When in Jakarta- a visit to the Old Town of Kota Tua offers a fascinating introduction to past stories.
Located in the north of the Jakarta, 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 for visitors as well as locals.

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 sharing 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 your necks! 

Today you can wander freely in this old part of town, taking in the special atmosphere of pedestrian lanes.

The Wayang Museum, nearby the History Museum, has a great exhibit of traditional masks and puppets.

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

Around the square, sit and have a coffee or an ice cream, or find some good street food watching life pass by.

Cafe Batavia –opposite the History Museum- a famous place to visit for a drink or a meal:

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 one of the pink bicycles.

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 MSY 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 see and do:

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

Central Jakarta:

The National Museum is amazing- alongside the Monas Park with the Independence Monument.
Amongst the treasures of artifacts, is the precious Prajaparamita:
This famous 13th-century statue was found near the ruins of Candi Singosari (Singhasari) just north of Malang in East Java. It is believed to be a deified portrait of Ken Dedes, the first queen of Singosari after her marriage to Ken Arok, founder of the kingdom. The statue is believed to be the embodiment of Prajnaparamita, the Mahayana Buddhist Goddess of perfect wisdom. Ken Dedes was considered a brilliant and wise woman and Ken Dedes saw her as a divine sign and crucial to the development of the Singosari Kingdom.

The statue of Prajanaparamita was discovered in almost perfect condition and taken by the Dutch in 1820.
Finally in 1978, this exquisite statue was returned to Indonesia by the Dutch in 1978 and joined a precious collection of artifacts at the National Museum in Jakarta. 
https://www.museumnasional.or.id/

Textile Museum:

Fabulous exhibits showcasing textiles from throughout Indonesia.
Above photo taken during an opening of a new exhibit with dancers that came from Bali.
https://museumtekstiljakarta.org/

Train from Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport into Central Jakarta
It is so nice this train service now exists. The KA Communter Line travels into Central Jakarta either to BNI CITY Center or Manggarai Stations.
Approx 45 minute ride to/from the airport 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.

Future for the Capital?
A new capital city is being developed on the island of Borneo- to be called Nusantara ( archipelago ) to relieve Jakarta of congestion, a city at risk of rising waters. Designed to be a futuristic green-city, the location of Nusantara in East Borneo is symbolically positioned in the geographic center of the archipelago, to serve as a new hub for the nation.
May the islands and people of Nusantara be prosperous and peaceful.

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