Menu
Expat.com

Fred went a wandering.

Last activity 22 March 2022 by Ubudian

Post new topic

Fred

Indonesia is having a bit of a boom at the moment.
Houses, flats, shopping centres and everything else is being built like crazy and prices are even crazier.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0161_zpsf52a7f70.jpg

I don't even want to think how long 1.7 billion will take to repay so I won't be foolish enough to commit myself to something daft.

Even small towns and villages are getting their new estates.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0158_zpsae08af65.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0157_zps555c7013.jpg

Question is, how long before these highly inflated prices get too much?
I'm starting to see sites that have been abandoned, Indonesia has seen its first trade deficit and business is starting to slow.
These are almost exactly the same conditions that existed in England before I left and we know how that turned out.

People are buying like crazy but I'm saving cash like crazy.

Fred

Street signs are pretty common in the UK to the point where they're on pretty much every junction.
They're a bit less than usual out here.

Jalan means street or road.
It also means walk, march and moving (Car or bike)

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9865_zps868d99c9.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9866_zps8defc573.jpg

Fred

Fishing is a common thing out here. Buy a net and you have free food for a long time. If you're any good, you may even catch enough to sell and make a little bit of money as well.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9891_zpsb7bb9a4e.jpg

Taking the pets out for a walk.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9903_zps7c412927.jpg

This little girl should be in school. This was taken later in the afternoon so she may go to school and be doing a bit of part time  rubbish collecting for extra money.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9912_zps8d0be9b4.jpg

Fred

Oooo, look at that!

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9869_zpsde395af4.jpg

The pole has fallen into the drain

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9874_zpsb5e5bc5a.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9877_zpsd3d597af.jpg

Not to worry, the chaps from the electricity company are here to do a perfect repair. Soon be good as new.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9878_zps766b61a3.jpg

Or............maybe not

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9879_zps9d24c676.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9884_zpsf2521784.jpg

icecreamjohahae

haha..seems that you landed in a strange planet for the first time, wow many many photos that you took. I know, it will be memory when you come back to your country.
About your photos:
1.The distance between poor and rich is so visible there.
2.As an Indonesian I'm embarrassed about the dirty land, everywhere you go, you can find garbage. We must ask people to be aware of clean environment and healthy of society.
3.Yeah,some public transportation drivers are mad some time,they often drive so fast without caring passenger's safety. Also,like in that place that you mention, most buses in JOgja are not appropriate again for lifting passengers,many leaks and damages.
n there's no space for non smokers, it's annoying when someone smokes in front of you in buses or angkots. I pray wish that someday there's a strict regulation not to smoke in the public places and public transportation look like in foreign countries.

Fred

Who says I'll return to the UK?
I love Indonesia and have no intention of leaving unless I really have to for some unseen reason in the future.

The photo thing started when, on the original version of this thread, I posted a single photo of a fruit.
That was 47 pages of total rubbish into that thread, started September 2008.
I got so many requests for more photos, I had to carry on.

salahedinhezo

Dirty land in Indonesia is better than dirty behaviour in other countries:(

Ubudian

"Who says I'll return to the UK?"

Hear hear, and isn't that an amusing assumption of many Indonesians?  Maybe they're wearing my favorite tee shit..."Eat, Pay, Leave?"  LOL

Many years ago after moving to Bali I finally understood that I had “arrived for good” once the village kids stopped asking me, “when you go home?” 

Keep up the good work Fred!  Your continued posts on this thread are a great deal of fun to read.

dbee_curly

hahaha... about pic on the train,
yeah the toilet is fun. but i never try it yet. i try to drink less and eat anything normally, so no need to go to the fun toilet. hahaha..
better using train to go to other cities, lot of views and no terrific trafic jam that sucks. :P

Fred

dbee_curly wrote:

hahaha... about pic on the train,
yeah the toilet is fun. but i never try it yet. i try to drink less and eat anything normally, so no need to go to the fun toilet. hahaha..
better using train to go to other cities, lot of views and no terrific trafic jam that sucks. :P


I just hid in there. Only place on the train that I wasn't crushed.
I consider myself so lucky, I can stand in a smelly toilet and listen to a UB40 song.

