Jakarta

[Dboy]

I'm struggling to understand the scene here in Indonesia.

I arrived in JAK Sat and have been sleeping a lot, so that has made it difficult. I'm staying at Hotel Ibis Tamarind, for $48 per night, net, great breakfast included, thru KAHA booking service at the airport (thanks Jamie Carrito). Front desk is quoting $58 for the same. But I feel isolated, no mongers, very few Western travellers, no good advice for a first time traveller.

Will move to Jl Jaska St, the backpacker hangout on Monday. Prices are very good, internet is easy and cheap (important for me) and people are friendly. From there I'll visit Block M, and I hope to meet some guys that can give me some advice.

Did some interesting sight seeing today near the port. (The port that will be flooded in two days, due to high tides and another natural event). A guide walked me through some very local, interesting, friendly areas, way off the beaten path. The most fascinating sight seeing I've done in one hour in a long time.

Later, I wanted to go to Block M, but woke up late (10:00pm) and thought Sunday night was an off night. I want to move to the Block M area in a day or so, but I don't want to pay US$60-100 for a place, as suggested by Bowerboy. Thanks for the info, but it's way more than I want to pay. So I'm looking for a place for less than $50. I tend to do ST, so I spend very little time in the hotel.

So, any help would be appreciated. I'll be in JAK for another 4 days, then Bali. Would like to meet some guys from this board, like I've done in a lot of other places. My buddies are asking for a trip report. I need some action! I'll have a phone number on Monday.

[Jkt After Dark 2]

Since the toll-road to Soekarno-Hatta gets flooded every time it rains a little heavy, I wonder, if with the predicted flood, anything could be reached then. Less the airport and hotels!

It is being anticipated. This high tide is supposedly to affect coastal areas of Jakarta including the toll-road to Soekarno-Hatta airport. I drove JC to the airport a couple days ago and I saw construction of concrete along the toll-road exposed to the tide. To block the tide I guess.

JAKARTA AFTER DARK

[Menteng]

Important news for anyone who plans to fly into or out of Jakarta on June 3rd & 4th (also June 5th), whether or not you're an American:

"The US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, informs American citizens that the World Bank warned that a record high tide is likely to flood North Jakarta next week. The tides are expected to be at an 18-year high and World Bank experts predict that flood waters could be up to four feet deep on Tuesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 4, 2008. A flood of this size is likely to cut off the highway to Seokarna-Hatta airport.

"American citizens are urged to prepare adequate stores of food and water and to expect that mobility may be significantly hampered. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware that the situation is likely to affect the entire city.

"The U.S. Embassy intends to maintain normal consular services next week, but may have to close on short notice if conditions prevent public access to the Embassy grounds."

**********************************

If you arrive at the airport and can't get into town, you do have a few options for a place to sleep. There's a decent Transit Hotel right inside Terminal 2 (where all international flights arrive); Bulai69 stayed there in February 2007 and had some good luck with the in-house massage girls who came to his room.

There's also a Sheraton Hotel located just off the airport grounds two minutes away, also a FM7 Hotel about 5 minutes drive away (this is a different FM7 hotel from the one that's near Taman Anggrek Mall near downtown).

There are a couple of alternative routes into the city, basically one-lane roads that wind through crowded low-income slums; these roads will probably be very crowded!

Since the toll-road to Soekarno-Hatta gets flooded every time it rains a little heavy, I wonder, if with the predicted flood, anything could be reached then. Less the airport and hotels!

[Aakumu]

Important news for anyone who plans to fly into or out of Jakarta on June 3rd & 4th (also June 5th), whether or not you're an American:

"The US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, informs American citizens that the World Bank warned that a record high tide is likely to flood North Jakarta next week. The tides are expected to be at an 18-year high and World Bank experts predict that flood waters could be up to four feet deep on Tuesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 4, 2008. A flood of this size is likely to cut off the highway to Seokarna-Hatta airport.

