When in Jakarta- a visit to the Old Town of Kota Tua is a must.
Located in the north of the city, the old town, once called Batavia, was the center of the Dutch VOC- East Indies Company. There has been alot of renovation of the old buildings making this area very popular.

Here is a little introduction:
The History Museum is fascinating-  housed in the former City Hall used by the Dutch.

with Farid, a great local guide who offers great walking tours and great stories.

This building located on what is now called Fatahillah Square, dates back to 1627 serving the VOC- Dutch East India Trading Company. It was later taken over and renovated by the Dutch government to become the Stadhuis (City Hall) of Batavia– as the city was known under the Dutch. 

Fatahillah was a commander of the Sultanate of Demak known for his conquest of the nearby port of Sunda Kelapa in 1527, changing the name of this place of trade at that time, to Jayakarta. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta_History_Museum

Part of this building was also used as a prison and….

imagine being imprisoned in such a cell … where water would be filled up to the prisoner’s necks! 

Today it is possible to explore freely wandering in this old part of town. And with modern-day masks, you can enjoy seeing some more traditional masks and puppets at the Wayang Museum:

More on Wayang Museum, Click:
https://jakartatravelguide.com/visiting-museum-wayang-puppet-museum-jakarta/

or sit and have a coffee or ice cream or find some good street food watching life pass by.

Opposite the History Museum is another famous and great place to visit – Cafe Batavia:

Originally built in 1805 to house high ranking VOC officers,, the building eventually became an art gallery by a Frenchman, and later reborn as Cafe Batavia- filled with old time nostalgia, having welcomed foreign dignitaries from all over the world.

Fun to browse through their website: https://www.cafebatavia.com/

Have fun exploring around on your own renting a bicycle.

Another favorite place to visit nearby is the old Sunda Kelapa harbour to see the Bugis boats:

The Bugis are still seeking out their traditional way of trade alongside a more modern world today.

How I miss the days of our trips on ships and on our Bugis boat, the Perintis out to islands East of Bali… but so grateful for those times of sailing adventures.

Jakarta today is not as intimidating a city as some may feel.  A huge metropolis and notorious for traffic but if venturing through Jakarta, there is alot to take in:

Walking Tours with Jakarta Good Guides: with several different themes from History to Food:
https://jakartagoodguide.wordpress.com/

Central Jakarta:

National Museum is amazing- alongside the Central Monas Park with the Independence Monument:
https://www.museumnasional.or.id/

Textile Museum:

opening of a new exhibit- dancers came from Bali
https://museumtekstiljakarta.org/

And for TRAIN Buffs– you can take a comfortable TRAIN to Jakarta’s Main Airport Soekarno Hatta.
The KA Commuter Line travels from Central Jakarta either BNI CITY Center or Manggarai Stations.
Approx 45 minute ride without sitting in traffic! From Main Airport station, there is a free shuttle train to Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Otherwise, to/from Jakarta Kota. Old Town– located up north- you are closest drive by taxi to the airport- most likley less than an hour.

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