Fred

Mosques in the UK are commonly men only and, in my limited experience, a bit 'harsh' and serious.
Mosques in Indonesia are not even close.
They're a family place, a community centre for all and even a kids' playground.
Everyone loves going to mosque; they tend to arrive very early and leave very late.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Arvfn7cDWo

Fred

Lots of stuff to post as soon as I get a bit of time.
I'm in Jakarta on Sunday for the computer fair and a wander around Glodok so I expect to find good targets for my camera.

Fred

Where was I?

Street markets just appear and disappear in the space of a few hours.
You can get a very wide range of products at most of them.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0195_zpsf7afbd35.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0196_zps2172d900.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0197_zps61ed26fa.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0198_zpsff93c11a.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0201_zps6a10b427.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0202_zpsc13435c9.jpg

Fred

Small businesses are everywhere and very cheap to use.
This welding business does any job from the very small to as big as they can manage..

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0209_zpsf8bbf1aa.jpg

as I was waiting, I saw a delivery from another shop off to the customer

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0210_zps448ac71a.jpg

I also noticed a couple of motorbikes.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0212_zps8e30bdbf.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0218_zps6325f04c.jpg

Fred

My new little Samsung camera is really handy and seems to take a reasonable quality shot.
I'll be keeping it close when carrying the big one is a problem.

Fred

Physical deformity isn't uncommon in Indonesia as defects are rarely corrected.
No social payments means, if you have no family to take care of you, you work or starve.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0228_zpsa9e9a73b.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0229_zps9b1de1f0.jpg

Crackers are an Indonesian favourite. Indonesians generally seem to love them and, to give you an idea, my wife eats them with spag bol and pretty much everything else.
I see the point, the crackers are pretty good.
Being so popular means there are shops that only sell crackers.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0005_zps963c0678.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0004_zps12490067.jpg

Fred

Rujak is usually fruit in a serious home made chilli sauce. It's great.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0026_zpse5e81573.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0009_zps401b255d.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0008_zpsabef51e9.jpg

Fred

A mango farm...well, a mango small patch of land.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0034_zpsf02074ef.jpg

A house or two.
Places like this are pretty typical of small dwellings in towns or villages around major cities.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0032_zpsdd16ac85.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0036_zps8f81bf15.jpg

Fred

Home made vehicles are quite common out here.
This motorcycle and sidecar isn't atypical.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9939_zps2db587c6.jpg

Note the powerplant is just the back end of an automatic scooter, welded onto his new frame.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF9951_zps50bba3a8.jpg

Fred

Schools are commonly small affairs.
This little village Muslim pre-school isn't big but serves the local people.
The school fees are tiny.
It's more of a service than a business.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0031_zps7aa788e6.jpg

Fred

A short while ago, an Indonesian cleric suggested road humps should be made haram (forbidden) or no recommended in Islam.
Many people thought he was mad but this was because they had no idea what he was talking about.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/spe … nda/570171

Cleric Zaini Naim, the head of the Samarinda, East Kalimantan, chapter of the MUI, released a statement on Thursday recommending that the MUI issue a fatwa (an official edict) declaring speed bumps haram (forbidden) or makruh (not recommended).

“Prophet Muhammad once said if someone saw a rock on the street that could harm another road users, it is their obligation to get rid of that rock and any other obstacle on that street to make it more convenient for another users to pass the street,” he said.


The chap got this one 'nail on head'. I use a road from my home town to the next at least once or twice every week. There are now 41 examples of road humps as illegal and idiotic as they are badly designed and dangerous. That's in about 6km of road.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0041_zps87465d9c.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0040_zps53821d9f.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0042_zpsc6f37fd2.jpg

Siapa anjing gila ini dibangun?

Fred

Still loads in my camera to upload. Some that should allow you to see what the villages next to the rivers are like.

Fred

I took a few photos of breakfast a few days ago.
I love this stuff.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0242_zps67aeac53.jpg

A lot of people agree with me on this subject.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0239_zpsaf5d4dbd.jpg

I always have a camera with me, even when fetching bubur. Some people think I'm mad, others, an anorak but I know why I have it.
Here's one reason.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0243_zps2fd930f7.jpg

Fred

Now, to the next reason I like to have a camera at hand.
We've just been to the cinema to watch, Oz; pretty good it was too.
I was busy watching the road but my wife spotted a man getting ready to cook.
He chopped; I snapped.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0261_zpsc0b7e38d.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0252_zps2d85db8e.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0254_zps8ddba850.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/SAM_0263_zps3e3ae4b0.jpg

Fred

I should mention, the snake was caught on the waste land you see behind the man with the big chopper.

psb43

Fred,the breakfast looks so good--- and i just came in from work n im starving haha

Fred

psb43 wrote:

Fred,the breakfast looks so good--- and i just came in from work n im starving haha


Bubur is great. I love the stuff.

