Sunda Kelapa – A Harbour of Stylish Grace

A significant port that is intrinsically tied in to the history of Indonesia, Sunda Kelapa still welcomes various vessels on to its berths. Nestled amidst the bustling city and the towering skyscrapers this port presents an unusual scene of quietness that is strangely refreshing to the senses. One of the first sights greeting visitors when stepping on to Sunda Kelapa is that of the distinct local boats known as 'phinisi' which are docked here. These specials boats are grand and impressive in their stature making them a sight not to be missed. Having been used since ancient times they are still used locally from Sunda Kelapa to move items between the many islands of Indonesia. Visitors will also find a distinctive bridge at the harbour that would be more commonly found in the Netherlands. The cause of this alien style is the fact that both the bridge and its canal are actually remnants from the Dutch colonial period. Today the bridge has no traffic passing over it as it has been deemed a protected monument. At the harbour visitors may also have the opportunity to board some of the vessels provided that there is a sailor onboard and you are invited. Generally the sailors are quite friendly though visitors should note that they should behave respectably on the boat and not enter certain restricted areas. From the boats unique views of both the vessel and the harbour present a refreshing perspective. When wandering around Sunda Kelapa groups of workers can be seen moving to and fro unloading and loading cargo from the impressive phinisi. The nearby fish market can also be visited though getting in early is essential as much of the activity here takes places around 6am. When searching for a