Jakarta

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1662291]That is for 30 days. In Batam there is the option to choose also the VOA for 7 days which costs only 15 $.

Only in Batam? I think in all ports of entries where VOAs are issues.[/QUOTE]The seven day VOA is only available at certain ports of entry according to Indonesia's Washington DC embassy website. A few years ago, they were available everywhere.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1662291]That is for 30 days. In Batam there is the option to choose also the VOA for 7 days which costs only 15 $.

Only in Batam? I think in all ports of entries where VOAs are issues.[/QUOTE]To Black page.

Do you know for Singapore passport do they still need paid for a visa to visit Batam only, I never entry to batam both time I arrive from Jakrata for US passport is now 35 usd there.

Fast eddie 48.

Can anyone recommend a place where I will likely be able to watch the NCAA college (American) football championship game? Looks like its going to be about 9 am on Tuesday Jan 13. If my best bet is to stay cooped up in the Mercure Harmoni then so be it, but a little morning eye candy to go with my entertainment would be my preference.

[QUOTE=BoneRoller;1663268]Can anyone recommend a place where I will likely be able to watch the NCAA college (American) football championship game? Looks like its going to be about 9 am on Tuesday Jan 13. If my best bet is to stay cooped up in the Mercure Harmoni then so be it, but a little morning eye candy to go with my entertainment would be my preference.[/QUOTE]Watching that live at 9 am won't be easy. You could check with Aphrodite in Kuningan near Taman Rasuna at Elite Club. However, the places that normally show sporting events (like Aphrodite) don't open until 11 am and will not likely open special for American Sports events. American sports are not popular in Jakarta. If it were rugby, cricket, soccer, or Aussie Rules football, it would be a big event. But not American football. The only place I can think of that will probably show that game live starting at 9 am is the American Club, but that would be a dull place to watch it. Unless you bring a girl to your own room, you will not find a place at 9 am that has any eye candy. To see it live, you're most likely going to need to watch that game in your room. If not on TV, then on your computer. You could go to Aphrodite at 11 am and watch the last hour of the game, but you may be the only one in there watching it.

I don't know where you get your information from, but Aphrodite opens way earlier than that. I have been there for a 6. 30 am start for cricket test matches from Australia. There is a small, hardcore group of American Football fans who gather there, but mostly do so for the NFL. I know a few of them, so will ask and get back ASAP.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1663498]Watching that live at 9 am won't be easy. You could check with Aphrodite in Kuningan near Taman Rasuna at Elite Club. However, the places that normally show sporting events (like Aphrodite) don't open until 11 am and will not likely open special for American Sports events. American sports are not popular in Jakarta. If it were rugby, cricket, soccer, or Aussie Rules football, it would be a big event. But not American football. The only place I can think of that will probably show that game live starting at 9 am is the American Club, but that would be a dull place to watch it. Unless you bring a girl to your own room, you will not find a place at 9 am that has any eye candy. To see it live, you're most likely going to need to watch that game in your room. If not on TV, then on your computer. You could go to Aphrodite at 11 am and watch the last hour of the game, but you may be the only one in there watching it.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PossessedSeoul;1663659]I don't know where you get your information from, but Aphrodite opens way earlier than that. I have been there for a 6. 30 am start for cricket test matches from Australia. There is a small, hardcore group of American Football fans who gather there, but mostly do so for the NFL. I know a few of them, so will ask and get back ASAP.[/QUOTE]Good to know, P.S., thanks. I will be there next fall. Is this place near Blok M or close to any place where I can get laid by some busty beauty?

[QUOTE=PossessedSeoul;1663659]I don't know where you get your information from, but Aphrodite opens way earlier than that. I have been there for a 6. 30 am start for cricket test matches from Australia. There is a small, hardcore group of American Football fans who gather there, but mostly do so for the NFL. I know a few of them, so will ask and get back ASAP.[/QUOTE]I get my information from being a member of Elite Club Rasuna for over 10 years and going there almost daily. Aphrodite opens at 11 am unless there is a special event. You say you went for an early morning cricket match. I think the guy who runs Aphrodite is Indian, so he would have a vested interest in cricket. As I mentioned in my last post, if it were rugby, cricket, soccer, or Aussie Rules, I have no doubt the place would be open and showing it. However, US College football will not be a special event unless a bunch of guys convince Frederick to open special for that..

