Had quite a weekend of excitement really what with getting a new SIM and the fun at the local Gym. The weekend is never quite long enough and always too short, however this weekend seemed just to contain news, mostly annoying or not good.
After the Gym farce we got back to the apartment to find a letter addressed to the occupier of the apartment informing us that should certain monies not be paid to the management of the apartments by Tuesday 3pm they would immediately cut the water and electric to the apartment and then charge 1.4 million rupiah to re-connect. They like this threat as this is the second time they have used it. The first one was to inform the residents not to leave trash outside their apartments but to put it in the refuse room. I kinda agree on the principal but to put that into practice is simply hmmm unmanageable and quite difficult to do.
Anyhow, as I am only the tennent not the owner the financial costs do not affect me but the disconnection does. My landlady was informed and she promised faithfully to sort it before Tuesday.
The monies are not important except the most curious sinking supplement, which suggests the place is sinking and the management must have a way of jacking the place back up although I cant see how.
Anyhow, on Sunday I needed to go to the bank and fancied a ride around in the heat for an hour or so as I was bored. I went to the bike park and to my bike only to discover that my helmet, which was securely fastened to my bike had vanished, some of the strap remained but the helmet itself had gone. My bike was next to the exit booth which is manned 24hours a day. I am also the only expat who rides a bike in the whole complex, at least I assume I am as I have yet to see another riding here and I have been here since 2009.So security know my bike and my helmet as they see me everyday, yet it had gone.
I went to the security office and complained, the guy looked mortified and started shouting orders but at the end of the day there is nothing they can do.
So off I traipsed to Citraland to buy a new one. Of course the only optios for me in the mall was the 350,000 rupiah top of the range helmets in crap colours and choice of 1. So 2 mins later, I am the proud owner of a NHK full face, 1.5kg helmet that is now attached to me when ever I am not wearing it.
Funny thing is, this is my first full face helmet and my vision is sllightly reduced and I am concious of less visibility around me, I guess that will change in time, but it is making my riding slower and more cautious which is good and I have not swallowed any flies, dust or shit this week so far and that must be great news.
So now with neck ache as the helmet is so damm heavy, its Tuesday. At 2pm I am told that my landlady has yet to pay the money owed and in 60 minutes I would be without the utilities in my apartment.
Copious phone calls and SMS's later and with 15 minutes to spare, I get told that it is sorted out, well for now at least.
I am sure there is a warning in all what I have written about the final parts of the weekend but at the end of the day, this is what makes life so special. Hah!
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Gyms, Indonesia
I belong to a gym. A well known chain of gyms throughout the world in fact. Not silver or bronze but the other one. I am going to be careful as well, you know, saying the truth online about institutions in this country can get you jail time.
So I have decided to cancel the membership to the gym because quite simply I don't go, its the end of the year and I wont go next year. Too lazy, my working hours don't suit and there is a gym at the apartments which might be better to visit or even the gym at Central part (although I doubt that very much).
Foretold is forewarned so I am told and so knowing that, I went to my gym to cancel the membership and prevent renewal.
I had already suffered the traffic, pollution and heat whilst getting my SIM C renewed so I can ride my bike legally here and so I had no doubt cancelling my membership would not be simple.
This is what I wanted to do: Give notice to the gym that I would not be renewing my membership and to stop billing me at the end of the first years contract. (which ends in October).
It started off well as I was met by a woman who spoke English and I told her that I wanted to cancel my membership and not renew.
She took my card and told me to take a seat. This was 12.20pm, 5 mins after arriving.
At 12.30, she came back and took my contract away that I had brought with me. She then spoke in length to someone else about it and walked away.
12.50, I am still sat there and now enjoying the Incredible Hulk 2008 edition and no one came to see me
12.55, the guy came over and explained that I wanted to cancel my membership and not renew it. Yes was my answer, so he left
1.05 the guy is now speaking to 2 other people about my contract but oddly not me
1.10 the guy comes back and asks me to write a letter confirming my wish to end my contract. I do that and write in it that I wanted 'written confirmation of the last billing date'
1.15 the guy comes back and starts to complete the termination form. He fills in the wrong section as I watch, and so I complain. He walks off and speaks to the woman who spoke in English to me and she starts shouting at him.
1.20, I go to the place where she is still shouting and ask if they could get a move on as it has been sometime and I have better things to do on a Saturday.
