Life in Jakarta

Jakarta, the capital of the Republic of Indonesia,  is a huge, sprawling metropolitan city with a population of more than 9 million people.  Jakarta is the seat of national government as well the as seat of the provincial government of Greater Jakarta. As the melting pot of Indonesia, Jakarta has a lot of things to do and to see; however, travel-wise, it is advised to always allow a little extra time when cruising through Jakarta as the city is always buzzing with motorbikes and cars. The city is very dynamic and full of life during the day and well into the night.

TRANSPORT

Jakarta has a few modes of public transport, and the most recommended one is the Transjakarta  system, which provides air conditioned buses which have their own lanes on major roads.

Other more comfortable modes include taxis (021-79177234), which are very easy to find, usually queuing at the shopping malls and office buildings near JWC Campus. You can also flag them down on the street.

Some traditional modes of transport are a must-try to enrich your exchange experience. These include becak (a traditional three-wheeled  form of transportation commonly found in Indonesia and in other Asian countries, the normal capacity of Becak is only two passengers and a driver); and delman (also called dokar and andong),  which are horse-drawn carriages commonly used in smaller towns in Indonesia.  In Jakarta, these delman are often found in Monas for tourism purposes.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Jakarta’s customs and traditions are generally the same as any other Indonesian city. As for clothing, it is encouraged to not reveal too much skin, especially in public spaces.  Sometimes revealing outfits are acceptable, usually in beach areas, and inside shopping malls.  Nonetheless, it is advised to dress at least with short sleeved tops and knee-length bottoms, especially when  going outdoors through the streets.

FOOD AND DRINK

Here one finds restaurants serving international cuisine or regional dishes from the archipelago, ranging from exclusive restaurants to road-side stalls with something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Most Indonesian food found in Jakarta is hot and spicy. Some dishes are accompanied by a red chili paste called sambal. A spicy peanut sauce is used as a dressing for salads, satay (skewered strips of grilled meat) or gado gado (cold vegetable salad).  Other common foods are tahu (soybean cake) and tempe (fermented soybeans wrapped in a banana leaf). Also, a wide range of fruit is found in Indonesia, including durian, star fruit, salak, rambutan, mango, and papaya.

For the choice of foodstalls available near BINUS INTERNATIONAL Campuses, please visit: Around JWC and FX Campuses.