NATIONAL MONUMENT (MONAS), JAKARTA, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA

MONUMEN NASIONAL (MONAS)

About National Monument (Monas)

The National Monument Monas (Monumen Nasional) is a 132 meter high tower in Jakarta standing in the middle of Medan Merdeka (Merdeka Square). The monument symbolizes the Indonesian independence struggle.

President Sukarno directed the construction of Monas which began in 1961. It was opened to the public only 14 years later at 12 July 1975 due to construction problems. The monument consists of two parts. The first part is the base platform called the goblet, at a height of 17 meters. Above this is the 117.7 meter tall obelisk made of Italian marble. The goblet represent the Yoni, which resembles a lesung rice mortar (grinder cup) and symbolizes the female organs while the obelisk resembles Lingga, an alu rice pestle (the grinder) symbolizing the male organs.

At the top of the monument is a golden flame called the Flame of Independence. The flame 14 meters heigh and is made of 14.5 ton bronze coated by 50kg of gold.

At a height of 115 meter is a 11x11 meter viewing platform which can be reached by an elevator at the south side of the structure. Binoculars are provided to fully enjoy the Jakarta skyline. A ticket to the Monas viewing platform is Rp. 7,500.

Inside the goblet is the Hall of Independence (Ruang Kemerdekaan) containing various symbols of the Indonesian independence like the original text of the Proclamation of Independence, a map of the archipelago coated in gold and the Indonesian coat of arms.

A level below, inside the base of Monas is the Indonesian National History Museum. Inside are 51 diorama's (three dimensional models) telling the history of Indonesia from the prehistory to recent times.

Around the monument is a big park where you can hide for a minute from the Jakarta traffic.

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TAMAN MINI INDONESIA INDAH

About Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

About Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or often shortened as TMII is a cultural themed Indonesian tourist area located in East Jakarta.

TMII is basically a summary of various aspects of the life's of the Indonesian people who are spread over 26 provinces (in 1975). In the middle of the park there is a miniature lake depicting the Indonesian archipelago. TMII was opened in 1991 by Mrs. Tien Soeharto.

As for the parts of TMII namely:

• Pavillion area
  This is the area that includes a variety of buildings in the traditional architecture of almost every ethnic group in Indonesia.
• Religious Buildings
  Representing a variety of buildings or places of worship which are famous in Indonesia, it also illustrates the harmony and inter-religious harmony in Indonesia. The buildings include:
  1. Diponegoro Mosque
  2. Catholic Church of Santa Cantharina
  3. the Hallelujah Protestant Church
  4. Pura Penataraan Agung Kertabumi
  5. Wihara Arya Dwipa Arama
  6. Sasana Adirasa Pangaeran Samber Nyawa
  7. Confucian Temple
• Recreation Facilities
  There are a number of recreational facilities that makes TMII a good place to go to with children. In addition to the natural surroundings, cleanliness and the many rides for children, TMII can increase the knowledge about Indonesia and about its cultural diversity. The recreation facilities of TMII include:
  1. Indonesian Children's Palace
  2. Hanging Train
  3. Swan Boat Arsipel Indonesia
  4. Park Among Putro
  5. Park Ria Atmaja
  6. Village Tourism
  7. Swimming pool Snow Bay (Rp 25,000 per person)
• Theatre and Cinema
  Buildings which are specifically used as a place of art performances and movies, among others:
  1. IMAX Teater Keong Mas, in this IMAX theater are a variety of environmental-themed films played.
  2. Teater My Homeland
  3. Teater 4D A normal 3D theater but with the addition of smell.
• Parks
  Built specifically to show the beauty of the flora and fauna in Indonesia there are ten parks in the TMII area, namely:
  1. Orchid Garden (Taman Anggrek)
  2. Garden of the Pharmacy of Life (Taman Apotek Hidup)
  3. Cactus Garden (Taman Kaktus)
  4. Jasmin Garden (Taman Melati)
  5. Taman Bunga Keong Mas
  6. Freshwater Fish Aquarium (Akuarium Ikan Air Tawar)
  7. Bekisar Park
  8. Bird Park
  9. Ria Atma Park, with a stage for musical performances
  10. Indonesian Chinese Cultural Park
• Museums
  The museums store and display a variety of historical, technological and cultural objects, as well as specimens from the flora and fauna in Indonesia. For a price of Rp 2000 you can visit no less than 14 museums who are all located in this area. Among others:
  1. Museum Indonesia
  2. Museum Purna Bakti Pertiwi
  3. Soldiers Museum (Museum Keprajuritan)
  4. Stamp Museum (Museum Prangko)
  5. Heritage Museum (Museum Pusaka)
  6. Transport Museum (Museum Transportasi)
  7. Museum of Electricity and New Energy (Museum Listrik dan Energi Bar)
  8. Telecommunications museum (Museum Telekomunikasi)
  9. Information Museum (Museum Penerangan)
  10. Sports Museum (Museum Olahraga)
  11. Asmat Museum
  12. Indonesia Wildlife Museum and Reptile Park (Museum Satwa Indonesia Komodo dan Reptil)
  13. Insect Museum ((Museum Serangga)
  14. Central Museum of Science and Technology Demonstration ((Museum Pusat Peragaan Ilmu Pengetahuan dan Teknologi)
  15. Oil and Gas Museum (Museum Minyak dan Gas Bumi)
  16. Museum of East Timor (Museum Timor Leste)

