My friend from Singapore told me that Indonesia is bad, but not that bad. Still, she’s used to showing me her video collection of bloody massacre in 1998…. Brr…. Lots of murder, robbery, and rape in Indonesia….
Anyway, how do INDONESIANS view about an AMERICAN girl traveling by herself alone? Even after I watch “Hostel”, where backpackers from America were tortured and murdered by Natives in Eastern Europe, I still want to go to Indonesia. I want to go to place where girls are as hot and as talented as Dancer. Bali is my priority, but I know lots of exotic dancer all over region of Indonesia. I believe that, I’m also a dancer!! LOL!!!
Honest opinion from Indonesian here? Please…?
2007-02-24 02:04:43 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Indonesia
PS: My Singaporean friend also told that in less than one hundred year, we Singaporean would finally take over their land because Indonesian government was so silly to sell their land pieces by pieces to the Singaporean government. We’re getting richer by robbing their land, and they let us and even encourage us Singaporean to do that!
I don’t get it, why is your government so desperate to do something that REALLY stupid?!? We American don’t like George W. Bush or even his grand plan to invade Afghan and Iraq, still Bush will not do something even close to sell our land to Canadian, Mexican, or Cuban for example!!!
2007-02-24 02:05:36 · update #1
Hi....
I m Indonesian and glad that you have such great interest in visiting Indonesia. I must say that in some part if Indonesia, it is still not safe to travel alone....however, bali, jakarta, bandung, menado and some other places are safe...
You can concentrate on big cities or tourist area...
I watched the movie you mentioned, and trust me...Indonesian will never do such thing....
Indonesia consist of thousands of islands and tribes.....you'll find the culture , dance and nature amazing!
regarding selling land to Singapore....yea...Indonesian government (some people) are only care for his/her own wealth...just to make sure when they die....they have enough asset. That is all possible ....sell island/land to foreigner to certain people who has access to cut bereuacracy. Meaning only those on top who are able to sell island/land easily and enjoy the money themselves....what can i say...greed...selfish...corruption has been good friend to some people in Indonesia.
Nonetheless, I am as Indonesian still willing to do my best to help this nation, and I am doing what I can do now.....
I hope you can enjoy Indonesia....why dont you get some Indonesian friends so you can have local guide?
contact www.jakartaexpat.com....maybe can help
2007-02-24 03:06:01 · answer #1 · answered by Bear 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know - IF you go to tourists' spots you should be all right however ABSOLUTELY DO NOT EVER go out alone by yourself after 1800 or 6:00 PM -
Many travelers uses traveler's checks however because Indonesia is not so modern - you should forget about bringing it unless it is used to pay for the hotels (even then some of the local hotels will not accept them)
DO watch your wallet AT ALL TIMES - there are a lot of pick pockets
AVOID Night traveling because you are an American - lately Indonesian Muslims Extremists are on the raise
You can also ask the hotel where you stay to pinpoint you to a local travel agent for travel - it's a lot safer and much better and I'd recommend it a LOT
REGARDING the Singapore's purchase of Indonesia's territory -
No the Singapore's government never made such purchase to Indonesia - however its citizens were known to purchase some Indonesia's Islands - (like Oprah buying an island for herself)
Indonesia's government is very corrupt - you could get away without paying taxes and stuff like that -
Now on 1998's bloody massacre (they call it a revolution; I call it huge group of looters) it is a well known fact that the Indonesian Army took part in it - most of the attackers targeted Chinese Indonesian or Chinese Descent. Most of Chinese Indonesian went to Singapore - Australia - Canada - United States taking or selling their properties at a wholesale price to people they know
My source??
I was in 1998 bloody massacre - my parents' businesses and homes were burned we lost about $500,000 and Indonesian Insurance Company is a joke - they will not even pay a single cent
Luckly my parents had some money saved up when the Indonesian Rupiahs were down - we made a killing by selling our U.S. dollars at -7x the price that we bought
I'm under political asylum in the United States now. You can e-mail me if you want to know more about Indonesia.