Sorry, but that is just plain wrong. The place is open from around 6 am pretty much every day. Anyhow, no point in getting into an argument over something so petty, but please, take it from me it is open well before 11 am. I spoke to management last night and the game will be on ASN, which they have, so anyone wanting to watch it can just go in before the 8. 30 am kickoff time and ask the staff to put it on.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1663931]I get my information from being a member of Elite Club Rasuna for over 10 years and going there almost daily. Aphrodite opens at 11 am unless there is a special event. You say you went for an early morning cricket match. I think the guy who runs Aphrodite is Indian, so he would have a vested interest in cricket. As I mentioned in my last post, if it were rugby, cricket, soccer, or Aussie Rules, I have no doubt the place would be open and showing it. However, US College football will not be a special event unless a bunch of guys convince Frederick to open special for that..[/QUOTE]

Its a good 15-30 minute taxi ride from the Blok, depending on traffic, longer sometimes if you are going during the day or evening at peak hour. There are ladies nights on Thursday and Saturday, but these events are not as popular as they used to be. You may be surprised on a good night, but I would not go there with only picking up in mind, if I were you.

[QUOTE=DCups;1663861]Good to know, P.S., thanks. I will be there next fall. Is this place near Blok M or close to any place where I can get laid by some busty beauty?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PossessedSeoul;1664086]Sorry, but that is just plain wrong. The place is open from around 6 am pretty much every day. Anyhow, no point in getting into an argument over something so petty, but please, take it from me it is open well before 11 am. I spoke to management last night and the game will be on ASN, which they have, so anyone wanting to watch it can just go in before the 8. 30 am kickoff time and ask the staff to put it on.[/QUOTE]From years of experience, I can tell you that the gym opens at 6 am, Aphrodite normally opens at 11 am. My standard routine is to hit that gym in the morning, then have either the lunch special or chicken ceasar salad for lunch after working out. None of their restaurant employees show up until 11am. Yes, the game is on ASN (all American football is on ASN), and most places in Jakarta have ASN. But I would be very surprised if they are open at 8:30 am. I personally think you are leading the guy wrong. I suggest to anyone interested to go check in person one day prior to the event if they are thinking about showing up there at 8:30 am on a Tuesday - unless you just want to use the gym facilities. And do not speak with the Indonesian employees, speak with Frederick. Indos have a habit of telling you whatever they think you might want to hear. I wouldn't want to watch it there anyway because there wouldn't be more than 5 people in there watching even if they did open that early. But I should be in the gym that morning so I will swing by and say hello if they are indeed open.

It doesn't hurt to check though. It wasn't until just recently that they started showing the Super Bowl. There are now some Americans living at Taman Rasuna, whereas in the past there was almost none.

Good luck!

So you are saying that every time I am in there after the gym at 8 or 9 am, earlier some days, I am imagining it? Makes me wonder who it is serving me coffee or breakfast then. I've watched pretty much all of the cricket there this year, with the tests from Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne getting under way at 6. 30 to 8. 30 am. There are also the group of Indonesian guys who are the entourage of a prominent politician who plays tennis at the club pretty much every day and they are always in there for coffee or a bite to eat early in the day. The guys who work the morning shift are all competent and will not just tell you what you want to hear. Anyhow, I had a drink with Fred last night and he confirmed it would be open for that game. Call him yourself if you like.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1664172]From years of experience, I can tell you that the gym opens at 6 am, Aphrodite normally opens at 11 am. My standard routine is to hit that gym in the morning, then have either the lunch special or chicken ceasar salad for lunch after working out. None of their restaurant employees show up until 11am. Yes, the game is on ASN (all American football is on ASN), and most places in Jakarta have ASN. But I would be very surprised if they are open at 8:30 am. I personally think you are leading the guy wrong. I suggest to anyone interested to go check in person one day prior to the event if they are thinking about showing up there at 8:30 am on a Tuesday - unless you just want to use the gym facilities. And do not speak with the Indonesian employees, speak with Frederick. Indos have a habit of telling you whatever they think you might want to hear. I wouldn't want to watch it there anyway because there wouldn't be more than 5 people in there watching even if they did open that early. But I should be in the gym that morning so I will swing by and say hello if they are indeed open.

