Sacred and secular delights

Sunda Kelapa is Jakarta's historic port in the north of the city that dates back more than a millennium.

 

Stylish visitors can explore Jakarta on bicycles that come with matching straw hats.

While scanning the menu, I am immediately drawn to the Indonesian blue sling as my friends order staples such as gado gado, nasi goreng and soto ayam. My drink is perfect: tall, cool and flavored with blue Curacao - and I ended up having another.

Refreshed and invigorated, we head to Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's historic port dating back more than a millennium in the north of the city.

It is a busy hive of activity, with workers loading and unloading cargo as diverse as Hondas, rice, cement and fertilizer bound for distant shores. Mostly consisting of three mast sailboats, the ships bring back animal feed from abroad for Indonesia's livestock.

We next hit Sarinah, a department store known for its wide selection of batiks. As soon as I stepped inside, I knew that my credit card would be put to the test.

The riot of colors and patterns are somewhat overwhelming, but I persevered and bought myself a fun laptop case in shades of ochre and mustard. I also found a lovely white blouse with floral piping and a small silk rug that would be perfect beside my bed for cold feet early in the mornings.

I then rush off to meet with Zico Hansakarya and Trihatma Haliman of Central Park. We decide to have coffee at Nanny's Pavilion in Central Park's mall - a fun place with mock swings and the most delicious glass of iced coffee caramel I had ever tasted.

Zico explains that Central Park is just one component of Podomoro City, a 22-hectare mixed-use site with five components: shopping mall, hotel, residences, office tower and Tribeca Park. The latter contains a large open space that acts like an urban garden for public gatherings such as concerts or events.

"Jakarta has limited land and we envision Podomoro City as a city within the city," Zico says. "We are capitalizing on the synergy between all its different components. We have plans to take this model to other parts of Indonesia. As a high-rise developer founded in 1969, we already have many developments throughout Jakarta."

Related: Funny about that hutong

After saying goodbye to Suryani and Mui Yoon, Reggie and I cab it to Oasis.

One of Jakarta's destination dining hotspots, it dishes up rijsttafel, a traditional Indonesian procession of dishes each served by a smiling woman.

Rijsttafel was originally served on plantations, at parties and other formal occasions. Our candlelit dinner includes being serenaded by troubadours as we feast on fish, lamb stewed in coconut milk, and satays.

The restaurant offers an outdoor sculpture garden for those who wish to stroll in between courses, but we were content to sip our wine and congratulate ourselves on a fitting end to a memorable trip.

Contact the writer at sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn.