+++It's TransJakarta+++
'The first TransJakarta line opened to the public on January 15, 2004.'
'TransJakarta was built with the objective of providing the citizens of Jakarta with a fast, comfortable, and affordable mass transportation system in mind. To accomplish those objectives, the buses were given lanes restricted to other traffic and separated by concrete blocks on the streets that became part of the busway routes, and the ticket price is subsidized by the state government.'
(From WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TransJakarta)
TransJakarta has its own lane and the traffic has no effect on them due to its special bus lane among other motorists. When I was at Jakarta, only 1 route, Blok M-Jakarta Kota, was in operation. This route is from the south of Jakarta, where I stayed, cutting through the centre to the north part of Jakarta.
The price of TransJakarta is fixed, only 3000 (or 3500) Rp when I was there. For me it's very cheap and can save time very well.
Unlike the other bus, TransJakarta has its own station, high lifted above ground, in the middle of the road. It uses the same system as trains that only stop at the station. So, it's easier to control and results in more safety and security.
The TransJakarta's 'blok M' station is just opposite my hotel. This is great because I'll have more time traveling. So, I and my colleague spent that evening on the bus. Take it from one end to another end. It pass many beautiful places along its route. However, because we'd time limit, we'd to wait for later day to visit these attractions.
RECOMMENDED - Travel through Jakarta with TransJakarta. It's cheap and reliable. There are new routes open now. So, it's getting better and better.
My Wednesday training finished early, so, we'd time to go visit the 'Monumen Nasional' (National Monument), the symbol of fighting of Indonesians for their independence.
From information we had, the MoNas will close at 6 p.m. so we had to be hurry.
We arrived at MoNas just before 5.30 p.m. The MoNas is inside a large park called 'Medan Merdeka Park'. After took some pictures in front of the park and walk inside the centre of the park where the landmark is located.
We rushed to the front gate at 5.35 but the guard won't let us in...
'Cose...cose...' he said.
'I don't want cosy' I thought (cosy - UK english [US = cozy] - means a cover that you put on a teapot to keep it warm - reference:
cambridge Online Dictionary)'But it'll close at 6, isn't it?' I said, bit frustrating. It seemed like he didn't hear me... 'closed...can't get in...' he confirmed.
'but...I was told that it'll close at 6...but the time now...' I couldn't finish my sentence when he added 'ok...ok...come here'
I and my colleagues followed him to his post he talked to the man in the post (I might be wrong but I think both of them wear police uniform). While they're talking, I who was assigned to manage the group money started to look around for the enrance fee rate but I couldn't read anything (all of them are in Indonesian) and couldn't guess because a lot of numbers were listed on the post. The biggest number was 15,000Rp. So I thought 'this might be the entrance fee rate for foreigners - Hmm.. not so expensive.. I recommended the Indonesian Government for this is the right way to promote tourism.
However, I never know how much did it cost. The guard (or police or whatever) turned to us and started saying... 'Sorry, it cose. No one can enter' 'Ah...and why you gave us hope' this sentence came to my head....but before long... he continued... 'I really sorry but for you, I can bring you around, OK! oh, for free!' That was better than nothing so we took the offer.
Right after we turned our back to the post, that man in the post shouted something in Indonesian and the guard who was leading us hurried back to the post and they started talking. After the talk, the same guard led us to the back of the post and said...
'OK, I can bing ya in... but 'cos get is cose... 50,000 for 1 pirson, OK?' Then I knew exactly what was going to happen to us...
'It already cose...you can't get in' he started again...putting his pressure on us... Oh my Gosh...this time he's right...it's 6 already!!!...What a BIG PLAY he did!!!
In the end (as it should be), we took the bait and paid him 200,000Rp due to no chance to enter normally today and we think we won't find any day that our training finish earlier than today.
After receiving money, he led us back to the check-in table station...I almost KICK him and KILL him when I saw many people queuing to enter the monument. He stopped us 10 metres before the check-in table and went to talk with the guard ('you don't need to do that again I know you do it everyday') and then, waved his hand to us as a signal to move in. We had not go into the queue but enter at the (normally closed) opened 'EXIT'. When we all entered he followed us and put a 100,000Rp note into the hand of the guard at the check-in station.
The MoNas and Indonesian Declaration of Independence...
Fortunately, he did a good job describing things inside the MoNas and show some good things that normal visitor couldn't see. We started from the basement (I still find some visitors out there) which is the brief history of the Republic of Indonesia in pictures, models and text displays. Our RICH guide explained us very long in each figure... I knew it's important but it is full of wars, losses and at last...victory... I yawned....
The next very important thing that our RICH guide brought us to was as the dark 2nd floor where he claimed that this place is normally open for VIP guest (but I know you do let some people in everyday, right?): the Indonesian Declaration of Independence, 1945.
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"The Indonesian Declaration of Independence was officially proclaimed at 10.00 a.m. sharp on Friday, August 17, 1945. The declaration marked the start of the five year diplomatic and armed-resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands until the latter officially acknowledged Indonesia's independence in 1949."
This is the text in Indonesian:Hal-hal jang mengenai pemindahan kekoeasaan d.l.l., diselenggarakan dengan tjara saksama dan dalam tempo jang sesingkat-singkatnja.
Djakarta, hari 17 boelan 8 tahoen 05
Atas nama bangsa Indonesia
The translated version is here:
We, the Indonesian people, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia.
Matters concerning the transfer of power, etc., will be carried out in a conscientious manner and as speedily as possible.
Jakarta, 17th day of 8th month, year 05 (note: Japanese calendar year)
In the name of the nation of Indonesia
Soekarno - Hatta"
(from WIKIPEDIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_Declaration_of_Independence)
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I've heard the true Soekarno voice and the original Indonesian Declaration of Independence. It is well kept... sorry if my picture isn't clear... it was so dark there...
The MoNas and views from its deck...
At last, we reached the deck of the monument. It's the open-air deck, so you can feel the fresh wind. You can enjoy excellent scenaries even it was at dusk... I've complained too much... a bit of tired... so, just relax with pictures from the sky deck of MoNas.
Same official and Ayam Goreng...
After the tour with the RICH guide was finished, one of my colleague, Mr. Suteep (I call him P' Suteep), recognised a shopping mall *name to be confirmed* where he came 15 years ago. This shopping mall is not far away from MoNas, he went back to asked the direction from the RICH guide who was leaving for his home. The rich guide agreed to lead us but for 50,000 Rp in return... 'My legs aching from binging you to MoNas' he, then, massaged his legs. By what means I couldn't remember, we agreed.
He led us to that department store through a local market and we learnt that the targeted department store is only 1 TransJakarta station in the South...
'Til next time...part 4... 
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