Today we were in Tanjung Priok, (Jakarta), Indonesia. We
were docked at a commercial shipping port. It is the largest port like this we
had seen. We were parallel parked between a large cargo ship and an Iranian war
ship. We backed down this channel to park there, very narrow and boats parked
on each side. It looked like Iran had three ships docked here. The one in front
of us was a working ship, with guns, and the one in front of it looked like a regular
warship. There was one more that was grey, long and sleek with no markings on
it. Very interesting. Many of the ports we have been to recently are working
ports, not the cruise ports you see in the Caribbean.
They advised us that here we should take a tour or take the
shuttle into town (1 hour ride), because of the terrible traffic. We opted for
a tour of the highlights of Jakarta. Jakarta is also a very dirty city. The
Dutch settled here at one time and built canals all over; however, they are now
full of water filled with garbage.
The tour we took lasted for five hours. We first saw the
National Monument Monas, which represents the Indonesian people’s determination
for freedom. The monument is a 450 foot tall marble obelisk that is topped with
a flame that is coated with 77 pounds of gold. We then went to the National
History Museum. This museum detailed the life and times of Indonesia. We then
went to a department store where we did buy a couple of things. Our bartender’s
contract is up and is getting off in Singapore, so we bought t-shirts for his
two children for him to take back to them. We are going to miss him. We then
finished up with a tour of the Taman Fatahillah Square and Museum. This is an
older part of the city. In the 18th century this square was the
heart of the administration, with the square undergoing a major renovation in
the 1970’s. The fountain in the middle once served as the main water supply for
the former colonial capitol of Jakarta. The museum was formally a Dutch
Reformed Church until there was an earthquake in 1808, at which time it became
a warehouse until 1912. The museum has thousands of puppets from all over
Indonesia. Puppets are called wayang, and the theater on the ship is called the
Wayang Theater. Very interesting tour, but we are toured out.
We have one sea day and then will be in Singapore for two
days. The sea day wil be the second time we cross the equator. Last time was at
night. This time it will be during the day. We get a free Equator Sling (drink)
starting at 9:15 AM, and then the King Neptune Ceremony around the pool at 10
AM. After Singapore we have three more ports, so it will be a long stretch. I
will probably not post till we get back to sea.
The pictures here are of…
Local fishing boat
City pictures
Backing of the ship down the lane to dock
Dancers on dock (blue)
Three wheel car
Traffic
Presidential palace (white, 2 pictures)
Catholic cathedral
National Monument and the top
Chicken garbage cans
Mosque
Stone statues in National History Museum
Sculpture (circle) outside museum
Front of museum (with elephant)
Canal
Puppets
Four pictures of Iranian ships and their guard
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