General Info

[Mianbao]

Thanks again to those below who replied to my earlier post. In the end I arrived earlier in the day.

For the first time visitor to Jakarta getting into the city can be a nightmare. Options are limited to the following:

1. Taxi mafia, in other words non-metered taxis that are sitting waiting. I was quoted 200k but I refuse to support this kind of operation.

2. Bluebird taxis, which use their meter however everyone wants one, hence queues of over an hour both times I was there. The system is to grab a number from the guy wearing a bluebird vest and wait a LONG time until your number comes up. To get back to the airport from the city I paid 80k from Sudirman and 100k from Sparks Hotel in north Jakarta, including tolls.

3. Damri public bus. There are a dozen or so bus routes, I used the one to Blok M to south Jakarta and Gambri station for north Jakarta, and then found bluebird taxis once in the city. I was told that these were every half an hour, but waited almost an hour both times. The bus stop attendant will shout the destination when the bus pulls up (destination on front of bus not always easy to read). You can pay at the counter or once on the bus. 20k to either Jakarta destination. The buses are reasonably comfortable if a bit old coach type.

In future my strategy will be to hedge my bets by getting a bluebird taxi number, but then stand halfway between the bluebird taxis and bus stop. If the right bus comes I'll jump on, otherwise I'll check what number the bluebird taxis get to and wait for one of those if I am getting to the front of the queue.

[Valkyrie]

Thanks guys.

It says the bathhouse business hour is only until 3am (4Play is until 5am, but the bathhouse is where the action is?).

As far as I recall, the bathhouse close earlier than that. My personal experience of last order was around 11. 30 pm (for the girls). But then again, maybe it is 3am during weekend. I did not really recall the day.

[Valkyrie]

I recommend taking a Silverbird taxi to Alexis Hotel. Search the Jakarta thread and you will learn more about it. Also google "Alexis Hotel Jakarta" and you read more. You can pay the Silverbird taxi driver to wait for you, and then keep your luggage in the taxi as they are very trustworthy. On the top floor where the "spa" is located, you can shower before having your mongering experience with the girls. I agree with Fast Eddie that trying to do blok M is problematic given your short time frame. By the time you get there (2AM) , the "backroom" at Dees Place may be emptied out.

For all the trustworthiness, I hope Mianbao will still take precaution by taking down the license and registration number of the taxi. A moment of greed might be all it takes. Good luck

[Mianbao]

Thanks guys.

I should have mentioned that I am arriving on a domestic flight so don't have to worry about VOA at least.

I've also checked the Alexis hotel website as that was my first idea, but it says the bathhouse business hour is only until 3am (4Play is until 5am, but the bathhouse is where the action is?).

I'll put more thought into it.

[John Marigold99]

I recommend taking a Silverbird taxi to Alexis Hotel. Search the Jakarta thread and you will learn more about it. Also google "Alexis Hotel Jakarta" and you read more. You can pay the Silverbird taxi driver to wait for you, and then keep your luggage in the taxi as they are very trustworthy. On the top floor where the "spa" is located, you can shower before having your mongering experience with the girls. I agree with Fast Eddie that trying to do blok M is problematic given your short time frame. By the time you get there (2AM) , the "backroom" at Dees Place may be emptied out.

Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.

To Mianbao,

There are many problems if you arrive so late and you only have 6 hr in transit, by the time you get your VOA Visa an.

The get in to town is already after 2 am acton willbe limited at that hr, you are better off change flight and stay in jarkata for a few days.

Fast Eddie 48

[Mianbao]

Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.

[Frankie555]

Personally I like to eat in the food halls in one of the shopping malls. There is one in the basement of Pasaraya Grande, just to the south of the Blok M bus terminal. I'm not sure what the opening hours are, as I usually eat during daytime and early evening. You can also get food in Jl. Pelatehan, but I never tried that.

Regards,

Ko

Lots of restaurants (and action) around Grand Mahakam. Try Koi next door or Italian restaurant across the street.

[Menteng]

Hey guys,

Possibly a really stupid question but where do you guys eat around the BlokM area normally?

My usual pattern, means that I stay in and depend heavily on hotel room service during mongering trips. But I'm currently staying at the Grand Mahakam and room service is fking terrible here! I can't believe this is allegedly a 5 star hotel (I will post a full review after my stay).

(e. G. My afternoon snack of nachos took exactly 50mins to arrive, and consisted of an obvious packet of doritos with a bowl of tomato SAUCE which I'm supposed to pour over the chips. Sigh.)

