Indo for Expats

[GWR]

Admin granted us an Indo thread, so it's time to kick it off!

This advisory site for expats intending to live in Indo is absolutely chockablock with interesting mini-articles & pictures. Here you can find out how to join the local chapter of the 'St David's Club' or why Indo cats have strange tails:-

http://www.expat.or.id/

http://www.expat.or.id/images/delman.jpg

Any interesting example is the section on Jakarta transport options:-

http://www.expat.or.id/info/traditionaltransport.html

[ncr]

Interesting site. Also from the traffic section:

Hints for dealing with Jakarta's traffic (http://www.expat.or.id/info/dealingwithjakartatraffic.html)

"Another good way to help pass the time is to communicate with your driver. Talking helps a fatigued taxi driver stay awake if he's nearing the end of a 16-hour shift."

Oh my dear. (Probably also applies to the bus drivers of borisat khonsong here in Thailand.) :eek:

...or this snippet:

"Consider the time that you spend caught in traffic as an opportunity to make some phone calls from your handphone or even do some work. Be aware, however, that handphone theft from cars stopped at traffic lights is becoming more common, so it's best to only use your phone while the car is moving."

Huh? Do they always leave the doors and windows open when stopping at an intersection? (I am not familiar with Indonesia.)

[jpatokal]

"Consider the time that you spend caught in traffic as an opportunity to make some phone calls from your handphone or even do some work. Be aware, however, that handphone theft from cars stopped at traffic lights is becoming more common, so it's best to only use your phone while the car is moving."

Huh? Do they always leave the doors and windows open when stopping at an intersection? (I am not familiar with Indonesia.)
Nope, they open the unlocked door / smash in the window and grab anything they can. This is also the reason why car windows in Jakarta are always tinted pitch black, and the reason you shouldn't use laptops at night in a taxi -- the glow can be seen no matter how dark your windows are.

[ncr]

:eek: Rather scary, isn't it? :(

[numpty]

a colleague at work was telling me about her brother in law. last year he was in an angkot and was offered a drink by a female passenger. turns out the drink was drugged and they, the woman and driver, had the guy away.

3 and a half weeks later and no news about their missing family member they get a phone call from the police. their brother in law is in a hospital miles away and suffering memoey loss

to this day he has no idea where he d been or wht happened :eek: