A Look of A.A. Maramis Historical Building from Afar on Jakarta Walking Tour

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Yupa

Jusuf Anwar Building as a Part of A.A. Maramis Building to See with Jakarta Walking Tour

One of the places you must see while you are exploring the Central Jakarta area is the Lapangan Banteng complex. As we mentioned previously, there are many activities that you can do inside the area. Besides those activities, you might also want to look for the historical building that is full of memories from Batavia in the past. It is the A.A. Maramis Building, formerly named Paleis van Daendels.

A Brief History of A.A. Maramis Building That You Can See While Joining Tour in Jakarta

The Building inside the Lapangan Banteng complex is already around from the Dutch colonial era in early 19^th Century. It was intended to be the residence of Dutch East Indies Governor General, Herman Willem Daendels. However, the construction was stopped midway, and he didn’t get the chance to reside there as he was stationed to Poland by Napoleon’s order. The construction was finally completed around 19 years later. Despite the name as a “Daendels Palace” it never functioned as a palace but had housed numerous bureaus and departments such as post office, the state printing office, and general clerk’s department, and high court.

The Iconic Historical Building Style to See on Walking Tour in Jakarta

The building was designed based on the style that was popular in France by that time, Empire Style. However, since it is conformed into the tropical climate of Indonesia, it became known as Indies Empire Style. This style flourished in the colonial Dutch East Indies from around 18^th Century and the end 19^th Century. Therefore, there are many historical buildings in Jakarta has the similar style.

A Trace of the Past in the Present While Strolling on Walking Tour of Jakarta

the headquarters of Indonesian Ministry of Finance until the present day. In 2019, the building was started to be renovated and will become a museum and finance library, and as a cultural heritage as well. Want to see closer to know directly how it looks in the present day? Come join our Jakarta Walking Tour and we will take you to explore more of what you can see in Jakarta. See you around!

Walking Tour in Jakarta Around the Historical Presidential Palace Building

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Yupa

Passing By the “Istana Merdeka” While Joining Tour in Jakarta

If you circle around the outer part of Indonesian National Monument complex, you will find a trace of history by viewing many old buildings that has been around from hundreds of years ago. One of the most iconic and important of those is the Presidential Palace building or best known as “Istana Merdeka”. Like any other iconic colonial buildings in Jakarta, it has a roman style gate with many pillars.

Admire Colonial Architectures from afar While Walking Tour in Jakarta

The presidential palace was built around the Dutch colonial era for administrative activities of the Dutch government. In the present day after Indonesian independency, the building is now functioning as a residence for the president and for conducting national events. The location of Istana Merdeka is at the north of the National Monument Complex. There might be a chance to view it from afar while you join our Jakarta Walking Tour with us.

Taking a Stroll Around Central Jakarta Area with Jakarta Walking Tour

Since it is a restricted area, of course civilians with no importance can not enter the area. However, we can still stroll around the outside to look from afar. Besides that, there are many other historical buildings that we can see outside the complex.

Join Jakarta Walking Tour to View Historical Buildings Firsthand

Historical and iconic places are best to be viewed instead of to be read, so come to Jakarta to see them firsthand. Join our Jakarta Walking Tour to explore more about history, culture, and delicacies of Jakarta. See you around!

Explore Historical Buildings in Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour – Part 2

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Yupa

Learn History Through Iconic Buildings in Central Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour

If you are keen on to learn history or culture of places and countries, walking around while browsing for historical buildings might be a nice option of tour in Jakarta for you. In the previous part, we already talk about old buildings that are functioning as governmental buildings. So, in this part, we will introduce you other kinds that is used to run a business or other functions.

Walking Tour in Jakarta by Browsing Stores in the Iconic Shopping Complex

We have introduced you to the Pasar Baru shopping district, the iconic place with old buildings that was built in colonial era. If we walk deeper in the complex, we will find stores with unique foreign names that sells variety of things, mostly fabrics and textiles. Beside that, the most historical one is called “Toko Kompak”, that was originally the residence of the Major of Chinese community in the 80’s.

