Indonesia but Not Bali

[Vic Mackey]

One of my mates has moved to Jakarta on a 2 year contract. A few of us have been given leave passes to head over for a week and visit him. We’re going to do Jakarta for a couple of nights but then head somewhere else. None of us are keen on the bogan Aussie side of Bali. Any tips of somewhere else cool in Indonesia to go?

 

[Lemon Squash]

Lombok is pretty ace

 

[___]

I have no idea about Indo as it's a place I will never visit (no interest at all) however if you are there, you might as well stop by the Philippines on the way back as it's only a 2 hour flight away:

Sight seeing:

1. Batanes (north)
2. Ilocos Norte and Sur (north)
3. Baguio (north)
4. Bicol (east)
5. Bohol (south)
6. Cebu (south)

Beach, parties and water activities

1. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (north)
2. Palawan (Coron and El Nido is better than Puerto Princesa) - west
3. Cebu (south)
4. Boracay (south)
5. Siargao (south)

 

[adamkungl]

I had low expectations but actually enjoyed Bali. Stayed in Ubud for 2 weeks, a few trips into Seminyak, didn't go to Kuta at all. There's a ton of great stuff to do well away from the main drag.

 

[Perth Tiger]

They have those 'ten new Balis' project that the Indo gov is trying to promote. Although It is more trying to encourage tourism and not creating 10 new bogan paradises.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/jo...te-balis-success-in-10-other-indonesian-spots

https://www.wowshack.com/10-new-balis/

 

[Frankus]

One of my mates has moved to Jakarta on a 2 year contract. A few of us have been given leave passes to head over for a week and visit him. We’re going to do Jakarta for a couple of nights but then head somewhere else. None of us are keen on the bogan Aussie side of Bali. Any tips of somewhere else cool in Indonesia to go?

I lived in Jakarta for a few years. There isn’t much going on in Jakarta as such. There are some decent clubs and nightspots and depending on if it’s a lads night or not some Bangkok style entertainment (malioboro). Just not during Ramadan, everything closes down.

I can recommend a couple of things, not requiring you to jump on a plane and are quite nice but really depends on what you want to get out of it.

If you are looking for something chilled, beachy and quite tranquil I’d recommend going to Tiger island (in the thousand islands) it’s a boat ride from Jakarta. You can relax, go swimming, snorkelling or even scuba. I can send you some details and a contact if you wanted to know more.

If you wanted something a little different and to somewhat see some rural parts of Indonesia there is a farm stay down in Bogor (about 1.5-2 hours south of Jakarta). You can go whitewater rafting among other things. Host is a westerner, forget his name but he’s nice. Link here: http://portibi.com/

If you want to get on a plane and are after a cultural immersion - you should check out Yogyakarta and maybe head out to Borubudur.

Otherwise Manado and North Sulawesi is pretty nice too.

Anyway good luck man, enjoy and have fun.

 

[Eion]

I lived in Jakarta for a few years. There isn’t much going on in Jakarta as such. There are some decent clubs and nightspots and depending on if it’s a lads night or not some Bangkok style entertainment (malioboro). Just not during Ramadan, everything closes down.

I can recommend a couple of things, not requiring you to jump on a plane and are quite nice but really depends on what you want to get out of it.

If you are looking for something chilled, beachy and quite tranquil I’d recommend going to Tiger island (in the thousand islands) it’s a boat ride from Jakarta. You can relax, go swimming, snorkelling or even scuba. I can send you some details and a contact if you wanted to know more.

If you wanted something a little different and to somewhat see some rural parts of Indonesia there is a farm stay down in Bogor (about 1.5-2 hours south of Jakarta). You can go whitewater rafting among other things. Host is a westerner, forget his name but he’s nice. Link here: http://portibi.com/

If you want to get on a plane and are after a cultural immersion - you should check out Yogyakarta and maybe head out to Borubudur.

Otherwise Manado and North Sulawesi is pretty nice too.

Anyway good luck man, enjoy and have fun.

I get there once or twice a year for work. Any Jakarta places you can recommend for food / beers mate? (Not into the sleazy stuff)

I normally stay at Hotel Indonesia (Kempinski) and havent really explored much.

 

[Frankus]

I get there once or twice a year for work. Any Jakarta places you can recommend for food / beers mate? (Not into the sleazy stuff)

I normally stay at Hotel Indonesia (Kempinski) and havent really explored much.

