Mandarin Oriental Jakarta

Could you imagine a nice night out in Jakarta with some casual cute western guys? Well I do , so that's the story. We where hanging out, went to Kemang to have some proper dinner in an indonesian restaurant called "payon", but they where closed due to private matters. So we went next door to Kemang food fest to catch up a portion of Nasi Goreng and a Bintang- good combo. Afterwards we thought of leaving back home, but while in taxi I remembered that MO Bar might be open this night. I called our Concierge at Le Meridien to make sure that the Bar gonna be open. They wasn't really sure, but said they might be open tonight. When we reached the Mandarin Oriental we realized a lot of very posh cars in line to drove up to lobby level. The crowd looked very sophisticated and not casual at all. It was our turn to get off our very cheap looking taxi. Taxi stopped at front door, they tried to open the doors, I advised the driver to go further. He stopped again a few meters ahead, staff followed, I opened the window and asked one of the female staff, if the Bar is open already. She was kind of confused as the ongoing party was the Grand Opening of MObar Jakarta! So we jumped out of the taxi, left our Bintang cans, I even went in without security check. So here we are- two casual cute western guys joining the most sophisticated event of the night in Jakarta. The elegant crowd consist of the Who is Who of Jakarta's society. A little boring and old, but free flow of Champagne and any other drink you might wish. We ended up directly in the middle of the bar, watching people and people watching us. To be honest I liked the old style of the bar more, but the staff is indeed amazing. Very professional, stylish and beautiful at all and at its best they where chatting with us which turns into flirting..lol.
When we left, a women waiting in line for a taxi with us, asked us where we are from and why we joined the party cause we looking so casual. I said we are casual indeed and even without invitation card, people are waiting for us!

Stay tuned for more in depth reports on Jakarta nightlife!

Shanghai

As I mentioned already Shanghai is simply an amazing City and I would rather say a must for a smart traveler nowadays. But go ahead and try yourself. Trust me its worth it.
Travel:
This time I flow in from Europe- so I would recommend to use Swiss for your flight as it is still the best option, even they use the "old version" of their C Class.
You will arrive in Pudong International Airport, which is a fairly huge and modern airport. Nothing special, but they do offer free Wifi in public areas. Keep in mind that some sites are not visible while you are in Chine- you will need a special program to enter some of the blocked sites. Before entering China you need to apply for a Visa back in your home country. There is no Visa on arrival service at the moment. The Airport is located far outside of the city, but there is the Maglev, a high speed train running between Pudong Airport the city within a couple of minutes, depending on how fast your train runs. Check schedules to speed up, but at least train will run with 300km per hour. Keep in mind that you have to change for the Metro or Taxi to reach you final destination. Travel between airport and city center will be at all around 1 hour, depending on traffic. Taxis are cheap and go on the meter. A taxi between the airport and the city is about 150 Yuan, depending on traffic and your loction. The Maglev is about 40 Yuan plus subway fare.

Place to stay:
As always in fairly huge cities you should choose your hotel, depending on where you need to go. In shanghai you have to deside if you wanna stay on Pudong side or in the city center in Puxi ( Bund area ). Pudong is the modern high rise building area, which is more the business district. nevertheless there are some very nice hotels around. First of all you should consider the Park Hyatt located in the highest building at time of writing. The hotel is top notch and the view over Shanghai is best. Next to it, in second highest building, the Jin Moa Tower is the Grand Hyatt located. For sure also an alternative if Park Hyatt is fully booked. On Puxi side I can recommend fairly priced Swissotel located in Jing an district, next to famous Jing An temple and to a subway station ( line number two connecting to Maglev train ).
Enjoy:
Shanghai do offer so much place you should consider to visit. As most of us lacking time I will give just a few hints.
Most of the action is on Puxi side- so came over for a long night out or start your evening with a drink in Park Hyatt's bar on 89th floor- well worth it!
Later you should consider Logo, Dada for a few drinks and even a good party and for dancing all night one of the Muse Clubs.
If you wanna hang out on the Bund you can drop in all time favorite Bar Rouge, but to be honest, I guess it is boring.

Shanghai

Well, I just returned from a fucking cool weekend in Shanghai and to be honest this City is amazing. So much fun- buy your tickets now!
When I have some more time left, I will leave an in depth report right here for place you should check out.

