Quake Shakes Jakarta

Employees stand on a street in downtown Jakarta after evacuating from their building. (Photo: Jurnasyanto Sukarno, JG)

Quake shakes Jakarta. Yup, it was happened in Jakarta and I felt it!

But the center of the quake was not in Jakarta. It was located 143 kilometers southwest of the West Java town of Tasikmalaya at a depth of 30 kilometers beneath the seabed. The earthquake measuring 7,3 on the Richter Scale jolted West and Central Java at 2:55 PM. The quake was felt in major cities like Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

The quake was felt strongly in the capital Jakarta Wednesday, shaking buildings and sending residents running out of their homes and high-rise office towers screaming in panic. A tsunami alert was issued but cancelled about less than an hour later.

Officials said at least one person was killed and 27 injured in Jakarta, where the tremor cracked some buildings and shattered windows.

The quake triggered a landslide that buried at least 57 people in Cianjur district, where 12 people were found dead, and rescue officials said late Wednesday.

There are some rumors that said there will be another bigger quake in Java but I hope it wouldn't happen again.

The World Diving Record at Sail Bunaken

2,465 divers were participate on the 25 minutes Flag Hoisting Under The Sea Ceremony to Celebrate 64th Indonesian Independence Day

64th Indonesian Independence Day

MERDEKA!!! Merdeka literally translated into Freedom is a popular word in celebrate Indonesian Independence Day. Yup, today is the Day! Indonesian Independence Day is celebrates every August 17. This year is going to be the 64th Indonesia Independence Day and I’m proud to be part of Indonesian citizens.

There is something special on today celebration because Indonesia has breaking The World Diving Record at Sail Bunaken! More than 2,000 divers set a world record today for the largest group dive by plunging into the famed waters of Bunaken, North Sulawesi. The information center of the Sail Bunaken 2009 committee said 2,818 people participated in the event, but only 2,805 people stayed underwater for at least 25 minutes. On that 25 minutes, 2,465 divers were participate on the Flag Hoisting Under Sea Ceremony while other divers are mostly from media that captured the special moment.

Beside the world diving record, there also unique Flag Hosting Ceremonies held on Mount of Bromo and Mount of Semeru (the highest mount in Java Island). But still, the most solemn ceremony is the Flag Hoisting at the National Palace, Jakarta, televised live. Full of pomp and circumstance and conducted basically the same way each year, it is a spectacle of the greatest respect and honor for the flag and the Republic. The ceremonies are led by the President and Vice President, and attended by the cabinet, military brass, family members of the current and preceding president, diplomatic corps and honored guests. High School students from throughout the archipelago are chosen for their marching skills and put on a show of intricate steps and turns to hoist the flag. The military is out with all its brass in high shine, standing smartly at attention in their dress uniforms.

Preparations for the patriotic celebrations begin weeks before the 17th of August. High-rise office buildings around town sprout large banners or lighted designs, fences around the presidential palace and many government offices are draped in red and white bunting, malls decorate in red and white and hold Independence Day sales, the city administration spends big bucks to create a unique series of red and white lighted decorations, housing complexes repaint their main gate decorated with independence themes. The whole town takes on a red and white hue and the words Dirgahayu RI (Long live Indonesia!) can be seen everywhere. Every year citizens always celebrated Independence Day with joyful activities, such as fireworks, neighbourhood contests, parades and dance performances. Among the most popular games to mark the celebrations is "Panjat Pinang," in which individuals and groups struggle to reach the top of a greased betel nut palm trunk, vying for prizes ranging from new motorcycles to towels and plastic buckets.

In Jakarta, security was tight around the presidential palace as thousands of police and soldiers were deployed to safeguard the ceremony there attended by hundreds of guests, including foreign dignitaries and diplomats. Security personnel also closed down several roads around the palace. After a four-year lull in terrorist attacks, the world's most populous Muslim nation was jolted July 17 by bombings at Jakarta's JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels, which killed nine people, including two suicide bombers, and injured 53.

