Due to the rush of people getting out of Jakarta before 7
June elections, we find ourselves with 3 weeks (up to 2
June) to spend in Java. Has anyone any recommendations for
places to see in this time? Also any info on safe
accommodation and travel in Jakarta.
Many thanks in advance for info.
Jo
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Hide somewhere.
U know very well, everybody getting out of Jakarta/Indonesia
or Java before end of the month, n u still want to
stay behind!!! May be u want excitement, but pls refer
to Post No. 88 where some one post about rioting in Bali.
Don't be at the wrong place at the wrong time if u value
your life. Last year lots of young ladies was raped
in broad daylight n until today some of them hv gone
insane.......sad but so true! Go to M'sia or S'pore where
is safer.
Jo, most likely you will have a great time. Nobody can of
course give you a guarantee about what's going to happen
(and what not) but don't listen to all these panicking
eggheads, who probably watch too much CNN and most likely
have never been to Indonesia before. I would try Pacitan on
the South coast, it takes a bit to get there but is a
beautiful area.
Since I just got back from Jakarta , and found it extremely boring, let me know how the riots turn out. There is an opera house, and shopping for entertainment.
For no 3's information, I have a major in Indonesian
studies, including Indonesian Military in the 20th Century,
Indonesian Nationalism, Civilisation, and also a language
major which I studied intensely THERE. I am writing my
thesis at the moment so be careful what you say about
people and value their opinions next time. Basically only
an idiot or somebody who HAD to would go to Java between
now and the elections, unless you are socialogist or
political commentator for whom danger is part of the
interest or avoidable due to advanced knowledge of the
situation. SO THERE. And the last time I was there was
during the November riots but I certainly wasn't in Java.
Jamie, I'm deeply impressed. You really seem to know what's
going to happen... Maybe you would share your vast
knowledge with us and tell us where any foreign tourists
were hurt or even killed during riots?! Thanks!
Joanne, why do you have to stay in Java? Domestic flights
are still available, e.g. to Manado, which has never seen
any kind of unrest during the crisis. Try the following
sites for more information:
http://www.north-sulawesi.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bluemi
Happy travels!
Peter
you would be advised to loose yourself again.
you would be advised to loose yourself again.
I am not talking about being killed or maimed. I am
talking about the practicalities of being around during a
time of massive social and urban disruption. And also the
idea of "holidaying" in such an environment of unrest seems
inappropriate and unnecessary to me.
i'm in jakarta now. it's calm except for campaigning on the weekends. we expect this to intensify as we get closer to the election. could be controlled, could be a real ugly situation. the experts learned from the last round, no one can predict what will happen in this country. i was here during the may riots, i was here during the november riots, i'm still here, but i'm prepared to go if the situation turns. aside from politics, jakarta is one of the least appealing places in indonesia (or the world). what opera house? what shopping? if you're determined to stay in java go to yogya, bromo, ujung kulong, bandung any where but here. stay in touch with your embassy and be flexible.
For your information when the situation turn sour
even though u r holding a confirm seat u r not able
to get out - UNLESS u hv hard cash and
r prepare to bribe / pay
undertable money in USD$ to the airline counter
staff, immigration n so much hassle. Get out while u
can!
Jamie, I'm not really sarcastic, or maybe just a little
bit. Just didn't want to let you get away with a posting
like your first one... I actually quite agree that being
somewhere near rioting is not a good idea and would rather
avoid Java myself during election time. On the other hand,
with a bit of luck not to be in the wrong place at the
wrong time I still think that one could have a good time,
even there. But you never know...
Okay?
I guess I can get a litle lazy with initial posts.....
...
Joanne,
I wouldn't stay in Jakarta - even if there weren't
elections coming up. Who knows what will happen both
before during and after the elections. I would recomend you
come to Solo though - it is a great place to relax. There
are a few westerners around and some good things to do and
see in and around Solo.
I am staying at a great place called Lucie Pension - clean,
cheap, friendly. The address in Jalan Ambon 12, Keprabon
Lor. If you want to call before the telephone number is
Solo (0271) 53375. If you arrive at the bus or train
station and take a becak - tell them it is near
Mangkunegaran Kraton (pay about 2000 rupiah).
Maybe see you soon ....
SALLY
It is a lovely place
The one area most likely to stay calm is Yogyakarta, because
of the immense prestige of the Sultan. You could entertain
yourself a hundred ways for a lot longer than two weeks.
It's too bad you aren't flying out from Bali; can you change
your ticket? Yogya-Denpasar is a much-flown route.
I am an often traveller to Jakarta and have also travelled
between major riots and during the problems.
Trust me Jakarta is not the place to be.
If you have to stay there do NOT STAY anywhere near the
Jalan Jaksa area but get right out to areas where the
expatriat communities are behind big fences at hotels with
security guards etc,
PS I have many friends there and I apologise to them but boy
is it a hole!!! The most interesting parts (the few ) are
right in the middle of the serious troubles!!(sunda kelapa,
batavia,chinatown,"democracy" monas).
I would feel better in a big hotel in Jogya, but would feel
even better in bali (last time there were problems I went to
bali)
I've been informed by friends living in Bandung and Yogya
that the current level of unrest if quite spectacular at
times, which is unusual in areas renowned for their calm,
and my friends - even the native Indonesians - are staying
indoors as much as possible.
My advice is to go to out of the way places like Gunung
Bromo or Pangandaran, or perhaps Solo and stay at the Lucie
Pension which I've heard so much about......
U better don't go there if u tresure yr life. There's still
riots going on in Jarkarta yesterday between the parties.
If u want to go indonesia, try going there 5 yrs later.Even
if u go there now, u don't have the mood to enjoy the
sceneries or going to have fun, only the riots' sceneries,
if u enjoy watching them. Try going to Malaysia or
Singapore. If u like nature, u can try Sabah(malaysia), or
if u like to do shopping n funky dancing, try going to
singapore.Take yr choice n have fun.