RTW TP Run in Jan 2026: Day 16 – Morning in Jakarta

By Nige on February 2, 2026 at 10:26 am
Type: Post
Story: Round the World Tier Point Run in Jan 2026 Category: Travel
Tags: Hilton | Jakarta

I slept fairly well — at least by my standards. I switched the light off at around 9:30pm and didn’t wake until about 2:30am. That might not sound like much to some people, but on a trip like this, it was plenty for me.

Once awake, I finished off some admin and did further preparation for the flights over the next few days. That included completing arrival cards, double-checking visas, and making sure everything was lined up.

I also spent some time reviewing upcoming aircraft configurations, working out how many flights I had left in what I’d consider a good business-class seat versus a less-good one. This trip had already given me a remarkable spread of business-class products and layouts, with huge variation between airlines and aircraft types. This is my assessment:

• American Airways
  • SOSO: Mid-Haul A321T Lie Flat (in a pair)
  • POOR: Mid-Haul 738 2-2 Recliner (in a pair)
• British Airways
  • SOSO: Short-Haul A320 2-2 Recliner (in a pair)
  • POOR: Long-Haul A380 2-3-2 Lie Flat (individual) (herringbone pair)
  • GOOD: Long-Haul 777 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)
• Cathay Pacific
  • GOOD: Long-Haul A359 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)
  • GOOD: Mid-Haul A333 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)
  • POOR: Mid-Haul A333 2-2-2 Recliner (in a pair)
  • POOR: Mid-Haul A333 Mix of 1-2-1 Recliner (individual) and 2-2-2 Recliner (in a pair)
• Fiji Airways
  • GOOD: Long-Haul A359 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)
• Japan Airlines
  • SOSO: Long-Haul 789 2-2-2 Lie Flat (individual) (staggered pair)
• Qantas Airways
  • POOR: Short-Haul 737-MAX8 2-2 Recliner (in a pair)
  • GOOD: Long-Haul 789 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)
• Qatar Airways
  • GOOD: Long-Haul 788 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)
  • GOOD: Long-Haul A359 1-2-1 Lie Flat (individual)

I headed down for breakfast just after 6:30am and took a photo from the lift lobby that perfectly illustrated how tantalisingly close the nearest Starbucks was — and how frustratingly inaccessible it remained.

As had been the case for most of my stay in Jakarta, it was raining, and raining hard. That ruled out any enthusiasm for venturing out purely for a caffeine fix.

Breakfast was just as good as the day before, and the level of service was equally impressive.

I started with the usual western fare, before indulging in some local cuisine. That included nasi goreng, Hong Kong-style noodles, seafood with black bean and peppers, and one final dish that I couldn’t identify at all — but it was very tasty.

It had been another thoroughly enjoyable stay at an Indonesian Hilton Garden Inn. The first had been in Denpasar, close to the airport, and I’d be heading back there again in a few days’ time.

I also carried out a “clean clothes review”, mapping out what I had left and how many days I still needed to cover. I could have done some laundry here, but the room lacked anywhere suitable to hang clothes so they would actually dry.

That’s my excuse, anyway.

It was going to be a bit of a squeeze to make the remaining days work with what I had left, but worst case I could always resort to turning things inside out to extend their life.

I checked out of the hotel and ordered a Grab taxi to take me to the airport. I decided to leave at around 9am rather than wait for the Starbucks in the adjacent mall to open at 10am. I’d have access to a decent lounge at the airport — and, more importantly, an airside Starbucks.

I ended up having to book a Premium Grab, as the app claimed there were very few drivers available at that time. I’m starting to get the distinct impression that Grab occasionally promises a level of service it can’t quite deliver.

Still, the drive back to the airport was genuinely refreshing.

Firstly, I was in an air-conditioned, comfortable car.

Secondly, I got a front-row view of the mad choreography of scooters weaving effortlessly through traffic.

And finally, I had a great view of everyday life in Indonesia — people earning a living from roadside stalls, selling all sorts, adapting constantly to what was happening around them.

There’s a humility here that’s hard to miss. People don’t feel entitled; they accept things as they are and adapt accordingly. The way traffic flows on the roads perfectly encapsulates that mindset.

I love it.

Next up: My flight from Jakarta (CGK) to Hong Kong (HKG) on Day 16 of my Round The World trip of a lifetime.

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Round the World Tier Point Run in Jan 2026