"American citizens are urged to prepare adequate stores of food and water and to expect that mobility may be significantly hampered. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware that the situation is likely to affect the entire city.

"The U.S. Embassy intends to maintain normal consular services next week, but may have to close on short notice if conditions prevent public access to the Embassy grounds."

**********************************

If you arrive at the airport and can't get into town, you do have a few options for a place to sleep. There's a decent Transit Hotel right inside Terminal 2 (where all international flights arrive); Bulai69 stayed there in February 2007 and had some good luck with the in-house massage girls who came to his room.

There's also a Sheraton Hotel located just off the airport grounds two minutes away, also a FM7 Hotel about 5 minutes drive away (this is a different FM7 hotel from the one that's near Taman Anggrek Mall near downtown).

There are a couple of alternative routes into the city, basically one-lane roads that wind through crowded low-income slums; these roads will probably be very crowded!

Hi bro MS,

Thanks for the informations, how much stock of food should we be stocking up?
How bad is this tide?

My humble two cents.

[Mighty Spearsman]

Important news for anyone who plans to fly into or out of Jakarta on June 3rd & 4th (also June 5th), whether or not you're an American:

"The US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, informs American citizens that the World Bank warned that a record high tide is likely to flood North Jakarta next week. The tides are expected to be at an 18-year high and World Bank experts predict that flood waters could be up to four feet deep on Tuesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 4, 2008. A flood of this size is likely to cut off the highway to Seokarna-Hatta airport.

"American citizens are urged to prepare adequate stores of food and water and to expect that mobility may be significantly hampered. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware that the situation is likely to affect the entire city.

"The U.S. Embassy intends to maintain normal consular services next week, but may have to close on short notice if conditions prevent public access to the Embassy grounds."

**********************************

If you arrive at the airport and can't get into town, you do have a few options for a place to sleep. There's a decent Transit Hotel right inside Terminal 2 (where all international flights arrive); Bulai69 stayed there in February 2007 and had some good luck with the in-house massage girls who came to his room.

There's also a Sheraton Hotel located just off the airport grounds two minutes away, also a FM7 Hotel about 5 minutes drive away (this is a different FM7 hotel from the one that's near Taman Anggrek Mall near downtown).

There are a couple of alternative routes into the city, basically one-lane roads that wind through crowded low-income slums; these roads will probably be very crowded!

[Nicky Vicky]

Hi guys,

Anyone know or seen this Uzbek/Russian girl name Zarechnaya Arina?

If yes, kindly let me know.

Thanks bro.

'Happy Cheong"

[Bowerboy]

I would thoroughly recommend Ambhara Hotel. It is a very nice hotel right next to Blok M and is very girl friendly. It is about $100 pwer night. I stayed there on my first trip to Jakarta and will be staying there again in June.

No hotel in Jakarta is central to everything, so you have to make a choice either way. I feel confident to say that I guarentee you will not be disapointed if you stay at Ambhara, i would thoroughly recomend it as a hotel and also for its excellenet location particularly as I was in the same boat as you having never before been to jakarta and looking for a good hotel in good location and it worked perfectly for me.

[Prince2]

i believe it was the same floor, yes...this room was new (last time i was there in nov'2007 and imho...travel management used pool area in early 2007). so ground floor is divided into two area...general area was in the left and pool tables area as described. in both area we may choose all wg.

if we wish to choose the therapist for massage, we should go to small resepsionist table in general area (see above)...and their numbers are hanged in the wall...but i don't recommend for massage here (in travel)...many complains i heard about therapists's attitude.

if you want to see the lady companionship for the karaoke, they are in the third floor...use the lift and stop in the third floor and turn your face to left...it is the lady companionship's room (many local chinese also as lady companionship).

cheers.

ahh ok, that kinda makes sense as to why they stopped me going up the stairs in the reception area. thanks for the clarification

[Prince2]

Only visited once. If memory serves me correctly, you walk into main entrance, counters on your left. Make right turn, walk to the end and there are stairs to a mezzanine floor?

