[Seadog]

I'm currently working in Indonesia, money is amazing, people are friendly, but I work way too much and don't have a life. I was thinking of taking a year off, or outright quitting my job. But I enjoy Indonesia like I said, its warm, good people, things are cheap, women like foreigners.

Has anyone spent prolonged time here in places other than Bali? What I'm looking for is the get further with my diving (potentially divemaster) a big enough city to actually have night life and stuff to do, some sort of martial arts school, and a laguage school for bahasa Indonesia that ideally caters to foreigners. I want to stay in Indo because I've already made some headway with the language, and want to build on that instead of starting over again in another country.

My first thought was Manado, decent size, great diving, but not sure about the martial arts or language school.

Bali is a consideration, the latter two would be fine there, but its a little touristy though, and a bit far from the diving.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

[Technics]

Seadog,

Unfortunately I cannot help with your question, but we are missing a lot of detailed info on Indonesia.

Can you drop a data-sheet or 2 with your experience from Indonesia? Thanks in advance.

[sloopjohn]

(12-03-2012 10:02 AM)Seadog Wrote:  

I'm currently working in Indonesia, money is amazing, people are friendly, but I work way too much and don't have a life. I was thinking of taking a year off, or outright quitting my job. But I enjoy Indonesia like I said, its warm, good people, things are cheap, women like foreigners.

Has anyone spent prolonged time here in places other than Bali.......

Anyone have any other suggestions?

I think bali is likely the only place with all of your requirements, but although I personally like bali it doesn't sound like it is what you really want. If you can possibly afford it you might consider splitting up your time between the language learning and the diving.

I would go to Yogya to study Bahasa Indonesian and the martial arts. It's a terrific city, full of universities and students. A lot of students would be interested in working with you on your Indonesian in exchange for help with english. It's also a lovely town with a strong traditional feel. Lots of friendly and pretty girls going to the schools.

As far as diving you may be able to take advantage of the inexpensive airlines in the country and do frequent diving trips to Manado and other dive areas. There may be some diving closer to Yogya, I just don't know. but if you are not tied down by work it may not be difficult to do frequent dive trips.

good luck, Indonesia is an amazing place.

[Seadog]

Yah I really like it here, except like I said my time is mostly monopolized by work. And by that I mean I live with my coworkers, travel with them to/from work, I realized on my birthday when I went for a walk to the store to buy an ice cream it was the first time in 9 weeks i had been more than 10m away from a coworker.

What's your experience here? I haven't made it to Yogya yet, just did a work course in Bandung for 3 days, again I was stuck doing work shit the whole time, but definately a great studenty vibe there when we went out to dinner and stuff.

I like Bali too, but my problem with it is I'd be wanting to do a bit of self-improvment and I think there it would be too many temptations to just go hang out at a hostel get drunk all the time with the backpacking crowd and wake up at noon.

[RichieP]

Yeah there's not much info on Indonesia around here. A couple of guys have posted about Jakarta / Bali, but that's really it.

What are you doing over there for work?

[Vacancier Permanent]

Seadog,
I'd be also very interested in learning more about Indonesia as that's a place I'd definitely want to visit upon my return to Asia. A data sheet on Indonesia would be highly appreciated.

Cheers.

[Seadog]

I'm a field petroleum enigneer. I'll try and whip something up here soon about it.

[DirectDanger]

I lived on Bali and traveled through Java. Life on Bali is totally different than anywhere else as i am sure you would expect. The diving is not that great either. I am not sure you are going to find all those things you want in one place. I have never been to Manado or any where on Sulawesi. Would be interested in hearing about life there if you go.

Where in Indonesia are you now? I enjoyed Bandung a lot, had lots of university girls who were very excited to meet a foreigner and surprisingly easy to hook up with.

[sloopjohn]

(12-05-2012 08:16 AM)Seadog Wrote:  

Yah I really like it here, except like I said my time is mostly monopolized by work. And by that I mean I live with my coworkers, travel with them to/from work, I realized on my birthday when I went for a walk to the store to buy an ice cream it was the first time in 9 weeks i had been more than 10m away from a coworker.

What's your experience here? I haven't made it to Yogya yet, just did a work course in Bandung for 3 days, again I was stuck doing work shit the whole time, but definately a great studenty vibe there when we went out to dinner and stuff.

I like Bali too, but my problem with it is I'd be wanting to do a bit of self-improvment and I think there it would be too many temptations to just go hang out at a hostel get drunk all the time with the backpacking crowd and wake up at noon.

I have just travelled to the country a few times, not an expert but with real experience. I have also spent a few days in Bandung, the center of the Sundanese culture. those Sundanese girls have reputations for being shapely and attractive. Bandung would be another option for spending time and taking language classes.

But the best place for learning the language and culture, and to work on the kind of self improvement you are talking about would be Yogya imo. it's got the most universities and the most pleasant and traditional lifestyle. It's the most important cultural center in Java. crawling with uni girls from all over.

You could easily take trips to Manado. There are supposed to be some nice hotels out on the islands, ones where they bring you on small boats from the mainland and you jump into the water and wade ashore to the hotel. If you have a gf in Yogya you could bring her for long weekends. great diving, lots of privacy and romantic atmosphere. sounds pretty good to me.

[DirectDanger]

Is Yogya short for Yogyakarta?

[Soma]

(12-07-2012 10:50 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  

Is Yogya short for Yogyakarta?

Yes, but usually shortened to Jogja; the y's are pronounced as j's.

[iknowexactly]

(12-06-2012 06:24 PM)DirectDanger Wrote:  

I lived on Bali and traveled through Java. Life on Bali is totally different than anywhere else as i am sure you would expect. The diving is not that great either. I am not sure you are going to find all those things you want in one place. I have never been to Manado or any where on Sulawesi. Would be interested in hearing about life there if you go.

Where in Indonesia are you now? I enjoyed Bandung a lot, had lots of university girls who were very excited to meet a foreigner and surprisingly easy to hook up with.

Thanks for info, how's the age openness of women there-- can a guy who looks 40's get girls in early 20's like in Philippines?

[The Fantasist]

(12-08-2012 01:10 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

Thanks for info, how's the age openness of women there-- can a guy who looks 40's get girls in early 20's like in Philippines?

Absolutely! My father is 65 and he lives over there with his 22 year old girlfriend who he has just had a baby with. On the island where my dad has his house there are a few older foreigners with younger wives. The guy who I used to rent a house off of in the UK is in his early 60's and lives in Jakarta with his mid twenties very attractive wife. IKE,you will not have any trouble what so ever getting younger girls in Indonesia,trust me.

Indonesia is one of those conundrums to me because it seems to be blind spot for foreigners except for Bali. Yet for Asian lovers it has the seemingly full package; friendly welcoming populace,very easy to bang with little age gap issues,cheap,decent food etc. If I didn't dislike the sweaty tropical weather so much I'd return.

[DirectDanger]

I agree with Vorkuta, I saw plenty of older guys with young girls. It is very much accepted. Even older indonesia men with younger girls.

The girls vibe might be a little different than it was for me. I was in my mid to late 20's when i was traveling in the area and girls understood it was for fun. If you are older they might (this is a guess) be wanting something more serious.

Either way you will be able to find girls in their 20's who would be happy to date you.