That’s on Sudirman right? The Goods Diner has one of the best burgers you will find anywhere. Coffee rub burger. It is south from where you would stay in Senayan/Senopati/SCBD. Also you could go to Ben Hil, not far from your hotel. There are a plethora of restaurants there (seafood like Singapore crab but a fraction of the price), Mie Aceh (traditional aceh food - can be spicy) plus Nasi Padang (almost the McDonalds of Indonesia) and a lot of street vendors. Good cultural experience. Can’t go wrong there.

Beer wise (I’m assuming you don’t want to go clubbing), most of the expat places will have a bunch of Indonesian working girls. During the week you could try Beer Garden, Lucy in the Sky, Basque or BATS. There is also an Irish pub at Senayan. But I’ve not lived there for a couple of years and things may have changed.

If you want to venture to a club, slap yourself and don’t.

 

[Eion]

That’s on Sudirman right? The Goods Diner has one of the best burgers you will find anywhere. Coffee rub burger. It is south from where you would stay in Senayan/Senopati/SCBD. Also you could go to Ben Hil, not far from your hotel. There are a plethora of restaurants there (seafood like Singapore crab but a fraction of the price), Mie Aceh (traditional aceh food - can be spicy) plus Nasi Padang (almost the McDonalds of Indonesia) and a lot of street vendors. Good cultural experience. Can’t go wrong there.

Beer wise (I’m assuming you don’t want to go clubbing), most of the expat places will have a bunch of Indonesian working girls. During the week you could try Beer Garden, Lucy in the Sky, Basque or BATS. There is also an Irish pub at Senayan. But I’ve not lived there for a couple of years and things may have changed.

If you want to venture to a club, slap yourself and don’t.

Ha. Thanks mate will try some of those next time.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I had low expectations but actually enjoyed Bali. Stayed in Ubud for 2 weeks, a few trips into Seminyak, didn't go to Kuta at all. There's a ton of great stuff to do well away from the main drag.

I’m going to wedding in Ubud in September, heard good things. Apparently the boganfest is mainly just around Kuta?

 

[adamkungl]

I’m going to wedding in Ubud in September, heard good things. Apparently the boganfest is mainly just around Kuta?

Apparently.
Don't get me wrong, Ubud is still full of tourists, but they're more the 'finding themself spiritually' yoga hippy crowd aka early-20s women walking around bra-less.

 

[Lemon Squash]

Areas of Bali by Social Groups from my experience.

Kuta- Bogans
Seminyak- Rich Hipsters ‘it crowd’
Uluwatu- Coasties/Surfies
Ubud- Hippie/yoga/vegan types
Nusa Dua- Rich old Europeans
Canggu- Mid life crisis Expat Aussies

 

[Coparugby]

I went to university in central and eastern Java and visit when I can.

Yogyakarta is a great place. Borobudur and prambanan temples can be done in a day with an organised group. Tickets are sold on Jl Sosrowijayan near the city centre. They also offer day trips to the south coast of Java, riding inner tubes through flooded caves etc.

You can also organise a climb of Mt Merapi there too. You climb through the night and see the sunrise from the summit. It’s slightly dangerous at parts and it feels like you are climbing that steaming volcano to get rid of the ring from lord of the rings at times but it’s amazing. Only do if fit and healthy though.

There’s also the palace, water palace, bird/animal markets (don’t go if animal cruelty makes you cry), a great cobra restaurant, a good horse satay restaurant and plenty of street life and outdoor eating areas on the main street.

You can also get away with only speaking English with the guides in Yogyakarta as they get quite a few tourists.

 

[Coparugby]

I’m going to wedding in Ubud in September, heard good things. Apparently the boganfest is mainly just around Kuta?

I used to go to ubud quite a lot over 20 years ago. I’ve been told it has changed quite a lot with the whole Eat, Pray, Love crowd taking over. The monkey forest is probably still a nightmare though and is no doubt full of angry nasty monkeys.

 

[Coparugby]

I get there once or twice a year for work. Any Jakarta places you can recommend for food / beers mate? (Not into the sleazy stuff)

I normally stay at Hotel Indonesia (Kempinski) and havent really explored much.

Sleazy stuff is standard in drinking establishments in Indonesia. I’ve even seen teen prostitutes working the cafes in large respectable malls. They will generally leave you alone once they realise you aren’t a possible customer.

 

[adamkungl]

I used to go to ubud quite a lot over 20 years ago. I’ve been told it has changed quite a lot with the whole Eat, Pray, Love crowd taking over. The monkey forest is probably still a nightmare though and is no doubt full of angry nasty monkeys.

Haha the Monkey Forest was my favourite part. Saw some dumb american girl get bitten by a monkey. I doubt she got it checked out.