1.22 the guy comes back and looks confused, says he is new and that this is his first cancellation. I ask for a written note for the last billing date I will be charges, he looked confused and frightened and walks off to find help.
1.30 he returns with someone not dressed in gym uniform who looks rather stressed and not in the mood for smiling. She completed the form in 1 minute. I ask for a letter confirming the last billing date as this has not been said (it is important as I want it finished and as no one could tell me verbally, it is better written therefore when it goes wrong I have proof). This was met with anguish and almost denial that they could do this. My GF is with me (you think I could do this alone?) and so she explained to her as well.
1.40 I have a scribbled note at the bottom of the contract which I did not understand as there was no dates so the lady had to write dates for me.
1.42 Tea arrives from the gym management to help calm and appease us.
1.44 It was sorted, sod the tea
I should have realised at the start of the contract when they misled me to sign up by telling me that I would not have to pay for a month and then when I signed the contract, I would be charged the following week.....
So thats my adventure and final workout at the gym Classic Gold!!!!
Lovely gym, rubbish service and ideas of what service actually is about.
So I have decided to cancel the membership to the gym because quite simply I don't go, its the end of the year and I wont go next year. Too lazy, my working hours don't suit and there is a gym at the apartments which might be better to visit or even the gym at Central part (although I doubt that very much).
Foretold is forewarned so I am told and so knowing that, I went to my gym to cancel the membership and prevent renewal.
I had already suffered the traffic, pollution and heat whilst getting my SIM C renewed so I can ride my bike legally here and so I had no doubt cancelling my membership would not be simple.
This is what I wanted to do: Give notice to the gym that I would not be renewing my membership and to stop billing me at the end of the first years contract. (which ends in October).
It started off well as I was met by a woman who spoke English and I told her that I wanted to cancel my membership and not renew.
She took my card and told me to take a seat. This was 12.20pm, 5 mins after arriving.
At 12.30, she came back and took my contract away that I had brought with me. She then spoke in length to someone else about it and walked away.
12.50, I am still sat there and now enjoying the Incredible Hulk 2008 edition and no one came to see me
12.55, the guy came over and explained that I wanted to cancel my membership and not renew it. Yes was my answer, so he left
1.05 the guy is now speaking to 2 other people about my contract but oddly not me
1.10 the guy comes back and asks me to write a letter confirming my wish to end my contract. I do that and write in it that I wanted 'written confirmation of the last billing date'
1.15 the guy comes back and starts to complete the termination form. He fills in the wrong section as I watch, and so I complain. He walks off and speaks to the woman who spoke in English to me and she starts shouting at him.
1.20, I go to the place where she is still shouting and ask if they could get a move on as it has been sometime and I have better things to do on a Saturday.
1.22 the guy comes back and looks confused, says he is new and that this is his first cancellation. I ask for a written note for the last billing date I will be charges, he looked confused and frightened and walks off to find help.
1.30 he returns with someone not dressed in gym uniform who looks rather stressed and not in the mood for smiling. She completed the form in 1 minute. I ask for a letter confirming the last billing date as this has not been said (it is important as I want it finished and as no one could tell me verbally, it is better written therefore when it goes wrong I have proof). This was met with anguish and almost denial that they could do this. My GF is with me (you think I could do this alone?) and so she explained to her as well.
1.40 I have a scribbled note at the bottom of the contract which I did not understand as there was no dates so the lady had to write dates for me.
1.42 Tea arrives from the gym management to help calm and appease us.
1.44 It was sorted, sod the tea
I should have realised at the start of the contract when they misled me to sign up by telling me that I would not have to pay for a month and then when I signed the contract, I would be charged the following week.....
So thats my adventure and final workout at the gym Classic Gold!!!!
Lovely gym, rubbish service and ideas of what service actually is about.
Driving Licence Renewal Jakarta
Yes that time had come again, luckily once a year, if I was Indonesian then every 5 years but it was the Saturday in the year when I have to renew my SIM C driving licence so I can ride my motor bike with relative ease and in the knowledge that having a SIM annoys the police when I get stopped.
For me it, I have to go to Dann Mogot Police station in the west of the city and thats about 20 mins from my place on my bike.
