Category: Things to do

RODE WINKEL Café, Once Known as “Toko Merah”

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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 18th 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

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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 Trace of Spices That Are Worth More Than Gold in Old Batavia

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There are countless delicious Indonesian that you can find in Old Batavia, and the key ingredients are the spices. The strategic location of Indonesia and the great ability of Indonesian ancestor to navigate ships in the sea, makes it possible for Indonesian to trade and learn to grow spices from people at other countries and places.

The abundant amounts of spices in Indonesia attract foreigners from Europe and spurred their ambition to exploitation of economics, hence the colonialism started. The history of spices that is worth to know and spread can be found in Indonesian museum in the present day. One of them are in Museum Bank Indonesia, that is located inside the complex of Jakarta Old Town area.

Aside from Museum Bank Indonesia, the history of spices can also be found in Museum Bahari, that is mainly displaying a maritime history of Indonesia. It is not located inside the Jakarta Old Town area, but it is quite near and can be reached in walking distance. It is also near to the Sunda Kelapa Harbor where you can see big ships anchored to load and unload.

A variety of spices that are widely used in Indonesia until the present days includes clove, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemongrass, aromatic ginger, turmeric, galangal, and many more. These spices are used not only for cooking ingredients, but also for traditional drinks and medicines. The use of spices provides a rich aroma and distinctive flavors.

Curious about the spices that become a treasure that is sought after? Come visit Jakarta, join our Jakarta Walking Tour, and follow the trace of spices in Old Batavia with us. You can learn the route of spices, see the shape and smell of the spices, and learn their history.

Aside from learning the history of spices, you can also try delicacies that include spices if you join our Jakarta Food Tour.  Prepare your comfortable shoes and clothes, and you will be ready to walk around with the Jakarta Walking Tour. See you around!

A Cannon with Unusual Shape and Stories, Meriam Si Jagur

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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 16th 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!

A New Star of Jakarta Transportation, Lintas Rel Terpadu

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It has not been long ago that this new form of Jakarta Transportation, LRT was operated. The light rail transit, or in Indonesian version, Lintas Rel Terpadu, had been officially operating since the end of December 2019, but LRT Jabodetabek just officially operating September this year. Since it is the first LRT in Jakarta and in Indonesia, the citizens are excited to try it, so the government allowed a free trial before its official release.

This form of Jakarta Transportation are relatively new for the citizen, so they already prepared with a full instruction on how to buy ticket and ride the LRT on their website: https://www.lrtjakarta.co.id/informasi-tiket.html . LRT Jabodetabek is receiving a warm welcome as it will provide more option for people to commute beside other Jakarta Transportation such as Transjakarta Busway and KRL.

The newly operated LRT connects Jakarta and Bekasi. The stations and the routes are built near busy places such as office complexes in Sudirman area, including Halim that also functioned as airports, to TMII, which was a tourist attraction where people can see a “mini” version of Indonesia. However, other routes and line are to be established to reach more areas in Bogor, Depok, and Tangerang.

No different with other Jakarta Transportation, an electric money card or digital banking are needed to pay and ride the LRT. However, it could be a little costly among other Jakarta Transportation, as the costs is more expensive, which is IDR5000 for first kilometer, and IDR700 will be charged for the next kilometers. It is almost equal to USD1.5 for the furthest trip.

Although this form of Jakarta Transportation is intended to solve traffic problems in Jakarta, some people might still choose to ride KRL or MRT instead because of the price. We still don’t know if there will be adjustments in the future as the establishment for the next phase is not completed yet. We hope that as time goes on, it will improve greatly to cater to people’s needs.

Now that you know about Jakarta Transportation, ready to explore Jakarta by riding public transportation? Or you would rather walk with us? That is fine, join us with Jakarta Walking Tour and we will take you on an adventure to the nook and cranny of Jakarta!

Kereta Rel Listrik, The Popular Jakarta Transportation in the Populated City

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As we have introduced a few of Jakarta Transporation, now it is the time to introducing another form, which is Kereta Rel Listrik (KRL) or Jakarta Commuterline. The commuterline or commonly known as KRL, is a rapid transportation based on electronic rails. This is the oldest and most used public transportation often used to commute.

