Jalan-Jalan Jakarta Weekend

I had a group of guests from KL over the weekend - a colleague from HQ with her husband and twenty something son and daughter. And I had to play the role of Jakarta's unofficial tourist guide - something which I do at least once every month.

Because of the calling of my unpaid job, I had to skip Jakarta's first Soulnation Festival at Istora Senayan. Luckily, I didn't fork out my own money for the ticket. I got it free from AXIS (the main sponsor) who happen to be our major client.

So, on Saturday, relucting to join their parents to Pasar Grosir Tanah Abang and Pasar Baru, the daughter and son asked me to take them to places where they could find things which were more suited to their young tastes.

First, I took them to Plaza Senayan because they wanted to check out Lacoste's outlet. We then crossed over to Senayan City where the Oakley outlet was having a big sale.

Speaking of crossing over to Senayan City, CAN SOMEONE ASK FAUZI BOWO TO BUILD A COMFORTABLE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OR IF HE CAN'T AFFORD CONSTRUCTING ONE, THE VERY LEAST HE COULD DO IS INSTALL A TRAFFIC LIGHT SO THAT WE POOR PEDESTRIANS DO NOT HAVE TO RISK OUR LIVES CROSSING THE MAIN THOROUGHFARE BETWEEN SENAYAN CITY AND PLAZA SENAYAN.

I said "we poor pedestrians" because I know some rich people who prefer to be chaufferred across instead of walking just a couple of hundred steps to cross to Plaza Senayan. Afraid your Prada or Ferragamo sole might wore out is it?

I guess that's the reason why the local authorities couldn't be bothered with providing good pedestrian walkways - because the people that matter most to them (i.e the rich) don't use it.

I bet the same rich people of Jakarta don't mind walking along Oxford Street, Fifth Avenue, Orchard Road or even Bukit Bintang. I think they would rather be dead than be seen walking from Grand Indonesia to Plaza Indonesia.

Ok. Moving on.

After grabbing a few items at Oakley's, we headed for Polo Ralph Lauren outlet in Kemang. Lucky us, they were having a 50% discount on selected items. In the end, dia orang tak beli apa2, aku pulak yang terjebak beli 2 helai baju. Ni yang kekadang malas jadi tourist guide nih.

Then I took them to ITC Kuningan and Ambasador Mall. There's a factory outlet store called Premium in Ambasador Mall. Those on holiday in Jakarta and do not have time to squeeze in a trip to Bandung, a visit to Premium would be good enough.

Again, aku terjebak beli sehelai baju. Nasib baik murah.

Since they wanted to see Hard Rock Cafe Jakarta, I took them to EX Plaza. We made a quick tour of the adjoining Plaza Indonesia and crossed to Grand Indonesia where I showed them the upper floors where all the restaurant and cafes were.

And they were really impressed. If Starhill Bukit Bintang has only one floor of the tastefully designed restaurant and cafe area, Grand Indonesia has two entire floors divided into American, European, Oriental and Middle Eastern districts. Each with its own distinct decor.

In the photo above, the guy next to me is my colleagues' son. If you had met this chap in February this year, chances are, you'd never recognise him.

You see, in February this year (a mere 8 months ago), he was tipping the scale at 85kg and had a 38 inches waistline. According to him, he'd been obese since his early childhood days.

He then embarked on a weight loss mission. He was doing it not for others, but for himself.

His secret? No. Not gastric bypass surgery.

Proper diet which he religiously stuck to (he's a chef so he cooks his own healthy meals) and a minimum of 3 times weekly cardio sessions (he jogs about 5km every session at Tasik Titiwangsa).

And now, he weighs 62 kg (dah naik sikit lepas raya, kalo idak 59 kg) with a 30 inches waistline.

My respect and admiration goes to this guy.