Zoom in to The Philately Building as A Part of the Tour in Jakarta

We have introduced you to the Pos Bloc, where it once was a post office. Later on, the name was Changed to “Gedung Filateli”, or philately building. The entrance and the name are preserved as is in the present, but the function has changed to be a creative space with a few stores inside.

Pass Through the News Agency Building While Walking Tour in Jakarta

The historical building was belonged to a Dutch’s private news agency. As time goes by, the building became the local news agency, Antara, thus the name of “Gedung Antara”. It was from the Antara radio station that the proclamation of Indonesian independency was broadcasted in the 1945.

Fulfil Your Spiritual Journey by Looking an Iconic Church as Your Tour in Jakarta

Still in Pasar Baru area, there is a another must see church beside the iconic Jakarta Cathedral, which is “Gereja Ayam” or translated as “chicken church”, since there is a weathercock on the rooftop of the church.

Finish Your Walking Tour in Jakarta with a Refreshing Ice Cream

After going around to see historical buildings, complete your walking tour by visiting an old ice cream store, also a historical place in Central Jakarta, “Ragusa Es Italia”. It was established in the 1930’s by Italian nationality that was come to Batavia.

To find and learn more about other historical places in Jakarta, come to the city and join our Jakarta Walking Tour. We will wait for your arrival, see you around!

Explore Historical Buildings in Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour – Part 1

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Yupa

Reminisce the Old Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour

Since in the past Indonesia was colonized for so many years in the past, the culture, lifestyle, and history had a wide spectrum. All the influences from different colonizers can be seen physically from the buildings that had erected since colonization era. Many of those had been renovated, changed ownership and functions. So, to learn more about what is happening to those buildings now, visit them if you happen to do a tour in Jakarta.

Governmental Buildings by Walking Tour in Jakarta

There are a few of buildings from the Dutch colonization that has been preserved and renovated, and many of them are functioning as governmental building through this day. These buildings can be found easily if you pass by Central Jakarta. We will break them down one by one to make you find it easier while exploring the area.

See Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta by Walking Tour in Jakarta

The Presidential Palace of Indonesia is called Istana Merdeka. It was the residence and office of the president of Republic of Indonesia. It was the residence of governor-general of the Dutch Indies in colonization era.

Court Buildings to See During Tour in Jakarta

There are two court buildings around Central Jakarta area, which are the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court. They are right at the north and west of National Monument, so you can take a quick look while passing by before or after visiting the landmark.

Take a Look of The New Paleis Van Daendels and The Old Supreme Court Buildings for Your Tour in Jakarta

Beside doing various activities in Lapangan Banteng, there are two historical buildings to see if you are in the complex. They were built in Dutch colonial era and now function as the office building of Ministry of Finance.

See The Similarities of the Buildings While You Explore with Walking Tour in Jakarta

If you are quite attentive, you might find similarities between the buildings that we mention above, which is the Roman style pillar in the entrance. Join our Jakarta Walking Tour to find if there are more similarities on the tour. See you around!

RODE WINKEL Café, Once Known as “Toko Merah”

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Yupa

If you walk around Old Batavia or Old Town Jakarta, you will encounter a red two stories building that is quite catchy because of the wall color that is quite standout. With a vibrant red from the brick color, this building once called “Toko Merah”, or literally means a red store in English.

Before transformed into a café, this building is always closed, and people can only see the outer side of the building that is faces the street. This building that is built from 1730, is once a residence of former governor general during Dutch colonization, General Gustaaf Willem baron van Imhoff.

The owner and residence of the building has changed a few times throughout Batavia Jakarta’s history. In the 18^th Century, it became a government office, function halls, and even a trading bureau. And in the 19th Century, it was inaugurated to be a cultural heritage.

However, this year, Toko Merah has been through some changes. The once closed building is open to the public now. Some parts of the building have been renovated to a mini café, called RODE WINKEL café. The café serves signature drinks, coffee, tea, snacks, desserts, also some regular meals with rice that is suitable for Indonesian flavors. Some of the drinks came with a piece of traditional snack or cake that is influenced by Dutch.

