August 2018

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Explore Jakarta by using Public Transport

Ovina Pattari 10:19 PM No comments

source : Indonesia.Travel

Jakarta ...
the capital city of Indonesia offers different kind of vacation than other places in Indonesia. As a capital city, Jakarta is like metropolitan city with high buildings and also traffic jam.
For you who want to explore Jakarta Indonesia but don't want to deal with traffic jam, Jakarta offers Public transport such as Subway Train (Commuterline), Bus (Transjakarta), LRT & MRT (coming soon), Angkot/Mikrolet, Conventional Taxi, Online Taxi & Motorcycle (Ojek Online), Bajaj, Ojek Sepeda (Bicycle), Kopaja/Kopami and more!
The good news is Jakarta Public Transport is getting better day after day! Here's some tips to explore Jakarta by public transport :

1. Commuterline Indonesia (Commuter Train)

Commuterline Map

This is one of my favorite public transportation in Jakarta! You can go to place to place with no traffic jam, exact schedule and traveling time, faster and cheap! Haha
The basic fare is IDR 3.000 for the first 25km and additional IDR 1.000 for next 10 km (valid for mutliply). The fare is start from IDR 3.000 to IDR 7.000 for traveling by Comuterline Jakarta For ticket you can use :
- Single trip card (Tiket Harian Berjaminan) You must pay extra IDR 10.000 (as deposit & refundable) + your fare. You can take your deposit after arrived at your destination station. One card per passenger

- Multi Trip Card (Kartu Multi Trip)
You can purchase the Multi Trip Card with IDR 25.000 (IDR 20.000 (not refundable) for the card and IDR 5.000 for the balance). With this card you can tap in and tap out everywhere, no need to queue to take your deposit back. If your card balance were not enough, you can top up the card on vending machine with minimum IDR 10.000. The vending machine won't give you the change (please consider your top up amount) and make sure your money is in a good condition. One card per passenger

- Bank Electronic Money
Now, you can use Electronic Money from several bank such as Flazz (BCA), E-Money (Bank Mandiri), Tap Cash (BNI), Brizzi (BRI). Minimum balance is IDR 5.000 for tap in on the gate. The system just like Multi Trip Card. One card one passenger. You can buy or top up those card in their bank office or minimart, you can also us them to buy things in minimart, supermart or other merchant who provide Flazz, E-money, Tap Cash, Brizzi Card. This Card can also be used to take a ride on Transjakarta Bus.

2. Transjakarta (Bus Rapid Transit)

Transjakarta (also known as "Busway") the only public transport in Jakarta that have flat fare. You can sight seeing all Jakarta with only IDR 3.500. No maximum time, no maximum distance unless you tap out the card.

Transjakarta is now better as their new tagline #KiniLebihBaik (#NowBetter). Sterile Track (for several track), new buses, good air conditioner, better system, more buses, more route and you can see the arriving time of the bus on monitor <3

For riding Transjakarta you must use Bank Electronic Card (can be used for multiple passenger) or you can buy E-Money (Bank Electronic Card) in the counter for IDR 40.000 (IDR 20.000 for the card (non-refundable) + IDR 20.000 (card balance)). You can top up in Mandiri ATM, minimart (extra charge IDR 1.000) or in Transjakarta Counter (extra charge IDR 1.500).

Several Feeder Bus accept payment in cash or with Flazz BCA only. You must pay on the Bus Officer (Bus Conductor).

Transjakarta Feeder (small bus)

Transjakarta Minitrans (small bus)

Transjakarta Metrotrans (medium bus)

3. Angkot/Mikrolet

For you who want to experience the taste of Jakarta, you can try this transportation. Angkot has it's own route, differentiated by number, so, don't get it wrong.

Angkot doesn't have official stop, that's mean you can stop wherever you want to stop by say "kiri bang!" or "kiri ya bang". For get in to Angkot you just need to stand on the side of the road then lift your hand or you can find the Angkots who wait for the seat being seated.

For the fare ... this is a mystery. The basic fare is IDR 4.000 (for short distance), for longer distance .... only God and the driver know haha :'). Oh, you can also ask the other passenger how much if you want to stop at .... I'm sure they will answer your question (but ask it quietly). Other tips is pay in cash and exact amount to the driver.

4. Bajaj / Bajay

Another authentic public transport in Jakarta, Bajaj, three-wheels, an auto rickshaw motorized development of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle. The maximum passengers is 3 persons (or more as long as you fit).

For the fare, you must ask the driver first and then you bargain. By riding Bajaj, you can experience the driver driving skill in Jakarta. So much fun! :D

5. Ojek Sepeda

You can find Ojek Sepeda in Kota Tua, Kampung Bandan (near Ancol) and nearby. The driver average is an old man who ride old-style bicycle. For the fare ... the driver actually set a fare by himself, but you can add some tip for him.

It's good to enjoy Northern Jakarta with the man who take you by bicycle.

6. Online Ojek/Taxi (Online Motorcycle Taxi)

Go-Jek and Grab are the company who provide a Online Motorcycle Taxi. Just install their app, make an order (set your current place and your destination), the fixed price will show up and wait the driver come to pick you up. You can add tip to them.

