DIWALI Walkabout: Kolam Hunting!

Happy Diwali in the City

This year, Diwali happened to fall on the same day as Halloween, which caused a bit of discussion among some people. With no firm plans, we decided to head out from our condo at half past eleven in the morning. We took a Grab car to The Exchange TRX for RM9.00 (≈ USD/EUR2).

Kolam at TRX

A kolam is a decorative design made using rice or coloured powders. It is placed at the entrance of a home to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, during Deepavali. It is meant to bring luck and joy to both the home and visitors.

At TRX, we went to the main foyer to look for the Diwali decorations. Sadly, we found only two kolam on display. We took a few photos, then spent some time browsing inside Uniqlo and LC Waikiki.

From TRX to Bukit Bintang

After that, we headed down to the MRT station. For just RM1.20 (≈ USD0.25/EUR0.25), we travelled one stop to Bukit Bintang.

We walked over to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur hoping to find more kolam, and we were not disappointed. There was a large Diwali display near the fountain at the entrance, and we were lucky to catch a five minute traditional dance performance as well.

More Walking and Lunch Time

We continued walking through the city streets, passing several roads before reaching Sungai Wang Plaza. We did not find any kolam here, so we went up to the third floor for lunch at Vinh City Vietnamese Cuisine.

We ordered:

Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup

Pineapple Fried Rice

2 Iced Vietnamese Green Tea

1 Hot Vietnamese Coffee

Lunch came to RM42.56 (≈ USD10/EUR9).

Tech Shops and More Diwali Décor

After lunch, we took a lift down, crossed the road, and briefly entered Plaza Low Yat. We looked at options for replacing our growing collection of external hard drives, but many of them cost several thousand ringgit, so we decided to hold off.

We then walked over to Berjaya Times Square. At the main foyer, we were happy to find another large collection of Diwali decorations, including kolam.

Last Stop, Then Home

Our final stop was LaLaport BBCC, but unfortunately, we could not find any kolam there. With that, we decided to head home. We took a Grab car back to the condo for RM11.00 (≈ USD3/EUR2).

In the end, we found three malls with kolam out of five. It was not bad, but it still felt a little disappointing.

Stay tuned as we headed south for a weekend road trip next.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Tun Razak Exchange - https://maps.app.goo.gl/KqTyN7VvNMVVABVHA

Pavilion KL Couture Entrance - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vDefBDzrTwp4Y2Ha8

Sungei Wang Plaza - https://maps.app.goo.gl/DBu3ef3xqb6X3LAv8

Vinh City Vietnamese Cuisine - https://maps.app.goo.gl/grJ1LaX5Fqn1sA6Y8

Plaza Low Yat - https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CF8R1GRqxrX9z8C7

Berjaya Times Square - https://maps.app.goo.gl/u77RXNkaC7MLtmLD6

LaLaport BBCC - https://maps.app.goo.gl/DhRWGfe9q1YfMrHe7

CGK to KUL: MH710 to Kuala Lumpur - Farewell Jakarta!

Going Home from Jakarta

We woke up at five in the morning and got ready for our journey home. Most of our packing was already done the night before, so an hour later we were ready to check out.

A Small Hiccup at the Start

A taxi arranged by the front desk to take us to BNI City Station did not show up. We left the unit key and access card with the front desk, informed our host Sigit, and decided not to wait. Instead, we hailed a Bluebird taxi for a fixed fare of IDR33,000 (≈ MYR9/USD2/EUR2).

Airport Train to Soekarno Hatta

At the first floor lobby of BNI City Station, a kind lady helped us buy train tickets to Bandara Station (Airport Terminal 1). The tickets cost IDR70,000 each (≈ MYR20/USD4/EUR4).

The train departed on time at 6:38am and gave us a quiet glimpse into Jakarta’s early morning life as we passed several stations. We arrived at Bandara Station at 7:30am.

From Train to Terminal

After getting off, we took an elevator up to the Skytrain station, which brought us from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. At Terminal 3, we went up to the International Departure Hall.

We checked in at counter C12 and found that our luggage was slightly overweight. We paid the extra charge and noted that the airport only accepted cash or credit cards, not debit cards.

Waiting to Board

With check in done, we cleared security and immigration without trouble and walked to Gate 4, which turned out to be a fifteen minute walk. With over an hour to spare, we stopped at Expresso Bar for drinks.

• Cafe Latte
• Chai Latte

The drinks came to IDR153,000 (≈ MYR44/USD9/EUR9).

Flight Home

There was a short delay, and our flight was rescheduled to 11:25am. We boarded later due to our group number, and MH710 finally pushed back at 11:28am and took off at 11:40am.

After half an hour, meals were served. One of us chose fish with rice, while the other had chicken with noodles. Once the plane climbed above the haze, we were greeted by clear blue skies.

Back in Malaysia

About an hour later, the plane began its descent and landed at 2:25pm Malaysian time. We cleared immigration, collected our luggage, and headed down to the KLIA Express Transit.

