t r i p
j o u r n a l
190
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DIALING CODE
+62 (21)
CURRENCY
IDR100,000=PHP430.74/US$10
TOUCHDOWN
Hire a Bluebird or
Express taxi from the airport to the city,
which costs IDR180,000 (PHP775)
plus toll. Alternatively, the DAMRI bus
goes to any city bus station for a very
manageable IDR15,000 (PHP65).
SEE &DO
Brunch at Pastis is lovely at
Setiabudi Aston Kuningan, available from
12
noon–4pm. For golf lovers check out
the driving range at Senayan. If you enjoy
soul and RnB music, check out Domain
at Senayan City. There’s a fantastic live
band that performs there around 7pm
onwards. Loewy (
is great for drinks and dinner.
SLEEP
The big hotels are in Kuningan,
which is close to everything. Better yet,
stay with a Jakarta-based friend!
EAT
Start your day with
bubur ayam
(
chicken porridge) — it's available at stalls
along the sidewalk.
MUST-TRY
Nasi gila
(
crazy rice) from
sidewalk pushcarts. It’s “crazy” because
you can choose your rice toppings.
SHOP
Check out Mangga Dua ITC for just
about everything. Don’t forget to bargain!
Claudia
Sutiono
assistant editor
INDONESIA
JAKARTA
DIALING CODE
+673 (2)
CURRENCY
BN$1 =PHP33.31/US$0.80
TOUCHDOWN
The international airport
is approximately 10 minutes (about
10
km) away from the center of Bandar
Seri Begawan (BSB). There are taxis, car
rentals and hotel limousine services that
can take you to and from the airport.
SEE &DO
Visit the Royal Regalia
Museum, which houses grand artifacts
and incredible gifts to the royal family from
dignitaries around the world. Then walk to
the Omar Ali Saiffudien Mosque, built in
1958
by the 28th Sultan, and The Taman
Omar Ali Saifuddie, which is just across it.
Afterwards, stroll to Yayasan Mall to grab a
drink or browse the shops.
SLEEP
I like Le Gallery Hotel because
it's clean and offers budget-friendly rates.
EAT
Pasar Gadong (Night Market) for true
Bruneian fare like the BN$1
nasi katok:
fried
chicken, rice, cucumber and sambal spice.
MUST-TRY
Explore Ulu Ulu Temburong
Park, a 500km national park that thrives
with a rainforest and wildlife.
INSIDERTIP
Brunei is a Muslim country,
but Happy Restaurant in Gadong serves pork.
DIALING CODE
+60 (88)
CURRENCY
MYR1 =PHP13.27/US$0.32
TOUCHDOWN
The Kota Kinabalu
International Airport is only 10 minutes
away by taxi, and it usually costs about
MYR20 (PHP265). Be sure to negotiate
and agree on the fare before you step into
the cab.
SEE &DO
First-timers to the city should
check out the Tunku Abdul Rahman
Marine Park for a good dose of nature
tripping. Since Pinoys must shop, hit
Wisma Merdeka Shopping Complex and
1
Borneo Mall for retail therapy. At night,
head over to the Waterfront, where you
will find many good choices for dinner
and after-dinner drinks.
SLEEP
The 32-room Jesselton Hotel
on Gaya Street is styled like an elegant
colonial house.
EAT
Order the
bak kut teh
(
meat bone
tea), a soup with pork ribs, at any of the
local coffee shops on Gaya Street.
SHOP
Knock yourself out at Wisma
Merdeka Shopping Complex and 1
Borneo Mall.
INSIDER TIP
Try a sunset cruise and an
off-road excursion around Kota Kinabalu.
Earvin
Charles
Cabalquinto
adcopywriter/host/
eventscoordinator
Gavin
Sham
hospitality/travel
management
MALAYSIA
KOTAKINABALU
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BANDARSERI BEGAWAN
SINARTUS SOSRODJOJO
