After a long, sometimes trying overnight bus ride we made it to the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta. We ended up a ways out of town and had an eye-opening, smog-filled ride to the center of town.

Jakarta is a city of extremes. Opulence and squalor, ancient and modern; the contrasts are everywhere.

We were only in town for a day and so we couldn't see it all but this is what we chose to take in.

The harbour where old style ships still sail the waters within Indonesia, dealing almost completely in rainforest timber.

The National Museum, an impressive collection of pieces which shows the incredible diversity of people that inhabit all the regions of Indonesia.

The shopping malls filled to the brim with people shopping and more interestingly (for Dan and Jon) hundreds of expensive software titles at bargain prices (wonder why??)

Pizza Hut. For a taste (a small taste - the medium pizza were the size of personal pan pizzas back in the States) of Home.

Jalan Jaksa. The street name of where we stayed and where we met some interesting characters including the refugee from Afghanistan who just kept staring at us, smoking his cigarette, and laughing. rather unnerving.

The hair salon. Where Sarah (with her hair) and Deb (with her personality) kept the staff entertained from the moment they entered to the moment they left.

As I said it was only a day, but we saw, heard and smelled a lot.