JAKARTAGE...

The Cebu Pacific flight SJ 759 from Manila got delayed for an hour and it touched down at Jakarta International Airport at past 1:00 am. As I was clearing through immigration while trying to stay awake and conscious, I noticed that the airport was almost bare, silent, and semi-dark. I was still woozy from trying to keep my eyes wide open and was staggering to keep from falling as I went through baggage and Customs. After Customs clearing, I proceeded to the Exit hallway where the money changers booths are lined up on the right side. Since I had no rupiahs to pay for taxi, I exchanged 2,000 pesos for 300,000 rupiah in one of the money changer booths. I estimated the taxi fare to be around 500-700 pesos(about 100,000 rupiah) as it is the average fare at airports in KL, Bangkok, and Manila. I estimated that if I would pay a maximum of 100,000 rupiah for taxi, I would still have change from the 300,000 rupiahs I just got. So I thought P2,000 pesos would just be enough and would exchange more money at the hotel if needed. After thanking the lady at the exchange, I asked where the Blue Bird Taxi stand was located. She said I just go to the first booth before the exit. Eager to be at the hotel to drop dead in bed, I rushed to the direction where the lady at the changer showed me. I was met by a man in blue polo shirt who looked like an airport staff and he asked politely if I was looking for Blue Bird Taxi. I said yes, and he showed an ID showing the logo of Blue Bird and asked me to follow him outside the terminal. And he spoke good English.

He carried my bag as we went outside the airport. In my sleepy mind I said wow, Blue Bird is indeed the safest , trusted, and most relieable metered taxi in Jakarta. They do personalized service.  The man led me to the front of the airport where a few cars where lined up. Looking around, I saw that people were scarce and the surrounding darkness and silence was quite strange for an airport which should be busy and noisy for 24 hours. The man put my bag at the trunk of a  silver Hyundai SUV, opened the door of the backseat, and motioned for me to go in. I went inside, and as soon as I sat ,I saw that he was already seated at the front seat next to the driver. He introduced me to another guy who was on the wheel showing a Silver Bird ID. I got suddenly confused and started to become alert. Why is the taxi not colored blue? I saw photos of the Blue Bird taxi at travel reviews and for sure this is not blue. Where is the meter? How can I get the plate number? My first instinct was to get out of the car immediately but before I did it, it was already moving. Why the hell are there two guys inside this taxi?  Oh God, I'm a gonner! I was already freakin in fear but tried hard to appear calm and watchful of their movements. And my right hand was at the door locks with the intention of jumping out of the car if anything goes violent. The driver was wearing a thick jacket and his left hand was constantly inside the left pocket of his jacket. I'm fooked! Why did I not go directly to the taxi counter and prepaid the fare or get an invoice and pay the taxi upon delivery to destination! Damn mistake, all for the sake of rushing and being in a hurry to get to the hotel to rest.

The car suddenly stopped by the roadside just a few yards from the terminal exit and one of the guys said, Mister, we will prepare your receipt. They asked me where I was going and how much money do I have. I immediate responded saying, Yes, how much is the charge from airport to Menteng Formule1 Hotel. They said 300,000 rupiah plus 10,000 for toll fee. 300,000 rupiah, exactly the amount I changed from the  2,000 pesos and I'm short of 10,000 for the toll! Rip off but it's okay, I will just oblige and give them the 300,000 and if they will get my wallet, cellphone, camera, watch, I will give it all as long as they won't hurt me. Then the other guy asked again how much money do I have.  I told him in the mildest and humblest way that that was all the rupiah I had. They let me sign my name on the receipt and took the 300,000. I told them that I am from Zamboanga, Philippines and I come to Indonesia to look for work and I have a job interview the next day and I really do not have money. They were talking again and I could sense that they were arguing. The other guy asked me if i have US dollar so that they will use it to pay the toll fee and they must get at that instant. The other guy was again talking with his partner as I was getting ready with my cellphone ready to press the number of my office boss in Manila if anything goes wrong. A few minutes later, I saw them splitting the money and the other guy left. The one at the stirring wheel said, Okay, I bring you to Menteng. He contacted someone on a two-way radio and I heard he was arguing with another guy again. At this point my cellphone beeped with an incoming text message. It beeped three times and I saw the driver looking back at me each time the phone beeped. The incoming messages where from Indosat Mobile Phone activating my phone's roaming mode for Indonesia network. I grabbed my bag which was within reach from the trunk at  the back of where I sat. I'll use for cushion when I'll jump out of the car. After driving for more than 30 minutes I saw that we were already entering the city as we just exited from the expressway. Just one traffic intersection with the red light on and I'll be out of this vehicle.

I didn't know what part of Jakarta City with the traffic intersection was that but when the car stopped at the red signal, I grabbed my bag, opened the door and walked as fast as I could without looking back. I'd make a fast run if I see the man coming but he didn't. I just walked rapidly going anywhere but far from the car. I looked back at the traffic light and saw that it was green and the car was gone. Green for me too! I almost fainted in fear and exhaustion but had to make myself alert and strong for the next move. Get a taxi. I saw blue taxis passing by but all are not marked Blue Bird. Blue taxis but different names. I finally flagged down one with a Blue Bird logo. It stopped. I got inside , looked at the driver and said I'm going to Menteng to Formule1 Hotel. He said 'Formule1 Hotel ya? Okay.' Then i said "I have problem. I don't have rupiah or US dollar but only Philippines peso. My rupiah get away by taxi driver from airport. Not Blue Bird taxi. Different car. I ran away from car. Please help me." He was scratching his head and said only' Sorry, only accept rupiah'. Again I said 'Please help me. I give you 1,000 pesos. 1 peso is 170 rupiah. I give all 1,000 pesos. Or you want 1,500 pesos, I can give. You can exchange money when we arrive hotel. Please.' Then he scratched his head again and asked from where I was. I said 'Philippine'. Then he asked me to wait as he was calling somebody on his cellphone. Oh no, he's calling the police! Not the police! Everything will be complicated and more money would be required!

But I was wrong. The taxi driver called his office to ask if my request was possible and he smiled at me when he put down his phone and said' Okay we go. Pay 1,000 but I on the meter. I said oh thank you so so much with my voice already shaking.  I was about to cry for the great relief but I fought it back. Thank God! I was brought to my hotel and I gave the driver 1,500 pesos. He was refusing to accept the additional 500 but I insisted. Safe at last! What a day! What a travel! Bad first day travel. The second day can be worse, but I'm gonna reserve the best for last. My travel wasn't wasted. I'll show you why in my next blog about Central Java......

To all those Travbuddies who texted me and sent PMs with all those kind and encouraging words, thank you so very much and God bless us all!