Pulau Seribu, Thousand Islands

Pulau seribu (officially name as Kepulauan Seribu) or Thousand Islands is located around 45 km north of Jakarta. It has a value conservation and unique ecosystem. Total area of Kepulauan Seribu are about 1.180,80 hectares or 11.80 km square, 15.600 populations, consist of 105 islands scattered at 4 districts. The main activities of the residents in Kepulauan Seribu are fisherman.

Pulau Seribu is very potential to be developed for tourism destination especially for Jakarta citizens to escape from the busiest Jakarta. There are many resorts and water sports recreation available such as fishing, scuba diving, sailing, banana boat, etc. Some island at Pulau Seribu is potential to develop as tourism destination in Jakarta, such as: Genteng Besar Island, Lipan Island, Melintang Besar Island, Perak Island, Putri Island, Sebaru Besar Island and many more

Some residential island today is developed for Conservation Tour such as at Pramuka Island, the program conservation was packaging in one unique package and suitable for student and group who will study about conservation; coral reef transplantation, mangrove, turtle etc.

This location is easy to reach from Jakarta, especially from Ancol Dreamland. There are many travel agencies that will help you arrange booking the resorts and boat transportation to get through Pulau Seribu.

Kemang Area

Kemang is an area located in south Jakarta that stands upon 600 hectare in South Jakarta. The name of Kemang is especially well spoken among expatriates population, as they are gives the life style and needs just match with them. So, Kemang is often called as a wealthy suburb. The area offers various bars, restaurants, discotheques and other entertainments, which can be said it has dozens of night spots.

The most interesting aspect of Kemang area beside its night life, restaurants and bars, is the presence of hundreds of shops offering various products on retail. People can find anything along the left and right sides of the roads. It is almost like old town in situation, only the type of product and people roaming there are different. Antique shops are worth visiting, as they have strange antiques which are some of them believed to bring magic power or charms.

Kemang also develops special residential estate for up class with beautiful gardens and recreations. For those looking for apartment or mansion houses, Kemang offers the best location and choices.

If you like to hang out and have fun, Kemang is the best place for you in Jakarta. Kemang is a popular place for young people to hang-out, comfort homes for expatriate and also as a strategic business area.

Ragunan Zoological Park

Ragunan Zoological Park is a zoo that is located in the area of Ragunan, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Indonesia. The zoo covers 135 hectare of beautiful, shady gardens. It was officially opened in 1864 in Cikini and moved to its present location in the southern suburbs of Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta in 1966.

Ragunan is a home to over 260 species of animals (including many of which are endangered and threatened) from all parts of Indonesia and the rest of the world. There are a total of 3122 animals including birds for the viewing pleasure of the public. These exhibits also serve to help zoo officials in the preservation and propagation of Indonesian Wildlife.

Special attractions for the children include a Children's Zoo and playground, along with the Sunday events of elephant, pony cart and boat rides. Watching the Orang Utans on their daily tour of the zoo grounds in a pony cart is a special treat for visitors of all ages. Restaurant facilities and picnic shelters are available for your convenience as well as stands for purchasing film and souvenirs of the zoo. It's a wonderful place for an outing and will become an experience which will raise your awareness of Indonesia's unique wildlife heritage.

Ragunan Zoological Park became one of the favourite tourist attractions during the holiday season that could be visited minimal 10 thousand people each day during the holiday. You don 't have to worry that it would be really crowded there because the area of Ragunan is really wide and the beautiful garden will not make the visitor feel bored But, I suggest you if you're visiting Ragunan you better wear comfort shoes so you won't feel tired during the walk in the wide area of Ragunan Zoological Park

So, if you come to Jakarta don't forget to come and spend a day with the family or friends at Ragunan Zoological Park.

TMII, Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) literally translated into Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park is stands upon in a 165 ha in South Jakarta. It was officially opened for public visit in April 20, 1975 by Madame Tien Soeharto, the founder of TMII.

TMII is a great place for catch a very brief overview of Indonesian cultural heritages, encompassing the arts, traditions, adat and customs, ritual ceremonies, and traditional sports. Even more, it offers you with out door recreation sensation with the green field land covering almost the entire areas.

