My third time visiting Jakarta, Indonesia. And I must say, I enjoyed myself here more this round! 🙂
17th April 2010: Touch Down
Even though there were 6 wedding invitation cards sent to Malaysian marketers, only Elle and I answered… and yep, we were the only ones from Malaysia showing up for Semmy‘s wedding. 🙂
Danny Baskara and Agung were there at the airport to pick us up and we settled in their office apartment, Apartmen Semanggi (Central Jakarta). Elle insisted on taking over Danny’s room since it’s more comfortable, so I wind up with Agung’s room… which meant sleeping on the floor LOL
To spend the first night in Jakarta, we ate at Jimbaran and also met up with other Indonesian Internet Marketers like Dee Ferdinand, Padro and Ferry.
Late into the night, we watched the movie “The Book of Eli” at the Grand Indonesia cinema.
The show is set in the a post-apocalyptic future. A massive war took place 30 years ago that rendered the entire world into ruins, and everyone was back to the stone age. Natural resources are depleted and water becomes a premium.
The hero, Eli (Denzel Washington) travels to west and carries a book, The King James’ version of The Bible, and protects it with his life. Very thought-provoking show, you must watch if you haven’t!
18th April 2010: Grand Indonesia
Hung around in Grand Indonesia in the day time, since the wedding function was only at night. 🙂
While we were at Grand Indonesia, I did my last-minute shopping – got myself a Polo Explorer cologne and a tie to go with. Basically to replace my stolen cologne from my last travel back in January.
It didn’t cross my mind at that time… but I actually bargained at the departmental store – and it worked! Got 50% off for the tie, and saved a 100,000 rupiah on the cologne. The only exchange is that the sales person keeps the cash and it doesn’t reach the cashier’s registry. Hmm… corruption at its best in Indonesia. Hehehehe! ;-P
Semmy & Imelda’s Wedding
This is what we came for. The function was at Klub Kelapa Gading, about 45 minutes away from Central Jakarta. It’s actually closer than it sounds but because traffic here is massive – 10 times worse than that of KL’s – it will appear that it’s so near yet so far. :-\
See that shine? Yeah, that’s the handsome me. 😉 *eleh, perasan*
So yes, Semmy’s big day! Was also my first time seeing Semmy’s wife Imelda even though I’ve known Semmy since 2006. Semmy sure picked the right and gorgeous girl! I’m envious ;-P But hey, congratulations my man! You earn it! 😀
Me and Elle. My first time seeing her wearing a dress, LOL probably coz every time I see her we’re always wearing casual (we’re just staying one block away from each other) she was veeeery gorgeous that night too! For the record, she helped me pick the cologne and the tie! Thanks! 😀
Me and the Indonesian crew – Danny, Ferry, Agung.
L-R: Elle, Ferry, Agung (doing the “Semmy Smile”), Danny
L-R: Imelda, Semmy, Elle, me, Danny
L-R: Elle, me, Dee, Jodie
The new couple threw some gifts from up the stage, and Danny caught one of them! I got mine from the reception – so here we are posing with our souvenirs. 😛
A videographer placed the mic in front of me and apparently we supposed to give a testimonial on either of the couple, haha! So… just talk good stuff about Semmy! 😀
CONGRATULATIONS SEMMY & IMELDA! SEMOGA BAHAGIA DAN ABADI! 🙂
P.S. Oh hey, on our way out of the place we saw these 😉
Secret Orange Roshan has been discovered!
And to drink some wine to end the merry night!
19th April: The Kopi Luwak Episode
So the story goes like this, that these animals “The Luwak” from Sumatra. They eat these red, ripe coffee cherry, shit them out… and then people like me drink them. Hence Kopi Luwak.
Okay I know the details sound gross; I was disturbed too when the coffee was made by the waitress in front of me. My Indonesian buddies insist though.
Hmm… this is like deja vu. Very much like when the Ambuyat was made in front of me when I was in Brunei.
I gotta hand it. Even though I’m not a coffee lover, it tasted good! 🙂 I think the Kopi Luwak would have sold more if they didn’t make up such a gross story. But then from a marketer’s standpoint, perhaps it wouldn’t have been half as successful without an interesting story like that.
They also brand it “the most expensive coffee in the world”, which I have a hard time agreeing to. Again even though I don’t appreciate coffee, I’ve already known of coffee and coffee beans that are more expensive just back in Malaysia, let alone other parts of the world.
Agung doing the “Semmy smile” again. 🙂 Wanna know how the “Semmy smile” came about? During the wedding, Semmy was anxious so when he smiled, it was funny. At least we think so 😉 And since then, the term “Semmy smile” was introduced! 😀 *eeEEEeeeee*
Danny and Brokencode. Did you know that Kopi Luwak is also the same place Agung met up with the other marketers in Indonesia? 😉
Sliding Down From 7th to 3rd Floor
Still at FX. We decided to go try the slide out. 🙂
Did you know that Danny and Brokencode were very scared to try this out? ;-P HAHA! But in the end they did – and we’re proud of them!
*well actually there’s nothing scary of it, don’t let the installation intimidate you* the slide lasts less than 10 seconds.
Can’t believe Vince Tan actually chickened out when he was here months ago. HAHA. Wuss.
Agung’s turn.
Now Danny. He fainted by the time he reached the bottom of the slide. LOL
Again don’t let the installation of the slide intimidate you! 😉
Karaoke!!!
They sang mostly Indonesian songs. But by virtue of knowing Bahasa Malaysia, I could follow along 😛
Die Settlers Von Catan!
I brought the board game here too! So Elle and I taught Ferry, Agung and Danny how to play the game… and we played one long round since it was our last night in Indonesia. 🙂
LOL it started out friendly and later, yep a lot of “true colors”, cut throat-ing and “blackhatting” as Danny and Agung pointed out, started to happen! And yeaaaa… I won! Wah weeee…! 😀
LOL Agung demands a rematch… we shall see when they come to Malaysia this early May! 😉
20th April: Go Home!
I enjoyed myself more in Jakarta this time around! Before this, I admit I was looking forward to coming back home even before I left for Jakarta! LOL because there’s little places of interest in Jakarta (or so I thought) and I couldn’t help but make an unfair comparison to Bali.
But I was wrong. I really enjoyed myself more this time around – and I know I have to be back again… Padro’s and Dee’s are next on the wedding calendar!