Jakarta

[QUOTE=PrisonBreak;1926540]To all the people who live there what does the law say? Is it enough to carry a copy of passport with me in case there is a police check or not?[/QUOTE]The law is clear, visitors are required to have passport all the time. In practice, seldom enforced. I always make multi-copies of passport plus USA offers a $25 passport card, size of credit card which I carry as my regular ID when abroad. YMMV.

[QUOTE=Traveler1234;1926645]The law is clear, visitors are required to have passport all the time. In practice, seldom enforced. I always make multi-copies of passport plus USA offers a $25 passport card, size of credit card which I carry as my regular ID when abroad. YMMV.[/QUOTE]The Passport card is $30 nowadays. I got mine last month.

This is a quote from the US Passport Web site:

"The passport card is a credit-card size USA Passport that, just like a passport book, is proof of USA Citizenship and identity. It is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from:

Canada.
Mexico.
The Caribbean.
Bermuda.

The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. ".

So I wonder what real value it would have in a place like Jakarta over a copy of my passport book and my Drivers License. I suppose some, but would it matter to a cop out to shake me down or one with an anti American grudge? And since I have never been hassled for not having a passport in my possession except in Colombia in the bad old days, I am not too worried about it now.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1926759]
So I wonder what real value it would have in a place like Jakarta over a copy of my passport book and my Drivers License.[/QUOTE]I did not mean to imply it replaces the passport.

But it does state "passport" on the card and hey, with a few rupiah 'stucked to back' of card, can't hurt. I recall back in early 90's living in Jakarta and taking the kids to school one day. Driver was sick, cop pulled me over and I gave him the lunch money to avoid getting ticket. :D

YMMV.

[QUOTE=Traveler1234;1926790]I did not mean to imply it replaces the passport. But it does state "passport" on the card and hey, with a few rupiah 'stucked to back' of card, can't hurt. I recall back in early 90's living in Jakarta and taking the kids to school one day. Driver was sick, cop pulled me over and I gave him the lunch money to avoid getting ticket. :[/QUOTE]As mentioned by someone below, the passport card is only useful for the 3-4 countries mentioned and works wonders there where there are lines of people crossing and special fast lines for people with card. In other countries, you can carry it if you want as a replacement for your drivers licence but you do need your real passport or a copy if it works. I carry my drivers licence and copy of passport all the time with me.

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1926801]As mentioned by someone below, the passport card is only useful for the 3-4 countries mentioned and works wonders there where there are lines of people crossing and special fast lines for people with card. In other countries, you can carry it if you want as a replacement for your drivers licence but you do need your real passport or a copy if it works. I carry my drivers licence and copy of passport all the time with me.[/QUOTE]Interesting that a few here have mentioned the US passport card. In the incident I described earlier (where I had a copy of the relevant pages of my passport along with a USA -based drivers license), the friend I was traveling with had a passport card which he showed to the policeman. The policeman looked a bit puzzled by this and seemed to suggest it was not sufficient (but my memory on this is not perfect), but then focused on trying to get a bribe from me, not my friend. Frankly, the 100,000 rupiah I decided to pay the policeman also took into account there were two of us he could go after. What was unclear is whether if only my friend were in the Bluebird and then showed his passport card, the policeman would have let him go. In our case, it did serve to deflect the policeman's attention to me, but I would put it at 50/50 at best the passport card would have worked if only my friend were in the Bluebird.

[QUOTE=PrisonBreak;1926540]To all the people who live there what does the law say? Is it enough to carry a copy of passport with me in case there is a police check or not?

I don't want to carry my original passport at night since I don't want to lose it.

Corrupted cops in any country always try to scare tourists so they can bribe them more quickly. It s a common tactic.[/QUOTE]I may have mentioned this earlier, but I put my original passport in a traveler's wallet (or case) in my front pocket. The traveler's wallet has a clip that can be used to secure it to a belt loop while the passport itself is in my front pocket. I don't like that it takes up a pocket, but unless someone put a gun to my head and said "your passport or your life" the likelihood of losing it is rather slim.

[QUOTE=LAGuy5;1926819]I may have mentioned this earlier, but I put my original passport in a traveler's wallet (or case) in my front pocket. The traveler's wallet has a clip that can be used to secure it to a belt loop while the passport itself is in my front pocket. I don't like that it takes up a pocket, but unless someone put a gun to my head and said "your passport or your life" the likelihood of losing it is rather slim.[/QUOTE]But is it happening only with white people or with Asians also? I will be visiting next month and I'm Asian so asking someone please clarify.

[QUOTE=FreeMonger;1926982]But is it happening only with white people or with Asians also? I will be visiting next month and I'm Asian so asking someone please clarify.[/QUOTE]I am pretty sure when there is razia (Police Checkpoint) on the streets at night, they would stop cars and ask people inside for their KTP if local or Passport if foreigner. I don't think it matters if you are Caucasian or Asian at that point. These cops are basically looking for opportunities to make some money. That is my understanding. One question though, does these checkpoints happen more frequently at South Jakarta? I was in Jakarta during March of last year, but I did not spend much time in South Jakarta.

[QUOTE=Ggekko2009;1927095]One question though, does these checkpoints happen more frequently at South Jakarta? I was in Jakarta during March of last year, but I did not spend much time in South Jakarta.[/QUOTE]No, quite the opposite. Police checkpoints are a thing of North and West Jakarta. South Jakarta, rarely.

I will be in Jakarta from Sept. 24 - Sept. 25, and then from Oct. 1 - Oct 5. My plan is to stay in South Jakarta this time, and check out the different venues around this area. My last visit to Jakarta had primarily been on the North and West side.

If any ISG'er is interested, we can meet-up, grab a beer, and share some stories. Send me a PM.

For those of you who are time starved on a Sunday, Metro massage in Kelapa Gading is right next door to a denominational church, so as you are going about your business in the room upstairs with the girl. The happy clappers are praying for your soul, literally a meter away on the other side of a rather thin wall. Highly recomennded for those who want to sin and be forgiven all at the same time.

OS.

Will be in Jakarta from 19th to 23rd if any suggestions for good places to visit do PM me.

Am thinking about a quick run to Jakarta for Saturday.

The Hari Raya Idul Adha is on Monday. Based on previous reports, bars will close by early evening Sunday and then all day Monday. I hope to be in and out (literally) by early Sunday morning. But am curious if numbers in places like Classic, Travel and the Kota Indah places will be dramatically down on Saturday, or should it be OK?

5 or 6 of us will be arriving evening of 14 September and leaving on afternoon of 17 September. Staying at Mulia Senayan.

Most likely will be frequenting Malioboro, Alexis, Blok M area, etc. Let me know if anyone else is in town and wants to hook up, we'll be having some serious fun.

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