Wali Songo 06: Time To Say Goodbye...

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today..." - Malcolm X

(A gesture of Añjali Mudrā, a sign of respect, welcome and goodbye)

Day 06: 13 Oct 2025 (Monday)
Route: Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur
Flight: OD 349 CGK 1630/KUL 1945 (Batik Air)

When we had our breakfast at the hotel café, there was excitement in the air. Some were already feeling homesick, while others looked forward to some last-minute shopping for Indonesian oleh-oleh to bring home. Since our flight was scheduled in the late afternoon, we still had time for a brief photo stop at Monas, the National Monument of Indonesia.

Standing proudly at 132 meters in the heart of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, Monas was built to commemorate Indonesia’s struggle for independence. Its golden flame, covered in gold leaf, symbolizes the undying spirit of the Indonesian people. Next to Monas stands Istana Merdeka, the official residence of the President of Indonesia. We only managed to take pictures from afar but were still moved by the monument’s grandeur and symbolism.

Our next visit was to the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Located in Central Jakarta, near Merdeka Square and directly across from the Jakarta Cathedral, the mosque was built to celebrate Indonesia’s independence. Completed in 1978, it was designed by architect Frederich Silaban and can accommodate more than 120,000 worshippers. Its grand modernist design - with a vast dome, tall minaret, and marble interiors - beautifully represents national unity and religious harmony.

Our final stop was Thamrin City Mall for some last-minute shopping before heading to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for our return flight to Kuala Lumpur.

As we left Jakarta behind, a gentle sadness filled our hearts. Our journey through Java had come to an end. It was hard to part with a land so deeply rooted in history, faith, and timeless beauty. Every step here felt like walking through living stories, and leaving felt like closing a precious chapter of our travels.

Our Batik Air flight OD311 departed half an hour late, and by 8.20 pm we arrived safely in KLIA. Alhamdulillah.