General Info

[Koperen Ko]

I'm sorry Ko, but I hope none of the ISG forum readers/members has booked at one of the Sofyan hotels in Jakarta. The girl must show a KTP showing the same address as the guy's when she want's to go past the reception.I did not try every hotel in Jakarta (plain impossible, of course) but in the past 20 years I have never encountered a hotel where so much as an eyebrow was raised when I walked in the frontdoor with 1, 2 or 3 girls with me. This included situations when the girl(s) was / were clearly not the same one as the day before.

Even after security was stiffened after the J. W. Marriott bombing my ladies never had to show any ID, their handbag did have to pass the metal-detector though.

Often (the Atlet Century and Ibis Mangga Dua spring to mind) the girls could come to my room without me coming down to fetch them when I had phoned them for a "meeting".

Other cities, including South Kalimantan, were the same.

This experience prompted my reaction. Was I plain lucky over the years or are these Sofyan hotels (never heard of them) an exception?

[Doggy 43]

Hi

Any recommendations into getting into Blok M at past the hr of midnight. I checked with amaris hotel if they have pick up service, but they didn't respond. There check in seems to be at 2. 000pm. (don't know)

Any recommendations for a better hotel in blok M around 400, 000 (which allows women) and whether they will pick you up for a nominal fee.

Airasia from saigon offer a great deal about 120. 00us return but arriving time not so appealing).

Plan to stay in jak for maybe 2 weeks

Thanks again for your generous assistance.

[Bulai69]

I assume you mean getting in from the airport which presumably you've not been to before? There is no problem at all getting a taxi - but go directly to the taxi rank, NOT the several small offices you will see as soon as you pass security on the way out. I have seen and heard guys pay Rp500k for a taxi which you can get for Rp100k by walking another 50 metres. Make sure they switch the meter on. The (black) Silver Bird taxis are slightly more expensive than the (blue) Blue Bird taxis.

[Menteng]

This experience prompted my reaction. Was I plain lucky over the years or are these Sofyan hotels (never heard of them) an exception?

I'd say, why don't you RTFF? Use the "search" function and you'll find postings by a.o. MasterDiverII, KLGuy and myself.

Niks persoonlijks, Ko.

[John Aldrich]

Hi

Any recommendations into getting into Blok M at past the hr of midnight. I checked with amaris hotel if they have pick up service, but they didn't respond. There check in seems to be at 2. 000pm. (don't know)

Any recommendations for a better hotel in blok M around 400, 000 (which allows women) and whether they will pick you up for a nominal fee.

Airasia from saigon offer a great deal about 120. 00us return but arriving time not so appealing).

Plan to stay in jak for maybe 2 weeks

Thanks again for your generous assistance.


You can check into Hotel Melawai in Blok M for that budget. You have a bordello in the 6th floor and can get girls from outside and also have an orgy if you so desire

[Koperen Ko]

I'd say, why don't you RTFF? Use the "search" function and you'll find postings by a. O. MasterDiverII, KLGuy and myself.

Niks persoonlijks, Ko.Not taken personally, but hotels that are not girl friendly are few and far between, both in Jakarta and in the all other areas (Aceh excepted). The vast majority is not interested in what you do in your room with whom. The few who are not girl friendly are so exceptional that they receive special mention in the forum.

I did trawl for some postings by KLGuy and the only ones I found told of taking armies of girls to his room.

But never mind. I think you should not draw so much attention to the few spoilsports among the hotels.

Even goede vrienden.

[Menteng]

But never mind. I think you should not draw so much attention to the few spoilsports among the hotels.Maybe I should. It's additional information for fellow mongerers about the existence of spoilsports among the hotels of Jakarta.

[Doggy 43]

I arrive at 12.00 Midnight.Is there a money exchange office inside the airport when you arrive.

Thanks

[Doggy 43]

I will be staying at Mercure resko in jak are there many money changes around there or ATM machines that accept credit card.

Any ANZ ATMs around there.

Or do I have to go to a big bank to change Aussie dollars or US dollars.

[Non Olet]

I arrive at 12.00 Midnight.Is there a money exchange office inside the airport when you arrive.

ThanksDear Doggy

There are several money changers at the airport and recently I also discovered an ATM, all before you go through customs (don't know which bank). The taxi boots just after customs also accept credit cards.


I will be staying at Mercure resko in jak are there many money changes around there or ATM machines that accept credit card.
You'll find ATM,s all over the city. Try any shopping mall or ask the bell captain, or any taxi driver.

Have Fun,

NO

[Cooze Hound]

I arrive at 12.00 Midnight.Is there a money exchange office inside the airport when you arrive.

ThanksLook, like it was pointed out, there is an ATM just after immigration. It will take a Visa or Mastercard and spit out some cash. If you are transiting in Singapore you could pick up some IDR at the money changer at the airport if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Use a luggage boy, they will find you , but they all have the same color shirt on with numbers etc. He will get you through customs and to the taxi of your choice which in this case should be either Silverbird or Bluebird. SIlverbird is a higher end car etc but maybe thin on the ground after midnight. Bluebirds are fine also. Both drivers will pay the Tolls for you. Alternatively at the first toll gate give the driver one of your new 50,000 notes and he will pay and give you the change so then you have some smaller money. There is an airport fee of 7-9000 IDR plus tolls of up to 11,000 IDR so allow that when you pay at the end, plus a tip.

When you come out of the terminal, following the baggage boy tell him you want to buy a drink and he will take you to a kiosk and then you can get some change. 20,000 IDR will take care of him unless you have 3-4 big cases.

Or pay the baggage guy $5 USD if you do not change money and he will be your friend for life. The ATM will give you 50,000 IDR notes. Blue by the way.

Right, enjoy yourself and let us know how you get on with the girls.

[Hung Man 1808]

I will be staying at Mercure resko in jak are there many money changes around there or ATM machines that accept credit card.
One at the front gate as you drive in. BCA from memory. A bit further north at the large 'glitzy' Glodok plaza there are more. I think there is one machine there that spits out 100,000 rp notes. I think there is also 100,000 machine at Lokasari plaza down Mangga Besar - 50,000rp notes get a bit bulky to carry around when you get to 1 million or so for the night.

Never had a problem with a machine in that area, nor anywhere in Jakarta.

For a first run, getting multiple 50,000rp notes, buying a drink in one shop, a snack bar in another, and maybe something else at another shop. They'll grumble a little, but you'll get enough smaller change to face the onslaught of: taxi drivers!

Having said that, I've experienced the miracle of being a lone bule in a taxi who has received: Change! All 2 to 4k of it. And no the city didn't freeze over too..

[Menteng]

I will be staying at Mercure resko in jak are there many money changes around there or ATM machines that accept credit card.

Any ANZ ATMs around there.

Or do I have to go to a big bank to change Aussie dollars or US dollars.Do not bring too much foreign money. Just enough to pay your visa at the airport and possibly small notes for tipping.

I avoid moneychangers for the exchange rates. I believe ATM's are the best. There are a couple in the arrival hall of the airport. The only ANZ ATM I know was at jalan Sudirman, near Ratu Plaza.

[1Ball]

I am sure this has been covered many times.

How and where can I open a bank account?

I have a business visa, no KITAS.

thanks

[Jijjy]

I opened one at Bank Permata. A friend of mine knew the manager though, so i'm not sure if that helped or not. You cannot open a business account though, it has to be personal.

JF


I am sure this has been covered many times.

How and where can I open a bank account?

I have a business visa, no KITAS.

thanks

[Cooze Hound]

I am sure this has been covered many times.

How and where can I open a bank account?

I have a business visa, no KITAS.

thanksBali is much more tolerant, or open to bending the rules, than Jakarta. Mandiri in Sanur will do it. Some people have success with Permata also.

[1Ball]

Thanks guys. Seems they are tightening their reins.
My assistant has tried all of these. No luck

[Asian Fix]

I'm considering bringing my penis pump to Indo on my next trip. Is that going to get me in trouble? What about taking apart the pieces and separating them in my luggage so it's not obvious what is?

[Valkyrie]

I'm considering bringing my penis pump to Indo on my next trip. Is that going to get me in trouble? What about taking apart the pieces and separating them in my luggage so it's not obvious what is?I believe there is no law against it except if by chance you are a muslim for which I believe they can presecute you under ridiculous islamic law such as adultery or even ossibility of it.

Aside from that, the airport people may have a good laugh at it and just wave you away. Had a lady friend that brought lots of toys passing customs from Bali, and then Japan and to Canada. She got them across safely aside from slight loss of modesty. Just prepare yourself for some embarassment.

[Fast Eddie 48]

I'm considering bringing my penis pump to Indo on my next trip. Is that going to get me in trouble? What about taking apart the pieces and separating them in my luggage so it's not obvious what is?Asian fix,

Just check it in is not illegal just don't bring it on your carry on, but I like to ask you why are you bringing this with you, there are so many girl in Jarkata that give you a good pumping you don't need that.

Fast Eddie 48

[Sol111]

The exchange rate today for US dollar to IDR is 1 : 9,285. I had my bank transfer some cash to me in IDR here in the States, they gave me 1 : 7,200. Great...

[Manta72]

Hope this is the correct forum.

Coming from Aus with Next G mobile. Want to pick up a local phone number/sim card for the few days I am there. I RTFF and searches on mobiles came up with several thousand hits.

Will be in Bali, Kuta specifically and would like advice on where to buy and what to buy, is pre paid available, do you have to sign up to anything etc.

Thanks in advance

[Cooze Hound]

The exchange rate today for US dollar to IDR is 1 : 9,285. I had my bank transfer some cash to me in IDR here in the States, they gave me 1 : 7,200. Great...

Guys .. just use your Credit Card at the ATM's just after immigration ( in Jakarta) or change a small amount of USD or whatever currency and take the small hit in rates. Much better than the 7200 Sol111 experienced.

[Cooze Hound]

Hope this is the correct forum.

Coming from Aus with Next G mobile. Want to pick up a local phone number/sim card for the few days I am there. I RTFF and searches on mobiles came up with several thousand hits.

Will be in Bali, Kuta specifically and would like advice on where to buy and what to buy, is pre paid available, do you have to sign up to anything etc.

Thanks in advance

Any phone counter in Kuta will sell you a SIM card. Card will cost around 20,000 IDR with a small amount of pulsa already in it. Get the shopt to put in another 50,000 IDR at the same time. It needs to be registered but they will do that for you. And it is all prepay. Suggest ProXL . I have used them for years and have good Bali and all areas coverage.

[Sharka]

Guys .. just use your Credit Card at the ATM's just after immigration ( in Jakarta) or change a small amount of USD or whatever currency and take the small hit in rates. Much better than the 7200 Sol111 experienced.


Actually, best to use your home ATM bank card instead as the fees are less than using a credit card for ATM withdraws. The exchange rate will be market rate and the only charge will be a set fee for withdraws so best to withdraw a larger sum.

Shark

[FriendlyPlanet]

Coming from Aus with Next G mobile. Want to pick up a local phone number/sim card for the few days I am there.

You need an unlocked handset- Telstra locks their handsets on postpaid contracts, so check with them before you go (or find someone with Optus, borrow their SIM, stick it into your handset and see if it still works).

Also, Next G operates on a strange frequency (850/2100 mhz wcdma), while Indonesian operators are 900/1800/1900. Most handsets now are multi-frequency world phones, but you might have a more limited one (particularly if you got one of the Telstra branded ZTE Next G phones)...


Actually, best to use your home ATM bank card instead as the fees are less than using a credit card for ATM withdraws. The exchange rate will be market rate and the only charge will be a set fee for withdraws so best to withdraw a larger sum.

Definitely ATM card over a credit card advance. But US banks all charge a % on overseas ATM withdrawals, so you no longer get market rate exchange rates. Typically you are looking at 2-3% on every transaction. Best exchange rate is cash- clean $50's and $100's, if you are comfortable carrying cash...

[1Ball]

I am sorry, I saw a post a while back with info about flights from CGK to MNL, but I can't find it.
Does smeone know an inexpensive way to do this flight?

Thanks

[Sol111]

I am sorry, I saw a post a while back with info about flights from CGK to MNL, but I can't find it.
Does smeone know an inexpensive way to do this flight?

Thanks

Cebu-Pacific airlines. Flights depart around midnight from CGK to Manila 3-4 nights a week. Fairly inexpensive non-stop, if you dont mind arriving MNL at 5:30am.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/

[1Ball]

Cebu-Pacific airlines. Flights depart around midnight from CGK to Manila 3-4 nights a week. Fairly inexpensive non-stop, if you dont mind arriving MNL at 5:30am.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/
Much obliged, Sir.

[Lama Di Bali]

best to withdraw a larger sum. Shark

Sharka is right. Better to bring an ATM card with you, rather than cash advance on a credit card.

But here's something to consider, given that many overseas banks charge a fixed transaction fee for an ATM withdrawal (in other words, whether you take out one dollar or a thousand, the fee will cost you the same.)

Almost all of the first generation ATMs in Indonesia only dispense Rp50,000 banknotes. There seems to be a limit of 25 notes they can dispense, so most ATMs will let you withdraw ONLY Rp1,250,000 which is a derisory US$140.

Up until recently at least, BCA (look for the blue signage) was the only local bank with many ATMs that dispense Rp100,000 banknotes, so with these you get Rp2,500,000 maximum withdrawal.

BCA has stickers on the front of their ATMs which say what banknotes are dispensed, but many other banks do not have a sticker. You can safely assume they only contain fifties.

Now, that said, the new generation ATMs which are appearing (and I'm talking specifically Mandiri, which is my bank )seem to be mostly Rp100,000 but you generally only find these new machines in the front foyers of new Mandiri branches.

So... look first for BCA ATMs, check that they have the Rp100,000 sticker on them, and you're sweet.

Perhaps some other resident can update which other banks now have machines that also dispense hundreds and in sufficient quantity.

[Jaimito Cartero]

I've been getting 100k notes out of many Citibank locations for many years. Some banks not only have the 25 note limit, but also limit the total amount taken. I've had some that only let you take out 500k at a time. That sucks!

[Menteng]

Sharka is right. Better to bring an ATM card with you, rather than cash advance on a credit card.

But here's something to consider, given that many overseas banks charge a fixed transaction fee for an ATM withdrawal (in other words, whether you take out one dollar or a thousand, the fee will cost you the same.)

Almost all of the first generation ATMs in Indonesia only dispense Rp50,000 banknotes. There seems to be a limit of 25 notes they can dispense, so most ATMs will let you withdraw ONLY Rp1,250,000 which is a derisory US$140.

Up until recently at least, BCA (look for the blue signage) was the only local bank with many ATMs that dispense Rp100,000 banknotes, so with these you get Rp2,500,000 maximum withdrawal.

BCA has stickers on the front of their ATMs which say what banknotes are dispensed, but many other banks do not have a sticker. You can safely assume they only contain fifties.

Now, that said, the new generation ATMs which are appearing (and I'm talking specifically Mandiri, which is my bank )seem to be mostly Rp100,000 but you generally only find these new machines in the front foyers of new Mandiri branches.

So... look first for BCA ATMs, check that they have the Rp100,000 sticker on them, and you're sweet.

Perhaps some other resident can update which other banks now have machines that also dispense hundreds and in sufficient quantity.


Lippobank, BNI and Niaga have machines with 100K bills for years now. Not all of their machines, but in their bigger branches and in bigger malls you can get them easily. In Jakarta, that is.

When you're in need of cash when visiting the bars of jalan Faletehan=Block M, the machines at Pasaraya are available. Nearer and at one's disposal till very late, Bank Niaga. Go to the beginning of the street, turn right and 50 mtrs further at your right hand side is the bank.

Also at Lokasari plaza, for those in need of cash to visit the fleshpots there and in the neighbourhood, is a row with machines of which I know that the Lippo ATM provides 100K notes.

[1Ball]

at "sentral parkir" in Kuta, which is at the back of Kuta galleria, there are 4 or 5 ATMs in a row. in between the food court, and the "giant" supermarket.

BII dispenses 100 rb bills, and lets me take out 3 jt at a time.

Hope this helps.

[Louie OK]

Twice in 3 weeks I contacted skin allergies from eating seafood. I've never had such food issues before coming here. It has really messed with wanting to pursue any libidinous adventures. Serious skin itching, hive breakouts, and marked up & swelled hands have lasted each time for around 3 to 5 days. The episodes interfered enough to which getting down and nasty with the ladies just wasn't gonna happen. The right meds seem to have a noticeable affect within a day, but at least another couple days before most skin marking are gone.

If you think something like this is happening to you, quickly go to an "apotek" (medicine dispensary) or a "klinik" and start asking questions as to what's happening and what you need to do. Most staff seem astute that this is fairly common and usually have something to help. Not always though in which case you might have to do a bit of running around to find what you. This of course will interfere with your mongering activities. But then so do a lot of things....

[Bardo1122]

Hello, gentlemen,

I have searched the forum and looked back through posts but haven't been able to find a post addressing my question. I apologise if I've overlooked one.

