SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Jakarta, Puncak & Bandung

Second day in Jakarta.

 

The view of Jakarta city in the morning from our hotel front window.

While the rear window shows a stark contrast of the panorama.

Jakarta slum sandwiches between high rise and posh buildings.

 The ladies having morning chats by the river.

We check out from the hotel and pick up by Pak Dadan, who will drive us to Bandung. I guess it is still early; Jakarta seems to be extremely quiet.

 En route to Bandung, we request Pak Dadan to make a slight detour.

The traffic starts building up on the exit to Bogor. Unfortunately, we are trapped in a road closure, a system introduce by the government to ease the traffic congestion (in Jakarta they have traffic schedules. At a time one way will be closed to open up for vehicles from the other directions, vice-versa). Unlucky for us; but definitely not to these street peddlers.

Being stucked for about an hour, we are already restless over the wasted time. But the Jakartarians seem to be taking it easy.  Not a single profane word is heard, no shouts, honks or what so ever. They don’t even look stress. I guess they are already used to it. Malaysian drivers should really have this kind of patience.

People starts coming out from the car for fresh air while waiting for our turn to move.

 Soon after, we are allowed to move. Half an hour later, we reach Bogor.

Our first agenda of the day is to visit the Safari. But before that, we buy some fruits and vegetables to feed the animal from one of the many stalls that could be spotted along the way.

Welcome to Safari!

A warm welcome from our adorable host.

The safari gives you the chance for a close encounter with the animals.

Fate is not on our side today as it suddenly rains heavily. All the animals run for shelters.

The giraffes and deers.

The big cats.

It is still raining when we leave the safari. We continue our journey to Puncak, on the way to Bandung.

Puncak Pass in mist. Puncak, which literally means ‘the summit’  is a highland 2 hours drive from Jakarta. This is a view of the Puncak Pass taken from the restaurant where we are having our delayed lunch. It is a favourite place for Jakartarians to escape the hot and hectic city.

 Minutes later, the mist is gone and we have better view of the surrounding.

My models inside the restaurant enjoying the superb lunch and the astounding scenary.

After lunch, we are on the move again – to Bandung. It is a strenuous 3 hours journey from Puncak, via the old roads. Thank god the view along the way is wonderful, we lost track of the time.

We reach Bandung around 5.30pm, and stopping by this remarkable mosque to catch up with the afternoon prayer. It is simply out of the typical mosque structures without the ordinary domes and minarets. The kufi caligraphy that adorns the exterior is simply amazing.

The praying hall facing an orb with Allah’s name on it. Symbolic.

 The water and the view add to the tranquility.

 Another view of the mosque before we leave.

End of Day 2.