Dinar Family's Jakarta Adventure: Unveiling Indonesia's Hidden Gems!
Dinar Family's Jakarta Adventure: Unveiling Indonesia's Hidden Gems! – A Review That's Actually Real (and a Little Bit Crazy!)
Alright, folks, buckle up! Because I just got back from Dinar Family's Jakarta Adventure, and lemme tell you, it was an adventure! Not just a holiday, but a full-blown, sensory overload, "did-I-really-just-eat-that?" kind of experience. Now, I'm usually not one for writing reviews - unless I'm really mad or really in love. And with Dinar Family's place, it's a bit of both, honestly!
First off, let's talk about the Accessibility stuff, because this is a biggie for some folks, and frankly, it was a bit of a mixed bag.
Accessibility: They do claim to be accessible. Honestly? Sort of. The main areas seemed okay, like the lobby and some of the restaurants. But navigating some of the corridors felt like a treasure hunt, especially around the pool area. Verdict: Needs improvement. If you need pristine accessibility, double-check EVERYTHING before booking.
Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Maybe call ahead and quiz them hard.
Elevator: YES! Thank the heavens for elevators.
Facilities for disabled guests: Again, they have them, but I’m a bit wary of the execution.
Check-in/out [express/private]: Express was quick, but I’m still dreaming of a private check-in with a cold towel and a welcome drink.
Okay, now on to the juicy stuff… the things that made this place, well, memorable.
The Rooms: My Sanctuary (Mostly!)
My room! Ah, my room. It was pretty good. I mean, I had Air conditioning, which is a must-have in Jakarta (trust me!). The Air conditioning in public area was also a blessing, especially after spending the day in the humid streets. Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping off the jet lag, and the bed was extra long. They really got the important things right. The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, or so they claimed, was spotty – I could never get any work done. The Internet access, by the way, was also a mixed bag, better stay unplugged. sigh
- Available in all rooms: (Almost, the internet still needs a little bit of work)
- Additional toilet (not in my room, unfortunately! Haha!)
- Alarm clock: Yes, thank goodness.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: YES! I practically lived in the bathrobe. Total luxury!
- Bathroom phone: who even uses these anymore?
- Bathtub: Mine had a killer view.
- Carpeting: Comfy.
- Closet: Plenty of space for all my souvenir-buying habits.
- Coffee/tea maker & Complimentary tea: essential for mornings.
- Desk, Free bottled water and Desk: Nice touches. You can do work here.
- Extra long bed: Huge bonus.
- Hair dryer: Okay, but bring your own if you're fussy.
- High floor: I requested (and got!) a high floor! Best view ever, even if the internet was terrible at times.
- In-room safe box: Felt safe leaving valuables.
- Internet access – LAN & Internet access – wireless: See above. Frustrating, but manageable.
- Ironing facilities: I only ironed one item, but it was great.
- Laptop workspace: Yeah, if you could get the Wi-Fi to work…
- Linens: Clean and fresh.
- Mini bar: Pricey, but stocked with essentials.
- Mirror: Plenty of them.
- Non-smoking: Thank you, Dinar Family!
- On-demand movies: Perfect after a long day.
- Private bathroom: Definitely yes.
- Reading light: Excellent.
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Safety/security feature: Yeah, lots of those.
- Satellite/cable channels: Tons to choose from.
- Scale: Ugh. I avoided this like the plague.
- Seating area: Comfy.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Another win!
- Shower: Good, but not amazing.
- Slippers: Yay!
- Smoke detector: A needed touch.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for our phone-addicted society.
- Sofa: Yup.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good.
- Telephone: Again, who uses these?
- Toiletries: Basic, but decent.
- Towels: Plentiful and fluffy.
- Umbrella: Jakarta rains, people!
- Visual alarm & Wake-up service: Excellent.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above. But, you know, it's everywhere!
- Window that opens: Yes, but only in the bathrooms.
Let’s talk Food, Glorious Food!