I'm considering using an all inclusive villa plus escort system in Bali. The price and selection seem reasonable and it fits well with what I would like to do; relax, spend time with a nice girl, and write. I'm wondering if anyone knows whether this place is legitimate or has any experience with them? They have been responsive to my emails but want 50% paid a month before I arrive which makes me a bit nervous. Their email responses come from "Jasmine" and the business name seems to be "immigration indonesia". Any advice is greatly appreciated.

M

[Manta72]

Hello, gentlemen,

I have searched the forum and looked back through posts but haven't been able to find a post addressing my question. I apologise if I've overlooked one.

I'm considering using an all inclusive villa plus escort system in Bali. The price and selection seem reasonable and it fits well with what I would like to do; relax, spend time with a nice girl, and write. I'm wondering if anyone knows whether this place is legitimate or has any experience with them? They have been responsive to my emails but want 50% paid a month before I arrive which makes me a bit nervous. Their email responses come from "Jasmine" and the business name seems to be "immigration indonesia". Any advice is greatly appreciated.

MThere was an article (or one guys experience) with these arrangements on the Bali forum. If I see it I will reference it for you but there definitely is one. If I recall it was legitimate but there were some minor issues.

[Robert Long]

Hello, gentlemen,

I have searched the forum and looked back through posts but haven't been able to find a post addressing my question. I apologise if I've overlooked one.

I'm considering using an all inclusive villa plus escort system in Bali. The price and selection seem reasonable and it fits well with what I would like to do; relax, spend time with a nice girl, and write. I'm wondering if anyone knows whether this place is legitimate or has any experience with them? They have been responsive to my emails but want 50% paid a month before I arrive which makes me a bit nervous. Their email responses come from "Jasmine" and the business name seems to be "immigration indonesia". Any advice is greatly appreciated.

M
If you put the deposit on a credit card, I would think that you would be protected from any ripoffs.

Bali is the ripoff center of Indonesia. The Balinese cheat and lie constantly. Read some of the reports on the street money changers, or the Transport
drivers.

This is a 4th World country and if you get husseled you have no recourse but your Consulate General, and that can take years.

If they do not accept credit cards red flags should appear.
RL

[1Ball]

Bardo, you dont give us much info to go on. What is the daily price for this?

you can get yourself a very nice villa with plunge pool, for 100-125 USD per night, in Seminyak, close to the beach. you can then find your own high end friend, who will stay with you for a night or a week, or you can sample a few more of the other delights available here.

Why not tell us a bit more.

But I second what Robert says below. The Balinese will fuck you with a smile on their face, and make you think they are doing you a favor. So, caveat amptor.

We will be glad to offer a real opinion, if you can give us more details, price, location, and if you can PM, even a website, or phone number.

good luck.

[Jijjy]

Generally speaking, if you use a credit cards you do have recourse through the card companies and most anyplace that takes cards wants to be in good standing with the card companies, but you cannot go to Visa and complain that the girl did not give you head and such. The card companies do not support illegal activities. I (who live here) think it's foolish to pre-purchase a girl here. I don't frequent the clubs, but i think you can find whatever it is you're looking for there. Just keep in mind that the average person might make $80 USD a month.

- jf


If you put the deposit on a credit card, I would think that you would be protected from any ripoffs.

Bali is the ripoff center of Indonesia. The Balinese cheat and lie constantly. Read some of the reports on the street money changers, or the Transport
drivers.

This is a 4th World country and if you get husseled you have no recourse but your Consulate General, and that can take years.

If they do not accept credit cards red flags should appear.
RL

[Bardo1122]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your responses so far. I apologise for not including more details but I was concerned that the forum rules wouldn't let me post the website address so I didn't want to inconvenience the administrator. I'm still not sure if I can post the address but when I search on google "adult vacation Bali" it is consistently the first hit.

As for details: The price is 200 dollars which is to include full service, a large villa, private pool, food and drinks, a car and driver and a large selection of girls from whom I can choose each day for a 24 hour stay although I prefer 12 hours so that I sleep alone.

The pictures of the villas look nice and the email pictures of the girls who provide the services I like were all attractive.

Although when in Bangkok, I enjoy going out and about and finding my own talent, for this trip my goal is to stay in the villa and finish up a writing project that is already months late. Of course, with intermittent breaks to stir the creative juices.

The service does supposedly accept credit cards.

Manta, thanks for your post. I searched the Bali section as thoroughly as I could manage before I posted and couldn't find a thread on topic but I will look again.

Any help is appreciated.

B

[Bigcebu]

The Balinese will fuck you with a smile on their face

There aren't many Balinese girls in nightlife on Bali. The prostitutes and most normal girls in the clubs are from Java.

[1Ball]

There aren't many Balinese girls in nightlife on Bali. The prostitutes and most normal girls in the clubs are from Java.
As usual , Big "C", you read 1/2 a post. We are talking about getting fucked in business, not in bed.

[Tommy Suharto]

Bardo- I believe there was some feedback earlier about this site in the Bali thread. Take care,

http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=966481&postcount=1577

[1Ball]

Excellent research Tommy.

as I said earlier, caveat emptor.

Bardo, I know a prefect little villa in Seminyak, with a private pool, for about 100 USD. walk to the beach. And between me and the Prof, we can help find a few cuties for you. I am thinking of a very nice 24-26 year old girl I know, who will happily take care of you for 50 USD per day, run your errands for you, go to the supermarket to fill up the fridge, and has a great hard little brown body.

PM for details.

[Bardo1122]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for the information. Tommy, thanks for finding that thread. Like I said, I had searched and browsed but somehow did not find it. I was a little uneasy with some of the spam like responses I received and have decided not to use the service.

1Ball, thanks for your suggestion as well. I am definitely interested and will pm you directly.

B

[Bellpepper]

A friend of mine suggests that I shall buy a house in Bali and I am really tempted.

Does anyone have experience from this and what pitfalls there can be?
Are there restrictions for foreigners when it comes to buying property?

There seem to be a lot of buildings under construction, ordered by people that don't intend to live in the house but to sell it with profit. Is there a risk for a speculation bubble or has it always been like this?

I am thankful for any advice from experienced people.
- Bellpepper

[Bulai69]

I have looked into this in considerable detail with very reliable legal advice. I don't propose to give advice here as frankly, it's far too complex other than to summarise it thus: don't do it unless you are very willing to take financial risks and even then, get reliable legal advice - which does not include "independant" lawyers referred to you by someone selling the property!



A friend of mine suggests that I shall buy a house in Bali and I am really tempted.

Does anyone have experience from this and what pitfalls there can be?
Are there restrictions for foreigners when it comes to buying property?

There seem to be a lot of buildings under construction, ordered by people that don't intend to live in the house but to sell it with profit. Is there a risk for a speculation bubble or has it always been like this?

I am thankful for any advice from experienced people.
- Bellpepper

[Hamaca]

I have looked into this in considerable detail with very reliable legal advice. I don't propose to give advice here as frankly, it's far too complex other than to summarise it thus: don't do it unless you are very willing to take financial risks and even then, get reliable legal advice - which does not include "independant" lawyers referred to you by someone selling the property!A foreigner can't own land or a house or property in indonesia and that includes Bali, you will have to buy the house in a indonesians name and as you will be aware you would have to trust them 100%, remember it would just take one small argument or small disagreement and bang goes your investment. However there is one way you can do it but it is costly, set up a PMA company, google it and read about it. Wish you luck bet be very carefull.

[Menteng]

A foreigner can't own land or a house or property in indonesia and that includes Bali, you will have to buy the house in a indonesians name and as you will be aware you would have to trust them 100%, remember it would just take one small argument or small disagreement and bang goes your investment. However there is one way you can do it but it is costly, set up a PMA company, google it and read about it. Wish you luck bet be very carefull.

A couple of years ago I was interested in buying a house in Jakarta and went to an agency called Century. It is true that you can not own property they told me. The only solution is a form of leasing. Forgot for how many years max you can do that and during that period, you will possess the immovable (leasehold is the term?) not own it.

[Cooze Hound]

The law on land ownership for foreigners is about to change. It would of course be prudent to wait and see the implications of this. There was another article in the Jakarta Globe 2-3 days ago, maybe online somewhere..

[Bellpepper]

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I will probably not buy any house - and if I do, I will be very careful.
/Bellpepper

[Bulai69]

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I will probably not buy any house - and if I do, I will be very careful.
/Bellpepper

As I said at the start - be very careful - and remember, even if they change the very complex ownership laws, they can always change them back again!

As for for putting a house in the name of an Indonesian woman "you can trust", that is an oxymoron if ever there was one...

[Bellpepper]

As for for putting a house in the name of an Indonesian woman "you can trust", that is an oxymoron if ever there was one...
So you guessed that the "friend of mine" is a woman? :D Well, you are of course right.

I must admit that I had to look up "oxymoron" in a dictionary. But you are right in this case, too :D . A woman you can trust is an oxymoron.

[Gonzo Two]

As for for putting a house in the name of an Indonesian woman "you can trust", that is an oxymoron if ever there was one...

[Hollow, humorless laughter in the background ...]

[1Ball]

A woman you can trust is an oxymoron.
So is "jumbo shrimp", military intelligence", and "smart politicians".

In Bali "freehold" land is quite the rage. Foreigners can buy through a nominee who really can't just turn around and sell it from under you. There is some degree of protection. Note, I said SOME.

From what I understand, this has never been challenged in the high courts, but when and if it does, who knows what will happen. This country is full of stories of tourists who bought land through a nominee (a lawyer for example). Please remember all documents are in Indonesian, and "legal translation" does not mean jack shit.

I have some fabulous ocean front land for sale in Bedugul, if anyone is interested. Cheap price misterrrrrrrrr

[ProfDesigner]

Just to add to this current thread about putting in a womans name...

Beware... A mate of mine bought a place in seminyak 10 years ago for a song. At the time he was deeply in love (lust) with a cute girl who he had brought to Australia a few times. Anyways he bought the place and of course put it under her name. Last year he decided he wanted to sell it seeing as he was now on a property that had skyrocketed in price. Well then the trouble began.

The then gf was now married to a balinese guy and they were using the house as their income. They would rent out every year to some expats for a good fee and not have to work all year. They never took care of the place and before it looked like a mansion now more a ghost house and the only way she was going to sell it was for 50% of the profit. He went to lawyers and they all said the same thing, that he had no choice or she could just keep for herself.

The long and short of it was he bought the place for $150,000 US and sold it for $600,000 US and she got $300,000 US... so yes he made a profit but got totally, totally screwed with the deal.

This is a 100% true story so please buyers beware.

The moral of the story, is never put into anothers name in Bali in the end you will have no rights.

Prof

[Menteng]

This still could happen.

Years ago a Dutch guy I know fell in love with an Indonesian girl. They got married and he bought a house on her name. The plan was to live in the house for the time he was placed in Indonesia. They lived happily in the house and ocassionally he left for backups in the main office in the Netherlands. When he returned from one of those trips to the Netherlands, he got the biggest (I think) surprise in his life. He found out that his wife has sold the house while he was abroad.

[1Ball]

Just to add to this current thread about putting in a womans name...
The long and short of it was he bought the place for $150,000 US and sold it for $600,000 US and she got $300,000 US... so yes he made a profit but got totally, totally screwed with the deal.

This is a 100% true story so please buyers beware.

The moral of the story, is never put into anothers name in Bali in the end you will have no rights.

Prof
He probably sold it to a westerner who put it in a woman's name, and will sell it in 3 years for $900,000. The girl will more than likely get 50% of the profits.

I bought a small piece of land last year for my now ex GF. I didn't even bother to attemt to put it in my name with her as a nominee. We just put it in her name, as I knew that money was gone. If someone told me today I could have the land back, but I also had to take the girl back, I would decline, thank you very much.

Easy come, easy go. she had to drink a lot of cum to earn it, so no hard feelings.

[William Saw]

He probably sold it to a westerner who put it in a woman's name, and will sell it in 3 years for $900,000. The girl will more than likely get 50% of the profits.

I bought a small piece of land last year for my now ex GF. I didn't even bother to attemt to put it in my name with her as a nominee. We just put it in her name, as I knew that money was gone. If someone told me today I could have the land back, but I also had to take the girl back, I would decline, thank you very much.

Easy come, easy go. she had to drink a lot of cum to earn it, so no hard feelings.Why keep a cow when you can have fresh milk everyday.

[Dorman]

Just to add to this current thread about putting in a womans name...

Beware... A mate of mine bought a place in seminyak 10 years ago for a song. At the time he was deeply in love (lust) with a cute girl who he had brought to Australia a few times. Anyways he bought the place and of course put it under her name. Last year he decided he wanted to sell it seeing as he was now on a property that had skyrocketed in price. Well then the trouble began.

The then gf was now married to a balinese guy and they were using the house as their income. They would rent out every year to some expats for a good fee and not have to work all year. They never took care of the place and before it looked like a mansion now more a ghost house and the only way she was going to sell it was for 50% of the profit. He went to lawyers and they all said the same thing, that he had no choice or she could just keep for herself.

The long and short of it was he bought the place for $150,000 US and sold it for $600,000 US and she got $300,000 US... so yes he made a profit but got totally, totally screwed with the deal.

This is a 100% true story so please buyers beware.

The moral of the story, is never put into anothers name in Bali in the end you will have no rights.

Prof

Am I the only one who reckons the girl treated the bloke very decently by giving him 50%?

Let's examine the facts, ten years ago a bloke buys his then girlfriend a piece of property, a not unusual occurence anywhere in the world. They later split up and she goes on to marry someone else and gets on with her life using the property -which is lawfully and morally hers without question- as a means of providing for her family. Then suddenly the ex-boyfriend who decides he needs some cash comes back on the scene demanding the property back!

Fuck him I say, she was very fair to give him 50%, he wouldn't have got a penny out of me.

In this case it is the westerner, not the Indonesian, who is the scheming, snivelling, grasping, nasty piece of goods if you ask me.

[Raverboy]

Am I the only one who reckons the girl treated the bloke very decently by giving him 50%?

Let's examine the facts, ten years ago a bloke buys his then girlfriend a piece of property, a not unusual occurence anywhere in the world. They later split up and she goes on to marry someone else and gets on with her life using the property -which is lawfully and morally hers without question- as a means of providing for her family. Then suddenly the ex-boyfriend who decides he needs some cash comes back on the scene demanding the property back!

Fuck him I say, she was very fair to give him 50%, he wouldn't have got a penny out of me.

In this case it is the westerner, not the Indonesian, who is the scheming, snivelling, grasping, nasty piece of goods if you ask me.

No, you're not the only one. Agreed.

I don't see how he got "totally, totally screwed with the deal". He was lucky to have been able to recoup his profit of 100%. He put the house in her name, so he could have walked away with nothing. What I would have done is to put both names on the house title deed and get a good Indo lawyer (do they exist?) to draw up something between her and I that is binding and mutually agreeable in the event of a split. If anything, those we can be sure of, right? :D

[Vulcanizer]

Can bule's have a property in their own name now?

Put your trust in an Indo lawyer.....?!

$150,000 profit......where's the problem?!

As said already, lucky to get that!

V

[1Ball]

Can bule's have a property in their own name now?

Put your trust in an Indo lawyer.....?!

$150,000 profit......where's the problem?!

As said already, lucky to get that!

V

Bule cannot own property in indo.

A trustworthy indo lawyer...........ROFLMAO..
this story is fuzzy in my head, so my facts might not be 100% correct.

A Russian gentleman wanted to buy a house here. He hired a lawyer, and handed over close to 250,000 USD to the guy. The lawyer took off with the money. He was tried and sentenced to a 25,000$ fine, and his license was revoked for 30 days. He was not asked to return the money.

A trustworthy Indo lawyer............ROFLMAO again.

[1Ball]

Am I the only one who reckons the girl treated the bloke very decently by giving him 50%?

Let's examine the facts, ten years ago a bloke buys his then girlfriend a piece of property, a not unusual occurence anywhere in the world. They later split up and she goes on to marry someone else and gets on with her life using the property -which is lawfully and morally hers without question- as a means of providing for her family. Then suddenly the ex-boyfriend who decides he needs some cash comes back on the scene demanding the property back!

Fuck him I say, she was very fair to give him 50%, he wouldn't have got a penny out of me.

In this case it is the westerner, not the Indonesian, who is the scheming, snivelling, grasping, nasty piece of goods if you ask me.
He didn't buy the house for her. He put it in her name.

HUGE DIFFERENCE.

If a foreigner wants to buy property here, it has to go in the name of Indonesia national, in the form of a nominee.

That doesnt mean he bought her a house.

By rights, he should have got it all back, minus a small percentage. It is done like that every day. The nominee gets a fee at the front end, and a little bonus at the end.

[Menteng]

What I would have done is to put both names on the house title deed and get a good Indo lawyer (do they exist?) to draw up something between her and I that is binding and mutually agreeable in the event of a split. If anything, those we can be sure of, right? :D
What about an IOU for any price the immovable will be worth on the day of sale.
Something like she ows you money and will pay it with the proceeds of the sale of the house. Anytime. Is that legally possible?

