Update: Rumah ini telah berhasil dikontrakkan. Terima kasih :)

---
Anda masih bujangan alias single? ... atau baru saja berkeluarga?

Butuh rumah tinggal? Nih, silahkan dilihat..
rumah dikontrakkan tanpa perantara :)

Lokasi rumah:
Jl. Haji Salihun No. 101
RT 03 RW 10
Kebon Jeruk
Jakarta Barat

Peta lokasi rumah. 
Akses mudah ke Jalan Panjang dan Kemanggisan. 
Dekat kampus Bina Nusantara.

- Bangunan baru direnovasi, jadi 100% siap ditinggali
- Luas bangunan sekitar 5x14 M2
- 2 lantai: 3 kamar tidur + 2 kamar mandi di bawah dan 1 kamar tidur di atas
- 1 ruang tamu
- 1 ruang keluarga
- 1 dapur
- Mesin air jetpump (air sumur)
- Listrik 1300 watt
- Halaman depan cukup untuk motor
- Akses jalan di depan rumah cukup untuk 1 unit mobil
- dan yang paling penting.. BEBAS BANJIR!

Biaya sewa: 17.000.000/tahun 
(PAS - tanpa nego)
Minimal kontrak 1 tahun.

Silahkan hubungi
(021) 5300153 - 08158070527 - 085287908333
Untuk info lebih lanjut silahkan langsung telp/sms saja.

Supaya lebih yakin, silahkan lihat foto Tour de Rumah Biru kecil-kecilan berikut ini.
Foto-fotonya ala kadarnya, harap maklum kalau gambarnya terlihat agak gelap.

Tampak depan rumah mungil biru yang cantik :)

Pekarangan depan yang cukup luas..

Pintu masuk yang mentereng! Ngaca dulu juga boleh loh!

Silahkan masuk.. Tinggal dikasih sofa imut dan voila! jadilah ruang tamu yang manis.

Kamar tidur pertama..

Kamar tidur kedua..

... dan kamar tidur ketiga di lantai bawah!

ruang tengah alias ruang keluarga alias tempat ngumpul!
*eh ada penampakan si bapak tukang bangunan*

selasar menuju ke kamar mandi, dapur, dan kamar tidur lainnya...

dapur yang masih.. *ehem* agak berantakan hehe..

kamar mandi + toilet kecil di lantai bawah :)

...dan kamar mandi + toilet yang kedua. Yang ini tanpa bak mandi.

pas di sebelah dapur, ada tangga menuju ke lantai atas..

...mari naik bersama :)

penasaran dengan lantai atas?

bagian yang di semen itu bukan kotor. melainkan tempat khusus untuk mencuci + menjemur pakaian.
kalau bahasa kerennya "laundry area"

sedangkan benda orange besar itu adalah tempat penampungan air :)

ohya! masih ada 1 kamar tidur lagi di lantai atas..

ada ventilasi dan cahaya yang cukup untuk kawasan "laundry" :)

... dan kalau mau naik ke genteng... kira-kira beginilah pemandangannya.

Demikianlah Tour de Rumah Biru! Semoga berkenan untuk menyewa.
Cocok kan buat yang baru berkeluarga!? Buat yang masih bekerja juga mantaaabh!
Mohon bantuan teman-teman untuk share ke teman/keluarga/kerabat yang sedang mencari rumah tinggal.

Bagi para kaskusers, mohon bantuannya buat nyundul ya!
Di sini nih...  Rumah Biru mejeng di Kaskus!

Thank you for visiting my own little property.. ;)

For a while there, I've reviewed some of Jakarta's public transports on part [1] and [2]

Now, let's get deeper to the essence of Jakarta's transportation...
Here are the stubborn little things that will get you through any traffic condition!

BEMO

Bemo or BEcak MOtor (motorized tricycle) is one of the oldest means of transportation in Jakarta, dated back to the 1962.

Cost = 3000 IDR

The use of Bemo has been banned by the Jakarta's government since the vehicle is not so effective, lack of spare-parts, and also a cause of pollution. To ride on a Bemo is such a good-bad experience. You will be sweating from the heat, and your legs may crammed from such a low seat. Plus, your knee will "kiss" other knee-friends during the ride.

Even though Bemo has been banned, there are still some small routes that Bemo serves:
* Manggarai - RS Cipto Mangunkusumo
* Tanah Abang - Karet
* Salemba - Rawasari

IF you want to be driven right to your destination (for example: when looking for a specific address), aside from using a taxi, you can choose to use one of these vehicles...

BAJAJ

Bajaj here do not refer to a brand. Bajaj is one of the original vehicles of Jakarta that still operate widely on the city. You can instantly recognize a Bajaj by its bright orange colour, but even spot it from a far from its roaring sound!! The "vroom vroom" of a Bajaj is unmistakable.

To ride in a Bajaj is like nothing else!

