Jakarta

[QUOTE=Topmanten; 1336886]Can I buy pre paid local sim card at the airport which is good for Bali and jakarta.

Taxi to city: which is best and convenient taxi to city sudirman area, thanks for help.

TMT[/QUOTE]Don't know about sim card but for taxi try "Bluebird" company (light blue color taxis) just outside of arrival door to your right. Avoid all others.

[QUOTE=Mantrini;1336179]Have searched and red the posts for Jakarta but have yet to find updated information on money exchange in Indonesia. At the start I may start with an exchange at the hotel where I am sure it will be to the houses favour, any directions from members on where the best places to exchange are? And what should I expect as a reasonable exchange rate?[/QUOTE]Exchange rate can be found in [url]http://peniti.co.id/index.php/forex/rates[/url]

They are money exchange as well but too far from the central for most foreigner.

There are a lot of 24 hour money exchange on hayam wuruk across mercure hotel.

But exchanging the dollar in Indonesia is tricky, even for us local, because the only accept crisp dollar and big bill.

Also they have a list of dollar serial code that they prefer (make the most money).

I think ATM might be a good choice because of it.

For hotel exchange, check the online rate first. Some hotel rarely update and might give you good rate.

[QUOTE=King Squared;1336770]I change my money at one of the money changers at Plaza Indonesia. Like others have said, make sure your bills are in good condition without tears or writing on them. $100 dollar bills get the best rates.[/QUOTE]No tear, no wrinkle, no marking at all.

And they usually want new bill, old bill code usually fetch less.

[QUOTE=Topmanten; 1336881]Is it possible to buy a local prepaid sim at the airport.

Which is the best taxi avilability / reliability from airport to the city sudirman area. Thanks lot for help.

TMT[/QUOTE]Yes it is possible to buy sim card.

Best taxi is bluebird and express, both is very reputable with express a bit cheaper

[QUOTE=Mantrini;1336179]Have searched and red the posts for Jakarta but have yet to find updated information on money exchange in Indonesia. At the start I may start with an exchange at the hotel where I am sure it will be to the houses favour, any directions from members on where the best places to exchange are? And what should I expect as a reasonable exchange rate?[/QUOTE]To Mantrini

I always use the money changer own by Chinese in Loposari plaza at mangar begsar they will change most currency prefer RMB alway got good rate there, there are a few in the plaza and a bank that I use to change my US tc, you can change a small amount at the airport but hotel exhange rate is very low. Most money changer will not take bill with any kind of marking one them they like brand new crisp bill.

Fast Eddie 48

[quote=menteng;1336558]i would bring only what is needed for the voa and maybe 20 dollars more in small notes. for the rest of the expenses i would use money from atm's that are rep001tered all over jakarta. not only for safety reasons, but moneychangers in indonesia are pains in the neck if your notes are not crispy fresh and printed in (a) certain year (s). also, they prefer 100 us dollar notes.[/quote]hi menteng, how have you been doing mate. i was in bali last year and dropped into the bca atm opposite hotel kartika chandra in kuta area. wanted to draw cash and inserted my hsbc card. and the next thing that happened after keying in my password was that my card just got swallowed. i rushed to bca nearby and told them. they said nothing can be done, since sometimes it does happen that way. i called up hsbc and they said they would send me another card, but that would be to the address listed in my records and it was jakarta. i could feel from the communication of both the banks, that this was a common occurence and both the banks did not show any element of surprise. fortunately, i was carryingatusd 2, 000 in cash with me and had some idr apart from my credit cards. i was just wondering how a guy would manage in case he did not have an alternate mode for cash.

the first thing i did when i reached jakarta was to open a bca account, since even if one of the card gets swallowed, i could use the account of the other bank. in fact after a few days, i recall seeing a post in isg that someone else also had his card swallowed. while we could use the atm always, since one would get the correct rate and also no hassles about damaged or wrinkled notes. it's always better to ave cash handy, just in case of an eventuality of the card being swallowed. am sure you would endorse my view, gained after my past experience.

cheers

[QUOTE=Menteng;1330344]I think the main difference between the two scenes is that the girls in South, except for those in Maribaya, are "take-aways", while those in the North are generally for "in-house" activities.[/QUOTE]True, but that's during working hours. As you may have found out yourself many Maribaya girls are quite happy to make housecalls outside working hours to get some extra income. They have to like you enough to exchange hp numbers, but that happens soon enough if you treat them like human beings.

