IMLEK @ Jakarta │ Glodok • Kota Tua

Chinese New Year in Old Jakarta!

We picked you up again after checking back into Sigit's lovely unit at Thamrin Executive Residence. After a quick shower but still dressed in our Imlek outfits we hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi at 4:00pm for IDR81,000. 00 (approximately MYR USD EUR) to Gapura Chinatown in Glodok. 

We quite enjoyed the drive which took about an hour as we saw a much different view, a less clean and shiny Jakarta but infinitely interesting all the same. There were times when certain characters walked up to the taxi window. I was tempted to capture footage, but thought against it as we did not know how they would react. 

We were dropped off right underneath the famed archway to Chinatown. We began exploring this area known as Glodok, an urban village of Taman Sari, West Jakarta, Indonesia. Our stroll took us down some very interesting and at times sketchy lanes but we emerged unscathed and exhilarated!

After our stroll around Chinatown we continued due north until we reached Kota Tua. Unfortunately the Action 5's battery depleted as we left Glodok, and we realised it very much later.

At Kota Tua we wandered around taking in the sights while marvelling at the historic buildings, all throughout the time being kept entertained by the numerous street buskers plying their trade along this huge plaza.

We've been told that Kota Tua is one of most popular places to visit in Jakarta. It is ‘Jakarta’s Old Town’. This is an area that mainly consists of Dutch colonial buildings that were built during the 17th century. 

And of course, Kota Tua has some really cool cafes that have been designed in traditional Dutch colonial buildings. The most famous one is called Café Batavia, which we eventually ended up at for an early dinner. After consulting with our waiter Baim we ordered the:

• Sop Buntut (Oxtail Soup)
• Nasi Campur Meneer (Mixed Rice, Dutch Style)
• Terung Telur Balado (Eggplants with Sambal)
• Si Jagur Punch
• 2 x Bir Pletok
• 1 Coca-Cola 

Our Imlek dinner came to IDR739,300 (approximately MYR202/USD47/EUR43), a meal we enjoyed immensely. We're glad to agree with the hype that surrounds Café Batavia!

We then took another walk across Kota Tua's main plaza before making our way to the Jakarta Kota station.

Then something happened...we almost fell victim to a gang of pickpockets! The man in the white hoodies and the woman in the long-sleeved white blouse were the culprit who unzipped my camera backpack. Thankfully Cat was alert and discovered my exposed backpack. 

We arrived at the train station safely and after consulting with a security personnel we were advised to take the Bogor train to Manggarai then switching to another train to Sudirman. 

Midway through the train ride we decided to get off at the Cikini train station and then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR46,000 (approximately MYR12/USD3/EUR3) back to Thamrin Executive Residence.

We were relieved to be safely back in familiar surroundings, and vowed to be more cautious. The adrenaline still pumping, we hope to still have a good night's sleep.

Steps count at the end of our fourth day: 11,023!

Be sure to catch our next video as we head out for an unexpected but necessary errand tomorrow!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Gapura Chinatown - https://maps.app.goo.gl/cbxxNTznegztZCUt8

Petak Enam - https://maps.app.goo.gl/mBU1vQMczQi6RUGa6

Kota Tua - https://maps.app.goo.gl/cuE4rwrz8XKnac7PA

Taman Fatahillah - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xV8CZ2KHKZL7Us7J9

Café Batavia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/d7dT4ZwGtEkTbk6h6

Jakarta Kota - https://maps.app.goo.gl/3e4Yzagxnaz25i3V6

Stasiun Cikini - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CbmHSKF4PEBX1KUB6

AIRBNB: An Update│ Thamrin Executive Residence!

 Home away from Home!

We picked you up again after hailing a Bluebird taxi from the Dukuh Atas LRT station to Thamrin Executive Residence.

Although we had featured Sigit's lovely unit in the past we thought we would present an update since a lot of improvements were made since our last stay in October 2024.

Among the improvements we noticed were:

New curtains in every room

Spick and span kitchen utensils

New cleaning clothes

New towels

Freshly scrubbed and shiny floors in all rooms

Clean and dust-free balcony

Freshly polished furniture

Thank you Sigit for making this unit endear to us even more.

Be sure to catch our next video as we head out to experience Imlek in Jakarta's Chinatown and Olde Town!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

BANDUNG to JAKARTA│ Let's Whoosh!

Whoosh again!

We had an early night again last night and woke up refreshed. We got up at seven in the morning then checked out of the Airbnb at 8:30am.

We then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR26,000 (approximately MYR7/USD2/EUR2) to Stasiun Bandung to catch a KA Feeder train to the Padalarang Bullet Train station.

