Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Holiday Hotspot – Ritz Carlton Megan Kuningan Jakarta
Jakarta is a diverse and enchanting city in South-East Asia and seat of government for an estimated 17,508 islands. At first glance, the Indonesian capitals is hectic, noisy, sprawling and infuriating, but take time to get under its skin and you’re sure to find that Far Eastern excitement will captivate you. Jakarta is a difficult city to navigate through and as it lacks a coherent city centre, attractions are spread far apart. For this reason walking is not really an option when sight-
■ National Museum Jakarta
seeing. Travel across Jakarta often requires a combination of many forms of transport so be sure to arrange a tour or local taxi through your hotel concierge before or on your arrival. If you are interested in history, don’t miss the Kota district, the old city centre, and its many buildings left over from the time of Dutch colonial rule. Also make sure you visit Merdeka Square, an oasis of greenery surrounded by the Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace), the National Museum and Immanuel Church. This is also the location of Masjid Istiqlal, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Between the
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ministries on the west side is the National Museum, a great place to learn about Indonesian history. The collection rta pool of 240,000 ob■ Ritz Carlton Jaka jects is divided house. into various And if you fancy a day categories, including prehis- of action, you’ll love tory, religion and ethnology. the Ancol Dreamland Hindu and Buddhist sculp- amusement park and ■ Ritz Carlton Jaka tures, gold bowls from the Waterbom water park. rta Suite Ramayana, a crown belong- Great shopping and deing to the Sultan from 1700 licious Indonesian food is iron, and porcelain from the Yuan also on the menu in the city free WiFi, LCD TV and a Dynasty. The four floors of the so be sure to explore. www.in- fridge and minibar. The hotel newest museum wing are de- donesia.travel Located in the spa and fitness center is one of voted entirely to the people. bustling commercial district the finest and most exclusive Of particular interest here is of Mega Kuningan, the Ritz- in Jakarta, and offers a range the section on the Flores Man, Carlton Jakarta is one of the of invigorating spa treatments. a prehistoric human who capital’s most luxurious five- Dining options consist of Asia, lived on Flores who was no star properties. The hotel of- an all-day international/Asian taller than one metre. Sunda fers 333 luxurious rooms and buffet; Lobo, a chic high-end Kelapa harbour another pop- suites including one Presiden- Italian restaurant that also ular attraction was the centre tial Suite, three Ritz-Carlton serves over 100 different of a trading empire that once Suites, 31 Mayfair Suites, two martinis; and Tempus, a sostretched from Java right Grand Spa Terrace Villas, 298 phisticated bar, nightclub & through to Malaysia. This spacious guest rooms and karaoke lounge.www.ritzcarlsea-faring heritage lives on club level rooms. All rooms ton.com Turkish airlines fly in the ranks of elegant Bugis have floor-to-ceiling windows, daily from Dublin to Jakarta schooners and in the Mari- high quality linen, sunken via Istanbul. Their business time Museum that occupies bath, designer bathroom class service is by far the an old Dutch gedung ware- amenities, ironing board and most impressive of the Middle
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Eastern carriers departing Ireland. Rather than just serving a “restaurant service”, “Flying Chefs” make you feel like a star with “Turkish Hospitality” above the clouds. In fact all business class meals are served in porcelain dishes on flights. For great fares visit www.turkishairlines.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q a network of seven radio stations across all of Northern Ireland. He is also Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles on the island of Ireland. www. robertwalshe.com