Jakarta

[KilledSoul]

On a side note, us Yankees call them burgers. I've never said I'm going to McD to get a "sandwich".

I was asked in Seattle McD whether I just wanted sandwich or combo, after ordering a double quarter pounder.

[Onojdi]

I looked at this also, with the same result, so you are not missing anything. But there is a contact form http://maliohotel.com/contact-us/ so you could try that, and post the outcome on here.

Very strange. I just try to send them a message via contact form but I got the "There was an error trying to send your message. Try again later. " Then I sent them an email but got the "Your message wasn't delivered to info@maliohotel.com because the address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail. " So Classic will be.

But I will try Malio at least once. I read a lot of positive reviews on ISG and it seems like a place that must be visited while in Jakarta. But I did not find exact info about the price options, so can someone tell what future visitors can expect to pay about the girl plus the room? Also is there any spa packages that includes FS combined with the typical spa extras and what are the prices if there is that kind of entertainment? And yes, I guess that someone already wrote something about that but honestly I read more than 70 pages (and keep reading) and did not find specific price options. So please don't be rude answering "read the forum" kind of things, Jakarta forum is like 10 times the size of Tolstoy's War & Peace.

[Smoothy]

I took the bus to Bali once many years ago. It's not dangerous at all. As long as you have an entire day to [CodeWord140] away on a bus, it's fine I guess. I tried it for the same reason you want to try it, for the local culture experience. I found it to be a pain in the ass and very little cultural experience. Just a long bus ride. I wouldn't do it again because it's too cheap to fly to justify sitting on that bus so long. Don't expect any attractive girls to be on that bus, the attractive ones fly.

I was in Jogja not long ago and met a young couple from Europe who were there "for the local experience". They had rented a little house for a month out in the middle of nowhere that had no air conditioning and no tv. For transportation, they rented a motorbike, and they bought food at the local market and cooked at home every night. Personally, I can't imagine a more boring way to spend a month, but they seemed to love it. If you are like that couple, you may actually enjoy that Jakarta to Bali bus. I bet they would have.

My recommendation is to fly.

On another note, I'm curious to see if Malioboro hotel is an actual hotel with rooms you can stay in. I had always thought all rooms in that hotel were reserved for sex with the prostitutes they have in the place. I've never seen anyone checking in or out of that place with luggage.

[MaxAircon]

Thanks to all of you about the info and the advices, much appreciated. ........

...... Strangely I can not find Malio hotel on booking / agoda / hotels, and at the maliohotel.com can not find a way to book a room, only brief room info and contact us section. Did I missed something or the only way to book a room is on site?

I looked at this also, with the same result, so you are not missing anything. But there is a contact form http://maliohotel.com/contact-us/ so you could try that, and post the outcome on here.

[MaxAircon]

It's close to 1,200 km and would be a pretty long, painful trip. You could easily spend a couple of hours just getting out of Jakarta if your timing is wrong. If you don't want to fly you could try the train to Surabaya and bus from there.

Completely agree, in fact it would be virtually insane. I can endorse the train if surface transport must be used. CzarNicholas, just google 'train Jakarta to Bali' for further guidance.

[CzarNicholas]

I like to use the website https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Jakarta/Bali-Indonesia for local travels when I travel.

I was thinking the bus for immersing myself into the local cultures.

I was worried about criminals ala central America.

But forgot about the dangers of travelling in developing nations via tour buses.

Its can be dangerous anywhere, but I have seen many horrible accidents in the news in areas like Asia south and central America.

I have even see in the news roll overs in the states with many fatalities (usually due to snow).

I will explore other options?

The train reminds me too much of an airplane experience, and I absolutely abhor every aspect of flying (not very good at seeing how the locals are living).

Just took the overnight train to st Petersburg from Moscow / it sucked.

So I took the high speed train in the reverse / not any better / just faster and cost double, without the luxury of being able to lie down in bed.

American trains suck as well, not a big fan of those in Deutschland either.

[Onojdi]

Thanks to all of you about the info and the advices, much appreciated. After reading the last 50 pages and paying special attention to your advices, I decide to expand the 3-day trip to 5 day and then to go to Bali. The idea was 2-3 days in Jakarta and 15 in Bali combining local girls, beautiful beaches and trip to all the interesting tourist places in Bali.

