So, You Want To Visit Jakarta?

Jakarta has been in the news quite often lately, but certainly not for the tourist sights. When political chaos reigns the streets can be packed with protestors and idealists fighting the corrupt political system. Once things cool down, expats can show their faces again. To most travelers, Jakarta as a starting or ending point of their trip. However, Jakarta is one of the most exciting night-life cities in the world. Although Jakarta itself doesn't have many "sights" to offer, it is the lively commercial centre of Java. In addition to several museums, the heart of the old Dutch town at 'Taman Fatahillah'. National Monument or known by locals at Monumen Nasional [Monas] and National Museum or Museum gajah nearby Merdeka Square. Sunda Kelapa, is the old harbour from which merchantmen from all over the world come and go. Take a weekend charter to Anak Krakatoa, and compare it to Captain Cook's 1773 description. The night-time southern sky is not something you will soon forget. Indonesia is a wonderful country with beautiful, friendly people. It is a wonderful mixture of beauty and chaos that you will either love, or hate. The rice paddies, volcanos, small villages and ocean beaches are incomparable in this world.
[from world66.com, ukirsari)

For many travellers, Jakarta is just a 'pass through' city. Either you arrive here to take a boat to one of the other islands or you wait for your departure from the Soekarno-Hatta Airport. It is true indeed that Jakarta does not have to offer that many 'sights'. However, still enough to make a few days' stay in Jakarta more interesting than only a visit to the touristy Jalan Jaksa area. There are a few museums you can explore on a monsoon day. When you see 'Taman Fatillah', you might feel the beat of the old Dutch colonial heart again....
[from world66.com]

Cathedral Church

Across the road from the Mesjid Istiqlal Mosque you’ll find the St Mary’s Cathedral, known today by the locals as “Kathedral”. The nice thing about the presence of the Cathedral here is that it really is within a stones-throw of the Istiqlal Mosque as a symbol of religious unity within the country. The Cathedral was originally built in 1810 at this spot but had to be rebuilt after it was burnt to the ground in 1826. The second Cathedral was then finished in 1830 and in 1882 the two towers were added to the front before it was again reduced to ruin in 1890. The following year the rebuilding started again, but faltered several times before it was finally completed in its current form in 1901. [from realdestination.com]