Living In Indonesia Expat Forum

Living In Indonesia Expat Forum - General Advice http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/ Questions on expat living in Indonesia en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:42:38 GMT vBulletin 15 http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/images/misc/rss.png Living In Indonesia Expat Forum - General Advice http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/ Best apartments in Lippo Karawaci http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10401-Best-apartments-in-Lippo-Karawaci?goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:18:30 GMT For those who live in the Lippo Karawaci area:

What are the best apartments in the area that offer rental units?

Big thing I'm looking for is high security and 'being new' and proximity to the major shopping areas. ]]> General Advice DogBert http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10401-Best-apartments-in-Lippo-Karawaci <![CDATA[What's on in Jakarta for Idul Fitri?]]> http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10359-What-s-on-in-Jakarta-for-Idul-Fitri?goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:23:16 GMT What are people doing if they choose to stay in Jakarta for Lebaran? Are places (e.g. Taman Mini) open? Any recommendations for things to do? What are people doing if they choose to stay in Jakarta for Lebaran? Are places (e.g. Taman Mini) open? Any recommendations for things to do? ]]> General Advice adel5 http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10359-What-s-on-in-Jakarta-for-Idul-Fitri <![CDATA[Expat leaving the country for a holiday .. what's the deal with Fiscal payment?]]> http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10354-Expat-leaving-the-country-for-a-holiday-..-what-s-the-deal-with-Fiscal-payment?goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:49:35 GMT Just wondering if someone could explain the deal with the Fiscal payment when leaving the country. I'm in Indonesia with a KITAS and hold a tax card (NPWP). I've been told with this card, I'm exempt from paying the Fiscal tax on departure. So, are there forms to fill in when I depart, or do I just flash this card at the fiscal counter at the airport? ]]> General Advice 747-8 http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10354-Expat-leaving-the-country-for-a-holiday-..-what-s-the-deal-with-Fiscal-payment The Cik Guide to driving enjoyment on Batam and elsewhere. http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10345-The-Cik-Guide-to-driving-enjoyment-on-Batam-and-elsewhere.?goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:32:29 GMT * Image: http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/images/icons/icon1.gif * The Cik...

The Cik Guide to driving enjoyment on Batam and elsewhere.

1. Change vehicle klaxon for marine foghorn, use often and randomly, especially at traffic lights (available from several godowns at Tajungs Uncang and Priok, the 12v ones are pretty faggy but the 24v 5k boys are pure belter, tends to give your battery brain f@rts though)
2. Know and memorise where deep and dangerous potholes are, allow several vehicles to tailgate you approaching said potholes then veer across the road at the last minute, pull over quickly and let the whole family enjoy the spectacle of the braindead wrecking their suspension and headbutting their vehicle's roof.
3. Know and memorise where the deepest puddles and standing water are, after heavy rainfall alter your routes to include these areas and make sure to get up a good head of speed before hitting the road ponds, locals will find it hilarious as you breeze past them soaking them to the skin........... with advanced skills one can veeer at the last minute and send sheets of water horizontally through minibus windows and doors ...... my favourite targets are ojek drivers who try to ride through puddles and stall their clapped out machines...... yes those same ojek drivers who cut in front of you, stop without warning, ride at night without lights, scrape their handlebars along the side of your vehicle ....... are often are reduced to hysterical laffter as you set up a tsunami like bow wave and knock them on their backs ....
4. When traveling on dual carriageways with a bit of open road pass a few locals at speed honking your newly fitted foghorn as you fly by, slow down and allow them to catch up, then, which they WILL be trying their bestest to do, as they get alongside gradually increase speed and keep on doing it never pulling forward or past...never look sideways or confirm you are aware of them just keep accelerating ... hopefully ....eventually their engine will end its life in a cloud of blue smoke and steam.TBC

Not to be taken seriously, not in any way condoned, not proper driving advice, no way should you do any of this, for fun only ......... hope this helps

]]> General Advice t___c http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10345-The-Cik-Guide-to-driving-enjoyment-on-Batam-and-elsewhere. travel http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10339-travel?goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:18:58 GMT what do you think my chances of getting to Wonosobo and back this weekend are like?