The train departed at 3:20pm, and we arrived at KL Sentral half an hour later. Brendan picked us up, and by 4:30pm, we were finally home.

Door to door, the entire journey took around ten hours, which we felt was quite reasonable.

Thank you for joining us on our whirlwind trip to Jakarta. Until our next adventure, see you again soon.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

BNI City (Sudirman Baru) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/b4i1zkk9Pw93Lp1S7

Terminal 3 Soekarno–Hatta International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWSPMdXKQm9F61Kt5

Kuala Lumpur International Airport - https://maps.app.goo.gl/pDCevJLK4PNEfeq39

KLIA Express Transit Station @ KLIA

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AG4CR3HqePKrE3p7

KLIA Ekspres - https://maps.app.goo.gl/aMxKXzeH29zWT1799

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

CGK Day 4 │ Shopping Spree Part 2: Grand Indonesia • Thamrin City

Shopping Spree, Continued

We met you again as we got off the MRT at Bundaran HI and walked through Plaza Indonesia on our way to Grand Indonesia. The walk was lively, and we were ready to continue our shopping adventure.

Local Perfumes at Grand Indonesia

At the West Mall, we went up to the first floor to look for another local Indonesian perfume brand. We found the HMNS (Humans) stall and took our time testing the scents. In the end, we bought:

• 100ml ALPHA fragrance for men
• 100ml ORGASM fragrance for men
• 100ml UNROSED fragrance for women
• 100ml ORGASM fragrance for women

We were also given a free Kitchen Reed Diffuser in Warm Lemon Pie scent. All of this came to IDR1,397,000 (≈ MYR393/USD87/EUR80).

A Sweet Treat and a Short Rest

After that, we went down to the lower ground floor and stopped at Mamitoko. We shared a double scoop of our favourite rum and raisin gelato for IDR88,000 (≈ MYR26/USD6/EUR5).

By this point, we had already walked about 8,000 steps, so we sat down for a short rest before continuing.

Lunch Across the Skybridge

As it was already lunchtime, we looked around for local food nearby but could not find anything that appealed to us. We then took the escalators up, crossed the Skybridge to the East Mall, and went up to the fifth floor to Warung Leko, which had quickly become a favourite.

After lunch, our feet were quite sore, so we went down to the ground floor and hailed a Bluebird taxi back to the Airbnb. The short ride cost IDR10,000 (≈ MYR3/USD0.60/EUR0.60).

Thamrin City Shopping Run

We rested for a few hours, then at about 4:45pm, we walked over to Thamrin City for the final round of shopping. After about an hour and a half of exploring the many stalls, we walked away with:

• 3 pairs of long pants for Cat from Alyssa Cherell for IDR 150,000
• A set of blouses for Cat and short sleeved shirts for Brendan and us from Batik Asta for IDR 270,000
• 2 blouses for Cat from Qistina Batik for IDR 270,000
• 3 blouses for Cat from Me & Collection for IDR 390,000

Our total spend at Thamrin City came to IDR1,080,000 (≈ MYR317/USD67/EUR62).

Dinner to Go

Completely exhausted from shopping, we decided to take dinner back to the Airbnb. We picked up:

• Kopi Kenangan Mantan and Avocado Milk from Kopi Kenangan for IDR 78,000
• 2 Jagoan Hemat sets and 2 large fries from KFC for IDR 135,000

Dinner cost IDR213,000 in total (≈ MYR63/USD13/EUR12).

We then made the short walk back to the Airbnb, bringing our long shopping Saturday to a close.

Stay tuned for our final Jakarta video as we headed to the airport the next morning!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Stasiun MRT Bundaran HI - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AKEvc8w9xUU66stP6

Plaza Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jShYqHTmgkrrw3CA9

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/23muEAdXcKqgtedTA

Warung Leko Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zfZStX7h2PEeWEQQ6

Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/bGRzv4tHjEDdHuDYA

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

CGK Day 4 │ Shopping Spree Part 1: Plaza Senayan • Senayan City

Shopping Spree in Jakarta

We woke up early and started the day slowly. One of us was up by six and spent the morning working on our videos, while the other enjoyed some well earned beauty sleep. By eight, we were both up, getting ready for another day out.

Heading to the Mall

We left the Airbnb at nine and stopped by the lobby to arrange a taxi for the next morning. After that, we booked a Bluebird taxi through the app and headed to Plaza Senayan. The ride was quick and calm, and we arrived in about ten minutes.

Since the mall had not opened yet, we went to Starbucks for breakfast. We ordered a hot Americano, a shaken iced lemon tea, and a beef pastrami sandwich for a total of IDR134,000 (≈ MYR40/USD8/EUR8). We first sat outside, but the strong smell of cigar smoke made us move indoors instead.