Zentralflughafen

Berlin is the City of Change. Nothing is finished, nothing really started. Its in between- Transformation. There are people coming and leaving with great Ideas for often bigger projects. But to be honest- Berlin is not the place for the "big" things. Zentralflughafen Tempelhof is such a project with a long history of transformation in the middle of the City. Even so constructed as one of the largest buildings in the world, the airport shouldn't have been used as in airport that long. Planned as a modern airport with an event area, where thousand of visitors are able to watch the air shows from the roof top. Well to make a long story short- the airport was in use until end of 2008. In between as one of the busiest airports in the world and later as a small city airport with the most charming departure hall with a coffee shop serving "Bruehkaffee"! But that wouldn't be a story from Berlin if there wouldn't be more stories to talk about. The building "Zentralflughafen Tempelhof" has never been finished and has never been used just as an airport. It used to be a basis of the american army, the C.I.A., german police, central lost and found berlin, hundreds of offices and of course entertainment areas for erotic shows and dancing classes.
The U.S. Air Force constructed an indoor basket ball field, bowling centre, bars as well as a sauna.


Well the airport is closed- what's next? People in Berlin hoping that they will be able to use the airfield as a green recreation area as promised around 80 years ago- a long transformation you might think, but thats not the end for sure. As this is one of the biggest development areas in berlin for the upcoming years I am looking forward the visions of this "new" area. Indeed they are different, but don't worry- there is no need to hassle as there is a in between use already with bread&butter for the next ten years. Maybe they are able to develop an integrated concept during this time for a sustainable "transformation" into one of berlin most famous city centers. The guys from Graft work on it- but there are also politicians, allotment farmers, the berlin dog association and of cause the possibility of another "Ringcenter".
Maybe Berlin need some more time for the really big things, but in between we should think about the "transformation"- there is a lot of space left for some kinky fun..

Stay tuned for more in depth reports!

What happen to Jakarta my well loved City?

Today I went back home and checked the recent news on BBC:
At least nine people have been killed, including two suspected suicide bombers, in two blasts at luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
Sometimes life simply sucks! This was not the first blast of a hotel in Indonesia and to be honest I don't think it will be the last one. Indonesia is a country with a vast variety of culture, religion and ethnics- a huge country with many different point of views. Especially in Jakarta the mix of modernity, western influences, javanese culture and moderate muslims as well as the gap between poor and rich people gives you such a special feeling while strolling around the streets which simply blows you away. For many people Indonesia is out of the way. On the other hand people should keep in mind that Indonesia is due to the recent history of developing a democratic, tolerant and moderate muslim country, the place where we are able to explore if there is a chance getting things together between the western and the muslim world!
The development is to fast that such a few people could stop the move. There are millions of people in Indonesia are not willing to follow the way of death for a religious country where they don't wanna life in. Keep in mind the majority of the muslim community in Indonesia is not on the bomber's side. Its not religion, its not in the name of the people of Indonesia- these people are simply murderer!

My thoughts are with my friends in Indonesia, who are "living" daily the indonesian way of a hearty religious and cultural rich country. I am with you and looking forward my next trip to Jakarta!

Travel the world

Time is passing by and my recent stay in Berlin sucks- not just because its Berlin, its more about Me, Myself and I. So what's the best way to escape- right, I need a change!
As my plans are fixed for London, Shanghai, Istanbul, Jakarta and Singapore I do need something new for november. This time I will do a traditional mileague run in the states: LAX, ONT, ORD, CLT, TPA, PHL and as it might be my last trip for this year I will add a sidestep to Vancouver and Hong Kong!
So if you are around- drop me line and stay tuned for my upcoming reports on traveling the world!

Intercontinental Jakarta

I had been many times to Jakarta, but this was my very first time @ the Intercontinental Midplaza and I have to say I am quiet impressed. I did got a very good deal online with a travel agent on a room only base in a standard room. During Check In I upgraded on the spot to Club Floor for a nominal fee. Room was in a good layout and comes with a huge flat screen TV, comfy beds, a huge bathroom with bathtub and shower stall as well as complimentary internet access, breakfast, snacks and drinks in the lounge during the day. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The Location of the Hotel depend on where you have to go in Jakarta- I found it very convenient as taxis are cheap and the Trans Jakarta has a stop next door. Pool, Gym and Sauna Area are well done. I will return in a few weeks!