039. cigaro, jakarta

I've never felt so good to be home. Even though I was so happy to see dad, I was actually counting down the days ever since I touched down in Jakarta to get back home.

23rd August 2012, Thursday :

We left for Jakarta in the morning and landed at about noon. When I saw dad's face, I was so happy I just attacked him, haha. I haven't been seeing him for almost 4 months and it's been the longest. Little sis just didn't want to let go of him.

His friend was nice enough to drive us all the way to his apartment to put down our luggage and stuff like that. Jakarta was what I expected it to be. Dirty, dirty and dirty like what Dad described it to be all the time. I was expecting his apartment to be some run down, dirty old place too but it really wasn't (thank god), it was actually kind of nice.

Even before we landed, you can tell how polluted the air is.

He had to go back to work so we just chilled in his apartment. Thank god for cable!!! Little sis and I were watching Fairy Tail and Animax the whole time while waiting for him to get off work. And to my horror, he freakin' lives next to a graveyard. It looks serene and nice though...

Mee Soto!

And little sis being bored back in the apartment.

We went for dinner at about 6 in the evening at this gigantic shopping mall called Grand Indonesia. We had Padang food! It's really good because I naturally love spicy food. 

Too much foooooodddddd, but I really love the different ways they cooked chicken!

Some dessert, I can't remember the name of.

As you can tell, we were stuffed. I really love Indonesian food in general so yes, I was happy! The shopping malls in Jakarta are really really huge. I was amazed how big they were. Wanted to take some photos of the malls but Dad didn't allow us to walk on the roads/streets because it's too dangerous and dirty. So we stayed in the malls most of the time. -___-

Saw this in the mall and thought the owls were so cute!

Little sis and Dad looks so cute! Haha.

Dad showed us around, of course, and brought us along on his job. He goes around and checks on restaurants and supermarkets. So now I finally know what the hell he has been working as/doing in Jakarta for the past few years. I'm a bad daughter, I know. Little sis and I just never wanted to go to Jakarta in general because... yeah, but we sucked it up this time to celebrate his birthday.

24th August 2012, Friday :

Got up early, we followed him to check up on a restaurant nearby and after that to his office. We had Dim Sum for lunch. I'm still not bought over by any other country's Dim Sum other than Melbourne and Hong Kong (of course, it originated from there). I can't wait to go back to Melbourne and have nice Dim Sum actually! Oh, I'm so Chinese...

We drove past the stadium where concerts are normally held at and there were really big BIG BANG posters! Luckily there was a traffic jam, if not I wouldn't have been able to take these photos, haha.

Yes, I only took GD & TOP because I don't know the other members. lol

We didn't do much than we headed back to the apartment to freshen up and meet his friends for dinner. We had Chinese once again. Nothing special, after that we went to Hyatt for some drinks. Hyatt in Jakarta is pretty! Sorry my photo taking for this trip really suck because I was lazy.

And my annoying family, who still don't like to get their photos taken.

We were waiting for it to be 12 midnight (25th August, Dad's birthday). While Dad was talking to his friends, I was so tired that I actually fell asleep sitting up straight. I guess I was that tired? But luckily, I woke up 15 minutes before midnight. His friends requested the people performing at the bar to sing a Happy Birthday song for him! It was really nice seeing him happy. I haven't spent his birthday with him for about 3 years now. Sometimes I wish he wasn't so busy with work.

We went back shortly after. Duh, I was so tired I just crashed on the bed.

25th August 2012, Saturday:

Again, we went to have Padang food for lunch. It's funny because in Indonesia, all the restaurants serve different dishes and desserts but by this day, I already could feel like I was putting on weight. It's always the case when I'm with dad.

To make things worse, he brought us to the spa for a massage for more than two hours. I felt like such a log, pig, whatever you call it. It was relaxing but I feel like I was becoming a lump of fat. 

The only picture that I managed to take of the roads in Jakarta.

After massage, we went back to the apartment for a change of clothes and headed to a restaurant called social house in Grand Indonesia.

According to him, you can't get a table unless you have made a reservation. The place and atmosphere is great but the food kinda sucks. But anyways, I'm glad his friends made him happy by surprising him, they asked the staff to sing him a birthday song and they brought chocolate cake! Awesome chocolate cake which is going to add another layer of fat onto my already fat body. 

the birthday boy!

After dinner, Dad went with his friends to this bar at some rooftop that reminded me of Marina Bay Sands, called Sky. I hate bars. I always get fucking annoyed when I'm in one. I hate it more when I am forced to go to one. 

After a little bit of baby sis complaining, Dad sent us back and he went to another club. Yes, my parents are cooler than me, I know. I crashed soon after a hot bath. There's just something in Jakarta that makes you so tired.

26th August 2012, Sunday :

Another day of eating. This time, Dad's boss recommended the restaurant. The setting is like a buffet style but you have to go to the counter to tell the person what dish you want and they will serve it to you.

And after lunch, we went shopping!

Also. I forgot, in every shop mall in Jakarta, you have to go through security before entering the mall. It's literally like airport security. They will check your bags and all that... which got a little annoying by the end of the trip. Thank god we are living in a very safe country.

There are many many malls in Jakarta, I can't remember all of the names. Gigantic, huge, malls but they say the only thing to do in Jakarta is to go to the mall because it's so dangerous and dirty out that you wouldn't do anything else.

When there were traffic jams, there will be beggars knocking on the windows of your cars. The best to do is to ignore them or not give eye contact. Once you start giving one money, a lot of them will start swamping to you.

The roads outside Grand Indonesia.

Nothing much, dad got sick of having dinner out, so he cooked dinner on the last night! 

On the last day, 27th, we didn't do much but EAT again and went to the mall before heading to the airport. You can tell I don't really want to write about this trip because there is nothing interesting. The only thing is that I got to spend time with my dad and understand his job. Next time I get to see him is in October!

You had no idea how happy I was to get home. I wanted to kiss the ground. I literally just hugged the floor when I reached home. I can't tolerate filth. I don't think I would want to go to Jakarta again, unless Dad decides to go to Bali. 

And in another three months I'll be travelling again. I should be going to Bangkok, it's either that or I'll be going back to Melbourne already. I've been looking up on apartments and I really can't wait to move back.