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: I LOVED the Asian breakfast! All the sambal, noodles, and everything. Highly recommend.
- Bar & Poolside bar: Nice for a sundowner.
- Breakfast [buffet] & Breakfast service & Buffet in restaurant: The buffet was… well, it’s a buffet. Perfectly fine, if a little chaotic.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Good coffee, thank goodness.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious, and dangerous!
- International cuisine in restaurant: A good mix.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, a nice option.
- Restaurants: Enough options to keep even the pickiest eater happy.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver after those late-night adventures!
- Salad in restaurant: Always a good choice.
- Snack bar & Soup in restaurant: Convenient.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options available.
- Western breakfast Western cuisine in restaurant: They've got you covered.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They also offer a meal arrangement.
- Bottle of water: Always a nice touch.
- Breakfast in room & Breakfast takeaway service: Available.
- Safe dining setup: It was easy to find a spot to eat.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes!
But here's where Dinar Family really shined… The MASSAGE. OMG. I booked myself in for a two-hour Balinese massage, and I swear, I floated out of there. The Spa! The Spa/sauna! The Steamroom!! Incredible! I think I might have fallen asleep. The Body scrub was also amazing! I had the best time.
- Body scrub: AMAZING!
- Body wrap: They have body wraps.
- Fitness center & Gym/fitness: Fine, nothing to write home about, but it’s there if you feel guilty from all the delicious food.
- Foot bath: Super relaxing.
- Massage: DEFINITELY, BOOK ONE!
- Pool with view: Gorgeous!
- Sauna: Very good.
- Spa: One of the best spa.
- Steamroom: Nice
- Swimming pool & Swimming pool [outdoor]: Excellent for cooling off after a day of sightseeing.
Things to Do (and How to Relax)
- Things to do: You're in Jakarta! There's tons to do!
- Ways to relax: The spa, definitely. The pool. Napping. Eating. Repeat.
The Details (the Nitty-Gritty)
- Cleanliness and safety: The place seemed clean enough, and the staff were generally doing what they could to keep things sanitized.
- Anti-viral cleaning products & Daily disinfection in common areas & Hygiene certification & Individually-wrapped food options & Rooms sanitized between stays & Sanitized kitchen and tableware items & Staff trained in safety protocol & Sterilizing equipment: They're trying.
- First aid kit: Always a good thing to have.
- Hand sanitizer: Available, but maybe bring your own for extra peace of mind.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Check.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: They are there.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice option.
- Shared stationery removed: Good.
- CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property & Fire extinguisher & Front desk [24-hour] & Non-smoking rooms & Safety/security feature & Security [24-hour] & Smoke alarms:
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a gloriously messy, hilariously chaotic, and utterly Indonesian adventure. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram trip. This is Dinar Family in Jakarta, and it's gonna be… well, something.
Trip Title: Jakarta Jumpy-Jolly Jaunt (and the Great Nasi Goreng Quest)
The Players: Me (the perpetually hungry, easily overwhelmed, but eternally optimistic travel blogger), and the legendary Dinar Family: Mama Dinar (queen of everything), Papa Dinar (silent observer, master of the eyebrow raise), And the two mischievous kiddos, Anya and Bima, (whose adventures usually end with a scraped knee or a near-disaster involving stray cats).
Day 1: Arrival, Almost Lost, and Chilli-Induced Tears
- Morning (8:00 AM): Landed at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Jet lag! The air hit me like a humid, fragrant wall. Already regretting my decision to wear a black t-shirt. Finding the Dinar family? A comedy of errors starring me, a confused taxi driver, and a LOT of waving my arms. Finally, SUCCESS! Anya greeted me with a gummy grin and a slightly squashed Hello Kitty backpack. Heaven.
