Jakarta

Throbbing Jakarta is so good they’ve named it five times in its history since 397AD. So good, in fact, that 23 million people now cram into its greater metropolitan area on the north coast of the Indonesian island of Java, giving rise to its ironic nickname ‘The big durian’, an exotic fruit with an acquired taste. Peel behind the surface, though, and you’ll find hidden cultural gems behind its unashamedly modern Asian skyline.

Must See:
Dose yourself up with a bit of local culture with a trip to the Senayan Centre for a traditional wayang or gamelan performance.

Must eat at:
Hot-foot it to the Menteng district and check out the ambience at Lara Djonggrang, an out-and-out specialist in national delicacies from across Indonesia.

Must be there for:
Independence Day falls on 17th August – any old excuse for Jakartans to let their hair down in no uncertain style, with flags, carnivals and local culture all across the city.

Well-travelled facts:
· Jakarta is home to the National Monument – which is topped by a 14.5 ton gold-plated flame.
· No fewer than 13 different rivers flow through the city

Visa:
British citizens travelling to Indonesia on holiday for stays of up to 30 days are issued with a visa on arrival. Conditions apply, so please visit
For full information, visit http://www.indonesianembassy.org.uk/consular_visa_type_arrival.html