• First of all, set a fix price to the driver before you get into the Bajaj. Since Bajaj are mostly operates on short ride, thus the price are around 7000 - 20.000 IDR.
• When you choose to ride on a Bajaj, please be prepare to have a very, very, very.. bumpy ride! even though the road is clear. You might want to tape how your body shiver all over the place because of it's "vibration"
  
• Private conversations are not supposed to be done in a Bajaj, since you have to shout out loud to outdo the thundering sound of the machine.
• Let your body flow with the Bajaj. There's a local saying: "No one really know where a Bajaj heading. It's only between the driver and his God." I suppose Bajaj driver has an ongoing thought that Bajaj is so small and stubborn and can get right through any traffic cracks. So, during the ride, you may experience some hardcore stirs hehe :) Because of this "attitude", the local people give another nickname for Bajaj - it's kecoa (or cockroach). Don't worry, it's not because of roaches dominate the Bajaj.
• There also a more upgraded version of Bajaj, it's called Bajaj BBG and it uses a different kind of gas. The Bajaj BBG is less bumpy, and more eco-friendly.

Tourist usually compare Bajaj with similar vehicle, Tuk Tuk from Thailand.

KANCIL

Kancil (Kendaraan Niaga Cilik Irit Lincah) is usually refer as the modern version of Bajaj - modern as in it produces less sound, just like cars. It also has 3 wheels, slightly narrower in the front. Kancil do not operate in all part of Jakarta. You can see Kancil usually in West Jakarta.

OJEK

Ojek (pronounced like "o-jack") is sort of a motorbike-taxi. This ride is a favourite since it uses motorcycle that can cut through the traffic jam, especially if the driver is gifted to know all of the short-cut (local call it "jalan tikus") around Jakarta.

How to find Ojek? Easy. Just look around for a group of motorbikes with drivers around your area (just like the pic above). Usually, they also got a sign/cardboard with "Pangkalan Ojek" on it. Expats also love Ojeks because the ride is personal and fast. One can make a monthly deal with the driver. Usually the driver also serves Ojek by phone-call. Handy, right? ;)

Sources: Alfasentosa blog

Welcome to Jakarta, folks!

Read it all:
Public transportation in Jakarta [1]

Public transportation in Jakarta [2]

Public transportation in Jakarta [3]

This article was also featured in Suara Jakarta, a paper by @ndorokakung.

OK. You have sufficient information about public transportation in general (in part 1) to cope up with the hustle and bustle of Jakarta's infamous traffic.

However....
IF you want to try the ultimate experience of daily life in Jakarta, then try to hop on one of the local buses! This morning on my way to the office, for the very first time, i saw an expat hopped on bus 213.

If you are lucky, then the bus will not be to packed, you may also get to enjoy the good "PENGAMEN" (street/bus amateur musicians) with great voices, good guitar, and sometimes, violin skills. But you may also encounter those horrible "pengamen" stinky clothes and bad sounds or other sort of beggars.

This is what you get when you're lucky. full-entertainment!

When you are riding on a bus in Jakarta, always be aware of your belongings! You should also prepare some small changes (500 IDR) in case you want to give appreciations to the good "pengamen" :)

Here are some of Jakarta's buses, also with their routes. I might have written some mistakes on some routes, and some routes are still empty. please inform/correct me :)

Mayasari Bhakti, PPD, Steady Safe

Those are the names of the big busses that run around Jakarta (greater area).

Cost = 2000 IDR (no AirCo); 5000 - 10.000 IDR (with AirCo)

Here are some of the routes:

P6 : Grogol - Kp Rambutan
P37 :
P55 : Grogol - Kp Melayu
P45 : Blok M - Kp Rambutan (usually it only goes to cililitan)
P46 : Grogol - Kp Rambutan (usually it only goes to cililitan)

57 : Blok M - Pulogadung
107 : Kp Melayu - Blok M
300 : Blok M - Rawamangun
213 : Grogol - Kp Melayu
916 :

Patas AC 10 : Dukuh Atas
Patas AC 11 : Pulo Gadung - Kalideres
Patas AC 81 : Depok - Kalideres
Patas AC 43 : Grogol - Cibinong
Patas AC 05 : Bekasi - Blok M
Patas AC 34: Blok M - Cimone
Patas AC 79 : Kp Rambutan - Kota
Patas AC 48 : Depok - Grogol
Patas AC 104 : Kp Melayu - Cimone

Deborah
Route Depok - Lb Bulus
Route Depok - Kalideres

Tunggal Daya
Route Lb Bulus - Bekasi

METROMINI

Metromini is a minibus by the colour of orange with blue stripe. Usually, these minibuses can stop almost everywhere (not only on the bus shelters). You can ask the "kondektur" where to hop off.

Cost = 2000 IDR

Here are the routes:

