Going to Indonesia advice

[wondercul]

I'm heading there for 28 days, from April 7th. Will land in Jakarta alone and try to find a travel companion, a local girl or fellow travelers.

What's your experience in Indonesia?

[nottocus]

Don't have any drugs in your bag.

[lazygourmet]

Fellow travellers: Jalan Jaksa

Travel Female Escort: B.A.T.S.,Tanamur and/or Block M ; depending on your budget...

[BKKdreaming]

is there a "Thai Visa" type website for Indonesia ?

[Aussieroaming]

Indo is great...go to Sulawesi it's great

[siam2007]

Fellow travellers: Jalan Jaksa

Travel Female Escort: B.A.T.S.,Tanamur and/or Block M ; depending on your budget...

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TANAMUR ? When have you been in Jakarta last time ? It is closed since almost a decade.

Even STADIUM, Asia's most rauncheous and some will say sleaziest night entertainment spot has been closed for good - the authorities and Taliban hardliners were just waiting for a reason to shut it down and then they had the chance to after a police officer died from drug overdose inside there.

I cannot say I liked Stadium, but it was an experience of its own - just simply unbelievable. opened Friday at 8 and did not close until Monday morning at 8 every weekend. The most bizarre place you would find in Asia for sure - and I have been to quite a few bizarre places in Japan for example. And such thing did exist in the Capital of the most populous Muslim country of the world.

Well, the place was owned by high-ranking military people (as are all other nightlife venues in North Jakarta), so that's why it was not easy to shut it down for many years.

Jalan Jaksa is a miserable shithole and I don't know anyone who would not have been utterly disappointed.

Jalan Jaksa makes Khaosan Road look like the Champs Elyssee.

NO MORE ALCOHOL

Since a few weeks, there is a nationwide ban on sales of alcohol (beer included) in Minimarts such as CircleK, 7eleven, Alfamart or Indomaret.

The TALIBAN take over Indonesia, despite the oh-so-moderate new President JOKOWI, who may be a Heavy-Metal-Fan, but in fact is pretty much a hardliner and will continue to ISLAMIZE the country as muich as he can.

Buy your beer in the Supermarkets or Hypermarkets such as CARREFOUR, HYPERMART or FOODHALL (to be found in Plaza Indonesia and Grand Indonesia Malls) and take it to your room. make sure there is a fridge in your room - most budget Hotel-Chains in Indo, and even chains such as IBIS do not have a Mini-Bar-fridge these days.

Not sure about the situation in Bali which is largely Hindu (even though Muslim TRANSMIGRASI people are becoming a larger and larger part of the population in Bali). I doubt they can forbid the sale of alcohol in Kuta's Minimarts. Well, I will see by myself in 2 weeks from now ;-)

JAKARTA

Jakarta is actually horrible. No proper public transport (no Subway or Skytrain) only an incredibly overcrowded Busway-system, of which only one line "KORRIDOR 1" from Blok M to Stasiun Kota is of any use for visitors. no more cash payment possible since a few months, need to buy a stored value card first, in case you wanna try it.

If you think Bangkok has little pedestrian walkways, then think twice once you arrive in JKT. Pedestrians do actually not exist and if you walk around, you may easily be stared at bewildered by the locals. to get from A to B, you will have to take Cabs, and then only use the BLUEBIRD Company, which can be easily identified by the huge BLUEBIRD Sticker on top of the front-screen. Many other miserable Taxi Companies are now desperately trying to look like Bluebird, so always make sure you can see the big BLUEBIRD sticker before entering a Cab. And no need to ask for "will you go to XXXX or ask for the Meter, Bluebird will NEVER refuse you and ALWAYS switch on the Meter so don't even ask) If no Bluebird around (heavy rainfall, for example). you can stick to the reasonably reliable EXPRESS (whiteColour), the smaragd-green GAMYA is okay too, as is the rather rare CIPAGANTI (wine-red, a reputable transport business based in Bandung, mostly operating Minibuses on Java).

When arriving at the Airport, you will be approached by plenty of Taxi-Touts. Look where there is a huge crowd of people gathering, because this is usually where the BLUEBIRD TAXI queue is. there are many other Taxi Companies, but there must be a reason why locals rather wait 45 minutes for a Bluebird Cab than fall prey to any other immediately available dodgy Cab. and when in Rome, do as the Romans they say. The Bluebird guys (they wear a - you knew it - Blue uniform) will hand you a number, and announce it when it is your turn (don't forget your GOOGLE TRANSLATE APP).