[Hung Man 1808]

Wow some savvy investors here. I know you are all going to jump at the chance to buy some CDOs I've come across, all sanctioned by Goldman Sachs and rated AAA by Moodys. You'll make a mint, nothing can go wrong... All I ask for is 10% commission to tell you who to call to buy them from :D.

The last week's discussion on here positively scares me, frankly..

The company path may be the best option, but you still are going to have Indonesians as the majority shareholders (and possibly directors) at least. There seems to be ways, I've heard guys doing some interesting things but I don't have the exact details how. But this isn't the West, and "Welcome to Indonesia!" -where anything is possible (to go wrong).

All things are possible, after all I am probably the lone bule who has had an Indonesian girl actually pay back a loan. Possible doesn't mean probable however.

[Hamaca]

Wow some savvy investors here. I know you are all going to jump at the chance to buy some CDOs I've come across, all sanctioned by Goldman Sachs and rated AAA by Moodys. You'll make a mint, nothing can go wrong... All I ask for is 10% commission to tell you who to call to buy them from :D.

The last week's discussion on here positively scares me, frankly..

The company path may be the best option, but you still are going to have Indonesians as the majority shareholders (and possibly directors) at least. There seems to be ways, I've heard guys doing some interesting things but I don't have the exact details how. But this isn't the West, and "Welcome to Indonesia!" -where anything is possible (to go wrong).

All things are possible, after all I am probably the lone bule who has had an Indonesian girl actually pay back a loan. Possible doesn't mean probable however.If you set up a PMA company, then it can be 100% foreigner owned.

[Jijjy]

While the rear window is always clearer than the windshield, the PMA would have been the best (safest) way to buy. Everyone that i know here contracts their land for 25 years with an option for another 25 with the price tied into rice, I'm not sure why a single man would be buying land here anyway and to put land in your girlfriends name would be a foolish thing to o anywhere, if there is no life-long commitment there why would he think there would be with his investment. While i do feel sorry for the poor schmuck . . . "a fool and his money are soon parted".


- jij



If you set up a PMA company, then it can be 100% foreigner owned.

[Bellpepper]

If you set up a PMA company, then it can be 100% foreigner owned.
I do not think I will buy property but your information about PMA made me curious.

I have studied a few articles about PMA. It seems to be the safest way to buy property. You mentioned that it costs to set up a PMA but loosing maybe 50% (or 100%) of the value - if you buy property in the name of an Indonesian - costs much more.

Do you know anyone who have done this and have experience?
How long time does it usually take to establish a PMA?
I read a statement that the cost is approx 35 million rupiah. Do you know if that is correct?
After reading the remarks about Indonesian lawyers there is an obvious question: You need a lawyer to set up a PMA. How do you find a lawyer you can trust?

Thanks in advance.

[Bellpepper]

While the rear window is always clearer than the windshield, the PMA would have been the best (safest) way to buy. Everyone that i know here contracts their land for 25 years with an option for another 25 with the price tied into rice, I'm not sure why a single man would be buying land here anyway and to put land in your girlfriends name would be a foolish thing to o anywhere, if there is no life-long commitment there why would he think there would be with his investment. While i do feel sorry for the poor schmuck . . . "a fool and his money are soon parted".

- jij
Thanks. But would you please explain one detail for me:
When you write "contracts their land" do you mean that the contract gives them the "right of use" the land and they then buy or construct the building on the land?

Btw, my conclusion of the discussion so far is that it is much simpler to rent a house. I guess that the annual costs would not be higher. But of course you might get a profit when you sell the house. On the other hand you can probably find better investments than property in Indonesia.

[1Ball]

Thanks. But would you please explain one detail for me:
When you write "contracts their land" do you mean that the contract gives them the "right of use" the land and they then buy or construct the building on the land?

Btw, my conclusion of the discussion so far is that it is much simpler to rent a house. I guess that the annual costs would not be higher. But of course you might get a profit when you sell the house. On the other hand you can probably find better investments than property in Indonesia.
a land contract is a lease. You "rent" the land for 25 years, and build anything you want, with an option to renew after 25 years. Problem is, each day, as the period of your rental shrinks, so does the value of your investment.

In many cases, it is perfectly OK to buy, via a nominee. The wording has to be done correctly, and then you have nothing to worry about.

An indo friend of mine does very well for herself acting as a nominee for foreigners. she does it 4 or 5 times a year, charges about 2,000$ for her services, and has a clause in the contract that states upon the sale, she receives an agreed amount of the profits. Usually aobut 5-7%.

No problems this way, but it must be agreed to and spelled out before hand, you can't go in afterwards, and try to make things as you wish.

[Stopping By]

Profdesigner,

Thanks for the report on the Bali scam and land price rise. A lot of people, especially retiring baby boomers, want a piece of paradise.

But on your friend's case. It doesn't sound as bad as many other stories floating around. Of course, much better to have a profit of $450,000 than $150,000. But he doubled his money. He got something. Plenty of other people get taken to the cleaners, sometimes even threatened in various ways.

And on trusting the woman. And I don't mean to be an asshole. But what was he thinking? Was he a newcomer to Indonesia or just hypnotized by the power of the pussy? (Who could blame him on that one).

Again, don't mean to sound condescending, but sounds like he came off better than many.

Thanks again for the tale.

[Hamaca]

If you want to get married soon in indonesia to a muslim girl it is going to cost you ?.

http://www.thebalitimes.com/2010/06/01/cant-buy-love-indonesia-thinks-foreign-men-should/

[Amjeck]

i've visited Bali several times and am thinking of checking out jakarta. My problem with the indo women in bali is that it seems like almost all of them smoke. Is it the same in Jakarta?

[Koperen Ko]

i've visited Bali several times and am thinking of checking out jakarta. My problem with the indo women in bali is that it seems like almost all of them smoke. Is it the same in Jakarta?Might be that you pay more attention than you would back home.

In Indonesia there are more smoking women than in Europe and (I guess) the States, but happily there are also quite a lot that don't.

And besides, in my experience most girls prefer to mandi before going to bed. A good habit which is usually combined with brushing their teeth.

Regards,

Ko

[FieldMouse]

Hi,

I am coming back to JAK for a week, but will need transport. Having driven in JAK for years the prospect does not scare me, but can anyone provide any info on local car hire place. I don't' want to be burned by Hertz, Avis etc prices, just need shitty old kijang to potter around in.

Thanks

Fieldmouse.

[Member #2041]

Any particular opinions about the different airlines which travel within Indonesia?

I'm looking at Garuda, Lion Air, and AirAsia. Garuda covers all of my destinations, while AirAsia is cheapest if it's available.

Particularly, does anyone have experience with the reliability of their websites for booking using American banks Visa or MasterCard?

I've flown on Merpati between Lombok and DPS, but their website is totally useless, and I had to pay an agent nearly the cost of my ticket to physically get the ticket into my hand at the Sheraton Senggigi.

[1Ball]

Any particular opinions about the different airlines which travel within Indonesia?

I'm looking at Garuda, Lion Air, and AirAsia. Garuda covers all of my destinations, while AirAsia is cheapest if it's available.

Particularly, does anyone have experience with the reliability of their websites for booking using American banks Visa or MasterCard?

I've flown on Merpati between Lombok and DPS, but their website is totally useless, and I had to pay an agent nearly the cost of my ticket to physically get the ticket into my hand at the Sheraton Senggigi.I have several USA issued credit cards, and ATMs, and booking online with Air Asia is next to impossible, as all my cards get declined. Mandala, same thing. Some indo airline websites clearly state that in order to pay online, you must have an indo isued credit card. However, you can call the Air asia call center, and somehow, they push the credit card through.

Lion flyes brand new Boeing 737-900 aircrafts. Mandala brand new Airbus A320. Ditto for Air Asia.

IMO, best thing to do is buy at the airport on arrival, unless your credit card gets accepted online. If you can book online, it is all safe and secure.

[WestCoast1]

I have several USA issued credit cards, and ATMs, and booking online with Air Asia is next to impossible, as all my cards get declined. Mandala, same thing.1Ball, you called your card's issuing bank prior to leaving your country, and told them the countries (Indonesia) and dates you would be traveling? If not, you will possibly have oodles of troubles making purchases of any kind. The ATM card will work in this store, but then not in the ATM machine where it worked 2 days ago. Then not in the next store. Calling the card-issuing bank will solve the problem in an hour. Security feature.

[Member #3088]

I book tickets online with air asia frequently, but only after trying several cards. The problem with credit card acceptance isn't with air asia, but with your bank outside Indonesia, many of which have put air asia transactions on some sort of high risk list. At least this is what my bank rep tells me.

Avoid Merpati; it is the airline of last resort. Frequent delays and operational problems. Garuda, Lion, Batavia, Sriwijaya are all better.

[1Ball]

1Ball, you called your card's issuing bank prior to leaving your country, and told them the countries (Indonesia) and dates you would be traveling? If not, you will possibly have oodles of troubles making purchases of any kind. The ATM card will work in this store, but then not in the ATM machine where it worked 2 days ago. Then not in the next store. Calling the card-issuing bank will solve the problem in an hour. Security feature.
Westcoast, i travel between USA and AsIa about every 3 weeks. I never have a problem with ATM or credit cards. I juSt can't book a ticket on Air Asia online. i can call them in Indonesia direct, or the call center in UK which is open 24 hours, and they get it approved.

[Tiger 888]

Westcoast, i travel between USA and AsIa about every 3 weeks. I never have a problem with ATM or credit cards. I juSt can't book a ticket on Air Asia online. i can call them in Indonesia direct, or the call center in UK which is open 24 hours, and they get it approved.Does this only happen when you are in Indonesia? I tried an online credit card payment from Boracay, which was declined. Then I did it through remote destop from my computer in Hong Kong and it worked. A VPN would also do the job in this case.

[WestCoast1]

Does this only happen when you are in Indonesia? I tried an online credit card payment from Boracay, which was declined. Then I did it through remote destop from my computer in Hong Kong and it worked. A VPN would also do the job in this case.Tiger, so far its happened in filipines, indonesia, and hong kong. It happens every trip, with my ATM, my two Visa cards, and my AmEx. Lesson learned, call the bank/issuer of each card before departing; use the phone number on the back of your CC. Give them the dates and countries you will be in. Then it never occurs. Quite literally they expect you to do just that: call them in advance.

[1Ball]

Tiger, it happens regardless of where I am. I am in Indonesia now, and I must either call them at the call center, or go to the ticket office.

You other suggestions are way over my head. My computer skills are nowhere near as advanced as yours.

Westcoast, thanks for the suggestion. i will call my CC company today, and see if i can book online. Will let you know.

[Bellpepper]

What about the security of these airlines? For example, the European authorities do not trust the Indonesian aviation administration and their approvals. Garuda is the only Indonesian airline that is approved by EU.
/BP

[Fast Eddie 48]

Any particular opinions about the different airlines which travel within Indonesia?

I'm looking at Garuda, Lion Air, and AirAsia. Garuda covers all of my destinations, while AirAsia is cheapest if it's available.

Particularly, does anyone have experience with the reliability of their websites for booking using American banks Visa or MasterCard?

I've flown on Merpati between Lombok and DPS, but their website is totally useless, and I had to pay an agent nearly the cost of my ticket to physically get the ticket into my hand at the Sheraton Senggigi.Member #2041,

I have fly Lion air 2 time from Jarkata to Bali good service and on time ,they do fly to most place in Indo and have alot of flight ,I ask for Garuda and the travel agent told me Lion is better airline price is almost the same .

Fast eddie 48

[1Ball]

What about the security of these airlines? For example, the European authorities do not trust the Indonesian aviation administration and their approvals. Garuda is the only Indonesian airline that is approved by EU.
/BP
Well, insofar as domestic travel is concerned, you can walk onto the plane with a nice cold beer in your hand carry, and nobody seems to care.

When you mention "european authorities", are you talking about the same authorities that allowed the shoe bomber, and the underwear bomber on board? I thought so. ;)

[Betong]

Garuda is the only Indonesian airline that is approved by EU.Nope, there are four approved at present, and probably a few more coming soon.

[Gonzo Two]

Nope, there are four approved at present, and probably a few more coming soon.

An interesting statistic: you are ten times more likely to die in a plane crash on an Indonesian airline than the global average for domestic and international flights around the world. Mind you, the average is about one in a 100,000 or something (pulling a figure out of the air), so ten times higher and you're still likely to survive. Still, something to think about ....

[Member #2041]

Member #2041,

I have fly Lion air 2 time from Jarkata to Bali good service and on time ,they do fly to most place in Indo and have alot of flight ,I ask for Garuda and the travel agent told me Lion is better airline price is almost the same .

Fast eddie 48
Unfortunately, their schedule between Bali and Yogyakarta is terrible.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Unfortunately, their schedule between Bali and Yogyakarta is terrible.to Member,

Lion air is on EU black list as a unsafe airline ,I don't know why the travel agent push this airline maybe better comission for them before Garuda .

Fast eddie 48

[Bellpepper]

When you mention "european authorities", are you talking about the same authorities that allowed the shoe bomber, and the underwear bomber on board? I thought so. ;)
But the bombers were very unfair. As far as I remember they did not look like muslims, so the authorities had no chance to suspect them. :D

Betong: Thank you for the information. I know the risk that something should happen is small but I still like to fly with airlines that are approved not only in Indonesia.
/BP

[Bellpepper]

Talking about airlines . . . . does anyone know a good flight connection between Phnom Penh and Bali? My search engines indicate at least 7 hours trip one way and 800 USD for a round trip. So it does not seem possible to go to Bali just for a weekend. But are there maybe any small airline with better connections that is not found by the search engines?

I'm asking because I have just got a job offer in Phnom Penh.

Thanks,
BP

[1Ball]

Bellpepper

Air Asia (has flights into Europe, so you will feel safe.)
depart DPS 6.00 am, lands PNH 15.50. cost 160 USD OW.

the return on said airline is not possible same day.

[Mighty Spearsman]

An interesting statistic: you are ten times more likely to die in a plane crash on an Indonesian airline than the global average for domestic and international flights around the world. Mind you, the average is about one in a 100,000 or something (pulling a figure out of the air), so ten times higher and you're still likely to survive. Still, something to think about ....
Yes, something to think about, although that statistic includes the crashes on Adam Air, which is no longer in business.

Garuda is the safest of the Indonesian airlines, although none of them reach the standards set by Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines. Lion Air is not bad but has the reputation for "postponing" maintenance sometimes (I heard this from one of my former neighbors, who worked for them).

[Prosal]

Garuda is the safest of the Indonesian airlines, although none of them reach the standards set by Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines.
In 2008, all indonesian airlines, including Garuda, have been banned from flying to European Union.

Don't know if they are still on EU blacklist though. Maybe there has been improvements in their safety standards.

[Bellpepper]

In 2008, all indonesian airlines, including Garuda, have been banned from flying to European Union.

Don't know if they are still on EU blacklist though. Maybe there has been improvements in their safety standards.
All Indonesia based jets were banned in EU in 2007 after a series of crashes. In 2009 EU lifted the ban from four airlines, just as Betong wrote. These airlines are Garuda, Mandala, Airfast Indonesia and Premiair. (30 March 2010) Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air_carriers_banned_in_the_European_Union#Indonesia

[Bellpepper]

Bellpepper

Air Asia (has flights into Europe, so you will feel safe.)
depart DPS 6.00 am, lands PNH 15.50. cost 160 USD OW.

the return on said airline is not possible same day.
Thank you. I think I will feel safe on Air Asia ;)

[Betong]

Mind you, the average is about one in a 100,000 or something (pulling a figure out of the air), so ten times higher and you're still likely to survive.Just so we don't have to pull numbers out of the air, Planecrashinfo (a pretty reliable source) calculates that the odds of not surviving a scheduled commercial airline flight, 1985-2009, were 1 in 9.2 million for the safest 25 airlines worldwide, and 1 in about 840,000 on the least safe 25. In other words, so unlikely even in the worst case that it's hardly worth worrying about.

But we humans do worry, and there's a lot to be said for peace of mind when flying. Especially when the weather gets nasty, which of course happens a lot over Indonesia. So I'm happy to pay a bit more for what I perceive as a safer airline. But I try not to be too concerned when I have to take one that isn't. It's still several hundred times safer than riding a motorcycle, and I do that every day.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Talking about airlines . . . . does anyone know a good flight connection between Phnom Penh and Bali? My search engines indicate at least 7 hours trip one way and 800 USD for a round trip. So it does not seem possible to go to Bali just for a weekend. But are there maybe any small airline with better connections that is not found by the search engines?

I'm asking because I have just got a job offer in Phnom Penh.

Thanks,

BPBP,

I don't think there are direct flight I have check into that about 8 yr ago, you need to connect at Bangkok or HK not sure about now.

Fast Eddie 48

[Robert Long]

Special alert for the guys that want to summer in Indonesia. Ramadan dates this year are August 11th thru September 9th.

IF starts September 10th thru September 20th. During this period travel is very difficult as all the space is usually sold out and is very expensive.

