First Honeymoon day: JACKarta!

Yes that's the new spelling of Jakarta for me, Jackarta. I really intended it to be as such, to elaborate even just a little bit about the experience I had in Jakarta. The woman that epitomizes what being JACK of all trades, the well rounded versatile lady whom I fondly call Tita Tattie. A loving mother of 2 teenagers, a devoted wife, a devout catholic, an accomplished entrepreneur, a wine connoisseur, a dilettante photographer, certified totter bud but most of all my most generous aunt. The thesaurus might ran out of words to describe her, but I wont run out of good things to say about her, her ways and her love for culture, character and compassion. She perfectly mastered the art of how to be the JACK of all trades!



Back to business. We woke up really early on our official first honeymoon day. We were savoring the moment that we didn't have to wake up because we hate to be jammed up on the road on a busy Thursday morning. Instead we want to take off early to prove the cliche "at ng makarami". The buttered mushroom cheese omelet was so heavenly that we (me and Eugene) finished one big serving of it (I am no good in math, but in approximation probably those are like 5 medium sized eggs) and would want to ask for more. Off we went to Taman Mini our first stop on that prickly hot thursday morning!

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is "Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park". Rightfully located in East Jakarta (few minutes away from Central JKT where most tourist stayed), this park is nestled in a more or less 250 acres of land. The Park is an impeccable compendium of the entire 27 (or more) provinces of Indonesia, beautifully depicting their very own collections of architecture, clothing, dances and traditions. Where we spent most of our time with, is at the province of West Sumatra and at the Balinese styled museums.

Many people (tourist in particular) would not bother to take a look at the park simply because its a bit far from the central business area of Jakarta, and that they find it a little pressing to go around a wide park literally on their toes with a good beating from the sun. Little do they know that for a tourist this place is an impressive microcosm of the many varied cultures that cultivated the legacy of Indonesia. It imparted the now known civilization and heritage of the country not to mention their prevailing beliefs and practices.

The West Sumatra provinces proved to be our favorite because of the bewitching wood carvings adorning not the inside of the house but the exterior of it. Each external carvings is worth a 5-6 years in the hands of more than 10 artist. This is a far cry from the current prevailing facades of contemporary houses and building in out country today but this is indeed priceless.


Another place that captured our hearts the most is the Balinese communal living! Their current status is surprisingly still being practiced. Communal Living meaning they build their houses in a one big compound, with a common worship place (mostly their religious practice is Hindu), kitchen and dining area and a common working or relaxation place. In this part of Indonesia their houses are adorned with heavy stone carvings! Bali is known as an island atop a Volcano, people feast on volcanic stones and turn them into priceless pieces of art!



The first day of visit here is but all worth it!