This trip was a lot shorter than the last, and I spent it mostly working, but I did manage to get around on No Car Sunday.
The Jakarta Post says of No Car Day:
"As Jakarta’s Car Free Day (CFD), which closes off the capital’s main roads in Central Jakarta to vehicles on Sunday mornings, grows more popular, not only are hordes of Jakartans flocking to the streets but so are a long line of commercial brands.
Tens of thousands of residents from across the capital come to the center of the city on Sunday mornings to jog, bike, walk their dogs or simply to just enjoy the capital’s wide and tree-lined streets that are usually packed with private vehicles on weekdays, making CFD one of the most popular Sunday activities in the city.
A local police officer estimated that at least 100,000 people gathered between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. every Sunday.
Businesses have also made good use of CFD, with dozens of brands opening booths along roads, some even erecting huge stages for promotional events.
While some people can appreciate how commercialized CFD has become, others are irked by it."
I found this to be mildly accurate. There certainly were several commercial operations underway, but mostly I found that No Car Sunday was used to bring people together, and as a vehicle for social organizations to get their messages out.
I saw groups protesting the recent election of the new governor, as well as Walk for the Cure groups, and even athletic groups having runs.
So while there are commercial outlets, No Car Sunday remains a day of the people.
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| The scene at the Selemat Detang Monument in front of the hotel |
I mentioned to an Indonesian co-worker that I might try something from "the carts on the street". He said, "Don't try this at home!"
I didn't!
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These carts are everywhere.
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| Donkey cart rides - remember it's No CAR Sunday |
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| A band playing for animal rights |
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| Bikers and walkers everywhere on No Car Sunday |
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| Not.quite.sure. (Captain Healthy Guy?) |
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| This was at 8:30am |
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| Walk for the cure - Indonesian style! |
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| Diabetes walk |
National Monument
Wikipedia says:
The National Monument is a 132 m tower in the centre of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia. It is the national monument of the Republic of Indonesia, built to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence.
It looks like a big candle surrounded by people and litter. It was a ½ hour walk from my hotel. On No Car Sunday, that wasn't too bad a trip.
People bring their families to picnic on the grounds.
Jakarta - It's growing on me, but I still won't drink the water!
But I DID get to the Hard Rock!
UPDATE!
OK, I really wanted to share these shots of the Grand Indonesia Shopping Town. The place is the largest mall in Indonesia, and while it's no "Mall of America" it is huge. The pics I took are just a small sampling. But there are so many places to eat! I counted 3 full food courts with, ot just kiosk type places, but full sit-down restaurants!
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| One floor of just food court |
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| Looking down through the escalators |
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| Fook Yew (no, really) |
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| 5 of the 8 floors |
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| The "Food Louver" |
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| Top is a food court, center is a food court, downstairs is shopping |
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| Android shop |
Oh, and there are no less than 3 Starbucks, a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and 2 Djournal's.
Brauhaus!
I hope you enjoyed this trip, I did.
