My Experience in Jakarta During the Protests 🇮🇩
Our trip to Jakarta was booked on a Thursday for a Friday flight. It was a completely spontaneous decision based on a dip in airfare after a late approval of leave. In the rush to get our bags packed, I only vaguely recalled seeing headlines about some public demonstrations in Indonesia.
The reality of the situation didn't truly sink in until we were on the plane, buckled in and scrolling through our phones while waiting for takeoff. The headlines were more intense than I'd realized. It was a surreal feeling, being on the verge of a holiday while reading about such serious events. When we landed, the messages from concerned family and friends confirmed it: we had arrived in a city navigating a very tense moment.
My goal in sharing this is not to sensationalize a serious situation or comment on another country's internal affairs. It's simply to offer a quiet, first-hand reflection of what it felt like to be a visitor in that space, at that time.
Our hotel was in Central Jakarta, just a short drive from where the main gatherings were taking place, yet it felt a world away. Our experience over the next days was one of navigating two different versions of the city: the one on the news, and the one we saw outside our window.
Our observations on the ground:
- Signs of Disruption: The most direct impact we felt was in the small, unexpected closures. We arrived at the Jakarta History Museum to find a simple paper sign on the door, announcing it was closed due to the "inconducive situation." It was a tangible, quiet sign that things weren't entirely normal. Similarly, some restaurants in certain zones were unavailable on delivery apps, a small indicator of the logistical disruptions.
- Constant Detours: Nearly every taxi ride involved our driver calmly finding an alternate route around a closed road. We were so grateful for their local knowledge. The most surreal part was the effect this had on traffic. Jakarta, a city famous for its gridlock, was often wide open. Driving down a major, multi-lane road with almost no other cars was an experience in itself.
- How Quiet Everything Was: While the lack of crowds might seem like a traveler's dream, the quietness in Jakarta's malls and public spaces felt different. It was a quiet that felt heavy, a noticeable absence of the city's usual buzzing energy. It left us wondering if most residents were simply choosing to stay home, waiting for the tension to pass.
Our mindset as visitors:
We felt our responsibility was to be as low-impact and respectful as possible. We didn't want to hide in our hotel, as we felt the most constructive thing we could do was continue to support local cafes, shops, and drivers who were still at work. Our approach was guided by a few principles:
1. Stay Informed: Our first step each morning was to check local news sources to understand which specific areas to avoid.
2. Be Observant & Respectful: We chose our destinations carefully, sticking to public, secure areas that felt calm and normal. We were conscious of being quiet observers.
3. Remain Flexible: We held our plans loosely, ready to change them at a moment's notice if we felt uncomfortable.
This is simply a snapshot of our experience during a few days in what is an evolving situation for the people of Indonesia. Our role as travelers was to be quiet, respectful bystanders, to observe without intruding, and to navigate their space with humility and awareness.
Sending our best wishes to the people of Jakarta and Indonesia.
📍 Full blog post → link in bio/below
https://chroniclesofc.com/travel-reflections/travelling-in-jakarta-during-the-protests/
#Jakarta #Indonesia #TravelReflection #TravelStory #TravelJournal
Having lived through the protests in Jakarta during my trip, I found that staying flexible and informed was key to a safe and meaningful visit. Many travelers often overlook how such civic unrest impacts everyday life — from local businesses closing temporarily to the unusual calm in usually bustling areas. One striking detail I noticed was the absence of crowds in malls and public spaces, which, while peaceful, felt heavy and somber in atmosphere. Locals seemed to prefer staying indoors, reflecting a collective pause in the city's usual rhythm. It was a reminder of the resilience and caution people exercise during unrest. I also realized the critical role of local guides and drivers in helping visitors navigate safely around restricted zones and unpredictable roadblocks. Their expertise made what could have been a stressful situation much more manageable and even insightful. For anyone considering travel to areas experiencing civic unrest, I would recommend subscribing to local news updates daily and respecting local advice on which neighborhoods to avoid. Keeping a low profile and supporting the local economy by choosing cafes and shops still open can be a subtle way to show solidarity. My experience underscored the importance of empathy and observation rather than intrusion. It’s about witnessing these moments without becoming part of the tension, appreciating the city’s strength through its quieter moments. This trip will remain a profound travel memory, emphasizing how unpredictable travel can deepen our perspective on the places we visit.
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