The Bluebird taxi picked us up at 8:50am and dropped us off at Stasiun Bandung fifteen minutes later. A porter then took charge of our luggage and guided us into the waiting lounge.

In that time Cat managed to dash out of the station and got some goodies from the stalls outside for a grand total of IDR214,000 (approximately MYR58/USD13/EUR13).

By the time Cat was done the train had arrived and the same porter then escorted us to the designated coach. He deposited our luggage at the assigned racks and received a small token of appreciation from us.

The KA Feeder train departed at 9:24am and arrived at Stasiun Padalarang twenty minutes later. Cat wandered into a Kartika Sari shop here to get even more goodies for a grand total of IDR167,000 (approximately MYR45/USD10/EUR10). We then submitted our bags for inspection then headed straight for the VIP Lounge.

We would spend the next three hours or so chilling as I continued work on our first video. The lounge was very comfortable, and the Wi-Fi very fast so we settled down to chill. As luck would have it there was a lion dance performance at the station, which was a pleasant surprise seeing as today was the first day of Chinese New Year. A great way to while our time away too.

 At noon we took a walk around the station, I got a hot cup of Thai Coffee while Cat opted for Iced Thai Green Tea from Dum Dum for IDR50,000 (approximately MYR13/USD3/EUR3). Since Cat was still full from her sweet cakes I got a Spicy Italian sandwich from Subway for IDR56,000 (approximately MYR15/USD3/EUR3).

At 1:10pm we were allowed to board the train, and another porter offered to help us with our bags.  He too received a small token of appreciation from us. The train departed at the appointed time of 1:18pm and thirty minutes later we arrived at the Halim station. 

We disembarked and walked across to the LRT where we finally got ourselves a Jakarta Tourist Pass (locally called the "Kartu Jek") for IDR55,000 (approximately MYR15/USD3/EUR3). The card carried a preloaded value of IDR25,000 (approximately MYR5/USD1/EUR1) so we topped up each card with another IDR50,000 (approximately MYR13/USD3/EUR3).

You cannot imagine the freedom and mobility this card accords us as we are now able to properly explore Jakarta by LRT, MRT, KRL as well as the TransJakarta buses!

We caught the LRT at 2:05pm and arrived at the final station on this the Jabodebek Line, which was Dukuh Atas thirty minutes later. 

We then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR33,000 (approximately MYR9/USD2/EUR2) back to where else but Sigit's lovely apartment. 

Be sure to catch our next video as we settled back into Thamrin Executive Residence!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Tamansari Tera Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hatdxY8woCJrYaaR9

Stasiun Bandung - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AeExa1Sxn8J3hcsh6

Stasiun KA Feeder KCJB - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CA19EgFMXZ4fjhYQ7

Stasiun Kereta Cepat Padalarang - https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqCadJ9orRm3K81HA

Stasiun Kereta Cepat Halim - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zSJkBmtaHovsktyb7

]Stasiun LRT Dukuh Atas - https://maps.app.goo.gl/PneMRSAXMtZf5Wja9

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

BANDUNG │ Cihampelas Walk!

The shopping finale!

We picked you up again after we hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR43,000 (approximately MYR12/USD3/EUR3) to our final shopping destination of the day: Cihampelas Walk Mall! 

We arrived at 1:30pm and made a beeline for Dapur Solo. We were famished and after a quick scan of their menu we ordered the:

• Nasi Timbel Sunda (steamed rice wrapped inside a banana leaf)
• Urap Sayur (salad dish of steamed vegetables)
• Sop Bontot (oxtail soup)
• White Rice
• 2 Iced Lemongrass

for a total of IDR272,580 (approximately MYR74/USD17/EUR16).

We then befriended a girl, Intan and her mother dining at the next table. We got to chatting and exchanged Instagram pages. 

We settled the bill and started our exploration of the Cihampelas Walk (or Ciwalk for short. We finally found a gelato stall and tried a medium Cup of their combined Blackpink and Cookies flavour and for IDR40,000 (approximately MYR USD EUR). 

We wandered a little bit more and then left Ciwalk to explore Jalan Cihampelas looking for a leather belt. 

I eventually settled on a double sided belt for IDR490,000 (approximately MYR133/USD30/EUR29) and continued browsing in search of a leather jacket for Brprendan. We asked several shops but the prices quoted ranging from IDR1,400,000 to IDR1,800,000 proved inhibitive. Furthermore we were hard pressed to guess Brendan's size since each design differed in measurement.

We then walked back to Ciwalk and two slices of cake from Chateraise for IDR118,000 (approximately MYR32/USD7/EUR7) before hailing a final fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR43,000 (approximately MYR12/USD3/EUR3) back to the Airbnb.

