Jakarta is a city of contrast and the capital of Indonesia. It is also a big city, sprawling metropolis, and home to more than 11 million people with different ethnic group backgrounds. In the daytime, the number of people increases with commuters making their way to work in this city.

Jakarta is also situated in northwest Java Island and has expanded through the years, absorbing a lot of villages during the process. As a matter of fact, the city is a conglomeration of villages, regarded as Kampung, now crossed by superhighways and main roads.

However, as exhilarating as this might seem, tourers, especially women, are reminded that Jakarta is a place of stark social difference, majorly marked by a hierarchy of ‘haves and have-nots within a patriarchal culture. This means, as a traveler, you should be alert to the surroundings and consider the following tips to have a great experience in the city.

1. Determine How to Get to the City

A perfect way to get to Jakarta is to book a Cathay Pacific flight. If it is your first time booking a flight, you can browse Cathay Pacific website to get a good flight from where you stay to the city.

If you live in Southeast Asia, it will be easy to get a flight from major cities through Expedia or Skyscanner to Jakarta. However, if you don’t get a direct flight from where you stay, you can try flying to either Malaysia, Bangkok, or Singapore and get a plane from there to this city.

2. Know the Right Time to Travel

Jakarta city lies on a flat and low alluvial plain with extensive swampy areas, and it’s popular for getting flooded in the rainy season. This means it’s best to tour during the dry season that starts from July to October.

Though you might still travel to Jakarta throughout the year because the tropical climate is not humid and hot. Plus, with the rainy season falling between October and April, the city has a monsoon climate and an average temperature ranging from 26 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius.

3. Book a Hostel

If you are traveling solo, it is advisable to book and stay in a hostel. Usually, these hostels allow you to meet other tourists, which can be a major perk of traveling solo.

Apart from that, hostels are also a great way to save cash and extend your budget. You can easily get a beautiful and luxurious hostel at a good price.

4. Try Street Food

Although Jakarta is home to a few restaurants, like E&O, OKU Jakarta, and Salt Grill by Luke Mangan, it is advisable to head out and explore the street food scenes. Most Indonesian dishes are flavorsome. They may include nasi goreng, soto ayam, soto betawi, nasi uduk, woku, and mie goreng.

Jalan Haji Agus Salim can be a good place to begin with. Mostly, it is packed with many locals, and you may enjoy your street food while you get entertained by different musicians performing for the crowd.

5. Ask for Directions

Patience and politeness apply when asking for different directions. In general, it is wise to ask for directions from more than one source to make sure you have accurate input.

Some of Jakarta’s street people are very eager to please strangers in that they can be reluctant to say they are unfamiliar with a particular place. However, it will be best to ask a building security guard or street vendor instead of just a random person you meet on the street. In both cases, ensure you smile and remember to say ‘Terima kasih,’ which means thank you in Indonesia.

6. Learn the Health Details

Generally, you will not require vaccinations, except for yellow fever. It is important to be inoculated against Hepatitis A&B, typhoid, polio, tetanus, and cholera.

Dengue fever and malaria are also present in several parts of the city, so it is recommendable that you take all the important precautions, particularly when venturing off the tourist trail.

In addition, consult your GP about up-to-date precautionary medicines and vaccinations before you take your trip. This is because most healthcare and medical facilities in the city don’t match the international standards, though it has some hospitals, which can adequately administer basic healthcare services.

7. Go Shopping

If you have plans of going shopping in the city, you must carry an extra bag for souvenirs since Jakarta has more than 170 shopping centers. These centers include both inexpensive and up-market malls, the most popular ones being Pacific Place, Plaza Senayan, and Plaza Indonesia.

You will also get major brands in these malls, including Gucci, Dolce, and Gabbana. These malls are basically a visual delight as they always glitter. Regardless of the increasing number of shopping malls, this city is still regarded as one of the best shopping destinations.

8. Pack the Right Essentials

Normally, the climate in the city is quite humid and hot. This means lightweight attires made from cotton and linen will be suitable.

The dress style in Jakarta is also informal yet conservative. Long pants and shirts for men are advisable, while women are better dressed in long pants and dresses.

For men, a tie and jacket are required for business engagements, while beachwear and shorts are only reserved for the beach or resort. Plus, your legs, head, and arms should be covered when visiting temples in the city.