- Brunch (10:00 AM): Arrived at the Dinar household, a charming, slightly-overcrowded haven in Central Jakarta. Mama Dinar immediately thrust a plate of nasi uduk (coconut rice) at me. My first bite? Pure, unadulterated bliss. "Oh, you love it?" she asked, already hovering over the refill. I mumbled a delighted yes, because how could I refuse?
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Attempted a stroll through the neighborhood. Failed spectacularly. We got hopelessly lost after Anya and Bima insisted on chasing a particularly fluffy street cat. Turns out, Jakarta alleyways all look remarkably similar. Cue panic, mild dehydration, and a frantic phone call to Papa Dinar (who, predictably, didn't bat an eyelid).
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM): Found a local warung (small eatery) for a snack. I ordered sambal matah (Balinese raw chili relish) with my grilled fish. Let's just say…the "matah" part was accurate. My eyes were watering, my nose was running, and I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes. Mama Dinar, ever the angel, handed me a tissue and patted my arm. "Spice is good for you, no?" she said with a knowing smile. She knew.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Back home. Dinner: Another culinary masterpiece, this time gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce). The peanut sauce was so incredible i nearly licked the plate. And that was just day 1.
Day 2: Museums, Markets, and the Great Nasi Goreng Quest Begins
- Morning (9:00 AM): Planned museum visit. The National Museum. Anya and Bima lasted approximately 20 minutes before morphing into tiny bundles of energy. I, however, managed a good hour looking at the historical artifacts and feeling a bit like a kid myself!
- Early Afternoon (12:00 PM): Street Food Time! The sights, the smells, oh the smells…I felt like a kid in a candy shop. We hit up the local market, a cacophony of colors, sounds, and aromas. I ate everything that looked even remotely appetizing. Some of the stuff was a bit questionable, but I survived (barely).
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): The Great Nasi Goreng Quest began! Mama Dinar deemed it my mission to find the best nasi goreng in Jakarta. First stop: Warung "Pak Joni." The nasi goreng was alright, but not legendary. Anya gave it an "Ehh." Bima just threw rice everywhere. Papa Dinar raised an eyebrow. The quest continues!
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Visit to Monas (National Monument). The line was LONG and the sun was BLAZING. Anya made a valiant attempt to climb the walls. Bima declared that he was bored and lay down in the dirt. Papa Dinar just sighed. Me? I was just trying to survive.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a restaurant. Papa Dinar paid. Anya gave a thumbs up. Bima ran away with the spoon. It was a great meal, even if I didn't get any of the actual meal in. I was too busy chasing Bima.
Day 3: Batik, Bad Weather, and the Nasi Goreng of Destiny
- Morning (9:00 AM): Batik lesson! Somehow, I ended up with a creation that looks suspiciously like a Jackson Pollock painting gone wrong. Anya's, however, was breathtaking. Bima just smeared blue wax everywhere.
- Brunch (11:00 AM): The rain came. It came hard. I had never seen rain like it. I now have more respect for umbrellas. Seriously, that stuff was insane.
- Lunch/Early Afternoon (1:00 PM): Stuck indoors. We ate bakso (meatball soup) and played Indonesian board games (which I lost miserably). Mama Dinar, thankfully, brought out a plate of fried bananas. Sweet. So sweet.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): The Great Nasi Goreng Quest (Part 2). Today's contender: a small, unassuming warung down a side street. THE VERDICT: This.. this was the nasi goreng. This was a symphony of flavors. This was the nasi goreng of Destiny! Anya gave a rare, genuine smile. Bima ate three helpings. Papa Dinar… smiled. I think. Maybe. I was too busy devouring my plate.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (6:00 PM): Souvenir shopping. Found some quirky keychains, a batik fan (useful!), and a ridiculous hat. Anya and Bima, who had gotten stuck on a water park. I, of course, got the brunt of the "Please buy me this!" chant.
Day 4: Temples, Traffic, and Tearful Farewells (Maybe?)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Visit to a local temple. Beautiful, peaceful, and a much-needed moment of serenity. Anya and Bima, however, were more interested in chasing pigeons.
