We arrived in Jakarta after a 2.5 hour flight.
We were the only foreigners on the plane - a loaded 737 800 - but not the infamous Max 8.
We were driving too fast for a good photo of the airport in Jakarta, but yes, KFC is everywhere!
We saw KFC in all the many Asian countries we have visited.

 

Jakarta is a province as well as the name of the capital city.
It is certainly more developed than Sumatra.
There are lots of highrises, and real estate is VERY expensive.
The roads and treets are clean, well maintained and lots of
oleander, bouganvillea, plumeria, Lantana bushes planted all along the roadsides.

A huge metal sculpture:
Garuda Pancasila is the national emblem of Indonesia.
It is an eagle bird and the name of symbol derived from Garuda, the mythical bird vehicle of Vishnu.
The current symbols are designed and officially recognised in 1950s.
The head of Garuda faces its right side, it means that Indonesia embraces democracy.
If it faces its left side, it means Indonesia is leaning on socialism.
The Garuda's feathers represent the date of Indonesia's independence day which is 17 August 1945.
The total feathers of the wings are 17 in each left and right wings.
The total feathers in the tail are 8 and feathers of its neck are 45 in total.
The Indonesian national emblem is the Garuda with a
heraldic shield on its chest and a scroll gripped by its leg.
This is the first we've seen of overpasses, "freeways," etc.
.

*** A bronze statue to honour the farmer soldier.
The male is wearing a farmer's hat but holding a rifle.
The woman is offering him special food as he leaves for battle.
The statue was created by a Dutch sculptor and is surrounded by gardens

*** This appears to be half moon shaped mesh structures covered with plants.
Should have done that with our mesh satellite dish instead of tearing it down|!
Trees are of an interesting variety, not so much the variety but the root and braching system,

CANALS
*** Canals as a means of transport.
Apparently, the canals are not used much today for transport.
People do go fishing for reacreation
As we were driving into the city,
we saw patches of waterfront being reclaimed with landfill, to build more apartments, etc

*** During the Dutch colonization period, they built many canals and architecturally distinct buildings
 This area has been beautified by a previous Chinese governor.
At one time, and still true along some parts of the canal is the "red light" district".
They are trying to change all, but there is resistence.


 

CONTINUED IN PART 2
www.hillmanweb.com/indonesia/java/j01a.html

JAVA CONTENTS
www.hillmanweb.com/indonesia/java

 INDONESIA INTRO CONTENTS
www.hillmanweb.com/indonesia

Part of the
Hillman Travel Adventures
Bill and Sue-On Hillman