001 : Senen - RS Islam Cempaka Putih - Taman Solo
003 : Senen - Cempaka Putih - Rawamangun
005 : Senen - Johar Baru - Mardani
007 : Senen - Cempaka Mas - Semper
010 : Senen - Kemayoran - Sunter
011 : Senen - Kemayoran - Bendungan Jago
015 : Senen - Sabang - Setiabudi
017 : Senen - Cikini - Manggarai
023 : Tanjung Priok - Cilincing
024 : Tanjung Priok - Sunter - Senen
029 : Kota - Pademangan - Sunter
030 : Kota - Pluit - Muara Angke
041 : Pulo Gadung - Tugu - Tanjung Priok
042 : Pulo Gadung - Penggilingan - Perumnas Klender
043 : Pulo Gadung - Pondok Ungu - Seroja
044 : Pulo Gadung - Penggilingan - Pulo Gebang
045 : Pulo Gadung - Jatiwaringin - Pondok Gede
046 : Pulo Gadung - Utan Kayu - Kampung Melayu
047 : Senen - Cempaka Putih - Pondok Kopi
049 : Pulo Gadung - Utan Kayu - Manggarai
050 : Kampung Melayu - Duren Sawit - Perumnas Klender
052 : Kampung Melayu - Buaran - Stasiun Cakung
053 : Kampung Melayu - Condet - Kampung Rambutan
054 : Kampung Melayu - Kalimalang - Pondok Kelapa
058 : Cililitan - Pondok Bambu - Perumnas Klender
060 : Manggarai - Tebet - Kampung Melayu
061 : Manggarai - Bukit Duri - Kampung Melayu
062 : Manggarai - Pancoran - Pasar Minggu
064 : Pasar Minggu - Kalibata - Cililitan
069 : Blok M - Kyai Maja - Kreo - Ciledug
070 : Blok M - Pos Pengumben - Joglo
071 : Blok M - Tanah Kusir - Kodam Bintaro
072 : Blok M - Pondok Indah – Lebak Bulus
074 : Blok M - Tanah Kusir - Rempoa
075 : Blok M - Mampang - Pasar Minggu
076 : Blok M - Cilandak - Kampung Rambutan
077 : Blok M - Kemang - Ragunan
078 : Blok M - Mayestik - Kebayoran Lama - Cidodol
079 : Blok M - Fatmawati - Lebak Bulus
082 : Kalideres - Kamal - Kapuk - Grogol
084 : Kalideres - Pluit - Kota
085 : Kalideres - Permata Hijau - Lebak Bulus
091 : Batusari - Tanjung Duren - Citraland - Grogol - Roxy Mas - Tanah Abang
092 : Joglo - Kedoya - Jalan Panjang - Daan Mogot - Grogol
506 : Kampung Melayu - Klender - Pondok Kopi
610 : Blok M - Cipete - RS Fatmawati - Pondok Labu
611 : Blok M - Pondok Pinang - Pasar Jum'at
619 : Blok M - Pangeran Antasari - Pondok Labu - Cinere
640 : Pasar Minggu - Pancoran - Tosari
719 : Lebak Bulus - Pondok Gede - Jatiasih
733 : Blok M - Bintara - Kranji
783 : Kampung Melayu - Kalimalang - Cibubur - Cileungsi
789 : Perumnas Klender - Pulo Gadung - Harapan Indah
792 : Perumnas Klender - Pondok Kelapa - Bekasi
811 : Blok M - Lebak Bulus - Rempoa - Bintaro

KOPAJA or Koperasi Angkutan Jakarta

KOPAJA is a mini bus by the colour of green with white stripe.

Cost = 2000 IDR

There are some codes: (but usually they don't put the code)
P for Jakarta Pusat
B for Jakarta Barat
S for Jakarta Selatan
T for Jakarta Timur
U for Jakarta Utara

Here are some of the routes:

P16 : Tanah Abang - Slipi Jaya - Kemanggisan - Kedoya - Ciledug
P19 : Tanah Abang - Sudirman - Blok M - Ragunan Depan
P20 : Senen - HOS Cokroaminoto - Rasuna Said - Warung Buncit - TB Simatupang - Lebak Bulus
U27 : Pasar Senen - Kelapa Gading
T57 : Terminal Kp. Rambutan - Raya Bogor - Cililitan (PGC) - Dewi Sartika - Kalibata - Duren Tiga - Warung Buncit - Tendean - Wolter Monginsidi - Terminal Blok M
63 : Blok M - Ampera - Depok
S66 : Blok M - Rasuna Said - Latuharhari - Sultan Agung (Pasar Rumput) - Manggarai
S68 : Kp.Melayu - Ragunan - Pasar Minggu - Pancoran
B86 : Lebak Bulus - Slipi - Grogol
B88 :
T502 : Kampung Melayu - Tanah Abang
S602 : Tanah Abang - Mampang - Kb.Ragunan
605 : Blok M - Kemang - Kp. Rambutan
Terminal Blok M - Iskandarsyah - Melawai - Panglima Polim - Darmawangsa - Darmawangsa 4 - Darmawangsa 13 - Fatmawati - Abdul Majid - Kemang Selatan 8 - Kemang - Kemang Selatan - Ampera - TB Simatupang - Masuk Tol AMPERA~1 - Keluar Tol~30 "Cililitan—Cijantung" - Terminal Kp. Rambutan
605A : Blok M - Kemang - Kb.Ragunan
Terminal Blok M - Prapanca - Kemang - Kemang Selatan - Ampera - TB Simatupang - Harsono - Terminal Ragunan (Ragunan Depan)
S608 : Blok M - Tanah Abang
S609 : Blok M - Kebayoran Lama - Cipulir - Meruya
S612 : Kp.Melayu - Kemang - Kb. Ragunan (back)
S613 : Blok M - Bintaro
Pasar Minggu - Warung Buncit - Pejaten Barat - Ampera - Kemang Selatan - Benda - Puri Sakti - Antasari - Taman Brawijaya - Darmawangsa 15 - Darmawangsa - Darmawangsa 6 - Wijaya 2 - Panglima Polim - Kramat Pela - Barito 2 - Barito 1 - Kyai Maja - Cipulir
S614 : Pasar Minggu - Blok M - Cipulir
615 : Tanah Abang - Blok M - Lebak Bulus
S616 : Blok M - Ps Minggu - Cipedak
S620 : Blok M - Mampang - Pasar Rumput
95 : Rawa Bokor - Taman Anggrek

KOANTAS BIMA

it's a mini bus, just like Metromini and Kopaja, but the colours are yellow with green stripe.

