Some places to explore for holidays in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of kids sat on the floor of the children's section at a book store in Pondok Indah Mall in South Jakarta. They deeply enjoyed their reading, even though there was a sign telling them not to sit on the floor as they may block the aisles.

In fact, a huge number of children packed the mall that late Monday afternoon. Monday is usually the least busy day during the week for shopping malls in Jakarta. But it was the first day of school holidays at most private schools.

The children gathered together and wandered about in groups. Some were with their parents.

On Tuesday, some groups of children were seen gathering at Kafe Tenda Semanggi, the cafe complex in the central Sudirman business district. It was not yet time for dinner, but several cafes were already open. The kids looked cheerful and chatted in loud voices.

"We just want to be together, just like we are at school. Since our parents are busy and don't have time yet to spend the holidays with us, we're allowed to go out together to malls or other places in the city. Our parents know each of us well," said Jono, 14.

He said that his parents promised to take him to Puncak, the mountainous area in West Java, next week.

Many parents in Jakarta may not be sure where they should take their children during the holidays. Especially if they are busy and do not have time due to their tight work schedules.

There are actually a lot of places to explore. In addition to the malls, the capital has some places of interests where children and teenagers can enjoy themselves.

One of them is Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta, which includes several spots such as Fantasy World, Sea World and the Water Park, the largest in the city.

An entrance ticket to dreamland costs Rp 5,000 more on public holidays. You have to pay Rp 26,000 (Monday to Friday) or Rp 32,000 (Saturday, Sunday and on holidays) to enjoy the various games, including the roller coaster and the three-dimensional film in Fantasy World. The Water Park charges visitors Rp 12,000 on holidays, or Rp 3,000 more than the usual price.

A ticket to Sea World is Rp 10,000 from Monday to Friday or Rp 14,000 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Jakarta has dozens of museums. But most children may not be interested. "Children anywhere, even adults, do not like to go museums, which are attractive only for a limited people with special interests or artists," said educator J. Drost SJ.

However, parents can still try to visit the Museum or the Center of Science and Technology, which is located near the Bird Park at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.

This scientific museum has a lot of items on display and visitors are allowed to touch them. This is quite distinctive as artifacts at most museums are not allowed to be touched due to their historical significance.

Visitors at the museum, which was opened in 1995, are encouraged not only to touch them, but also to hold and play with most of items in order to understand them better.

For instance, visitors can find out how things work in telecommunications, radio and broadcasting. There is a N-250 aircraft, developed by the state-owned airplane maker PT IPTN. Visitors can also check out an F16 jet fighter, including its engines.

Other items on display are taken from the areas of lighting, sound, mechanics and energy, construction, transportation and computers.

The entrance fee is Rp 1,500. But to enter the Taman Mini, you have to pay another Rp 4,000.

For those who like exercise, ice skating can be something fun and dynamic. Those who want to try it can go to the third floor of Taman Anggrek shopping mall in Slipi, West Jakarta. The 1,248 square-meter ice rink opened in 1996.

During the holidays, the cost is Rp 17,000 for two hours and Rp 5,000 per additional hour. The rink is open between 8.30 a.m and 9 p.m.

There's also Taman Ria Senayan. The 11-hectare recreation park, reopened in 1997 after extensive renovation, is located in the heart of the city and visitors can easily get there by public transportation.

A roller coaster, bumper cars, cyber games, mini golf, pedal boats and several simulators are available. Operating hours are from 3 p.m to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Some children may be curious about the difference between astronomy and astrology. To find it out, take them to the Planetarium at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) on Jl. Cikini, Central Jakarta.

There they will find a miniature of the heavens and enjoy films about the sky, its atmosphere, meteors, planets, asteroids and other orbital objects. There's also a telescope at this site, which was installed in 1969. It also provides a library.

Show times are at 4.30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 11 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday. The schedule begins at 11 a.m. and after that at 12.30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on every National holidays.

The ticket price is Rp 3,500 for adults and Rp 1,750 for children.

What about visiting the zoo? Ragunan remains an interesting place, with a natural climate which is far from hectic life of the city.

For Rp 3,000 you can enjoy the 10-hectare zoo, which has some 3,500 animals in addition to various types of flora. A ticket for children is Rp 2,000.

Camping offers a lot of fun for children. Go to Cibubur in eastern Jakarta to partake in this activity. It covers 210 hectares comprising woody perennial plants, a beautiful lake and panorama.

If you cannot spend the night there, you are welcome to enjoy the view at Cibubur. Entrance fee range from Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,500.

Last but not least, the capital has Monas (the National Monument). The 137-meter-high Monas, which was inaugurated in 1961, is located in a public square in Central Jakarta.

Visitors can enjoy Jakarta from the top and watch the history of Indonesia in a diorama. Entrance fees ranges between Rp 500 and Rp 3,500. (icn)