Other than a dirty river that runs through my area of town, I live in a land-locked part of East Jakarta.  Considering how much I love the water, and all things nautical, I took a jaunt to the coast in North Jakarta a few weeks ago with some fellow teachers.  It was a simple day trip to get in touch with the maritime past and present of Sunda Kelapa.

The port is operational and I am assuming not much has changed in the last few centuries.  Rows of Makassar schooners lined the dock with men busying themselves with one task or another.  Cargo is still unloaded by hand without the aid of any machines, and boats are still maintained with sweat and elbow grease alone.

A few blocks away was the Museum Bahari.  For about $.70 we gained access to the maritime museum that was seemingly endless.  Several very old warehouses had been concerted into this sprawling museum which covered everything from models and replicas, pictures, Indonesian geography and trade routes to salvaged items like sextants and Fresnel lighthouse lamps.

Our admission fee also included access to the Watchtower just across the street.  This building is basically a lighthouse.  It was build in 1839 and was used to spot and direct nautical traffic into and out of the port.  We only had to climb a few sets of stairs to get to the top and were instantly rewarded with awesome views of the harbor and a magnificent breeze to combat the mid-day heat.

After walking around for a few hours, it was time to get something to eat.  We walked just a few minutes to the Galangan Building.  It’s a historical building preserved from the Dutch colonial times, around the 17th century.  Besides the café, the building and surrounding area offered many options to individuals or groups planning various functions.  Since nothing special was happening the day we were visiting, we had plenty of opportunity to look around and take pictures of the beautiful grounds without being disturbed.

Even though the local waters may be polluted, I will never get tired of the smell of the sea.  It brings the promise of adventure, thrill of the unknown, and the romance of danger with it.  I continue to be comforted by that notion of consistency in an ever-changing world.  Echoes of a simpler way of life will always benefit those willing to listen.