Newbie to Surabaya, Indonesia

Pack a sense of adventure and an open mind.
You won't need a coat or a jumper.


More when I get home.

Got that! Thanks Fred

Come with little expectation of the west's values. Be prepared and have an open mind.

Everything you need can be found here if you look and ask.

Everything can get done but takes time. Don't be afraid to venture out alone and say hi to people because you can network quite quickly if you are given help to start with. There are a lot expats in East Java and in Surabaya. So enjoy.

Thanks for the info

Dont eat or drink in Jakarta. Went there twice this year for embassy reasons  and ended up sick for a week both times. In 12 years all over asia had 3 times sick with food poisoning. 2 of these in Jakarta!

Apart from.that enjoy the food and pace of life

I have to disagree with the above  .. sort of.

Don't eat or drink from anywhere you don't like the look of, and NEVER use a street restaurant's plates or forks. My experience suggests it's commonly the tableware that carries the issues as many places don't wash it properly.
That applies all over Asia, not just Jakarta (but I have seen more than a few horrible places in that city).

No Fred I eat street food in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, india, Sri Lanka, China and Maldives. Only in Jakarta I stayed away from street food. And I ended up sick twice. I think its the water there

Anything fried to order is probably fine as long as you order it wrapped up and eat with your own fork and spoon. Stuff left sitting around is likely to be less safe.
I speak from long experience of eating here.

Got that! noted! thanks

Okay i'm getting the massive heads up on food guys! thanks!

Surabaya is hot in the dry season, and hot and wet in the wet season.
Pack light clothes and a nice quality umbrella.
Indonesia tends (in most places) to be religiously conservative  (but not extreme) so go for round necks and light skirts below the knee, especially at work.
Jeans or trousers also work but short skirts, tiny shorts and plunging necklines aren't going to help you much in that city.
If you enjoy swimming, buy a swimsuit in a local shop, leaving the bikini at home unless you intend to visit Bali's beaches.

Power sockets are like French ones so your mobile phone and laptop chargers will need an adaptor. The local Alfamart or Indomaret will probably have them, or the next one along will if they don't. I think the things are around a quid a shot.
220v/50hrz here so everything works no problem.

Head for an Alfa or Indo as soon as you can and make a note of the prices for common stuff such as a bottle of water. That rough idea will save you getting ripped off.

Don't drink tap water. Everyone uses a water dispenser and a 'gallon'. The former starting at Rp300,00 for a basic one, the latter around Rp17,000 for a refill but about Rp50,000 for the first one as you have to buy the bottle. Aqua is the biggest brand in Indonesia and possibly the best. You'll find your local security guard will either run a delivery service or know whoever delivers locally.

Booze costs an arm and a leg and is hard work to find in many areas.
If anyone offers you bottles of local alcohol, refuse as it's extremely dangerous to the point of being repatriated in a box (yes, I'm serious).

Read thi
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … nesia.html

The mail might well be dodgy but they have the basics right, the lass snuffed it after drinking that stuff, and she isn't alone.

A bit of general background is a good idea so read this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surabaya