Jakarta
(compiled/edited from the internet by edllsda99/IM)
 Jakarta has been called a study in contrasts: traditional and modern; rich and poor; stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Elegant hotels and high-tech business centres stand just a few blocks from overcrowded kampongs (villages). One of the proud ethnic Jakarta residents, called "Orang Betawi" who are the original inhabitants of the area, Despite all the new roads and improvement in the infrastructure, traffic can and does regularly become congested,
On the whole the city is primarily a city of government and business, not really a centre for tourism other than the old part of the city which is a definite ‘must do’ if visiting the area.
Kota is the heart of the 17th century Dutch town of Batavia which centers around the cobbled square of Tamman Fatahilla. From Kota one can wander down to the old schooner docks of Sunda Kelapa where the most impressive reminder of old sailing ships in the world can be found.
Climate:
 Jakarta has a tropical climate. Its average daily temperature is 28°C during the day and a somewhat cooler 25°C at night. The average humidity is 81%. The wet season is from October to April, with the heaviest rains between December and January, and the dry season is from May to September.
Casual light or summer clothing suits the climate in Jakarta, but for travel to mountain areas in West Java bring a light sweater or jacket. For formal occasions a jacket and tie are required or along-sleeved Batik shirt is also accepted.
Interesting places to visit:
Central Museum Established in 1778 by U.M.C. Rademacher under the auspices of the Batavia Association of Arts and Sciences, it offers historical, pre-historical, archaeological and ethnographic aspects of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artefacts and relics which date as far back as to the Stone Age. This museum is popularly known as Gedung Gajah or " Elephant Building" because of the stone elephant offered by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871, placed on the front lawn of the building.
Museum Komodo Built in the form of the Varanus Komodiensis (the only pre-historic giant lizard found exclusively on Indonesia’s Komodo Island) it exhibits include the fauna of the country.
Museum Indonesia occupies a Balinese style building in a cultural park in the southern outskirts of Jakarta, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park). It houses a presentation of the various traditional wedding customs, and example of the archipelago's handicrafts, weavings, batiks, ceramics and innumerable treasures of art.
 The Museum of the Armed Forces ( Satria Mandala Museum) displays exhibits on the development of the Indonesian Armed Forces, its role in the struggle for the nation’s independence, and other military relics.
Maritime Museum Two warehouses are the only remains of the first trading post and port of the Dutch East Indies Company in Java. They now house the Maritime Museum. The old harbour master's tower stands nearby.
Museum Perangko The Stamps Museum at Taman Mini has an attractive collection of stamps issued in the country over the years. The museum is ideal for the philatelist.
Museum Sasmita Loka is housed in the former residence of the late general Ahmad Yani, who was murdered by the communists in 1965. It displays the general's attributes, military uniforms and weapons.
National Museum of Forestry Ecology buffs can discover a collection of displays, charts and general information on the history and the present-day significance of Indonesia's forestry resources.
The Textile Museum displays various textiles from all over the country, from hand-woven cotton and silk to batiks of ancient as well as contemporary productions. With its rich collection of Indonesian fabrics and small workshop where batik-making is demonstrated, the Museum Tekstil will give you an idea of what to expect by way of design and quality in the textiles you'll come across as you travel about the country.
Visit the Wayang Museum ( Puppet Museum). This puppetry museum on the western side of Taman Fatahillah in "the Old Town" area has displays of wayang puppets from throughout Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia as well.
A must do is the Indonesia in Miniature Park which is extensive and represents Indonesia's 27 provinces and their unique characteristics. It has its own orchid and a bird park with a walk-through aviary, a fauna museum and recreational grounds with a swimming pool and restaurants. Of special interest is the Museum Indonesia. A richly decorated building in Balinese architecture, it houses contemporary arts, crafts and traditional costumes from the different regions of the country.
Jaya Ancol Dreamland is Jakarta's largest and most popular recreation park. It is built on reclaimed beach land in the Bay of Jakarta, having, sea and fresh-water aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing, boating, bowling, an assortment of nightclubs, restaurants and massage parlours.
The Ancol complex includes a marina, Dunia Fantasi [ Fantasy Land), a golf course and hotels . The "Pasar Seni" or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale.
 Sail over to Pulau Seribu This group of islands in the Jakarta Bay offers a haven away from the bustle of city life. There are golden beaches fringed with coconut palms. The surrounding waters are a paradise for divers. They are filled with a myriad of tropical fish which live among the multi-coloured corals.
Some of the islands in this group developed for tourism are Pulau Bidadari, Pulau Ayer, Pulau Laki, Pulau Pelangi and Pulau Putri.
Taman Ismael Marzuki (T.I.M.) has always something happening from morning to midnight. Most evenings, either the open-air theatre or the enclosed auditorium stages some kind of performance, from Balinese dance to imported jazz, from gamelan concerts to poetry readings. Two art galleries display paintings, sculpture, and ceramics. Also within the complex are an art school, art workshop, cinema, planetarium and outdoor cafés.
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