A Long Awaited Find

Once Plaza Senayan opened, we went straight to the Skechers store. After searching for a long time on past trips, we finally found the back strap sandals we had been looking for. We both bought a pair and also picked up a few pairs of socks. It felt very satisfying to finally find exactly what we wanted.

Local Scents and Public Transport

Next, we walked across to Senayan City to look for a local Indonesian perfume brand called Alchemist. We found it on the lower ground floor and chose a bottle that caught our eye. It was a small but meaningful purchase.

After that, we returned to Plaza Senayan and made our way to the nearby MRT station. We took a short train ride to Bundaran HI, enjoying how easy and affordable public transport was.

Shopping Continues

We got off at Bundaran HI and walked straight into Plaza Indonesia, ready for the next part of our shopping day. Our feet were starting to feel the walking, but the excitement was still there.

Stay tuned for our next video as we continued our Jakarta shopping adventure at Grand Indonesia and Thamrin City!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Plaza Senayan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1vGufxgTuB3t4wC99

Senayan City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1sP33EfbzG1omieR6

Stasiun MRT Senayan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaWT5zTaXjZ66w2G7

Stasiun Bundaran HI - https://maps.app.goo.gl/idqp25YbKivBTypN7

CGK Day 3 │ Gado-Gado BOPLO: Thamrin City

Gado-Gado!

We picked you up again after we walked back to the Airbnb from Plaza Indonesia. Perhaps the portion of rice at Kopi Luwak was small but I grew hungry again by six in the evening.

With nothing in mind we decided to walk to Thamrin City to see what they had in store. Midway through the walk I lost my footing and took a tumble!

Apparently I twisted my left ankle ever so slightly so for the remaining walk to Thamrin City it was quite sore.

At Thamrin City we surveilled the various eateries before deciding on Gado-Gado Boplo only because they had a menu with photos of their dishes. This made it easier for us to decide on what to order, and in the end we settled on:

• Nasi Goreng Rawon
• Bihun Goreng Seafood 
• Telur Ceplok
• 2 Jus Kedongdong

Our very local and authentic Indonesian dinner at Thamrin City came to IDR172,000 (approximately MYR49/USD10/EUR10).

We then walked (gingerly in my case) over to Lawson grocery store to get some soft drinks to aid in the digestion of our dinner. All done we strolled back to the Airbnb.

Stay tuned for our next video as we explore a new mall at the Senayan area! 

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/PV14MK3wDyU77nEA7

Gado-Gado Boplo - https://maps.app.goo.gl/uEUiwtkB2RJagFtJ7

Lawson Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VTeZfrH7NP6HcUnH9

CGK Day 3 │ Kopi LUWAK: Civet Coffee!

Kopi Luwak

We picked you up again as we caught the free Jakarta Explorer bus back to the Sudirman district and got off at the Plaza Indonesia stop.

We crossed the bustling Jalan Thamrin and entered Plaza Indonesia. It was lunchtime, and we followed the crowd down to the lower ground floor — where we finally found something I had been looking forward to since arriving in Jakarta: Kopi Luwak.

Before ordering, we took a moment to appreciate the story behind this legendary coffee:

Kopi Luwak originates from Java and Sumatra, where the luwak — a small civet like animal — eats ripe coffee cherries. The beans pass through its digestive system, undergoing natural fermentation before being collected, cleaned, roasted, and ground.

Because of this unusual process and the limited quantity produced, Kopi Luwak is rare. The resulting coffee is often described as rich, smooth, earthy, and slightly chocolatey.

Lunch & Legendary Coffee

We took our seats and browsed their small menu before settling on:

• Rawon Daging Sapi
• Sop Daging Warisan
• Avocado Float
• Classic Frozen Lemonade

After lunch, we added a round of desserts:

• Cheese Potato Wedges
• Caramel Banana Choco Cheese
• And of course… Authentic Kopi Luwak

Our most enjoyable meal — complete with excellent desserts and that unforgettable cup of coffee — came to IDR495,400 (≈ MYR147/USD31/EUR29).

What’s Next

Be sure to catch our previous video of our walk back to the Airbnb.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Plaza Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSGqXKykqp7Errb48

Kopi Luwak - https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PXuYQq4quLSPvCJ9

CGK Day 3 │MONAS: National Monument

Monas

We picked you up again after leaving Thamrin City and hailing a Bluebird taxi to our next destination: Monas.

The National Monument (Monumen Nasional) is a 132 metre obelisk standing proudly in the centre of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta. Built to commemorate Indonesia’s struggle for independence, it is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.

Our driver, Pieter, was friendly, knowledgeable, and full of little nuggets about getting around Jakarta. We had a great time chatting with him, and by the time we arrived, the fare was IDR41,200. We handed him IDR50,000 (≈ MYR14/USD3/EUR3) and told him to keep the change.

Pieter pointed us toward the correct entrance, and with the help of a kind security personnel, we reached the main gates. From there, we hopped onto a free shuttle cart that took us directly to the base of the monument.