Cost = 2000 IDR

Here are the routes:

101 : Tanah Abang - Pondok Cabe
102 : Tanah Abang - Ciputat
507 : Kampung Melayu - Cimanggis
509 : Kampung Rambutan - Lebak Bulus
510 : Kampung Rambutan - Ciputat
621 : Blok M - Ciputat
104 : Perumnas Tangerang - Grogol
106 : Cimone - Senen
103 : Poris - Grogol

ANGKOT

Angkot is an abbreviation from ANGkutan KOTa - litterally means city transport. It is actually a modified van/SUV so that it could carry more passengers. The colour for these angkots are varied: red, white, etc.

cost = 2500 IDR

Here are the routes:

Angkot B01 : Grogol – Mr Angke
Angkot B03 : Joglo – Meruya - Kedoya - Tanjung Duren - Citraland
Angkot B14 : Puri Indah – Pasar Puri - Kedoya - Terusan Arjuna - Tanjung Duren - Citraland
Angkot C01 : Kebayoran Lama – Ciledug
Angkot C02 : Ciledug – Jombang
Angkot C05 : Kebayoran Lama – Ceger
Angkot C09 : Lebak Bulus – Bintaro – Ceger – Pd Aren
Angkot C14 : Lebak Bulus – Ciledug
Angkot C15 : Semanan – Ciledug
Angkot D01 : Kebayoran Lama – Tanah Kusir – Pondok Pinang – Lebak Bulus – Ciputat
Angkot D02 : Pondok Labu – Lebak Bulus – Ciputat
Angkot D07 : Ciputat – Pamulang – Muncul/Serpong
Angkot D08 : Ciputat – Jombang
Angkot D09 : Pd Jagung – Graha Bintaro – Parigi – Bintaro Plaza – Rempoa – Situ Gintung
Angkot D10 : Ciputat – Bintaro – Pondok Aren
Angkot D15 : Lebak Bulus – Pondok Cabe – Pamulang
Angkot D18 : Ciputat – Bintaro – Ciledug
Angkot D26 : Ciputat – Pamulang
Angkot S01 : Blok M – Pondok Labu
Angkot S03 : Kebayoran Lama – Tanah Kusir – Pondok Pinang – Lebak Bulus – Pondok Labu
Angkot S06 : Mayestik/Tmn. Puring – Kebayoran Lama – Ceger
Angkot S07 : Kebayoran Lama – Pondok Aren
Angkot S08 : Lebak Bulus – Ciputat – Rempoa – Bintaro
Angkot S10 : Kebayoran Lama – Velbak – Seskoal – Peninggaran – Tanah Kusir
Angkot S11 : Lebak Bulus – Fatmawati – Pasar Minggu
Angkot S12 : Lebak Bulus – Bona Indah – Ragunan
Angkot S14 : Lebak Bulus – Pondok Pinang – Deplu – Bintaro – Petukangan
Angkot 461 : UKI cawang – Pondok Gede
Angkot JP03A (APB) : Karet – Tanah Abang – Roxy
Angkot JS01 (APB) : Mayestik – Kostrad – Kemandoran


MIKROLET
Mikrolet is similar to Angkot. The size is like normal cars (similar size to CRVs) but modified so that it could carry more passengers. It has light blue colour. The driver usually modified the mikrolets as they wish, so each mikrolet has its own "personalities"... some are with religious stickers, some with fancy headbanging speakers (seriously), and some others are just plain boring mikrolets. If you are riding on the mikrolets with the soundsystem, be prepared to shake your body to the Dangdut or House music hehehe...

Cost = 2000-2500 IDR

Here are the routes:
M01 : Kampung Melayu - Matraman - Senen
M02 : Pulogadung - Velodrome - Kampung Melayu
M04 : Cililitan - Cipinang - Rawasari
M06(A) : Kampung Melayu - Cililitan - Gandaria
M08 : Tanah Abang - Kota
M09 : Tanah Abang – Kebayoran Lama
M10 : Tanah Abang – Jembatan Lima
M11 : Tanah Abang – Meruya
M12 : Senen - Gunung Sahari - Kota
M15A Tanjung Priok - Ancol - Kota
M16 : Kampung Melayu - Cawang - Pasar Minggu
M18 : Kampung Melayu – Kali Malang – Pondok Gede
M19 : Cililitan - Pondok Kelapa – Klender Bekasi
M20 : Pasar Minggu – Ragunan – Jati Padang - Ciganjur
M21 : Pulogadung - Rawamangun - Kampung Melayu
M23 : Karet - Setiabudi - Manggarai
M26 : Kampung Melayu - Kalimalang - Perumnas II Bekasi
M27 : Kampung Melayu – Cipinang - Pulo Gadung
M28 : Kampung Melayu – Cawang – Pondok Gede
M29 : Cililitan - Kalimalang – Kranji
M30A : Pulogadung - Kelapa Gading - Tanjung Priok
M31 : Kampung Melayu - Duren Sawit - Pondok Kelapa
M32 : Kampung Melayu - Duren Sawit Raya - Perumnas Klender
M36 : Pasar Minggu - Jembatan 4 - Jagakarsa
M37 : Pulogadung - Kelapa Gading - Senen
M38 : Grogol – Bendungan Hilir
M44 : Kampung Melayu - Casablanca (Ambassador Mall) - Karet Kuningan
M46 : Pulogadung - Pemuda - Senen
M53 : Pulogadung - Cempaka Putih - Kota
M54 : Kampung Melayu - Jend. Basuki Rachmat - Pondok Bambu