Steps count at the end of our fourth day: 12,672!

Be sure to catch our next video as we catch a bullet train back to Jakarta!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/MZkBgdPnvM6rqH1N8

dapur solo - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGaCNCDSMPqu7cnJ8

Tamansari Tera Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hatdxY8woCJrYaaR9

BANDUNG │ Paris Van Java!

The shopping continues!

We picked you up again after we hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR39,000 (approximately MYR11/USD2/EUR2) to the next shopping destination: Paris Van Java!

We arrived at 11:10am and began our exploration of this vast expanse of shopping space. 

An hour in and all we had to show for was toiletries from Watson's that came to IDR76,500 (MYR USD EUR), and more toiletries from Guardian Pharmacy for IDR73,500 (approximately MYR USD EUR). 

In the end Cat got a blouse and bottom from Urban&Co for IDR409,800 (MYR458/USD105/EUR100). I also got a pair of shorts from Uniqlo for IDR399,000 (MYR108/USD25/EUR24). 

We wandered a little bit more then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR43,000 (approximately MYR12/USD3/EUR3) to our final shopping destination of the day: Cihampelas Walk Mall! 

Be sure to catch our next video as we end our shopping escapade here!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Paris Van Java Supermall - https://maps.app.goo.gl/RnqUu6YeLBc4Pv8f9

BANDUNG │ Rumah Mode Factory Outlet!

The shopping begins!

We had an early night last night and woke up invigorated. We showered, got ready and were out the door by half past eight.

We hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR61,000 (approximately MYR17/USD4/EUR4 to our first destination of the day: Rumah Mode Factory Outlet. Since we were early we had breakfast at the sprawling food avenue while waiting for Rumah Mode to open for business at 9:30am.

We walked around the various stalls and settled on:

• Kopi Tarik
• Ah Mei Milk Tea Special
• Bolu Bakar Boom Butter
• Kue Lapis
• Bika Ambon 

for a grand total of IDR189,000 (approximately MYR51/USD12/EUR11).

By the time we were done it was a quarter to ten, time to shop!

We were done with Rumah Mode an hour and a half later, and in that time we managed to snare:

• Cat's Hareiro dress
• Cat's Ekano red blouse 
• Cat's Ekano cardigan 
• My Ekano Batik short-sleeved shirt 

for a  grand total of IDR1,689,600 (approximate MYR459/USD103/EUR100).

We then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR32,000 (approximately MYR7/USD2/EUR2) to the next shopping destination: Paris Van Java!

Be sure to catch our next video as we continue shopping there!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:
Tamansari Tera Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hatdxY8woCJrYaaR9
Rumah Mode Factory Outlet - https://maps.app.goo.gl/w14ccawkfzUySSXs6

Exploring BANDUNG │ Braga Street • Sudirman Street

First Walkabout in Bandung!

We picked you up again after checking into our Airbnb. As Cat busied herself with laundry I began sorting the footage from today. We then took a nap as we waited for our laundry to be done.

Laundry sorted we left the Airbnb at a quarter past five taking a walk along Jalan Tera before turning left at El Hotel onto Jalan Merdeka. We then turned right onto Jalan Lembong before a final left turn onto the famed Jalan Braga.

Turned out the street was congested with pedestrians on both sides so we quickly ducked into Braga CItywalk but found the place underwhelming.

We headed out to Braga Street again to brave the droves of pedestrians and walked to its end. We stopped to ponder our next move and decided to walk back to the Airbnb. We got a little lost but found our way back to Jalan Tera, and Tamansari Tera Residence.

Here we sat and decided on giving Sudirman Street Day & Night Market a try so we hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR32,000 (approximately MYR9/USD2/EUR2). The driver informed us the reason for the congestion: Indonesia was enjoying a 5-day weekend, starting from Saturday January 25th right up to this Wednesday January 29th to celebrate both Isra and Mi'raj as well as Imlek (Lunar New Year).

Soon as we arrived an array of red lanterns greeted us. We knew we were in for a good time with the first wafts of smoke billowing from the nearest wok!

Barely a hundred meters in we came across Sedap Purwakarta, claiming to serve the best Chinese food since 1970.

We parked our butts in front of their stall and at their recommendation ordered the:

• Nasi Ayam Kuluyuk (sweet & sour chicken with rice)
• Nasi Bistik Sapi (beef steak with rice?)

While we waited for our food to be ready I walked around and ordered Cakue (Yutiao) from a stall across our table. I ordered both the original and “legend” variants.