Fred

Another road hump being built on the same road.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0044_zpsce6226da.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0046_zps5725f2ed.jpg

Odd thing is, it was finished a few days ago but I used that road this morning and that, along with one other, has been removed.

I suspect I may not be the only person who is getting a little narked with these things.

Fred

As I mentioned, I wandered into Jakarta for the computer fair at the weekend.
I was early so I took a stroll around for a couple of hours.

Early morning sees the keenest of the rubbish collectors harvesting the plastic.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0053_zps05757632.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0051_zps5e7c25a1.jpg

Birds are more than common here so shops selling the things are equally common.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0056_zpsb4f5e7ed.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0054_zps6d708104.jpg

Poor areas often supply photo opportunities.
This street is pretty typical of the slum areas in Jakarta.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0057_zpsc89fe831.jpg

Washing is commonly an outside job.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0060_zpscf8df976.jpg

Fred

The end of the street sees a river.
The water quality may not be as high a standard as one would consider ideal.
It also stinks of sewage but that's a minor consideration if you don't have the cash to buy a house in a nice estate.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0068_zps40c33db2.jpg

The streets are enclosed as the stairs are mostly outside.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0073_zps0b6a57fa.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0075_zpsbcf23926.jpg

As are washing facilities and kitchens

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0080_zpsac9c0a0b.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0081_zps0aaba85b.jpg

and the toilets.  You may notice, pets are allowed as we see if you look to the right of the bucket. Yes, it's a rat.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0083_zps64d2d4ca.jpg

I saw a good few whilst walking along the street.

Fred

I think every country in the world has electricity cables but Jakarta's have style.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0086_zps06e0e7f4.jpg

Ah, a footbridge is in the way - no problem.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0089_zps15769af7.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0090_zps8c7bf559.jpg

Fred

Chickens in Jakarta.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0091_zps13e5e88c.jpg

Chickens come in three types out here.
Ayam kampung (village chickens) are free range animals.
Ayam broilers are factory bred birds.
Chickens, in Asian parlance, are something less likely to cluck and more likely to negotiate a price before doing something phonetically similar - Ayam kampus.
Every city has its 'naughty' district, Jakarta doesn't break the mould.
Lots of men who shout, "massage, mister" as you walk past.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0096_zps8ae637c5.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0098_zpsd11941ef.jpg

No, I didn't, just the photos of the street.

Fred

You have to learn to drive somewhere so waste land is commonly used.
This one has a couple of chaps who collect money from the drivers to use their field.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0129_zps407c291d.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0130_zpsbdda1207.jpg

Fred

One thing about Indonesia I dislike is the street beggars.
Many are forced into work and are no better off than slaves. The elder of the two kids in this photo ran out into the road in an attempt to get to me as quickly as possible.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0105_zpsbbb271fa.jpg

These kids are in heavy traffic all day but give the cash to the woman you see in the picture.
It is illegal but hardly seems to be bothered with.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/fredyboys/DSCF0110_zps5e953f35.jpg

Fred

People in the cities are generally better off than in the villages but not everyone.
This house is just outside Purwokerto city centre.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/23052010526.jpg

A small snail

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/24052010541.jpg

What do you mean, there's nowhere we can build a shop?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/24052010546.jpg

There is a Javanese building called a Joglo. It's basically a roof without walls. Makes a lot of sense when you consider this is a very hot country where it rains like cats and dogs half of the year

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/24052010545.jpg

I went to a small Muslim school one morning. They were more than a bit serious.
I'm not all that keen on full face coverings and they are pretty rare here but, whatever floats yoPeople in the cities are generally better off than in the villages but not everyone.
This house is just outside Purwokerto city centre.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/23052010526.jpg

A small snail

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/24052010541.jpg

What do you mean, there's nowhere we can build a shop?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/24052010546.jpg

There is a Javanese building called a Joglo. It's basically a roof without walls. Makes a lot of sense when you consider this is a very hot country where it rains like cats and dogs half of the year

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/24052010545.jpg

I went to a small Muslim school one morning. They were more than a bit serious.
I'm not all that keen on full face coverings and they are pretty rare here but, whatever floats your boat.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/25052010552.jpg

ur boat.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/25052010552.jpg

Fred

A truck, what do we one of them for?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/25052010556.jpg

Imagine this bloke selling those thinks on the street in Manchester.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/26052010557.jpg

A local owning a decant car out here is rich. That usually means he has a good job so fair chance he's bright. Being bright does not mean you aren't stupid.