Exploring Monas

At the main tower, we walked down to the ticketing counter and paid IDR50,000 (≈ MYR14/USD3/EUR3) for entry. We were issued a card, which we used to access the tunnel leading into Monas.

We emerged at the surface level, circled the monument briefly, then headed back down into the Museum Sejarah Nasional (Museum of National History). We spent quite a bit of time here capturing footage of the 51 dioramas depicting key moments in the history of Jakarta and Indonesia. The displays wrapped around the hall and filled its centre — a surprisingly immersive experience.

After exploring the museum, we returned to the surface and boarded the free shuttle cart back to the main gate.

We walked out to Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, where Pieter had suggested we catch the free Jakarta Explorer bus back toward the Sudirman district, close to our Airbnb.

What’s Next

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of our lunch at Kopi Luwak.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Monumen Nasional (Monas) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/P4xtkK7YvTFeQRPH6

Museum Sejarah Nasional - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LtguCTiWGWe4QkM87

CGK Day 3 │ JAKARTA Jaunt: Thamrin City • Monas • Plaza Indonesia • Kopi Luwak

Out of Our Comfort Zone

I woke up at 6:45am and spent the next couple of hours working on our videos. I woke Cat at 8:30am, and after getting ready, we left the Airbnb at 9:30am and walked to Thamrin City. Apart from having breakfast, we also needed to return a shirt to Habibi Batik — we had mistakenly received two XXL shirts instead of an L and XXL.

Breakfast & The Shirt Hunt

We surveyed the eateries at Thamrin City before settling on Tomoro Coffee. We were only in the mood for drinks and ordered:

• Santos Maritaca Brazil Latte
• Cold Cheese Cloud Chocolate

Our light breakfast came to IDR56,000 (≈ MYR17/USD4/EUR3).

We then entered the mall and began the arduous task of locating the correct Habibi Batik outlet. After a few anxious minutes navigating the maze of shops, we found one — but it wasn’t the right branch. The gentleman there kindly pointed us to two other outlets. Both were also incorrect.

Finally, at the third outlet, they agreed to handle the exchange, and we received the correct L sized shirt. While we were there, we also bought another set of matching blouse + long sleeved shirts for IDR450,000 (≈ MYR132/USD28/EUR26).

Souvenirs & One Last Blouse

We continued walking in search of a souvenir for a friend and eventually settled on a Muslim prayer dress for IDR540,000 (≈ MYR158/USD33/EUR31). On the way out, a batik blouse at Zain Collection caught Cat’s eye, so we picked up two pairs for IDR280,000 (≈ MYR80/USD17/EUR16.

With our errands done, we exited Thamrin City and hailed a Bluebird taxi to our next destination: Monas.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of this iconic landmark.

The Jakarta Explorer

We picked you up again as we left Monas and caught the free Jakarta Explorer bus back toward the Sudirman district, close to our Airbnb. The bus arrived at 12:40pm and departed ten minutes later. Its first stop was Sarinah, but we got off at the next stop: Plaza Indonesia.

We crossed the bustling Jalan Thamrin and entered the mall. It was lunchtime, and we followed the crowd down to the lower ground floor — where we found something I had been looking forward to since arriving in Jakarta: Kopi Luwak.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of this legendary coffee.

Crossing Malls on Foot

After lunch, we explored Plaza Indonesia for a bit before asking the concierge for directions to Grand Indonesia. Directions received, we exited at Starbucks and crossed Jalan H. M. Saleh Ishak into the East Mall of Grand Indonesia.

From there, we crossed Jalan Teluk Betung into the West Mall, exited via the Kempinski Grand Ballroom, then crossed Jalan Teluk Betung 1 and continued south before turning right — eventually making our way back toward familiar territory.

What’s Next

Stay tuned for our next video as we visit the National Monument, Monas.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Bakso Lapangan Tembak Senayan (Thamrin City)

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/F9U3y3EMWqFXowLe6

HABIBI BATIK - https://maps.app.goo.gl/7S1ZbiGpCrdKPhT66

Monumen Nasional (Monas) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/P4xtkK7YvTFeQRPH6

Museum Sejarah Nasional - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LtguCTiWGWe4QkM87

Plaza Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSGqXKykqp7Errb48

Kopi Luwak - https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PXuYQq4quLSPvCJ9

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/23muEAdXcKqgtedTA

CGK Day 2 │ THAMRIN Residences: Portal Co-Kitchen

Thamrin Residences

We picked you up again after returning to the Airbnb from our afternoon saunter at Grand Indonesia. While I busied myself with the growing catalogue of footage from the past two days, Cat was occupied with laundry.

Evening arrived and we still weren’t particularly hungry, so we only left the Airbnb after 8:00pm in search of a light meal. This time, we decided to properly explore the adjacent apartment block, Thamrin Residences.

We strolled past several mini markets and eateries before settling on a cluster of food providers operating under one umbrella: Portal Co Kitchen. Eight different kitchens were housed under one roof, offering a surprisingly diverse range of cuisine.