I then walked in search of beverages and got a lemonade as well as a passion fruit juice from the unfriendly Wedrink stall.

Cat finally added a bowl of Ronde Kuah Gula Merah from the Ronde Jahe Senly stall also across from our table.

Our first dinner in Bandung, at our first “food court” in Bandung came to a respectable IDR167,000 (MYR45/USD10/EUR10).

After dinner we took a stroll around to check out the various and plentiful variety of food stalls here.

We then hailed a Bluebird taxi for an eventual fare of IDR40,000 (approximately MYR9/USD2/EUR2) back to the Airbnb.

Steps count at the end of our third day: 10,976!

Be sure to catch our next video as we begin shopping in earnest!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Tamansari Tera Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hatdxY8woCJrYaaR9

Braga Citywalk - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jERHAi8NqJz1GGsX9

Sudirman Street Day and Night Market - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QSHPVMutZ3EN2Szx6

AIRBNB │ Tamansari Tera Residence!

Tamansari Tera Residence!

We picked you up again leaving the Bandung train station headed to our Airbnb ten minutes away. We arrived for a fare of IDR50,000 (approximately MYR14/USD3/EUR3) and were met by Pak Deni, one of the unit’s co-host who helped us store our bags with the reception. Since we were more than two hours early Pak Deni promised do what he can to get the unit ready sooner.

With time to burn we thought of taking a walk around to see what we could have for lunch, then realised that there was a restaurant within the apartment building. We walked into Dapur 33 and were pleasantly surprised to see that their menu consisted of local cuisine.

We were recommended to try:

• Timbel Ayam Bakar (grilled chicken)
• Timbel Gepuk (grilled beef)
• 2 Sugar-free Iced Tea
• (I added) 1 Coffee with Milk
• (Cat added) Pisang Sale or dried banana fritters

Our simple yet delightful first meal ini Bandung came to IDR140,000 (approximately MYR38/USD9/EUR8).

We whiled away our time at Dapur 33 and eventually received word from Pak Deni at a quarter past one that we could check into unit 1103A. We met Pak Deni at the lobby to collect the unit's access card then rode the elevator up to the 11th floor. 

A simple and well appointed unit we will let our footage paint our words for us. We deposited our bags then headed up/down to the swimming pool and gym on the 6th floor, which was small and diminutive, but served its purpose.

The unit faces Mount Manglayang (if we're not mistaken) which further lent to its calm and soothing ambience. For RM149.34 a night (USD34/EUR32) this unit truly represented value for money, which is why it did feel like a downgrade from Sigit's lovely unit.

Be sure to catch our next video as we began to explore Bandung on foot!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Tamansari Tera Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hatdxY8woCJrYaaR9

JAKARTA to BANDUNG │ Bullet Train!

Bandung!

We've heard so much about this regency of Indonesia, best known as a shopper's paradise. The main reason why our shopping so far has been relatively muted was because we were conserving our energy (and money!) for Bandung.

We had an early night last night and were up by half past six. We busied ourselves with whatever packing we had left since most of it was done last night. We then got ready and checked out of Sigit's lovely Airbnb, leaving a little memento in the fridge for him.

We headed down at eight in the morning and hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR95,000 (MYR26/USD6/EUR6) to Stasiun Kereta Cepat Halim, the bullet train station. 35 minutes later we arrived and headed to the kiosks to figure out how to buy our tickets. 

Alas the next available train regardless of class was in the afternoon. We then tried our luck at the ticketing counters and surprisingly got ourselves tickets for the 9:40am train! 

We got first class tickets for IDR600,000 each (MYR1U62/USD37/EUR35) to Stasiun Padalarang, for both this trip and the return trip in two days time. 

We then walked to the Departure entrance way but due to our large bags the security personnel advised us to take the elevator up to Level 2 instead. Here we submitted our belongings to a security scan before we were ushered into the VIP lounge at nine in the morning.

At 9:17am we were allowed to board and a kind porter helped us with our heavy luggage up the escalator and into our coach. We repaid his kindness with a small tip.

We managed to take some selfies at the front of the train, and it promptly departed at 9:40am. Five minutes in our hostess served us with a goodie bag of light refreshments.

The train averaged speeds of between 140 to 150 kph within Jakarta’s city limits but son accelerate to speeds well in excess of 300 kph.

We stopped at Stasiun Kawarang at 9:56am for a couple of minutes before continuing onwards to Stasiun Padalarang, which was our stop.

The train stopped unexpectedly midway along the tracks somewhere between Cikampek and Purwakarta for a few minutes before continuing on the journey to Bandung.

We soon arrived at Stasiun Padalarang at 10:15am, disembarked and exited to figure out how to catch a regular train to Bandung city centre.

