{"id":2181,"date":"2023-03-28T10:58:12","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T10:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=2181"},"modified":"2023-04-10T13:57:34","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T13:57:34","slug":"sabbatical-week-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=2181","title":{"rendered":"Sabbatical Week 16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Opening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally Indonesia! Lots of cultures, not enough alcohol. Jakarta is underrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Signed up for a free walking tour that’s sponsored by the governors office of Jakarta. Immediately, you could feel the hospitality of East Javanese people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Batavia Square<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Batavia era hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lock of Amsterdam <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Old dutch warehouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dutch city wall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was a great tour, though I wish things were better taken care well. It definitely felt the neglect. Further, the dutch river canal was unfortunately less than desirable to walk by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the tour, I decided to get lunch in the famous Batavia Kafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By midday, it’s getting quite crowded. It’s Sunday after all.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From my table<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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First dish – Gado Gado. Indonesian salad. Perhaps the only healthy take on its cuisine 65k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beef tendon fried rice. Delightful <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All for $21.23. Not cheap, it’s good for the value. Service was great too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After lunch, I decided to do the free city tour from the same organization in the morning. Due to some miscommunication, I arrived late. The lovely staff decided to give me a private tour instead. Thumbs up for the Indonesian hospitality!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Central station – The government did an amazing job in converting the zone into pedestrian only<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was extremely tired after the tour. Ordered some food from grab and called it a day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tongseng Kambing – Indonesian beef soup (31k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Decided to go to the city center to see the national monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jakarta train was spotless<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s embracing to be escorted out of female only section of the train car. One thing I kept forgetting in an Islamic country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quite modern<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First stop was to see the Cathedral was conveniently situated next to the Mosque<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sadly both the cathedral and the mosque weren’t set up for independent travelers. I got quite lost trying to find the entrances nor to find a way to walk across the buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I wasn’t able to get in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The National monument was also closed on Mondays<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s way too hot to walk around midday, I decided to go to a shopping mall to cool down a little while sorting out the sim card situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Supermarket selling palm seeds, note the price was per 100g<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Braised ribs. Amazing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(lunch plus coffee was $7.47) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indonesia has a weird system where all foreign phones have to be registered otherwise it won’t be able to activated. Sadly, the system that does the registration was down. I ended up getting a e-sim for a Hong Kong cellular provider that allows me to roam in Indonesia. ($15.99 for 30Gb 30D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jakarta at night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It was the museum day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First was to stop by this local coffee shop next to my hostel for some delicious local brew. 30k IDR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The national museum had quite a few interesting artifacts. It’s well worth the price too (only 30k)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It even got a room with all the pure golden artifacts from the former rulers. No photos allowed sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the museum, I decided to veneer in Chinatown to take a look at the Chinese influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The photo of the Chinese gate!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think it’s a temple!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I even ordered Chinese for a late lunch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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50k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tried snake fruit for the first time! I fell in love with it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At night, I managed to get a Dutch guy to meander around town with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That’s a big cup lol..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ended up ordering take outs <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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161k for two of us. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Decided to check out Jakarta’s suburb Bogor. It has a botanical garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s quite colonial and it’s more cooler than Jakarta too. Quite walkable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Garden gate – ticket was only 20k. Outside of Jakarta, everything felt like much more touristy hence touristic prices as well<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mexican garden lol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just as I needed a water break it started to down pour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turns out this restaurant was also where Obama ate. Stunning scenery for only $8.41. The coconut milk beef stew was fabulous<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Governor’s house? off limits. There were heavily guided polices around.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From the train leaving Bogor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Just a bit over an hour, the Jakarta sky line was in reach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beef Randang for dinner. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travel day (Train Rp 348.500) to Semarang to visit my beloved Indonesian friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before that I quickly stopped by Bank of Indonesia Museum that’s next to my hostel. I really wish I had more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I cut very close to the train departure time due to underestimate the rush hour traffic in Jakarta. Managed to get onboard just 15 minutes before departure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CFC onboard! 63k with a tea and a bag of chips! Very nice fried chicken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rice fields passing by<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a bit under 6 hours, I arrived at the Semarang station where my friends were waiting to pick me up. Thanks friends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They took me straight to a Chinese Indonesian restaurant for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think the tally was around 200k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Desert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My friends even arranged a hotel next to their house and paid for it! How lovely. Can’t appreciate enough about their hospitality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Went to visit the wife’s house. It’s a lovely upscale home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They have a parrot home<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Oh hello.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They also have a fruit garden in their rooftop with dragon fruits. I forget to take photos sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next was to visit my friend’s family coffee shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next I was taken to the railway museum. (My friends bought me the ticket so I wasn’t charged foreigner’s price)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dutch train office<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Friends!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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For lunch, they took me to their favorite seafood place<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The whole bill was less than $20. Gotta love Indonesia!! The scallop was the highlight!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later, we also visited a Chinese temple. Apparently Zhenghe landed in Semarang back in the 15th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s some legendary stories about Zhenghe, in which I didn’t even know!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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My lovely friends. I will miss them<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Desert time! Durians!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s about 170k, probably the best Durian I’ve had<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a short break, it’s night market time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There was tiger show since <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later that night we went to a bar in town to watch a live music<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How lovely, especially the drinks there was buy one get TWO for free.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another travel day. My friend took me from his wife’s hometown to his hometown Jogja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Indonesia highway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First stop was this coffee roaster <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I tried something called V60 for the first time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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30k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Next was to visit the UNESCO heritage site Borobudur<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It would have caused me a fortunate to visit $(35US) but my friend managed to sneak me in as a local (50k). Thank you friend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Horse ride for 100k + 50k for tips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I want to say that while I appreciated the visit. It’s grossly overpriced for something half an hour. It’s almost the same price as Angkor Wat but much miniature in scale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We continued our trip to my friend’s home town<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We finally arrived in Jogja<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chinatown gate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The city was very busy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Locals hanging out around the sultan square<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later, we went to a sultan restaurant for some fine dining without the fine prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I ate most of it because it’s my friend’s meat less day. ($19.89)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Live music at the restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later we visited the busy tourist street again and went to a bar for some drinks and music<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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100k for 3 beers. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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rickshaw ride!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That’s it for this week, an introduction to Java and of course its hospitality! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Week 16<\/td>Currency:<\/td>INR<\/td>15<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Day<\/td>Food&Drink<\/td>Lodging<\/td>Transportation<\/td>Other (tickets\/tours etc)<\/td><\/tr>
1<\/td>$34.37<\/td>$5.61<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.33<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>$12.04<\/td>$6.09<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$15.99<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>$21.59<\/td>$5.96<\/td>$2.67<\/td>$2.00<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>$7.62<\/td>$5.94<\/td>$1.65<\/td>$1.33<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>$41.20<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$27.31<\/td>$1.33<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>$34.38<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$2.00<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>$19.89<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$10.00<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>$171.09<\/td>$23.60<\/td>$31.62<\/td>$32.99<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Total<\/td><\/td>Grand Total:<\/td>$259.30<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
This week expense was low largely due to the fact I stayed with my friends<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Opening Finally Indonesia! Lots of cultures, not enough alcohol. Jakarta is underrated. Day 1 Signed up for a free walking tour that’s sponsored by the governors office of Jakarta. Immediately, you could feel the hospitality of East Javanese people. It was a great tour, though I wish things were better taken care well. It definitely… Continue reading Sabbatical Week 16<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sabbatical","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2181"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2276,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2181\/revisions\/2276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}