Jakarta

[Joel Goodsen]

Talk about money. The continuous price rises in the most popular bars (blok M, CJ's, Bats) can be a bit hard to watch for long term Indonesian visitors like myself.

As an example. Just a few years ago, ST prices in the bars of Blok M ranged from 300k to 350k. I was happy with that. Then it became 500. Still ok. But I found myself negotiating it back to 400k every time, as it takes less than an hour to spill my yoghurt, and 500k I found a price to be inflated by tourism.

But then came the IDR depreciation, late last year. 2013. The Indonesian account balance was in trouble and at exactly the same time, ST prices jumped up to 700k.

Now, inflation and cost of living have remained stable over the time period. Showing tourism being the main factor to drive ST price hikes.

Either visitors (tourists) coming to Jakarta do not have much of a clue about the current rates or they convert to their own currencies. It must be that.

Because, if I go out to either Jakarta's North, West or East and pick up a freelancer there, prices have remained the same, give or take 50k, for about the last 10 years.

The other week, I was in the back alleys of KaliJodo. Historically, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, monger area in Jakarta. Not entirely safe, but I love being there. It is a completely local scene. No tourists. And a freelancer over there, still charges the same as about 10 years ago. Same quality, but about a third of the new, blok M price.

How much tourism has taken hold of mongering Jakarta, was shown a while back here in the forum. A guy posted that he had paid 250k for a freelancer. Being considered stingy, he got flamed for that. By many.

So even here, when it comes to pricing, most still don't understand what they are talking about. Anyway, I go to blok M for drinks only nowadays. Enjoy Jakarta.

[Fast Eddie 48]

You remember US$1 = Rp65, 000? I don't think so. In 1995-96 the Rupiah traded at about Rp2, 300 per USD. The Asian currency crisis in 1997-98 severely affected the Thai Baht and the Rupiah. In June 1998, the Rp hit bottom at Rp16, 800. It has never come close to Rp65, 000.

To John Marigold 99.

Many Indonesia businessman I talk to think they will have another bank and enconomy crsis the next few yr not as bad as the one in 1998, after the riot in Jarkata the Rp hit bottom and I remember the government reissue new currency I have to go to the bank to exhange my old currency.

Fast Eddie 48

[Fast Eddie 48]

I was in Jarkata last week visit Hotel Travel and Classic Terminal a few time, I find girl attuide is down from last yr price is the same as last yr 350k but girl are more pushy on tip than before the last girl at hotel travel is so pushy she will not open the door unless I tip her.

Fast Eddie 48

[Hilo77]

i popped into d's for a quickie (drink) on the way home from work the other night. i noticed the door of the vip room was propped open and all the lights were on inside. thinking this odd i mentioned it to the bar maid, she replied that it was because of a police raid, i asked her when the raid was and she replied "later tonight". you really have got to love a town where the peelers give advance notice to the knocking shops that there will be a raid.

speaking of d's, surely i can't be the only one who has impure thoughts about the mother / daughter team of waitresses? they could easily pass for sisters and are as sexy as all get out. unfortunately as the older lady is the missus of one of d's owners (lucky bar steward) i am pretty certain that is one particular sick fantasy i won't be fulfilling, but a man can dream can't he?

[Smoothy]

To Hilo77.

They show me the price down stair on the front desk after I went upstair and look at the girl and turn around and left, don't know why they are still in business so many place around the area have much better girl at a lower price.

Fast Eddie 48

The last time I went to Cherry was about a year ago. But at that time there were a few real gems there.

[John Marigold99]

You remember US$1 = Rp65, 000? I don't think so. In 1995-96 the Rupiah traded at about Rp2, 300 per USD. The Asian currency crisis in 1997-98 severely affected the Thai Baht and the Rupiah. In June 1998, the Rp hit bottom at Rp16, 800. It has never come close to Rp65, 000.

It's been 14+ years since I've been to Indonesia, I can still remember those great days of US$1 = Rp65, 000.

I'm finally in town for a few days, staying at Le Meridien, and was wondering what's the typical rate for the ladies downstairs at Tiga Puluh? A quick look at recent posts shows Rp400K-500K is about right for a short time and maybe Rp 1 Million for all night, am I in the ball park here? Is there a "walk of shame" from the bar or is it a straight shot from the bar to my room?

Thanks very much.

MadVic

[Fast Eddie 48]

At least you got a quote for the job, last time I was there I got a perfunctory massage after which the girl asked "ada lain?", yes there very much was ada lain so could she kindly get on with it.

"Gak bisa mister, lagi mens".

Well she damn well might have brought that piece of information up before we went to the room.

I get the impression that bules actually aren't that welcome in Cherry, maybe I'm just being paranoid.