NEXT!
Jakarta's favourite vehicles in Public transportation in Jakarta [3]

Read it all ;)
Public transportation in Jakarta [1]

Public transportation in Jakarta [2]

Public transportation in Jakarta [3]

The strong heat of Jakarta welcomes you at Soekarno-Hatta airport. Soon enough, you (specifically addressing Jakarta-first-timer) may experience the big fuzz every traveler mumbles about Jakarta all year long: traffic!

Yes, public transportation in Jakarta can be considered as a BIG headache!

As soon as you get off Soekarno-Hatta airport (assuming that you have no escort) you will be magically drawn into the mass of taxi drivers offering you to have their services.

Hmm.. what should you do?

The best thing is to order a taxi from inside the airport. You should check on the taxi desk nearby the baggage area. The cost will be around 200.000 IDR, and you will be driven straight to your destination. Rent a car is also an option, but the cost is higher, around 500.000 IDR.

DAMRI
The second best thing (backpackers, this one is for you) is to hop on the DAMRI (Djawatan Angkoetan Motor Repoeblik Indonesia). It's like airport-city shuttle bus. The buses are nice, clean, with AirCo (don't worry), and luggage dock. You can use the Damri to to get to the city center. From the city center you can continue by taxi (see below).

Cost: 20.000-30.000 IDR

You can ask the airport staff, where to sit and wait for the DAMRIs. The DAMRI starts very early, around 4 am. and the interval between the DAMRIs are 15-20 minutes.

Here are some DAMRI routes:

• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Blok M (bus terminal, south Jakarta). IF you are heading to west/south Jakarta (Slipi, Semanggi) you can ask the driver to drop you there.
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Lebak Bulus (bus terminal, south-east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Rawa Mangun (bus terminal, east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Kampung Rambutan (bus terminal, east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Pasar Minggu (bus terminal, east Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Tanjung Priok (north of Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Kemayoran (north part of Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Bekasi (east part of Jakarta)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Cikarang
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Gambir (train station, central Jakarta). IF you accommodation is located on the central Jakarta (Kebon Sirih, KH. Wahid Hasyim) you can ask the driver to drop you there.
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Serang, Banten (West Java)
• Soekarno-Hatta Airport - Bogor (West Java). The cost to get directly to Bogor is a little higher, around 30.000 IDR. But it's considered very cheap, if you compare it with taxis.

Click here to see DAMRI routes and hours.
Of course, you can also go to the airport using the DAMRIs.

.
.
NEXT!
So, since you are now in town... How do you get yourself to places? Unfortunately, Jakarta has not yet equipped with fancy rapid transportation system such as the subways, or trams. But we do have several options :)

TAXI
If you are blessed with extra money on your pocket, then use taxi to run around Jakarta. Just go to you hotel lobby, usually the taxis are already lined up there, waiting to serve you. The standard taxis I recommend are from:

* Blue Bird (light blue with some kind of wing atop), to order by phone: +62 21 7917 1234

Blue Bird taxi

Taxi Pusaka Nuri, Pusaka Satria, Morante (also light blue, but different logo) are also part of the Blue Bird group. Please do beware that there are a lot of "Blue bird" imitation - as in the colour and the logo. Make sure that there are "Blue Bird Group" stated on the taxi before you take the ride. Besides blue bird, you can also ask for a more sleek and fancy taxi, Silver Bird (black ones). The cost is slightly higher that blue bird.

even the picture looks fancy!

Some taxis are considerably cheaper than blue bird. You can see the sign of "tarif lama" or
"tarif bawah" or basic fee usually written on its window. Here are some "tarif bawah" taxis that you can trust:

* Express (white), to order by phone: +62 21 2650 9000



* Express taxi also offer a big luxurious transport using Toyota Alphard. It's called Tiara Express. To order by phone: +62 21 2650 8000



* Putra (dark blue), to order by phone: +62 21 7817771



* Gamya (dark blue-green), to order by phone: +62 21 8779 5555 and 840 3838


* Trans Cab (bright yellow, like those in NY), to order by phone: +62 21 583 55 500. This one is nice because it has cable tv on it that you can watch during your trip :) takes your mind off the busy road.

Some TIPS ;)

• If you are (unwillingly) stranded somewhere in Jakarta at night, you can always call the taxis. But if you forget to write down taxi phone number, and you can only find the "suspicious taxi", always make sure that the driver will use the argo (meter). Otherwise, you may find yourself giving away thousands IDRs for a short ride.
• Even if you take a ride on the taxi, please make sure that you have the specific destination/address at hand (esp. when you are looking for an address - some friends/relatives' place) so that it will ease the driver too.
• You can also talk with the driver to "bond" in some way that the taxi ride will be more enjoyable :)
• Always write down the taxi's car number, just in case you forgot your belongings. Then you can just call the taxi's operator and report your lost. 

