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Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, a country composed of more than 13,000 islands with a population of over 180 million. Today, Jakarta's skyline is covered by modern high rises. The many state-of-the-art shopping centers, recreation complexes and toll-roads have become hallmarks of the city.

Jakarta is actually not my "must-go" country, but due to the Company celebrates its 7th Anniversary in Jakarta so i have the pleasure to visit Jakarta, of course with no high expectations.

It's a 4D3N trip to Jakarta. This is because the event was celebrated in two different days. I must say, the Management team done a very good job, in term of team work and event conceptualization. Bravo!

This is the chance to meet other Managers or management from other countries. All the while, we communicate through e-mails, but this is the time we can greet each other face to face.

We have time for city tour and sightseeing. The funny thing is - the only main attraction we have is to see the massive traffic jam in town!

The National Museum, also called as Monas is one of the monument built during Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. The 137-meter tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg of gold.

The theme dinner with the themed " Balinese Night" is held at Jimbaran Restaurant, Ancol. This is an alfesco dinner party where Indonesian style buffet is served. The restaurant is situated inside the Taman Jaya Ancol Amusement park. The weather is too hot for us to stay until the end of the event.

We stayed in Novotel Hotel. After the dinner, we tried to find a bar to enjoy some beers near the hotel. A group of us (i'm the only lady), passed by a night club, co-incidently a group of pretty and sexy girls walked into the night club, the guys amused and admired. Therefore, i'm very upset and yelled, "Hello guys, i'm exist and get out of here. Please respect me even though i'm not as pretty as them!". End up, we had our Bintang beer in the hotel lounge.

I took some pictures of the food which catched my attention.

Thanks to the Area Marketing Manager to bring us to enjoy the sumptuous local delicacies. If you like beef, this is the shop which serve a very good ox tail soup. I have tried some, even though i'm not really fancy of beef.

After the heavy lunch, we pampered ourself with a home made durian ice-cream. The taste is simply..... durian! durian! durian! ..thumbs up! This is a mixual pure durian and ice-cream.

I'm a food lover. I have a fussy tongue. A good food doesn't mean have to be an expensive food. It can be a hawker food, local home made dish or high class restaurant. My mouth is always busy when i travel coz i like to discover and try every single local sumptuos food and dessert instead of shopping for beautiful dresses. Look at the attractive bakery on the tray! Finally i grabbed 2 cheese rolls.

Opps..Michael spotted me fascinating for food again. Good thing have to share. So i bought one for me, one for him.

We went to Plaza Indonesia, a high fashion mall where you can find most of the luxury brands. You see, i got 3 pcs of AX lady tee shirts from Armani Exchange.

Jakarta malls and shopping centers offer a plethora coffee shops for enjoying a cup of coffee, a snack or small meal. We choose one of the local cafes for a cup of espresso.

Not forget to visit the Hard Rock cafe in Jakarta. HR is located in the Plaza Indonesia. The shop is still closed when i arrived. Luckily, the staff is kind enough to let me in before i'm late to the airport.

Nice swimming pool, but i have no time to jump into the pool. We went to enjoy the Indonesia massage in the shopping mall near our hotel. You will not believe, its cost about RM50 for 2hrs massage...so nice..so relaxing!

For those who watch CSI: Miami, you will know the following car - Hummer H3. We noticed it in the Jakarta airport. We hardly see Hummer on the road in KL but this is a popular car in America and a lot of superstars own it.

After returned to KL, nothing urgent than start my diet plan. Well, that's life!

Here, i' m not going to share the historical background of Malacca (coz my history subject is poor), but there are some important landmarks we must visit in Melaka. A'Famosa is one of them. A Famosa, is part of a fortress built encircling the base of St. Paul's hill by the Portuguese in 1511. The gate is called Porta de Santiago.

Another landmark is the oldest protestant church in Malaysia named Christ Church. It constructed in magnificent Dutch wooden architecture.

Nearby Christ Church is the Stadthuys which was built in 1650 with unique Dutch mansonry and architectural skills. The salmon colour building of Dutch architecture is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East (circa 1641 and 1660). Now, they operate it as Historical and Ethnography Museum.

