HISTORY BY TORCHLIGHT by Kattie.ami

AS THE CITY SLEEPS,WE VISITS ANOTHER SIDE OF JAKARTA`S HISTORIC KOTA AREA.
If in one nite,you find yourself among the long neglected alleyways and darkened,colonial palaces of kota-the district at the heart of old jakarta-you should certainly watch your step.For recently,there have been some strange visittations in these parts,long after the night has fallen.
the history of this area begs the ghost of old dutch governors,or the spirits of long-departed merchants to march up and down its streets.But most recently,Kota has instead played host to groups of history enthusiasts,flashlight held firmly in their hands."historycal sites shoukd be places to meet and have fun" so we thought we`d start touring the most historical parts of jakarta in the middle of the night,to add some spice.
The city was known as Batavia,it was here that the dutch colonialist bilt the city hall,central post office,central bank,the main railway station and a host of impressive houses for their marchants.
Building designs were drawn from the netherlands,where houses similary lined the banks of canals in amsterdam and utrecht.With independence and jakarta`s rapid expansion ,however ,these majestic old building ,while vacated ,remain protected as the capital city`s bussines and political centers moved south.and have somewhat grim dungeons under the present-day jakrta history Museum ,once the city hall and the site of several hangings in the past." the large round stonds,like cannonballs,out on the square in front,arre the stones they would be manacled to while they were being held prisoner"
Today there are regulation in place to help preserve kota`s old buildings,with many already restored or undergoing restorative work.in addition,the district`s central square is now more alive at night than it has been for many years,with its central fountiain and main buildings colorfully lit.
There are favorite old haunts too,such as the famous cafe batavia,known for its colonial charm.yet for the true old jakarta,a walk on the wilder side by night is proof that sometimes,the history of a city is bought to life by the dim glow of a flashlight and a flicker of the imagination***