Turned out the first class tickets accorded us an usher who escorted us unimpeded bypassing the long queue to get on the KA Feeder train to Stasiun Bandung!

Our bags safely deposited at the coach at the head of the train we enjoyed our first glimpse of Bandung as the train departed at 10:30am.

We arrived at Stasiun Bandung half an hour later and were met with another porter who commandeered our bags and guided us out of the station and deposited us with the first available Bluebird taxi at the car park outside.

We left the station headed to our Airbnb ten minutes away. 

Be sure to catch our next video as we check into the Airbnb at Tamansari Tera Residence!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Stasiun Kereta Cepat Halim - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zSJkBmtaHovsktyb7

Stasiun Kereta Cepat Padalarang - https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqCadJ9orRm3K81HA

Stasiun KA Feeder KCJB - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CA19EgFMXZ4fjhYQ7

Stasiun Bandung - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AeExa1Sxn8J3hcsh6

Tamansari Tera Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hatdxY8woCJrYaaR9

JAKARTA Night Stroll │ Sarinah Mall Again!

Night Stroll!

We picked you up again after Pak Indra's visit to the Airbnb. 

After escorting him back down to the lobby we then got ready to go out. We left the Airbnb at six in the evening. 

Taking an identical route as this morning up to Plaza Indonesia we then walked across Jalan M.H. Thamrin and continued north.

2 kilometres and half an hour after leaving the Airbnb we had arrived at Sarinah Mall... again! 

We had some unfinished business and made a beeline for Kamalika Artprints on the first floor. Here we got:

• Cat's printed fabric tote bag
• Cat's printed polyester shopping bag
• My mini printed polyester shopping bag

for a grand total of IDR596,000 (approximately MYR163/USD38/EUR35). 

We then realised that in all the excitement of Pak Indra visiting the Airbnb we had forgotten about lunch. 

With that in mind we headed down to Sarinah's much vaunted food court, known as Pasar Nusantara on the lower ground floor. 

After a quick browse we settled on the Sop Konro Cendana stall where we ordered the:

• Coto Makassar (Traditional Beef Soup) with rice set
• Sop Iga (Beef Soup) with rice set

Together with a round of drinks from the Hop Hop stall our simple yet fulfilling dinner came to a reasonable IDR201,600 (approximately MYR55/USD13/EUR12). 

We grabbed a couple bottles of drinking water from Pasarina then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR30,000 (approximately MYR8/USD2/EUR2) back to the Airbnb to begin packing in earnest. 

Steps count at the end of our second day: 13,953!

Be sure to catch our next video as we ride a bullet train to Bandung!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Sarinah Mall - https://maps.app.goo.gl/nGVFwzupR7eUokVi6

Pasar Nusantara - https://maps.app.goo.gl/PofSZAtEajc5wjKS9

JAKARTA's Car Free Sunday │ Sarinah Mall!

Car Free Sunday!

We woke up at half past six and were out the door an hour later. We took our familiar route alongside Thamrin City before turning right generally headed east alongside both the West and East Malls of Grand Indonesia.

Before long we had arrived at Jalan M.H. Thamrin, which sure enough was free of vehicles. The entire street on both sides of the lane was filled with pedestrians, joggers and cyclists.

Apart from the TransJakarta public buses no other motorised vehicle was in sight. It was a cool lovely morning and we enjoyed our walk immensely.

We continued our walk along Jalan M.H. Thamrin due north until the intersection with Jalan Kebun Sirih where we made a U-turn. We continued in the opposite direction due south looking for our intended destination of the morning.

2 kilometers and forty five minutes later we had arrived at Sarinah Mall!

With time to spare we decided on breakfast at Société which accorded us outdoor dining, something we always relish.

We perused their diminutive breakfast menu and settled on their:

• Breakfast Wrap
• Beef Bacon & Cheese Toasties
• Hazelnut Latte
• Iced Avocado Milk

for a grand total of IDR304,920 (approximately MYR83/USD19/EUR18).

We spent the next the next hour or so enjoying our breakfast and the view before making our way into Sarinah Mall.

We began our exploration of Sarinah Mall with a potty break before browsing in earnest. We eventually made away with:

• a foldable shopping bag for IDR140,000
• a colourful bucket hat for IDR40,000
• Carl & Claire Into The Woods 50ML EDP for IDR279,000
• Carl & Claire Spring Sonata 50ML EDP for IDR279,000

for a grand total of IDR738,000 (approximately MYR200/USD46/EUR44).

We then hailed a fixed fare Bluebird taxi for IDR30,000 (approximately MYR8/USD2/EUR2) back to the Airbnb.

