The process of making batik

Making Batik

In the development of batik art gradually imitated by the people nearest and subsequently expanded into the work of women in the household to fill his spare time. Furthermore, batik clothes that used only the royal family, then became a popular folk clothes, both women and men.

Development of Batik in Indonesia

Batik Ladies

History of batik in Indonesia is related to the development of the Majapahit kingdom and the kingdom afterwards. In some records, the development of batik is mostly done in

History of Batik

Batik Style

Batik is historically derived from the days of our fathers, known since the seventeenth century, written and painted on palm leaves. At that time batik motif or pattern is still dominated by the shape of animals and plants. But in its development history of batik have evolved, from painting motifs of animals and plants

Getting in and around Jakarta

Jakarta Monas

Busway

Busway Transjakarta

If you need to beat the Jakarta traffic jams, the Transjakarta Busway provides a cheap and excellent alternative mode of transportation. It uses a dedicated lane and comprises of modern, air conditioned and quite comfortable busses serving eight lines all across Jakarta. Transfers between lines are free. The buses can get very crowded, especially rush hours at 7 am and 4 pm, when office workers are on the move home.

Train

Train in Jakarta

The Jakarta commuter trains connect the city center with the surrounding regions of Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Bojonggede, Bogor and Serpong. These are mostly jam-packed during the weekday morning and afternoon rush hours.

There are four types of trains : ‘express’ (air-conditioned non-stop trains to serve the rush hour crowd), ‘Semi express’ (runs outside the rush hours), ‘ekonomi AC’ (air conditioned ,tourist best choice) and ekonomi (non AC). For more scenic route across Jawa, you can take one of the many trains that serve lines across the islands from Gambir Station or Statiun Kota.

Bajaj

Bajaj Driver

The bajaj (Pronounced : bah-jai) are modified scooters that caryy passengers in a small cabin at the back. Bajajs only serve non-protocol roads and are a popular way to get around town since they are small enough to weave through Jakarta’s traffic jams and narrow backstreets. These generally run on gasoline but are slow, have no real suspensions or air conditioning. The newer types run on natural gas and offer a slightly more comfortable ride. Whichever you choose, Bajaj rides will give you a unique experience of the city.

Becak

Tourist on Becak

Becak are pedaled tricycle-rickshaw crossovers that are quite popular in and around residential areas. Passengers sit in a cabin in the front, while the driver or ‘tukang becak’ pedals behind. Though no confined to residential areas on the outskirts of Jakarta, becaks can be found in abundance in other cities within Indonesia, each with its own unique design and artistic personality.

Transportation

Garuda Airline

The fastest way of reaching Indonesia’s many far-flung islands is by air. The country flagship carrier, Garuda Indonesia, serve major cities across Indonesia five main islands as well and international destinations. The Garuda Indonesia fleet exclusively operates jets and primarily wide-bodied aircraft. Domestic routes are also served by many domestic airlines, and even remote areas are accessed by scheduled private flight.

For those who wish to travel by sea, the national shipping company ( PT.PELNI) and other sea lines, operate passenger service to destinations across the archipelago from Tanjung  Priok port in the North of the city. Some smaller speedboats, particularly to the thousand islands (Pulau Seribu), depart from Ancol also on Jakarta’s North shore. PT.PELNI  main ticketing sales office is at Jl. Gajah Mada 14, Jakarta, and information is available either through the Call Center (021) 79180606.

Travel formalities

All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six month from date of arrival and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage. Immigration authorities will provide Free tourist visas for a period of 30 days to nationals from 11 countries only on the basis of reciprocity: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.

VOA are also granted to citizens from some countries. For more info on VOA, click here.

Entry ports (airports) where Visa-on-Arrival may be issued are the :

• Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, 
• Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, 
• Sultan Syarif Hasim Airport in Pekanbaru, 
• Tabing Airport in Padang, 
• Juanda Airport of Surabaya and 
• the Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado. 

For Authorized seaports are 

Seaport

• Batam, 
• Sekupang, 
• Batuampar, 
• Nongsa, 
• Marina, 
• Teluk Senimba, 
• Bandar Brintan, 
• Talani Lagoi, 
• Tanjung Balai Karimun and Bandar Sri Udana Labon in the Riau Islands, 
• Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang, 
• Belawan and Sibolga ports in North Sumatra, 
• Teluk Bayur in Padang, 
• Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, 
• Tanjung Mas in Central Jawa, 
• Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, 
• Padang Bai and Benoa in Bali, 
• Port of Jayapura, 
• Yos Sudarso in Ambon, 
• Tenua and Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara, 
• Pare-Pare and Soekarno-Hatta ports in South Sulawesi and 
• Bitung in North Sulawesi.

Customs

Prohibited item

Customs allow on entry a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 pieces of cigarettes or 50 pieces of cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sports equipment are admitted provide they are taken out on departure and must be declared at customs. Strict prohibition is imposed on firearms, narcotics drugs, pornography, Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers and cordless telephones. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must undergo screening by the Censor Board. Although there is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and travelers cheques ,  the import and export on Indonesia exceeding  Rp 100 (one hundred ) million rupiah is prohibited. 

From the airport to the City of Jakarta

Soekarno Hatta airport

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport provide free shuttle bus services which connect Terminal 2D-E (international airlines) and Terminal 2F (Domestic Garuda flights0 to the Terminal 1(Domestic airlines except Air Asia, Mandala and Garuda) and terminal 3 (Air Asia Domestic and International flight and all Mandala flights). At all major airport terminals across the country, it is advisable to inquire about local transportation at the information counter.

Airport Taxi

Airport taxis and limousines are readily available from the Airport. Taxi fares are metered and will cost between Rp60,000 to Rp100,000 to the downtown area of the city where most of the large hotels are located. These can be booked directly through booths just before going through Airport Customs check. For greater convenience, you can have you hotel arrange a free shuttle-bus to pick you up at the airport. Reliable and safe taxi companies include Blue Bird group, Express and TransCab. Xtrans provides airport shuttle service from Soekarno Hatta airport to major hotels in Sudirman and Thamrin Street in Jakarta. Xtrans booth is available at Terminal 1A,1B,1C , 2E and 3.

Damri Bus

The cheaper (around Rp10,000) DAMRI airport Shuttle bus service links the airpot to various transportations hubs (bus terminal and train stations) throughout Jakarta. Except about 30 to 45 minutes to commute from the airport into downtown Jakarta.  However, depending on the traffic, especially during rush hour or rough weather conditions, double the time may needed.