A mate's daughter just died so it would be good to visit but I fear it may be impossible.

opinions? ]]> General Advice Mas Fred http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10339-travel Whats the best most reliable way to send a package from Rep. of Ireland to Jakarta? http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10326-Whats-the-best-most-reliable-way-to-send-a-package-from-Rep.-of-Ireland-to-Jakarta?goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:19:10 GMT Ive sent letters before but Ive heard anecdotal evidence that small parcels etc can be held for ransom by the local post office services in various... Ive sent letters before but Ive heard anecdotal evidence that small parcels etc can be held for ransom by the local post office services in various parts of Indonesia. Id hate to inconvienience anyone in such a way so I wonder if anyone can suggest a reasonably quick, reasonably cheap, and usually reliable service for this...

Normally Id opt for the post office(and as result am only vaguely aware of other services) but Ive heard vicious rumours on them.

I thank you for reading, to me this is a matter of some import(Geddit?). ]]> General Advice Irishtuan http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10326-Whats-the-best-most-reliable-way-to-send-a-package-from-Rep.-of-Ireland-to-Jakarta Looking for a craft store and Repel lemon eucalyptus insect repellent http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10323-Looking-for-a-craft-store-and-Repel-lemon-eucalyptus-insect-repellent?goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:46:31 GMT I would like to find 2 things. 1. A craft store so that I can get crafty. Specifically I need tulle in a spool. I know I can find tulle at the... I would like to find 2 things.

1. A craft store so that I can get crafty. Specifically I need tulle in a spool. I know I can find tulle at the fabric stores, but I would rather have it in spool form.

2. Repel lemon eucalyptus insect repellent.

Thanks for reading this,
Kasey ]]> General Advice kaseyshiver http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10323-Looking-for-a-craft-store-and-Repel-lemon-eucalyptus-insect-repellent Got scammed, trying to get $900 back for my mum http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10306-Got-scammed-trying-to-get-900-back-for-my-mum?goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:37:06 GMT Hello everybody! I hope I can get some good advice from you. My mum got scammed in a transaction. She supposedly bought 2 machines, send the money... Hello everybody! I hope I can get some good advice from you. My mum got scammed in a transaction. She supposedly bought 2 machines, send the money and now there's nobody anymore. I did read a lot about these scams now and wished she would have asked me BEFORE to get more information. So the police is laughing about the good people and therefore helping the crooks. The Banks don't care. Is there any way to get help on this? ]]> General Advice patterson http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10306-Got-scammed-trying-to-get-900-back-for-my-mum Transfering money. http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10285-Transfering-money.?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:11:02 GMT So here's the deal-my problem is that I need to transfer some money to Indonesia from the UK but my 'new' bank is making it complicated for me! I have been an Abbey National customer for a long time. Three times before-in 2006/2007 I have transfered moderate sums of money here [10-12 thou English pounds each time] with little difficulty-fax the UK bank my request with passport information page as id, supply account details, recieve a 'verification call' the same or next day and 'Bob's yer Uncle' as it were-three days later the money is here. Unbeknown to me 'Abbey National' became 'Santander' [a Spanish giant that has been buying out many of the UK building Society operations] 2-3 years ago. So when I attempt to transfer money again following the same procedure as before I expect no problems.....wrong! First of all, one of their call centre ops informs me after asking me the verification questions that 'additional id needs to be faxed' containing my address,-no problem I think, and proceed to fax them a credit card statement and my photocopied NPWP. A week later while I am waiting for the transaction to be processed another call from the Santander call centre boys this time informing me that I also need to fax 'to them' a Bank Statement 'from them' as another form of id!!! I've never recieved any mail from the UK Bank here in Indonesia-since I changed my address a few months ago.The call centre guy informs me that a bank statement shall 'immediately' be sent to my address in Indonesia.....three weeks later I'm still waiting and growing more desperate for lack of money-can a letter from the bank really take three weeks to get here? I've tried to register for the online banking but the bloody website won't recognize my Indonesian address! Having experienced these difficulties I have been 'investigating' the Santander bank and have found to my horror that they are a shoddy operation regarded as the worst in Europe. As a possible solution to my problem I've considered having my ATM card sent here via the Royal Mail's 'sign on delivery' International service-no idea if it can be used here cos a good friend of mine tells me that now, in the UK, all cards need to be activated [with pin number] within the issuing bank itself-as mine hasn't ever been used.....how times change eh? For the worse it seems! ]]> General Advice gado-gado http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10285-Transfering-money. Problem with one of our staff. Advice please http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10280-Problem-with-one-of-our-staff.-Advice-please?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:28:37 GMT I seem to have what may be a potential problem with one of our staff. My wife paid our gardner this afternoon his monthly salary and Lebaran bonus. ... I seem to have what may be a potential problem with one of our staff. My wife paid our gardner this afternoon his monthly salary and Lebaran bonus. She paid him with 2 separate receipts, one was clipped to an envelope that had his bonus and the other was clipped to his salary. Apparently he returned shortly after he left and told our maid and driver that we only paid him his salary and not the bonus. Our maid said that she would go get us as we were in the house, but he said no and that he would talk to us tomorrow. I've looked through the whole house, including the service area where he was paid, and there is no trace of money. I know for a fact that I gave both receipts with money to my wife to pay him. I also have his signatures on both receipts as receiving the money.

