station or bus stop. Though of course, train takes shorter time compare with busway.

Taking Photos Along The Way

During the time that I spent through busway corridors and their buses, I managed to take photos while Pasar Senen ( one of the old market or old fashioned mall in Jakarta) was on fire. The fire started around 4 AM on Friday 25 April 2014. From a distance, mind you.

And here are the photos

Rules Are Made To Be Broken

Around 1 November, there would be Rp. 500.000,- fine for those entering busway lane. But then, rule is just being rule. Without someone to watch, people tends to broken it. The following pictures tells it all...