Jakarta Cemeteries

Jakarta is a fantastic metropolis, with a thousand shapes and a thousand faces, and it seems to be always on the brink of another major change.  It’s a fascinating place that’s as malleable as a chameleon, responding to ebbs and flows in culture, economy, and the ever-changing tides of history.  It has seen a number of remarkable ages pass through its borders, and it has been remarkably resilient over time.  Its rich history finds reflections in the blend of cultures, the architecture, and the sensibilities that exist here, offering visitors of all ages something exciting to enjoy and experience.

There are plenty of spectacular attractions here, with zoos and museums, a stunning night life that is plugged into the pulse of the world, works of live performance that are delightful and mystifying, as well as some amazing restaurants.  These are just some of the signs of a robust life that’s beating in Jakarta, Indonesia.  Hotel accommodations are also very elegant, offering a spectacular blend of old world courtesies, and new world conveniences.  The blend of the old and the new here is very apparent, and it’s really rather fantastic, always opening new windows on the waking world.  One of the rare pleasures of traveling the world is finding exotic things in familiar surroundings, and vice versa.  There are some travelers who always make it a point to check out the local cemeteries.

It might not be for everyone, but it’s certainly a fascinating way to get to know a place.  Jakarta’s cemeteries have their own unique appeal, and peculiarities.  One of the first things you discover is that most of the gravesites you can visit are for the rich or for dignitaries, like in the Jakarta War Cemetery.  This is because of economics, where the poorer sections are often flooded or otherwise damaged, or simply overgrown.  One of the more exciting times to visit graveyards in Jakarta is right before Ramadan, when the faithful will come to pay their respects, and it’s an amazing tradition.  Of course, be sure to be respectful and discrete, and give plenty of room for the living and the dead, because it is their neighborhood, after all.

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This entry was posted by admin on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 10:35 am and is filed under Travel . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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