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Weekly 5: Dating sites for the city's lovebirds
JP/Jerry AdigunaThe rich can spoil their partners with candle-lit dinners in high-end restaurants or romantic picnics on private islands, but couples who are not that well-off have their own ways of spending âweâ time for free but just as romantically
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JP/Jerry Adiguna
The rich can spoil their partners with candle-lit dinners in high-end restaurants or romantic picnics on private islands, but couples who are not that well-off have their own ways of spending 'we' time for free but just as romantically. Ahead of Valentine's Day on Sunday, here's a look at five spots popular with lovebirds in the capital that cost less but provide the same quality of time.
Monas
The National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta has become a favorite dating spot in the capital with various exciting activities for young couples.
The lovebirds usually reserve space on the grass fields or empty plots near the monument to share stories. Some play bubble kits or kites, which are offered in the park by numerous vendors.
The complex also attracts dating couples with vendors offering andong (horse-drawn carriage) services for tours to and from Monas and nearby popular buildings such as City Hall.
'My boyfriend and I love going on dates at Monas on Saturday afternoon. We usually buy a soap-bubble kit and play with it together,' said 24-year-old Kemayoran resident Riska Gina Dimah.
However, Riska suggested that couples intending to go out at Monas should be careful when ordering food.
'You should ask the price before you order food. Most food vendors price-up their not-so-delicious food,' Riska added.
Bundaran HI
Hotel Indonesia Traffic Circle (Bundaran HI) in Central Jakarta has often been the center point of mass rallies during the day. But once the lights from the surrounding buildings and the iconic Welcome Statue are on, and the traffic eases, the Bundaran HI fountain transforms into a romantic scene, ripe for photographs.
Sitting around the fountain enjoying hot coffee or instant noodles from a 'starling' (Starbucks keliling, a popular term for hot beverage vendors on bicycle) makes a perfect evening for a couple.
East Flood Canal
The East Flood Canal (KBT), located along Jl. Jend. RS Soekanto, Jl. Kolonel Sugiono and Jl. Basuki Rahmad, is a popular spot for low-cost dating in East Jakarta. Constructed along the KBT, the road overlooks the canal and provides benches and greenery, attracting many visitors each night and even more on weekends. Street vendors selling various food and beverages, from the regular iced tea and batagor (fried-fish dumpling) to the more fancy zuppa soup and pasta, all sold at relatively affordable prices, provide a large variety of choice for visitors, similar to that of shopping-center food court.
Normally, those who go on a date to the KBT area reserve a bench or spread a mat on the grass and order food and beverages from the nearest street vendor. They enjoy their night out eating and drinking while overlooking the canal. 'The KBT is always crowded at night, even on work days,' said Deny, a beverage vendor in KBT.
If lucky, visitors can also experience a pasar malam (night market), where they can enjoy dangerously thrilling rides such as a man-powered pendulum ride, or the more romantic ferris wheel. Those seeking to spoil their significant others can also purchase clothing at the pasar malam.
Flyovers
In order to enjoy the city's vast landscape at night, Jakartans usually have to splurge on high-end cafes or restaurants up high in skyscrapers.
Youngsters who have limited pocket money know tricks, however, for enjoying the same scenery. Although it looks dangerous, flyovers (the local term for overpass roads) all over the city are popular spots for young lovebirds to hang out.
Some famous spots include Pasar Rebo flyover in East Jakarta, Tanah Abang flyover in Central Jakarta and Kalibata flyover in South Jakarta. The relatively light traffic at night makes the roads feel safer. In Tanah Abang, couples can even watch the sunset.
If visitors crowd an area, street vendors will also come to offer food and beverages.
Convenience stores
Dating couples, especially of the younger generation, can be seen almost every night and day packing out the seats and tables of convenience stores throughout Jakarta. Some of them are still in their school uniforms even.
By purchasing a bottle of mineral water or a cup of instant coffee, those who opt to go on dates at convenience stores can spend hours there, or even the whole night, as 24-hour convenience stores have continued mushrooming in the capital.
