Jakarta wasn't meant to be a holiday. It was a typical work trip, but between the busy moments, I found myself collecting "firsts" - small, unplanned ordinary things that made this trip a little more memorable than I expected.
1. First TransNusa Flight
This was my first time flying with TransNusa. It had always been AirAsia or Batik Air, for example, during my trips to Guilin, Seoul & Macau, Taipei, and Phuket.
There's always something about boarding a new airline that makes even a routine flight feel a little special.
2. Meeting the Ondel-Ondel
At first, I thought they were part of the hotel décor: two towering, colourful figures with painted faces, one red and one white. Then I spotted them again at the airport. Curiosity got the better of me, and a quick search told me they were Ondel-Ondel, Jakarta's iconic Betawi symbol that represents protection and good fortune.
The red-faced man symbolises courage, while the white-faced woman symbolises calm. Together, they bring harmony and protection wherever they appear. Traditionally paraded through the streets to ward off bad spirits, they now stand proudly as reminders of the city's heritage.
It's strange how something I almost walked past turned out to be one of the most meaningful sights of the trip.
3. Indomaret Pop Mie Adventure
I think convenience stores like Indomaret in Jakarta is like Speedmart and KK Mart in Malaysia. I first came across the Pop Mie cup noodles brand on the TransNusa flight.
So when when I saw rows of Pop Mie of different flavours at Indomaret, I just had to buy all of them. I laughed at myself for travelling all the way to Jakarta to buy cup noodles… and then decided it was exactly what I needed.
4. Discovering Nasi Tutug Oncom
I tried Nasi Tutug Oncom for the first time. It's a humble Sundanese dish described as mixed rice with oncom fermented beans, wrapped in banana leaves, and served with assorted salted fish, dry fried chicken, tofu, tempeh, basil leaves, and raw vegetables, and special chili paste or sambal.
It was simple, honest food - the kind that doesn't try too hard, but leaves you thinking about it hours later.
5. My First Negroni
The first time I heard of Negroni was when I watched "Drink Masters" on Netflix. I Googled, and AI Overview explained: "A Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, garnished with an orange slice or peel. It's typically stirred with ice, strained into a rocks glass with a large ice cube, and served as an apéritif due to its strong, bitter, sweet, and herbal flavour profile."
But, being a non-drinker, I've never tried one. At the hotel bar, I finally did. One sip and I understood the reputation: bitter, bold, aromatic, unapologetically grown-up. It wasn't a "relax by the pool" drink; it was more of a "pause and take it in" kind of drink.
6. Visiting Jakarta Cathedral
The Jakarta Cathedral is located right across from Istiqlal Mosque. Two places of worship standing side by side. Two buildings connected by Terowong Silaturahim.
It was beautiful - architecturally and symbolically. After days of rushing between work and rest, it was the kind of stillness that gently stays with you.
Closing Thoughts
None of these "firsts" were bucket-list material. And maybe that's exactly what made them special. Ironically, they weren't planned (which says a lot, coming from someone who usually over-plans every trip abroad).
They weren't glamorous either. Just small, human, real.
I guess, travel isn't always about how far you go or how much you see.
It's about noticing—really noticing—the little, unplanned things that quietly turn any trip into a story worth remembering. Maybe that's what matters most.
