Jakarta: 25 Excursions in and around the Indonesian Capital

Full of really useful points and suggestions about the city, not available elsewhere.

Great book for expats living in the city.

Jakarta: a sprawling metropolis with an undeservedly poor reputation as a tourist destination. But delve a little deeper and you'll be rewarded by a city that's a microcosm of the incredibly diversity of Indonesia, conveniently packed into one corner of Java. This book will guide you through the busy main streets and maze of alleys that make up Indonesia's capital, help you make sense of the apparent chaos, and allow you to experience a myriad of different aspects of life in the city. I lived in Bogor, home to the famous botanic gardens (the oldest in SE Asia) for 4 years and came to love West Java for its bustle and crowds, and fascinating culture and street life. Many wonderful trips are outlined here, allowing you to jump right in and enjoy Jakarta and the surrounding area like a local. The extra trips outside the city are a great addition, and there's a wealth of information about food, culture, practicalities and transport that makes it so easy to get out and start exploring right from the moment you arrive. Lots of beautiful photos too!

Jakarta must rank among the least-loved capital cities in Asia.Horrendous traffic, pollution, few conventional tourist attractions...Indeed, very few people visit it by choice.It does however have a large expat population, and they seem to be the main target readership of this guide, which tirelessly attempts to dispell the notion that "there is nothing to do in Jakarta except go to the malls".I have to say, I was very impressed by the depth of its coverage.Describing 25, mostly walking tours in and around Jakarta, it manages to make the city sound colorful and interesting indeed. The range of "attractions" listed is truly remarkable, and includes many you will never find in any other guidebook. They range from heritage architecture and museums through all kinds of markets to parks and nearby islands.I have spent many years in Indonesia, and paid numerous visits to its capital too, but this is the first guide I've ever come across that actually makes me really want to return and spend time exploring Jakarta, rater than just treat it as a place to pass through.Perhaps because it targets mainly expats, the book doesn't really give advice on places to stay and the like, and while it is still a great book for tourists interested in exploring Jakarta, they may want to back it up with Lonely Planet's Indonesia guide for more practical details.

I received a copy of "Jakarta: 25 Excursions in and around the Indonesian Capital" from the publishers for review. Jakarta is a huge city with a daytime population over 12 million and it can initially be overwhelming for the visitor. Happily, the authors of this guide come to your rescue by dividing the city into 25 bite-sized chunks, each a colourful mini-adventure of its own.Let's state straight away that this is not a traditional dime-a-dozen guidebook of where to stay, where to eat and where to shop. So before you open the book, make your way to Jakarta and find somewhere to stay. Now, when you are ready to get out and really get to know the city and its people, start by exploring the pages of this guide. Through it you will explore a new and vibrant Jakarta - one unseen by the vast majority of visitors and probably many long-term residents.The 25 excursions, or "walking tours", are carefully arranged in chapters for north, central and south Jakarta as well as the surrounding area. Each excursion has all the essential details of how to get to the start point, a map of the route, the time it will take and so on. The walks are then described in wonderful detail, to such an extent that they are short stories in their own right. The authors have clearly explored and got to know the city intimately - and pass this richness on to the reader. The descriptions are packed with information, anecdotes, "heads up" on local customs and do's and don'ts - and fully illustrated with the co-author's often spectacular photographs.This soft-backed guide measures 8 by 5 inches, is a little over 1/2 inch thick and is bound in a cover tough enough to take some punishment. It comes complete with a removable folding map of Jakarta and slips easily into handbag or the back pocket of your jeans.The authors have done a huge amount of exploration to create this comprehensive guide, which is beautifully written and illustrated. If you are a genuine traveller / explorer or just want to get out and discover the heart of Jakarta, try this excellent book.