Be sure to catch our next video as we take another stroll to Sarinah Mall!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Société Jakarta - https://maps.app.goo.gl/JWhM6QzGJq998Km76

Sarinah Mall - https://maps.app.goo.gl/nGVFwzupR7eUokVi6

1st JAKARTA Walkabout │ To Grand Indonesia and Back!

Grand Indonesia!

We picked you up again after checking into  the Airbnb. A quick change and we were out the door again.

We walked to the Indomaret at Thamrin Residences next door in search of a prepaid card locally referred to as the 'JAK' card so that we could ride all the trains plus the TransJakarta buses too. Alas it was not sold there, neither was it sold at the Family Mart next door.

Deflated but not defeated we then thought we'd pay the street food scene at Grand Indonesia a visit. Alas that too was too no avail, as it appeared that it did not exist?

With dinner in mind we continued our walk into Grand Indonesia and headed down to the lower ground floor. We settled on the first restaurant we saw: Three Uncles!

We browsed their menu outside and placed our order at the counter for:

• Yang Chow Chicken Fried Rice 
• X.O. Seafood Fried Rice 
• Sweet & Sour Chicken
• Romaine Oyster Sauce 
• 2 Iced Wintermelon Tea

For a grand total of IDR294,800 (approximately MYR80/USD18/EUR17). Our first proper meal for the day was quite pleasing.

We then walked out and straight onto the HINT stall selling local Indonesian perfume. Ever interested in locally produced fragrances we asked and were presented the two best-selling perfumes, one each for his and hers:

• Dragon for Men (50ML)
• Metaverse for Women (50ML)

together with a 30% discount the total came to a very reasonable IDR390,000 (approximately MYR106/USD24/EUR23).

We then made a pitstop at The FoodHall supermarket to get some cut fruits for IDR154,708 (approximately MYR42/USD10/EUR9).

We then took a brisk walk back to the Airbnb for some much needed rest and recuperation.

Steps count at the end of our first day: 15,790!

Be sure to catch our next video as we experience Jakarta's epic Car-Free Sunday for the first time!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/GehMtjsah2DHjL6D8

THREE UNCLES EXPRESS - https://maps.app.goo.gl/af5XNs2DAPWrwgm7A

The Foodhall - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZycfsHC1UWcasskb7

Train to JAKPUS │ Hello Thamrin Executive Residence!

Soekarno-Hatta to Jakarta Pusat!

We picked you up again clearing the final hurdle which was Customs. Soon as that was sorted we made our way out of Soekarno-Hatta's Terminal 3 which was at exactly 6:00pm.

Next we needed to  catch a Skytrain to Terminal 1. We took an escalator up to the first floor and walked to the Terminal 3 Skytrain station. We caught a Skytrain to the Terminal 1 Skytrain station, disembarked then rode an elevator down to the Soekarno-Hatta Integrated Airport Railway Station (SHIA) a floor below. 

Here at SHIA we purchased our tickets from a kiosk that cost IDR75,000 each (approximately MYR20/USD5/EUR4) to central Jakarta, specifically the BNI City Station.

Our train was scheduled for 6:42pm which soon arrived and after getting on and making sure our luggage was secure we sat down to stare into the darkness.

Then a funny thing happened. At the Duri station the train reversed course and headed in the opposite direction, which would normally cause Cat much consternation since sitting backwards and facing the opposite direction of travel would trigger her motion sickness.

However we were prepared and quickly switched seats to continue facing forward. We then arrived at the next station at 7:30pm, BNI City Station which was our stop.

We disembarked and took an elevator up to exit the station before we took another elevator down to the street level. We then walked a short distance to the Dukuh Atas station where we hailed a Bluebird taxi for a fare of IDR31,000 (approximately MYR8/USD2/EUR2) to our Airbnb, Thamrin Executive Residence. 

Yes, we had returned to Sigit's lovely apartment (be sure to catch a previous of this unit) since we loved its location, and peaceful solitude.

We collected the unit's key and access card from the reception who recognized us and gave us a rare half-smile. We then made our way up to Unit 26BA, quickly changed and headed out again.

Be sure to catch our next video as we walk to our favourite mall, the Grand Indonesia!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Terminal 3 Soekarno–Hatta International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWSPMdXKQm9F61Kt5

Skytrain Terminal 3 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfazQnG97TwxCsuEA

Skytrain Terminal 1 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hq58W4NxHVd2g4Z7

Soekarno Hatta Raillink - https://maps.app.goo.gl/t4BTEiSu1NzTRsgF8

Soekarno Hatta Train Station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/BwEEi3aiDcvwhCq49

BNI City (Sudirman Baru) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/uuHorWykgJGtnLtg9

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

KL to JAKARTA │ KLIA to Soekarno-Hatta!