We took our time browsing their consolidated menu and eventually ordered:

• Bihun Goreng Kari (Curry Fried Rice Vermicelli)
• Cumi Sambal Matah (Rice with Fried Squid and Egg)
• Iced Tea Tarik
• Iced Tea

Our late dinner came to IDR123,300 (≈ MYR36/USD8/EUR7).

After eating, we popped into an IndoMaret to pick up a small tub of ice cream before making the short walk back to the Airbnb.

What’s Next

Stay tuned for our next video as we venture out of our comfort zone.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Thamrin Residences - https://maps.app.goo.gl/esv5UaiCMi2M4PuV8

Portal Co-Kitchen (Thamrin Residences)

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/WXcoPSFEBDkRBhTG9

CGK Day 2 │ Grand Indonesia • Baia Nonna

Nyonya Cuisine

We picked you up again after returning to the Airbnb to deposit our plentiful bounty of batik from Thamrin City.

We hailed a Grab car for IDR22,700 (≈ MYR6/USD1/EUR1) to Grand Indonesia — and again, this was hilarious because we later learnt the distance was hardly 500 metres. Still, the narrow road outside the residence felt treacherous with speeding motorists, so we preferred paying a little extra for safety.

The Sandal Hunt Continues

Our first stop was the Skechers store on Level 3 of the East Mall as we resumed our hunt for the elusive back strapped sandals. Unfortunately, the store was closed for renovations.

A few doors down, however, was FILA — and there it was, a back strapped sandal waiting for us. Together with three pairs of socks and a tote bag for Brendan, our haul came to IDR1,238,230 (≈ MYR344/USD73/68EUR).

We then walked one floor down to KEDS, where Cat bought a pair of beige sneakers for IDR649,500 (≈ MYR181/USD38/EUR36). She mentioned that this particular model isn’t available in Malaysia, which made it even more tempting.

A Taste of Home in Jakarta

Next, we rode the elevator down to the lower ground floor and picked up some provisions from Ranch Market. Right across was Baia Nonna, a Nyonya restaurant that immediately beckoned us over.

We took our seats, scanned the QR code, and ordered:

• Ayam Berempah Basmati Rice
• Chicken Curry Basmati Rice
• Iced Chrysanthemum Tea
• Iced Chrysanthemum & Longan Tea

Our very late lunch came to IDR250,690 (≈ MYR73/USD15/EUR14).

One Last Errand

After eating, we rode the elevator up to the first floor, crossed to the West Mall, and went down to the lower ground floor to The Foodhall for one final errand.

All done, we headed outside and hailed a Bluebird taxi for IDR15,600 (≈ MYR4/USD1/EUR1) back to the Airbnb — another short ride that turned out to be barely 500 metres, but our feet were exhausted and we didn’t mind at all.

What’s Next

Stay tuned for our next video as we go out to dinner for the first time in Jakarta.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/dtUDeYN1zJRpJxf57

KEDS Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/GodakRXZ3en8jgGo8

Ranch Market Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/o79ogwZ8DQGEvWRF8

Baia Nonna - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBJV5WBJXyTcmAJ8A

The Foodhall (Grand Indonesia) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/sDdZVeANNcQ44ni49

CGK Day 2 │ THAMRIN City: Breathless Batik Buying Spree!

Good Morning Jakarta

We picked you up again after a good night’s sleep. We left the Airbnb at 9:30am, bound for the enormous shopping mall known as Thamrin City.

Truth be told, our entire trip to Jakarta was centred around one mission: to shop for batik at Thamrin City. A five minute walk later, we arrived. After taking several thumbnail photos of the main signboard, we walked up to a row of eateries.

Breakfast

We decided to have breakfast at Bakso Lapangan Tembak Senayan (quite a mouthful). After asking the waiter for recommendations, we settled on:

• Bakso Campur Spesial
• Bakso Malang
• Es Kelapa Muda
• Es Timun Serut

Our introductory meal to this Indonesian staple came to IDR113,000 (≈ MYR33/USD7/EUR7).

The Batik Quest Begins

With breakfast squared away, we stepped into Thamrin City to explore this mazy, multi level mall in earnest. After wandering around every floor, we eventually found ourselves at Habibi Batik, where we bought:

• 2 sets of matching blouse + long sleeved shirt (for Cat, Brendan, and me)
• 2 additional blouses for Cat

A total of 8 items for IDR1,150,000 (≈ MYR337/USD71/EUR66).

Next, at Beauties, Cat picked up 2 pairs of long pants for IDR240,000 (≈ MYR70/USD15/EUR14).