Another uniquely interesting service in TMII is cultural information consultation service where you might ask whatever about Indonesian traditional daggers. In some occasion, you will get free traditional performance in several province pavilion.

TMII is open seven days in a week starting from 8AM until 17 PM. Special events like shadow puppetry shows and traditional dancing performances are held mostly all the time.

So, if you want to learn about Indonesian culture, arts, traditions, etc just come here and enjoy!

Malls in Jakarta

If you're asking me where is the best mall in Jakarta? I'll just say, I completely can't tell you one. You know why? 'Cause in my opinion there are many great mall in Jakarta, so I can't say which one is the best ^_^

Almost in every area in Jakarta has a mall, there even several malls in just one area such as Sudirman Area which has Senayan City, Plaza Senayan, FX Sudirman and Pacific Place. Well, as a business district area in Jakarta, Sudirman has many malls because lots of workers in Sudirman likes to spending their time after work in the mall to avoid traffic hours or 3in1 regulation (regulations 3in1 is a special rules that require the minimum of 3 persons in one car. This rule applies only in certain areas and at certain hours that are usually jammed).

Like many other workers in Jakarta, I also loves to spending my time in malls after work with friends. We could enjoying chit chat in a cafe, doing exercise in a gym, watching movie and shopping around of course. But most of the time, we just coming here to avoid traffic hours and 3in1 regulation. I usually spends my time in the malls that has strategic location from my office and my friends office around Sudirman. My favorite one is Plaza Semanggi, because there's a cozy place to hang out call sky dining where we could enjoy our chit chat and see Jakarta view from above that really beautiful especially at night. Just like on the picture above.

Because I lives in South Jakarta, I also comes to Citos or PIM (Pondok Indah Mall) sometimes but not so often. Actually, I'm a homey person means that when I'm at home I don't want to go anywhere else. But when I'm out, I don't wanna go home to soon! Hahaaa... little bit confuse huh! Well, let me blame it to the traffic jam. Jakarta has a terrible traffic jam that making me stress sometimes, but still I love my city!

Ok, thats all my friends. A little bit sharing from me. Ciao... ^_^

Dufan, Fantasy World

Do you like to having fun by screaming out loud? Well, here the best place for you to visit in Jakarta. It calls Dufan or Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World), located in Ancol, North Jakarta.

Dufan is kinda similar with Disneyland. People comes here to have fun with family or friends. There are many clowns, parade or opera sometimes, but the main reason people comes are for the rides!

There are many great rides to enjoy at Dufan, chill rides until scary rides. If you like to rides in great adrenaline I suggest you to try Tornado, Kicir-Kicir, Kora-Kora or Halilintar. After you get those ride, try on Istana Boneka to get chill and relax.

For example I'll show the video of one of Dufan's best ride call Tornado:

Monas, National Monument

Ok, everyone must be know that New York has Liberty Statue and France has Eiffel Tower and I tell you that Jakarta has Monas as Indonesia landmark. I dare to say that if you're going to Jakarta without visiting our landmark Monas means that you don't really visit my city Jakarta :)

Monumen Nasional (Monas) literally translated into National Monument is a 450 ft tall tower in Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight of Indonesia's Independence. It is topped by a 14.5 ton bronze flame, which is plated in 35 kg (1,125 troy ounces) of gold.

Well, just a little bit history about Monas here :
Monas was officially opened in July 12, 1975. The design and the Monas plan are made by the well known Indonesian architect at that time, Soedarsono, whereas the construction adviser is Prof. Dr. Ir. Roosseno. The construction started in 1961 and completed in 1975.

There are three important parts of Monas that can be seen clearly from a far distance. The yard of the wide cup (cawan), the pillar that soared, and in the peak of the pillar is the golden flame that depict fire is on never went out. Visitors can take an elevator up to upper platform beneath the golden flame with a view of Jakarta City. There also a museum under the cawan where visitors can get a lot of information about the history of Indonesia's Independence.

There is a big park around the Monas where citizens can doing recreation with family and getting knowledge about Indonesia's Independence history from the museum.


Well, thats all I know about Monas. Ciao..