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Astrid Way in
the Kebun Raya or Bogor Botanical Gardens. Named after a Belgian
queen...the regal sort! |
Getting There
From Jakarta there
are several options. The easiest and most expensive would be by taxi,
Bluebird have the best reputation, figure 10 USD + depending on where
your journey begins. The drive along Jagorawi Tollway is painless though
of course you are liable for any toll charges. The quickest way from the
centre of Jakarta would be by train. Regular Pakuan air
conditioned expresses do the journey from Kota and Gambir in an hour and
cost 13,000 IDR. Cheaper ekonomi trains are cheaper, more
frequent and far more crowded. If you're making the journey from South
Jakarta then there are regular a/c buses from Kampung Rambutan.
Again, slower, cheaper buses are available that take the old Bogor road
and are ok if you're in no rush and enjoy live music when you travel.
From the airport, Damri buses run straight to Bogor and cost
20,000 IDR, taking about an hour depending on the traffic.
Places To Stay
Close to the
station and gardens, Jalan Paledang has Pension Firman and Puri Bali
side by side. Both are budget options, the location is fine and there
are plenty of kaki lima and warung nearby as well as Cafe
Sunset, the nearest thing to nightlife here. Be warned though, the
earrly morning call to prayer is keenly observed here among the local
mosques! Opposite is a newer boutique affair, more up market, more
expensive. Taman Kencana, near Jalan Sempur, has a few mid priced
options like Hotel Mirah. Difficult to find, Wisma Karunia is friendly
and located in the middle of a kampong which gives it some charm. From
Jalan Sudirman look for a bridge. By the bridge, just before a multi
story cafe complex, a narrow footpath heads down to the Ciliwung. Cross
the bridge and it's on your right.
| That is one shaky bridge. Just
off Jalan Sudirman |
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Eating & Drinking
Along Jalan
Paledang is Gumati with fine views, pricey food and bad chunes and no
beer. The new hotel opposite Firman has a 24 hour restaurant with Euro
and Indon food but with Sunset Cafe and plenty of Nasi Padang and Sate
Kambing nearby why bother. Maccaroni near Taman Kencana is popular with
visitors while by the Taman are a few warungs including a good Padang
one. Sundays is picnic time here. For western junk food there is KFC
near the bus station, Pappa Ron's pizza and A & W along Jalan
Pajajaran.
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The Presidential
Palace |
Getting Around
Angkot!
These lean green minibuses are cheap and plentiful. If you're big try
and sit in the front. Some bemos still rattle around and there
are plenty of becaks. Or walk. Not many footpaths but it's alot
cooler here than Jakarta and if it starts raining you're never far from
an angkot.
The Dutch Cemetery in the gardens |
Memorial to Olivia Raffles, wife
of Stamford, who died in Jakarta |
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