We continued wandering when a batik blouse caught Cat’s eye — and that led us to Arfa Batik, the biggest haul of the day:

• 1 set of matching blouse + long sleeved shirts (Cat + Brendan + me)
• 2 sets of matching long sleeved shirts (Brendan + me)
• 2 sets of matching short sleeved shirts (Brendan + me)
• 2 long sleeved shirts for Brendan
• 1 long sleeved shirt for me

A total of 14 items for IDR1,800,000 (≈ MYR528/USD112/EUR104).

From Me & Batik Collection next door, Cat added 6 blouses for IDR720,000 (MYR211/USD45/EUR41).

The Grand Total

Three hours later, we emerged with a voluminous amount of clothing. Here’s the recap:

• 8 items from Habibi Batik
• 2 long pants from Beauties
• 14 items from Arfa Batik
• 6 blouses from Me & Batik Collection

30 items in total for IDR3,910,000 (MYR1,147/USD243/EUR225).

A plentiful bounty indeed.

Wrapping Up

We walked out of Thamrin City and stopped at Kenangan Coffee for drinks before heading back to the Airbnb next door.

What’s Next

Stay tuned as we head out for a very late lunch.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Thamrin City - https://maps.app.goo.gl/PV14MK3wDyU77nEA7

Bakso Lapangan Tembak Senayan (Thamrin City)

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/F9U3y3EMWqFXowLe6

HABIBI BATIK - https://maps.app.goo.gl/7S1ZbiGpCrdKPhT66

Arfa Batik - https://maps.app.goo.gl/acphqsgZiqX2RKbe9

Me & Batik Collection - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcotdqV2huEGp5Zz5

Kopi Kenangan (Thamrin City) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/gyeoZhMnP3KU2QKH6

CGK Day 1 │ Warong LEKO: Sop Buntut!

Sop Buntut

We picked you up again after being recommended Warung Leko by the Grand Indonesia concierge, as we were looking for a restaurant serving authentic local cuisine.

We rode several escalators up to the fifth floor of the East Mall and found the restaurant. The place was tastefully decorated and exuded warmth and comfort. We scanned the menu and quickly settled on:

• 2 Nasi Merah
• Sup Buntut (Oxtail Soup)
• Iga Penyet (Grilled Beef Ribs)
• Lemongrass Tea
• Jus Kedondong
• Es Delima Campur
• Es Campur

Our first meal in Jakarta came to IDR381,700 (≈ MYR113.50 USD24/EUR22).

Epilogue: A Return Visit

On our penultimate day in Jakarta, we found ourselves in the West Mall of Grand Indonesia around lunchtime. We walked around hoping to find local cuisine, but had no luck. So we rode the escalators up to the first floor, crossed the Skybridge to the East Mall, and made our way back up to the fifth floor — to our new favourite restaurant, Warung Leko.

After a quick scan of the menu, we settled on:

• Sup Buntut (again — too good to resist)
• Gurame Sambal Bawang
• 2 White Rice
• Jus Kedondong
• Lemongrass Tea

This second meal came to IDR324,100 (≈ MYR97/USD20/EUR19).

What’s Next

Stay tuned as we begin our quest for batik at Thamrin City bright and early the following day.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/bZpXEoSXWNR6yC3U8

Warung Leko Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zfZStX7h2PEeWEQQ6

CGK Day 1 │ Grand Indonesia: Warong Leko • DJI Store • Mamitoko

Our First Mall

We picked you up again after settling into the Airbnb and freshening up. We were famished and decided to take a stroll to the huge shopping mall next door.

One of the main reasons we chose Thamrin Executive Residence was its close proximity to several major malls. True enough, after a short walk, we found ourselves inside the West Mall of Grand Indonesia.

We rode two flights of escalators and crossed over to the East Mall, where we asked the concierge for recommendations on local cuisine. They pointed us to Warong Leko on the fifth floor.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of this awesome restaurant.

Christmas Came Early

After our very late lunch, we headed down to Level 3A to visit the DJI Store. We had been eyeing the Pocket 3, and today was the day. We opted for the Creator Combo, and together with a 128GB microSDXC card, the total came to IDR10,999,000 (≈ MYR3,085/USD682/EUR632).

Christmas came early — at least for me.

Groceries, Pastries & A Sweet Surprise

We wandered around the mall and picked up groceries and pastries from The Foodhall on the lower ground floor. Cat then gleefully made her way to Mamitoko, a store she had been following on Instagram.

We bought two cheese breads and were gifted a free scoop of gelato.

With all our goodies in hand and our feet absolutely killing us, we decided to hop into a Bluebird taxi for IDR18,600 (≈ MYR5/USD1/EUR1)back to the Airbnb — only to later discover it was barely a 500 metre walk. The whole thing became hilarious in hindsight. The driver was friendly, and we enjoyed chatting with him, so we didn’t mind when he made a wrong turn. He didn’t have enough change, but we happily accepted whatever he had in return for the great conversation.

Back at the Airbnb, we stowed away our things and headed down to the LB floor to check out the swimming pool, courtyard, and gym.

