Jakarta is like any big city, lots of cars which equates to traffic. But rules of the road are simply what I would call “king of the road.” You need to be as aggressive as possible if you want to get into a lane even if there are 5 others cars surrounding you also wanting that lane. Horns honk, drivers inch forward, and, somehow, your driver manages to squeeze the car into a three inch space between the cars before shooting out. Then the jostling starts again. As you trust in your driver, you are amazed that the cars around you don’t have any dents in them.
Hotel security is at high alert. Before our car was allowed into the drop off area, the car was checked for a bomb underneath the carriage, the doors and the trunk were opened, and a bomb sniffing dog was walked around the car. The first gate was opened before we were stopped again briefly at a second gate.
At this point, we were allowed out of the car where we entered another security area. In this area, our bags were sent through an x-ray machine. Upon retrieving our bags, a policeman stood guard with a machine gun.
Leaving this last security area, we then walked up the original driveway noticing the different wedding plaque wishes. Candice and I thought they rather looked like what we, Americans, would send for a funeral.
Candice and I are probably as opposite as two people can be. Though some would think this would grate when traveling, surprisingly we do make a good traveling companions. Our difference in style can be so strikingly opposites that all we can do is laugh at ourselves. And laugh and laugh, we do!
This is Candice’s things
This is mine things
At last organized.