Been there, done that and not that again. Hands up those who have used these rhetorics more often than they've had a fun day out on a weekend. While we admit that Jakarta has a thriving nightlife industry, and that consumer spending is a booming industry due to its great distracting powers, sometimes you just want to take yourself out of the silly games pretences or the feigned interest you're forced into at a club or a shopping centre. And let's not even get us started on money matters.
No, what you really need is a day of unadulterated fun. Sure, you will still have to fork out some but, you know that nothing beats giving into the inner child in you.
For starters, you can forget about being Tiger Woods and aim for being Tigger ( all of us have accidentally chanced upon Winnie The Pooh, hot stud) and keep it easy
at the Putt-Putt miniature golf in Senayan or the Pasar Festival in Kuningan. It's mindless, it's colourful and for the love of it all, you get to whack those balls into small holes without anyone looking at you like you're killing Mother Earth's precious greens.
Or if you're more into animals, then you should head out to the Arthayasa Stables in Desa Limo, Depok or the Athena Stables in Sawangan. Ride those horses into the outskirts of Jakarta while enjoying the fresh air that you know you've been missing since living in Jakarta. Alternatively, get involved in horse racing at the Pulo Mas racing tracks. No, you will not be charging down the tracks for that day but if you really want to, you can learn how to at the Jakarta International Saddle Club in Warung Buncit.
Before we forget, you can always get involved in balls galore. Balls, guns and paint, that's it. Before you start conjuring nasty thoughts of us, let it be known that we're talking about the Splash! Paintball field, available in Kemang and in Pondok Indah.
Of course, if you still prefer your Joe Coles to your G.I Joes, then the 'futsal' field it is for you. Located at the Futsal City in Kalimalang or Planet Futsal in Kelapa Gading, these fields are bettet alternatives to the dusty fields you're used to. Well-equipped and with indoor options, your game will not be delayed even if there's a hale storm.
And there's even good news for frisbee enthusiasts! There's a Frisbee club in Senayan Sport Complex called the Discrindo Frisbee Club which holds its meeting every Sunday. Newcomers are also welcomed to try, for who knows, it might be in here that you find your true flinging passion. Hey hey, before you deem the game as a 'loser' sport, you try it and see how easy it is to catch a frisbee or even get it to come back to you.
Forget the traditional games actually. Go for something that is usually privileged for those in colder climates. Go ice-skating. Yes, there is an ice skating rink in humid and hot Jakarta. Located inside the mammoth-sized Taman Anggrek Mall, it is highly popular as a family outing spot. The rink offers courses for children and those who want to take their skating skills to a higher level. Don't expect too much space left for you on weekends, though.
When craving higher rushes of adrenaline, jump inside a go-kart and speed your way along the bump-and-grind tracks. This could probably be a good way to let out the stress which have been building up inside all week. If you are up to the challenge, try the Speedy Karting which is available in Pondok Indah and Gatot Subroto.
Ideas are endless, and so are the destinations in Jakarta. There are tons of things for you to do when you got that weekend blues. Better get your dose of sincere fun immediately and spread it to everyone. Remember, all work and no play could leave you drained someday.