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What Indonesian Bar Girls Say And What They Really Mean

By Tibs →
10 years in Indonesia have taught me that even when Indonesian bar girls speak English, what they mean is not always obvious. Here is a little guide to help you deal with your relationships! What they say to you: 'You are over protective' What they really mean: 'You don't let me sleep with other guys' You are stingy You don't want to support all my family I'm not eating pork I drink alcohol, I don't pray and I've had sex before marriage so the last thing that keeps me from going to hell is to refuse eating pork Let's go party Accompany me party and please pay for all my drinks

10 Best Muay Thai Boxing Centers in Jakarta

By Tibs →
Jakarta is not the best city to stay fit. The absence of sidewalks, the lack of parks, the pollution and the heat all conspire to make exercising difficult. It is even worse if you work in an office and spend most of your day sitting down. If you care a minimum about your health, you are probably looking for a sport or an activity that you can easily do in the city center. Getting a gym membership is often the first thing that comes to mind, but there are a lot more options available: Yoga, Fitness, Crossfit, Boxing, Jujitsu, Salsa, etc... Today, I will talk about Muay Thai, a martial art originally from Thailand. About 10 years ago, it was introduced to Indonesia and it has gain more and more popularity ever since. There are several reasons explaining its appeal: It is a complete workout that will train each muscle of your body; it improves both your strength and your cardio; it is fun to do and not repetitive; it helps you gain self-confidence; and finally it does not r

How To Rent A Cheap Room in Jakarta (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)

By Tibs →
Renting a cheap room in Jakarta has become much easier in the past few years, thanks to the internet. The following guide will give advice to anyone on a budget looking to stay in Jakarta from a few days until several months. You will learn: Where are the best-value areas in Jakarta near the offices, attractions and entertainment What are the options available for cheap stays in Jakarta How much does it cost to rent a room in Jakarta for a day, a week or a month What are the best low-cost apartments in Central Jakarta

STDs / HIV Check-up and Treatment in Jakarta

By Tibs →
Many readers ask me where they can get a medical check-up for STDs such as AIDS, HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis, Herpes, HPV (Human Papillomavirus), Genital and Anal Warts, etc. I will give you a list of recommended places in this review, plus some tips about safe sex in Jakarta. If you are wondering whether STDs are prevalent in Indonesia, the answer is "of course". If you are wondering whether you should get checked after sleeping with someone without a condom, the answer is "of course". Sex education in Indonesia is almost non-existent, and very few people know about STDs. For many, condoms are just a way to come inside a vagina without making babies. It is very common for Indonesians, guys or girls, educated or not, to have sex without any protection.

10 Weird Stuff Indonesians Typically Post on Facebook

By Tibs →
Indonesia has the fourth largest number of Facebook users in the world, but the way Indonesians use Facebook is sometimes unique. From a Westerners perspective, some posts will appear to be weird, if not totally inappropriate. Here is my top 10 of weird things I regularly read on my Facebook newsfeed: 1) The "I'm on my period" status Short translation: "I'm on my period and you should all know about it" Being on your period in Indonesia is not something you keep for yourself. If you work in an office, you will probably be informed of every details of your colleagues' periods, either by looking if there is a bottle of Kiranti on their desk, or by checking their facebook/twitter/instagram statuses.

5 Tips from a Foreign Woman Dating an Indonesian Man

By Tibs →
By Simone Roberts, an Expat woman living in Bali, author of the blog "Don't forget the rice". Moving to Indonesia alone and/or especially as a woman can be a daunting experience, but if you are prepared and educated about what to expect then you will be able to surround yourself with good, decent people. You will be able to find long, lasting relationships and spare yourself a lot of heartache and disappointment. Here are my 5 tips on finding love in Indonesia. 1. Be Understanding Relationships are hard, mixed race relationships are harder. In mixed relationships you will find your fair share of cultural differences, and there will be times when compromise just seems near impossible.  The secret to a lasting happy connection is a willingness from both parties to want to understand each other. Take the time to talk to one another, listen closely and don’t assert dominance (as either a man or woman) as it just won’t work.  When starting a new relation

Is Jakarta Dangerous?

By Tibs →
Many people ask me if Jakarta is a dangerous city or not. I tend to think that it is very safe because after living four years here, I’ve never had a problem except for a few very minor annoyances. But bad things happened to other people and I want to be as fair as possible in order to give you an objective point of you on whether Jakarta is a dangerous city or not. Danger is not limited to robbery or crime. To be complete, here is a list of the 10 dangers you may face while staying or living in Jakarta as an expat or foreigner. I also write an estimation of the level of risk. If you are going to Jakarta without a travel insurance, you should read the following: Choosing Your Travel Insurance in Indonesia . Safety on the road: High I think that your biggest threat while being in Jakarta will be dealing with motorized vehicles, whether your are walking, in a car, or in a motorcycle. If you take the taxi for instance, you will notice cars don’t have a safety belt in the back.

Playing Pool in Jakarta (Billiard)

By The Jakarta Team →
Jakarta, like many other metropolises in Asia, is in love with the game of pool. A great thing is that it is popular with both expats and locals so it will also be a great way to meet Indonesians. The most popular venues are equipped with the latest equipment and charge competitive prices (around Rp. 50,000 per hour). The number of nightspots featuring pool tables is very large, ranging from a single table in a Jalan Jaksa bar to some huge pool halls. You will notice that some pool halls feel just like nightclubs, with really loud music played by a resident DJ or even live bands. In other places, you may be able to choose an accompanying lady that will play with you and entertain you, just like another girl might do in a karaoke joint. Even though gambling is strictly prohibited in Indonesia, local people will often spice up the game by making bets. There is a game that involves cards which is pretty fun to play but cost me a lot of money… Be careful because Indonesians are reall

Cost of Living in Jakarta for Expats

By Tibs →
Cost of Living in Jakarta: This article was updated in June 2011. Thanks for those who sent me feedback. The cost of living in Jakarta for an expat can be very different whether you try or not to buy products or services that are imported . Generally speaking, things are much cheaper than in Europe so you should enjoy a much greater quality of life here, provided you can live without a few things. If you have an expat salary, the cost of living will seem low and you will have access to a luxurious quality of life. You will be able to sleep in great serviced apartments or huge houses, employ a guard, a gardener, a driver, a maid, a cook and a baby-sitter, go to the restaurants twice a day, party in the hippest clubs, etc... Normally, your company should pay for housing, cars, school and plane tickets, so you won't have to worry about money . Even if you are not paid like an expat, you can live comfortably with around 10 million rupiah per month or US$1,000, or less. You can s

Cultural Venues in Jakarta

By The Jakarta Team →
As I’m getting tired of reviewing club, bars and spas, (and since my girlfriend is getting angry about it), I’ve entered a new phase of reviewing cultural venues in Jakarta. The art scene is not as minuscule as it used to be when I first arrived in Indonesia, and if you aren’t too picky, you will get a chance to attend lots of great performances and expositions. I think there are two broad kinds of cultural events in Jakarta: Those organised by foreign cultural institutes, and those organised by Indonesian art centres. Among the foreign cultural institutes, the most active in Jakarta are the Goethe Institute (Germany), the Centre Culturel Français, the Erasmus Huis (Nederland) and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura. Those institutes may sponsor a few local talents, but most of the time, they are about promoting their home country art scene in Indonesia. There is a vast array of events proposed: Exhibitions, film projection, festivals, concerts, lectures, etc. I regret that many events se