Book accordingly and ask the bros here if you need assistance.

RL

[Jaimito Cartero]

Air Asia also runs sales quite often, so you might want to sign up for email alerts and the like from them. I flew BKK-PNH when the route was new for $50 or $60 which was 1/3 the going price at the time. They have a bit of the Southwest effect, drastically lowering fares when they enter the market.

[Raverboy]

Talking about airlines . . . . does anyone know a good flight connection between Phnom Penh and Bali? My search engines indicate at least 7 hours trip one way and 800 USD for a round trip. So it does not seem possible to go to Bali just for a weekend. But are there maybe any small airline with better connections that is not found by the search engines?

I'm asking because I have just got a job offer in Phnom Penh.

Thanks,
BP

You can do PNH - BKK then BKK - DPS direct on AirAsia. Alternatively you can do PNH - KUL, then KUL - DPS direct, also on AirAsia. Given a choice between the 2 I would prefer to transit in Suvarnabhumi instead of KLCC, but check schedules and fares.

The 3rd most straighforward option is to do PNH - SIN on Jetstar and then from SIN you have a myriad of options for DPS.

Happy travels.

[Bellpepper]

You can do PNH - BKK then BKK - DPS direct on AirAsia. Alternatively you can do PNH - KUL, then KUL - DPS direct, also on AirAsia. Given a choice between the 2 I would prefer to transit in Suvarnabhumi instead of KLCC, but check schedules and fares.

The 3rd most straighforward option is to do PNH - SIN on Jetstar and then from SIN you have a myriad of options for DPS.

Happy travels.
Thanks, all of you, for your help!
BP

[Dinghy]

but if you do jetstar, watch the baggage WEIGHT - it cost me an extra $100 out of PP to get to SIN (baggage cost was about the ticket cost)

[Sharka]

Also, from what I remember once when I chose jetstar out of Sin, the taxes and fees were much higher for this airline than other low cost airlines. it may have been at certain times but it was much higher than the competition.

[Jaimito Cartero]

I recently read about a new two month visa, but am unsure if you can request it at the airport or not.

I have a 5 week stay at the end of this year, and really don't want to have to do a SIN run or anything to stay the extra few days.

I'm looking for quick and easy, of course, and hopefully without being banned coming into the country the next time. :)

[El Greco]

Air Asia also runs sales quite often, so you might want to sign up for email alerts and the like from them. I flew BKK-PNH when the route was new for $50 or $60 which was 1/3 the going price at the time. They have a bit of the Southwest effect, drastically lowering fares when they enter the market.Mid April they had a zero fare sale. Too many destinations on offer up to May 2011. Ok they only offer a few seats on every flight but I only need one right? You have to be quick though because their site was so busy.

They advised me by e-mail about a week in advance so I had plenty of time to make my plans.

I booked a dozen legs paying only airport taxes where necessary. Later on I will have to book my seats,meals and baggage. Eg Out of Jakarta to Singapore I paid nothing for my booking since I will have to pay airport tax in cash there.

All the best and have fun.

Meu dois centavos amigo.

[1Ball]

JC, if you don't get the answers you are looking for, let me know. I know of a guy who can get your passport stamped without you or the passport leaving the country. Cost used to be 100$ a year or so ago.

[Hamaca]

I recently read about a new two month visa, but am unsure if you can request it at the airport or not.

I have a 5 week stay at the end of this year, and really don't want to have to do a SIN run or anything to stay the extra few days.

I'm looking for quick and easy, of course, and hopefully without being banned coming into the country the next time. :)You can extend your Visa for an extra 30 days cost $25, 00 its not a problem, but you don't request it on arrival you have to go to immigration office at airport or Denpasar if you are staying nearer there, best to go 7/10 days before your 30 days are due to run out, you have to go twice, first time fill out the short form/pay your money, second time pick up your passport. You are only going to be 5 days overstay so if I were you I would just pay the 5x Rp200, 000 overstay fee and save the grief. More time to enjoy your hobby.

[Jaimito Cartero]

JC, if you don't get the answers you are looking for, let me know. I know of a guy who can get your passport stamped without you or the passport leaving the country. Cost used to be 100$ a year or so ago.

Well, I've heard of other people who just put some bills in their passport if they overstayed, but I've never done that before.

[Dazednconfused]

I really don't want to have to do a SIN run or anything to stay the extra few days.I lost the plot date-wise last time I was in Bali and found, when I went to leave, that I had over-stayed 4 days.

The immigration officer didn't bat an eye-lid, merely called over a superior who filled out a bit of paper and I paid either $US20 or $25 per day overstay (don't remember exactly, but no more than $25.)

Don't know about the two month on arrival. I go to Bali in a few days and although I won't need that long, I'll try and find out if it's in operation yet and post on here.

[Rogue Wan]

It is officially 200 thousand per day. Recently overstayed 7 days and paid 7 x 200. You will have a major headache if you stay longer than two weeks and not prepared to pay on top of 200x14. And 'surely' no ones you wants to invite that kind of grief upon themselves. But hey it all relative. If you are cashed up and mobile everything can be solved with patience, a little grovelling and hard currency.

http://www.depdagri.go.id/media/documents/2009/05/28/PP_No.38-2009.doc.

This document details government charges for many things and is worth consulting before doing any transaction. If anything, to get a ball park figure of what you 'should' be paying, but not necessarily end up paying.

Case in point: Meet a young German fella at immigration office about 5 months ago when i was doing my one and only ever visa extension. He had paid a calon 3 juta to get his visa extended! Ouch I say! Cheaper to fly to Singapore and back! The official charge is 250 or there about

Bali could be different though. Anyone else experience with overstay? Cos true be had i only have the one experience and that was anamoly with employment crossover and Kitas ending.

RW


I lost the plot date-wise last time I was in Bali and found, when I went to leave, that I had over-stayed 4 days.

The immigration officer didn't bat an eye-lid, merely called over a superior who filled out a bit of paper and I paid either $US20 or $25 per day overstay (don't remember exactly, but no more than $25.)

Don't know about the two month on arrival. I go to Bali in a few days and although I won't need that long, I'll try and find out if it's in operation yet and post on here.

[Cooze Hound]

As stated a couple of posts before, it is now a mere formality to extend your 30 day VOA (Visa on Arrival). In Bali the office adjoining, but outside the airport is best. They speak english and do not expect any "extra" payments. You must go 7 days before your visa expires. You go 3 times.. first time you get the form, fill it out and present with a copy of your Passport, existing VOA, and proof (ticket) of travel out of Indonesia. A week or so later you go back to pay the 250,000 IDR, the next day you go back and pick up your Passport. You can get any of the numerous immigration agents on the island to do it and they will charge around 700,000 IDR for the service but you do not need to go. Teh service is available anywhere there is an Immigration office and it is said that some offices will process the visa in a day or two. Obviously in other places there maybe issues with language and "extras".

As stated overstay rates are 200,000 IDR or 20 USD a day. Bali is strict and slipping 200,000 into your passport for a 4 day overstay is unlikely to cut it.

Happy hunting....

[Travel Spirit]

Are there several money changers in the area of Mangga Besar?

And more important, is the exchange rate good (I will carry euros)?

I' d like to refrain from using ATM machines.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Are there several money changers in the area of Mangga Besar?

And more important, is the exchange rate good (I will carry euros)?

I' d like to refrain from using ATM machines.Travel spirit,

There are one in Lopsari plaza chinese own I have change money there a few time speak english well ,there are also bank next door and one money charger inside the mall but rate is not as good and they don't take some of my us 100 bill .

Fast Eddie 48

[Menteng]

Are there several money changers in the area of Mangga Besar?

And more important, is the exchange rate good (I will carry euros)?

I' d like to refrain from using ATM machines.

You must have your reasons to avoid ATM's, but I leave my euros in the bank and use my debit/credit cards at the ATM's in Jakarta. I find it saver, because I don't have to carry cash that might be targeted by thieves. Both by amateurs and profesionals. A couple of years ago I reported about an American who get drugged and lost all his cash. Even those in the save. My experience is that as soon as I reported a robbery or loss to my debit/credit company, it will cost me less than the amount I would have had in cash with me.

You do have to bring some cash in US dollars though to pay your Visa On Entry if needed. Explore the reports from the last two months to find out how much that would be.

I'm sorry I can't help you with the locations of the moneychangers at Mangga Dua but I do know some locations of ATM's there, like the ones at Lokasari Plaza.

[Ceegee]

Some people might not want to use an ATM as they might not want to leave an electronic trail back in their home country.

Travel Spirit, any chance you are transiting through Singapore? I have found the money changers there to give a good exchange rate with no transaction fees. Worst case scenario change some at your hotel. Leave excess cash in your hotel room safe when you go out at night.

[Travel Spirit]

Thank you for your advice.

Until now, in my visits to Thailand and Philippines, I adopted the line of least resistance: the money changers. From your reports in Indonesia forum, I see that it is easier (and more economical?) to change money at ATM machines.

I also feel comfortable to carry cash abroad, as I have never fallen victim to robbery. Of course the money is in safe-keeping.

Anyway I will have with me both cash and cards. And wait and C.

[Hamaca]

Has anybody used these services at Jakarta airport, I have used it at Bali and saved a bit time and grief, But the prices I checked online at Jakarta are $45 which is treble Bali price.

If anybody has any info or contacts for the above it would be much appreciated, pm if want.

Regards

[Koperen Ko]

Has anybody used these services at Jakarta airport, I have used it at Bali and saved a bit time and grief, But the prices I checked online at Jakarta are $45 which is treble Bali price.

If anybody has any info or contacts for the above it would be much appreciated, pm if want.

RegardsGaruda recently introduced a new service aboard their flights to Indonesia, in any case from Amsterdam and I suppose from other places too.

They have immigration officials on board the plane and you can get your tourist visa from them. Saves queing at the immigration office on the airport. You still have to wait in line for customs though.

[Hamaca]

Garuda recently introduced a new service aboard their flights to Indonesia, in any case from Amsterdam and I suppose from other places too.

They have immigration officials on board the plane and you can get your tourist visa from them. Saves queing at the immigration office on the airport. You still have to wait in line for customs though :-(Thanks for the info but the fast track I mean are the guys who meet you off the plane and they take you to the immigration desk except you don't queue, they go get the voa slip, get the passport stamped while you wait for your luggage off the belt. It saves a lot of waiting, but the ones I have found in Jakarta seem to be a lot more dearer than Bali.

Regards

[Member #2041]

Has anyone with a U.S. issued Visa or MasterCard had any success buying tickets online with either Garuda or Lion?

I have been trying to get tickets between Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali, first on Lion, and then, failing that, on Garuda and neither one of these websites accept any American-bank-issued charge cards. Garuda's website explicitly states that they only accept Visa or MasterCard issued from various countries in Asia and Oceana, while Lion's website says nothing, but it has bounced 4 different Visa and MasterCards - each issued by American banks.

I ended up booking 2 of the 3 flights I wanted on AirAsia instead, and their website has no problem with my US-issued Capital One MasterCard. But unfortunately, AirAsia doesn't fly between Yogyakarta and Bali.

BTW, I called all of the credit card companies in advance to advise them of my Indonesia trip and to ask them to allow charges from Indonesian airlines to go through.

I could book Yogyakarta to Bali on Garuda via Expedia, but Expedia gouges and charges around double the fare that Garuda (~ 650K Rupiah) or Lion (~580K Rupiah) charge when booking direct. Expedia wants $138 US for that one short flight on Garuda - and Expedia doesn't work with Lion at all.

My other choice is to book two flights on AirAsia going from Yogya to Bali via Jakarta, but that involves a tight layover, and AirAsia won't guarantee the connection as they only guarantee point to point service. Plus, that involves a spending 4 hours on 2 flights plus layover, instead of a 1 hour direct flight.

Any idea how reliable AirAsia is on a 1 hour connection through Jakarta? Or whether I will have any problems waiting until I arrive in Jakarta on Oct. 14 to buy a flight from Yogya to Bali a week later - both Lion and Garuda only have one direct flight per day each, basically leaving Yogya at 20:00 or 20:30 and getting into Bali at 22:00 or 22:30 (with a 1 hour time change).

On a positive note, the two flights I was able to book on AirAsia were dirt cheap: 290K Rupiah Jakarta to Yogya including a 20 Kilo baggage allowance and 580K Rupiah Bali to Jakarta with the same 20 Kilo baggage allowance.

Now I just need to figure out how to get from Yogya to Bali with a U.S.-issued credit card.

[Mavericknl]

Lion air does not accept foreign creditcards. I had the same problem.

There is a website who can buy the tickets for you from Indonesian airlines, completely reliable. For a small fee of course, max 9 euro's.

Check this:

http://ticketindonesia.info/en/index.php


Has anyone with a USA issued Visa or MasterCard had any success buying tickets online with either Garuda or Lion?

I have been trying to get tickets between Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali, first on Lion, and then, failing that, on Garuda and neither one of these websites accept any American-bank-issued charge cards. Garuda's website explicitly states that they only accept Visa or MasterCard issued from various countries in Asia and Oceana, while Lion's website says nothing, but it has bounced 4 different Visa and MasterCards. Each issued by American banks.

I ended up booking 2 of the 3 flights I wanted on AirAsia instead, and their website has no problem with my US-issued Capital One MasterCard. But unfortunately, AirAsia doesn't fly between Yogyakarta and Bali.

BTW, I called all of the credit card companies in advance to advise them of my Indonesia trip and to ask them to allow charges from Indonesian airlines to go through.

I could book Yogyakarta to Bali on Garuda via Expedia, but Expedia gouges and charges around double the fare that Garuda ( 650K Rupiah) or Lion ( 580K Rupiah) charge when booking direct. Expedia wants $138 US for that one short flight on Garuda. And Expedia doesn't work with Lion at all.

My other choice is to book two flights on AirAsia going from Yogya to Bali via Jakarta, but that involves a tight layover, and AirAsia won't guarantee the connection as they only guarantee point to point service. Plus, that involves a spending 4 hours on 2 flights plus layover, instead of a 1 hour direct flight.

Any idea how reliable AirAsia is on a 1 hour connection through Jakarta? Or whether I will have any problems waiting until I arrive in Jakarta on Oct. 14 to buy a flight from Yogya to Bali a week later. Both Lion and Garuda only have one direct flight per day each, basically leaving Yogya at 20:00 or 20: 30 and getting into Bali at 22:00 or 22:30 (with a 1 hour time change).

On a positive note, the two flights I was able to book on AirAsia were dirt cheap: 290K Rupiah Jakarta to Yogya including a 20 Kilo baggage allowance and 580K Rupiah Bali to Jakarta with the same 20 Kilo baggage allowance.

Now I just need to figure out how to get from Yogya to Bali with a USA.issued credit card.

[Cooze Hound]

Member #

I gather you are going to Jakarta first. If so just go to a Garuda office and get the ticket. Pay cash, or if you have an Amex that will work. Or most travel agents are the same. Alternatively when you arrive in Yogja get the onward ticket at the airport when you arrive.
1 hour is to tight on any airline here as a connection. Domestic baggage pick up in Jakarta can take 20 minutes or more.

[Member #2041]

Member #

I gather you are going to Jakarta first. If so just go to a Garuda office and get the ticket. Pay cash, or if you have an Amex that will work. Or most travel agents are the same. Alternatively when you arrive in Yogja get the onward ticket at the airport when you arrive.
1 hour is to tight on any airline here as a connection. Domestic baggage pick up in Jakarta can take 20 minutes or more.
Yes Cooze, I'm flying into and out of Jakarta, and spending 3 days there on each end. My biggest concern is that Lion and Garuda each only have one flight a day from Yogya to Bali, and I am concerned that it could sell out more than a week before hand. My dates are pretty fixed and I need to get from Yogya to Bali on Oct. 21 - not before and not after. Mandala only makes the flight 3 times a week, and not on that day. Incidentally, the Garuda and Lion websites don't take Amex.

[John Aldrich]

Yes Cooze, I'm flying into and out of Jakarta, and spending 3 days there on each end. My biggest concern is that Lion and Garuda each only have one flight a day from Yogya to Bali, and I am concerned that it could sell out more than a week before hand. My dates are pretty fixed and I need to get from Yogya to Bali on Oct. 21 - not before and not after. Mandala only makes the flight 3 times a week, and not on that day. Incidentally, the Garuda and Lion websites don't take Amex.


Don't worry about lion an Garuda. There are other cheaper airlines which fly out regularly from yogi. I think even air Asia has a connection. You have merpati and mandala apart from a host of small airlines.

[Member #2041]

Don't worry about lion an Garuda. There are other cheaper airlines which fly out regularly from yogi. I think even air Asia has a connection. You have merpati and mandala apart from a host of small airlines.
No, Air Asia does not - I'd have to go via Jakarta, and the layover is too tight to be sure I'd make it - and Air Asia does not support connecting flights. Not to mention that becomes a 4 hour trip rather than a 1 hour trip. And Mandala only flies there 3 days a week, and not on the date I need it. Merpati also does not show flights between Yogya and Bali on the date I need it. I researched all of this before I made my prior post.

