General Info

[Mighty Spearsman]

Do you think it's a good idea to go to Indonesia in January, during the rainy season? Do have girls in Jakarta as usual, and it's possible to surf at Bali?

I can't go before, and after, there is the general election, and I am not sure it will be a good time for mongering.

Jakarta is a huge city, it's the business center of Indonesia, the Greater Jakarta population is something between 20 and 30 million people. They live and work in the city, it's not a seasonal resort, there will be as many women in Jakarta in the rainy season as during the hot season. The only difficulty might be flooding, which is a localized problem that can pretty much happen at any time in the months from September to April, at worst it might screw up your travel plans for one evening and you'll have to fall back on an alternative plan somewhere else.

The election will have no effect on mongering. Jakarta people have got to eat, just like everyone else.

Hilo77's advice is correct. There's never a bad time to monger in Jakarta, except for the fasting month of Ramadan, which begins around March 10 in 2024, so you should be good to go if you visit in January.

[Hilo77]

Do you think, its a good idea to go to Indonesia in January, during the rainy season? Do have girls in Jakarta as usual, and it's possible to surf at Bali?

I can't go before, and after, there are the general election, and I am not sure it will be a good time for mongering.

Jakarta is a huge city, it's the business centre of Indonesia, the Greater Jakarta population is something between 20 and 30 million people. They live and work in the city, it's not a seasonal resort, there will be as many women in Jakarta in the rainy season as during the hot season. The only difficulty might be flooding, which is a localized problem that can pretty much happen at any time in the months from September to April, at worst it might screw up your travel plans for one evening and you'll have to fall back on an alternative plan somewhere else.

The election will have no effect on mongering. Jakarta people have got to eat, just like everyone else.

[Bacchuss]

Do you think, its a good idea to go to Indonesia in January, during the rainy season? Do have girls in Jakarta as usual, and it's possible to surf at Bali?

I can't go before, and after, there are the general election, and I am not sure it will be a good time for mongering.

[Python75]

Thank you OS. I kind of get the same vibe by reading the review comments about VFS on Google Maps. "Indonesia maju". But maybe not today.

So doing it online, yourself, would be the better option? And I do the visa application for her, in her name, here in Oz? I doubt she could do it herself, I didn't select her on her academic achievements.

Yes to both your questions.

[Nuttin Serious]

Just found this: The rules have slightly changed, foreigners can use their phone for a period of 90 days without registering!

I'm going back in a couple of weeks, will advise of any changes.

Yes, in October 2022 no questions asked, roaming worked seamlessly, as did vpn, and gojek also worked, I registered it before I reached Jakarta. But I don't think Gojek will work this time, it seems to only want to accept indo phone numbers.

[Tommy Suharto]

VFS global in Kuningan handle Australian visa applications. They are real pricks. She needs to have good evidence she has reason to return to Indonesia IE children, job, money in the bank. Prevous travel history always helps esp Schengen, UK or US. The Indonesian staffers at the Australian embassy can be pretty brutal in rejecting applications. Good luck.

Thank you OS. I kind of get the same vibe by reading the review comments about VFS on Google Maps. "Indonesia maju". But maybe not today.

I used: https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login to get my filipina GF a visa for Australia. It was quite easy. I filled it in myself.

So doing it online, yourself, would be the better option? And I do the visa application for her, in her name, here in Oz? I doubt she could do it herself, I didn't select her on her academic achievements.

[Offshore Swell]

Anyone that can help me with some info on flying the GF into Australia? On a tourist visa.

It's getting cold here. I only want her here for 2 weeks.

I understand I have to write her a sponsor letter (how applicable) and that she has to apply for a tourist visa in Jakarta (she already has a passport).

But where? The Australian embassy? Or AVAC? Where is that. And is it current? I googled it, but it shows up on 2 different addresses.

TIA.

VFS global in Kuningan handle Australian visa applications. They are real pricks. She needs to have good evidence she has reason to return to Indonesia IE children, job, money in the bank. Prevous travel history always helps esp Schengen, UK or US. The Indonesian staffers at the Australian embassy can be pretty brutal in rejecting applications. Good luck.

[Menteng]

I didn't have to do anything of the sort when I went in October last year. No questions about phones, numbers or values.

Just found this: The rules have slightly changed, foreigners can use their phone for a period of 90 days without registering!

[Python75]

Anyone that can help me with some info on flying the GF into Australia? On a tourist visa.

It's getting cold here. I only want her here for 2 weeks.

I understand I have to write her a sponsor letter (how applicable) and that she has to apply for a tourist visa in Jakarta (she already has a passport).

But where? The Australian embassy? Or AVAC? Where is that. And is it current? I googled it, but it shows up on 2 different addresses.

TIA.

I used: https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login to get my filipina GF a visa for Australia. It was quite easy. I filled it in myself.

[Nuttin Serious]

July, last year, when arriving at Jakarta airport I had to register my IMEI numbers and the values of my mobile phones. The officer of customs told me I had to pay tax for the one that was worth more than 500 dollars.

Is that ridiculous measure still valid? If so, we might expect the same shti for watches, laptops and so on in the near future.

And how did you deal with the mobile phone issue?

I didn't have to do anything of the sort when I went in October last year. No questions about phones, numbers or values.

[Tommy Suharto]

Anyone that can help me with some info on flying the GF into Australia? On a tourist visa.

It's getting cold here. I only want her here for 2 weeks.

I understand I have to write her a sponsor letter (how applicable) and that she has to apply for a tourist visa in Jakarta (she already has a passport).

But where? The Australian embassy? Or AVAC? Where is that. And is it current? I googled it, but it shows up on 2 different addresses.

TIA.

[JonesLover]

Hello, I know the Filippines but not Indonesia. I sometimes wonder the difference between an Indonesian and a Filipina girl. I don't mean pros, just regular girls. It's easier to meet and stay for a few days with an Indonesian or Filipina. I certainly hope that those who know both countries well will answer me. I'm really curious about it, though in general.

[Mighty Spearsman]

July, last year, when arriving at Jakarta airport I had to register my IMEI numbers and the values of my mobile phones. The officer of customs told me I had to pay tax for the one that was worth more than 500 dollars.

Is that ridiculous measure still valid? If so, we might expect the same shit for watches, laptops and so on in the near future.

And how did you deal with the mobile phone issue?

This is important info, thanks for posting it. And you're right, they may start checking laptops next.

I use an iPhone 13 in the US, but when I travel overseas, I bring a cheaper Samsung Galaxy 12 with me and buy a local SIM card. The phone costs around $155 in the US, which is way below the $500 threshold you mentioned. I also upload WhatsApp so people in the US can contact me. If something happens to the phone, it's no big deal especially as I don't have any confidential information on it.

[Menteng]

July, last year, when arriving at Jakarta airport I had to register my IMEI numbers and the values of my mobile phones. The officer of customs told me I had to pay tax for the one that was worth more than 500 dollars.

Is that ridiculous measure still valid? If so, we might expect the same shti for watches, laptops and so on in the near future.

And how did you deal with the mobile phone issue?

[Menteng]

Yes. Internationally, you can fly into Bali. It's usually cheaper to land there than CGK -- sometimes, but sometimes not. Most of the times the price difference is nominal. It mostly depends from where you're flying.

If you plan to visit both places, take a return ticket to the farthest destination and have a stop-over at the other. That is what I used to do.