2007-02-24 11:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by cerbie86 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Bad things happen in Indonesia-its true- but not all are bad about Indonesia. Tourist places are alright for you even if you travel alone.You just need to be cautious and do not trust people easily.
I am Indonesian, at the moment residing in Bali and I found that Bali is considered as a safe place in Indonesia (except - the Bomb blasts) unlike the other places in Java where the rate of crime are very high and the majority is Muslim ( no offend-i mean "the threats of the exteremist muslim towards american")
It is recommended to bring credit cards instead of travelers checks eventhough it is accepted in some good hotels.
Hope this helps. Should you need further info feel free to email me. Thanks.
2007-02-28 00:29:14 · answer #3 · answered by seven_sue 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just come with your friend, it will make more safer for a newcomer. I am indonesian and I know my own country condition. American here is not too welcome because majority of Indonesian citizens hates bush. Moreover Indonesia is poor country. It increasing criminality. Don`t believe easily with "people or instance" who want to accompany you in Indonesia. There are many traveller get trap by such things. But if you came to Bali, it`s more safer there because Bali is "multinational" city at Indonesia, but my advice still the same, better come with your friend. Good Luck
2007-03-02 13:54:41 · answer #4 · answered by Vincent 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow.. some of the answers are really scary, huh?
I personally think that Indonesia is not that bad at all. Before I moved to Indonesia, with all the bombing and terrorist issue, Indonesia sounded like a super dangerous country. But now that I lived here for over 6 years, i can say that It is totally safe for foreigner, even american, to travel alone here in Indonesia. However, since you are a girl, it is still best for you to have some friends travelling with you.
Enjoy your trip.
2007-02-26 11:09:08 · answer #5 · answered by Sea 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm from Australia and i go to Bali every year and love the place,I've done the islands around Bali and never had any problems but i've never done it alone and i'm not a female.You always hear stories about Indonesia so i think you should do a bit of research on the placees you want to go.For Bali you won't have any trouble being a American Girl alone,the place is packed with backpackers so it won't take long to meet people.The night life is unreal and you problely won't want to leave the place.
2007-03-02 00:45:17 · answer #6 · answered by Jules 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think in Bali is more safer than any other cities in Indonesia.. they are quiet friendly.. i think if you visit Bali and you compare with any other cities in indonesia, you can see the differences..
actually as an indonesian i still prefer in bali than any other cities..so i suggest better you choose bali.. yeah i think in jakarta or surabaya there are a lot of bars or pubs that employed dancers...but you need to be careful at night
some of indonesians are polite but some of them will dispise you..it's depends on the people and the places..
yes, to be honest our government is very very stupid..you will suprise that they can sell their countries just for their own pockets.. you know they even corrupt the donations for disasters..very bad isn't it...
in 1998 it was a conspiration that created by the goverment too..they created the situations of danger and then they planned to handled it, but it was out of controlled..so a very bad incident happen..good luck for you...
and if you don't mind when you come to jakarta maybe you can contact me lol..^_^
2007-02-27 01:11:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
many people said a lot of words above, i'm not gonna talking too much...
i can say that it's safe... I see that Indonesian people really have big tolerance with others (local or not, islam or not...) Trust me with this.,..
All the bad things you see and you heard just a little piece that i think happened in every country, just for Indonesia cases they make it such a big big big big big thing...
they aren't stop you on the street and ask your passport, they cool with that not matter you're american, spanish, french, african, or else...
I live in Indonesia for years, and as you know... i'm safe and still alive ^ ^
enjoy your trip...
2007-02-28 21:29:39 · answer #8 · answered by Luna_7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is many change since 1998. and it's a lot saver now days.
many tourist site u can enjoy, if u need help just e-mail me n4than_d@yahoo.com. I live in Bandung city near Jakarta.
2007-03-02 03:28:28 · answer #9 · answered by nathan daud 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bali + Lombok backpacking alone is OK. For other regions, don't take a risk. I'm Indonesian overseas.
2007-02-24 10:15:48 · answer #10 · answered by Rinto Jiang 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