[Member #3088]

No, Air Asia does not - I'd have to go via Jakarta, and the layover is too tight to be sure I'd make it - and Air Asia does not support connecting flights. Not to mention that becomes a 4 hour trip rather than a 1 hour trip. And Mandala only flies there 3 days a week, and not on the date I need it. Merpati also does not show flights between Yogya and Bali on the date I need it. I researched all of this before I made my prior post.There's a garuda office within walking distance of the meridien hotel. They happily accept any US credit card. You could buy a jogja to bali ticket there after you arrive jakarta and before you go to jogja.

[Robert Long]

No, Air Asia does not. I'd have to go via Jakarta, and the layover is too tight to be sure I'd make it. And Air Asia does not support connecting flights. Not to mention that becomes a 4 hour trip rather than a 1 hour trip. And Mandala only flies there 3 days a week, and not on the date I need it. Merpati also does not show flights between Yogya and Bali on the date I need it. I researched all of this before I made my prior post.If you are trying to get an Airlines ticket during the Idul Fitri period, good luck.

Starting Sep 5th thru Sep 20th almost every form of transportation is sold out.

There are guys called "Makalar" or scaplers that have tickets for sale but as the saying goes "Hati-Hati". Be careful.

RL

[El Greco]

Now I just need to figure out how to get from Yogya to Bali with a U.S.-issued credit card.

http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/pages/office/usa-canada

Garuda offices in USA. Call them and do your booking through them.

As for Airasia make sure you book your seat and meal in advance if you want.

[Cooze Hound]

there's a garuda office within walking distance of the meridien hotel. they happily accept any us credit card. you could buy a jogja to bali ticket there after you arrive jakarta and before you go to jogja.yes this was what i was trying to convey to member 2041, that there are several garuda offices rep001tered around jakarta, let alone travel agents and my reference to amex was that it can be used at these outlets as of course most other credit cards.

[Member #3088]

yes this was what i was trying to convey to member 2041, that there are several garuda offices rep001tered around jakarta, let alone travel agents and my reference to amex was that it can be used at these outlets as of course most other credit cards.2041 is getting plenty of good advice! hope he has a good trip.

3008

[Member #2041]

Thanks to everyone for the information about getting my air ticket for travel inside Indonesia.

The www.ticketindonesia.info website was an interesting idea, and they came back with a price that would have ended up being ~$88 US, which was around a $16 premium over the current Garuda fare. But since it still involved an intermediary that I have no familiarity with, I decided to pass, for now.

I decided that I will book my ticket when I arrive in Jakarta - either at the airport before I head into town via either Lion or Garuda, or else at a ticket office within Jakarta.

Still, one wonders why, with the internet being a global entity, why these places aren't set up to take credit cards from any major country - at least with some sort of security check on the validity of the credit card.

[John Aldrich]

Thanks to everyone for the information about getting my air ticket for travel inside Indonesia.

The www.ticketindonesia.info website was an interesting idea, and they came back with a price that would have ended up being ~$88 US, which was around a $16 premium over the current Garuda fare. But since it still involved an intermediary that I have no familiarity with, I decided to pass, for now.

I decided that I will book my ticket when I arrive in Jakarta - either at the airport before I head into town via either Lion or Garuda, or else at a ticket office within Jakarta.

Still, one wonders why, with the internet being a global entity, why these places aren't set up to take credit cards from any major country - at least with some sort of security check on the validity of the credit card.


Have a great trip and am sure that you will have some memorable time out here in our adopted country, which in other words is paradise.

Have Fun,

Cheers

[Kubahans]

Can anybody help me to find a centrally located, clean and safe budget hotel not too far from the place of action.

My budget is between 30 and 40 USD per night

Many thanks in advance for appropiate recommendations of hotels

PS. I do not want to rent a room in a hotel in Jalan Jaksa

[Fast Eddie 48]

Can anybody help me to find a centrally located, clean and safe budget hotel not too far from the place of action.

My budget is between 30 and 40 USD per night

Many thanks in advance for appropiate recommendations of hotels

PS. I do not want to rent a room in a hotel in Jalan JaksaKubahans,

I think you should do some RTFF there is a Jarkata Hotel forum, your answer is there if you look.

Fast Eddie 48

[Menteng]

A friend sent me a clipping of an Indonesian newspaper, Kompas, mentioning that ALL passengers arriving at the international airport of Jakarta will be examined at customs. If you have goods with you valuing more than US 250,= you'll have to pay customs.

More information out there? LIke what will happen when you arrive with your laptop/mobile phone/camera?

[Member #3088]

A friend sent me a clipping of an Indonesian newspaper, Kompas, mentioning that ALL passengers arriving at the international airport of Jakarta will be examined at customs. If you have goods with you valuing more than US 250,= you'll have to pay customs.

More information out there? LIke what will happen when you arrive with your laptop/mobile phone/camera?I came in from KL recently. Only change is that now there are 'red' and 'green' lanes. Just choose the green lane. No problem. My bag with laptop went through the usual X-ray machine, with not a word from anyone.

[CitizenKafka]

I read a similar report which said passageners would have their luggage visually inspected in another room after passing through the X-ray scanner, ostensibly in search of gifts greater than US$250. The policy would affect Indonesians and non-Indonesians alike, and no timetable was given for implementation.

This sounds like Fauzi Bowo's idea to ban motorcycles from Jakarta's streets, which caused a lot of comment, and then was scheduled to be implemented during Idul Fitri. Of course, it wasn't. The policy was left to die during the holiday.

The absence of a timetable and the wide-ranging scope of the rule makes me think nothing will happen. But who knows.

[Curten]

Went for the double. Mamasan picked a young one with very lean body for me. I picked another who is a little plump but has a set of huge racks. When the young girl stripped, I almost fainted. She's got this nice be cup tits and a wonderfully tight perky ass. And what a pussy! I totally couldn't stop staring at her like an idiot. Only regret was that out of excitement I did her 1st. Should have kept her as second as I went on forever with the other girl while imagining (& running my hands all over her) I was fucking the younger girl. At 400k it sure beats the hell out of wasting time hunting at the likes of CJs.

[Sir Lancelot]

I regularly use the forum and earlier this year contributed a lot to the Philippines section, after spending a month there (including huge diaries with photos). Now I'm planning my next sex tour, to Indonesia.

Having been a regular reader, I know that people find it very irritating when people come on here and ask for basic info that they could have found if they were willing to spend a little more than ten seconds on the site. HOWEVER, at the risk of getting a barrage of RTFF style comments, I'd like to ask a question.

I think it would be really useful if for each country there was a page which gave a brief outline of the 'scene' for people who have never been, giving info on where the main action areas are. That way people can then use the search facility to find out further information.

I've spent a lot of time researching and have come up with names like Blok M and Pen J in Jakarya, Dolly in Subaraya and Kuta / Sanur in Bali. But my questions are:

1. Where should I visit in Indonesia in terms of pay-for-play? Have I missed an obvious place in the list above? (I plan to spend most of my time in Java, between Jakarta and Bali / Lombok).

2. What types of pay-for-play can I expect? It seems that there are no gogo bars but plenty of freelance bars, massage parlours and brothels?

I'd appreciate any help and will of course repay it with a lengthy field report after my trip, with photos.

Lancelot

[Eddieb]

I ve been in Indonesia for 12 weeks in total over 4 years time. And the best place is definately Jakarta.

You can just walk into Hard Rock Cafe, order a beer at the bar and a girl will hit on you.

I was in Jakarta twice after a 14 hour flight, having a flight to Bali the next day. Flight arrives at 6 pm, taxi into town, check-in at the hotel. Have a short nap and go to Hard Rock and the McDonald's across the street at about midnight. I was back at the hotel just 3 beers later with a nice lady. She joined me for a nice breakfast at the hotel and I paid her taxi fare. The first one did leave me a lovely letter she must have wrote when I was sleeping hidden in my luggage.

Only in Jakarta. This never happened to me in Thailand.

Bali is a better place to relax though. .


I regularly use the forum and earlier this year contributed a lot to the Philippines section, after spending a month there (including huge diaries with photos). Now I'm planning my next sex tour, to Indonesia.

Having been a regular reader, I know that people find it very irritating when people come on here and ask for basic info that they could have found if they were willing to spend a little more than ten seconds on the site. HOWEVER, at the risk of getting a barrage of RTFF style comments, I'd like to ask a question.

I think it would be really useful if for each country there was a page which gave a brief outline of the 'scene' for people who have never been, giving info on where the main action areas are. That way people can then use the search facility to find out further information.

I've spent a lot of time researching and have come up with names like Blok M and Pen J in Jakarya, Dolly in Subaraya and Kuta / Sanur in Bali. But my questions are:

1. Where should I visit in Indonesia in terms of pay-for-play? Have I missed an obvious place in the list above? (I plan to spend most of my time in Java, between Jakarta and Bali / Lombok).

2. What types of pay-for-play can I expect? It seems that there are no gogo bars but plenty of freelance bars, massage parlours and brothels?

I'd appreciate any help and will of course repay it with a lengthy field report after my trip, with photos.

Lancelot

[WestCoast1]

1. Where should I visit in Indonesia in terms of pay-for-play? Have I missed an obvious place in the list above? (I plan to spend most of my time in Java, between Jakarta and Bali / Lombok).

2. What types of pay-for-play can I expect? It seems that there are no gogo bars but plenty of freelance bars, massage parlours and brothels? Correct, there are no real barfine places, like in phils they have EDSA, Burgos St bars, and Angeles City, where you pay up front and take a girl with you. Indonesia has mostly:

1) Massage places that offer happy ending or full-service.

2) Fish bowls, or like a bar where you pick a girl, pay a fee up front, then you take her to a bedroom onsite and have her for a couple of hours. Similar to AC gogo bars, but you don't get to take the girl out. Cost is about 350, 000rp (p1500).

3) Freelancers. LOTS of these, just like Manila Bay Cafe in Manila. The Block M bars (Top Gun, My Bar, and D's Place, all across the street from each other) are all FL bars. 350, 000 rp (1500 pesos) will get you a 3-hour ST, and 600-700K (p3000) will get you LT. However, LT for indo girls is almost always over at 6am (or call-to-prayer at sunup) , UNLESS YOU SPECIFY OTHERWISE BEFORE WALKING OUT OF THE BAR WITH HER. Many girls are willing to stay till 9am (or later) , but if you don't specify it, it won't happen. Every girl in the place is a working gal. These gals can ask ridiculously high prices if they have never seen you before or you let on that its your first trip to Indonesia; for instance she will ask for 1 million, and be perfectly happy with 300K for ST, hoping your initial counter will be 500 or up.

4) Freelancers, part II. Disco's, several around Jakarta, Tiga Pula, CJ's, Stadium, etc. Mixed crowd. Some regular folk, and some freelancers. Girls in these places will ask for more. 1 million rp (p5000) for ST or even 2 million for LT. They don't dicker down a lot. Interestingly, they often will leave the disco around midnight if there is not much action, and taxi down to the Blok M bars, and quickly drop their price to 350 ST / 600-700 LT.

Recently a friend relayed he was in the Blok and agreed to 700 LT with a girl, around 3am. She performed fine in the room. They went to sleep. He wakes at sunup (6am) , she's awake and stroking johnson, agressive with the kissing. A quickie follows. She hops up and starts dressing quickly:

Him: where you going.

Her: I go now.

Him: you said LT.

Her: yes. Time to go now. You pay me.

Needless to say, this caused an argument. If he wanted a 3-hour ST, he would have said so and offered 350 (she probably would have accepted). In the girl's mind, sunup IS long-time; she probably assumed he was stupid and / or she was dreaming of 3 hours = 700, and she was not planning to stay past sunup. In his mind, he was thinking 9am, or even noon possibly. He paid her less than the 400 and both parties were pissed.

[Pussycheck]

I'm thinking about to visit Medan and not Jakarta because.

- WG's are also available in Medan (mall's, bars) ,

- The prices for the girls and accomodation and food is much cheaper than in Jakarta and.

- Medan is not so flooding like Jakarta.

Who has been both in Medan and Jakarta and looked in both cities for girls and can give a comparison about both cities?

[WhereAmI]

Spent just 2 days last year in Indonesia and no time to party. Just got a work assignment in Surabaya / Jakarta / Medan might be based in Sillypore though.

I know in Sillypore you need prescription for vitamins.can anyone advise if prescription required in Indonesia to get legit vitamins?

I am aware that you can get in Sillypore without prescription but not legally. I've never had a problem going to doc in Sillpore and getting script to ensure quality vitamins.

Would appreciate any advice re Indonesia in this regard. Would be easier and less costly if available over the counter in pharmacy in Jakarta

[Danibbler]

You do NOT need a prescription to get vitamins in Singapore. Just go to any GNC shop and grab a bottle.

[WhereAmI]

You do NOT need a prescription to get vitamins in Singapore. Just go to any GNC shop and grab a bottle.Well I tried for Vit see and Vit v last year and was told I needed prescription!

Have not tried in Indonesia. Do you know situation?

[Cooze Hound]

Well I tried for Vit see and Vit v last year and was told I needed prescription!

Have not tried in Indonesia. Do you know situation? No problem in Indonesia, Apoteks (Pharmacies) and high end supermarkets, not to mention in some malls there are shops selling vitamins and supplements.

[Ceegee]

The first one did leave me a lovely letter she must have wrote when I was sleeping hidden in my luggage.What the fuck was she thinking? If you are married, I'm sure your wife would not appreciate finding that letter before you do!

Must remember to keep my luggage locked even in my room.

[Member #2041]

What the fuck was she thinking? If you are married, I'm sure your wife would not appreciate finding that letter before you do!

Must remember to keep my luggage locked even in my room. Well, if she stashed the letter with his condoms, it probably wouldn't have made much difference. I couldn't imagine letting my S. O. Unpack my bags after any trip to Thailand or Indonesia or the Phillipines, etc.

[Ceegee]

Well, if she stashed the letter with his condoms, it probably wouldn't have made much difference. I couldn't imagine letting my S. O. Unpack my bags after any trip to Thailand or Indonesia or the Phillipines, etc.I don't ever let anything naughty go into my packed luggage as I considered the scenario of the airline losing my bag, then delivering it later to my home when I am not there. Could even happen on your outbound flight. Your wife / SO helpfully unpacks for you while you are not there. Ouch.

For me condoms, lube, phone numbers collected, etc go in a special separate bag, then when the trip is over the bag sadly goes in the garbage at the airport or wherever the last possible encounter happens

[Sir Lancelot]

Correct, there are no real barfine places, like in phils they have EDSA, Burgos St bars, and Angeles City, where you pay up front and take a girl with you. Indonesia has mostly:

1) Massage places that offer happy ending or full-service.

2) Fish bowls, or like a bar where you pick a girl, pay a fee up front, then you take her to a bedroom onsite and have her for a couple of hours. Similar to AC gogo bars, but you don't get to take the girl out. Cost is about 350, 000rp (p1500).

3) Freelancers. LOTS of these, just like Manila Bay Cafe in Manila. The Block M bars (Top Gun, My Bar, and D's Place, all across the street from each other) are all FL bars. 350, 000 rp (1500 pesos) will get you a 3-hour ST, and 600-700K (p3000) will get you LT. However, LT for indo girls is almost always over at 6am (or call-to-prayer at sunup) , UNLESS YOU SPECIFY OTHERWISE BEFORE WALKING OUT OF THE BAR WITH HER. Many girls are willing to stay till 9am (or later) , but if you don't specify it, it won't happen. Every girl in the place is a working gal. These gals can ask ridiculously high prices if they have never seen you before or you let on that its your first trip to Indonesia; for instance she will ask for 1 million, and be perfectly happy with 300K for ST, hoping your initial counter will be 500 or up.

4) Freelancers, part II. Disco's, several around Jakarta, Tiga Pula, CJ's, Stadium, etc. Mixed crowd. Some regular folk, and some freelancers. Girls in these places will ask for more. 1 million rp (p5000) for ST or even 2 million for LT. They don't dicker down a lot. Interestingly, they often will leave the disco around midnight if there is not much action, and taxi down to the Blok M bars, and quickly drop their price to 350 ST / 600-700 LT.

Recently a friend relayed he was in the Blok and agreed to 700 LT with a girl, around 3am. She performed fine in the room. They went to sleep. He wakes at sunup (6am) , she's awake and stroking johnson, agressive with the kissing. A quickie follows. She hops up and starts dressing quickly:

Him: where you going.

Her: I go now.

Him: you said LT.

Her: yes. Time to go now. You pay me.

Needless to say, this caused an argument. If he wanted a 3-hour ST, he would have said so and offered 350 (she probably would have accepted). In the girl's mind, sunup IS long-time; she probably assumed he was stupid and / or she was dreaming of 3 hours = 700, and she was not planning to stay past sunup. In his mind, he was thinking 9am, or even noon possibly. He paid her less than the 400 and both parties were pissed.Belated thanks for your excellent advice and amusing LT anecdote as well. I will certainly post a report after my trip, as I did when I visted Philippines a year ago.