- Early Afternoon (12:00 PM): Traffic. Jakarta traffic is legendary. We sat in it. We stared out the window. We ate snacks. We slowly went insane.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Shopping! The malls were vast and bright. We got a bunch of souvenirs.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Farewell dinner. More delicious food. More laughter. More love. I might shed a tear or three. Okay, I definitely shed a few tears. Saying goodbye to the Dinar family was harder than I expected.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Back to the airport. Leaving Jakarta. Goodbye, nasi goreng. Goodbye, chaos. Goodbye, my new Indonesian family.
Day 5: Departure and Reflection
- Morning (6:00 AM): Flight home.
- The rest of the day: Reflecting on the trip. Jakarta was… well, it was Jakarta. Messy, chaotic, challenging, and utterly wonderful. The Dinar family opened their hearts and their home to me, and I'll never forget it. And the nasi goreng? I'm already dreaming of my return.
Final Thoughts:
Jakarta is not for the faint of heart. It's a sensory overload. It's a little bit crazy. But it's also vibrant, warm, and full of the most incredible people. The Dinar family made this trip unforgettable. And as for the Quest? Well, let's just say… it was a delicious success. I'll be back, Jakarta. And I'll bring my appetite. And maybe some extra tissues.
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Right, so, like, what *is* this whole...thing...about?
Okay, deep breath. Honestly? I have *no* idea what you're referring to specifically. This is the part where every FAQ ever would give you some hyper-specific, well-researched answer, but *I'm not that kind of FAQ.* I'm more like...a friend who remembers bits and pieces of a wild story from last night. Were we talking about that ridiculous meme? Or the existential dread of choosing the right cereal? Seriously, send help. Just kidding (mostly).
Okay, okay. Fine. Let's say we *are* talking about something… How do I even *start*? (Ugh, the dreaded starting point.)
Ah, the beginning. The beautiful, terrifying, *where-do-I-even-begin* start. This is where my own personal failure-stories start piling up. I remember trying to learn to knit. Sounds simple, right? Nope. My first attempt looked less like a scarf and more like a mangled spider-web that had an epic battle with a vacuum cleaner. The point? The start is messy. It's supposed to be.
So, how *do* you start? Well, you just...do. Pick something small. A tiny bite-sized chunk. Don't aim for perfection. Aim for *getting it done*. If it's absolute garbage, then you've learned something! That's progress, baby! Then, just keep...doing. Repeat. Fail again. Repeat again. Eventually, maybe, *maybe*, you'll actually see some progress. Or maybe not! At least you'll have a story! And we all love a good story (especially to procrastinate).
So, how *do* you start? Well, you just...do. Pick something small. A tiny bite-sized chunk. Don't aim for perfection. Aim for *getting it done*. If it's absolute garbage, then you've learned something! That's progress, baby! Then, just keep...doing. Repeat. Fail again. Repeat again. Eventually, maybe, *maybe*, you'll actually see some progress. Or maybe not! At least you'll have a story! And we all love a good story (especially to procrastinate).
But... what if I fail dramatically? (And the world judges me?!)
Oh, honey. We’ve all been there. The monumental, face-plant-in-the-dirt-of-failure? I have a whole *collection*. Remember that time I tried to bake a soufflé for a date? (Romantic, right? Wrong). It became a sad, flat pancake. My date politely tried to eat it, I burst into tears (because apparently, I'm a very dramatic kitchen disaster), and we ended up ordering pizza. The soufflé was a disaster. The date was a disaster. The pizza was delicious (at least).
Honestly? Nobody cares. Or, if they *do* care, it’s fleeting. They're too busy worrying about *their* own epic fails. And if they *are* judging you? They’re probably suffering from a serious lack of interesting things in their own lives. So, let them...judge! Their opinion *really* doesn’t matter. Dust yourself off, laugh, and get back to it. Just maybe, steer clear of soufflés on a first date.