Now nothing is easy when it comes to paperwork and Indonesia and an expat so it best to prepared financially and mentally for these things. Legally I am allowed to meet certain criteria to allow me to have a licence, but I won't lie. I have no idea what that is as I use an agent, don't ask questions and just do what ever it takes.
In England my drivers licence allows me to drive many different types of vehicle and I have from small cars to the biggest German cars, 7.5 tonne trucks, mini buses and other assorted road traffic. Motorbikes, nah that experience waited until I got here but 'technically' I could and now after 2 years or more I most certainly can!!!
Also in England, you apply for your driving licence once you have passed your Government approved driving test, after completing a written test and taking lots of lessons. All of which is a legal requirement. The same law applies to every kind of vehicle there.
Once you have passed your driving test, you then send off the necessary paperwork which you get from the post office, some photos and some money and then 2 weeks later, your licence comes back in the post. I actually think by now you can do all that online. Nice and simple, legal and not stressful.
Back to Indonesia...........
My girlfriend knows someone who knows someone who knows an agent and so she sorted out the time. cost and the things I needed to bring before hand which was nice and the price was 200,000 less than last year which was great as well.
The agreed time was 8am at Dann Mogot licensing center and so we set off on the bike early with plenty of time to spare. Now, for those that never have or will go down Dann Mogot in Jakarta, it is one of the longest streets/roads in the country apparently and runs from Citra land to somewhere in Tangerang and comprises of 2 or 3 lanes and a bus lane, a huge dirty river on one side with BASF, ABC, and other major industries on one side and Cengkareng etc on the other.
Normally so busy it is silly, today was no exception. Just after the flyover the traffic was at a standstill and even the bikes struggled to push through the denseness of the traffic, pollution aside the sun was out in force and it was hot.
It turned out that over a river bridge was a huge amount of mud which had spilled off a truck and blocked the road meaning everything was using one lane to get by. So it took over an hour to get there.
The agent was nice and we went straight into the building. I was lucky to have brought my passport along as it speeded up the process no end.
I dont really know what happens but it involves sitting while the agent fast tracks your application (about 30 mins) and then you go for your photo and fingerprints. Being white and paying alot I was ushered into a packed room full of people waiting to have their photos sorted, Sat in front of the camera, spoken Indonesian at, signed my name and walked out again. 10 minutes. Great. Then I had to wait for 20 mins until my licence had been made.
All in all, just over an hour to get it done. However a SIM C (motorbike renewal) is 60,000 and a new licence is 75,000. As I am only allowed a yearly licence I have to pay the 75,000 fee. It cost me over 4x that to get my licence but at then end of the day, I am legal and it did not take long. Sure I could do it without an agent but why bother. It is a renewal afterall.
For me it, I have to go to Dann Mogot Police station in the west of the city and thats about 20 mins from my place on my bike.
Now nothing is easy when it comes to paperwork and Indonesia and an expat so it best to prepared financially and mentally for these things. Legally I am allowed to meet certain criteria to allow me to have a licence, but I won't lie. I have no idea what that is as I use an agent, don't ask questions and just do what ever it takes.
In England my drivers licence allows me to drive many different types of vehicle and I have from small cars to the biggest German cars, 7.5 tonne trucks, mini buses and other assorted road traffic. Motorbikes, nah that experience waited until I got here but 'technically' I could and now after 2 years or more I most certainly can!!!
Also in England, you apply for your driving licence once you have passed your Government approved driving test, after completing a written test and taking lots of lessons. All of which is a legal requirement. The same law applies to every kind of vehicle there.
Once you have passed your driving test, you then send off the necessary paperwork which you get from the post office, some photos and some money and then 2 weeks later, your licence comes back in the post. I actually think by now you can do all that online. Nice and simple, legal and not stressful.
Back to Indonesia...........
My girlfriend knows someone who knows someone who knows an agent and so she sorted out the time. cost and the things I needed to bring before hand which was nice and the price was 200,000 less than last year which was great as well.
The agreed time was 8am at Dann Mogot licensing center and so we set off on the bike early with plenty of time to spare. Now, for those that never have or will go down Dann Mogot in Jakarta, it is one of the longest streets/roads in the country apparently and runs from Citra land to somewhere in Tangerang and comprises of 2 or 3 lanes and a bus lane, a huge dirty river on one side with BASF, ABC, and other major industries on one side and Cengkareng etc on the other.