KRL has been established since the year 1925 and had undergone a lot of changes and improvements since its establishment. KRL is an intercity transportation that connects Jakarta with the areas nearby such as Tangerang, Bogor, and Depok. So, it will always be busy in rush hours and working days.

As one of the most popular Jakarta Transportation, the fare is relatively affordable to reach a far distance. To ride a KRL, you will need an electronic money card to tap in and tap out in the destined stations. You can buy and top up the card at the ticket booth in each station. It costs IDR3000 for the first 25KM and IDR1000 for the next 10 KM.

Riding a KRL is a good option either for commuting for work or recreation. Jakartans can travel and sightsee in Kebun Raya Bogor by riding KRL and continuing by riding taxi or online transportations. Either way, people who live in Bogor can ride KRL if they want to visit the authentic Jakarta Old Town.

The routes and lines for KRL have been changing a lot as establishment and improvement kept going while the train are still operating. The details of the line, fare, and train schedule can be found on KRL website: https://commuterline.id/perjalanan-krl/info-tarif

Just some tips if you want to travel and only experience riding KRL as a Jakarta Transportation, it will be better to avoid rush hours on working days, or you might get lost in the sea of people.

Sunday activity idea: Car Free Day

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car free day in jakarta

Jakarta is the busiest city in Indonesia. Motorbikes, cars, buses, they hit the road every single day. What if…all the cars, motorbikes, pollution suddenly disappear? In CAR FREE DAY, those dreams are possible. 

Every Sunday morning, from 6 to 11 AM, the police officers will close the main street of Jakarta for everyone who wants to exercise or just hang around to refresh their mind. It is from Bundaran Senayan (near Gelora Bung Karno football stadion) to MH Thamrin Street (could up to Monas Park). It approximately has 6,5 kilometer for each way, and the police will close two ways street in Car Free Day. Total 13 kilometer just for people!

Most Jakartans will gather around Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (in front of Grand Indonesia Mall) since there is a lot of booths and music live show will setting up on Thamrin Street until Bendungan Hilir Street. These area could provide parking service for Jakartans who come to enjoy Car Free Day. We as a local, do not have exercise habit. Yes, we should admit that fact. However we still come for exploring, hanging out with friends/family, or gathering with our local community.

Then, what you could do in Jakarta’s Car Free Day as a tourist?

Car Free Day Idea #1: Sit on the street and post it on instagram

This might sounds silly. But in fact, you can not sit on the busy street of Jakarta everyday. It is not small street or ‘regular back alley’ that looks like similiar anywhere in Asian countries. On Car Free Day, you could sleep, sit, whatever you want in main street of Jakarta. MAIN STREETS, near business district with all those sky scrappers as your background. 

sunday activity car free day

Car Free Day Idea #2: Try street foods

The crowded street and food sellers. It is trying to answer old question,”Chicken or Egg, which one comes first?” Hahaha. Whatever the answer might be, try street foods on Car Free Day is never be wrong idea. Another tricky question, which street food that I should buy? How do I know that one is tastier than the other one? Nah, you never know. Also, everyone has their own preferable flavor. Just try to find clean stalls then buy it. My mom always told me to look on street seller feet before buy anything on the street. If they can not keep their feet clean, how could they manage to have our food safe? Logic. 

Car Free Day Idea #3: Strolling around by foot

Just go with the flow. Join local activity on Car Free Day. Talk to Jakartans. Eat ice cream. Sit somewhere then pay attention for anything happens in front of your eyes. Slowing down, walking, and enjoying the vibe. If you like photography, you definitely would love Car Free Day. It is a good chance to understand more about melting pot city like Jakarta. Hear stories, capture moments when every body feel relax. 

Car Free Day Idea #4: Rent bike

Of course, we don’t recommend you to bike in normal day but in Car Free Day? Definitely a YES. It is safer. You could go far with wheels. However, there is no rent bike place on the street (read: Car Free Day). You need to go rent bike shop by your own before you hit the road. Based on our experience, you need to book it couple day before Sunday morning. No go show. Small effort like email or phone call will worth a try. 

So, are you ready to get up early on Sunday? See you there, on Car Free Day!

Do you want to experience Car Free Day with us? Walking or biking? Just drop your email here