A short historical vacation to Dutch Cemetary

On September, 7th 2013 i got two amazing tourist from Hollands. An old man came outside with the wheelchair with his son.  They are Schoemaker family. The father is an old man with age about 85years old with limited english but he is very nice and kind, humble, and amazing man. he worked as army on World war II and placed in Indonesia for fighting againts Japan.

On the way during our trip to Jakarta from airport, the son inform me that they are coming to Indonesia only to find his uncle grave, Mr. F. Schoemaker who passed away in Indonesia during the world war II, on 1948 on the young age, 22 years old. So sad. After i heard the story about their purpose to Indonesia,  i offer them to help find the grave, thats really amazing feeling for me to help them find his brother/uncle grave.

Second day his trip in Jakarta, we went to Menteng Pulo Ereveld with the car that we hire from hotel. Because thats not my 1st time to handle Ducth people who wants to visit grave, so thats not too difficult for me to find the grave.  We bought the banquet of flower to put on Mr. F. Schoemaker grave to make the grave became beautiful and to show our respect and gratitude to him. Thats really wonderful feeling to see that finally they can find their family grave. After 64 years, finally they can visit the grave.

When i see they put flower on the grave and praying on the grave and cried, thats the best moment i've ever seen in my life and big happiness for that finally, i can help and accompany them to find part of their family. part of their life. Part of their history.

For Mr. F. Schoemaker.... Rest in Peace for u. May ur soul rest in heaven.....

I know, ur brother and ur nephew loves u alot... thats why they r coming here to Indonesia, from Holland for u.... Only for u.... to see ur grave and to memorize u.....

regards,

Ratih

Jakarta History Museum (Museum fatahillah)

JAKARTA HISTORY MUSEUM
Location : Jakarta Capital City

The museum located on Fatahillah Square, Jakarta old city. This museum was formerly the City hall and the office of governor General of Dutch Colonial Government. The design of this building same as Dam Palace in Amsterdam. This museum has main building with two wings on the west and east side, with beautiful backyard and has famous place is Underground prison.

The Execution process. Before the execution started, the hostage put on underground prison.

This building was built on March, 30th, 1974 with more than 20.000 collections such as historical furniture, metal, crystal glass, pottery, ceramics, fabric, leather, papers, painting of the Governor general VOC Dutch East Indies from 1902 to 1942 (more than 300 years), baroque style space separator cannon from 18 century, prehistoric instruments, various weapon with the famous one weapon is Meriam Si jagur from Portugal.

Inside one of the room with old furniture from the Dutch Colonial.

I was so much exhausted inside the museum. I come to the room and explore the room one by one, an read the explanation on every collections i visited and i felt so much enthusiasm to see more and more of the museum part. When I saw the inscription inside in Dutch language, i wonder, Oh my Godness, this building is too old. It built on years 1700's and its already 300 years now and the building and collections still stand tall. its brilliant.

The inscription of this museum.

Still exploring inside, i saw many things there, the painting of the 1st Governor VOC, Queen of Dutch, Paint of Cornelis de Houtman, and another painting. Wow... finally i can see their face after just know the story from history lesson at school. It made me more and more happy. Then i saw the inscription room and saw al ot of inscription inside even i can see the famous Inscription (Tugu Inscription). There's alot of collections i saw inside which i cant describe here, but i can say that im really really happy to saw those all. I appreciate and loves my country more and more.

After looking around inside the museum, next we can visit the garden at the back yard. I saw Hermes statue there. I remember that Hermes is one of God in European people story. There's also I saw the famous weapon called Meriam si Jagur with weight 3,5 tones and lenght 3,85 meters. i cant imagine how heavy it was. Its came from Portugal.

Jagur Cannon, one of the master piece collection on Fatahillah Museum.

At the back yard, I also went to the underground prison where's the Dutch colonial placed the person who guilty but i felt afraid and scare inside since the room was dark and also little bit scary because there's myth in Jakarta people that there's ghost inside the prison. nooo...