Normally so busy it is silly, today was no exception. Just after the flyover the traffic was at a standstill and even the bikes struggled to push through the denseness of the traffic, pollution aside the sun was out in force and it was hot.
It turned out that over a river bridge was a huge amount of mud which had spilled off a truck and blocked the road meaning everything was using one lane to get by. So it took over an hour to get there.
The agent was nice and we went straight into the building. I was lucky to have brought my passport along as it speeded up the process no end.
I dont really know what happens but it involves sitting while the agent fast tracks your application (about 30 mins) and then you go for your photo and fingerprints. Being white and paying alot I was ushered into a packed room full of people waiting to have their photos sorted, Sat in front of the camera, spoken Indonesian at, signed my name and walked out again. 10 minutes. Great. Then I had to wait for 20 mins until my licence had been made.
All in all, just over an hour to get it done. However a SIM C (motorbike renewal) is 60,000 and a new licence is 75,000. As I am only allowed a yearly licence I have to pay the 75,000 fee. It cost me over 4x that to get my licence but at then end of the day, I am legal and it did not take long. Sure I could do it without an agent but why bother. It is a renewal afterall.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Jakarta Riding
I think I have been riding long enough in Jakarta to say that I am still an amateur and still needs to lessons and more knowledge of the rules and the way the Jakartans ride, drive and generally rush around the gridlocked city.
I think then this will be more of a list of things to watch for as a bike rider.
More importantly as a Western or 'Bule' rider, who rides out often alone through the city in the worst traffic and at the worst times of the day.
The overall message is slow down, ride in a straight line and down zig zag through traffic, dont think you are indestructable and always wear a good helmet.
Groups it is then.
1. Pedestrians
At night becareful when riding through populated areas as children will run around or play sports in front of you
Watch for people trying to cross the road at all times
At night there are little or very inadequate street lighting so be more alert than normal as well its very dark and lights from on coming traffic vary greatly on strength depending on vehicle.
2. Parkirs
Often walk into the road to help cars out of drive ways etc or allow vehicles into drive ways
Recognisable as they are either in blue shirts or they are security men
The guys at busy junctions are directing traffic for cash and are quite useful
At night people wave flashing orange or red night sticks. Useful enough but not the right colour and therefore not visible sometimes until it is too late.
3. Cyclists, Mobile Warungs, Scavengers,
As a rule cyclists cause no trouble and the only issue is when they just turn in front of you, but then everyone does that. People pushing carts want to get by or through and will block the road although through not fault of their own. The same for scavengers.
Watch for the water carts being pushed along as they are incredibly long.
4. Bajais
Orange or blue, no indicators or front lights. The orange ones make far too much noise and belch black cancer forming smoke, learn to hold your breath. The blue ones don't but still do everything else.
They do as a rule give way to motorbikes and most other things but you need to be wary as they turn and stop with no notice.
5. Motorbikes.
Where to start or that finish
Kids on motorbikes are dangerous as they believe they are immortal and go to fast on bikes with too loud mufflers
Kids on motorbikes with other kids even scarier
School kids finishing school and going home are also a menace
Families with 4 or more people on one bike are often cautious, however don't be too alarmed when a whole family go by you at speed with out any helmets and weaving in traffic
People smoking are a menace
People using mobile phones are beyond careless and stupid
Cyclists under bridges in the rain are trying to keep dry but are also blocking traffic.
I think weaving bikers going at speed are the worst though.
or weaving bikers turning left or right from the wrong side of the road with no signal or clue that that is their intention.
Nope, night time bikes with no lights
At night bikes riding at you with no lights
At night bikes riding at you with lights aimed too high
At night bikes with a clear light as the back light and brake so you don't know which way they are going
Now you can start putting some of the above combinations together and well you get the picture.
However most bikers I have met and spoke with ride slow and carefully and are very observant and helpful.
6. Cars (including taxis)
Let them go by if they are in a hurry or go by them if they are not in a hurry
If they flash their lights at you, you are probably in the way
They are dangerous when they drive at you to cut round queues
They are more often than not wary of motorbikes
Still don't know how or when to indicate though, so that's not helpful
Parkirs help them park so that's good.
7. Mini trucks and trucks
See above
8. Big trucks
Cement mixers, cab and trailers, dump trucks all need either let through or got past safely.
