The Many Faces of Jakarta

Located on the shores of the Java Sea, Jakarta is a bustling metropolis and the country's capital offering all kinds of attractions, from museums, food and a wide variety of cultural activities.

Jakarta also has prime attraction from the Indonesia's past. The National Museum holds a vast collection of historical, pre-historic, archeological and ethnographic artifacts and relics of the various ethnic groups in Indonesia.

The Jakarta Historical Museum is housed in the former 17th-18th century Dutch East Indies Company's Town Hall. A collection of over 327 kinds of textiles from all over the country, hand-woven cotton, silk and batik cloths, both of the ancient and contemporary productions are housed in the Textile Museum. A small workshop shows the process of batik making. The Wayang Museum holds a collection of wayang puppets from parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Shortened performanceof the wayang kulit (leather puppets) are given every Sunday morning.

In the old town area and Chinatown in North Jakarta, warehouse of the Ducth East Indies Company and period buildings still stand. And within minutes, reach Sunda Kelapa, a fishermen's wharf and an inter island port that provides a safe harbor for tall-masted Bugis schooners.

The culture and traditions of Jakarta's indigineous habitants, the Betawi people, are preservedat several of the city's Betawi cultural reserves, such as Situ Babakan in South Jakarta. See their traditional designed house, and you may just stumble on a traditional performance, such as the tanjidor orchestra, the Topeng Blantek dance and Betawi wayang performance.

Despite its bustling and noisy nature, Jakarta has its share of places that promise tranquility and relaxation. Spas offer professional pampering service with floral baths, body scrubs, aromatic oils, massages and meditations, rituals and treatments that use spices and aromatic herbs to promote physical and mental wellness.

Jakarta's lush tropical landscapes and challenging greens come as a surprise. Over 30 world-class golf courses are found in and around the city, designed by some of the world renowned golf course architects and by great players.

A recreation and entertainment venue for the whole family, the Jaya Ancol Dreamland is a fantasy theme park boasting different fun rides, Sea World, swimming pools, fishing, boating, an art market, nightclubs, restaurants and first class hotels.

Lying just off the Bay of Jakarta, the Thousand Islands or Pulau Seribu is cluster of islands offering an array of activities, sunbathing, vigorous water sports, camping or enjoying first-class accomodations. Clear waters and pretty coral reefs also make fabulous diving sites that take only about two hours to reach from the Ancol Marina.