What’s Next

Stay tuned as we begin our quest for batik at Thamrin City bright and early tomorrow morning.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/bZpXEoSXWNR6yC3U8

Warung Leko Grand Indonesia - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zfZStX7h2PEeWEQQ6

CGK Day 1 │ AIRBNB: Thamrin Executive Residence

Humble Abode

We picked you up again after arriving at our Airbnb. Conveniently located in the heart of Central Jakarta and within walking distance of a trinity of malls — Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, and most importantly Thamrin City Mall — this was exactly why we chose to stay here.

The residence boasts a long list of facilities: a swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, gym, garden and park, playground, BBQ pit, function hall, mini market, laundry and dry clean pickup, salon, ATM centre, taxi pool, 24 hour security, mailbox room, and parking for cars, motorbikes, and bicycles.

Checking In

The check in process was straightforward. We collected the key card and made our way up to the 26th floor. The unit was well appointed and had everything we needed — bed linen, towels, two flat screen TVs, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with an awesome view of the city.

We’ll let our footage paint the full picture, including the swimming pool, courtyard, and gym on the LB floor.

For RM266.88 (≈ USD57/EUR52) a night, we felt it was fair value given the strategic location and the convenience of being able to walk to so many key attractions. Not to mention, Sigit, our host, was warm, responsive, and incredibly helpful.

Later in the evening, we took a stroll around the area in search of drinking water and found an IndoMaret at the adjacent Thamrin Residence (not to be confused with our building, Thamrin Executive Residence).

What’s Next

Stay tuned as we take our first stroll around Central Jakarta.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

Thamrin Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/FVgnYGpPd4dwyWCF7

CGK Day 1 │ CGK to JakPus: Skytrain • Raillink • BNI City

Jakarta

We picked you up again after disembarking. After a quick potty break, we scanned the QR code to apply for the visa on arrival (VOA) exemption for ASEAN travellers — but it didn’t work. We scanned a second QR code for the health declaration, and that didn’t work either.

So we walked the entire length of Terminal 3 until a kind health ministry officer helped us complete the declaration. After that, an airport staff member assisted us with the VOA exemption, and after some fiddling, we finally succeeded.

We then scanned our passports at Immigration, collected our luggage at Carousel 2, and showed the Customs officer the pre printed QR code from our online tax declaration.

At that point, we had well and truly arrived in Jakarta.

Skytrain to SHIA

Next on our list was catching the Skytrain to Terminal 1. We asked around and were told to take the elevator up to the first floor. With the help of a friendly security guard, we boarded the Skytrain soon after.

The Skytrain connects the terminals to the Soekarno Hatta Integrated Airport Railway Station (SHIA) — the station you need if you’re heading into central Jakarta.

We mistakenly got off at Terminal 2, but another kind security personnel guided us back onto the train.

The Integrated Airport Railway Station sits between Terminals 1 and 2. Once we reached the correct stop, we took the elevator down to the Railink level.

Railink to Central Jakarta

At SHIA, we bought our tickets from the kiosk — IDR70,000 (≈ MYR20/USD4/EUR4) each — for the 10:42am train to BNI City Station. The station is conveniently located in central Jakarta, just south of Bundaran HI, Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, and Thamrin City Mall. Most importantly, it was very close to our Airbnb at Thamrin Executive Residence.

The train ride took about an hour. Once we arrived at BNI City Station, we hailed a Grab for IDR34,000 (≈ MYR10/USD2/EUR2) to our Airbnb.

Welcome to Central Jakarta!

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Terminal 3 Soekarno–Hatta International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWSPMdXKQm9F61Kt5

Skytrain Terminal 3 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfazQnG97TwxCsuEA

Skytrain Terminal 1 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hq58W4NxHVd2g4Z7

Soekarno Hatta Raillink - https://maps.app.goo.gl/t4BTEiSu1NzTRsgF8

BNI City (Sudirman Baru) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/uuHorWykgJGtnLtg9

Thamrin Executive Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgNnAHXTXNUrZWGW7

CGK Day 1 │ KLIA to Soekarno-Hatta • MH711 • It's Our 400th Video!

Crossing Borders

The last time we used our passports was in January 2020. We had visited my sister Virginia in the UAE, before we even started our channel — and a few months later, the whole world shut down.

Our passports expired in December 2020, and with nowhere to go, we never renewed them. Around the same time, a deadly cluster was detected at our condo. The entire building was locked down, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by army personnel with M16s.

The trauma made us reclusive and paranoid. We barely went out except for essential errands.

In April 2021, we slowly emerged from our shell and started our channel as a way to re enter society. Then in December 2021, Cat and I were infected with the virus. We were laid up for months before resuming content creation.

For the next couple of years, we focused on visiting every state in Malaysia — a journey that finally culminated in our recent day trip to Muar, Johor, the 13th and final state.

Only then did we feel ready to use our passports again.