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RAGUNAN ZOO

RAGUNAN ZOO

About Ragunan Zoo

Jakarta's Ragunan Zoo is located in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. It is the home for over 4000 animals and 260 species, most of these are endangered and threatened throughout Indonesia and the world. It has a good collection of Indonesian wildlife, including Komodo Dragons, orangutans and tigers.

The Ragunan Zoo was established in 1864 by the Vereneging Planten en Dierentuin, a Dutch East Indies organization for flora and fauna lovers. At first it was in Central Jakarta at the Cikini area, it moved to its current location in 1966. It is set in a lush tropical surrounding.

The Zoo includes the Schmutzer Primate Center, named after Pauline Schmutzer who donated her estate to the center. The purpose of the center is to provide primates such as gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees a natural habitat as possible. For instance, at the orangutan area thick dark glass prevents the orangutans for seeing the visitors while they can see the animals.

The zoo is ideal for children as it includes a Childrens Zoo, elephant and boat rides, a pony cart and playgrounds.

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ANCOL BAY CITY

Ancol Bay City

 About Ancol Bay City

Ancol Bay City or also known as Ancol Dreamland is the largest and most attractive recreation park in the Jakarta area. It consists amongst others of a golf course, a theme park, hotels, nightclubs and swimming pools. It is located at the north of Jakarta on reclaimed land at the Bay of Jakarta.

Ancol Bay City

Entertainment at Ancol Dreamland:

• Fantasy World (Dunia fantasi). Jakarta's theme park with over 40 rides and attractions including the Halilintar twisted roller coaster and shows. Ticket price for entrance to Fantasy World is Rp 135,000 per person on weekdays.
• Atlantis Water adventure. A five hectare large water park themed on the mythological city of Atlantis with a wave pool, waterfall pool, slides, children's pools, continues flowing river pool and restaurants. Entrance is Rp 90,000 on weekdays
• Sea world. One of the largest oceanarium in South East Asia featuring pools for alligators and sharks, and a few general pools as the Sea friends pool and the Main pool
• Pasar Seni: An art market which in the course of it's 25 years history has become a center for handicrafts and other art products as well as a center for artists to directly create and sell their products.
• Executive Golf Fun, Ancol's 18 holes international beach golf course.
• Beaches. Within the resort you can find the Carnival beach and the Festival beach.

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