I've spent a lot of time RTFF and have posted some more questions in the Jakarta section, if you have time to answer.

Regards,

Lancelot

[Oosik]

Don't know if it has already been reported, but if so my apologies.

Departing CGK yesterday had the immigrations fellow stare thoughtfully at my passport, then ask for the receipt I got when I bought the Visa-on-Arrival. He was most distressed because the visa sticker had not been signed by the agent that issued it (yeah. I could forge the visa itself, but not scribble a signature?). I couldn't find the damned thing. Figured I tossed it in the Jojya Hotel. And we had a real problem. He did say, though that he could help me, but I needed to give him something. I naively thought he was still talking about the receipt, but then the light came on. So I took another look at my passport and handed it back to him. He then found all was in order and I headed to the gate as he pocketed the 100, 000 rupiahs that fell out.

Not my first bribe, nor probably my last, but the more difficult I can make it for them to come up with a BS charge, the happier I am. I'll save the receipt from now on, even though nowhere on it does it say to do so. How do I know? Because this morning I found the f*king thing in my f*cking carry-on as I unpacked. I had it on me. Not even in my checked luggage. Shit!

[John Marigold99]

I got hit with an extra Rp200k "fine" when I overstayed my visa by one day. I was flagged by immigration as I was trying to depart and told I had stayed 31 days. What I learned was that no matter what time of day you arrive, it counts as a full day; in other words if you were to arrive on the 5th at 10PM and then depart on the 6th at 12 noon, it would count as two days (not one as I had thought I had logically figured). So I was led to a nearby office where a higher-level immigration official told me I had to pay Rp200, 000 more. So I had to go back to an ATM and make another withdrawal. When I returned and gave him the money, he simply put it in his drawer and did not do anything on the computer or issue any paperwork or receipt. I just smiled and left. It was so worth it because my last evening and day there resulted in having a gorgeous 3-some with two young 18 year olds where one of them was very, very new to the business. I guess I just figured it mentally as a "mongering tax."

[Key Master]

What I learned was that no matter what time of day you arrive, it counts as a full day; in other words if you were to arrive on the 5th at 10PM and then depart on the 6th at 12 noon, it would count as two days (not one as I had thought I had logically figured)."I found that out also in the Philippines, so that may be the way it is in a lot of the Asian countries. It doesn't make sense to us but it may be just the way it is on how they count the days. We are probably figuring that when they scan our passport it starts a timer, but it doesn't appear to be the way the days are calculated.

[Oosik]

I imagine the visa day counting hearkens to pre-computerized days (who knows. There may still be remote border crossings without them). I'm sure all the paperwork was gathered at the end of the day and processed as a batch. Time was irrelevant. I could see them keeping the system for a couple of reasons:

1. Simplicity: They have, I believe, three time zones. If you flew into Bali and out of Jakarta, would you have to leave an hour earlier using the 24 hour concept?

2. Their public servants are underpaid and need to supplement their income on occasion!

[Cooze Hound]

I imagine the visa day counting hearkens to pre-computerized days (who knows. There may still be remote border crossings without them). I'm sure all the paperwork was gathered at the end of the day and processed as a batch. Time was irrelevant. I could see them keeping the system for a couple of reasons:

1. Simplicity: They have, I believe, three time zones. If you flew into Bali and out of Jakarta, would you have to leave an hour earlier using the 24 hour concept?

2. Their public servants are underpaid and need to supplement their income on occasion! The time thing is really quite simple. Its all calendar based. 30 days regardless of time of arrival and departure. Yes sometimes you lose with a late night arrival.

The 200, 000 IDR or 20 USD overstay fee is legal and receipts are available. Most people refuse them as it involved going to the office with the officer and takes a few minutes. Most people just wish to get through and knock back a coffee ASAP.

For long term over stayers and rest assured there are plenty, Immigration Officers can still "fix" things in advance. Too late at the airport though.

[Anneelke]

A first time newbie from Australia to either of them with four nights to spend.

[Member #2041]

A first time newbie from Australia to either of them with four nights to spend.I like 'them both. But Bangkok clearly has more / better mongering options than Bali. Bali has a ton of other non-mongering stuff. And definitely don't ignore Pattaya and Phuket from the list either. If your primary focus is getting shagged, go to Pattaya. If your primary focus is getting shagged plus beach and diving, I might recommend Phuket or Bali. If your primary focus is getting shagged plus absorbing some culture, I might recommend Bali, or Bangkok, depending upon what you want for culture.

[Bigcebu]

A first time newbie from Australia to either of them with four nights to spend.I would spent it in Pattaya. Bangkok isn't that great for mongering and expensive (but still far better than Bali) , for mongering. Go straight to Pattaya.

[Member #4537]

Yes, I have RTFF many times, but I need to ask again because things change and are not always the same.

Which city are you more likely to find the sweet, GFE, younger girls (18-25)? Surabaya or Jakarta?

[Click20]

Yes, I have RTFF many times, but I need to ask again because things change and are not always the same.

Which city are you more likely to find the sweet, GFE, younger girls (18-25)? Surabaya or Jakarta? Why don't you try bandung?

Bandung has a red light district called saritem.

The place is like small houses with tons of woman are being displayed in the living room, and guys could pick up as long as you agree with the rate, I don't really know about the rate but as I read in other local forums, they says it between 200k-600k include the room.

[Menteng]

Why don't you try bandung?

Bandung has a red light district called saritem.

The place is like small houses with tons of woman are being displayed in the living room, and guys could pick up as long as you agree with the rate, I don't really know about the rate but as I read in other local forums, they says it between 200k-600k include the room. Do you mean that Saritem bordellos are open again? All of them were closed by the authorities some time ago. The district may still exist because it is a residential area.

[Click20]

Do you mean that Saritem bordellos are open again? All of them were closed by the authorities some time ago. The district may still exist because it is a residential area.They are never really closed, baby.

It's just a publicity for walikota campaign (local politics)

But I heard that xx spa / massage and sauna are huge in bandung. The popular ones are like Venetian (located at Pasir Kaliki Hypersquare, but I'm not sure about the price) , Indigo, Ozone. Here I give some info from local forum, haha.

*can't believe a girl like wud give you info where to fuck prostitutes.

ROFL

[Menteng]

They are never really closed, baby.

It's just a publicity for walikota campaign (local politics)

But I heard that xx spa / massage and sauna are huge in bandung. The popular ones are like Venetian (located at Pasir Kaliki Hypersquare, but I'm not sure about the price) , Indigo, Ozone. Here I give some info from local forum, haha.

*can't believe a girl like wud give you info where to fuck prostitutes.

ROFLNice to know and thanks for the info, although it is not first hand info. You heard****, not sure****, info from a local forum. Maybe someone has been there recently and can throw in some "solid" info?

[Koen 1947]

Breaking news :.

East Java Governor has decided to CLOSE. ALL venues used by sex workers in the whole province.

His goal is to rid the province from all venues within 5 years. There must be an election ploy here.

But until it becomes reality, you can only utilize "unofficial" locations and risk being taken to jail.

How to get out of it. When taken to jail? The "usual". Money talks, being a foreigner : lots of it.

Sex workers will be offered low interest business loans to establish other careers.

Source: YouTube by NusantaraNews (Indonesian language). BALI here I cum! .

[Non Olet]

Breaking news :.

East Java Governor has decided to CLOSE. ALL venues used by sex workers in the whole province.

His goal is to rid the province from all venues within 5 years. There must be an election ploy here.

But until it becomes reality, you can only utilize "unofficial" locations and risk being taken to jail.

How to get out of it. When taken to jail? The "usual". Money talks, being a foreigner : lots of it.

Sex workers will be offered low interest business loans to establish other careers.

Source: YouTube by NusantaraNews (Indonesian language). BALI here I cum! . Sorry to say so, but what's new? This rumour emerges about each year. Last year plans were published to tear down the whole of Dolly and built a mosk on this place. http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1110955 .
Of course it sounds good for the politics of the establishment but there are so many families living of the revenues of these girls that really closing down Doly would be an electoral stupidity.

NO

[Sakamooony]

Hey Man, you are every were. Tell me, are you plaining a trip to Indo? If so let me know when because I have been thinking of the same thing may be in a week or two.

Let me know.


Yes, I have RTFF many times, but I need to ask again because things change and are not always the same.

Which city are you more likely to find the sweet, GFE, younger girls (18-25)? Surabaya or Jakarta?

[Menteng]

Of course it sounds good for the politics of the establishment but there are so many families living of the revenues of these girls that really closing down Doly would be an electoral stupidity.

NODon't be sure about that.

A. He'll win the votes of the so-called purists;

Be. Hypocrites will have follow them;

See. He can force the rest to vote on him.

Guess what's the biggest party in Jakarta? Lucky enough that in spite of that Jakarta is still what we know. Only during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri there are some restrictions.

[Menteng]

Don't be sure about that.A. He'll win the votes of the so-called purists;

B. Hypocrites will follow them because they are hypocrites;

C. He can force the rest to vote on him or buy their votes because pecunia non olet!

Guess what's the biggest party in Jakarta? Lucky enough that in spite of that Jakarta is still what we know. Only during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri there are some restrictions

[Member #4537]

Hey Man, you are every were. Tell me, are you plaining a trip to Indo? If so let me know when because I have been thinking of the same thing may be in a week or two.

Let me know.I will be there late June for some work and will have the whole month of July to explore. If you can make it during that time let me know! But it looks like I found some wonderful company lined up before I even get there.

[Fast Eddie 48]

I was at Hong kong air port yesterday check in on flight to Jarkata agent ask me for a return ticket out of Jarkta

And I have a return ticket from Singapore back to Hk, I was going to buy a ticket to batam in Jarkata and take the ferry to singpore, she will not check me in and I have to buy a ticket on Cathay from Jarkata to Singapore and I.

Can cancel later with a fee of 275 HKD ticket cost is 2500 HKD, I just got a oneway ticket from jarkata to batam on.

Lion air for 55 USD, arrive in Jarkata on custom they never ask to to show a return ticket but they did ask the guy in front of me to show a return ticket, so just to be save pruchase a return ticket next time,

Fast Eddie 48

[Cheapy]

Guys, I have read and searched Indo forums but did not see any reports on.

Dateinasia. Com. It has tons of Indo girls but I wondered if many go for the GFE or they are only.

P4P. I'm famously Cheap and look for like a week's companionship vs. Slame, bam etc.

Anyone a DIA Indo expert here?

Thanks and salamat from Phils.

Cheapy

[Cooze Hound]

Guys, I have read and searched Indo forums but did not see any reports on.

Dateinasia. Com. It has tons of Indo girls but I wondered if many go for the GFE or they are only.

P4P. I'm famously Cheap and look for like a week's companionship vs. Slame, bam etc.

Anyone a DIA Indo expert here?

Thanks and salamat from Phils.

CheapyCheapy there are all sorts in there, P4P to those looking for marriage or steady relationship etc. Just create a profile and start talking to them and soon you will have some potential hook ups for your next visit.

[Master Diver II]

Guys, I have read and searched Indo forums but did not see any reports on.

Dateinasia. Com. It has tons of Indo girls but I wondered if many go for the GFE or they are only.

P4P. I'm famously Cheap and look for like a week's companionship vs. Slame, bam etc.

Anyone a DIA Indo expert here?

Thanks and salamat from Phils.

CheapyActually DIA has been mentioned before many times and several members I know have used it. You can get results and even freebies from some quite stunning girls; however, the feedback I got from some girls is that they have removed their profiles from DIA because they got too many creeps getting in touch. There are also some looking for P4P and some of them are using older pictures. Opportunities can crop up in the strangest places: I had one girl looking for marriage come straight to my hotel room (my profile clearly states that I'm NOT in this category) and within 5 minutes we were kissing; within the next few minutes after that, she wasn't wearing a thread. I've had many adventures thanks to DIA, but it doesn't seem to be as good now as it used to be. Go ahead and try, you have nothing to lose.

MD II

[Jaimito Cartero]

I found DIA to be a great place. I think it's best to be honest about what you're looking for, as you'll find someone who is looking for the same thing.

DIA is blocked from some internet providers. This blocking is sporadic. Works one day, and not the next. Make sure you get normal email address to correspond with them. You can use a proxy like Anchorfree to get around it, but many girls on the site may not know how to.

Last year, before I came to Jakarta, I spent about a month writing to ladies that looked interesting. Prepare yourself for a flood of emails from the Philippines and Thailand.

I'd say about 50% are looking for P4P, and maybe another 30% want a sugar daddy of some sort. I had about 4 girls just give me their cell numbers and told me they'd come to my room when I arrived in Jakarta. I wasn't interested in this type of encounter though. I lined up a half dozen ladies, and then set up a date a day with them.

I managed to find a pearl on the second date, but still checked out a couple of more. Quickly went back to the pearl, and haven't looked back.

Funny enough, I had one of the 6 candidates SMS me asking for a PT graphics / design job. I think she may have just been trolling for more work, and nothing else.

[Menteng]

I managed to find a pearl on the second date, but still checked out a couple of more. Quickly went back to the pearl, and haven't looked back.I see, that's why it's quiet at the eastern front in spite of you being there. Jajaja.

BTW, someone here says "Hello,".

[Fast Eddie 48]

I was just return from Batam for 2 night got 4 phone number 3 is fake disconnected, it is a waste of time and one girl call me around 2 am I email her my hotel room number, I already have a girl in my room that I pick up from pacific disco but the front desk never ring me they give me the message she call in the morning then I was checking out, most likey she is a pro that didn't get any customer calling me so late.

Fast Eddie 48

[Hung Man 1808]

Actually DIA has been mentioned before many times; however, the feedback I got from some girls is that they have removed their profiles from DIA because they got too many creeps getting in touch.My experience chatting with girls from DIA as well. It seems many, many guys are sending off the first email asking how much (but in less polite terms). This is turning it into the ho database. I've even had one nice girl act that way to see my response. She did meet, and after determining I was actually decent (despite telling her online what I exactly wanted) , much fun was had by all (for the cost of a coffee).

The other alternative is to set up the dummy profile and make it totally clear in no uncertain terms what you are there for, and start approaching girls. I've done that before on another site, and I got more quality girls that way than the nice approach. Seems some nice girls like being able to bring out the naughty side in secret.

[Jaimito Cartero]

BTW, someone here says "Hello,".Yep, when I go to Lokasari these days, it's for a foot massage. As for the Hello, I'm pretty glad that didn't work out. It did put me on the right track, though.

[Menteng]

Yep, when I go to Lokasari these days, it's for a foot massage. As for the Hello, I'm pretty glad that didn't work out. It did put me on the right track, though.I've heard that you're doing very well, Jaimito. So there's a bigger chance know that we bump into each other in Jakarta.

[Master Diver II]

I've heard that you're doing very well, Jaimito. So there's a bigger chance know that we bump into each other in Jakarta.But when will you be in Jakarta my sifu?

MD II

[Bania]

I'll be going to Jakarta for the first time in July. Will be staying at the Sari Pan Pacific. Are there massage parlors within easy walking distance? Of course, the hotel must have one. But I assume that it will be expensive. Thanks in advance for leads. Also, if one has leads for outcall massage, please let me know. Thanks Bania.

[Mighty Spearsman]

I'll be going to Jakarta for the first time in July. Will be staying at the Sari Pan Pacific. Are there massage parlors within easy walking distance? Of course, the hotel must have one. But I assume that it will be expensive. Thanks in advance for leads. Also, if one has leads for outcall massage, please let me know. Thanks Bania.To the best of my recollection, there are no decent massage parlors within walking distance of the Sari Pan Pacific hotel. The closest decent place is probably Hotel Malioboro (which has been discussed at length here in the past) which is at least 1 km north, so take a taxi. And if you're in a taxi, you could also continue north another km or so to the intersection of Jalan Mangga Basar and Jalan Hayam Wuruk and check out Kartika Spa, Berlian or Royal Mas (or the Stadium night club!).

You will be within walking distance of some decent pick-up places such as Sarinah or Plaza Indonesia, even the street cafes / shops / restaurants on Jalan Jaksa, but that wasn't part of youer question.

Don't know anything about the massage spa at your hotel, but if it's like most MPs at 5-star hotels, yes it will be expensive, you probably won't get FS at the spa itself, and if you have a masseuse girl come to your room, she may want at least 1 million to do anything. If you want a decent massage plus some serious FS action in your hotel room, do what I've done a few times, which is to arrange to have one of the girls from Kartika or Berlian come to your room after she finishes work for the evening (10 p. M. 11 pm tops) , she'll stay at least 2 hours, maybe overnight, and you'd get both a good massage plus FS for less than half the cost of the hotel MP.

Also on outcall. Around 4 years ago, a telephone number was circulated on the board for a decent outcall place, can't remember the number.

Of course, if you just want a girl to spend time in your hotel room without a massage, you can meet girls at numerous spots that have been discussed here, including CJ's at Hotel Mulia, BATS at the Shangri-La Hotel, Tiga Puluh (30 Bar) at Le Meridien and the many bars at Blok M, among other places.

