Day 5: Friday - Last Day in Jakarta and Ferry to Singapore

Weather Update: Forecast rain. High of 29°C.

Morning Tour with Azus

I started my day with a tour guided by Azus and learned some fascinating yet gruesome history about the area. I’m staying in Execution Square, where people were hanged on the steps outside City Hall up until the late 1800s. The bell tower on top of the building played a crucial role in these executions: the first bell summoned the people, the second indicated the hanging, and the third signalled it was over. Quite chilling!

Jakarta is a paradise for museum lovers; you could easily spend two weeks exploring all the museums here.

Environmental Challenges

I also discovered that Jakarta is sinking, and the harbour is now only 6-12 inches from overflowing its walls. During heavy storms, some roads get flooded. They are trying to hold back the rising water, but in the long run, many livelihoods will be affected by this uncontrollable devastation. Interestingly, the government has already moved out to an island to avoid impending problems, yet they continue to build an underground metro. Azus mentioned that within 30 years, parts of Jakarta will be underwater at the current rate of sinking and rising sea levels.

Afternoon at the Cocktail Bar

I left and travelled over the waterway to a cocktail bar across the river to unwind with a couple of beers before catching my train for the ferry at Tanjung Priok. The afternoon dragged on as I waited for 7:30 pm to catch the train for the 11 pm ferry. I will arrive in Batam, which is across the bay from Singapore, 43 hours later and then catch a ferry to Singapore.

A Dining Dispute

Finding a place to eat, I was almost scammed with my goat fried rice, which cost 35,000 IDR. The portion of goat meat was minimal compared to the picture, so I argued it wasn't worth the price. In the end, I paid 20,000 IDR.

Making New Connections

I returned to the cocktail bar and met a couple whose parents lived in Bedminster, Bristol, for 15 years. Coincidentally, I am from Bristol and spent 4-5 years in Bedminster. It was a pleasant surprise to make that connection. John, who now works and lives in Singapore, was in Jakarta for the weekend. What a small world!

Evening Chaos at the Embarking Area

Arriving at the embarking area was chaotic, with people milling around and no sense of order. We couldn’t get in until 9:00 pm, but I made sure to arrive early at 7:15 pm to avoid any last-minute rush. Another interesting observation is the absence of dogs, as Jakarta is a Muslim country where dogs are not permitted. However, there are plenty of undernourished and skinny cats everywhere.

Next stop, Batam in 43 hours!

Train: 30km, Walking 8.90km

Total: 5 Flights 5753km, 7 Trains 2762.10km, 5 Buses 245.35km, 4 Cars 262.75km, Walking 151.47km

Total Distance: 9174.75km

Reflections

Today was filled with historical insights, environmental concerns, unexpected connections, and preparations for the next leg of my journey. For those following my travels, I hope these updates offer a vivid picture of the experiences and challenges along the way.

Cheers to the adventures ahead and the stories yet to unfold! 🌏✨🚢🍻

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue my travels! 🌞✨

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