But I think 2-3 days in Jakarta will not be enough, so it will be 4 days mainly pussy party exploring most of the places that you told me about then more relaxed and diverse Bali trip. I just booked the tickets so now I know exact dates. It remains to book the hotel. I'm choosing between the Classic and Malio hotels. Strangely I can not find Malio hotel on booking / agoda / hotels, and at the maliohotel.com can not find a way to book a room, only brief room info and contact us section. Did I missed something or the only way to book a room is on site?

[Kerrstar]

Try searching "TransJakarta" rather than MTR.http://transjakarta.co.id/peta-rute/

Good link, the legends on the side have English as well. The urban rail link is below.

http://www.urbanrail.net/as/id/jaka/jakarta.htm

[Kerrstar]

Is it safe for a solo 51 yo white guy to bus it to Bali? Sure I could fly, but I can't see much from 40000 feet.

It's close to 1,200 km and would be a pretty long, painful trip. You could easily spend a couple of hours just getting out of Jakarta if your timing is wrong. If you don't want to fly you could try the train to Surabaya and bus from there.

[Goferring]

Forgive me if this info is somewhere in here. I started reading this thread from December 28,2018 (which is now Pg 54). I am presently only on January 21,2019 at Pg 43. I have a long way to go. It's hard to find the time when I have a lot of work to accomplish. Anyway, I will be in Jakarta on September 4, so I don't have much time.

I used Google, saw a lot of maps. But they are not meant for downloading. The megapixels were very low and blur when increased in size. Thanks in advance.

Funman13.

P.S. : I have been to Jakarta several times.

Try searching "TransJakarta" rather than MTR.

This is a composite map. I'm not too sure how good your Bahasa is but rute=route and peta=map.

http://transjakarta.co.id/peta-rute/

Enjoy. G.

[Zippos]

Download an called Ulmon City Map Andy it's free version lets you store / download up to 5/6 city maps. It uses phone GPS to do real-time offline tracking. Telkomsel Internet is relatively cheap and you may want to just use google maps. Nothing beats that.

If your heart is set on Paper Maps, try any of those tourism centers plus hotels lobby should have a tourist map. Hope that helps.

Forgive me if this info is somewhere in here. I started reading this thread from December 28,2018 (which is now Pg 54). I am presently only on January 21,2019 at Pg 43. I have a long way to go. It's hard to find the time when I have a lot of work to accomplish. Anyway, I will be in Jakarta on September 4, so I don't have much time.

I used Google, saw a lot of maps. But they are not meant for downloading. The megapixels were very low and blur when increased in size. Thanks in advance.

Funman13.

P.S. : I have been to Jakarta several times.

[FunMan13]

Forgive me if this info is somewhere in here. I started reading this thread from December 28,2018 (which is now Pg 54). I am presently only on January 21,2019 at Pg 43. I have a long way to go. It's hard to find the time when I have a lot of work to accomplish. Anyway, I will be in Jakarta on September 4, so I don't have much time.

I used Google, saw a lot of maps. But they are not meant for downloading. The megapixels were very low and blur when increased in size. Thanks in advance.

Funman13.

P.S. : I have been to Jakarta several times.

[Goferring]

Is it safe for a solo 51 yo white guy to bus it to Bali? Sure I could fly, but I can't see much from 40000 feet.

The chances of being assaulted or mugged are very low. Pickpockets do occur on the low end busses though so keep an eye on your belongings.

I'd be far more concerned about a traffic accident than safety. Especially with the Express night busses. They drive at insane speeds even by Indonesian standards, on any side of the road and collisions or rollovers resulting in multiple fatalities are common. I took one once. Never again.

Have you considered the train to Bunyuwangi?

A very pleasant trip.

Enjoy. G.

[Zippos]

What about train if you are really looking towards no time issues journey and wanted to see the country. Also, would give you the options of stretching your legs while on the go. I would definitely take a train over bus for sure.

Is it safe for a solo 51 yo white guy to bus it to Bali? Sure I could fly, but I can't see much from 40000 feet.

[CzarNicholas]

Is it safe for a solo 51 yo white guy to bus it to Bali? Sure I could fly, but I can't see much from 40000 feet.