Back in Batavia!

Barely three months had passed since our last visit. Brendan was knee-deep in his post-graduate exam week but managed to send us to KL Sentral's KL City Air Terminal at half past eight this morning, where we bade farewell before heading in.

As always we bought our KLIA Express train tickets online to enjoy RM15.00 off each return ticket, so it only cost us RM85.00 each (approximately USD19/EUR18).

This is important to note since the only way to gain access to the KL City Air Terminal was with the KLIA Express tickets. We scanned our train tickets at the turnstile and voila! We were in. For now KL City Air Terminal caters to only Malaysia Airlines (MAS), Batik Air and KLM.

We submitted our yellow submarines for a security check before checking it in. Our bags weighed 32kgs, well within the allowed total of 40kgs.

Learning our costly lesson from our previous trip to Jakarta we made sure to purchase additional luggage allocation for our return trip.

We then exited the KL City Air Terminal and walked across past the KLIA Express turnstiles using the same train tickets. The train arrived soon after.

The train departed KL Sentral at 9:20am and arrived in KLIA half an hour later. We rode an elevator up to the Departure floor and strolled around before paying Borneo Pearls a visit where Cat got a pair of earrings for RM28.00 (approximately USD/EUR6).

We then chilled out at Nooodles for an hour or so. We were looking for something light and settled on finger foods for a total of RM54.60 (approximately USD/EUR12). We then received a message from MAS that our departure gate has been changed to H4.

We were due to board MH721 at 1:30pm so we made our way to the Departure hall at 11:00am. It was our first time using the MyBorderPass mobile phone application, in place of scanning our passports at the Autogate, and it went without a hitch.

We cleared both the Immigration and Customs checkpoints without incident, then took our time browsing the various shops and stalls here.

Then came the dreaded news: Our flight was delayed from 1:30pm to 3:40pm! Also, our gate was now moved to H10, which meant that we had a longer walk later.

With almost four hours to burn we decided to park our butts at the Starbucks nearest the H lanes of gates. At 2:40pm we made the long trek to Gate H10 to discover that MAS had changed it back to the original H4 gate. 

After a lengthy wait we navigated past the final most intense security checkpoint before taking our seats at the lounge.  Boarding began at 3:0pm and we finally got on board ten minutes later. The plane pushed back at 3:55pm and took off at approximately 4:10pm.

The flight was largely uneventful, and the plane began its descent an hour and twenty minutes after taking off. MH710 touched down at 4:55pm local time.

Kudos to Captain Salleh Salleh and Chief Stewardess Sharina for an excellent flight. We disembarked and were ushered into a shuttle bus that took us to the main terminal building. 

Learning our lessons from the first trip had everything lined up before we arrived, including the health and customs declarations. Here are the links that we used:

https://sshp.kemkes.go.id/

https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/

https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/web/application_bvk

Cat however had difficulty with her eVisa online application so we had to 'stamp' our passports in the old fashioned way.

From there it was smooth sailing and we collected our yellow submarines from Carousel 2. The final task was present the Customs officer with the preprinted QR code of our customs declaration.

Be sure to catch our next video of our train rides into Jakarta Pusat, and welcome to Jakarta!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

KLIA Ekspres - https://maps.app.goo.gl/aMxKXzeH29zWT1799

KLIA Express Transit Station @ KLIA

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AG4CR3HqePKrE3p7

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/pDCevJLK4PNEfeq39

Terminal 3 Soekarno–Hatta International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWSPMdXKQm9F61Kt5

Stasiun Kereta Bandara Soekarno Hatta

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/AzxyJncU7iWZC2rj7

Saturday Drive │ Mitsui Outlet Park • Sushi King

Shopping in KLIA!

With a week to go till our return trip to Batavia we thought we'd go in search of a suitable messenger bag for my cameras.

Cat read about the attractive offers from several outlets at Mitsui Outlet Park, so at a quarter to ten we went down to hop into BiBi. It was an altogether smooth and uneventful drive but for the stretch along the North South Expressway headed to Nilai.

We turned off to KLIA and within an hour we had arrived.

We browsed most of the stores offering marked down prices but none were tempting enough for us to part ways with our hard earned money. That all changed when we walked into the Levi's store and so we took advantage of the tempting offer of buy-two-get-one-free.

In the end I got three pairs of the 505 straight cut stretchable jeans for an unbelievable price of RM152.66 (approximately USD34/EUR33) each!