Any suggestions of food options nearby saving me from this hellhole hotel food, would be greatly appreciated! I'm also half tempted to just move to a better hotel maybe Mulia.

Cheers.

DrP

Depends on your taste. Leave the hotel, turn left and walk a 100 meters to Blok M plaza. On the sixth floor there is a food court and on the lower floors there's a Pizza Hut and others. Leave the hotel and turn right and there are possibilities on the corner. If you want good food and good restaurants, go to the Kemang area.

[Member #4410]

Hey guys,

Possibly a really stupid question but where do you guys eat around the BlokM area normally?

My usual pattern, means that I stay in and depend heavily on hotel room service during mongering trips. But I'm currently staying at the Grand Mahakam and room service is fking terrible here! I can't believe this is allegedly a 5 star hotel (I will post a full review after my stay).

(e. G. My afternoon snack of nachos took exactly 50mins to arrive, and consisted of an obvious packet of doritos with a bowl of tomato SAUCE which I'm supposed to pour over the chips. Sigh.)

Any suggestions of food options nearby saving me from this hellhole hotel food, would be greatly appreciated! I'm also half tempted to just move to a better hotel maybe Mulia.

Cheers.

DrP

Personally I like to eat in the food halls in one of the shopping malls. There is one in the basement of Pasaraya Grande, just to the south of the Blok M bus terminal. I'm not sure what the opening hours are, as I usually eat during daytime and early evening. You can also get food in Jl. Pelatehan, but I never tried that.

Regards,

Ko

[DrPecker]

Hey guys,

Possibly a really stupid question but where do you guys eat around the BlokM area normally?

My usual pattern, means that I stay in and depend heavily on hotel room service during mongering trips. But I'm currently staying at the Grand Mahakam and room service is fking terrible here! I can't believe this is allegedly a 5 star hotel (I will post a full review after my stay).

(e. G. My afternoon snack of nachos took exactly 50mins to arrive, and consisted of an obvious packet of doritos with a bowl of tomato SAUCE which I'm supposed to pour over the chips. Sigh.)

Any suggestions of food options nearby saving me from this hellhole hotel food, would be greatly appreciated! I'm also half tempted to just move to a better hotel maybe Mulia.

Cheers.

DrP

[Member #4410]

Depends on your money denomination. 50, 000rp notes is 1, 250, 000 or if its 100, 000rp notes 2-3 million. Permata Bank allows withdrawls of 3, 000, 000 but Mandiri allows 2, 000, 000. I have a Mandiri account mainly because it is grouped with ATM Bersama which is linked to most of the other banks.

An Indonesian acquaintance told me that Indonesian banks are getting better in coöperating, eliminating surcharges if you happen to have an account with another bank than the ATM you're using at any moment. Also (the subject has been discussed before) there appears to be a difference depending on which country you hail from. I am from the Netherlands and I can withdraw money using my Dutch bank card from almost any Indonesian ATM (they must have the Maestro and / or Cirrus logo) without being bothered with any service charge. The reason it is free is that I also have a Mastercard from my bank.

Demand the same service from your bank and you can stop farting about at moneychangers who will not accept used bills (B.T.W. : some hotels also do not accept non-crisp US bills).

Regards,

Ko

[Oioman]

Aloha, Thanks for the info. I just picked up 100 USD in Rupiahs from the bank. I had to request it last week. At least I have something to use as tip and fares till I get settled. I thought 100 bills was an easy carry and denomination. I'll have smaller bills but they aren't crisp. Leave in two days and can't wait.

Got a friend who will be picking me up, but don't know if he's a monger. He's going to have some rupiahs for me too to save having to go to a bank. Only going to be ther two full days before moving on but get to stay one day on the return.

I have an excursion with JAD!

OM

[KangK]

Also, what is the maximum allowed for ATM withdraws for each visit?

Thanks

Depends on your money denomination. 50, 000rp notes is 1, 250, 000 or if its 100, 000rp notes 2-3 million. Permata Bank allows withdrawls of 3, 000, 000 but Mandiri allows 2, 000, 000. I have a Mandiri account mainly because it is grouped with ATM Bersama which is linked to most of the other banks.

[Fast Eddie 48]

The banks are extremely fussy about clean crisp bills so it is true but you can still change at the money changers which abound aplenty.

To Kangk.

Yes they want new bill in Indo but they will still change it at a lower rate, In China they will run USD 100 bill into a machine if it have any marking auto reject so bring brand new one or Amex TC.

Fast Eddie 48