Maybe senior residents can help here - but you gotta be blind to miss it

Thanks Travelr

I know the stairs you are talking about, on my second visit i started to go up them but was ushered down by the counter ladies and told to go in the main hall. Next time i'll stick to my guns and carry on up!

[Aakumu]

i believe it was the same floor, yes...this room was new (last time i was there in nov'2007 and imho...travel management used pool area in early 2007). so ground floor is divided into two area...general area was in the left and pool tables area as described. in both area we may choose all wg.

if we wish to choose the therapist for massage, we should go to small resepsionist table in general area (see above)...and their numbers are hanged in the wall...but i don't recommend for massage here (in travel)...many complains i heard about therapists's attitude.

if you want to see the lady companionship for the karaoke, they are in the third floor...use the lift and stop in the third floor and turn your face to left...it is the lady companionship's room (many local chinese also as lady companionship).

cheers.

hi bro,

are you back?

when did you come back? nov 07, nice to have you back.

cheers

[Oyenk]

there is a second floor with multiple pool tables, and at least 5 different sofa clusters of girls.

i believe it was the same floor, yes...this room was new (last time i was there in nov'2007 and imho...travel management used pool area in early 2007). so ground floor is divided into two area...general area was in the left and pool tables area as described. in both area we may choose all wg.

if we wish to choose the therapist for massage, we should go to small resepsionist table in general area (see above)...and their numbers are hanged in the wall...but i don't recommend for massage here (in travel)...many complains i heard about therapists's attitude.

if you want to see the lady companionship for the karaoke, they are in the third floor...use the lift and stop in the third floor and turn your face to left...it is the lady companionship's room (many local chinese also as lady companionship).

cheers.

[Jkt After Dark 2]

And let me guess... After the mamasan and establishment get their cuts, the girl ends up with 100k a day.

No Smoothy. Cut aplies only for the sexual service fees. And, if you read my post between the lines, the 3 million is basically tips disguise in Tequila and rose games, not fees for providing sexual service.

1 glass of Tequila or a rose cost 50K with a minimum 2 glasses of Tequila for lap dancing while most guys gave 6 glasses, few had more than one dancer. A minimum 6 roses for a dancer company in the pool area. And a minimum 8 roses for a dancer company in the shower.

JAKARTA AFTER DARK

[Gonzo Two]

Ekspat's post is from December 11, 2007 but I only recently had the chance to explore this area one afternoon. Yes, not for the faint-hearted! in fact, this is the "lowest-end" experience I've had in several years, lower than my visits to Kali Jodo in Jakarta and to Dolly in Surabaya.

Congratulations. I also went to that area over the past few weeks, but I chickened out. It just looked TOO low rent for me, I'm afraid. My Indo is pretty good, but I still thought, why the hell aren't I down in Kota instead?

Great report, though.

[Mighty Spearsman]

Interesting story Mighty, made me shudder a bit at the "low end" situation.

Did you happen to ask Reni how much she charges her "Orang Lokal" ? just curious.

Yes, the topic came up, she claimed that she would charge a local 100,000 rupiah, not sure how true this is, might be lower, probably depends on how much she needs the cash.

Can't really blame her for trying to make a windfall profit from the first foreigner she's ever f-cked. Also, I spent almost a full hour with her, those tits were fun to play with, once she got "warmed up" her service was great, and she was interesting to talk with after the deed. I suspect that most locals would spend 10 minutes or less with her, and ultimately we guys are paying for the girl's time.

I still don't think I'll go back, too many other, better options in Jakarta, once here is enough!

[Dboy]

Jaimito - Every time I try a new country, you have already been there and have lots of good advice. Amazing.

I will arrive in Jakarta on 5/31 in the morning. I'll have about 5 hotels in mind and use Kaha at the airport to check prices, per your suggestion.

Couple more quick questions for you or others. Are shorts acceptable in Jakarta? Do I need an onward ticket when I arrive SIN-Jakarta?

Thanks guys