Normally I would think that he was just being forgetful, but this follows a request for a rp 2,000,000 loan from us, and him asking our other staff to borrow money. On top of all this he told the maid that we didn't pay him all his salary this month. He came to us on the 15th of this month saying his mother died. I gave him money for transport and half his salary early in case he needed money while traveling. Did get him to sign that receipt, too. Now he's asking the maid why we're only paying him half the salary.

So, I'm really at a loss. Not sure if I should just tell him that he's been paid and that's that, and if he doesn't like it there's the door, or what? I understand that he's fasting and probably not thinking straight after being outside all day, but concerned that he may be up to no good. Both our driver and maid think he may be up to something.

I really need some advice on this, especially if you've ever dealt with something similar. I really want to do the right thing, even if that means paying him again, but I don't want to be taken advantage of. Thanks, in advance.:wacko: ]]> General Advice jlstarnes71 http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10280-Problem-with-one-of-our-staff.-Advice-please import spanish foods to indonesia http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10275-import-spanish-foods-to-indonesia?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:37:38 GMT I wish to import foods from the balearic islands and from spain to indonesia,like cheese from menorca,olives and olive oil from andalucia and similar... I wish to import foods from the balearic islands and from spain to indonesia,like cheese from menorca,olives and olive oil from andalucia and similar to provide to some local stores in jakarta
Anyone knows how to proceed with indonesian customs with foods entering the country?any restrictions?any permits needed?
Anybody interested in menorcan cheese?is exquisitely unique cheese from the island of menorca in the balearics
Best wishes and thanks very much ]]> General Advice warlock14 http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10275-import-spanish-foods-to-indonesia Easy to get writing work in Jakarta? http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10257-Easy-to-get-writing-work-in-Jakarta?goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:19:51 GMT Hi,

I'm moving to Jakarta with my boyfriend's job in January and I'm just wondering how easy it'll be for me to work as a copywriter (I have 5 years' experience in London) in Jakarta? Or should I spend a grand on a CELTA course asap to ensure that I get work?

Any advice would be amazing.

Thanks ]]> General Advice martymarty http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10257-Easy-to-get-writing-work-in-Jakarta <![CDATA[Your brother in God's guest in your home]]> http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10181-Your-brother-in-God-s-guest-in-your-home?goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:03:44 GMT

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

I am your brother from Saudi Arabia .. I hope

to be a friend to all of you .:smile2:

Regards .

]]> General Advice silent-man http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10181-Your-brother-in-God-s-guest-in-your-home New in town http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10063-New-in-town?goto=newpost Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:47:18 GMT Relocated here with my husband (the trailing spouse). Soon to loss my job and wondering what to do in Jakarta without going crazy. So far have not... Relocated here with my husband (the trailing spouse). Soon to loss my job and wondering what to do in Jakarta without going crazy. So far have not seen much except for big mega malls. I am thinking of taking up cooking (back to basic), bahasa language and self defense courses (without paying an arm and leg if you know what I mean) - any suggestions?

Also are there any associations that is more generic and fun then you have to be so and so before you can join to meet people?

thanks. ]]> General Advice pal2be http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10063-New-in-town Accomodation in and around Jakarta http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10049-Accomodation-in-and-around-Jakarta?goto=newpost Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:55:52 GMT Does anyone know the best place to look for cheap accomodation in and around jakarta. I dont mind studio or even a room in a shared house just to... Does anyone know the best place to look for cheap accomodation in and around jakarta. I dont mind studio or even a room in a shared house just to keep cost down initially when I move there.

Moving end of aug.

Many Thanks ]]> General Advice Tooner83 http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/10049-Accomodation-in-and-around-Jakarta