9. Go to a Park

While there are a lot of skyscrapers in the city, Jakarta has some city parks, the most popular ones being Suropati Park and Lembang Park. At times, in the late afternoon or early in the morning, you will see many local people jogging around.

In addition, there is a community trying to change the parks into popular and public spaces by creating a new interaction experience with other people. Consequently, they aim to make everyone in Jakarta have a sense of belonging through get together and showing tourists the city parks.

Closing Remarks!

As far as safety is concerned in the city, Jakarta always has a mixed picture from the world. In fact, it had some instances where travelers were treated in an inhumane manner.

However, every town and city has its shares of ups and downs. Therefore, you should take safety precautions to keep yourself safe and enjoy your traveling experience.

 

In our increasingly growing world, it is no doubt that people are traveling more often. And for longer durations. Whether you intend to travel for vacation, visiting a place with your family members, or going on a business trip outside the city, air travel can be daunting.

There are crucial factors that you need to look into and plenty of things you need to organize and plan. One of these includes the safety and security of your vehicle. Instead of using transport means to get to the airport or back home, melb airport parking will ensure your car’s safety.

Some of the reasons you need to get airport parking at Tullamarine include:

1. Affordable costs

When traveling out of the country, you want to get affordable airport parking at Tullamarine Melbourne. That lets you save money, even as you enjoy your trip.

For instance, you can choose whether you want long-term or short-term parking. Depending on the number of days you plan to travel, making this choice should be effortless.

For those traveling for longer than a week, long-term parking is significantly affordable. You don’t have to worry about leaving your car on the insecure street or in your driveway. Your vehicle is safe in melb airport parking.

Avoid the hassle of trying to figure out how to get to the airport with all your luggage. Be done with requesting family members, relatives, and friends to drop their schedule and drive you to their airport.

Airport parking at Tullamarine allows you to be independent in your travels. You get to choose a package that works for you.

2. Save Your Time

Parking your car at Melbourne airport will offer you a chance to save time. And that is ideal for travellers who are behind their schedules. The parking services will help you not to miss your flight.

If you have a lot to take care of before your flight, airport parking services can come in handy. Pre-booking is recommended. With just a few clicks on their website, you get to reserve a spot. You don’t have to rotate everywhere within the airport to get parking space.

Whether you show up on the day of your travel or book before, you’ll get a parking area that is ideal for your car. You don’t have to get stranded at the airport.

You can also call the numbers provided in case of any difficulties. Once you get to the airport, the friendly staff are always on-site for your convenience and assistance. The convenience of paying when you return to the car park is also a plus.

3. Offer safety to your car.

Every traveller wants Airport Parking at Tullamarine Melbourne that will guarantee the safety of their vehicle. It can be frustrating knowing that your car is vulnerable to many sorts of damage and from unauthorized access.

For this reason, choosing an airport parking services company that understands the value of your car and money is crucial. The ideal facility has cutting-edge systems to ensure that your vehicle is in safe hands during the trip. You even carry your car keys.

The parking spaces should have to work CCTV cameras for round-the-clock surveillance. The security staff should monitor every activity happening in and around the airport parking 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That ensures that your vehicle is safe while you are away.

4. Enjoy peace of mind

It is no doubt that your car is one of the significant investments you could ever make. And the ideal airport services company understand this.

By leaving your vehicle in a reliable airport parking space, you enjoy unmatched peace of mind. You get to enjoy your trip and look forward to finding your car as you left it. With a reliable company, your vehicle is safe from physical and any damage that may take place.

5. Round the clock customer support

Exceptional customer service is crucial, and airport parking services are not an exemption. The right company avail friendly staff whare willing and ready to help any time. You also do not have to worry about carrying your heavy luggage and wrestling with it through the parking lot.

Your belongings are loaded onto the shuttle and unloaded on the other end. All you need to do is push it to the check-in.

6. Oversize parking bays

The right airport parking service company has dedicated parking bays that are large enough to accommodate your car. Depending on your car’s model or type. Be it a BMW, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Jeep, Range Rover, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Ferrari, Mazda, Bentlee, Chrystler, Volkswagen, Audi, Holden, or any four-wheel-drive, your vehicle will not miss a parking spot.

For those with larger or very special cars, you get parking spots at no additional fees.

7. Convenient paying options

The best airport parking at Tullamarine Melbourne allows for effortless and automated payment systems. They should be flexible to allow different modes of payment, including cash.

