General Info

[Joel Goodsen]

It's not only about the amount, but it will save a lot of time. In what category is NL now?

NL is in the list of visa-free countries.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...xemptions.html

The new policy aims to attract around a million additional tourists per annum to Indonesia and make Jakarta more attractive for visitors.

As an implication, I guess we can expect some price hikes in the most popular Jakarta venues within the next few years.

[UsPete]

It's not only about the amount, but it will save a lot of time. In what category is NL now?

I'm guessing a visa will still be issued but the payment counter can be skipped. As with all things in life the devil is in the detail. The good news is this new visitors visa is not just officially for tourists but also for those on social and business trips.

Unfortunately the number of entry points has been limited. I've drawn the short straw as my two common points of entry have been excluded HarbourFront, Batam and Semarang The Indonesian Embassy In London are trying to help me with this but they have told me to be patient. I can see this being a huge money spinner in Batam when weekend visitors are told they've arrived at the wrong harbour. If the Batam Immigration officer can conjure up a solution I expect it to be a very very expensive one.

The entry points are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam and Juanda International Airport in Surabaya. The seaports are Sri Bintan Pura International Port and Tanjung Uban International Port in Riau Islands as well as Sekupang International Port and Batam Center International Port in Batam. - See more at: www.setkab.go.id.

[Menteng]

President Joko Widodo has signed a law making visa on arrival again free of cost for a number of countries. Not a large saving (USD 35 or EUR 30) but every little bit helps.

Regards,

Ko.

It's not only about the amount, but it will save a lot of time. In what category is NL now?

[Member #4410]

President Joko Widodo has signed a law making visa on arrival again free of cost for a number of countries. Not a large saving (USD 35 or EUR 30) but every little bit helps.

Regards,

Ko.

[John Aldrich]

Hi there,

I'm curious about South East Asia since I've never been there. How much money would I need and where can I find cheap hostels in Jakarta? Would 1,000 dollars cover basic expenses for a month? Which other places outside Jakarta are worth checking out and not too expensive? I'm not fanatic about beaches so that is not a priority to me.

Appreciate some tips from Indonesians or expats living there!

It depends on what sort of lifestyle you want. You maybe able to get some stinky Kost accommodation for USD 100 to USD 150 a month. And you can eat out of Warung's which are roadside restaurants. Or you could go to the backpackers place in Jalan Jaksa and get a room and use the common toilets. Your major expense is going to be accommodation. In case you desire not to hire a cab and instead use the motorcycle taxi's which is known as the Ojeks and eat out of warung's, then I guess USD 1000 should suffice. But for not to be taken for a ride, you need to know the local language. But, do not bother to look for mongering with the USD 1000 for a month, unless you want to go to the sidelines of the railway lines and screw a female which the low end locals do. But, its not safe though for a foreigner to explore such nocturnal activities.

Better to come in with USD 3 K, hire a decent hotel, which you could possible get between USD 15 to 20, (Search in booking.com or in rajakamar.com) and eat in cheap restaurants and monger maybe twice a week or ten days.

Have fun,

Cheera.

[Member #4410]

As I mentioned in my post, I had no problems at all. Why should I resort to a proxy?

I am now in Atlet Century and the connection to ISG is fine using the in-room wifi, albeit not particularly high-speed.

Regards,

Ko.

[Tomasb]

I arrived in Bali a few days ago and began renting a villa a bit away from the action on the beach. Basically, I plan to be here for a few months and don't want to pay the high hotel prices for property near Seminyak and Legian Beach so decided to rent on a monthly basis and reduce my living costs.

Where I am staying is on a quiet road where taxis or cycles don't drive by so tonight I tried Uber for second time ever. The other time was last year in San Francisco to get a ride to airport from the city. First, the Uber site indicated they had a promotion until this Saturday evening, which was listed as qfree at certain times of the day. Actually, it gives you 100,000 rp credit or about $8 USD. I missed out on that rate as the evening or peak times has a charge but it was a very reasonable 15 k rp (about $1. 20 USD) from my villa to the Sky Garden in Kuta. The guy picked me up in in a nice Toyota in about five minutes from my location. The traffic was awful as we approached the Sky Garden and the driver told me someone else owns all these Uber vehicles in Bali and he is an employee, so not exactly in the spirit of independent entrepenuership that Uber likes to represent. Though at that fare price I wonder how anyone can make money. Because of the traffic, it took 20 minutes.

