The port of Sunda Kelapa boasts an impressive history that dates back to the 13thcentury, when it was a thriving hub of culture most famous for its trade of spices, most notably peppers. Experience this and other vibrant aspects of this fascinating city when you take up residence at one of the many fine Jakarta serviced apartments on offer in the city. Consider the Ascot Jakarta which will offer guests world-class service as well as close proximity to the city’s finest dining and entertainment options, which make it an ideal serviced residence in Jakarta to host your stay. The city’s tour guides will swing by the harbours that contributed much in the way of trade and international relations during Jakarta’s tenure as a major port of call. Sunda Kelapa is the city’s old port, located in the Ciwilung River’s estuary. The name translates to “Coconut of Sunda” and it formed part of the Pajajaran Sunda Kingdom, which held sway from the 7th to the 14th centuries. Since it is now a historical landmark, the harbour hosts the pinisi, which is a wooden sailing ship sporting two masts, which serves as a freight ship between the various islands that comprise the Indonesian archipelago. The city of Jakarta itself had its origins in the port, which saw waves of immigrant influences from the Portuguese to the Dutch, who razed the city to the ground before building up what became Batavia, the colonial hub of the area, and it is now a historical area in Jakarta that rings with the colonial influence that sculpted a large portion of the city into what it is today. The Sunda Kelapa port provides an intriguing glimpse into the city’s origins and the charming pinisi provide enchanting photo opportunities for the roving camera lens.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.