Inviting one or more of the girls has some advantages:

- you know what you can expect in the GFE department;

- rates are very competitive compared to the usual Jalan Pelatehan take out rate; I have a modest list of Maribaya hotel visitors who all were quite happy with 500 k for an all-nighter; in the Maribaya they get to keep 200 k per client; besides that, they love to sleep in a genuine big bed in an airconditioned room.

- sometimes they bring a girlfriend who does not work in Maribaya but who is happy to come and add to the fun (I fondly remember Sindi).

Regards,

Ko

[QUOTE=John Aldrich; 1337352]The first thing I did when I reached Jakarta was to open a BCA account, since even if one of the card gets swallowed, I could use the account of the other bank. In fact after a few days, I recall seeing a post in ISG that someone else also had his card swallowed. While we could use the ATM always, since one would get the correct rate and also no hassles about damaged or wrinkled notes. It's always better to ave cash handy, just in case of an eventuality of the card being swallowed. Am sure you would endorse my view, gained after my past experience.

Cheers[/QUOTE]I thought to open a bank account in Indonesia you either need Indonesian I'd or a KITAS, have the rules changed since?

Hence it will be impossible for these guys coming over for a holiday etc.

Luckily I have had a KITAS and thus keep an account with Bank Mandiri making access easy for my needs.

[QUOTE=John Aldrich; 1337352]Hi Menteng, how have you been doing mate. I was in Bali last year and dropped into the BCA ATM opposite Hotel Kartika Chandra in Kuta area. Wanted to draw cash and inserted my HSBC card. And the next thing that happened after keying in my password was that my card just got swallowed. I rushed to BCA nearby and told them. They said nothing can be done, since sometimes it does happen that way. I called up HSBC and they said they would send me another card, but that would be to the address listed in my records and it was Jakarta. I could feel from the communication of both the banks, that this was a common occurence and both the banks did not show any element of surprise. Fortunately, I was carryingatUSD 2, 000 in cash with me and had some IDR apart from my credit cards. I was just wondering how a guy would manage in case he did not have an alternate mode for cash.

The first thing I did when I reached Jakarta was to open a BCA account, since even if one of the card gets swallowed, I could use the account of the other bank. In fact after a few days, I recall seeing a post in ISG that someone else also had his card swallowed. While we could use the ATM always, since one would get the correct rate and also no hassles about damaged or wrinkled notes. It's always better to ave cash handy, just in case of an eventuality of the card being swallowed. Am sure you would endorse my view, gained after my past experience.

Cheers[/QUOTE]Doing fine, mate. Will be in Jakarta at the end of next month. Let's have a beer!

My card was also swallowed without any reason once at a BNI in Jakarta. I told that to the Satpam who was on duty and to my surprise he was able to open the ATM. And there, on top of other cards was mine! I had more luck than you apparently!

About the cash, I endorse your view, but since I hesitate to have a significant amount of foreign cash with me during my trips, I always bring more than one card suitable for ATM's.

[QUOTE=Koperen Karel; 1337367]True, but that's during working hours. As you may have found out yourself many Maribaya girls are quite happy to make housecalls outside working hours to get some extra income. They have to like you enough to exchange hp numbers, but that happens soon enough if you treat them like human beings.

Inviting one or more of the girls has some advantages:

- you know what you can expect in the GFE department;

- rates are very competitive compared to the usual Jalan Pelatehan take out rate; I have a modest list of Maribaya hotel visitors who all were quite happy with 500 k for an all-nighter; in the Maribaya they get to keep 200 k per client; besides that, they love to sleep in a genuine big bed in an airconditioned room.

- sometimes they bring a girlfriend who does not work in Maribaya but who is happy to come and add to the fun (I fondly remember Sindi).

Regards,

Ko[/QUOTE]You're right. But I had the same experience, not only with Blok M girls, but also with those of Kota. Biertje?