If you do not like carrying money around, varying payment options such as the use of major credit cards should be considered. These include Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, and American Express.

For frequent travellers, you should enjoy account facilities. There should be no booking fees or prepayments required before you can access parking services. All payments should get made upon exit.

To get you’re the parking rates, all you need to do is request the rate calculator to get an instant quote.

Conclusion

As discussed above, airport parking at Tullamarine Melbourne comes with numerous perks. And it can be overwhelming to choose the ideal parking service company. With research, you should be able to narrow down your choices. And choose airport parking serves that suit well with you.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Travel category

If we were to say to you, “name a great civilization from the past who used to live in Mexico,” the chances are that your first answer would be the Aztecs. If we asked you to guess again, we suspect that your next answer would be the Inca. For some reason, even though the Mayans were a famous ancient civilization, people often appear to forget where they lived – or even, in some cases, that they ever lived before.

Perhaps the confusion is because there’s a lack of readily available information about them. The Mayans reached their peak more than one thousand years ago – and then they suddenly disappeared. We don’t believe that they were victims of the Spanish conquistadors – they simply vanish from the annals of history, leaving behind only their hard-to-decipher written language and the ruins of their ancient buildings. Sadly, most people don’t even know them for that. Mention the Mayans, and all most people will be able to tell you is that they had a doomsday prophecy that said the world would end in 2012 – even though that supposed prophecy was based on an enormous misunderstanding.

Even though the average member of the public knows so little about them, there’s still a great fascination with this secretive and advanced culture. Aside from the ‘doomsday’ coverage that they got in the run-up to New Year 2012, the entire ancient Mayan culture and its iconography has become the unwitting star of a series of online slots. As hard as that might be to believe, one quick glance at most leading online slots websites like CloverCasino.com will tell you it’s true. “Mayan Gods” is one such example, as is “Yucatan’s Mystery.” We’re not experts in the field, but from what we’re told, they’re fun to play. If you ask us, though, the best way to explore Yucatan’s mysteries isn’t to play online slots. It’s to head out to Mexico and explore the real place yourself – and while you’re there, check out these incredible Mayan ruins.

Palenque

These incredible ruins make a mockery of the idea that the Mayans didn’t accurately record their own history. If you want to find a detailed record, head straight to the Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque. You’ll find more than 180 years’ worth of historical records there carved into the walls, and if you have a translator or a suitable guide with you, it makes for interesting reading. That isn’t even the most amazing sight to behold at Palenque, though. That honor goes to King Pakal’s Tomb, buried so deep underground that the humidity is intense enough to make the walls sweat. Only the hardiest of souls dare enter it. If you’d like to become one of them, you’ll need to apply for a special permit before your visit. Once you’re back outside, bask in the beautiful scenery that surrounds the ruins and cool off.

Tulum

Not all of the great Mayan ruins are hiding away in the depths of the jungle. Some, like Tulum, are in much more unlikely locations. Tulum is, in fact, right on the edge of the ocean! If you’re a strong swimmer and the mood takes you, you’re even allowed to dive straight into the Caribbean Sea from the base of the ancient temples. Tulum was built as a port town to support the city of Coba, a little further inland. Its function was probably similar to that of a lighthouse, albeit without the light at the top. Archaeologists believe that the windows of the temples were deliberately positioned in alignment with the barrier reef as a way of helping sailors navigate safely around it on the way into the port. Tulum feels a little less authentic than the other Mayan ruins you might check out as it’s surrounded by so many modern amenities, but it’s no less significant because of that.

Calakmul

The contrast between Tulum and Calakmul couldn’t be greater. While the modern world has encroached upon Tulum and built itself up around it, Calakmul remains remote and unspoiled. The sense of isolation and emptiness you’ll find at the site is surprising, given the fact that it was once home to around fifty thousand people. The ruins include two large pyramids and a series of reservoirs, all of which must have been extremely complex construction projects for their time. The Calakmul ruins are so expansive that you could spend five or six hours walking around them, and you still wouldn’t have chance to see everything they have to offer. Reaching the very top is worth the effort it takes to get here, though – the view of the surrounding biosphere reserve is spectacular.

