monas

The National Monument (Monas) is located in the center of Jakarta. It is usually referred as a symbol of Jakarta. The top of this monument is shaped like a flame, made of bronze medal and plated with pure gold. 
Located in a spacious garden which is often utilized by people to exercise in the morning, or for recreation during the day and night, or flying kites, and also riding some bicycles. You can rent some mini bicycles in this park.

There are many people selling food, drinks, souvenirs, etc in this park. 

Visit this website to find out more about it : National Monument

When arriving at the gate of the park entrance you will see some vehicles called dolmans that can drive you up to the entrance of the monument for a fee. The current fare for this ride ranges around Rp. 20,000 for one vehicle. One delman can load about 4 people inside; A Delman here is decorated with the representation of the head of Ondel-ondel, a pair of giant puppets wearing the traditional custome of Jakarta. You can see Ondel-ondel in this park. But, started at April 9, 2016 this kind of delman is not allowed to operate in Monas area by the government.

Another alternative is free transportation, a mini train,  that can take you about 200 m from the gate called IRTI to the entrance tunnel across this monument which is the only way to enter and climb the monument whether you want only to go up to the cup of the monument or reach the peak of this monument. You can ride this free transportation only if you climb the monument.

   This mini train is an enjoyable vehicle to take you to go to the entrance tunnel through which you enter this monument. You can take this train back from this entrance tunnel to near the IRTI gate after you finish climbing this monument by showing your climb ticket. This is the tunnel entrance.

As a note, Monas has some gates besides the IRTI. The IRTI gate is located on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. Dirctly below is the map of Monas. The black arrow shows you where the IRTI gate and the red arrow shows you where the tunnel across the monument is located 

                     

After descending the stairs, you will arrive at the counter for the purchase of climb tickets. The ticket price for adults is Rp. 10,000 to reach the top and costs Rp.5000 to climb into the cup. I bought 2 tickets. One for the cup and one for the top, so I paid Rp. 15.000.

Then you ca walk along the tunnel and go upstairs until you arrive at the Museum of National History. Then you should go upstairs again until you find the queue of people using the elevator. I went on weekend so that was the long queue of people waiting under the cup of the monument to go to the top using the elevator. There is only one elevator here. 

After a long wait, I got the chance to enter the elevator which took me to the peak. Arrived at the peak I saw that this place was only surrounded by high walls and only trough gratings can you see Jakarta from above. These photos show the atmosphere at the top of the monument.

There were some binoculars available to look at buildings or places or things in Jakarta more clearly

And this is the view from the top:

I came when the weather was overcast, so I couldn't see Salak Mountain located in Bogor city or the airport and beach.

Feeling Satisfied to reach the top, I went down with using elevator to the cup of the monument. This is the view from the cup. This place has an open atmosphere. There are bars that prevent people from falling.

After visiting the cup, I went down the stairs. People are not allowed to use the elevator to go down from the cup. Then I arrived back at the National History Museum. Here are some  photos that show examples of what is shown in the museum.

 Felling tired, I finally left and outside Monas I saw a lot of people and a few street vendors selling delicious kerak telor. They looked very tempting........

   .But  with only Rp. 15,000 you are able to enjoy this kerak telor. It is made of rice that certainly will make you feel full although this food is considered a snack, but not a main dish.