It is a nice place to relax after walking around Old Town Jakarta on a sunny day. You can cool yourself by drinking while enjoying the café vibes. Though one part has been transformed into a café, the other parts are still undergoing renovations. Inside the building outside the café door, there is a staircase on the left. It has become a new tourist attraction and people can take photos there.

Curious about the inside of this historical building? Or what kind of delicacies you can try at the café? You can only find out if you visit Batavia Jakarta firsthand. So, come to Jakarta, and join our Jakarta Walking Tour to look into the town’s history closer with us. See you around!

Take A Glance of Jakarta Old Town’s History from A Historical Water Fountain

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Yupa

Fatahillah Museum is an iconic view of Old Batavia. There is a lot to see in the Jakarta Old Town complex that might catch your attention. One of them is a little fountain that quite stands out in the middle of the square, in front of the museum.

It is shaped like a small monument, designed with a little dome on the top of it. It was built as a replica of a water supply in the 1970s era, whereas water around the city is contaminated, and there is a scarcity for clean water, causing illnesses and deaths. So, the government-built pipes and provided supplies for the Old Batavia area from other areas.

The fountain is a product of a reconstruction from the authentic water fountain that is built in colonial era of VOC. The references are from Johannes Rach’s painting, a famous painter from VOC. So, it is not functioning as a “real” water supply for the city, but only a monument to commemorate the history of Old Batavia.

Although it does not have a functioning water supply, it has become a spot of tourist attractions inside the Old Batavia complex. Many people from inside or outside the city keep visiting the the complex to spend their weekends with their families.

The placement of the fountain adds a nice touch for a view if you look at Fatahillah Museum from a distance. Aside from the fountain, there are also a lot of different spots that will attract tourists to take a picture of. So, it is a nice place to hunt and take artistic photos. A few people are also taking their pre-wedding pictures inside or around the complex.

If you are curious about the real appearance and history of this water fountain, come visit Jakarta and take a walk around the Old Town complex. You can also look and get an in-depth insight into Jakarta’s history and culture by joining a Jakarta Old Tour with Jakarta Walking Tour. So, what are you waiting for? See you in Jakarta!

A Cannon with Unusual Shape and Stories, Meriam Si Jagur

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Yupa

Jakarta Old Town is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jakarta. There are many things that you can see and explore there. Beside museums, there are also monuments and historical heritage, one of them is Meriam Si Jagur.

It is a big cannon that is placed across the Fatahillah Museum or Jakarta History Museum in the Old Batavia complex. The rear side of the cannon has the shape of a palm, with thumb tucked out between the index and middle finger. For some people, the shape seems a bit vulgar, but for some others, it is said that it is a symbol of luck.

In the past, it was believed that sitting on the cannon will grant fertility, so, many people who want children will sit on the cannon. This phenomenon makes the government decide to build a fence around the cannon to prevent people sitting on it.

Another unique thing about this cannon is the name, Si Jagur, it is from where it is located back then, in St. Jago de Barra, a Portuguese Fort in Macau, where the cannon was created. The cannon was made by Manoel Tovarres Bocarro and placed in Macau, before finally moved to Old Batavia by Dutch colonial empire in 16^th Century.

There is also a legend that the cannon is incarnation of a governor that was ordered to find a powerful weapon by Pajajaran King. From other source, a book by Ludovic Marquis de Beauvoir, titled Voyage Autour do Monde, the cannon was brought to the position by a great tidal wave.

If you want to know more about Si Jagur and want to see firsthand the unique and historical cannon, join us on our Jakarta Old Town tour, and we will take you to see and explore in depth the history of Jakarta and Old Batavia. So, see you around!

Keris

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Vera T

The keris is a distinctive dagger indigenous to Indonesia. Nearly all regions in the Indonesian archipelago have their own distinct from of keris. Most Javanese families own a keris that has been passed down through generations.