If on a budget - there is a Airport Bus too, operated by the DAMRI COMPANY. they run to many places around the City, they have a small sign with the destination on the front screen. Most likely GAMBIR (the main train station) or BLOK M is the destination of most use to travellers. From Gambir, there are Bluebird Cabs (amongst others) to take you to your final destination. DAMRI ticket costs 35K at the moment, I think. didn't use one since a few years.

Night entertainment can mostly found in BLOK M (Expat-oriented) or in Glodok/Kota in North Jakarta (more catering to locals). Several smaller DISKOTIK's have tried to jump into the space that was unoccupied since the demise of STADIUM, but they are not easy to locate and identify and without some basic knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia, it won't be easy. One is on the 7th or 8th floor of PLAZA GLODOK, a ramshackle and decaying shopping Mall in the heart of Glodok. there is a huge and inexpensive new budget hotel a few floors down, occupying and entire floor, which comes handy if you want to bring a KUCING MALAM (literally NIGHT CAT) to your room. A fantastic source of information is the private jakarta100bars.com website, quite up-to-date and with reviews.

So while Jakarta may appear a tad intimidating (and for a reason), you still can have a good time there if you know your way. Jakarta is one place where you definitely will have to do your homework before arriving.

Oh and the traffic. Just a few days ago there was a report that Jakarta's traffic is actually the WORST WORLDWIDE (based on how many times a car had to perform STOP AND GO to cover a certain distance). And I can easily confirm that. in early 2014, it took me no less than 3.5 hours to get from the Airport to my hotel (approx 35 km distance). And the Taxi fare was 350.000 instead of the usual 140.000 to that place therefore.

So you spend 28 days right ? Well, don't miss to go to YOGYA then, which is the heart of Javenese culture and even has a lovely traveller scene that can not be found in Jakarta. Bandung can be worth a trip too, the train ride through the mountainous area on the ARGO PARAHYANGAN train is lovely and spectacular. KELAS EKSEKUTIV will cost 80.000 RP or so, and the seats are almost like older-style business class seats in Aircrafts. Avoid any long-distance Minibus-rides if you value your life (but if <ou live in Thailand for a while, you will have already learnt that, me thinks ^^).

BALI is not to be missed too, and it is needed to emphasized that the tourist Ghetto of KUTA / LEGION only makes up a tinxy part of Bali. go to the countryside, stay at a Balinese Homestay or small Guesthouse and you will LOVE Bali, even though you hated it when you arrived first. And do not miss UBUD but stay there overnight so you can experience the peace once the Chinese mainlnd hordes (yes they have discovered Bali too) are back to their budget Accom on the outskirts of Denpasar.

28 Days ? You could continue to LOMBOK which is just a 20 Minutes flight from Bali (I do not recommend the annoying time-consuming full-day land-sea trip). Lombok is very different, largely Muslim and a scarce landscape, but with plenty of lovely spots and beaches too. Lombok has its very own KUTA BEACH too in the South, but very few tourists. More beach-vendors than tourists sometimes, so be ready to be pestered.... Senggigi beach on the West coast is Lombok's main tourist strip, but still veeeeeery laid back and relax, think of Koh Lanta or Langkawi, if you have been to these places. there is BLUEBIRD in both Bali and Lombok, so when there, stick to them. Bali traffic is surpisngly nasty, but if you dare, you can get a KARIMUN for 150K a day - roughly Ten Euro. I always do that.

LAKE TOBA

Fancy doing just NOTHING and read a book or watch the time go by ? Lake Toba in North Sumatra could be for you. Some people say it is incredible boring after a day or two, while others like it just because of that. Lake Toba is one giant volcanic lake and inmidst a lovely landscape. The main tourist strip is TUKTUK. There was quite a busy traveller scene until 10/15 years ago, but it has all but dried out. so it can appear a little decaying and some guesthouses are rather neglected.

Get there via MEDAN, then take a Bus or if you can afford, a shared or private Taxi.

