April 3, 2024

The apartment I have booked in Jakarta is not that far from the airport, although it would have been more evident to me if I had checked the map of the city. Pulling into the complex from the main road, it seems that this area is dedicated to tall, luxurious towers complimented by extravagant tropical gardens. Of course, now is not the time to explore the area – I just need to get to the apartment building, get inside, unpack to the best of my abilities, and sleep.

As we navigate into the parking area that runs alongside the Gold Coast tower complex, I see that the towers contain a set of identical lobbies, each presumably leading to a unique tower or side of a tower. As the driver approaches one of the lobbies, I ask him whether he is sure as to where the correct lobby is. He confirms, and yet when I unload my things and approach the pop box where I am to pick up my keys, the instructions I was provided don’t work. When I ask the night porter for assistance, he tells me I need to go to an entirely different lobby. With all my things, on foot, at 2 am, not having slept in days, and having paid the taxi driver 200,000 IDR to bring me to the correct location. Why you should never use taxis, even if Blue Bird is Indonesia’s choice taxi company.

The lobby and parking area suggest a flagrantly affluent living environment, although on closer inspection, all the vehicles in my line of sight may be new, but none speak of any great luxury, other than the odd Mercedes. Inside the brilliantly-lit cream-toned lobby, the elevator whisks me quickly to the 35th floor, and now I am inside my small studio, outlandishly expensive for Jakarta, but a suitable layover from a trip as long as the one I just took. And providing access to a unique part of a city I wish to explore, piece by piece.

The studio consists of a narrow entranceway with a stovetop, washing machine, cupboards, and fridge on one side as well as reasonably-sized bathroom on the other. Beyond lies a single, moderately-sized room with high ceiling, bed, shallow shelving unit with a desk area, small nightstands, tall cabinet, and glass sliding door leading to a tiny balcony which presumably provides some sort of view, albeit not at two in the morning!