In celebration of Jakarta’s Birthday, Jakarta Kini ran a competition in the June issue for readers to tell who they would like to spend a day in the city with and what they would do. Competition winner was Stephanie Brookes who wins dinner for two at the restaurant of her choice.

My friend Aprille has a planned stopover in Jakarta enroute to a medical conference in Europe. We haven’t seen each other for over a year.

I am very excited. I want to show Aprille things that are different from what she can experience in her hometown, Sydney. Our day starts with a slow trawl down Jalan Surabaya, Jakarta’s antique street. It is a fascinating look at things of yesteryear, items of curiosity that rekindle your memory of what it was like visiting grandmas house 30 years back. It is always interesting, and of course, there is the option to stop the car and purchase if you wish.

Next it’s onto Pasar Baru, one of Jakarta’s oldest markets. Pasar Baru is a good choice as it’s a traditional market, with lots of cover and shade, everything is 30% cheaper than the malls and the market is famed for having some of the best selections of textiles in all of Jakarta.

Shoes are also a bargain at Pasar Baru. You can buy the latest fashions for around rp100,000 (USD$10). Textiles including quality batiks colorful handmade sequined silks, beautiful linens - its all there. A stop off at the local Jamu shop fascinates my friend, Aprille, who has been into alternative traditional medicine for years.

The next stop is the old Buddhist Temple, which is tucked away in a side lane. On the way we stop off to meet the candle maker, who has been making candles for over 70 years. We buy some offering candles for the temple visit.

Another place of interest at Pasar Baru is the famous Indian Spice shop. This brings us out at the end of the Pasar Baru line of shops, and we jump in a Baja and return to the car.

It is now lunchtime and we are off to one of Jakarta’s oldest historic buildings in Kota, Café Batavia.

The food, the service and the ambience of Café Batavia is undeniably one of Jakarta’s greatest highlights for any visitor.

When you are seated at the restaurant, the waiter hands you a framed black and white photograph. Maybe you will get Paul Newman, Marilyn Munroe or James Dean. The menu is printed on the back.

The décor of Café Batavia dates back to the 1940’s era. Adorning the walls is a celebration of historic figures, film stars, politicians, famous photographers and their works. It is like a stroll down memory lane and is unlike anything I have seen in the world. I have stood mesmerized for hours looking at the pictorial display, getting lost in feelings that are evoked from memories of historical figures spanning over a century.

After lunch it is a stop at Zen Living, for foot reflexology and some pampering on a grand scale before cocktails on the 35th floor of Menara Imperium at the Empire Grill. Jakarta’s only revolving restaurant with views to die for as the sun sets over the city.

Author@TravelWriter-Asia.Com