There are also another public transportation that you can take. Let me start with the big and shiny one...

TRANS JAKARTA
Trans Jakarta, or the local often calls "BUSWAY" - which actually refers to the bus lane, currently have 9 routes called "koridor" that can take you to most places in Jakarta.

Cost:

05.00-07.00 = 2000 IDR

07.00-22.00 = 3500 IDR

Trans Jakarta is nice when it's not so crowded

Usually, we can differentiate the bus route through its different colours:
Koridor 1: red-yellow Mercedes-Benz & Hino
Koridor 2: blue-white and grey Daewoo
Koridor 3: red-yellow and grey Daewoo
Koridor 4: grey Daewoo & Hyundai (JTM), Hino (PP)
Koridor 5: grey double HuangHai (JMT), double Komodo (LRN)
Koridor 6: grey Daewoo & Hyundai (JTM), bus Hino (PP)
Koridor 7: grey Daewoo & Hyundai (JMT), bus Hino (LRN)
Koridor 8: grey Hino (LRN) bus Hino (PP)

Trans Jakarta - the red one

Here are some links (taken from www.suaratransjakarta.org) to download the Trans Jakarta routes:

* Download link (printable version) - 507 KB

* Download link (complete version) - 1536 KB

IF by any chances, you left your luggage or anything on the bus, you can call BLU Trans Jakarta +62 21 7228727

KORIDOR 1 (Blok M - Kota)

*Halte Kota: Stop here if you wish to continue you journey by train (Station Kota) or to Mangga Dua shopping district (with a short angkot ride).
*Halte Glodok
*Halte Olimo
*Halte Mangga Besar
*Halte Sawah Besar
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 2, 3, and 8 (holiday only)
*Halte Monas: Stop here if you wish to go to Monas (the national monument and iconic symbol of Jakarta) or to pay a visit to Museum Gajah (the national museum).
*Halte Bank Indonesia
*Halte Sarinah: Stop here if you want to go to Sarinah, Jl. Sabang, or Jl. Jaksa. This area is blessed with 24-hour food, late night snack, and cozy place to hang out (with beer, of course).
*Halte Bundaran HI: Stop here if you want to go to Plaza Indonesia and EX mall.
*Halte Tosari: Stop here if you want to go to Grand Indonesia.
*Halte Dukuh Atas: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 4 and 6.
*Halte Setia Budi
*Halte Karet
*Halte Benhill: Stop here if you want to go to Plaza Semanggi.
*Halte Polda Metro: Stop here if you want to go to Pasific Place (walk a little bit) and Istora Senayan.
*Halte Gelora Bung Karno: Stop here if you want to go to FX Mall (walk a little bit).
*Halte Bundara Senayan: Stop here if you want to go to Ratu Plaza. Get to the back of Ratu Plaza, and voila! you are already in Plaza Senayan. Another 5 minutes walk, and you get to Senayan City :)
*Halte Masjid Agung
*Halte Blok M: Stop here if you want to go to Blok M area.

KORIDOR 2 (Pulo Gadung - Harmoni)

*Halte Pulo Gadung
*Halte Bermis
*Halte Pulomas
*Halte Asmi: Stop here if you want to go to Kelapa Gading area.
*Halte Pedongkelan
*Halte Cempaka Timur
*Halte RS. Islam
*Halte Cempaka Tengah
*Halte Pasar Cempaka Putih
*Halte Rawa Selatan
*Halte Galur
*Halte Senen: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 5.
*Halte RSPAD
*Halte Deplu
*Halte Istiqlal
*Halte Juanda
*Halte Pecenongan
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 1, 3, and 8 (holiday only).

Trans Jakarta - the blue one

KORIDOR 3 (Kalideres - Pasar Baru)

*Halte Kalideres
*Halte Pesakih
*Halte Sumur Bor
*Halte Rawa Buaya
*Halte Jembatan Baru
*Halte Dispenda Samsat Barat
*Halte Jembatan Gantung
*Halte Taman Kota
*Halte Indosiar
*Halte Jelambar: Stop here if you want to go to Mall Ciputra/Citraland.
*Halte Grogol: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 8.
*Halte RS Sumber Waras
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 1 and 2.
*Halte Pecenongan
*Halte Juanda
*Halte Pasar Baru: Stop here if you want to go to Pasar Baru area.

KORIDOR 4 (Pulogadung - Dukuh Atas)

*Halte Pulogadung
*Halte Tugas
*Halte Pertamina
*Halte Telkom
*Halte Tarakanita
*Halte Sunan Giri
*Halte IKIP
*Halte Kehakiman
*Halte BPKP
*Halte Utan Kayu
*Halte Pasar Genjing
*Halte Pasar Pramuka
*Halte Matraman I: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 5.
*Halte Manggarai
*Halte Pasar Rumput
*Halte Halimun
*Halte Dukuh Atas 2: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 1 and 6.

