i just bumped into this thread and wish to give some ideas of jakarta...
i know jakarta and my friends went there last week. itz not dat i dont recommend jakarta for vacation, you just have to PLAN your travelling before u go there, coz seriously if you dont plan it wisely, you wont get that fun!

first thing first is the terrible jam you will find there, i will suggest you to visit places that nearby each day coz it is a HUGE city PLUS TRAFFIC JAM summore, so I can guarantee you cannot go to many far far places in one day oni...

second thing is WHAT IS YOUR INTENTION to go there? what i see is ppl going there for:

- SHOPPING : what kind of shopping? if branded items, you better just go to malls here in malaysia, the price and stuff are the same... if you wish to buy unbranded clothes in bulk, or kain, batik, everything in bulk, it is advisable to go there, BUT NOT MANGGA DUA, dat place is very expensive now since foreigner started go there to find the "so-called branded items".

- ENTERTAINMENT (theme park+beach), yes Ancol (Dunia Fantasi) is the best one there. Some kind of Genting but it is nearby beach. But you cant go snorkling there, the water is terrible ahahaha... itz in the center of the city, what else do u expect?

- ENTERTAINMENT (night) this one i can recommend you. many ppl said jakarta is only best for the nite entertainment (maybe becoz at night itz not too hot and no much jam... hehe)

- FOOD... verrryy nice... but BANDUNG IS LOT MORE NICER AND CHEAPER...

Im thinking of other infos, later will update if i got somemore...

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Added on May 15, 2009, 10:31 amadded: my fren went to jakarta last week and hes been complaining of the jam, so that he couldnt manage to enjoy his trip there (3days trip) only sempat jalan2 at 2 MALLS (Senayan and Pondok Indah Mall), 1 BOOK MARKET, and take picture in front of MONAS (national monument made from GOLD)

Dont ever try to go there and dont know where to go. Do not easily use TAXI. Better if you get travel guide, or belanja me to go there, I will try to take you around...



This post has been edited by enenem: May 15 2009, 10:31 AM

when in august?

i plan to go there also somewhere in august so if u need help for guide, transportation, or affordable accomodation, i and my friends there will help...