They go fairly slow and don't really get on the small roads
Often have a co driver who makes lots of signals
Big respect to them
9 Minivans (assorted)
No lights
No indicators
Often stop
Go slowly
Wait for passengers in random places
Annoying to be near
However, if you take the same routes often you begin to notice patterns and where they will stop and where they slow down. If you watch you can avoid being stuck behind them when that happens. They normally wait for the people to cross the road as well or are waiting for another fare.
10. Metro Minis and Kopajas
Not my favourite type of transport as they have all the same attributes as point 9 with the additional few, which are;
The produce the same black smoke as bajais but for longer and faster
They go too fast and weave in traffic
They race each other causing jams
They have a tendency to stop
If not on their normal route they go either jet fast or so slow its quicker to walk
They parkup at night in certain places so you need to be aware of people still servicing them etc without any warning
11. Bigger buses
Scary
No manners
Inadequate lights and indicators
Bully other road users to get them moving
Get past them or stay well behind them
12. Long distance buses
They are ok on the toll
In local crowded streets are very long and difficult to get by but overall go slow and take lots more care
13. Police and emergency services
Ambulances will go by quickly but make too much noise
Brown police roll by with all lights on not doing much
Motorbike police on Hondas are local police and so will ignore you
Motorbike police on panelled bikes are traffic cops and wont ignore you
Motorcades should be respected otherwise you can be arrested
Police directing traffic normally ignore motorbikes and let them do what they like but not sure why
Fire trucks scream, let them go by, they have some where important to go and it is amazing to watch them
14. The road
Learn to spot and remember roads, holes, pot holes, missing roads, where puddles form, where roads narrow, bottlenecks, open roads, lumps, bumps, curves etc
Night time in the rain is bad as holes get bigger and full of water
Poor lighting wont help you
Branches in holes is a warning of danger
holes may get filled with ceramics or wood or with too much concrete which means more bumps and lumps
Speed bumps are all shapes, angles and sizes so just go slow
15. Other
Buses, cars etc with tree branches hanging off them have broken down
If stopped by the police, I hope you have a sim and stnk otherwise a bribe or a trip to the police station
In the suburbs more random stops by random policemen
In the city its the same but more professionally down, the menace though is the same
The rules for lights and well maintained vehicles are not followed
Big european cars are great and the drivers are very brave
Puddles form and you need to slow down
If riding in the rain, at 50kph the rain hurts so slow down!
Know your level of riding, be slow and cautious
Try to worry only about what you can in front of you but remember the weaving going too fast riders are never far away
Try not to turn into traffic as its scary
Turning into traffic at night is not easy when facing lots of motorbikes
Ensure the bike is service alot especially brakes
Street kids can spot you at junctions and wont leave you alone
Learn to smile when car loads of people look and stare at the 'bule' on a bike in traffic jams
Consider good insurance
Don't think it wont happen to you, make sure you are sure if enough and concentrating fully so it cant.
For me I find riding through the city enjoyable especially during public holidays as there is less traffic. I enjoy the challenge and chance to see and explore the city, even with everything I have listed. I am sure that there is more but I hope you will have some general idea of what to expect and face.
I have been riding in Jakarta now since March 2008 and have taken time to venture out but now I am more than happy to ride all the way from Tangerang city to Tebet through Dann Magot, slipi and semanngi and from Sunda Kelapa to Kebon Jeruk on a Saturday evening via the Monas.
Happy riding :)
I think then this will be more of a list of things to watch for as a bike rider.
More importantly as a Western or 'Bule' rider, who rides out often alone through the city in the worst traffic and at the worst times of the day.
The overall message is slow down, ride in a straight line and down zig zag through traffic, dont think you are indestructable and always wear a good helmet.
Groups it is then.
1. Pedestrians
At night becareful when riding through populated areas as children will run around or play sports in front of you
Watch for people trying to cross the road at all times
At night there are little or very inadequate street lighting so be more alert than normal as well its very dark and lights from on coming traffic vary greatly on strength depending on vehicle.
2. Parkirs
Often walk into the road to help cars out of drive ways etc or allow vehicles into drive ways
Recognisable as they are either in blue shirts or they are security men
The guys at busy junctions are directing traffic for cash and are quite useful
At night people wave flashing orange or red night sticks. Useful enough but not the right colour and therefore not visible sometimes until it is too late.
