Sunda Kelapa, better known as Pasar Ikan (meaning fish market) is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. It was formerly the harbor town of Sunda Kelapa where the Portuguese traded with the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century. Just a 10-minute walk north from Taman Fatahillah in Old Batavia, the old port of Sunda Kelapa has more sailing ships - the magnificent Makassar schooners - than you ever thought existed. Large wooden ships enter here to release their cargo. These ships look much older then they are. These brightly painted ships are an important means of transport and freight delivery between the capital and the outer islands. They also provide one of the most spectacular sights in Jakarta. Decades ago they used to bring spices from the other islands to ship to Europe , mainly the Netherlands. Nowadays these ships contain wood. For a fee, old men in row boats will take you out for a closer look at the ships. Don't hit your head on the mooring ropes or gangplanks, and don't be too surprised if you get hit from above by rubbish thrown from the decks. If you get out as far as the Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) in the Bay of Jakarta, you'll probably see some of these majestic schooners under sail.Pasar Ikan - Fish Market (Jl. Pasar Ikan) - Arrive early in the morning (from 3am) for fresh fish and hustle and bustle. You can buy fresh seafood from the Fish Market and ask the cooks in restaurants in Muara Angke area to cook them to your liking. Try the side streets for an amazing variety of goods from ships chandlery to stuffed turtles and sealing wax.
Nearby Sunda Kelapa Harbor, you can find Harbor-Master Tower (Menara Syahbandar), Maritime Museum (Museum Bahari), Fatahillah Museum, Wayang Puppet Museum, Arts Museum and Beos Station.
Other things to do and see:
# Climb Harbor-Master Tower (Menara Syahbandar) to view Jakarta from the top.
# Watch the ships loading and unloading the cargo in the harbor.
# Buy fishing apparels to fish in this area, or buy fresh seafood from the market.
# Take pictures in Beos Station.
# Visit the museums.
# Attend the events done by the museum--such as open theaters portraying people in the olden times.
# Joining wayang workshops in the museum.
