Bangalore to Jakarta - 1

I haven't updated this blog for long. I recently visited Jakarta on business and I'm going to use that as an excuse (and opportunity) to update the blog!

(I originally wanted to make a dozen posts about my visit, then it occurred me that, it should not become an excuse for people to go away from my blog, so I'm going to do only three!)

While I have travelled to US a couple of times, I've never visited any Asian country. Not even Singapore which people from India often visit. So, with some pre-conceived notions about my destination, I was sitting in the flight to Thailand (The country of my transit).

After an easy flight, I landed in Bangkok. However, the big terminal confused me. While immediately heading for transfer, I was misled by a Monitor Display and went to a gate where I should not have reached before getting a boarding pass. So, I anxiously returned to my starting point but alas..I got lost and ended up in a different place! It was a Posh Business Class Lounge. With only short time before my next flight, I went here and there before somehow managing to locate a correct queue for "Transfers"!

I hope that Bangkok, while opening their state-of-the-art Suvarnabhumi Airport, also put up clearer signs (For instance, instead of just saying "Transfers" and opening multiple counters without any signboards, put signs like like, All Thai Airways Flights or All Flights to Jakarta etc.)

Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is not as big as Bangkok, but it looked very different from any airport I have ever seen.

Getting an Indonesian Visa was a breeze. I didn't have a visa before my arrival. Indians are allowed to take a Visa on arrival (you pay $25 for a 30 days tourist visa, Business visa is not any different, except that it is safer to bring your documents - like invitation letter etc.). Once immigrated and clearing customs, I entered this fascinating country...!

(to be continued)