3. Cyclists, Mobile Warungs, Scavengers,
As a rule cyclists cause no trouble and the only issue is when they just turn in front of you, but then everyone does that. People pushing carts want to get by or through and will block the road although through not fault of their own. The same for scavengers.
Watch for the water carts being pushed along as they are incredibly long.
4. Bajais
Orange or blue, no indicators or front lights. The orange ones make far too much noise and belch black cancer forming smoke, learn to hold your breath. The blue ones don't but still do everything else.
They do as a rule give way to motorbikes and most other things but you need to be wary as they turn and stop with no notice.
5. Motorbikes.
Where to start or that finish
Kids on motorbikes are dangerous as they believe they are immortal and go to fast on bikes with too loud mufflers
Kids on motorbikes with other kids even scarier
School kids finishing school and going home are also a menace
Families with 4 or more people on one bike are often cautious, however don't be too alarmed when a whole family go by you at speed with out any helmets and weaving in traffic
People smoking are a menace
People using mobile phones are beyond careless and stupid
Cyclists under bridges in the rain are trying to keep dry but are also blocking traffic.
I think weaving bikers going at speed are the worst though.
or weaving bikers turning left or right from the wrong side of the road with no signal or clue that that is their intention.
Nope, night time bikes with no lights
At night bikes riding at you with no lights
At night bikes riding at you with lights aimed too high
At night bikes with a clear light as the back light and brake so you don't know which way they are going
Now you can start putting some of the above combinations together and well you get the picture.
However most bikers I have met and spoke with ride slow and carefully and are very observant and helpful.
6. Cars (including taxis)
Let them go by if they are in a hurry or go by them if they are not in a hurry
If they flash their lights at you, you are probably in the way
They are dangerous when they drive at you to cut round queues
They are more often than not wary of motorbikes
Still don't know how or when to indicate though, so that's not helpful
Parkirs help them park so that's good.
7. Mini trucks and trucks
See above
8. Big trucks
Cement mixers, cab and trailers, dump trucks all need either let through or got past safely.
They go fairly slow and don't really get on the small roads
Often have a co driver who makes lots of signals
Big respect to them
9 Minivans (assorted)
No lights
No indicators
Often stop
Go slowly
Wait for passengers in random places
Annoying to be near
However, if you take the same routes often you begin to notice patterns and where they will stop and where they slow down. If you watch you can avoid being stuck behind them when that happens. They normally wait for the people to cross the road as well or are waiting for another fare.
10. Metro Minis and Kopajas
Not my favourite type of transport as they have all the same attributes as point 9 with the additional few, which are;
The produce the same black smoke as bajais but for longer and faster
They go too fast and weave in traffic
They race each other causing jams
They have a tendency to stop
If not on their normal route they go either jet fast or so slow its quicker to walk
They parkup at night in certain places so you need to be aware of people still servicing them etc without any warning
11. Bigger buses
Scary
No manners
Inadequate lights and indicators
Bully other road users to get them moving
Get past them or stay well behind them
12. Long distance buses
They are ok on the toll
In local crowded streets are very long and difficult to get by but overall go slow and take lots more care
13. Police and emergency services
Ambulances will go by quickly but make too much noise
Brown police roll by with all lights on not doing much
Motorbike police on Hondas are local police and so will ignore you
Motorbike police on panelled bikes are traffic cops and wont ignore you
Motorcades should be respected otherwise you can be arrested
Police directing traffic normally ignore motorbikes and let them do what they like but not sure why
Fire trucks scream, let them go by, they have some where important to go and it is amazing to watch them
14. The road
Learn to spot and remember roads, holes, pot holes, missing roads, where puddles form, where roads narrow, bottlenecks, open roads, lumps, bumps, curves etc
Night time in the rain is bad as holes get bigger and full of water
Poor lighting wont help you
Branches in holes is a warning of danger
holes may get filled with ceramics or wood or with too much concrete which means more bumps and lumps
Speed bumps are all shapes, angles and sizes so just go slow
15. Other
Buses, cars etc with tree branches hanging off them have broken down
If stopped by the police, I hope you have a sim and stnk otherwise a bribe or a trip to the police station
In the suburbs more random stops by random policemen
In the city its the same but more professionally down, the menace though is the same
The rules for lights and well maintained vehicles are not followed
Big european cars are great and the drivers are very brave
Puddles form and you need to slow down
If riding in the rain, at 50kph the rain hurts so slow down!
