Posts Tagged With: Dutch

Exploring Indonesia’s National Monument in the heart of Jakarta

It is a little bit awkward to visit Indonesia’s National Monument in the heart of Jakarta as a Dutchman. After all, the Dutch are the cause of this monument after more than three centuries of colonial occupation.

Halfway the seventies of last century the monument opened to the public. It is standing in the center of one of the largest city squares in the world: Merdeka square. It is worth a visit if you happen to be in Jakarta. The tower offers a great view of the city and in a museum underneath you learn about the freedom fight of the Indonesians and their independence in the late forties.

The surroundings are also great: the enormous square is a welcome escape from the busy city and there are often a lot of events happening and in the surrounding park there are plenty of warungs; little eateries to eat a snack or refresh yourself with a tropical drink.

 

 

Categories: Indonesia, Jakarta, Steden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Discover Malacca, a rickshaw ride through a world heritage city in the heart of Malaysia

I was more than surprised when I arrived in the old town of Malacca, what a beautiful place this is. The old center of town is roughly divided in three parts: the Portuguese area with an old church and remains of a fortress.  The Dutch part is at the east side of Malacca river, an old townhall, a church and a handful of redbrick buildings around a square. And at the west bank of the river the large Jonker street area, a labyrinth of small colonial streets filled with local shops, galleries and restaurants.

I went there without any expectations, and so the effect on me was great, such great architecture and so much to explore and discover. It reminded me of just a few cities, none of them comparable on how it looks, but they can describe the kind of mood that flows through the alleys: Cartagena des Indes, Cusco, Ubud, Glastonbury and Florence. I mean, the feeling that after each corner something wonderful will show up, and then it actually happens. Got it?

If you also know of such a surprising town or city, let me know in a comment below because I would definitely put it on my bucketlist and visit it!

Categories: Ontdekkingen, Reizen, Steden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The lost buildings of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) in Jakarta

It was a long drive on the back of the motorbike of Bram, my city tourguide of the day. But we arrived in Kota Tua and visited the old buildings of the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie.

Funny, cause after the Maritime museum and the VOC Dockyard, I ended up in the Compagnie.id, a new coffee house in the Old Town. The barista’s invited me inside for a free coffee, as they celebrated their soft opening. Jakarta always surprises.

It is good to see that the city is renovating its heritage buildings, although more can be done and saved. Although I realise money can be only spend only once, and I more urgent causes are in need of support.

Finally I find an orange cap for my coming support of the Formula 1 races in Kuala Lumpur next week. Next will be a shirt and a flag. Really wondering if I will ever find that in time in Jakarta…

 

 

Categories: Indonesia, Jakarta, Ontdekkingen, Reizen, Steden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rugslag met terughoudendheid

Vanochtend lag ik al vroeg in het water. Elke tweede toren hier in de Dubai Marina heeft een zwembad en deze liggen dan ook als blauw gapende kraters tussen de wolkenkrabbers. Je kunt kiezen welke je wilt.

Naast elk bad ligt een lifeguard te slapen in zijn stoel. Dat is een compleet overbodige baan en dat weten zij zelf ook. Wanneer een kleuter in problemen komt kan deze gewoon opstaan, en het steekt met kop en schouders biven de waterspiegel uit.

De zwembaden zijn het woord eigenlijk niet waard. Vijf stevige slagen en je boort jezelf als een torpedo in de tegenoverliggende muur. Een rugslag is daarom gevaarlijk en daardoor doe ik deze slag met terughoudendheid, want zwemmen met een helm, dat gaat mij te ver. Maar het uitzicht is geweldig, en alleen maar drijven op je rug is meer dan de moeite waard.

Categories: Fotografie | Tags: , , , , , ,

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