CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TOUR
OLD JAKARTA, SUNDA KELAPA AREA

Sunda Kelapa was one of several ports along Java coastline once used by the Sundanese Kingdom of West Java. My tour of Old Jakarta includes the following sites, which are near each other: Sunda Kelapa harbor, the Bahari Museum and Menara Syahbandar, the lookout tower. Close by - in the Kota area of the city - is Fatahilla Square. I visited Fatahilla Square few days before, but my friends and I wanted to experience the Cafe Batavia again.

Sunda Kelapa harbour is one of the most interesting and picturesque sites of Jakarta. To watch the bustling activities at Sunda Kelapa is a feast for the eyes. Lined up along the quay, the large wooden sailing vessels are painted in bright colors and still carry the same design that has been used for centuries by islanders of the archipelago.

Pinisi boats awaiting cargo at Sunda Kelapa Harbor.
Strike up a conversation with the sailors and workers, and you may be invited aboard one of the schooners.

We can rent a canoe to ride along the harbor and acroos to the Bahari Museum

I forget to take picture of the Bahari Museum. The sturdy construction of the warehouses ensured the centuries-long survival of the buildings, which now house the collection of the Maritime Museum. The museum now displays Indonesia's maritime history.

Menara Syahbandar - Lookout Tower is where we can see an excellent view of Old Batavia.

Menara Syahbandar from below

Oops, missed the harbor scene

We asked a man who paddled our canoe who said we had one more site left to visit. That was Pasar Ikan (Fish Market). Unfortunately, our time was not right. Fresh fish is sold at the covered market starting at 3 a.m. every day.

(Source: The Jakarta Explorer, 1999)