Jakarta

Long time back almost 10 years back, I and my wife were travelling Jakarta and we were in rental car travelling from Jakarta to Bangor for a day trip. We were sitting at rear and I asked driver are we required to wear seat belt and he said no need. Well moment we enter Bogor police blew whistle and stop the car and he duck his head inside and asked us why we are not wearing seat belt. I said in English driver said you don't need. But he said driver is not local so does not know local law. He asked for my papers and my wife was carrying photo copy of our PP, (our hotel advise us to carry photocopy instead of original) and police ask me why we don't carry original PP. I said original PP is in hotel locker and if you don't trust my Photocopy then you can call immigration office and check the originality of PP. Car was stop for more then 25 minutes and finally I ask driver how much he need, so driver said he want 50 K I said OK you pay from your pocket now and I will pay you afterwards as we don't want to show our wallet and he demands more. So finally we paid 50 K and moved on. So this incident has left sour taste about Indonesia trip otherwise all is well. So we need to know few some basic rules, carry photo copy of PP, never hand over original then you are stuck if he keep PP in his custody. Don't open wallet and don't negotiate yourselves.

[QUOTE=JktJon;2217285]Are you sure you're not expert? Because its quite a mixed message to deny it, and then write a 10 paragraphs essay cherry picking and twisting my points in your counter-argument.

I'm really not trying to attack anyone, and I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just have a different experience and perspective about this, that's all.

I NEVER said the police were not corrupt, and ONLY act upon local laws. It is well known they are corrupt. All I said was that there are limits to their corruption. Sure, Indonesia is not as lawful as Europe, but at the same time its not as lawless as wild-west.

My belief-until someone proves otherwise with actual evidence and not speculation or hearsay- is they won't actually Jail you for simply being a white guy walking around with the proper ID (a kitas or passport) who didn't do anything wrong. It doesn't mean that they won't use that as a 'threat' to try squeeze the new, naive or gullible. My small sample size of people I know that called their bluffs, were able to get their asking prices substantially lowered to small amounts where it was acceptable just pay them and get it over with (not worth saving $20 on principle to find out).[/QUOTE]

No being there it is hard to say. But I am a bit of a coward. I would usually protest nicely and negotiate and try to read the situation. If I am getting railroaded and digging a deeper hole for myself with no backup, I would reverse tactics. If I feel that a couple see notes will stop the BS and get me out of any potential problem, I would pay. I can make more and the downside out weighs the upside. I doubt any government will press charges against me for paying the bride, but it is in the back of my mind.

Thanks for sharing. It is interesting because with so many witnesses, on their side, there was obviously some other dynamics there. A habit from my NY days; I always have some see notes on me.

[QUOTE=Marky1;2216984]They wanted 10 million to start with. It took a lot of negotiating to get it down.

Like I said, happy to walk away for 3 million.

These guys weren't playing games.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Smoothy;2217580]If you went on a Sunday night, that will be true. It was also true on a Sunday night at Blok M years ago.

I agree that it's pretty dead, but you can still find fun at Ds or My Bar from Wednesday thru Saturday nights.[/QUOTE]For guys who have been here its its hay day maybe this still has its place. For any noobs that might come here thinking this is a viable option. There are some old hangers on when I say old I mean old about 50+ that act as fixers or psudo mama sans they say D's doesn't pop off until after 12 and my bar is fine maybe the equivalent of a santos street bar in AC but its just the one place they say MyBar pops off after 10 pm. Before that these places are totally dead so don't even bother going before 10 pm which I have done and absolutely nothing happening. The older ladies pimp off the younger ones for a small commission and they are asking 1 million compared to mangga besar where I was pulling free lancers and massage girls fro 500 including tip this is 1 million before tip. It's a supply and demand issue not a lot of demand so leads to limited supply which makes the prices double. I personally didn't pull anything here other than a few single mothers on wechat. Other spots half this price more selection and hotter girls imo. I just dropped about 1,000,000 on japanese food here over the past few days that's about the only thing worth doing in this area.

What are we talking about? A guy who is on the way to his hotel having just arrived at the airport, carrying his original passport, I would have definitely called his bluff till the end. There is no way he would've ended up in jail. As mentioned previously although in general the police is corrupt, even they have their limits.

The whole report to police station is ONLY valid when staying in private accommodation (friends' apartment, airBNB etc, you are not personally required to report yourself if staying in a hotel as the hotel is required by law to do so. Even if they do not, you are not legally liable for the hotels failure to follow the law, nor do you need to carry proof of this report with you. What you do need is proof that you are staying in a hotel.

In saying that, I can understand that someone who is tired, who doesn't speak the language and just wants to get to sleep that they might be inclined to just pay the few bucks, but 500 k to 3 jt is simply too much.