So I entered Sky Garden around midnight, which had a cover cost of 150 k rp with one mixed drink included. It had some sort of cirque Soliel knock off going on but somewhat entertaining for this type of venue. It was packed with tourists and shortly after I arrived, the local ladies of the evening started to arrive. The real hot ones were ignoring me (looking for Mr. Right?) though no problem with the chubbies coming over and pestering me. There was a mix of really attractive girls and some not so much. Some were young and quite a few were pushing the 40 yo barrier. Finally, a girl from Surubaya came over who was cute and owned a nice figure. After exchanging pleasantries, I asked her price and she said that she wanted $200 for all night! And she did not say 2 m rupees as I had told her I was an American. Maybe I need to return to my old strategy of being Icelandic.

Basically told her she was too expensive for me and let it ride but not before exchanging numbers. Might call her at a later date and renegotiate her ask price. Joked with her that I would have to eat rice for a week but would call her.

On my return, I walked several blocks away from the traffic, which was still quite heavy at 2 am. Then, I contacted Uber again. This ride with a new Toyota SUV, took a bit longer, maybe 10 minutes for the pickup, but was pleased to find that the charge was free due to their promotion though thought it was peculiar that they were offering a free price at this time of the evening.

My driver took me to La Vida Loca on Legian Beach, which was packed with overweight hookers and MILF's. Nary a '7' there. Around 3:45, it seemed to pick up a bit with more girls arriving probably looking for a second score for the evening but there did not seem to be a lot of punters. Naturally, they were pretty aggressive towards me as I looked like new meat though politely brushed them off. I like the SYT's and they were just not there. The night before a local guy told me the girls want a minimum of 2 m rp for all night ($150 US) and 500 rp for short time. And it's funny, at 3:30 am, it's considered long time if they stay to dawn. Kind of ridiculous given the triple weak talent there. The guy tried to justify their prices because he said they had expenses related to going to the club. Right: no cover charge, they drink soda, and try to get guys to buy them drinks.

After nursing a beer, I contacted Uber again. However, this time I (3:30 am) I could not find a ride even though the site indicated drivers were available but they never appeared to get any closer on the Google map so I cancelled a few times. Finally, gave up and decided to walk back (about 20 minutes) but was relentlessly pursued by what appeared to be several different long legged chicks on motorcycles (gender not completely determined).

But Uber did indicate the price of 15000 to 18000 rupees from the club to my villa so quite reasonable as it's about a five minute drive. Finally a taxi stopped and wanted 50 k rupees. Using the Uber pricing model, I countered with 20 rp when he asked me what I wanted to pay. He got pissed off and drove off but quickly turned around and agreed to my price so there you have it as these taxi guys are always quoting me 50 rp here to basically go across the street.

Anyway, now that I am sharpening my negotiating skills and getting adjusted to a new locale, I hope to have more dynamic reports in near future.

[Big Ass Eater]

Hi there,

I'm curious about South East Asia since I've never been there. How much money would I need and where can I find cheap hostels in Jakarta? Would 1,000 dollars cover basic expenses for a month? Which other places outside Jakarta are worth checking out and not too expensive? I'm not fanatic about beaches so that is not a priority to me.

Appreciate some tips from Indonesians or expats living there!

[Tommy Suharto]

It has been closed down.

Funny. In my post, I had put a link in to a Wikipedia article. I guess it has been removed from the forum, but I don't quite understand. Youtube links are allowed and Wikipedia links are not allowed?

Anyway for anyone who wants to read about sex mountain, just type it in Google. The Central Java Governor has banned it and effectively closed it down.

[Cooze Hound]

Long time in Ukraine. Last 5 years in Saudi. Now going out on final exit and may want to visit / stay long term around Bali. I am a futures trader and need great internet. What are my prospects?

Thanks!

LSGuy

Bali has 4 G LTE, its not super fast but better than 3 G, and depending on where you end up there are some fibre optic options.

[Tommy Suharto]

It has been closed down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLnzD42u7lU

Has anyone been here? I'm in. Let's go? Any wingmen want to come along?

[Member #4716]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLnzD42u7lU

Has anyone been here? I'm in. Let's go? Any wingmen want to come along?

[LifeSavour]

Long time in Ukraine. Last 5 years in Saudi. Now going out on final exit and may want to visit / stay long term around Bali. I am a futures trader and need great internet. What are my prospects?

Thanks!

LSGuy

[Member #4410]

Try with a proxy site. It will work, as its working now as I type sitting in a hotel in indo.

As I mentioned in my post, I had no problems at all. Why should I resort to a proxy?

[RuffNTuff88]

Try with a proxy site. It will work, as its working now as I type sitting in a hotel in indo.

Curious. I am now at the Century Park Hotel (previously Atlet Century) and accessing ISG through the in-room wifi poses no problem at all. Have the authorities come to their senses?