Okay, should be enough for today, right ? ^^

Ah, and don't forget, as this is a Muslim country, always GIVE and TAKE something with youz RIGHT HAND only, NEVER with the left, as this is the hand the people use to clean their......AHEMMMMM..... after they had a session at the KAMAR KECIL (restroom).

I am leaving for Indo end of this month, straight to Bali this time, but will be in JKT on the 2nd weekend of April, who knows, maybe you are around at that time and wanna meet for a cool BINTANG (which is quite a pleasant beer, unlike the disgusting ANKER brand). Bintang lately introduced SHANDY / RADLER in bottles or cans too, which comes handy in case it is very hot in Jakarta (which is 365 days a year) .

[MrWorldwide]

Yep Tanamur is long gone, but it came as a shock when they closed Stadium, despite its infamous reputation. I adore this review of Tigah Puluh from the jakarta100bars site:

Bar with live band full of old prostitutes, a bit more hip-hop than CJ's and Bats.

I have fond memories of the band there from 2004 and neither of the ladies up front looked like old prostitutes to me.

Seriously, Jakarta isnt a city to be taken lightly. siam2007 touched on the traffic, the crowds and intense heat - the combination will absolutely flatten you if you find yourself in a cab with struggling aircon during the day. If I ever go back, it will be to see Bogor and Yogya - Jakarta is a monster and personally the nightlife isnt adequate compensation for the days in that hellhole.

[siam2007]

Your travel companion might not be able to check in with you in cheap hotels/guesthouses...there is some arcane regulation abt unmarried couples etc.

I am not sure how strictly it is enforced these days...get a separate room ...noone cares what you do afterwards

They just want to be ok with the law and potentially local muslim fanatics who might want some bribes from the owner.

That's why it may be a good idea to stick to the big and international players in the hospitality business. ACCOR is the biggest of them in Indo, I think they operate more than 200 Hotels now all over Indo, and all budgets are being catered for (IBIS, IBIS STYLES - good and new and BF included always, MERCURE, NOVOTEL, PULLMAN, SOFITEL). Some local chains where you should not have a problem are the Hotels of the ASTON - ARCHIPELAGO group, Indonesia's by far largest hospitality player. They operate chains like ASTON, HARPER, QUEST, NEO - very good value for money and has a fridge in the room, FAVE.

IHG is expanding their network too, with several Holiday Inn Express Hotels having opened in the past 2-3 years and more in the pipeline. Same goes for BEST WESTERN though standards vary as they do at BW anywhere in the world.

if you browse Indo hotels at agoda, watch out if the word SHARIAH is included in the hotel name. This means this hotels follow strict Muslim hardcore laws (which is not the actual federal law in Indo, but provinces can introduce bylaws which they increasingly do). Not sure if they will stone you or chop your head if you bring a KUSING MALAM at night, but you don't wanna find out really, huuuuuh ? I stayed at one in JKT many years ago after booking at JKT Airport upon arrival, but I was a single traveller so this didn't affect me. But warning signs were placed prominently everywhere in the Lobby and room. only twin beds available of course

[MrWorldwide]

I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental and they had no problems sending my Chinese-Indonesian companion straight up to my room despite the fact that we clearly weren't married or even engaged. Get further out into the provinces and I expect that it all changes, but Jakarta struck me as an 'anything goes for non-Muslims as long as you keep it behind closed doors' city : realistically, I suspect that's the attitude of many younger Thais despite the outwardly conservative society they live in. The difference, as far as I'm aware, is that Thailand doesnt have religious hardliners who periodically decide they need to stamp their authority on those who dont share their vision for the country.

[KED]

I have visited Indonesia regularly over the last 10 years and just got back from 3 weeks there. Any holiday depends on what you are looking for - but I cannot find anyone who would enjoy more than 2-3 days in Jakarta - get out as quick as possible and visit Bogor, Bandung - only a few hours by train. Yogyakarta is very traditional Java and worth a few days along with Borobodur if you have never seen it. Other interesting places for a few days are Semarang / Malang. Bali is a nice beach area but the main areas of Kuta/Legian/Seminyak are just for beach holiday and tourists - but if you gu up north to Ubud -you will see more of he beauty of Bali and it's people.

I travel throught by train or plane and have never felt unsafe or threatened - so much natural beauty and while a Muslim country - it is a more gentile version than other countries.