In a strange town at night....again.
Arriving in Jakarta as the sun falls below the horizon but still just enough light to see a view of downtown as the plane is on short finals for landing. Skyscrapers and traffic, that's what it looks like from here. Very quiet at the ' imigreson' counter and no trouble in them taking my $25 visa fee before immigration have a chance to examine my passport - I hope a refund is in order should I be refused entry! Actually it's all plain sailing with a couple of short and obvious questions mainly to ascertain my intended route of departure on visa expiration. They seem happy with my story, and here I am, once again on Indonesian soil, in the dark and with nowhere to stay.
First, an ATM to be found on the upstairs according to the info desk. Yes, plenty and at second attempt success, which is a vast improvement on last time. Now I need a bus to Gambir, that's in downtown and a short walk from Jalan Jaksa where one finds the local accommodations in plentiful supply, all this according to BelgianGuy on Thorntree Forum. Sure enough, once the taxi mafias have been delt with, there is a bus station right at the far left of terminal 2 with a counter issuing tickets to Gambir on the Damri bus, 30,000 rupiah, that's just ￡1.50, bargain as long as the bus dowsn't break down or worse, hijacked! No such issues as the modern, practically new bus purrs out from the station and joins the motorway and a traffic jam!
Gambir in about 1 hour 20, now I just have to find Jalan Jaksa which I know is within walking distance. Taxi, tuktuk and mojak mafias all quickly delt with and heading out of the station area. About 20 minutes to find this road which thankfully is well known as the locals kindly give me accurate and truthful directions.
1st place is full up, 2nd is too expensive. Third time lucky then, right price but the room is only just passable. ￡5.33 which included breakfast, for a couple of nights here will suffice subject to noise and/or insects.
A quick stomp around the block to find something to eat. Seems to be something of a tourist area with cafes offering pricey food. plenty of street vendors with their Nasi Goreng in abundant supply. So a plate of egg fried rice it is and at just over a quid from the street vendor it's an expensive deal, oh well another fleecing.
Arriving in Jakarta as the sun falls below the horizon but still just enough light to see a view of downtown as the plane is on short finals for landing. Skyscrapers and traffic, that's what it looks like from here. Very quiet at the ' imigreson' counter and no trouble in them taking my $25 visa fee before immigration have a chance to examine my passport - I hope a refund is in order should I be refused entry! Actually it's all plain sailing with a couple of short and obvious questions mainly to ascertain my intended route of departure on visa expiration. They seem happy with my story, and here I am, once again on Indonesian soil, in the dark and with nowhere to stay.
First, an ATM to be found on the upstairs according to the info desk. Yes, plenty and at second attempt success, which is a vast improvement on last time. Now I need a bus to Gambir, that's in downtown and a short walk from Jalan Jaksa where one finds the local accommodations in plentiful supply, all this according to BelgianGuy on Thorntree Forum. Sure enough, once the taxi mafias have been delt with, there is a bus station right at the far left of terminal 2 with a counter issuing tickets to Gambir on the Damri bus, 30,000 rupiah, that's just ￡1.50, bargain as long as the bus dowsn't break down or worse, hijacked! No such issues as the modern, practically new bus purrs out from the station and joins the motorway and a traffic jam!
Gambir in about 1 hour 20, now I just have to find Jalan Jaksa which I know is within walking distance. Taxi, tuktuk and mojak mafias all quickly delt with and heading out of the station area. About 20 minutes to find this road which thankfully is well known as the locals kindly give me accurate and truthful directions.
1st place is full up, 2nd is too expensive. Third time lucky then, right price but the room is only just passable. ￡5.33 which included breakfast, for a couple of nights here will suffice subject to noise and/or insects.
A quick stomp around the block to find something to eat. Seems to be something of a tourist area with cafes offering pricey food. plenty of street vendors with their Nasi Goreng in abundant supply. So a plate of egg fried rice it is and at just over a quid from the street vendor it's an expensive deal, oh well another fleecing.
