•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   
•    EYEWITNESS   

On Friday, Christians across Indonesia will commemorate the holy day procession prior to the commemoration of the ascension of Jesus Christ. Although commemorating the crucifixion of Christ and his rise to heaven, the ceremony has turned into a joyous spring celebration for children and a long weekend for parents.

Easter eggs represent new-born lives inside the shells, while the Easter bunny symbolizes a new hope, spirit and soul for the changing season of spring, which is an analogy for a new life for mankind.

There are various ways to celebrate the day, including at parks, hotels, restaurants and malls, as Easter serves both as a religious day and a holiday for Indonesians, particularly in Jakarta. For instance, ITC Permata Hijau Shopping Center will hold baby pageants, a baby crawling race and a spelling competition.

Depok Town Square will hold an Easter Photo Contest on Saturday. While Carrefour will celebrate Easter Day with a baby dance competition, a crawling race and a healthy baby pageant.

Among the hotels hosting events in Jakarta, the JW Marriott will hold offer a “Speggtacular Easter at JW Marriott” for guests, which will include an Easter brunch package at Sailendra Restaurant. The Easter brunch will feature a sumptuous array of traditional Easter delicacies, fun-filled kids activities and an opportunity to support a good cause.

Part of the proceeds from the Easter brunch will go to Rumah Sahabat Anak Puspita, a shelter for street children. JW Marriott is also offering a special rate for its rooms at $120++ per night.

The Ritz-Carlton will pamper your taste buds with its Easter brunch package at ASIA restaurant, presenting Asian cuisine for Rp 308,000++ ($42) per person, and at LOBO restaurant with its Italian delights for Rp 398,000++ per person. Both restaurants will also provide a free flow of ice tea, juices and soft drinks for the brunch packages.

The InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza will ensure a memorable day with its Easter Sunday brunch at Java and Scusa, which will feature classic Easter dishes to tantalize the taste buds. There will be a Kid’s Corner to keep young ones entertained with Easter activities such as egg painting and a fun Easter egg treasure hunt.

It will also have a giant chocolate Easter egg on display where everyone is welcome to try to guess its weight. The closest guess wins an attractive prize. All of this can be obtained for Rp 248,000++ per person.

Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta will hold a special Easter brunch on Sunday as well, at Signatures restaurant. Signatures will offer a sumptuous Easter brunch with a large selection of specialty food stations. Executive chef Andrew Phillips has prepared a tasty combination of Asian and Western cuisine, including prawns, scallops and asparagus in XO sauce, beef dabu-dabu, chicken with lemon grass and chili, fried rice with salted fish and beef floss, lamb cutlets with walnut crust, salmon fillet with Mediterranean salsa, beef tenderloin with four-peppers sauce and chicken with Mascarpone, lemon and rosemary.

Signatures Easter brunch will cost Rp 348,000 ++ per person, including a free flow of soft drinks and juices. Children under 5 years of age can eat at no charge while children between the ages of 6 and 12 eat at half price. A kid’s corner will be available to entertain children with fun activities such as egg hunting games, finding the bunnies, watching Easter movies and egg painting.

The Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta will offer something “egg-stra” during Easter with a special room package, Easter brunch at Seasons cafe and a selection of Easter gifts at the deli. Guests will be able to celebrate Easter with family and friends and indulge in Four Seasons’ service with the hotel’s Easter package. Special Easter packages start from Rp 999,000++ per room per night.

Celebrate Easter with a glorious brunch affair at Seasons cafe with a wide selection of International dishes and Easter delicacies, including favorites like Beef Wellington, maple-glazed salmon fillet, whole roasted duck with wild berry sauce and whole turkey roasted with corn bread-chestnut stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry compote.

Bring the kids along as Seasons Cafe has planned an Easter egg hunt and a variety of fun games, including a chocolate workshop for the little ones. Easter brunch is available on Sunday at Rp 355,000++ per person, including a free flow of sparkling wine and juices. Kids Brunch begins at Rp 160,000++ per child. The Deli will also be selling a broad selection of homemade chocolate Easter eggs and rabbits, which make perfect gifts for young ones or anyone who loves chocolate.

These special Easter gifts are available at the Deli from today until Sunday, starting at Rp 105,000 net.

Enjoying a three-day weekend is a rare opportunity for families to gather and to celebrate Easter Day in sumptuous warmth. Though the national holiday will take place on Friday, Christians in Indonesia usually celebrate the holiday from Wednesday until Sunday.

Thus, it will be a very long holiday for the whole family. You and your family can take a trip out of town, spend your time at amusement parks or have a luxurious dinner at a restaurant. You can even make the most of the long holiday by taking a healthy break from the mundane daily routine and stay at a luxury hotel.