Our first encounter with Indonesia will forever be etched in our memories. After more than 14 hours of flying, a hurried connection in Istanbul, and a good dose of stress, we finally set foot in Jakarta. It was the beginning of a several-month adventure in Asia… and, without knowing it, the first chapters of what would later become JUMAA.
An arrival that immediately sets the tone
From the first minutes, a sensation struck us: the heat.
Not just the sun's heat, but that tropical, humid, almost enveloping heat that immediately reminds you that you are on the other side of the world.
The contrast with Belgium is striking. Everything seems more intense: the sounds, the smells, the traffic… and life.
Jakarta is a city that you don't just observe, you experience it.
Discovering Chinatown
For our first real day, we chose to get lost in the bustling streets of Chinatown.
Every street is an explosion of colors and scents. Markets overflow with freshly caught fish, tropical fruits, and unknown spices.
At every street corner, small restaurants prepare traditional dishes whose aromas mingle with those of the city.
At first, everything seems disorganized.
Then, little by little, you understand that this chaos has its own logic.
Scooters, pedestrians, street vendors, and taxis crisscross in a permanent ballet that almost becomes natural.
Children discover a new world
For Marion and Martin, everything is an adventure.
They stop in front of every cat encountered in the alleys, observe turtles with fascination, and remain speechless in front of monkeys.
Martin, ever curious, even went so far as to touch a snake.
A moment he will talk about for a long time.
However, some discoveries are harder to experience.
Seeing certain animals displayed in conditions that we find disrespectful reminds us that each country has a different culture and that travel also invites us to take a nuanced look at the world.
The incredible kindness of Indonesians
If there's one thing that struck us from the first days, it's the welcome from the locals.
Indonesians are incredibly kind.
Even when the language barrier complicates exchanges, a smile is often enough to understand each other.
As everywhere, some people try to earn a few extra rupiahs, but this remains anecdotal compared to the generosity we encountered.
Marion, Jakarta's little star
Our visit to the magnificent Fatahillah Square will remain one of the most amusing memories of this first stage.
Formerly the administrative heart of Batavia during colonial times, this square is now surrounded by superb historic buildings with white facades.
As we quietly admired the surroundings, several Indonesians came to ask if they could take a picture with Anaïs and Marion.
Then others.
And still others.
For a few minutes, Marion became a real local celebrity.
A scene as surprising as it was touching, which made us understand how strong the curiosity towards Western travelers still is in some regions of Indonesia.
A well-deserved break
After several hours exploring the city in stifling heat, finding our apartment's pool was a true joy.
The children didn't want to get out of the water.
Neither did we, for that matter.
These calmer moments are also part of the trip.
They allow you to catch your breath before the next adventure.
Heading to Java
Time is already flying by.
Tomorrow morning, we will leave Jakarta by train to cross the island of Java to Semarang, before reaching Jepara.
A new stage awaits us, with its share of discoveries, encounters, and, we hope, unforgettable memories.
What Jakarta taught us
Before leaving, we imagined Jakarta as a huge megalopolis where we would only make a short stopover.
Ultimately, these first two days allowed us to understand that traveling is not just about visiting emblematic places.
It's often the first glances, the first smiles, the smells of a market, or everyday scenes that remain etched the longest.
It is also this way of traveling that would later inspire the spirit of JUMAA: taking the time to observe, meet, marvel, and share.
Our tips if you visit Jakarta
Ideal duration: 2 to 3 days
To expect: heat and high humidity all year round
Our tip: the train is an excellent way to reach the rest of Java.
Not to be missed:
- Chinatown (Glodok)
- Fatahillah Square
- Kota Tua
- Local markets
- Street food