Mich & Jon: The Honeymoon pt2

Aside from the overwhelming heat/humidity, arrival to Jakarta proceeds smoothly thanks to good ol’ reliable Bluebird taxi company. And here we are introduced to the island of Java’s native fruit, the salak

Imagine a cross between a walnut, an apple, and a python… and actually even gives off a slight odor that I would not hold it against an aging bloodhound for mistaking as a really weak distant relative of the durian. But really magically delicious.

Incidentally Jakarta is often referred to as “The Big Durian,” which I believe is the only food throughout his travels that has made Anthony Bourdain vomit. Quite a fitting moniker though in this congested city of 9 million… big, hot, sweaty, smelly, crowded, a little mushy, and also with a biting aftertaste of raw onions. Like most spiky objects, Jakarta seems to be a rather pleasant place to live but not quite a tourist destination. 2 days sufficed for us.

Anyone who comes to visit, I highly recommend to take a tour with the Gray Line company. Here we began our day with a visit to the Monas National Monument, erected by Soekarno as a tribute to the fight for independence from the Dutch. And topped off on top by a 14.5ton bronze flame, coated in 35kg of gold.

The top affords some pretty spectacular views of the city, which sadly are often blocked out by the overrunning fog and massive contamination.

Within the museum itself takes you through a series of dioramas detailing the country’s fascinating multicultural history.

Next up and most impressively came a visit to the Taman Mini Indonesia park. This alone was worth the trip to Jakarta in order to sample the culture distinct to each of the country’s islands.

Here we have the unique architecture of Sumatra, designed to resemble the boats which the original settlers arrived on with even an Islamic star at each point.

Of course the best thing about Sumatra is the sumptuous cuisine of Padang. In this style, loads of different dishes are laid out before you and in the end you pay only for what you eat. As for what then happens to the leftovers… well, I never had the courage to ask. But man oh man are the spices here tasty (and disinfecting, right?)

Next up are the majestic designs native to Borneo

and the picturesque representation of Brunei. I love the story about the Sultan of Brunei who, after instituting a law against taking brides under the age of 18, proceeded then to add a tempting Lolita himself to his own harem… fortunately was right-minded enough to recognize his infraction and thus fined himself one cow as penalty. Good to hear that he believes nobody is above the law, not even those who make it.

On now to other distinct lands such as Maluku

and Papua, where we met our own bugiman.

We also discovered that it was from this warrior’s maritime ancestors that Rocky acquired his shorts

A stop to Sulawesi brings a refreshing giant coconut

Before stopping off at the Komodo Dragon Museum!

This exhibit housed such creatures as long necked-turtles and albino pythons

None more impressive than the fearsome namesake of this museum, the world’s most dangerous land animal!

To this day I still regret having gotten so close to such an impressive beast capable of killing you in more ways than the mossad, yet failed to touch his monstrous skin. Michelle was quite clear that this was close enough

As we pass through lands such as Java Tengara we arrive closer and closer to the park’s museum

Loaded with artifacts such as these which reference the Island’s connection to the mythical Garuda Eagle

After a long day, nothing is more refreshing than the cool lemon-grass infused cuisine of Sumatra. Unfortunately this place was situated near a grocery store which made the smell of durian almost unavoidable. Jakartans really do love durian so much that grocery stores often leave a few cut open to attract shoppers with the smell of rotting garbage and fermenting raw onions. Well, some Jakartans at least… let’s put it this way: Durian is to Indonesians what David Hasselhoff is to Germans. I know, it’s no wonder that I rocked a 1450 on SAT’s.

On to our 2nd and final day in Jakarta, a lazy and relaxing trip to the über FX Lifestyle Center Mall, home to the world’s largest indoor dry slide (yes the FX Mall’s mother is quite proud).