I have gotten pulled over many, many times over the years, I have not paid a single bribe over 100 k ever, even during the 4 am razia coming home from clubbing and barely able to drive straight with a LC who was sucking me off in the car 10 seconds before being pulled over.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2217780]For guys who have been here its its hay day maybe this still has its place. For any noobs that might come here thinking this is a viable option. There are some old hangers on when I say old I mean old about 50+ that act as fixers or psudo mama sans they say D's doesn't pop off until after 12 and my bar is fine maybe the equivalent of a santos street bar in AC but its just the one place they say MyBar pops off after 10 pm. Before that these places are totally dead so don't even bother going before 10 pm which I have done and absolutely nothing happening. The older ladies pimp off the younger ones for a small commission and they are asking 1 million compared to mangga besar where I was pulling free lancers and massage girls fro 500 including tip this is 1 million before tip. It's a supply and demand issue not a lot of demand so leads to limited supply which makes the prices double. I personally didn't pull anything here other than a few single mothers on wechat. Other spots half this price more selection and hotter girls imo. I just dropped about 1,000,000 on japanese food here over the past few days that's about the only thing worth doing in this area.[/QUOTE]Agree that I would never stay in the Blok M area these days. I would stop by there on occasion late at night after 2 am on Wed thru Sat night only.

Going on my umpteenth trip to The Phils soon but been planning a few weeks in Indonesia this time as well.

My passport is getting very full. It seems the Indo visa is a full page sticker rather than a little stamp. Is this right?

Cheers.

[QUOTE=Tungsten2;2218182]Going on my umpteenth trip to The Phils soon but been planning a few weeks in Indonesia this time as well.

My passport is getting very full. It seems the Indo visa is a full page sticker rather than a little stamp. Is this right?

Cheers.[/QUOTE]If you're from the States, and your stay is under thirty days, a visa isn't required.

[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2216935]I don't pay much attention to drink prices at Travel but 50 k per drink doesn't sound too outrageous. How much were you thinking it should be?

Forget about drink prices. How was your 3 some? Better than the general consensus we read about?[/QUOTE]I wouldn't mind if it was beer.

Although you can have 2 shots with the two girl within the 1 hour 30 minutes, the girls mentioned it is done either one at a time or both together. They suggested the latter would be better but only one shot. I started with the older girl but came into the younger girl who was more enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy herself. Started with cowgirl while the other kiss my nipples. Finished off in doggie and missionary with the other girl hugging from behind. Both the girls warmed up with BJ but I prefer the one from the younger girl. The older girl was not so fleshy and had some birth scars on her tummy. Maybe I will return for the younger girl only but sometimes it quite difficult to resist the price for two girls. Tipped both the girls 100 k each.

[QUOTE=Tungsten2;2218182]Going on my umpteenth trip to The Phils soon but been planning a few weeks in Indonesia this time as well.

My passport is getting very full. It seems the Indo visa is a full page sticker rather than a little stamp. Is this right?

Cheers.[/QUOTE]Visa on arrival in Bali last year was 3 cm x 3 cm (little more than an inch).

When you leave a triangle is stamped within the square.

[QUOTE=Tungsten2;2218182]Going on my umpteenth trip to The Phils soon but been planning a few weeks in Indonesia this time as well.

My passport is getting very full. It seems the Indo visa is a full page sticker rather than a little stamp. Is this right?

Cheers.[/QUOTE]If your nationality is allowed a free 30 day Visa on Arrival, it's just one stamp on arrival and another on departure. Note this visa cannot be extended.

A paid 60 day extendable visa is a full page label.

Thanks, Goferring.

How does Awal Muharram on Tuesday September 11th effect things. Are things dead the whole week or just for the day?

[QUOTE=HihiSter;2217970]What are we talking about? A guy who is on the way to his hotel having just arrived at the airport, carrying his original passport, I would have definitely called his bluff till the end. There is no way he would've ended up in jail. As mentioned previously although in general the police is corrupt, even they have their limits.

The whole report to police station is ONLY valid when staying in private accommodation (friends' apartment, airBNB etc, you are not personally required to report yourself if staying in a hotel as the hotel is required by law to do so. Even if they do not, you are not legally liable for the hotels failure to follow the law, nor do you need to carry proof of this report with you. What you do need is proof that you are staying in a hotel.

In saying that, I can understand that someone who is tired, who doesn't speak the language and just wants to get to sleep that they might be inclined to just pay the few bucks, but 500 k to 3 jt is simply too much.

I have gotten pulled over many, many times over the years, I have not paid a single bribe over 100 k ever, even during the 4 am razia coming home from clubbing and barely able to drive straight with a LC who was sucking me off in the car 10 seconds before being pulled over.[/QUOTE]I am planning a 4-5 day visit in mid November to break up my 30 day Thai vacation but from reading all this about the currupt cops I'm having second thoughts and may go back to AC instead.

Is this a real big problem or does it happen to everyone?

I live in Mexico so am used to corrupt Police but you can usually get out of it by refusing to pay as they don't like to take the time & trouble to take you in.

[QUOTE=AcesWild1917;2218910]I am planning a 4-5 day visit in mid November to break up my 30 day Thai vacation but from reading all this about the currupt cops I'm having second thoughts and may go back to AC instead.

Is this a real big problem or does it happen to everyone?

I live in Mexico so am used to corrupt Police but you can usually get out of it by refusing to pay as they don't like to take the time & trouble to take you in.[/QUOTE]To Ace.

Don't be naive you don't think there is corrupt cop in AC just paid attention and still out of trouble.

Fast Eddie 48.

[QUOTE=Tungsten2;2218389]Thanks, Goferring.[/QUOTE]To Tungsten 2.

I have a US passport and travel a lot you can get page added, I do this a lot at my US embassy it only take a few HR and is free not sure what passport you hold.

Fast Eddie 48.