Know your level of riding, be slow and cautious
Try to worry only about what you can in front of you but remember the weaving going too fast riders are never far away
Try not to turn into traffic as its scary
Turning into traffic at night is not easy when facing lots of motorbikes
Ensure the bike is service alot especially brakes
Street kids can spot you at junctions and wont leave you alone
Learn to smile when car loads of people look and stare at the 'bule' on a bike in traffic jams
Consider good insurance
Don't think it wont happen to you, make sure you are sure if enough and concentrating fully so it cant.
For me I find riding through the city enjoyable especially during public holidays as there is less traffic. I enjoy the challenge and chance to see and explore the city, even with everything I have listed. I am sure that there is more but I hope you will have some general idea of what to expect and face.
I have been riding in Jakarta now since March 2008 and have taken time to venture out but now I am more than happy to ride all the way from Tangerang city to Tebet through Dann Magot, slipi and semanngi and from Sunda Kelapa to Kebon Jeruk on a Saturday evening via the Monas.
Happy riding :)
Jakarta Nights
Imagine the scenario; lively streets, bustling with all sorts of people. Bars, restaurants, shops and traffic. Loud music and shouting. Lively street scene, a good place for people to hang out in the evening or spend the night with friends drinking, chatting and socialising.
The place has a good vibe and it is known for its bars and people. One night someone is out with friends and its getting the late, the beer has been flowing I am sure for a while and the friends split.
The next thing you know, one of the friends is covered in blood in the middle of a bar after being 'glassed' by someone else and all hell breaks loose. The police arrive and there is just general confusion and finger pointing. The glassed person comes round, he does not really understand what has happened, manages to walk out of the bar and get a taxi home.
In pain and in need of medical assistance he goes to a hospital where he receives 16 stitches to various parts of the head and given pain killers and some drops for his eyes as they have had glass slithers in them and need time to heal.
Still in pain the next day, he returns to hospital as his sight is getting worse and on seeing an eye doctor gets told he has received the wrong medication for his eyes and has 50% vision. Fearing the worse he freaks out and rightly so and has a few days of worry until his next appointment. Luckily for him the next appointment confirms he is on the mend and his sight will get back normal in the next week.
Sounds horrific and from those who know western cities and life, we can assume it happened to someone in the west on a night out.
Wrong. It happened in Jakarta. In Jalan Jacksa. All the above is true.
The glassing attack is the worst thing I have heard happen to an expat here in over 3 years. It is made worse as I know this guy and it would have been unprovoked.
My message is a cautionary tale for those out for a beer in the cities 'nite spots'. Be careful and be aware that a bar is a bar no matter where in the world you are. Alcohol can fuel violence and attacks. Western people should know that so please don't think it does not happen here. Be responsible and be safe.
The place has a good vibe and it is known for its bars and people. One night someone is out with friends and its getting the late, the beer has been flowing I am sure for a while and the friends split.
The next thing you know, one of the friends is covered in blood in the middle of a bar after being 'glassed' by someone else and all hell breaks loose. The police arrive and there is just general confusion and finger pointing. The glassed person comes round, he does not really understand what has happened, manages to walk out of the bar and get a taxi home.
In pain and in need of medical assistance he goes to a hospital where he receives 16 stitches to various parts of the head and given pain killers and some drops for his eyes as they have had glass slithers in them and need time to heal.
Still in pain the next day, he returns to hospital as his sight is getting worse and on seeing an eye doctor gets told he has received the wrong medication for his eyes and has 50% vision. Fearing the worse he freaks out and rightly so and has a few days of worry until his next appointment. Luckily for him the next appointment confirms he is on the mend and his sight will get back normal in the next week.
Sounds horrific and from those who know western cities and life, we can assume it happened to someone in the west on a night out.
Wrong. It happened in Jakarta. In Jalan Jacksa. All the above is true.
The glassing attack is the worst thing I have heard happen to an expat here in over 3 years. It is made worse as I know this guy and it would have been unprovoked.
My message is a cautionary tale for those out for a beer in the cities 'nite spots'. Be careful and be aware that a bar is a bar no matter where in the world you are. Alcohol can fuel violence and attacks. Western people should know that so please don't think it does not happen here. Be responsible and be safe.
Friday, 20 August 2010
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