KORIDOR 5 (Ancol - Kampung Melayu)

*Halte Ancol: Stop here if you want to go to Ancol or Dufan.
*Halte Pademangan
*Halte Gunung Sahari Mangga Dua: Stop here if you want to go to Mangga Dua area.
*Halte Jembatan Merah
*Halte Pasar Baru Timur
*Halte Budi Utomo
*Halte Senen: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 2.
*Halte Pal Putih
*Halte Kramat Sentiong (NU)
*Halte Salemba Universitas Indonesia
*Halte Salemba St. Carolus
*Halte Matraman 1: Stop here if you want to transfer to Koridor 4.
*Halte Tegalan: Stop here if you want to go to Gramedia bookstore. The one in Matraman is the biggest in Jakarta.
*Halte Slamet Riyadi
*Halte Urip Sumohardjo
*Halte Kebon Pala
*Halte Pasar Jatinegara
*Halte Kampung Melayu: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 7.

Trans Jakarta - the (double) grey one

KORIDOR 6 (Ragunan - Dukuh Atas)

*Halte Ragunan: Stop here if you want to go to Ragunan Zoo.
*Halte Departemen Pertanian
*Halte SMK 57
*Halte Jati Padang
*Halte Pejaten Phillips: Stop here if you want to go to Kemang area, continue with minibus or taxi.
*Halte Buncit Indah
*Halte Warung Jati
*Halte Imigrasi
*Halte Duren Tiga
*Halte Mampang Prapatan
*Halte Kuningan Timur
*Halte Patra Kuningan
*Halte Depkes
*Halte GOR Sumantri: Stop here if you want to go to Pasar Festival, and Mega Kuningan area.
*Halte Karet Kuningan
*Halte Kuningan Madya Aini
*Halte Setiabudi Utara
*Halte Latu Harhari
*Halte Halimun: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 4.
*Halte Dukuh Atas 2: Stop here if you want to transter to Koridor 1.

KORIDOR 7 (Kampung Rambutan – Kampung Melayu)

*Halte Kampung Rambutan
*Halte Tanah Merdeka
*Halte Flyover Raya Bogor
*Halte RS Harapan Bunda
*Halte Pasar Induk Kramat Jati
*Halte Cililitan PGC
*Halte BKN
*Halte Cawang UKI
*Halte BNN
*Halte Cawang Otista
*Halte Gelanggang Remaja
*Halte Bidaracina
*Halte Kampung Melayu: Stop here to transfer to Koridor 5.

KORIDOR 8 (Lebak Bulus – Harmoni)

*Halte Lebak Bulus
*Halte Pondok Pinang
*Halte Pondok Indah 1: Stop here if you want to go to Pondok Indah Mall.
*Halte Pondok Indah 2: Stop here if you want to go to Pondok Indah night area.
*Halte Tanah Kusir Kodim
*Halte Kebayoran Lama Bungur
*Halte Pasar Kebayoran Lama: Stop here if you want to go to Gandaria City Mall.
*Halte Simprug
*Halte Permata Hijau: Stop here if you want to go to ITC Permata Hijau and Belleza Mall.
*Halte Permata Hijau RS Medika
*Halte Pos Pengumben
*Halte Kelapa Dua Sasak
*Halte Kebon Jeruk
*Halte Duri Kepa
*Halte Kedoya Assiddiqiyah
*Halte Kedoya Green Garden
*Halte Grogol 2: Stop here to transfer to Koridor 3.
*Halte Tomang Taman Anggrek: Stop here if you want to go to Taman Anggrek Mall and Central Park Mall.
*Halte Tomang Mandala (only during holiday)
*Halte RS Tarakan (only during holiday)
*Halte Petojo (only during holiday)
*Halte Harmoni: Stop here to transfer to Koridor 1 and 2 (only during holiday)

Koridor 9 Pinang Ranti - Halte Pluit (coming soon, 2010)

Koridor 10 Cililitan - Tanjung Priok (coming soon, 2010)

Koridor 11-15 are still in development :)

Hopefully, the trans Jakarta transportation system can be fully operated by 2012.. I mean , before we all die because of the end of the world hehehe *jk. Then, it will be so much easier to transfer from one place to another. Easier, and hopefully, faster.

NEXT!

There are more about transportation in Jakarta: buses, angkots, bemos, etc. on the second [2] part

Read it all:
Public transportation in Jakarta [1]

Public transportation in Jakarta [2]

Public transportation in Jakarta [3]

A weekend getaway to Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) is one of the efficient (and considerably cheap) options when you're living/staying in the hectic Jakarta. Unlike its name, Kepulauan Seribu apparently only has 110 islands, not 1000.

Pulau Tidung is one of big islands, located in the area of Kepulauan Seribu Selatan, in the bay of Jakarta, approximately 60km from Jakarta.


HOW TO GET THERE ANYWAY?

Take a traditional boat from Muara Angke. Muara Angke is Jakarta's fresh fish market and fisherman's docks. Ask around, local people will direct you to the departure point. If you get to Muara Angke by car, you can put your car on an area nearby the post-office for 20,000 IDR per night.  
*updated: 20,000 IDR as long as you like :)

Kapal Muara Angke

Time of departure: 07.00 am. Be sharp. (while the boat to get back to Jakarta departs at 07.00 am and 01.00 pm.)

Price: 33,000 IDR/person.