[Fast Eddie 48]

I'll be going to Jakarta for the first time in July. Will be staying at the Sari Pan Pacific. Are there massage parlors within easy walking distance? Of course, the hotel must have one. But I assume that it will be expensive. Thanks in advance for leads. Also, if one has leads for outcall massage, please let me know. Thanks Bania.To Bania,

There are no Sauna and massage near Sari pacific but that is a very good Hotel nice room, you can take te Tranjarkata bus to kota and Megar besa station where most of the massage place at or just take the Taxi only about 15 min is the best if you don't know the direction taxi is so cheap only about 2 USD why even walk.

Fast Eddie 48

[Jaimito Cartero]

i'll be going to jakarta for the first time in july. will be staying at the sari pan pacific. are there massage parlors within easy walking distance? of course, the hotel must have one. but i assume that it will be expensive. thanks in advance for leads. also, if one has leads for outcall massage, please let me know. thanks bania.if you're looking for good, legit massage, solusi sehat is quite good. actually, i just finished a 2 hour session for only 115k! since i am now mostly living in a serviced apartment in jakarta (near ambassador mall) , i found out that the hotels i've been staying at the security guard is getting at least 25k per therapist! some hotels like shangi-la may get 50k! (021) 70717070. i have an older number 835-1485, but recall it didn't work a couple of times when i tried it.

some english spoken, if you get the right person. otherwise a few words of bahasa will help quite a bit.

[Member #4643]

This hotel looks lovely. Is it guest friendly?

[Mighty Spearsman]

This hotel looks lovely. Is it guest friendly?Yes, it's girl-friendly, and yes it's a lovely place, but it's not cheap!

It has a very large in-house security force, many of them plain-clothes, as this is a favorite drinking spot of politicians and the Jakarta elite.

[Member #4643]

.Don't know anything about the massage spa at your hotel, but if it's like most MPs at 5-star hotels, yes it will be expensive, you probably won't get FS at the spa itself, and if you have a masseuse girl come to your room, she may want at least 1 million to do anything. .As I probably will stay at a 5 star hotel in Jakarta, I will be doing my usual routine of inviting girls off of DIA and Tagged to visit me, making it clear that my intentions are for carnal fun. I like the idea of having the hotel massage parlor come to my room while I wait for my date to arrive; if Indonesia is anything like the Phils, the dates always arrive late. That means that while I wait, I should be able to fit in a massage and a little sex.

Here is the question: when one calls up to arrange for a girl to come to your room, do you ask for a girl who does erotic massage? Is this acceptable behavior, or will it be thought of as offensive?

[CyclopUnicorn]

Hmm. Seems like a good idea.

Just curious, is it free? Will I be charged to be a member?

Activation code thru HP. Will I be charged for sms recd in Spore?

Any experts can help on this.

Thanks

[El Greco]

Hi Guys,

I am thinking of going to Jakarta to meet a DIA girl and will be in Manila and Bangkok before that. How do the prices and girls in Indonesia compare to Philippines and Thailand, please? Are they similar? Any advantages or disadvantages? I should mention I love big boobs on trim, sexy girls. Thanks very much for any insights or info.Very roughly and on average for LT

Thai 2. 000 Baht = 48 euros.

Manila 2.000 PhP = 33 euros.

Jakarta 500. 000 Idr = 41 euros

[Orange Crust]

Very roughly and on average for LT.

Thai 2. 000 Baht = 48 euros.

Manila 2. 000 PhP = 33 euros.

Jakarta 500. 000 Idr = 41 eurosThank you, I'm always lost on the different exchange rates. To bad there's not a ticker / chart on the top page showing the LT and ST prices on average to compare each country generally. I know there are tonnes of variables but it would be cool to see.

[Tbahn80]

Just my thoughts on DIA. I joined about 2 weeks ago. At first I though I had hit a goldmine being that I travel to SEasia quite a bit. I've since realized that if you travel to the Philippines you are in heaven. Otherwise there are lots of women who want to get married. Or lots of LADYBOY's. Neither of which am I interested in.

Part of the problem is in my profile I was very honest and basically said I didn't want anything serious (mainly because I'm already married). Would love to have a relationship with A gorgeous woman from Asia but for some reason I think the wife would frown haha.

Anyway, you all may have better luck than me but I just didn't have the heart to lie to these poor beautiful girls and tell them I was going to rescue them. I was just honest.

I did meet one girl that I will meet in Jakarta though. I have been honest with her and she said she doesn't want my money but she has a gorgeous 22 year old friend that would. We will see what happens.

I figure I can go to CJ's bar at mulia and find just about anything I want. Especially since that's where I'll be staying.

Happy hunting!

[Master Diver II]

Just my thoughts on DIA. I joined about 2 weeks ago. At first I though I had hit a goldmine being that I travel to SEasia quite a bit. I've since realized that if you travel to the Philippines you are in heaven. Otherwise there are lots of women who want to get married. Or lots of LADYBOY's. Neither of which am I interested in.

Part of the problem is in my profile I was very honest and basically said I didn't want anything serious (mainly because I'm already married). Would love to have a relationship with A gorgeous woman from Asia but for some reason I think the wife would frown haha.

Anyway, you all may have better luck than me but I just didn't have the heart to lie to these poor beautiful girls and tell them I was going to rescue them. I was just honest.

I did meet one girl that I will meet in Jakarta though. I have been honest with her and she said she doesn't want my money but she has a gorgeous 22 year old friend that would. We will see what happens.

I figure I can go to CJ's bar at mulia and find just about anything I want. Especially since that's where I'll be staying.

Happy hunting!It seems our experiences vary. When I was active on DIA, I said much the same thing: I'm married but interested in in fun. I had several straightforward encounters which did not involve any money, but any "relationship" that carried on for a period of time did involve the subtle hints for "oleh oleh" (gifts). I dealt with all in a very upfront manner and have not had any problems as such. You're very welcome to go to CJs but, by and large, it is very "commercial" and somewhat bereft of good talent IMHO. I'd be more likely to have a good time from the dating websites. And I NEVER lie or say that I will rescue them. The main problem is that despite all your honesty, some girls will still hope for more.

MD II

[Tiger 888]

Very roughly and on average for LT.

Thai 2. 000 Baht = 48 euros.

Manila 2. 000 PhP = 33 euros.

Jakarta 500. 000 Idr = 41 eurosVietnam 1.000. 000 VND = 33 Euros, but not as in the PI like shooting fish in a barrel.
In Jakarta, if you have game, easy to score freebies in the malls. Being bule goes a long way.

[Oioman]

Aloha, I'm leaving for Jakarta in a few days. It was suggested that I only bring new 100 dollars bills since some places won't take folded or older used bills. It that true?

OM

[KangK]

Aloha, I'm leaving for Jakarta in a few days. It was suggested that I only bring new 100 dollars bills since some places won't take folded or older used bills. It that true?

OMThe banks are extremely fussy about clean crisp bills so it is true but you can still change at the money changers which abound aplenty.

[Menteng]

The banks are extremely fussy about clean crisp bills so it is true but you can still change at the money changers which abound aplenty.At a lower rate!

[KangK]

At a lower rate!And make sure to check out every note if you change a large amount as they will slip a 1000 rp note into the bunch of 100, 000 rp notes.

[Danibbler]

I'd be curious as to the rationale behind bring only $100 bills. Can you explain please?


Aloha, I'm leaving for Jakarta in a few days. It was suggested that I only bring new 100 dollars bills since some places won't take folded or older used bills. It that true?

OM

[Freezone]

Thinking of going to Bali early next year.

I know that most ATM will have a service fee for withdrawing cash but aside from the fees.

Just wondering if the actual exchange rates for ATM machines are the same for all banks or do they vary. If they do vary, for those living in Bali or Indo that uses the ATMs, which banks offer the best exchange rates when taking money out?

[Freezone]

Also, what is the maximum allowed for ATM withdraws for each visit?

Thanks

[Fast Eddie 48]

The banks are extremely fussy about clean crisp bills so it is true but you can still change at the money changers which abound aplenty.To Kangk.

Yes they want new bill in Indo but they will still change it at a lower rate, In China they will run USD 100 bill into a machine if it have any marking auto reject so bring brand new one or Amex TC.

Fast Eddie 48

[KangK]

Also, what is the maximum allowed for ATM withdraws for each visit?

ThanksDepends on your money denomination. 50, 000rp notes is 1, 250, 000 or if its 100, 000rp notes 2-3 million. Permata Bank allows withdrawls of 3, 000, 000 but Mandiri allows 2, 000, 000. I have a Mandiri account mainly because it is grouped with ATM Bersama which is linked to most of the other banks.

[Oioman]

Aloha, Thanks for the info. I just picked up 100 USD in Rupiahs from the bank. I had to request it last week. At least I have something to use as tip and fares till I get settled. I thought 100 bills was an easy carry and denomination. I'll have smaller bills but they aren't crisp. Leave in two days and can't wait.

Got a friend who will be picking me up, but don't know if he's a monger. He's going to have some rupiahs for me too to save having to go to a bank. Only going to be ther two full days before moving on but get to stay one day on the return.

I have an excursion with JAD!

OM

[Member #4410]

Depends on your money denomination. 50, 000rp notes is 1, 250, 000 or if its 100, 000rp notes 2-3 million. Permata Bank allows withdrawls of 3, 000, 000 but Mandiri allows 2, 000, 000. I have a Mandiri account mainly because it is grouped with ATM Bersama which is linked to most of the other banks.An Indonesian acquaintance told me that Indonesian banks are getting better in coöperating, eliminating surcharges if you happen to have an account with another bank than the ATM you're using at any moment. Also (the subject has been discussed before) there appears to be a difference depending on which country you hail from. I am from the Netherlands and I can withdraw money using my Dutch bank card from almost any Indonesian ATM (they must have the Maestro and / or Cirrus logo) without being bothered with any service charge. The reason it is free is that I also have a Mastercard from my bank.

Demand the same service from your bank and you can stop farting about at moneychangers who will not accept used bills (B.T.W. : some hotels also do not accept non-crisp US bills).

Regards,

Ko

[DrPecker]

Hey guys,

Possibly a really stupid question but where do you guys eat around the BlokM area normally?

My usual pattern, means that I stay in and depend heavily on hotel room service during mongering trips. But I'm currently staying at the Grand Mahakam and room service is fking terrible here! I can't believe this is allegedly a 5 star hotel (I will post a full review after my stay).

(e. G. My afternoon snack of nachos took exactly 50mins to arrive, and consisted of an obvious packet of doritos with a bowl of tomato SAUCE which I'm supposed to pour over the chips. Sigh.)

Any suggestions of food options nearby saving me from this hellhole hotel food, would be greatly appreciated! I'm also half tempted to just move to a better hotel maybe Mulia.

Cheers.

DrP

[Member #4410]

Hey guys,

Possibly a really stupid question but where do you guys eat around the BlokM area normally?

My usual pattern, means that I stay in and depend heavily on hotel room service during mongering trips. But I'm currently staying at the Grand Mahakam and room service is fking terrible here! I can't believe this is allegedly a 5 star hotel (I will post a full review after my stay).

(e. G. My afternoon snack of nachos took exactly 50mins to arrive, and consisted of an obvious packet of doritos with a bowl of tomato SAUCE which I'm supposed to pour over the chips. Sigh.)

Any suggestions of food options nearby saving me from this hellhole hotel food, would be greatly appreciated! I'm also half tempted to just move to a better hotel maybe Mulia.

Cheers.

DrPPersonally I like to eat in the food halls in one of the shopping malls. There is one in the basement of Pasaraya Grande, just to the south of the Blok M bus terminal. I'm not sure what the opening hours are, as I usually eat during daytime and early evening. You can also get food in Jl. Pelatehan, but I never tried that.

Regards,

Ko

[Menteng]

Hey guys,

Possibly a really stupid question but where do you guys eat around the BlokM area normally?

My usual pattern, means that I stay in and depend heavily on hotel room service during mongering trips. But I'm currently staying at the Grand Mahakam and room service is fking terrible here! I can't believe this is allegedly a 5 star hotel (I will post a full review after my stay).

(e. G. My afternoon snack of nachos took exactly 50mins to arrive, and consisted of an obvious packet of doritos with a bowl of tomato SAUCE which I'm supposed to pour over the chips. Sigh.)

Any suggestions of food options nearby saving me from this hellhole hotel food, would be greatly appreciated! I'm also half tempted to just move to a better hotel maybe Mulia.

Cheers.

DrPDepends on your taste. Leave the hotel, turn left and walk a 100 meters to Blok M plaza. On the sixth floor there is a food court and on the lower floors there's a Pizza Hut and others. Leave the hotel and turn right and there are possibilities on the corner. If you want good food and good restaurants, go to the Kemang area.

[Frankie555]

Personally I like to eat in the food halls in one of the shopping malls. There is one in the basement of Pasaraya Grande, just to the south of the Blok M bus terminal. I'm not sure what the opening hours are, as I usually eat during daytime and early evening. You can also get food in Jl. Pelatehan, but I never tried that.

Regards,

KoLots of restaurants (and action) around Grand Mahakam. Try Koi next door or Italian restaurant across the street.

[Mianbao]

Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.To Mianbao,

There are many problems if you arrive so late and you only have 6 hr in transit, by the time you get your VOA Visa an.

The get in to town is already after 2 am acton willbe limited at that hr, you are better off change flight and stay in jarkata for a few days.

Fast Eddie 48

[John Marigold99]

I recommend taking a Silverbird taxi to Alexis Hotel. Search the Jakarta thread and you will learn more about it. Also google "Alexis Hotel Jakarta" and you read more. You can pay the Silverbird taxi driver to wait for you, and then keep your luggage in the taxi as they are very trustworthy. On the top floor where the "spa" is located, you can shower before having your mongering experience with the girls. I agree with Fast Eddie that trying to do blok M is problematic given your short time frame. By the time you get there (2AM) , the "backroom" at Dees Place may be emptied out.


Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.

[Mianbao]

Thanks guys.

I should have mentioned that I am arriving on a domestic flight so don't have to worry about VOA at least.

I've also checked the Alexis hotel website as that was my first idea, but it says the bathhouse business hour is only until 3am (4Play is until 5am, but the bathhouse is where the action is?).

I'll put more thought into it.

[Valkyrie]

I recommend taking a Silverbird taxi to Alexis Hotel. Search the Jakarta thread and you will learn more about it. Also google "Alexis Hotel Jakarta" and you read more. You can pay the Silverbird taxi driver to wait for you, and then keep your luggage in the taxi as they are very trustworthy. On the top floor where the "spa" is located, you can shower before having your mongering experience with the girls. I agree with Fast Eddie that trying to do blok M is problematic given your short time frame. By the time you get there (2AM) , the "backroom" at Dees Place may be emptied out.For all the trustworthiness, I hope Mianbao will still take precaution by taking down the license and registration number of the taxi. A moment of greed might be all it takes. Good luck

[Valkyrie]

Thanks guys.

It says the bathhouse business hour is only until 3am (4Play is until 5am, but the bathhouse is where the action is?).As far as I recall, the bathhouse close earlier than that. My personal experience of last order was around 11. 30 pm (for the girls). But then again, maybe it is 3am during weekend. I did not really recall the day.

[Mianbao]

Thanks again to those below who replied to my earlier post. In the end I arrived earlier in the day.

For the first time visitor to Jakarta getting into the city can be a nightmare. Options are limited to the following:

1. Taxi mafia, in other words non-metered taxis that are sitting waiting. I was quoted 200k but I refuse to support this kind of operation.

2. Bluebird taxis, which use their meter however everyone wants one, hence queues of over an hour both times I was there. The system is to grab a number from the guy wearing a bluebird vest and wait a LONG time until your number comes up. To get back to the airport from the city I paid 80k from Sudirman and 100k from Sparks Hotel in north Jakarta, including tolls.

3. Damri public bus. There are a dozen or so bus routes, I used the one to Blok M to south Jakarta and Gambri station for north Jakarta, and then found bluebird taxis once in the city. I was told that these were every half an hour, but waited almost an hour both times. The bus stop attendant will shout the destination when the bus pulls up (destination on front of bus not always easy to read). You can pay at the counter or once on the bus. 20k to either Jakarta destination. The buses are reasonably comfortable if a bit old coach type.

In future my strategy will be to hedge my bets by getting a bluebird taxi number, but then stand halfway between the bluebird taxis and bus stop. If the right bus comes I'll jump on, otherwise I'll check what number the bluebird taxis get to and wait for one of those if I am getting to the front of the queue.

[Menteng]

Thanks again to those below who replied to my earlier post. In the end I arrived earlier in the day.

For the first time visitor to Jakarta getting into the city can be a nightmare. Options are limited to the following:

1. Taxi mafia, in other words non-metered taxis that are sitting waiting. I was quoted 200k but I refuse to support this kind of operation.

2. Bluebird taxis, which use their meter however everyone wants one, hence queues of over an hour both times I was there. The system is to grab a number from the guy wearing a bluebird vest and wait a LONG time until your number comes up. To get back to the airport from the city I paid 80k from Sudirman and 100k from Sparks Hotel in north Jakarta, including tolls.

