Kids will love the sun, sand and sea that isAncol DreamlandBeneath the city’s hustle and bustle, Jakarta offers the colourful charm of feasts and fun
8am: Start your day with the sumptuous breakfast buffet served in a stylish setting at your sanctuary, Novotel Mangga Dua Square (Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No. 1, tel: +62 (21) 6231 2800).
9.30am: Head to the Ocean Ecopark for a quick rejuvenation — it’s the latest attraction added to Ancol Dreamland, the city’s largest recreation complex. Don’t miss the Fantastique Magic Fountain show (tel: +62 (21) 6471 1111).
10.30am: Have a cuppa at one of the park’s F&B establishments. After that, rent a golf cart to explore the 34-ha park.
12pm: Sit down to a lunch with views at Segarra (Carnival Beach, Jl. Lodan Timur No. 7, tel: +62 (21) 6471 0101). Have the grilled oxtail soup, an Indonesian speciality, or try the grilled salmon from the international menu.
1pm: Visit the Dutch colonial architectural style courtyard of Fatahillah Square, which houses three museums: Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum and the Museum of Ceramics and Fine Arts (Jl. Taman Fatahillah 1, tel: +62 (21) 692 9101).
2pm: Stroll around Jakarta Old Town near Fatahillah Square. To get a better feel of Batavia (the former name for Jakarta), rent an old-fashioned bicycle for your tour.
3pm: Cool yourself down with a variety of cocktails and light food at Café Batavia (Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No. 14, tel: +62 (21) 691 5531). Enjoy the live jazz performance while you soak in the atmosphere of old Jakarta.
4.30pm: Take a taxi to Grand Indonesia for a fun late afternoon of shopping. The mall is the country’s largest (Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1, tel: +62 (21) 2358 7000), adjacent to another prestigious mall, Plaza Indonesia (Jl. MH Thamrin, Kav. 28-30, tel: +62 (21) 310 7272).
7pm: Feast on scrumptious dishes at Ocha & Bella (Jl. K.H. Wahid Hasyim No. 70, tel: +62 (21) 310 5777). This restaurant features paired menus of authentic Italian and Japanese izakaya-style cuisine. Try pairing Neapolitan pizza with Japanese fish and chips.
9pm: Continue the night with a cool cocktail — or three — at Bibliothèque (Sampoerna Strategic Square, tel: +62 (21) 5795 6978). Groove to live performances of international DJs.
Words by Aulia R. Sungkar. Published in Jetstar Asia Magazine, April 2012.