General Info

[Travel to Monger]

Several of my friends have warned me to bypass the country claiming it is too dangerous for Americans. It will be my first visit. I want to go to Jakarta and Surubaya. What is the real risk?

I agree completely with JC and Hawaii, I feel that Indonesia is very safe for Americans and Bules in general.

The risks that you will face are of the general third world crime nature and have nothing to do with the fact that you are an American or the fact that you are probably not a Muslim.

As in most third world countries a little common sense will go along way towards keeping you out of harms way. The one item that would easily be overlooked by first time vistor would be the relative safety of the different taxi companies. I would recommend sticking to the Blue Bird group taxis after midnight whenenver possible. The company operates Blue Bird taxis and Silver Bird taxis.

TTM
Better loving through chemistry

[Jaimito Cartero]

Several of my friends have warned me to bypass the country claiming it is too dangerous for Americans.

I had some similar concerns about going to Indonesia. However, no problems at all, and even when I was in a fishbowl (Jakarta - No bule in sight for an hour), people were nice and I had no problems.

I'm also the adventerous type. I walked a couple of miles at night in what even *I* would say were not too nice neighborhoods. No problems.

[Hawaii]

Garotoz,

Don't worry!! Indonesia is safe country. You can walk anywhere without any worry. Just use your common sense. I have live in this country for a very long time and never have any problem due. Just cautius on small criminals like tieves or pick pocket.

[Garotoz]

I have a question for expats in Indonesia. I am planning to travel to Indonesia in February of March. Several of my friends have warned me to bypass the country claiming it is too dangerous for Americans. It will be my first visit. I want to go to Jakarta and Surubaya. What is the real risk? zpm me if you wish.

Thanks,

Garotoz

[Tasty1]

You can read posts in the order you are used to, meaning newest one first. You just have to save your preferences that way.

[Alifulani]

John Aldrich:

I too was at first confused by the "reverse chronology" of the new WSG forum. Buster Cherry's post on the dangers of Jakarta is from October 12, 2002 !

The most recent post is no longer seen first.

Be assured that all is well in the Jalans of Jakarta.

af

[John Aldrich]

Buster Cherry,

We are expatriates living in Indonesia and how come we are not aware that 2 dozen foreigners have been killed here yesterday. Where have they died and who killed them. In fact when the Australian embassy was bombed, not a single foreigner or expatriate was harmed. It was the poor local and lovely citizens of Indonesia who were killed. Could you kindly enlighten us as to where the foreigners were killed. None of the papers or international news reports carry such stories here.

Let me assure you that Indonesia is much more safer than walking in New York or Chicago or London.

Warning!!!!!!

If planning a run to Indonesia or Bali, it is now pure ass dangerous!!!!!!

Fundamentalist whatever the hell they are's are now striking at all foreigners. Over 2 dozen foreigners killed there yesterday by bombs.

[Bumsii]

It s always good to know where u can find the clubs here in JKT

For that found that pages that can be helpful

Normally all the Blue Bird Drivers know then the street or the Hotel/ bar name

http://www.wguides.com/city/190/subsub_126.cfm

http://jakarta24.com/listing_bar.php

So have a more relaxed stay here in JKT

[Sean EZ]

Gentlemen,

1. what do you think parties will be like in Jakarta during Xmas and New Years - is it worth going during the holidays, i.e. better or worse or same for mongering purposes? We are into clubbing and meeting girls.

2. Do you recommend learning the local language a little bit (shoot, I don't even know what it's called) by using Pimsleur approach? Or is it too different comparing it to English or Spanish?

Thank you.

[SoftLover]

Tasty1

I spent 10 days in Yogya in September and found that Hugo's Café, mentioned elsewhere on this board, is definitely the place to go hunting. It is located about 8km out of town on the road to Solo, and after 10pm it starts getting packed with girls. The clever management hands out free membership cards to keep up the supply of eligible females. Another Hugo's operates in the city of Malang (near Mount Bromo), and new ones are opening up in Surabaya and Jakarta. A negative point of Yogya Hugo's is the deafening sound of the otherwise excellent band; I finally resorted to pencil and paper for conversation, which turned out to be great fun. It didn't take me long to get tangled up with a cheerful and busty Balinese, and we retreated to the nearby Insomnia (same management) where we could work out the details on a leather sofa. The rest happened in my hotel. The next morning we went shopping, shoes for the lady, milk and nappies for her baby, money was never mentioned. Two days later she came to see me again and I slipped some cash in her bag, probably quite enough since she didn't want to give me up any more.

Department stores are also a good place, like MataHari on Malioboro, especially around closing time at 9pm.

As a general advice, take your GSM phone on your trip; SIM cards are cheap and you need it to keep in touch by SMS.

[Tasty1]

Does anyone has info on mongering places in Yogyakarta (not Jakarta). Will appreciate any info.

[Ole Joe]

I'm an old Ozzie and all the bombs in Iraq won't keep me from fresh pussy. Can't afford [and wouldn't want] the Marriott and Hiltons, and I naturally eschew nite clubs and karaoke joints, all favourite targets. Don't let the fanatics on either side divert you from the real goal and Jakarta is wonderful, hope to be there enxt after Manila.

[Jack Spratt]

Wantoknow

Try here - a HK based travel agent. Best fare I can see is HK$1880 - about US$240.

http://www02.tiglion.net/tod05/shop/air/index.asp

After today's incident at the Oz Embassy, you may be thinking of changing your plans.

jack

[Jaimito Cartero]

I think you really have to check into pricing. There are some really big differences. For instance, I only paid $700 for my RT ticket from LAX-HKG, layover for 4 days, then HKG-DPS, 23 days, and then DPS-NRT, layover 2 days, and then back to LAX.

If you use Travelocity (US version, anyway), you can set up email notices if a fare drops below a certain level. This way if they run a 1 or 2 day sale you can take advantage of it.

[Wantoknow]

Thanks for the suggestion, Member #2027. I'll look into it.