Video : The kids’ first Bajaj ride!
Just in case you’re not familiar with the many different kinds of public transportation available in the (chaotic) city of Jakarta, there’s this three-wheeled vehicle called ‘Bajaj’ (read: Buh-Juh-ee).
I used to go EVERYWHERE in this when I was still a small girl living in Jakarta, in the 1980s. To school, to my friend’s house, to swimming lessons. Everywhere.
Okay, not really ‘everywhere’ because these bajaj can’t access ALL corners of the busy city of Jakarta, but I did go on Bajaj trips almost everyday back in those days.
I still remember how some Bajaj drivers drove like mad (though not all of them of course). Depending on the kinds of driver you happen to get, he could drive AGAINST the traffic flow, change lanes and overtake other vehicles in split seconds.
Bajaj rides are very noisy (read: noise from its machine) AND bumpy too! You see, it’s common to see small rocks and holes on the streets of Jakarta, and so if your Bajaj drives pass these, the whole vehicle shakes!
It’s quite an interesting ride, I must say. And we think the kids should experience it too! Hehe. Anyway, it’s been YEARS since I last took a Bajaj ride too!
So.
Here’s a video of how it went for us (the kids, me, and my mom’s maid squeezed into one). And if you’re not familiar with Jakarta, here you’ll see a glimpse of its streets, far-from-orderly traffic, wooden carts and makeshift stalls by the roadside and all. Hehe.
Click HERE to watch the clip on youtube!
Enjoy!
9 Comments »
Leave a comment!
Wilson:
hehe .. buat yang ga tinggal di Jakarta, apalagi anak-anak, seru ajah yah naek Bajaj! Sayang nih, becak udah ga gitu ada lagi sekarang di Jkt…
He..he.. ini kendaraan favoritnya Vincent nih. Kalo ke Jakarta minta naik bajaj berulang2 🙂
Astrid :
hehehe … emang goyang2 banget, liat ajah di videonya. Anya juga sampe observe depan belakang atas bawahnya dia. A very interesting ride for them 🙂
recommend : bring a maid along to accompany u, noah and johan 🙂
ntar pas beneran lu orang udah di jkt, kita tunggu nih foto2 bajaj nya hehe
Gillee… Ga pusing ya tuh anak2 naik bajaj. Good idea juga ya buat kita ntar di jkt tiap hari! Ga bisa naik mrt, naik bus… Ya udah kita naik bajaj aja. Gw tanyain Noah mau ga dia naik bajaj. Dia langsung ngangguk2 bilang mauuuuuu! 😉
Maurice :
hehehe … our next ‘goal’ : try out real ‘becak’ rides ! 🙂 I used to go on those a LOT too! Too bad we don’t see many of those around anymore these days
……………………………………………………………………………..
Siska:
My last Bajaj ride was like, 10 years ago or something too! I was so clueless about ‘bargaining’ (how much to pay for the trip) and to be ‘safer’, I brought my mom’s maid along too (and let her do the bargaining! I just hopped along when they agreed on the price).
Frankly, I wouldn’t dare going on a Bajaj with the kids, if our maid hadn’t come along with us.
And yes, didn’t wear jewellery / watch too. Dressed ourselves casually. As for the camera, well … couldn’t resist videotaping the moments 🙂 Quickly put it right inside my bag afterwards though!
……………………………………………………………………………..
Wei :
Our trip to Indo has its ups and downs. But those bajaj trips alone (return trip) .. it was a good one for us, I think 🙂
……………………………………………………………………………..
ED:
Hi there! Thanks for leaving a comment and dropping by ya …
Went and checked your site too! To me, it’s really nice to see another blogger who’s a ‘Daddy’!! 🙂
Most welcome to come by my site again anytime …
Interesting blog u have here!
Always nice to read blogs wiith an Asian Perspective
brings back memory 🙂 looks like you had a blast there!
ah, jadi bernostalgia gw. hehehe. udah lama jg ga naek bajaj. lu ga takut ditodong, Le kluarin kamera. hehehe. maklum gw pernah ditodong di bajaj 2 kali. jadi skg trauma, tiap kali mo naek bajaj, bawa duit cuma secukupnya, semua perhiasan copot. hehehe. lu di jkt di daerah mana sih, Le?
What a fun video! The crazy streets of Jakarta are indeed best captured on video. Great idea to go on a bajaj trip!