The drunken pillock driving this car......

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/27052010569.jpg

hit this bike

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/27052010565.jpg

Two dead and one in prison.

This is fried banana with chocolate bits.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/29052010578.jpg

There is a church hall not far away. Chinese Indonesians doing their morning workout.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/29052010577.jpg

152

Fred

Ciggies are everywhere. They sell them in shops, on the street and even by the single death stick for people too poor to buy a full pack.

Delivery is not what you expect in the west either.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/02062010611.jpg

Over the bridge...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/02062010615.jpg

takes you to the house....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/02062010614.jpg

I wonder if the fish taste nice from that open storm drain that sewage from poor houses runs into.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/02062010613.jpg

Fred

I finally got a moment to myself where I could wander to the cinema.
Iron man two had just rolled in and I thought I deserved a big screen rather than the easily available pirate DVD,

Super high tech laser display holographic advertising is the norm in small towns here.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/30052010587.jpg

Of course no one thought to do anything like build an access to the banners and time boards so they use a ladder. (of sorts)

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/01062010604.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/01062010605.jpg

I want to have a wander around a village again

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/02062010610.jpg

Blokes wander round selling all sorts. This one has brooms, mops and the like.
The usually attract a small crowd in the villages.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/02062010608.jpg

If you wander around a village after about half past three in the afternoon you will see blokes ready for mosque. That means they dress like this...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/01062010606.jpg

Fred

There is little or nothing by way of care for the mentally ill here so they tend to walk the streets.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/04062010622.jpg

A food stand selling fried rice

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/04062010626.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/04062010627.jpg

One  thing very common in Indonesia is photocopy shops. If you want something here you are pretty much guaranteed to be asked for a photocopy of your ID card. Home computers are getting much more common but most still don;t have any means to print out files so it's computer rental and photocopy shops.
Anyone going here is lucky in that this shop does both but many photocopy shops are just a single machine and that's it.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/05062010647.jpg

Want anything sewing?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/07062010656.jpg

A temple on a back street

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/07062010662.jpg

Fred

No mental health care -  part two

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/07062010668.jpg

Like any good mum this lass is protecting her kid from the sun.
Pity she's driving the motorbike one handed to do it.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/07062010665.jpg

Every body that needs money out here opens a business. Loads open but never make any money so close quickly. Some put more thought and effort in to get it right and grow.
I'll be giving this one a try. Roast goat, Yummy. (updated - I never did try it)

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/09062010679.jpg

I only noticed it because it's next door to the barber's shop that I use. Once a month it's a trip here for a hair cut. I'm late going this month so I looked like a bloody hippy. My hair was almost a quarter of an inch long. Thought I'd better get it cut before I voted socialist.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/09062010680.jpg

Not all Indonesian are small.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/09062010682.jpg

Articles to help you in your expat project in Indonesia

  • Working in Bali
    Working in Bali

    The multi-faceted island of Bali offers many opportunities for those who wish to move from tourist to ...

  • Driving in Indonesia
    Driving in Indonesia

    Traffic in Indonesia can be very overwhelming, particularly since the discipline and road conditions can ...

  • Having a baby in Indonesia
    Having a baby in Indonesia

    If you are about to have a baby in Indonesia, you should be aware that the medical services available to pregnant ...

  • Moving to Indonesia with your pet
    Moving to Indonesia with your pet

    Moving to Indonesia with a pet is not a risk-free operation, mainly due to stray animals and rabies. ...

  • Accommodation in Bali
    Accommodation in Bali

    If you are planning to relocate to Bali, housing is a critical part of your project. So how to find your ...

  • Accommodation in Indonesia
    Accommodation in Indonesia

    Many of the expatriates living in Indonesia prefer renting accommodation owing to the generally limited ...

  • Buying property in Bali
    Buying property in Bali

    Should your experience as an expatriate in Bali make you want to settle down permanently, you might want ...

  • Internships in Indonesia
    Internships in Indonesia

    Do you wish to acquire hands-on experience, gain new professional skills and expand your international ...

All of Indonesia's guide articles