Expedition Overview
Jakarta Old Town — Kota Tua, "The Old City" — is the colonial heart of what was once Batavia, the Dutch East India Company's most profitable possession. In an area of 1.3 km², the VOC left behind a collection of Dutch Baroque warehouses, a canal system, a city hall (now the Fatahillah Museum), and the geography of an early modern trading port that has been only partially modernised. In the predawn, the old harbour at Sunda Kelapa still receives Bugis phinisi schooners — traditional wooden two-masted vessels that have sailed the Indonesian archipelago for centuries — unloading timber and loading general cargo exactly as they did in the 17th century.
Professor Nasrul Eam uses Jakarta Old Town as a case study in historical documentary photography: how to read an urban landscape that contains multiple time periods simultaneously, and how to find the images that reveal the city's history rather than simply recording its surface.
Expedition Itinerary
Day 1: Sunda Kelapa Harbour at Dawn & Old Town
4am at Sunda Kelapa — the Bugis phinisi loading and unloading by floodlight, their vast hulls reflected in the harbour. Sunrise over the masts and rigging. Walk south to Old Town: the Fatahillah Square at dawn before the bicycle tourists arrive, the VOC warehouse facades in raking morning light.
The Goal of the Day: Working harbour photography; colonial architecture in early light.
Day 2: Glodok Chinatown & Penjaringan Market
Glodok — Jakarta's Chinatown, established under VOC rule in the 17th century — is one of Southeast Asia's most atmospheric morning markets. The mix of Chinese temple, Dutch building, and Indonesian market life creates an extraordinary compressed history of the city. The Penjaringan fish market serves the entire city and is at its most intense between 5am and 8am.
The Goal of the Day: Market photography in a historically layered urban environment.
Book Your Expedition
Note: Final price may vary based on specific expedition details and customizations.
Expedition Leaders
Professor Nasrul Eam is a seasoned explorer and visual storyteller who has spent over two decades traversing Asia’s diverse landscapes and cultures. As Dean of the Department of Art and Photography at Light & Composition University, he leads immersive photography expeditions to regions like the Himalayas, Sundarbans, and Bali. These journeys blend cultural exploration with hands-on learning, culminating in a complete photography diploma. With a portfolio of over 50 publications—including The Quintessence of Photography and Illuminating Nature—his work captures the profound beauty of everyday life. His background in advertising, linguistics, and visual arts enriches his mentorship, guiding participants to uncover compelling narratives through their lenses. Professor Eam’s expeditions are transformative experiences, inspiring photographers to engage deeply with the world around them.
Travel Information
Jakarta is served by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) with connections from all major hubs. Old Town is 30 minutes from the airport by MRT + walk. Best photography season: April–October (drier months).
What to Bring
• 28–85mm range for street and market work
• Wide-angle for harbour and square
• Head torch for 4am harbour
• Secure shoulder bag (crowded market environment)