To Hilo77.

They show me the price down stair on the front desk after I went upstair and look at the girl and turn around and left, don't know why they are still in business so many place around the area have much better girl at a lower price.

Fast Eddie 48

[Member #4235]

Can't imagine for the life of me why you would stay in the Islamic Republic of Bekasi. Sure its not a bad place to meet normal girls, but there is fuck all else out there. If she's keen, she'll come to Jakarta to meet you. Plus, you have bars, clubs and malls where you can meet regular girls in far greater numbers in Jakarta proper than in the satellite cities. But if that doesn't dissuade you, jump on a bus or train and go out there for the day. Just don't tell me I didn't tell you not to bother.

Thanks for the advice. Glad I asked. Don't think I'll be going out there!

[Hilo77]

To Hilo 77.

I was at Cherry last week too the girl there are dog and want 700k are they trying to price themself out of business, Classic Terminal and hotel travel is still 350k two girl for 525k.

Fast Eddie 48

At least you got a quote for the job, last time I was there I got a perfunctory massage after which the girl asked "ada lain?", yes there very much was ada lain so could she kindly get on with it.

"Gak bisa mister, lagi mens".

Well she damn well might have brought that piece of information up before we went to the room.

I get the impression that bules actually aren't that welcome in Cherry, maybe I'm just being paranoid.

[Member #4410]

Is it still you never got good service there since you been going there 5 years and you keep going back.

You will not get an answer from this onehanded typist. I doubt if he ever leaves the safety of his keyboard.

Regards,

Ko

[Golfinho]

To Hilo 77.

Classic Terminal and hotel travel is still 350k two girl for 525k.

Is it still you never got good service there since you been going there 5 years and you keep going back.

[Fast Eddie 48]

While my wife does frequently accuse me of having messianic tendencies I haven't quite developed any miraculous powers yet (it's a miracle that I can get out of bed some mornings but that's another story).

However if you actually read the article you will see the money quote.

"As of 3 PM, he [the Monas satpam] only reported minor flooding surrounding the park."

In other words there was a little bit of localised flooding around the Monas area for an hour or two on Wednesday morning, nothing more.

I was only ever once prevented from getting around Jakarta due to flooding and that was in February 2008 when boats were being used to transport people down Jalan Thamrin. Nothing this year has even come close to that.

I was in Mangga Besar myself on Wednesday afternoon and whilst the mamasan of the Cherry Spa did utter "Oh Christ, not you again!" I doubt if she was referring to my Sea of Galilee pedestrian abilities.

To Hilo 77.

I was at Cherry last week too the girl there are dog and want 700k are they trying to price themself out of business, Classic Terminal and hotel travel is still 350k two girl for 525k.

Fast Eddie 48

[Fast Eddie 48]

Tiga Puluh is a very pale shadow of its former self, totally unlike the way it was when you were here. You might well find the place completely deserted on a weekday, and not much better on the weekend. Also, prices have gone up dramatically all over Jakarta, you'll be lucky to get the prices you mention even at Top Gun in Blok M, let alone the hotel bars. In those bars, it's closer to a million for ST, and 1. 5 to 2 for all night. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but those days have gone.

To Gonzo two.

I was at Blok M last night most girl are dog not like the good old days 300k for all night, most good looking girl asking 1 juta for 3 hr will not drop the price even with the strong USD that is still very high.

Fast Eddie 48

[Madvic]

Well, I've never been to Tiga Puluh before, that's why I asked. I did find it this afternoon and see that it is a quick walk to the lift and upstairs. My fun times in Indo before were over at the Shangri-La in Surabaya and over on Sulawesi (I think the city is now called Makkasar?).

Thanks for the update on pricing. When I was doing some research here, a few months ago, I thought I saw ST rates were around Rp400-500K. I guess, I'll have to budget more.

Thanks!

MadVic

[Gonzo Two]

It's been 14+ years since I've been to Indonesia, I can still remember those great days of US$1 = Rp65, 000. I'm finally in town for a few days, staying at Le Meridien, and was wondering what's the typical rate for the ladies downstairs at Tiga Puluh? A quick look at recent posts shows Rp400K-500K is about right for a short time and maybe Rp 1 Million for all night, am I in the ball park here? Is there a "walk of shame" from the bar or is it a straight shot from the bar to my room?

Tiga Puluh is a very pale shadow of its former self, totally unlike the way it was when you were here. You might well find the place completely deserted on a weekday, and not much better on the weekend. Also, prices have gone up dramatically all over Jakarta, you'll be lucky to get the prices you mention even at Top Gun in Blok M, let alone the hotel bars. In those bars, it's closer to a million for ST, and 1. 5 to 2 for all night. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but those days have gone.