The best keris are made by master blade smiths called ‘empu’ who are highly respected craftsmen and also learned in the arts, history and occult sciences. The process of making keris is often secretive and mystical.

Keris blades are generally narrow with a wide, asymmetrical base. A keris aesthetic value comprise of the dhapur (the form and design of the blade), the pamor (the pattern of decoration on the blade), and tangguh (its age and origin). In high quality keris, the blades are created by folding in layers of different metals hundreds of times with utmost precision. The Javanese keris can have either a straight or wavy blade with an odd number of curves.

: Keris Oonagasasrao from Cirebon from early 19th century

: One of the Keris collection on National Museum

Both weapon and spiritual object, the keris is considered to possess spiritual powers or kesaktian to which special titles are conferred. Today, this magnificent dagger are still used for display purposes, as talismans, weapons, sacred heirlooms, auxiliary equipment for court soldiers and accessories for ceremonial dress which is an indicator of social status and a symbol of heroism. Cleansing rituals in keris-bathing ceremonies on the first of the Javanese Sura month ensures the kesaktian of the sacred keris.

Source                  : “The Ultimate Destination of INDONESIA”
Copyright            : Indonesia Culture and Tourism Ministry (2011)
Disclaimer click here

Angklung

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Vera T

An unique musical instrument from West Java, the angklung is made up of two to four bamboo tubes suspended vertically on a bamboo frame. The lower part of the tubes us unattached, enabling them to produce sound were shaken. Each piece of angklung is made using bamboo of a particular diameter, corresponding to the different chords its intended to produce. Therefore, the smaller the angklung, the higher note it produces.

To play the angklung, the left hand lightly holds the upper left edge of the frame while the right hand shakes the lower right edge of the instrument. The angklung can be played in an ensemble of 15 players with 15 pieces of angklung or in combination with other musical instruments. Watch wonderful angklung group play on Bandung bamboo musical instruments workshop below:

However, you could also play it solo. Couple weeks ago, we saw street musician who play angklung in a very comfy way – sit on the low chair, cross the leg, and effortless play this instrument:

The angklung’s present day diatonic chromatic scale, developed in 1938 by Daeng Sutigna of Kuningan, West Java, enables players to broaden their repertoire and go beyond traditional songs. The exotic sound of the angklung has attracted many contemporary Western musicians to incorporate the humble angklung into their ensembles.

Source                  : “The Ultimate Destination of INDONESIA”
Copyright            : Indonesia Culture and Tourism Ministry (2011)
Disclaimer click here
Featured image credit: www.tempo.co

Do you want to experience angklung group orchestra just like people on the video? Read more about Bandung tour tips and trick here or drop us message here

Batik

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Vera T

Batik is highly refined Javanese art of decorating cloth. More than just an adornment, batik embodies the soul and mysticism of the Javanese. Batik can be traditionally hand-drawn (batik tulis) using a canting (copper wax pen) or stamped using finely shaped copper blocks (batik cap). Batik tulis is generally more highly-praised as it requires more time, concentration and skill to produce. A single hand-painted batik cloth may take up to 2-3 months to complete. Stamped batiks are a more modern invention and require less time to produce. Traditional motifs include kawung, ceplok, and parang.

The styles of batik vary according to the region, each having an unique set of motifs, color preferences and symbolism. Coastal Batik show influences of foreign cultures. They are brighter and more colorful, dominated by yellows, mauves, ochre, greens and pale blue. Batik Pekalongan is characterized by its Dutch-influenced flower (buketan) motifs, while Cirebon has its signature mega mendung or stylized cloud motif of Chinese influence. Court Batik comes primarily from Solo and Yogyakarta and is colored using dyes of earthy tones. In batik design, the color blue traditionally symbolizes the earth; brown symbolized fire, and white for water and air.

: Batik Pattern Copy Process

: Batik Waxing Process

: Batik Coloring Process

Batik is highly versatile, used in both formal and informal occasions, by people from all walks of life.