We then continued browsing before deciding on an early lunch. We strolled past the various eateries on the first floor and settled on a simple early lunch at Sushi King.

Cat's favourite cuisine, it was in fact my first time here. We ordered a jug of green tea and helped ourselves to the conveyor belt of revolving delicious treats. Between the two of us we feasted on eleven plates that ultimately came to RM56.60 (approximately USD13/EUR12). We then resumed our stroll and eventually ended up Cat's favourite store, Bath & Body Works.

We walked out with RM75.00 (approximately USD17/EUR16) worth of scented products before we made our way back to BiBi. We encountered a similar congestion of traffic along the same stretch along the North South Expressway before we turned off onto the Maju Expressway (MEX). Approximately an hour later we arrived at our home.

Stay tuned for our return trip to Batavia next week!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VaMbgpguY7mawN1p9

Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA - https://maps.app.goo.gl/za19fU1eYhPRwbC97

Sushi King - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TQdssca3n7ZyV5dk7

Levi's - https://maps.app.goo.gl/9y15go1NMJbMrRCZ9

Bath & Body Works - https://maps.app.goo.gl/9fjtbiGCkZNEKkr98

Saturday Walkabout │ Pavilion Bukit Jalil • Sogo KL

Walkabout!

It's our first video of 2025, so we decided to ride the LRT to Bukit Jalil. We left our home at a quarter to ten this morning and walked a short distance to the Bandaraya LRT station.

Here we caught a train on the Putra Heights Line at 10:00am for a fare of RM3.50 (approximately USD/EUR0.80) to the Awan Besar LRT station. We arrived half an hour later and made our way down to the bus hub where we caught a free double decker shuttle bus to Pavilion Bukit Jalil.

We disembarked and walked into the mall at a quarter to eleven. It's interesting to note that the street level is at Level 3 so we eventually made our way down to Level 2 to the main foyer where we took photos of the Chinese New Year decorations. We continued our stroll around before making our way down to Level 1.

Here we spotted Nanyang Cafe and were pleasantly surprised that there were no queues. We had an early lunch for a  grand total of RM78.30 (approximately USD/EUR17). Of all that we ordered I quite enjoyed the Nanyang Tea, and would come back for more.

We then resumed our exploration of the mall, making our way up to Level 4 where we browsed at Elfi Jewellery to look for Cat's belated birthday present. Cat spent sometime before deciding on a few items including a pair of couple rings that came to a grand total of RM1,022.00 (approximately USD227/EUR222).

Her ring required an adjustment and we were asked to come back a little later to collect it. We resumed our stroll and walked into an Adidas store. Here I finally found the Manchester United blue away jersey in my size for RM329.00 (approximately USD73/EUR71).

We then doubled back to ELFI Jewellery to collect Cat's ring then immediately rushed up to the top floor for a better view of the lion dance that was being performed at the main foyer.

After that we went to have a scoop of ice cream each at Inside Scoop before heading up to Level 3 to visit the Bath & Body Works store here. We made away with various scented products for a grand total of RM172.80 (approximately USD/EUR38).

By the time we were all done it was past three in the afternoon. We walked out of Pavilion Bukit Jalil and were fortunate to catch the 3:20pm free double decker shuttle bus back to the Awan Besar LRT station since the next shuttle bus was only scheduled for 5:10pm!

We got to the Awan Besar LRT station and caught a train for the same fare of RM3.50 (approximately USD/EUR0.80) back to the Bandaraya LRT station. Half an hour later we disembarked and walked into Sogo KL for the final errand of the day: pillows!

We headed up to Level 5 and after consulting with the sales person made away with three firm pillows (for each of us) and two fluffy ones for Cat and I. The five pillows came to RM254.00 (approximately USD57/EUR55).

We then walked back to our home.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

Stay tuned for our return trip to Batavia in a couple of weeks!

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VaMbgpguY7mawN1p9

Bandaraya LRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2c3izPT5Nz7vXmv89

Awan Besar LRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLRWr4SZvggViq7G9

Pavilion Bukit Jalil Shuttle Stop - https://maps.app.goo.gl/9JfYiN37JnTUBZvU6

Pavilion Bukit Jalil - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ibDFh1k9XzgTgUqK7

NANYANG CAFE 南洋冰室 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TZcFqxKr5sZZDLzL6

Elfi Jewellery - https://maps.app.goo.gl/49v8JMS16xfDhCzRA

Adidas - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jWTvDZb3KYjzeCUX8

Inside Scoop - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2VSKYvh7oNvavae39

SOGO Kuala Lumpur - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LuvzHpGxcbhSDHxZ6