Hello everyone....
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Some time ago when traveling around Jakarta, Kota Tua was one of the destinations on my travel list. I have been there many times, but that was almost 5 years ago, now the management of Jakarta has changed, so I wanted to see the layout of Kota Tua under the new Governor. This was an interesting experience to be able to see Kota Tua in a different look.
Let's get it!
The New Looks of The Old Town
Central Jakarta
It started to rain when I arrived at the busway stop for Kota. As I suspected, it was true, that Kota Tua had undergone a very drastic change. I almost didn't even notice it. When I arrived at the bus stop, which was originally a busway stop located quite far from Kota Tua—even having a basement where there were many tenants selling food and souvenirs, now the bus stop is located at the entrance to Kota Tua, right across from Kota station. I even had to ask people around to find out the different entrance.
Even though it was starting to drizzle, I continued my journey because I was already there. The photo above is the view you get when you go through the entrance. The building in the background is the building of the Jakarta City station, where on the right side there is also the Kota bus stop. In my opinion, this side looks less aesthetic and does not reflect a historic city. Maybe the management needs to find other references so that at this entrance people can feel the vibe of this Old City. For me that is very important, because the entrance to a tourist destination is the face of the destination itself.
Nevertheless, I like this street. Why? It's because this street is sterile from hawkers who will definitely make you feel bad if you don't stop by, or will distract you from stopping by because the souvenirs or t-shirts they sell are very interesting to you. So this part is very fun to see, you can create videos and your photos will also be good because there are no traders. What I later found out, the traders who used to fill the streets leading to the main area of the Old City, have been moved into one building. So when you want to buy souvenirs you will focus on the items the hawkers sell, while if you just want to look around, you will focus on the historic buildings inside.
While this is a brilliant idea. At this monument you can sit while waiting or just take the time to enjoy the atmosphere of the Old City. Or even you can wait for your train schedule to depart here if the atmosphere at the train station is not conducive. This monument is very versatile.
Let's continue our journey.
This is a display, I'm not sure because there is a kind of bowl in front of it. Usually there will be people busking—are you familiar with the term silver man? Not only silver man, I think there is also gold man. Maybe because of the rain, so no one is visible there. So this is a vehicle in the past—now there are still vehicles like this but only a few people have them. Judging from the complementary ornaments, this three-wheeled vehicle was used to fight against the colonialists in the past. Then there are state symbols and some guns. The purpose of this ornament is to attract the attention of visitors. In the old Kota Tua looks, there will be many ornaments like this. Now, ornaments of 'buskers' like this seem to be limited.
Let me show you the main destination... Taraaaa.... Here we go!
This is a building built by the Dutch government which at the time of its construction adapted buildings in Europe. Even the name of the building used as a government office was given a name according to the Dutch language—Gouverneurskantoor. Whether it still functions as a government office building or has been converted into a museum, I don't know for sure because at that time the building was closed. I have never entered the buildings around here because the weather is always not supportive. But what is certain is that this building is still maintained in its original state and has not been modernized or changed in its architectural style. It has remained the same since its construction.
While this is a cannon used during the colonial period, or is it just a display, I am not sure. If it was used in the past, I think this cannon would be placed in one of the museums. But its presence on the left and right of the building, I guess this is just a replica as a symbol of defense of this government building.
Let's moving on to the opposite the Gouverneurskantoor building, there are other buildings that have the same architectural style. Nothing has changed from these buildings, they still have the same looks from the last time I saw them. However, their functions seem to have shifted. Some are still museum buildings, while others have been converted into food and souvenir tenants.
Several times here, this is the first time I was distracted by this one landmark. That's because at the beginning of the visit, this place seemed to be covered by thousands of visitors. So when not many people visited, I was surprised when I saw one of these landmarks.
This small building is a fountain called the Taman Fatahillah Fountain. Very unique. There are stairs to go down on the left and right sides. Here, many visitors also immortalize their presence. If this fountain could also function as before, it would definitely look more beautiful.
It is very pleasant to visit the Fatahillah Museum Area—The Old Town during the rainy season like this because the cool weather makes it comfortable. Otherwise, this area will be very hot.
Hasta La Vista...
Thanks in advance, to read my blog and hope you like my post!
See you on the next post...
Vivie Hardika
Hi, Halo, Annyeong! Welcome to my galaxy.
I have so much imagination in my head. Something that I can't achieve as a human and as a girl. So writing is very challenging. Since Junior High School, I have written whatever I want to write. Without skill, I just write what I want to read. Now I have 12th published novels and all of those are romance.
Yeah, I proudly say that I am a passionate author, traveler wannabe, and blogger.