Off to Jakarta

We bought our flight tickets to Jakarta during a recent MATTA Fair and got a good deal — RM858.00 (≈ USD182/EUR168) return each. With Brendan starting his postgraduate studies, this would be a couple’s trip.

We woke up at 4:00am, and an hour later Brendan drove us to the KL Sentral Departure Hall. Unfortunately, the KL City Air Terminal only opens at 6:00am.

So we made an executive decision: head straight to KLIA.

We walked across to catch the KLIA Express. We bought our tickets online and enjoyed RM10 off each, paying RM40.00 (≈ USD9/EUR8) per person.

The train departed KL Sentral at 5:40am and arrived at KLIA half an hour later. We rode the elevator up to the Departure floor — and mistakenly walked to the domestic Malaysia Airlines counters.

Realising our error, we made a beeline for the international counters instead.

Twenty minutes later, we checked in and dropped our luggage. We were due to board MH711 at 9:00am from Gate G6, so we headed to the Departure Hall.

We cleared Immigration and Customs smoothly, and by the time we emerged, it was 7:00am.

Pre Flight

We stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts for drinks. We both had the Spiced Chai Teh Tarik — mine hot, Cat’s iced. The total came to RM22.50 (≈ USD5/EUR4).

An hour later, we walked to Gate G6 and passed the final security checkpoint. Boarding began at 8:30am, and the last group boarded at 8:55am. The plane pushed back shortly after and took off at 9:05am.

Touchdown

The one and a half hour flight was uneventful. The plane began its descent at 10:25am, and MH711 touched down at 9:49am local time.

Kudos to Captain Andrew Ha and Chief Steward Mohammad Hamdan for an excellent flight.

We disembarked ten minutes later and headed to Carousel 2 to collect our luggage.

Welcome to Jakarta.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

KLIA Ekspres - https://maps.app.goo.gl/aMxKXzeH29zWT1799

KLIA Express Transit Station @ KLIA

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AG4CR3HqePKrE3p7

Kuala Lumpur International Airport - https://maps.app.goo.gl/pDCevJLK4PNEfeq39

Terminal 3 Soekarno–Hatta International Airport

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWSPMdXKQm9F61Kt5

Saturday Walkabout: The Curve • IPC • TRX (Taking the DJI Action 5 Pro for a spin!)

Another Epic Walkabout

We left our condo at a quarter past eleven and walked toward the bus stop at Sarah Hughes along Jalan TAR. Almost right away, we caught a free GOKL bus to the Muzium Negara MRT station.

From there, we took the MRT to Mutiara Damansara for RM3.10 (≈ USD0.70/EUR0.60).

Hunting for Sandals

After getting off the train, we walked around a hotel and past The Curve before reaching Ikano Power Centre (IPC). We went straight to the Skechers store, hoping to find a specific pair of sandals.

No luck.

Before leaving, we noticed an LC Waikiki outlet. Cat picked up several pairs of socks and a hat for our upcoming trip to Batavia. We then walked back into The Curve to try another Skechers store, but again, we came up empty handed.

Lunch at The Curve

By then, it was lunchtime. We headed to the Suria Food Court on the first floor. It was small, with only a few stalls. We chose Little Wok & Steam Soups and ordered:

• Spiced Chicken Fried Rice
• Seafood Fried Rice

Together with drinks, lunch came to RM34.60 (≈ USD7/EUR7). It was surprisingly tasty and hit the spot.

More Skechers, No Success

After lunch, we returned to Mutiara Damansara MRT station and took another train, this time to Tun Razak Exchange, for RM3.40 (≈ USD0.70/EUR0.70).

We headed straight to what was said to be the largest Skechers store in Malaysia. Unfortunately, it was strike three. Once again, we walked out empty handed.

Long Walk Home in the Rain

Next, we took the MRT to Merdeka station. From there, we made the long walk through the underground passage to the connecting Plaza Rakyat LRT station. By the time we came back up to the street, it had started raining.

Not long after, we caught the LRT to Bandaraya station for a combined fare of RM1.90 (≈ USD0.40/EUR0.40). We got off and walked the final stretch back to our condo, right through the rain.

Stay tuned as we took a flight in a few days to a nearby city rich with history, known as the Equatorial Emerald.

Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Muzium Negara MRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zDyomjurLygh2wum6

Mutiara Damansara MRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TMDsshNiNN6ry3XJ6

IPC Shopping Centre - https://maps.app.goo.gl/bPDN5NE8UHvZ6vh86

The Curve - https://maps.app.goo.gl/DmmocBSWsEjrxcVS8

Tun Razak Exchange MRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fuy3ur1W7dbhY44K8

The Exchange TRX - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NAPc8dSpJYYBvQyeA

Merdeka MRT Station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EFa28VsW3Abi76vs9

Plaza Rakyat LRT Station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zndv5QQubcJ53YEP8

Bandaraya LRT station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/tNyMwJcaqjaj7vaE7

SOGO Kuala Lumpur - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vJWRkV1YL2r2SSnq5