Honestly? Nobody cares. Or, if they *do* care, it’s fleeting. They're too busy worrying about *their* own epic fails. And if they *are* judging you? They’re probably suffering from a serious lack of interesting things in their own lives. So, let them...judge! Their opinion *really* doesn’t matter. Dust yourself off, laugh, and get back to it. Just maybe, steer clear of soufflés on a first date.
This is all well and good, but what if I just flat out don't *feel* like it? Motivation seems to take a permanent vacation in my brain.
Ugh, the motivation monster. I *hate* that guy. He's sneaky. He likes to whisper sweet nothings about the couch and Netflix. And he can be a real jerk. I'm currently in a staring contest with the motivation monster, and it’s winning.
Here’s the thing: Sometimes, you just won't feel like it. And that's okay. It's normal. Don't beat yourself up about it. Maybe try a ridiculous motivational ritual. Maybe bribe yourself with something small. (I'm a big fan of the "if I do this, I can have that chocolate" method). Or, let it go for a day. Seriously! Sometimes just *acknowledging* the lack of motivation and giving yourself a break can be the most productive thing you do.
Just don't give up entirely. Even a tiny step forward is still forward!
Just don't give up entirely. Even a tiny step forward is still forward!
Okay, okay, assuming I actually *do* try something...what if it’s just. Not for me? What if I hate it?
OH! This one is a good one! Do you know how many times I've started something only to realize it was a horrible, time-sucking mistake? A LOT. The key here is to *realize* it. Don't force it. Don't torture yourself.
It's like that time I decided I wanted to... *shudders*. play the bagpipes (no context available, I am not going to explain it). I endured about two weeks of screeching noises and frustrated neighbors. My lungs ached, my fingers were numb, and my dog started hiding under the bed. I hated it. *HATED* it. And you know what? I quit. No shame. It was a valuable lesson in what *not* to do with my time and money.
The world is *full* of things you can try. If something isn’t jiving, doesn’t spark joy (ugh, I used the word), doesn't make you at least *slightly* happy or intrigued, ditch it. Move on! There are a million other things to explore! This is your life! Don't waste it being miserable!
It's like that time I decided I wanted to... *shudders*. play the bagpipes (no context available, I am not going to explain it). I endured about two weeks of screeching noises and frustrated neighbors. My lungs ached, my fingers were numb, and my dog started hiding under the bed. I hated it. *HATED* it. And you know what? I quit. No shame. It was a valuable lesson in what *not* to do with my time and money.
The world is *full* of things you can try. If something isn’t jiving, doesn’t spark joy (ugh, I used the word), doesn't make you at least *slightly* happy or intrigued, ditch it. Move on! There are a million other things to explore! This is your life! Don't waste it being miserable!
What if. I start to get good at this? What happens *then*?
Good? *Good*?! Oh, the horror! No, just kidding! Maybe. Being good at something is… weird. It's a mixed bag, honestly. You'll probably get a little bit of a swelled head. You'll start comparing yourself to other "good" people, which is a recipe for disaster, because, believe me, I still fall into that trap! Also, your family will start asking you to... make more of the thing. The bagpipes? Oh GOD NO! (Just a joke)
But… it's also pretty great. It's a boost to your confidence. Some doors will open. Maybe you'll even find joy! It's a reward for all the hard work, the stumbles, and the moments where you wanted to quit. So, if you *do* get good, enjoy it! Savor it. Then, remember the terrible soufflé. And that will keep you humble. Probably.
Seriously, I'm still confused. What *is* the point of all this anyway?
The point? Ah, that elusive, ever-changing, probably-made-up-on-the-spot *point*. Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe there isn’t one. Maybe the point is just… the doing. The struggle. The laughter. The pizza afterwards.
Maybe the point is to learnWander Stay Spot
Dinar Family Jakarta Indonesia
Dinar Family Jakarta Indonesia
Maybe the point is to learnWander Stay Spot
