Armenia, Georgia and Jakarta

Part 1:  We had Rebekah joining us to talk about her trip to Georgia and Armenia.

Rebekah shared her experiences traveling through Armenia and Georgia in 2019, a trip facilitated by flying into Yerevan via Dubai and renting cars in both countries. In Armenia, she visited Yerevan, saw Mount Ararat, explored monasteries like Khor Virap and Noravank, visited the Tatev monastery complex via the Wings of Tatev cable car, and saw the ancient Zorats Karer stone circle. She highlighted the local food, particularly the bread and stews, and the affordability of Armenian wine.

Rebekah also touched upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and the sensitivity surrounding the region. She described the driving as challenging due to winding mountain roads, occasional sheep and cow crossings, and even recounted an accident near Kazbegi in Georgia where they lost their car’s number plate.

In Georgia, she found more varied scenery, including the Caucasus Mountains, and visited cities like Tbilisi, Kutaisi (experiencing a water shortage), the beautiful mountain region of Mestia, the remote village of Ushkuli, and the coastal city of Batumi. She particularly enjoyed the Svaneti region near Mestia for its hiking and home-cooked meals, noting the friendliness of locals despite language barriers sometimes requiring Google Translate. The trip concluded with seeing a political demonstration in Tbilisi.

Recording of Rebekah presentation on her travels in Armenia and Georgia

Part 2: Shirley, a long-time resident, offered insights into visiting Jakarta.

She emphasised the vibrant cafe culture, recommending spots like Copy Tagram (open 24 hours), Tuku, and Common Grounds, mostly found in South Jakarta. While South Jakarta is a popular area, she noted Block M is known for Japanese influences and hipster cafes, Cikini offers colonial architecture, and Tebet provides more affordable options.

Beyond cafes and food, Shirley suggested visiting the PIK area for its modern development and seaside activities, exploring museums like Museum MACAN, checking out independent bookstores such as Post Bookshop or Transit Bookstore, or experiencing the local art and music scene.

She mentioned Jakarta’s extensive and affordable public transport (MRT, LRT, BRT) and the high-speed train connecting to Bandung as good ways to get around. Shirley described Jakartans as very friendly, sometimes even asking tourists for photos, and noted that a week is likely more than enough time to explore the city and its surroundings.