Geoffwhere
Australian expat in Indonesia
Forum posts
33
Contacts
2
About me
Australian
Lives in Jakarta
Registration: 07 February 2015
How to take great photographs by Hansson
A passion that has stayed with me since I was a teenager is photography. It began with a Kodak Instamatic that I bought from a secondhand shop with my pocket money for next to nothing, one of those cameras that used a flash cube. I progressed to ...
"I remember when Minolta used to make those miniature cameras forty years ago" As a matter of fact, I have one of those, purchased in Nadi. Fiji in about 1967. It's still in its original, beautiful red velvet lined presentation ... Read More
How to take great photographs by Hansson
A passion that has stayed with me since I was a teenager is photography. It began with a Kodak Instamatic that I bought from a secondhand shop with my pocket money for next to nothing, one of those cameras that used a flash cube. I progressed to ...
Those lightning shots blew me away, awesome! Worth the planning and patience that I'm sure was required. Over the years I've had many cameras, the best from a flexibility point of view being a Minolta 35mm XG-1 SLR that I bought in Hong ... Read More
Missing Good British Comedy by Hansson
This morning after reading a few threads, I was suddenly reminded of some of the great British comedy acts that I enjoyed in my younger years. They mostly involved a pair of clowns who together provided some unforgettable moments. One of my all ...
Then there's The Two Ronnies and Ronnie Barker's Porridge and Open All Hours. As you say, so many more. I've recently been watching the above on YouTube. There's heaps there, Eric Sykes, Kenny Everett, the list is vast. Read More
My Travels in West Sumatra by Hansson
Sumatra is one of my favorite parts of Indonesia particularly as many people tend not to go there, choosing instead the idyllic island paradise of Bali; Yogya and Magelang with the Borobudur and Prambanan temples and well known Mount Bromo. As with ...
Some excellent shots there my friend, great work. Thanks for sharing them Read More
Price of KITAP by MarcDeSmetBE
I just renewed my KITAS for the third time. I paid 7.5 million, which I hope is a reasonable price. My visa agent says I can switch to KITAP next year. This would be valid for 5 years. She asks 40 million for this. If I check on the internet I ...
Yes, you misunderstood me. Only married applicants can get a spouse sponsored kitas. Unmarried kitas applicants with a retirement visa must be sponsored by an approved agent, or by their employer if the kitas is for employment purpose. Read More
Fred went a wandering. by Fred
[img]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1840/43286595615_c539efb222.jpg[/img] I went for a little ride this morning. Mountain bike clubs are really popular at the moment and even housing estates have clubs. These guys may well live on such an estate ...
Surely the question should be, why do people just drop their waste in the first place and expect that, by some miracle deed performed by someone else, the rubbish will be removed and deposited in an appropriate location? The gross carelessness is ... Read More
Climate Change in Indonesia by Ubudian
Whilst this is just one article about just one specific place in Indonesia, the undeniable facts are that rising oceans, due to ocean warming, is and will continue to have its potentially disastrous effects over ...
Spot on, Luke. Your point about people shifting blame especially, but your point about the history of coal burning, etc is also a big factor in the situation that's evolved. Re the Pringle's and so, so many other products, I do take the ... Read More
Climate Change in Indonesia by Ubudian
Whilst this is just one article about just one specific place in Indonesia, the undeniable facts are that rising oceans, due to ocean warming, is and will continue to have its potentially disastrous effects over ...
An interesting, and highly controversial, topic. Thank you for opening a discussion that, hopefully, will not become like Pandora's Box, rather more Like Aladdin's Cave in terms of rich and fruitful debate, information gathering and ... Read More
Hati, Hati (Be Careful) When Using ATM Machines! by Ubudian
Ever since ultra convenient ATM machines were first installed in Bali some years ago, virtually every 鈥渢rick in the book鈥� has been used to defraud customers using them. This latest case is most concerning as it involves modifying the ...
I'm sure we all share your hope concerning the end result for these dregs of humanity, lock 'em up and throw away the key. Sadly, if they're just syndicate soldiers, the real culprits will probably go undetected. It's encouraging ... Read More
Price of KITAP by MarcDeSmetBE
I just renewed my KITAS for the third time. I paid 7.5 million, which I hope is a reasonable price. My visa agent says I can switch to KITAP next year. This would be valid for 5 years. She asks 40 million for this. If I check on the internet I ...