It doesn't hurt to check though. It wasn't until just recently that they started showing the Super Bowl. There are now some Americans living at Taman Rasuna, whereas in the past there was almost none.

Good luck![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PossessedSeoul;1664088]Its a good 15-30 minute taxi ride from the Blok, depending on traffic, longer sometimes if you are going during the day or evening at peak hour. There are ladies nights on Thursday and Saturday, but these events are not as popular as they used to be. You may be surprised on a good night, but I would not go there with only picking up in mind, if I were you.[/QUOTE]Thanks, P.S.

Funny! Apparently the two of you frequent Aphrodite's early in the morning, but you haven't met each other! Maybe it's about time!

Jakarta newbie, but veteran of many spots around the world seeks advance. I will be in Jakrata for five nights in the not too distant future, and then off to some work in Bandung. Will have free time after a week of work and then will probably come back to Jakarta for five or six days.

After reading the forum a good deal, I am thinking of spending three nights in North Jakarta / Kota (this includes the first night when I get in very late) at the Mecure Jakrata Kota, and then moving down for my last couple of nights to Central Jakarta or father south to Blok M. I understand that the traffic is just hell, which would explain why I am thinking of the two areas as distinct sections of the trip. Does this seem sound? I assume I can get back and forth to BATS from either area, as long as it is after 10 pm, correct? I think I have read under half an hour IF it is after 10 pm, yes? Will Bats freelancers be "cool" with coming up to Cota.

About my preferences- I far prefer long time / all nighters to hour spa visits (although, will pertake). I eat "local" everywhere I travel to (most countries in Latin America, PI, LOS, Cambodia, Maylasia, ect ect) - I love markets, night markets, street food, and day time wanderings through "funky" areas. I am very self contained and don't need a lot of day time activities- I will spend a couple of hours a day reading and working out. I love megalopolisis- yes, that even includes enjoying walking around various "cities" in metro Manila (during the day).

Other questions. I am not clear about the best places / strategies for freelancers in North Jakarta / Kota? Some info about some of the discos, but there is a great deal of trepidation about addicted woman. Any thoughts?

Also, midpriced hotels (40-70 dollar range) suggestions for the second leg of the trip? I am open to anywhere interesting with good walking around, and not too far from freelancers at night. Hotel should have a gym.

About me. Pushing fifty look thirties, into extreme fitness (HIIT mostly), love to dance have have no problem blending in in places where late 20's to early 30's reveleres are welcome. Obliviously, any younger and "normal" places are foolish. Actually like hitting "normal" dance clubs at times to try my luck with non P4 P and "the grey area", but rely on P4 P. My favorite places are dance clubs where freelancers and "normals" mix, or where there are regular girls who are more than thrilled to look. I also love freelancer discos (which means, BATS is a must, right).

I know, a ton of questions, and hopefully they do reflect the fact that I have done a ton of RTFF.

Sorry for the rambling post.

[QUOTE=PossessedSeoul;1664186]So you are saying that every time I am in there after the gym at 8 or 9 am, earlier some days, I am imagining it? Makes me wonder who it is serving me coffee or breakfast then. I've watched pretty much all of the cricket there this year, with the tests from Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne getting under way at 6. 30 to 8. 30 am. There are also the group of Indonesian guys who are the entourage of a prominent politician who plays tennis at the club pretty much every day and they are always in there for coffee or a bite to eat early in the day. The guys who work the morning shift are all competent and will not just tell you what you want to hear. Anyhow, I had a drink with Fred last night and he confirmed it would be open for that game. Call him yourself if you like.[/QUOTE]Thanks guys, despite the difference of opinion here, this is all useful information.

OK, well I will swing by there a day early and make sure someone will be there, serving something and will have a screen at which I can scream once in a while. For anyone who is in the neighborhood and cares about the game, I'll be wearing my bright yellow shirt. If you holler a go ducks at me, the first round is on me. Buckeye fans welcomed too, but you still have to holler. I apologize in advance if I have the previous night's troll sitting bewildered at my table as well.

Bone Roller