Exploring My Jakarta Bias: A Personal Journey (Part 1)
The title might be a bit clickbait, but I’m eager to share my recent experiences and insights about Jakarta. As a Chinese individual who constantly seeks deeper meaning in life and sets increasingly high standards for living, I often encounter claims like “three sentences that can make you a millionaire” or “do these three things in Southeast Asia to elevate your status.
” These catchy phrases often lead to polished life reflections and glamorous social appearances. However, the true essence of a place cannot be captured through short videos on your phone; it’s only when you step into the real world that you truly understand.
🗺️ For many Chinese, Indonesia and its capital, Jakarta, don’t have the same prominence as other popular Southeast Asian destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. When I mention Jakarta, people often ask, “Where is that?” But if I say Bali, they immediately light up with recognition, exclaiming, “OH OH OH!” In today’s lingo, Jakarta, as the capital of Indonesia, has a subtle, understated charm that deserves more attention.
🛂 Entry and Exit Tips:
1️⃣ 📑 Ensure you apply for an e-visa in advance. This will make your entry and exit smooth and hassle-free. Don’t be misled by the convenience of a visa on arrival; it can be incredibly troublesome, with long queues and extensive paperwork. If you’re traveling with family, it can take at least 2 hours.
Also, carry plenty of Indonesian Rupiah to avoid any additional complications.
2️⃣ 🛂 With an e-visa, you can use dedicated machines to scan your passport. A blue light indicates entry, and a green light indicates exit, all within less than a minute. It’s incredibly efficient and convenient.
3️⃣ 🚗 After leaving the airport, head to the front desk and find Silverbird.
Book an Alpha business car, and ensure they accept VISA or MASTER credit cards. The experience is remarkably comfortable, offering a luxury car service at a regular ride price. Once in the city, you can use the my blue bird app to call similar cars, making your travel seamless and enjoyable.
4️⃣ 📶 For internet access, many travelers opt for local SIM cards or their domestic operator’s global service.
This time, I chose the Roaming Man mobile WiFi, which costs less than 20 yuan per day (remember to turn off your phone’s roaming). Compared to friends using domestic operators, some areas had no signal, and apps like Google were restricted. The mobile WiFi kept me connected throughout, providing reliable internet for both my phone and computer.
Just keep an eye on the battery, but for us Chinese who always carry power banks, this isn’t a problem.
[Right Arrow][Right Arrow][Right Arrow][Right Arrow] (For more experiences, check Part 2)🌟🌟