I love using the Online Ojek because you can go to your destination faster, fixed fare and less trapped in traffic jam. You can also ask them to deliver the food & beverages that you want to your place, send your package, shop the things that you want when you too lazy to busy to buy it by yourself.

For Online Taxi, the system is same, but you will picked up by car. The fare exclude Toll fee and driver tip. If you are lucky, you could get Conventional Taxi with fixed fare when you order by Gojek/Grab application.

7. Conventional Taxi

Conventional Taxi or Cab is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. If you wanted to find more comfy transportation you can try Taxi.

Flag fall fare is IDR 6.500, with additional IDR 3.500 per kilometer (exclude toll fee and driver tip).

You can stop the taxi directly on the road, at taxi lounge (usually at the mall) or you can request online by their application/third party application or by phone.

They are some tips from me, hope it will be useful for you.

Happy Traveling!

Enjoy Jakarta!

XOXO

- Ovina Pattari P-

=============================

Let's get connected!

Instagram: @ovinapp
Youtube Channel: Ovina Pattari

Twitter: @ovinapp

Friday, August 10, 2018

Visit Mount Bromo Tips #WonderfulIndonesia

Ovina Pattari 10:14 PM No comments

source : Tribun Timur - Tribunnews.com

Are you planning to visit Mount Bromo? I will share my experience when I visited Mount Bromo on July 2018.

Actually I joined a event at Tumpang, Malang for 5 days and I've decided to extend my trip in Malang all by my self, I mean solo traveling. It was my first solo traveling in Indonesia.

In short story, I planned to visit Mount Bromo (Indonesian : Gunung Bromo) is one of an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif in East Java Indonesia. Mount Bromo sits in the middle of a plain called the "Sea of Sand" (Javanese: Segara Wedi or Indonesian: Lautan Pasir), a protected nature reserve since 1919.

At 2,329 meters (7,641 ft) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but is the most well known. The massif area is one of the most visited tourist attraction in East Java, Indonesia. The volcano belongs to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

How to Get There

You can have Bromo trip from Surabaya or Malang, for me, I departed from Malang City. Actually, you can visit Bromo by all your self by your own car or motorcycle, but for safety reason, I suggest you to take the local tour. Why?

If you are planning to watch sunrise at Bromo, you need to depart at midnight and then you still need to sit in the 'normal car' for about 2 hours in the darkness and super extreme track. You can experience the winding road with sharp turn (about 90 degree) and sudden incline (over than 45 degree) for multiple times. The 'good news' is either your right side or left side is a cliff.

I thought that I can a quick nap for the 2 hours trip, but I was wrong. I couldn't sleep and got motion sickness every time I close my eyes.

After 2 hours trip, the 'normal car' driver dropped me in a meeting point so I could ride a 4WD car aka Jeep car. The driver told me that the track will be more extreme :') So I prepared my self for next 1 hour trip.

That's why I suggest you to take local tour. Because of the extreme track and ride a 4WD car is a must! With the trip you will get picked up at your hotel/hostel/place; professional driver that will guide you well because they know about the road conditions; you don't need to drive your own car or rent 4WD car (+ driver); all you need just sit tight and enjoy the trip.

I took the Open Trip Tour for IDR 350.000 / person include snack, mask, drink, lunch, car rent (for normal car and Jeep car), all site entrance fee (exclude horse ride), driver fee (exclude driver tip), beanie hat, gloves. In Open Trip Tour you will arranged to have a trip with other persons (up to 5 people). It's good for you who have smaller group.

or if you are planning to have a trip with large amount of people, you can get private tour and get lower price :D

What You Should Prepare

1. Make sure you are in good health

I recommend to take vitamin and got good sleep a day before because you will stay awake from midnight to mid day, feel different temperature (from cold to hot temperature) and experience the 'fun' road trip.

2. Cash (small cash)

You will need cash for toilet! I spent about IDR 15.000 for 3 times toilet. Every time you use toilet in Bromo, you will be charged IDR 5.000 (that was I hate! IDR 5.000 for toilet is expensive -_-). Oh, there are some street vendor who sell souvenirs and food (like instant noodle, tea, coffee, milk, rice with side dish), also you can ride a horse with extra cash, rent a mat, jacket.

3. Dress smartly

The temperature is about 7°C in early morning while in midday the temperature raise to 16°C (It will be colder and hotter when you visit Bromo on August), so you must wear right clothes when you are visiting Bromo. Windbreaker jacket / down jacket is recommended in early morning and light clothes in midday. If you are planning to wear long john, please remember there aren't many toilet and all the place in Bromo is open field. Beanie, socks, gloves is a must due the strong-cold wind in early morning when you watch sunrise in top hill.

4. Camera & Powerbank

It's a must! Who doesn't want to capture the moment in superb beautiful Bromo (especially after extreme trip to reach Bromo haha). Don't forget to bring your power

bank to make sure your phone have enough batteries.

5. Personal medicine

Bring your own personal medicine or first aid.

Bonus : Photos from me