{weekend wandering: Batavia 09.06.06}

Greetings from Batavia! Well, Batavia means the Jakarta old town, located in the northern part of the city, by the harbor. This time teaming up with my good friend Fina, I walked along the canal to the Jakarta History Museum (used to be the City Hall) then to the bus station.



We walked pass a junction where the "ojek" drivers parked their bikes. "Ojek" is motor or bicyle taxi, it's very practical for short distance rides, in an area where the streets are narrow. In Batavia, bike taxi is a popular transport. Using old style bikes, it really has a 'Batavia feel'.



The area around the Jakarta History Museum is the liveliest, most popular place in theh old town for hanging out on Saturday afternoon.



And I can tell you, whenever we're here we never failed to buy something to eat or to drink from the traditional street food sellers who stationed all along the pedestrian street and around the main square.

The green cart pictured above is a 'Cendol' seller. Cendol (pronounced chen-doll) is a traditional dessert made of sago and rice flour, cooked until thick with water and 'suji leaves' to give a natural green colour. It is served with boiled palm sugar, coconut milk and ice cubes. Yummy!

If you want to try the recipe, go here.

Until the next weekend wandering, and have a lovely weekend!