Fair question, although you raise a general issue that's never likely to involve me. However, my understanding is the penalty can apply to any sponsor, whether spouse or appointed agent, in the event that either the KITAS holder or sponsor ... Read More
Price of KITAP by MarcDeSmetBE
I just renewed my KITAS for the third time. I paid 7.5 million, which I hope is a reasonable price. My visa agent says I can switch to KITAP next year. This would be valid for 5 years. She asks 40 million for this. If I check on the internet I ...
To add a footnote to this conversation, I processed my KITAS renewal this week. The total cost imposed by Imigrasi was Rp.2.055.000, compared to agent quotes (for an unmarried applicant) ranging from US$600 to Rp.15.500.000. Prominently displayed ... Read More
Multiple Car Tax
I've just bought a new car and have been caught by surprise with a so called 'Progressive Tax' (if that's not an Oxymoron, I'm Brad Pitt in disguise) on multiple cars registered at one address. Truth is, the other cars ... Read More
Price of KITAP by MarcDeSmetBE
I just renewed my KITAS for the third time. I paid 7.5 million, which I hope is a reasonable price. My visa agent says I can switch to KITAP next year. This would be valid for 5 years. She asks 40 million for this. If I check on the internet I ...
Dear enduringword, This may be presumptuous, but it sounds like you're 'in the know' about matters currently close to my heart, e.g. My original KITAS agent wants to charge the same amount for my first renewal as the original ... Read More
LOVE Bali? Want to Stay in Touch? by Ubudian
For the past 15 years, one of the best ways to stay in touch and keep current with the news from Bali is to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter called Bali Update. This is published by Jack Daniels who is one of Bali鈥檚 best known and ...
You've reminded me of a subscription I had for years before leaving Australia, thank you. You correctly report that this newsletter has quality content not only covering Bali. I 've forgotten to change my (now abandoned) old email address ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Indonesia? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Indonesia, would you heartily say "let聮s do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do ...
"tel522 wrote: I have found a small area , without noise pollution , little traffic and some good beaches , great snorkeling , weather like bali , in java after much research ." Now, you've really got me going, I don't know how ... Read More
KITAS Renewal Soon, Agent or DIY? by Geoffwhere
My Visa is up for renewal early July 2016 and I understand the need to start preparing now. Is there recent experience among forum members that suggests self managed renewal (in Jakarta) is feasible/reasonable? If so, what ...
Dear Fellow Forum Members, Here's the thing: Further to the above, I'm finding considerable obstacles to DIY KITAS (Retirement Visa) renewal. An Imigrasi officer has told me I must use the agent that processed my original application, as ... Read More
KITAS Renewal Soon, Agent or DIY? by Geoffwhere
My Visa is up for renewal early July 2016 and I understand the need to start preparing now. Is there recent experience among forum members that suggests self managed renewal (in Jakarta) is feasible/reasonable? If so, what ...
Thanks Fred for the feedback, very helpful. Can you also tell me what are the actual steps in the process and the forms /documents required? Sorry to sound like a dummy but this is my first time for this and I'll need all the help I can get, ... Read More
KITAS Renewal Soon, Agent or DIY?
My Visa is up for renewal early July 2016 and I understand the need to start preparing now. Is there recent experience among forum members that suggests self managed renewal (in Jakarta) is feasible/reasonable? If so, what ... Read More
Shipping personal effects into Bali by benjoj
Hi all We are moving to Bali in January and will be working there. I already have a company who is going to provide us with KITAS after we land. Having looked into the shipping requirements for personal effects it is the usual nightmare of ...
As per my previous reply, and as per current Indonesian Customs regulations, you will pay duty if you don't have a work permit at the time of import. Read More
Shipping personal effects into Bali by benjoj
Hi all We are moving to Bali in January and will be working there. I already have a company who is going to provide us with KITAS after we land. Having looked into the shipping requirements for personal effects it is the usual nightmare of ...
Based on my recent (july) experience importing personal effects into jakarta, without the IMTA you will pay duty according to the following formula: Weight of goods x per kilo charge to calculate customs value; 35% of customs value to calculate duty ... Read More
Opening a local (Citibank) account?? Anyone know how?? by Kenny2007
Hi, I have been he two months. I wanted to open a local account of citbank, as they are my oversea bank, which would mean free money transfers form overseas to here and being able to get USD. I already asked with them, but they said I need a ...
I also went through the same process a few months ago at the Citibank Sudirman branch and told them about the tax file number and retirement, etc. They agreed to waive the tax number because I'm on retirement visa. (I have not yet completed the ... Read More