With 20km/hours speed, you will get to Tidung in 3 hours. Do not expect fancy stuff when you get on board. One thing for sure, your legs will be cramped for sitting on the crowded floor.
Tips: If you are sea-sick, do not forget to have Antimo prior to the journey. Being on the open air or catching the sea breeze once in a while can also help repressing the sickness.

If you have more money, or i may say less adventure, the head your way to Marina Ancol and catch a boat from there.

Once you get to the island, embrace the bright sun and the salty wind - something you can not find in Jakarta. Usually, the tourists have already booked for accommodation on the island in advance.

Here are the contacts (that i know):

Lima Saudara (Pak Hamid): +62 858 88742129
Pak Suwardi: +62 856 93565464

The package that's offered covers accommodation, meal (breakfast-lunch-dinner) and water, bike rental, and snorkeling gears rental. Call them in advance to have a deal on your package.

Photo by: Jose Widjaja.

Accommodation: +/- 300,000 IDR/night/house.

You can have up to 12 people or more in one house. Well, as long as you don't mind to sleep on the floor together with your friends :)

Meals: +/- 15,000 IDR/person.

When you are in Pulau Tidung, you should ask your guide for a specific meal called "Sate Odol". and NO, it's not sate made of toothpaste.

Bike rental: 15,000 IDR/bike/day.

You can choose your own bike. Make sure that your bike is in a good condition.

Snorkeling gears rental: 35,000 IDR/pax/day.

You'll get a vest, fins, and the snorkel. For those who got small feet, bring along your socks. it helps your feet to stay put on those fins.

Boat rental: 300,000 IDR/boat.

I recommend you to go rent a boat with your friends to get to snorkeling spots around the islands. I do hope that you get such friendly guides like my friends and I did. The guide snorkel together with us, telling us the good spots and the "dangerous" spots (some coral reefs are too close to the surface that when you passed them you can get scratched all over your body)

Pulau Tidung actually consist of 2 islands. Tidung Besar and Tidung Kecil. There's a bridge that connects the islands.

BUT, SERIOUSLY... WHAT TO DO IN PULAU TIDUNG?

Enjoy the silent treatment of being in a small island. Sunbathing with a good book at hand, lazy-mood iPod playlist on your ears, and appropriate sunblock sounds nice. Don't forget to have a portion of Kelapa muda!

Biking. Just ride your bike, rummaging through the island. One thing for sure, you need to know your "home". Who is the owner of the house, what colour is the house, the number, or nearby landmark - so that when you get lost, you can ask people for direction to get back. But don't worry, the island is quite small.

Just keep swimming. You have the sea, what are you waiting for? SWIM!

Jump from a bridge (that connects both islands) ! and swim ;) like the local kids do. like my crazy friends did.

Snorkeling! You can pick a spot somewhere in the beach of Tidung Kecil. OR you can rent a boat&guide to take you to some interesting snorkeling spots around the island. Morning time, around 8-10 am, is the best time to snorkel because the waves and the streams are not that big/heavy. Snorkel your way and find the beauty of the underwater world. It was my first snorkeling experience and i did see gorgeous fishes, including "Nemo" the clown fish ;)

Photo by: Alex Arso.

Photograph the marvelous landscape, the sunrise, the sunset, and the beauty of the island.

PLEASE.. Don't waste your time by watching TV or play with your mobile phone. Throw them away! Escape from modern technology for a change.

What to bring? Money, camera, sunblock, loose clothes, snorkeling/diving gears (if you have 'em), self-entertainments (playing cards, Uno, books, iPod).
Tips: If you really really need to make important phone calls at all time, etc. then you should bring phone with Indosat number. It has good signal there.

and remember... DO NOT LITTER! Buang sampah pada tempatnya.

Mau sauna gratis? Jakarta tempatnya!

Caranya gampang.. ikuti saja tips-tips berikut ini:

• Cobalah berjalan kaki di trotoar Jakarta, usahakan trotoar tersebut tidak memiliki pohon atau tempat teduh. Cukup 5 menit sehari.

• Kunjungi halte trans Jakarta, khususnya halte Harmoni. Usahakan sebisa mungkin untuk ikut berdesak-desakan di pintu masuk bis. Rasakan sensasi udara panas dan aroma tubuh yang menyeruak.

• Naiklah ke bis-bis tanpa AC dengan trayek melalui jalan-jalan yang super macet. Contoh: bis jalur 213, bis jalur 64, dll. Uap-uap sauna akan merasuk ke dalam pori-pori Anda saat bis mulai nge-tem (berhenti untuk mengambil penumpang) atau bergabung dalam hiruk-piruk kemacetan.

• Cobalah menunggu di terminal-terminal utama Jakarta, seperti Blok M, Grogol, dll. Anda pun akan disambut sensasi berjemur di pelataran terminal sambil merasakan masker asap hitam kendaraan menempel dengan cantiknya di wajah Anda.

Tips-tips untuk memaksimalkan sauna Anda:

• Pakailah baju serapi mungkin.
• Pakailah make-up alias dandanan Anda semaksimal dan setebal mungkin.

Hasilnya pun akan segera terlihat! Apabila kemeja/baju Anda telah basah berlumuran keringat, dan dandanan Anda luntur dengan sempurna, maka Anda telah mendapatkan manfaat maksimal dari sauna gratis di Jakarta.

Selamat mencoba dan merasakan manfaatnya!