Parkour Jakarta: Survival of the Fittest

By: Ario Triwibowo

Parkour, the trend that has become a lifestyle, originated in France. Parkour (or PK, for short) is an activity of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment. No wonder this art of movement found its way to Indonesia, where obstacles are part and parcel of urban life. In the 2000s Parkour was one of the most viral and inspiring physical art forms worldwide. Parkour touched base in Jakarta around 2007, slowly developing into several regional sub-groups in other areas of Indonesia. Now, all over Indonesia dedicated communities practice the art of survival in a concrete jungle!

Derawan Islands: Divers’ Paradise at the Tip of East Kalimantan

By: Ario Triwibowo

Photographs by Ario Triwibowo and Agustinus Sri Setiawan

The Derawan Islands remained undiscovered until early 2011, when tourists from Indonesia and around the world started noticing the Derawan Islands.

Derawan Islands is administratively a part of the Berau regency, East Kalimantan. Geographically speaking, the Derawan Islands consist of 31 islands, large and small, inhabited and uninhabited. The whole area itself covers around 1.27 hectares. Marine biologists say that the Derawan Islands are number 2 on the list of biodiversity abundance, just one spot behind Raja Ampat on West Papua.

Even though there are many islands in this area, there are 4 that stand out the most, which are Derawan Island itself, Maratua Island, Kakaban Island, and Sangalaki Island. All of these islands are well known for their white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and astonishing underwater beauty.

A Top 11 of Cheap but Cheery Budget Hostels in Jakarta

By: Ario Triwibowo

As most of the big cities in South East Asia, there is always a place for backpackers in Jakarta. There are many low-fare hotels, motels, hostels and losmen in Jakarta, because the demand for cheap accommodation is increasing by the day as more and more Indonesians start backpacking (if something becomes a trend in Indonesia, it means it's virtually instantly an industry, as the country counts over 240 million inhabitants).

Many hostels in Jakarta verge on the dingy and/or depressing side. Hence we tried our best to make a selection of cheap but cheery hostels in Jakarta. The area where most backpackers end up in Jakarta is centered around Jalan Jaksa. This area is strategic as it is close to the train station and many of the city’s attraction (Monas, the shopping center Sarinah and other mallsthe area). Other nice areas to stay are Menteng in the northwest and hipe and happening Kemang in the south. Planning to travel in Jakarta on a low budget? Here is our Top 11 of Cheap but cheery budget hostels in Jakarta!

Jakarta Living Costs: Accommodation, Transportation, Food & Entertainment

By: Ario Triwibowo

Jakarta is one of the world’s busiest, largest and most populous cities. The Indonesian capital is ranked as the 9^th largest city and 13^th most populous city in the world. As the center of governance and business, the city attracts more and more people (Indonesians as well as expats). Indonesians come to Jakarta in search of better education, work and above all luck. Expats mostly for the latter two. Adding to the estimated 10-15 million people, this is not without consequence. The traffic is pure mayhem and living costs soar.

Jakarta Living Cost: Housing / Accommodation

For many foreigners, renting an apartment is probably the most convenient way to live in Jakarta. The city’s real estate / property sector has been growing rapidly throughout the past decade, as the need of strategic-located housing increases. Traffic jams have also contributed to this rapid boom. Traffic jams eat time, money and patience, so location becomes even more important when you want to settle down in Jakarta. If you work in the business district, be sure to find housing in the neighborhood, or with good access.

Jakarta City Layout

By: Ario Triwibowo

Jakarta is both a city and a geographical region. In reality, there are five cities or municipalities in Jakarta, each with its own unique character and trademarks.

• South Jakarta

South Jakarta is famous for its hip and upbeat ambience. Many shopping malls, nightclubs and restaurants can be found here. Major business districts, such as Sudirman and Kuningan where offices and skyscrapers rise up into the smoggy sky line the streets. Shopping Malls are concentrated in Senayan (Plaza Senayan, Senayan City and FX Plaza) and Blok M (Blok M Plaza and Pasaraya). There are also a few malls in the lower part of South Jakarta, in Pondok Indah (Pondok Indah Mall) and Cilandak (Cilandak Town Square). The Kemang area is best known for its nightlife with numerous bars and clubs throughout the area. If you want to get a taste of true Jakarta culture, you can visit the Setu Babakan village where the Betawi heritage is kept alive.

Introduction to Jakarta

By: Ario Triwibowo

Jakarta is a megacity that has been growing rapidly ever since it was designated the capital of Indonesia. Most visitors to Indonesia land at Sukarno Hatta airport, only to get out of the city as soon as possible. On first sight, Jakarta is not a friendly city: getting around is hard and is best done by car, walking is (apart from a few areas such as Fatahilla Square and around the Monas), a chore, most of the entertainment revolves around one of the many malls.

It is now the largest city in Southeast Asia and continues to pull more and more people looking for a better life, every day.

XSProject: Recycling Plastic, Supporting People

By: Ario Triwibowo

XSProject is a non-profit organization that uses its surplus revenues to achieve its goals rather than to distribute them as profit or dividends. Their first objective is conserving the environment. By reusing waste and selling it as products, they are able to reduce to amount of waste piling up in Jakarta. A certain percentage of profit earned is used for a scholarship given to the children of the associated trash pickers, and another percentage is for purchasing materials, tools and labor.

Jakarta Insider Tips

By: Ario Triwibowo

As the most populous place in Southeast Asia, Jakarta is a bustling and a chaotic city that can easily overwhelm visitors. Being Indonesia’s capital, it is the center for both the nation’s government and the main economic sector. Behind the restlessness of everyday rush hour, Jakarta is sprawling with various attractions that you can indulge in. Whether you want to kick back and relax or party all night long, Jakarta has it all. These insider tips showcase my favorite places to eat, shop and play!