3. Damri public bus. There are a dozen or so bus routes, I used the one to Blok M to south Jakarta and Gambri station for north Jakarta, and then found bluebird taxis once in the city. I was told that these were every half an hour, but waited almost an hour both times. The bus stop attendant will shout the destination when the bus pulls up (destination on front of bus not always easy to read). You can pay at the counter or once on the bus. 20k to either Jakarta destination. The buses are reasonably comfortable if a bit old coach type.

In future my strategy will be to hedge my bets by getting a bluebird taxi number, but then stand halfway between the bluebird taxis and bus stop. If the right bus comes I'll jump on, otherwise I'll check what number the bluebird taxis get to and wait for one of those if I am getting to the front of the queue.Bulai 69 had a better way. Just go to the departure level and wait for a bluebird that has just delivered. But wait at the end of the lane, otherwise the driver will be fined or worse, he'll lose his airport-license.

[WestCoast1]

Thanks again to those below who replied to my earlier post. In the end I arrived earlier in the day.

For the first time visitor to Jakarta getting into the city can be a nightmare. Options are limited to the following:

1. Taxi mafia, in other words non-metered taxis that are sitting waiting. I was quoted 200k but I refuse to support this kind of operation.

2. Bluebird taxis, which use their meter however everyone wants one, hence queues of over an hour both times I was there. The system is to grab a number from the guy wearing a bluebird vest and wait a LONG time until your number comes up. To get back to the airport from the city I paid 80k from Sudirman and 100k from Sparks Hotel in north Jakarta, including tolls.

3. Damri public bus. There are a dozen or so bus routes, I used the one to Blok M to south Jakarta and Gambri station for north Jakarta, and then found bluebird taxis once in the city. I was told that these were every half an hour, but waited almost an hour both times. The bus stop attendant will shout the destination when the bus pulls up (destination on front of bus not always easy to read). You can pay at the counter or once on the bus. 20k to either Jakarta destination. The buses are reasonably comfortable if a bit old coach type.Next time pay the 200K. The metered taxi's will run you 130-160, depending the time of day. 200 is only a few dollars more, good value for getting to your destination an hour earlier.

[Hung Man 1808]

Bulai 69 had a better way. Just go to the departure level and wait for a bluebird that has just delivered. But wait at the end of the lane, otherwise the driver will be fined or worse, he'll lose his airport-license.I second that opinion. Arriving at Terminal 2, head upstairs to departures and walk towards the end where taxis arrive from and look for one. I've sometimes got one when they are driving past, or just after dropping someone off (when the guards aren't looking).

Last trip I was picked up, and much confusion resulted as the taxi entered the departure level with the "collector" having to come downstairs to find me. No wonder I couldn't see the taxi! Apparently taxis can't come into arrivals with someone and pick you up due to the taxi rink arrangement. Apparently!

If at Terminal 1 domestic, all bets are off. Fight and claw for a taxi as they arrive. If at Terminal 3 (de facto Air Asia terminal, as all flights are from there now). Forget about it. It's all one level. Queue, grumble and sweat, unless you can arrange a pickup from a girl with a car.

[Cooze Hound]

Well after several years of living and enjoying Jakarta, I have finally acquired an STD. From a BBBJ at the Sari Ayu.

Anyway, do any Jakarta residents know of a dedicated STD clinic in town.

Seems to be a virulent Gonorrhea and is not responding to usual meds.

Sure any of the main medical centres can do tests etc, but I would rather go straight to the experts, and for the life of me I cannot find any information anywhere, so if anyone knows it would be good detail to have posted here.

[Ekspat]

Seems to be a virulent Gonorrhea and is not responding to usual meds.Usual pills don't help anymore. But 3 shots of 1g Ceftriaxone intramuscular, every 24hrs, that should kill even the worst Gonorrhea.

(I know it first hand)

[Cooze Hound]

Usual pills don't help anymore. But 3 shots of 1g Ceftriaxone intramuscular, every 24hrs, that should kill even the worst Gonorrhea.

(I know it first hand) Thanks for your info Ekspat, sorry my reply is a bit late.

Actually I used Cefixime 2 x 200mg for 2 days and that cleaned it up. Available over the counter in Jakarta. As you pointed out in your PM it is in the same family as the liquid Ceftriaxone and more effective than Ciproxin and others.

Cheers

[AussieDoug]

Dear All,

Apologies for asking a question in my first Indonesia post, I usually try to provide info rather than take.

I am planning a late arrival (midnight) and then early departure (6am) from Jakarta, and do an all-nighter rather than sleeping. I will have a large backpack and maybe laptop bag as luggage however. Best plan seems to be to leave baggage at the airport and get in a taxi and head to Blok M. From my desk research there is apparently there is left luggage in terminal 2D, and a 'secret room' in one of the Jalan Falatehan bars.

I am worried however that the left luggage office might not be 24 hours, and that you cannot leave a laptop there anyway, or that I don't locate the secret room or a short time room in Blok M. Was therefore wondering if there was a spa / sauna type place in south Jakarta, however after RTFF most of these seem to be in north jakarta.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what you would do?

Thanks in advance and I will be posting a report later in the month after my trip.

Mianbao.Sounds like you are only in transit in jakarta, try checking your bags all the way to your next destination.

[Bule52]

I'm moving from Philippines to Jakarta early 2012 and considering to bring my flat screen TV, DVD and several suitcases.

Can anyone recommend a international shipper that is reliable?

Are there shipping issues I need to consider and just sell off my excess and but new?

Appreciate your input.

B52

[Red Square]

I've looked back through a few pages, and didn't see this specifically asked: Any mongers know which ATMs will take Canadian bank cards?

I hate the ATM roulette that I have to play when I get to a new country.

[Nedword]

I was at Hong kong air port yesterday check in on flight to Jarkata agent ask me for a return ticket out of JarktaA very late reply, but what I do is look at the Air Asia website and find a ticket from somewhere in Sumatra to KL. In fact I did this yesterday and was able to find a Palembang-KL ticket for $10US. I'll never use it, probably, but its cheap and solves problems.

[John Aldrich]

I've looked back through a few pages, and didn't see this specifically asked: Any mongers know which ATMs will take Canadian bank cards?

I hate the ATM roulette that I have to play when I get to a new country.Any ATM will take any card as long as its aligned by Visa or Maestro or any other globally recognised debit card provider.

Cheers

[Golfinho]

I was at Hong kong air port yesterday check in on flight to Jarkata agent ask me for a return ticket out of Jarkta Lion air for 55 USD, arrive in Jarkata on custom they never ask to to show a return ticket but they did ask the guy in front of me to show a return ticket, so just to be save pruchase a return ticket next time,Guess you don't travel too much. In this situation, what I always do is make a reward reservation with Star Alliance. Free to cancel it, costs you nothing, so long as you're Platinum (with Continental) or Gold with one of the others member airlines. Did several of these last couple weeks going from Hong Kong, to Auckland, Australia, Indonesia. Always do it for Africa too, especially.

[Menteng]

Guess you don't travel too much. In this situation, what I always do is make a reward reservation with Star Alliance. Free to cancel it, costs you nothing, so long as you're Platinum (with Continental) or Gold with one of the others member airlines. Did several of these last couple weeks going from Hong Kong, to Auckland, Australia, Indonesia. Always do it for Africa too, especially.Knowing that possibility is not due to traveling much or not, but being Platinum and / or Gold.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Guess you don't travel too much. In this situation, what I always do is make a reward reservation with Star Alliance. Free to cancel it, costs you nothing, so long as you're Platinum (with Continental) or Gold with one of the others member airlines. Did several of these last couple weeks going from Hong Kong, to Auckland, Australia, Indonesia. Always do it for Africa too, especially.To GOL.

I post this report 4 month ago and you are responding now and you need to RTFF, I am a gold member with Cathay pacific and I fly about 70, 000 mile with them a yr US to Asia and I fly HKG to Jarkata 2 a year on my last trip they want me to show a onward return ticket out of Jarkata when I check in at HK airport, they told me I must have a round trip ticket and my plan is purchase a ticket at Jarkata to Batam and fly back to HK from Singapore, this is the first time this happen to me cathay pacific is getting strict about this, I told them indo custom never ask me to show them a return ticket before I guess this is change so I go to CX ticket counter to buy a ticket from Jarkata to Singapore and cancel later it don't made any different if you are a gold member or not I have to paid a cancel fee.

Fast Eddie 48

[Omeprazol]

Is it possible or even prefered to pay in US dollars? Or does one get the best price by paying in rupiehs?

[OmBule]

Is it possible or even prefered to pay in US dollars? Or does one get the best price by paying in rupiehs?Ah, the last time I paid with US dollars in Indonesia was never!

Heh! In my experience, no one likes to be paid in dollars. Although YMMV.

Big roller though I may be, I have always had a problem exchanging hundreds in Jakarta. It was something to do with wrong series numbers or the condition of the bills. There are different exchange rates for different series numbers. I have never had a worry with ATM withdrawals, though.

On second thought, I did pay with dollars once, in Semarang, West Java. It was in the club in the Novotel. The girl was 19 years old and new to the scene, tall, maybe 173 centimeters, thin, dark brown with long hair and with a huge bosom. I remember taking her short yellow dress off when she was on my bed. She stayed with me for three days. She took me the nightclub near Simpang Lima and dining in the bukit bukit overlooking the city at night. And I made love to my Indonesian barbie doll incessantly. It was worth $100. And I didn't want to negotiate.

Anyway, I still think rupiah is the way to go.

[Liondale]

Is it possible or even prefered to pay in US dollars? Or does one get the best price by paying in rupiehs?Go for rupiah. All prices are scaled to rupiah, some will be happy to convert but you will certainly not come out the winner of the conversion rate.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Is it possible or even prefered to pay in US dollars? Or does one get the best price by paying in rupiehs?To Omeprazol.

I always change USD to Rup there are money changer all over Jarkata offer good rate. Most hotel and club will take USD but rate.

Are not very good.

Fast Eddie 48

[Omeprazol]

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who replied to my question.

Kindest regards.

Omeprazol

[Mighty Spearsman]

Ah, the last time I paid with US dollars in Indonesia was never!

Heh! In my experience, no one likes to be paid in dollars. Although YMMV.

Big roller though I may be, I have always had a problem exchanging hundreds in Jakarta. It was something to do with wrong series numbers or the condition of the bills. There are different exchange rates for different series numbers. I have never had a worry with ATM withdrawals, though.

On second thought, I did pay with dollars once, in Semarang, West Java. It was in the club in the Novotel. The girl was 19 years old and new to the scene, tall, maybe 173 centimeters, thin, dark brown with long hair and with a huge bosom. I remember taking her short yellow dress off when she was on my bed. She stayed with me for three days. She took me the nightclub near Simpang Lima and dining in the bukit bukit overlooking the city at night. And I made love to my Indonesian barbie doll incessantly. It was worth $100. And I didn't want to negotiate.

Anyway, I still think rupiah is the way to go.Your post jogged my memory of a humorous moment. Back in late 2007 / early 2008, I was at a moneychanger's shop in the basement of Plaza Indonesia (the one next to Panorama Tours and the card shop and across from the tea shop) one day around 10 am, when an attractive young lady walked in, wearing a low-cut top, tight jeans and stiletto heels (ie. dressed like she had just come from CJ's or BATS). She went up to the counter, opened her fake designer LV purse, and pulled out a crisp new US $50 bill and asked for it to be changed into rupiah. I had to smile, it was pretty obvious how she had gotten hold of that bill! Maybe that was one of your conquests, Ombule?

On a more serious note, I've always found it difficult to exchange US $100 bills in Indonesia. The money changers seem to only want pristine new bills without a single fold or sign of ever being used (this has been discussed in the past here on ISG).

I've always tried to pay everyone with rupiah in Indonesia, and I've never had a problem using ATMs. In fact, whenever I arrive in Jakarta by air from another country, I always use one of the ATMs located between immigration and the baggage carousels. Much safer and easier than using an ATM in the public area of the airport, and better than trying to pay a Blue Bird taxi driver with dollars. Just make sure that the ATM dispenses 50, 000 rupiah notes, not 100, 000 rupiah notes.

If you want to have some smaller bills for tipping, go to Dunkin' Donuts after you cross into the public area of the airport, buy a donut or coffee, and ask for small bills in return.

[Smoothy]

There was a fire last night at Aphrodite, so it looks like it will be closed for a while.

[Golfinho]

To GOL.

I post this report 4 month ago and you are responding now and you need to RTFF, I am a gold member with Cathay pacific and I fly about 70, 000 mile with them a yr US to Asia and I fly HKG to Jarkata 2 a year on my last trip they want me to show a onward return ticket out of Jarkata when I check in at HK airport, they told me I must have a round trip ticket and my plan is purchase a ticket at Jarkata to Batam and fly back to HK from Singapore, this is the first time this happen to me cathay pacific is getting strict about this, I told them indo custom never ask me to show them a return ticket before I guess this is change so I go to CX ticket counter to buy a ticket from Jarkata to Singapore and cancel later it don't made any different if you are a gold member or not I have to paid a cancel fee.

Fast Eddie 48You need to be faster eddie.

[KangK]

I use a telekom flash while I'm working in remote regions of Indo and just this last week it has been preventing me from accessing ISG as it states it is a restricted site due to the govt blocking a lot of porn sites in Indo. Is anyone else having the same problem. The weird thing is it still occassionally works about one time in twenty. Aneh tapi nyata.

[Member #4410]

I use a telekom flash while I'm working in remote regions of Indo and just this last week it has been preventing me from accessing ISG as it states it is a restricted site due to the govt blocking a lot of porn sites in Indo. Is anyone else having the same problem. The weird thing is it still occassionally works about one time in twenty. Aneh tapi nyata.I have no experience with wireless internet in Indonesia, but when using a hard-wired connection in hotel rooms I never had problems.

Regards,

Ko

[Asian MP Lover]

Some ISP operators use DNS server based filtering. So for computers with 3G modems simply try to change your connection profile to use OpenDNS or any other free DNS server.

In case you don't know how to do this, search online for guidance. Don't post here.

If you still can't access, chances are the ISP uses url and IP based filtering. Here you need to setup an encrypted tunnel, e g VPN or SSH, to a server that can act as your internet gateway.

[Member #4410]

Next time pay the 200K. The metered taxi's will run you 130-160, depending the time of day. 200 is only a few dollars more, good value for getting to your destination an hour earlier.Reply is a bit late, but might still be useful.

Bluebird is the best taxi from the airport, but there is always a big queue waiting. One way of getting around this is asking for a Silver Bird. Usually there are a few waiting because most people find them too expensive. They are handled by the same guys handing out the tickets indicating your place in the queue. Consider what is more acceptable to you: paying a few 100K more or waiting for an hour.

Regards,

Ko

[Non Olet]

Reply is a bit late, but might still be useful.

Bluebird is the best taxi from the airport, but there is always a big queue waiting. One way of getting around this is asking for a Silver Bird. Usually there are a few waiting because most people find them too expensive. They are handled by the same guys handing out the tickets indicating your place in the queue. Consider what is more acceptable to you: paying a few 100K more or waiting for an hour.

Regards,

KoAnd an even better (and cheaper) option is a Golden Bird. Just ask at their desk. 170 k fixed price (including toll) to the center of Jakarta. Tried it last week and no waiting time while there was a huge line at Blue Bird.

NO

[Menteng]

And an even better (and cheaper) option is a Golden Bird. Just ask at their desk. 170 k fixed price (including toll) to the center of Jakarta. Tried it last week and no waiting time while there was a huge line at Blue Bird.

NOWhere exactly in the center of Jakarta and do they have different routes like the Damri buses?

[Non Olet]

Where exactly in the center of Jakarta and do they have different routes like the Damri buses?No fixed route, just as taxi to the Atlet Century Hotel. Surprisingly cheaper that generally the Silver Bird.

NO

[Jude Bright]

And an even better (and cheaper) option is a Golden Bird. Just ask at their desk. 170 k fixed price (including toll) to the center of Jakarta. Tried it last week and no waiting time while there was a huge line at Blue Bird.

NODo you mind to tell where can I find the Golden bird?

It is inthe terminL or out side of the terminal.

Thanks much.

Jb

[Kerrstar]

I have no experience with wireless internet in Indonesia, but when using a hard-wired connection in hotel rooms I never had problems.

Regards,

KoI was staying at the Hyatt last week and for the first couple of days I could access ISG then it was blocked for the last day I was there. That was my first trip to jakarta in about a year and the site was always accessable before.

Cheers

[Bonkers1]

I am going to Manila for 1 week then to Bali for 1 week. I have been to Phillipines before and never had a problem with just my passport. I was checking my flight details and seen I need a visa to enter Indonesia well I went into a panic I am leaving for my trip in April. Then I calmed down and read old posts and seen I just need a passport with 5 blank pages and 25 USD for a temporary visa. My question is did I forget anything else I have money and a passport and viagra am I good to go thanks for any advice