Note to Shopper (That's you, Yam)

Dear Yam,
This should have been posted sooner, but as usual lah kan, my blog got ignored and I didn't read your reply. I hope you have not left for Jakarta.

If you have only one day to shop, you should spend it at ITC Kuningan/Mall Ambassador (it's two connecting buildings). If there's time, you can hop over to nearby Tanah Abang.

At Mall Ambassador, on the ground floor you can find a good selection of factory-outlet quality children's clothes (in my opinion, they offer better choices than Bandung) and there is a smattering of reject shops for adults, too. There are a couple of shops selling interesting shoes, and of course the ubiquitous fake handbags, on other floors. You should also check out the bookshop on the first floor, for some Indonesian literature and inspiring Islamic books.

You must visit Arnessio (they have three outlets) on the ground floor of ITC Kuningan for very affordable cotton shirts and tunics.

There are several shops selling ethnic stuff on the second floor. I like Pernak Pernik, which sells handmade ceramic bric-n-brac (which is what "pernak-pernik" means). On the fourth floor right across one of the escalators is a shop selling woven bags, at a reasonable price.

ITC Kuningan also has shops selling the usual batik and telekung, so you can save time and forgo your Tanah Abang trip. However, prices here are slightly more expensive, but not that much if you're good at pulling a bargain. There are also shops selling pretty kebayas. These are cheaper than at department stores, and of better quality than Tanah Abang. Buy the cotton ones. There's a shop on the ground floor at ITC Kuningan which stocks a good selection.

If you're kaya, though, you should drop by Pasaraya Grande for the full-on Indonesian craft experience. If you're staying near Kemang, check out also Chic Mart, a quaint two-storey shop crammed with unique jewellery (cheap!) and home furnishing (not so cheap). Chic Mart is on Jalan Kemang Raya, right in front of Al-Hidayah Mosque. Have lunch at Pawon Solo or Payon, if you're in the neighborhood.

If you're really, really kaya you should also visit Alun Alun Indonesia at Grand Indonesia. This is the Indonesian equivalent of Aseana. The songket, ikats and batiks on display are to die-for but if you look at the price pun boleh mati juga. Having said that, the kains on display are heirloom quality works of art, and if I had a few million rupiah to spare, I'd invest in some.

mokciknab muttered at 8:09 am ~ ~

My Life is So Boring and I Have No Opinion

So I'm posting an itinerary.

Saturday 1 December 2007
18.30
Arrive at Jl Sutan Syahrir
Welcome Dinner

20.00
Jakarta City Drive-About
Nightcap at Bakoel Koffie

Sunday 2 December
06.00
Travel to Bandung

08.30
Pasar Minggu Lapangan Gaziboe
A Sunday country fair selling all sorts of stuff, from crudely-made Barbie furniture to glittery clothes and BB guns

11.00
Lunch at Kampung Daun

13.00
Check in at Bumi Asih

15.00
Saung Angklung Udjo, Padasuka

18.00
Dinner at Bakmi Rainbow
This is not even a proper eatery, just a couple of chairs and tables thrown together in front of a factory outlet, but the noodles are home-made and good for cold Bandung nights.

Monday 3 December
07.00
Tangkuban Perahu

11.00
Shopping - Rumah Mode

12.30
Lunch at Bumbu Desa

13.30
Return to hotel

15.00
Additional shopping – Jalan Riau

18.00
Dinner at Bandoengsche Melk Centrale


Tuesday 4 December
10.00
Selasar Sunaryo
Coffee

12.30
Check-out from hotel

13.30
Lunch at Bloemen

15.00
Back to Jakarta

Wednesday 5 December
09.00
National Museum

11.30
Textile Museum

13.00
Lunch at home

18.30
Dinner at Warung Kopi, Alun Alun Indonesia
Indonesian film at Blitz

Thursday 6 December
10.00
Furniture Jaunt - Ciputat

13.00
Lunch at Payon

14.00
Furniture Jaunt - Kemang Timur

16.30
Pool time

18.00
Dinner at Bakmi Gajah Mada

Friday 7 December
10.00
Shopping - ITC Cempaka Mas

13.00
Lunch at home

14.00
Shopping – Kedaung

18.30
Dinner at Lara Jonggrang

Saturday 8 December
05.00
Bursa Kue Pasar Senen

15.00
Bogor Botanical Gardens

18.00
Dinner at Café Dedaunan

Sunday 9 December
08.00
Pasar Pagi Lama, Kota

09.30
Taman Fatahillah
Museum Jakarta
Museum Wayang

13.00
Lunch at Rumah Makan Sederhana

14.30
Rest

16.00
Jaunt of Useless Things
Cikini Train Station
Jl. Surabaya Flea Market

Monday 10 December
07.00
Spa at Salon Geugis

15.00
Transfer to airport

mokciknab muttered at 8:36 am ~ ~