Things that I noticed during CNY visitation in Jakarta

Hi guys!

5 things that I noticed, during my Jakarta trip 

1. Magnum is cheap!

How much is Magnum cost in Singapore? $2.50 and above.

How much is Magnum cost in Jakarta? Only Rp. 12,000 or $1.30 (1SGD=Rp.9400)

It is so cheap until I gone berserk and buy all flavours at one go! nom nom!

2. Traffic Jam

Of course, with this kind of public transport infrastructure in Jakarta, it’s a hassle to commute via public transport. 

I mean, people still prefer to commute with their private cars rather than using public transport. But hey, now it’s getting better. Busway route are everywhere now. The bus upgraded. The routes expanded. I can see the improvement from time to time, thanks to our governor, Pak Ahok. I heard there’s a fine of Rp.500, 000 (more or less) if you drive in the busway route but so far I still see the private car drive in the busway route but never witness them got fined by the traffic police. LOL.  

Ok side track a bit, can you believe that I have driving license? Hence I stop driving since 6 -7 years ago because I don’t think I can drive car in Jakarta without getting someone else/myself hurt. Yeah, that's the story about me. 

3. Bandung Ritual.

Started few years back, we had a ritual going to Bandung for a day trip, just to eat and shop and buy oleh2. Now seems like most of Jakarta people like to go to Bandung. Why is it so? First, because the F&B there, are awesomely everywhere. Second, after eat full of meal then what can Jakarta people do? of course shopping! Well, The Factory Outlets are affordable and literally every corner of the road... The weather is friendly.  Not too hot and not too cold. And the list goes on. But now since we have Chloe, we kind of stop this Bandung ritual and just chilled at home.

4. Giving Tips!

I still don’t get the idea of giving tips to hairdresser/ massause while they already earn a decent pay! I mean, we in Singapore, we don’t give tips to the them, rite? Do you give tips to hairdresser/ masseuse after spa treatment? I don’t know about you but I don’t! My sister said, if their service is good, tips Rp.15,000-20,000 is obliged to be given to them. If we’re not satisfied with their service, don’t need to give tips. Here’s inside of my head, there’s this thin line between satisfy and stingy. LOL. But normally I will just give tips of max Rp. 20,000 since its only like S$2 here. Haha.

5. F&B in the mall, not that cheap!

Don’t judge by the currency! Even if now the Rupiah weaken, the cost of eating out in a decent place in Jakarta will cost a bomb, too. For instance, eating at food court will cost about Rp.30, 000-Rp.50,000 per person. If you convert, it is like S$5-6.

But if you buy food in warteg, it will be like Rp.10, 000-20,000 but be prepared for extremely detoxification, hahaha…

Oh ya, I found my fave café now! Recommended by my sister. We tried this Shirokuma café and it cost us around Rp. 150,000 +/- for 3 person and if you convert, it’s only S$ 15 for 3 person. I mean, still cheaper compare to eating dessert in Singapore. 

Talking about currency, ok maybe it’s only me.

I’m a kind of person who is very and extremely lazy to convert currency when shopping aboard, so I found it spending Rp is such a pain in my ass.

It is like, wow Rp. 100,000 is so expensive, no way I’m gonna buy this coz more zeros= more expensive. But actually after I convert, it is only $10 plus. And I prefer home cooked rather then eating out, but my mom seldom cooks at home, busy taking care of Chloe, hikzzz…

Then can you imagine, 1 time shopping cost me about Rp.500, 000 for 1 blazer and 1 high-waist short!? So expensive shit but after I converted it’s only $53. LOL. I mean, if you shop in Mango or ZARA Singapore, I don’t think can get this price, man. Actually I would prefer to support local brand and shop till drop in Mangga Dua but the time’s not permit. And I don’t think I have guts to haggle price anymore. Yep, so overall, I still did some shopping but in shopping mall. 

Ok, thanks for reading my nonsense. Time for pictures!

Updates: Saturday March 14, 2015

6. Toilet seat with automated bidet function.

How awesome are toilets in Jakarta!!!! (especially in the mall)!!

I mean, forget about how to bring *spare* water and feminine wet wipes to wash my butt after doing big business in public toilet. In Jakarta, all the toilet seats are equipped with bidet function. Of course not that so high tech like in Japan (I tried before, they even have those rear wash, front wash, seat warmer for winter time, sounds, and deodoriser to camouflage the big bad brownies, hahaha)

Something like this, the basic function of bidet, just press and the water spray will come out and spray the water to wash the butt. How I wish that all Singapore's toilet (especially in the mall area) have this function. then no need to bring wet tissue, spare water, or additional things when I have big business urgency....you know...hahaha....

ok that's all, so now picture time!

-Deb-