Chichen Itza

The obvious answer is sometimes the best one. Chichen Itza is the most famous ancient building in all of Mexico, and it thoroughly deserves that title. Nobody seems to know for sure when it was built. There are some rumors that it wasn’t even built by the Mayans and that they might have found it and claimed it after it was built and then abandoned by an even earlier culture. What we can say for sure is that by the 6^th century, it was the heart of the entire Mayan empire. The city was occupied for centuries, expanding in size until it covered six square miles (that would have been considered enormous back then) and remaining in use during the Maya-Toltec era. Crowds gather in huge numbers here almost all year round, and so your best bet is to grab a ticket for the time just after sunrise when admission is limited, and the views are at their best. Standing in front of the Kukulkan pyramid, you’ll be left in no doubt of the reasons why this special place has been named as one of the New Wonders of the World.

Mexico isn’t the limit of your horizons if you want to head out in search of Mayan ruins. You’ll also find them in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. If you have the time and money, you could book a two-week tour of this entire region of South America and try to take it all in at once! Why do that, though, when you can do the Mexican leg now and come back another time to see the rest? South America isn’t going anywhere, and it sorts out your vacation plans for the next few years!

To read more on topics like this, check out the Travel category

Scotland is a beautiful country with so many places that you must visit at least once in your life. Whether you are planning a trip to Loch Lomond or you are seeing the sights in the Highlands, there really is something for everyone in Scotland.

For many, a road trip is the best way to see a few places at once and what better way to go on a road trip than with a motorhome? Below, we are going to offer some ideas for your road trip around Scotland in your motorhome. Read on to find out more.

North Coast 500

One of the newer routes that both tourists and locals are trying out in Scotland is the North Coast 500. This tour runs along the coast as you would expect and it involves a lot of beaches with white sand and some castles thrown in. The drive is a circular loop and it will cover 500 miles in total, hence the name. If you include some of the islands in your route such as Orkney or Skye, you’ll be sure to have a good time.

Royal Deeside

If you have recently purchased a Carado motorhomes Scotland and are looking for a short trip, we recommend the Royal Deeside route. This road trip route is perfect for golf lovers and those who are interested in history. In this tour, you’ll visit the Highlands, and get to take in the landscape of the Royal Deeside. The drive is only 108 miles and so is great for those looking for a shorter trip.

The Argyll Coastal Route

Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a seafood lover? If so, you might enjoy the next road trip route on our list. The Argyll Coastal route will take you on a 129 mile trip which should only take you one day. Some of the sights that you’ll see include Fort William and Loch Lomond which are very popular with tourists. There is plenty to do for adventure seekers so make sure to consider this route carefully.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Finally, if you want to see all that Scotland has to offer then you are going to need to set aside at least 16 days. The Grand Tour of Scotland route is a great one that shows you many locations and gives you an insight into what Scottish life is really like. On this road trip route, you’ll get to visit the capital city Edinburgh, the Isle of Harris and even Orkney up at the top of the country. This tour is perfect for those travelling in a motorhome.

Get Driving

Road trips are a lot of fun and these routes around Scotland are not to be missed. Make sure to visit all of the destinations on our list if you can and get your motorhome ready for your big trip. Hopefully, you get to see what life in Scotland is really like.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Travel category

To discover why you should plan trips to Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver and Uganda this year, continue reading to discover why all three travel destinations will surpass your wildest expectations.

The Top Vacation Spots:

Rio de Janeiro:

Although Rio de Janeiro is not the capital of Brazil it is the most visited tourist destination in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is known for being home to two of the world’s most photographed beaches Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. If you spend a sunny afternoon at Copacabana Beach you’ll be able to sunbathe, people watch and take part in a friendly game of beach soccer. As soccer is the number one sport in Brazil and Rio de Janeiro 2014. For an authentic Brazilian experience try to book a ticket to a professional soccer game at Rio de Janeiro’s largest soccer stadiums the famed Maracana Stadium.

While you’re in Rio de Janeiro it’s also well worth taking a gondola ride to the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue which is located at the top of Mount Corcovado and traveling to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Both of which are iconic world famous landmarks and offer stunning views of Rio de Janeiro’s glorious coastline.

Vancouver:

Vancouver is just as fun to visit in summer as it is to visit in winter. During winter you’ll be able to ski and snow board to your heart’s content at one of Vancouver’s highly accessible ski resorts. One example of which is Grouse Mountain. However, if you choose to visit Grouse Mountain during summer you’ll be able to zip-line through the mountain’s treetops, hurtle down mountain bike tracks and attend a lumberjack show and a falconry show.

