t r i p
j o u r n a l
146
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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 iconic SOAS mosque
located in the heart of Bandar Seri
Begawan and the luxurious Jame’ Asr
mosque located in Kampong Kiarong.
Royal Regalia Museum is one of
the must-visit places, displaying the
Sultanate’s royal inheritance.
SLEEP
Stay at the glamorous five-star
hotel, The Empire Hotel & Country
Club, situated in Jerudong area.
theempirehotel.com.
EAT
Get a taste of the local flavors in the
pasar malam
(
night market) in Gadong
area, next to Gadong Mall.
SHOP
Cheap souvenirs are available in
the Yayasan Shopping Complex.
MUST-TRY
Ambuyat is proclaimed to
be the national food of Brunei. Try it at
Aminah Arif Restaurant.
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
Take a quick tour of Taman
Mini. The whole park is a mini Indonesia
with areas dedicated to the culture of
each region, from house designs to
music, jewelry, food and art. You can ride
the tandem bikes to see the whole park or
ride the Sky Lift to get a bird’s-eye view.
SLEEP
Jalan Jaksa is a favorite
among backpackers. This street is lined
with all sorts of budget hostels and
accommodations.
EAT
For a happy tummy and happier
wallet, Blok S is the place to go in
Jakarta.
SHOP
Shop at Pasar Tanah Abang,
Melawai Blok M and Jacc Tanah Abang.
INSIDER TIP
There’s no way you can
escape Jakarta’s infamous traffic jams —
except during Sundays.
Annabs
Sanchez
freelancewriter
INDONESIA
JAKARTA
Kida Abu
Bakar
undergraduate
student
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BANDARSERI BEGAWAN
DIALING CODE
+62 (21)
CURRENCY
IDR100,000 = PHP430.74/
US$10
TOUCHDOWN
From the airport, the best
way to get to the city is by taxi. You may
purchase a fixed fare ticket from the booths
just by the exit gates or you may walk to
the taxi dropoff points to flag down a cab.
Blue Bird taxis are recommended.
SEE &DO
Book a day-long tour to
experience Bali beyond its spectacular sea,
sand and sky. Must-sees include: Bedugul
Botanical Gardens, Pura Bratan, Tanah Lot,
and Uluwatu. Visitors must also catch the
Kecak Dance at the Uluwatu Temple, which
overlooks a postcard-worthy sunset.
SLEEP
First-timers might want to stay
near bustling Kuta Beach. Harris Hotels is
affordable, and offers clean rooms and a
decent breakfast.
EAT
Tahu telur
(
fried tofu and egg) and
gado-gado
(
vegetable salad with peanut
sauce) are savory, nutritious and filling.
SHOP
Get cheap but well-crafted
souvenirs at Pasar Kumbasari in Denpasar.
INSIDER TIP
Don’t forget to haggle!
Practice your most convincing "
diskon!
"
(
discount).
Aldo Lim
instructor,
UP Los Baños
INDONESIA
DENPASAR(BALI)
BRIAN OTTO POERNIAWAN