Within the square, there are the Queen Victoria's fountain built in 1901 and the Melaka Clock Tower built in 1886. You can experience the trisaw adventure by hire a trisaw to tour around the Melacca city or some of the main tourist attractions. Model train in the park. Erm....i am strong enough to move the train by myself.
Enjoy a panoramic view from the 110m of Taming Sari tower. This tower was designed base on the lagendary of Taming Keris, and built by Swiss technology at the total cost of RM23mil. This fully air-conditioned observation cabin provides 360 degree view of the entire historical areas in Melaka city. It revolves as it rises from ground level to the top of the tower. Each viewing session would last 7 minutes. We are so excited when it revolves as it rises from ground level to the top of the tower. We saw Melacca straits, St.Paul's peaks, Stadhubys, Dataran Pahlawan and other heritage buildings clearly. Of course, we are also busy taking photos.Photo of Maritime Museum taken from Taming Sari Revolving cabin.

Hahaa...is time to talk about food.! My favourite topic.

Our first stop in Melaka, no other places than Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Shop. This shop is established in year 1962 and highly recommended by the locals and even featured on TV as "The Best Chicken Rice Shop". The chicken rice balls make in golf ball sized are cooked in butter and ginger to go with steamed chicken. The meat is tender and easy to chew.

I understand from an old lady, also the founder of the shop that they have to wake up around 3am everyday to prepare the ingredients. Instead of using machine, they use hands to make the rice balls while the rice is still hot.

Six of us ordered chicken rice balls, steamed chicken, mixed vegetable and drinks cost around RM50.20.

Besides the famous Melaka chicken rice, nyonya food is also in my "must eat" list. Nyonya food contains many of the traditional ingredients of Chinese food and Malay spices and herbs. Nyonya cooking is not only about the blending of pungent roots but also the long marinating of meats and seafood before it is cooked.

Chicken Pong Teh is cooked with preserved soy beans [Miso], dark soy sauce, sugar and other ingredients.

Otak-otak, a popular blend of fish, coconut milk, chilli paste, galangal, and herbs wrapped in a banana leaf.

After a long walk under the hot sun, it's time to get something icy to quench my thirst. This is it-- Cendol, a green jelly-like dessert, mix with smooth blended ice and melting brown sugar is one of the best desserts in Melaka.

You can find this famous shop at the Jonker Street. Now they even have the invented cendol with durian or manggo. Look at the menu below and select your preference. Price from RM4.00 onwards.

I have tried Baba Chendol, EPC Eight Precious Chendol and Baba Durian Chendol. I like gula melaka, so that the lady is kind to add on more for me. Yummy!... ...

Besides Jonker Street, you can find Chendol in Tan Kim Hock center. This is a durian chendol.

Malacca is well-known for its baba & nyonya style spicy cooking which normally gets served with rich coconut milk. Nyonya food is in a unique gastronomic realm all of it's own - with specific and subtle nuances of tastes and flavors. The food is tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal.

The best nyonya food in town- Nyonya Makko Restaurant serves a wide varieties of baba-nyonya food. The price is reasonable.

Among the famous nyonya specialties are Ayam Pong Teh, Ayam Buah Keluak, Itik tim soup and Lemak Nenas Udang, steamed ladies fingers with sambal belacan etc. I forgot to snap a close shot of chicken Pong Teh.

(i) Lemak Nanas Udang (ii) Ayam Buah Keluak - a distinctive dish combining chicken pieces with nuts from the Pangium edule or kepayang tree to produce a rich sauce. Not forgetting the cendol, a kind a pandan flavoured jelly served in coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar). Yummy!..... i like it very much. Must eat!

Pic below : Tai Bak Ice -A Nyonya dessert in danger of extinction is like a sweet noodle made of rice, tapioca and wheat flour shaped comes in pink and white served with ice and light syrup.

Jonker Street is basically a flea market with a Malaccan Cultural flavor. There are many stalls and shops set up along the street of Hang Jebat which selling curios, antique, souvenirs and so on. There are also many events and cultural shows being held on the street during weekends.

Walking along the street, you will discover a lot of shops and stalls which selling souvenirs with reasonable price. If you are tire of walking, make a stop at Stall 88, quench your thirst with a bowl of Melaka Cendol.

Zheng He Tea House - It is a typical olden days Chinese house with an open air courtyard in the middle.

Pic below: Sotong bakar in Jonker street.

We saw this shop selling wooden boat. The price is reasoble. I bought 5 units for my event.

When the night dawn, the Jonker street gives a different feel. The main attraction is the unique lightings and decorations. At night, you will see some of the societies offered diferent entertainments to the elderly such as line dancing and karaoke.