If you’re fascinated by Canada’s wildlife, you’ll also be able to book a bear watching tour on Vancouver Island, that will give you a chance to watch wild bears in their natural habit, from a safe, respectful distance. Depending on the time of year which you visit, you may get an opportunity to view the Northern Lights, which is a natural phenomenon which is worth experiencing at least once in your life.

Another reason why Vancouver is an excellent tourist destination is that it boasts culture in spades and is home to numerous museums and art galleries where you’ll get to learn about Vancouver’s native First Nation tribes. All of whom have lived in Canada for generations. You may even be interested in visiting a living museum where you’ll get to see how First Nation tribes crafted their tools, homes and art work and cultivated their land.

Uganda:

If you’re up for the adventure of a lifetime it’s well worth researching the possibility of exploring Uganda. While many tourists who visit Africa spend all of their time exploring South Africa, Uganda is a severely underrated tourist destination. As not only will you be able to book a safari in order to see Africa’s big five but you’ll also be able to take a multi-day guided Gorilla trek through the Impenetrable Forest National Park.

So if you’re itching to book your next international adventure, it’s well worth conducting further research to discover if you’re more interested in visiting Uganda, Vancouver or Rio de Janeiro.

Many people think that traveling to ‘The Top Vacation Spots’ means leaving the country, or squeezing into overcrowded tourist destinations with thousands of other travelers, but some of the best destinations may actually be right in your neighborhood. In this article, we’ve listed four of the most underrated US cities you should definitely visit whether it is for a weekend getaway, a long vacation, or even for work purposes.

Providence, Rhode Island

Found just south of Boston, the once gritty and impoverished city of Providence is now a creative hub for culture and the arts. One of Providence’s claim to fame is the world-renowned art school of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Aside from training some of the best artists in the world, RISD is also home to the RISD Museum of Art, which is free to visit on Sundays and on the third Thursday of every month. The museum displays a huge collection of artwork from all around the world such as Rembrandt drawings, Chinese lacquerware and couture dresses from Balenciaga and McQueen. If you want to be more in touch with nature during your travels, Roger Williams Park is the right place to go to. The impressive park spans an impressive 435 acres of land that is covered with gardens, lakes and greenhouses. You can never run out of fun things to do since the park houses the Museum of Natural History and the Roger Williams Park Zoo that will surely be a delight to visit.

Baltimore, Maryland

If you want to go on an artistic adventure without leaving the country, the mid-Atlantic city of Baltimore is where you should go. The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) which is solely dedicated to the works of self-artists can be found in Baltimore. AVAM will provide you with an extraordinary museum experience because it lacks white walls and solemn security guards that shush children which are common in other museums. Another museum that will surely complete your artistic adventure is the Baltimore Museum of Art which is the largest museum in the city with over 95,000 art pieces. The extensive collection of the museum includes a large Matisse collection that is donated by Baltimore natives Claribel and Etta Cone. The museum requires no admission fee which makes it ideal for travelers on a budget.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City is fast becoming the top city for work and play, and often in the same location. Springfield News-Leader reports that the Country Club Plaza is one of the most popular places in Kansas City, as it is the city’s premier shopping and dining destination. You can find high-end retail establishments across 18 separate buildings, as well as more than 30 statues, murals and tile mosaics. The plaza is also home to Industrious’s Kansas City site, making it a good choice for digital nomads and remote workers who might need to check in on some work while in the middle of a vacation. For beer lovers out there, visiting the Boulevard Brewery is a must. During their 45-minute tour, you will learn about the company’s history and brewing process, and have a taste of their amazing beer for free.

Asheville, North Carolina

This humble town in North Carolina is the perfect place for a trip that will take you back in time. Asheville is the home of the Biltmore Estate which is the largest privately-owned estate in the United States. Biltmore has a house from the bygone era of the Gilded Age, impressive tapestries that will make you feel like you are visiting a European castle, an on-site winery and estate gardens. After basking in the beauty and elegance of the Biltmore Estate, go straight to the Asheville Pinball Museum that will surely bring out the child in you. This game museum combines history, anthropology and technology with its amazing collection of over 75 pinball machines and various arcade games hailing from the 80s. The $15 admission ($12 for kids 10 and under) gets you open access to all the machines, no tokens required.