[QUOTE=John Aldrich; 1337352]The first thing I did when I reached Jakarta was to open a BCA account, since even if one of the card gets swallowed, I could use the account of the other bank. In fact after a few days, I recall seeing a post in ISG that someone else also had his card swallowed. While we could use the ATM always, since one would get the correct rate and also no hassles about damaged or wrinkled notes. It's always better to ave cash handy, just in case of an eventuality of the card being swallowed. Am sure you would endorse my view, gained after my past experience.

Cheers[/QUOTE]Thought you need to be an Indonesian resident or hold a KITAS to open a bank account? Have things changed? Luckily I had a KITAS so have a Bank Mandiri account.

[QUOTE=Haggis Man;1337602]Thought you need to be an Indonesian resident or hold a KITAS to open a bank account? Have things changed? Luckily I had a KITAS so have a Bank Mandiri account.[/QUOTE]Am a KITAS holder mate. My company insists on paying salaries through HSBC to all of the expats and so have it there. Easy to transfer funds to home country too. But, now I realize that having a local bank account is so convenient after opening a BCA account. Have easy access to their ATM's all over, which was not the case with HSBC. Since withdrawing money through debit card from any Visa compatible ATM resulted in a service charge being levied. We have a BCA branch in our building, where all local employees are paid their salaries. I just withdraw from HSBC the USD and deposit it in BCA and then have easy access to cash any time from BCA ATM's even in the remotest places.

[QUOTE=Topmanten; 1336881]Is it possible to buy a local prepaid sim at the airport.

Which is the best taxi avilability / reliability from airport to the city sudirman area. Thanks lot for help.

TMT[/QUOTE]Don't buy a SIM card at the airport, the prices there are about double what you pay anywhere else. You can buy a card at practically every street corner. Simpati is good for remote regions, otherwise ProXL is fine. The only other point is that you can usually call people with the same provider at extremely cheap rates, so if you have business, girls to call, etc, then find out what card the most common contacts use. It will probably be one of the two that I mentioned. I think the "Only use Blue Bird taxis" mantra is overstating the case, there are quite a few other good companies, most notably Express, which is just as reliable and a fair bit cheaper. However, taxis at the airport are notorious for not wanting to use their meters, except ones from the more reputable companies, like the two I mentioned. If I use other companies, I ask them politely to turn the meter on and promise them I'll pay a bit extra. An extra 20, 000 is usually enough to keep them happy, but they can spot me as an old Jakarta hand. They may try it on a bit if they think you're a newbie to the city.

Another way to travel from the airport is just book on car service counter.

You can find it when you are exiting the passenger only area.

Never took the offer from unlicensed taxi.

[QUOTE=Gonzo Two;1337865]Don't buy a SIM card at the airport, the prices there are about double what you pay anywhere else. You can buy a card at practically every street corner. Simpati is good for remote regions, otherwise ProXL is fine.[/QUOTE]I've been away for a while, but what about Mentari? Is it still there? I used that because of the possibility to call abroad for next to nothing, using VoIp. Press 01016 followed by the rest of the foreign phone number is all there was to do. No need to look for a wartel or be in some available WiFi range.

[QUOTE=Menteng;1337927]I've been away for a while, but what about Mentari? Is it still there? I used that because of the possibility to call abroad for next to nothing, using VoIp. Press 01016 followed by the rest of the foreign phone number is all there was to do. No need to look for a wartel or be in some available WiFi range.[/QUOTE]Pretty well all the Telco's have a VOIP, XL for example is 01000.

Jakarta Airport taxi's. Pretty well all Cab's with a ground staff member in a uniform and whom will give you a card detailing airport levies etc and a complaint number are reliable. Gamya is owned by Blue Bird but is there lower priced option, they are green, always good.

It can however be a bit like Dodge City if you arrive at midnight or similar especially at Domestic. The dodgy ones move in.

Bank accounts, as pointed out you do need a KITAS or residency to open an account but a tip for frequent Bali visitors, Permata will let you open an account if a local resident with a Permata account vouches for you, they do not need to act as a guarantor or anything.

At least that is the case in Sanur. My friend visiting for an extended time did it with a local lass.

Had some fun with Ayuko Stayed in Central Park Area. Independent good BBBJ, GFE. Will book her again. Found her by searching for estcort on local web site.