My journey on History jakarta museum has to be ended after i saw the underground prison, Your trip to jakarta is incomplete withour visiting this museum because this museum is very famous for the the foreigner.
Next step, i went to another museum on Fatahillah Square on Kota Tua (Jakarta Old City).

My Iranian couple tourist

With Mr. Richard baldwin and his friends on Fatahillah museum.

National Monument ( Monumen Nasional)

NATIONAL MONUMENT
(Monumen Nasional)

Location : Jakarta

This monument located on Merdeka Square, symbol of the fight of Indonesian independence. Built on 1962 by President Soekarno with Fredich Silaban as the designer. The architecture and dimensions of the National Monument symbolizes the distinct characteristics of Indonesia. The high rising Obelisk signifies the Lingga (pestle) and the saucer like platform the Yoni (Mortar), both are cooking utensils that are commonly found in most Indonesian.

What Inside The Museum

• The History Museum

The museum is located 132 meters below the surface of the courtyard. Twelve diorama line the walls along the four sides of the museum Hall. The diorama explain about the efforts of the Indonesian people to struggle from the colonialism and get the independence.

• The Hall of Independence

Within the saucer-like platform of the national monument (Middle Platform) is the hall of independence, which takes the form of an amphitheater. The halls holds the four principal components relating to Indonesia’s independence; a map of the Indonesian archipelago, the Sang Saka Merah Putih (the flag raised during the proclamation of independence), the Indonesian coat of arms “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” (unity in diversity) and the proclamation of independence text (as written and read by Soekarno and Hatta on August 17, 1945)

• The Lookout Platform

115 meters above the base of the National Monument is the 11m x 11m Lookout Platform. This platform provide 360 degree view of Jakarta. A single elevator will take visitors to the Lookout Platform.

• The Flame of Independence

The flame like structure at the top of the National Monument is 14 meters tall and 6 meters in diameter. This structure is made of 14,5 tons of Bronze and comprises of 77 separate elements. The entire surface of the structure is covered with approximately 50 kg of gold sheets.

Mandiri Museum (Jakarta Old City)

MANDIRI MUSEUM
JAKARTA OLD CITY

Location : Kota, Jakarta

When the first time i arrived on Kuta Tua, it was really big surprise when i saw the beautiful buildings with good deco and amazing arsitechture around this place. After i found the information bout the history of the Kota tua area, now i know why the building was so beautiful and unique. Its beause Kota is the rest of the Dutch Colonialism with European style like another beautiful old building in Europe.

Mandiri Museum

I explore the area called Kota Tua (Old City), i went to the highest building in Jakarta on 1900's called Mandiri Museum. At the beginning, this building was Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij (NHM), or famous as factory Batavia that was bank belong to Netherland. the arsitechture was amazing. it is classic art deco. Inside the Mandiri museum, i saw there's alot of collections like obligation letter, stuff and tools to make money, counting tools from the old, safe deposite box, calculator, and many more. The unique and the good side of this place is because this building still same and original like the 1st time built and also the stained glass with symbol of the Dutch Government, Batavia City symbol within that stained glass.

Stained Glass is the character of this place. looks like another building in Europe.

Standing front one of the collections.

Inside the museum, i heard all the explanation about this building from the local guide. And lucky because i am the official guide from the Tourism Department Jakarta Capital city so they take me to the top of this building and i saw the old building arround me. thats awesome experience and its hard to believe that i had been standing on the top f the highest building on 1900's.

Standing on the top of the highest building in Jakarta on 1990's, if on that year you see the Netherland flag, after independence of Indonesia, u only can see the red and white flag (Indonesian Flag)

It was amazing and wonderful experience to visit this place. But nowhere i visit this museum to explain to the tourist bout Batavia (Jakarta) and also bout this building and this museum more.... Interest to visit This area.... Just come to jakarta capital city and enjoy Jakarta..