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28 Best Shopping Malls in Jakarta

July 22, 2016, 1:21 pm
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Malls in Jakarta are much more than just shopping venues. They are privately-owned cities where you can find pretty much anything including offices, residences, cinemas, schools, hospitals, restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, mosques, churches, karaokes, games, banks, boutiques, supermarkets, etc. It is not surprising that many malls add the words "town", "village" or "city" to their names, for instance Kuningan City, Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, Kemang Village, etc.

The environment of Jakarta has become so hostile that malls are one of the only places where you can escape from the heat and the pollution. Living in Jakarta means that you will spend large chunks of your time visiting malls, whether you like it or not, because it is one of the very few things to do here.

The following review is a subjective list of my 28 favorite malls in Jakarta, starting with the best. I added a short description to explain the particularities of each and why you should visit them. I only wrote about malls I have been to within Jakarta (I could have listed over 50 but many are not really interesting).

Plaza Indonesia (called PI)
Plaza Indonesia has always been my favorite mall in Jakarta. It is the most expensive for renting retail space, before Plaza Senayan.  Rich and beautiful Indonesians shop here, in one of the numerous luxury shops such as Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. It has two famous nightlife venues, Cloud Rooftop Lounge and Immigrant Nightclub. For day-time eating, I enjoy La Moda or Kitchenette because they are well-placed for watching people. The main Starbucks at the entrance is perfect for setting up dates. It is home to two 5-star hotels, the Grand Hyatt and Keraton at the Plaza.

There is nothing more cliché than saying you'll meet your friends in Grand Indonesia. Much larger than Plaza Indonesia but not as luxurious, it has several department stores, including Seibu and Central. Indonesian girls from the middle to upper class enjoy it because they can buy from Zara, H&M and other popular fashion retailers. On the 4th and 5th floor, you will find an upmarket food court and trendy restaurants. The Blitz-CGV cinema is one of the largest in Jakarta. There are no nightclubs in Grand Indonesia but Social House and the rooftop Skye are two happening bars. The luxurious Kempinski hotel is within Grand Indonesia.

Located right in the Central Business District of Sudirman, it is a medium-sized luxury mall with a lot of popular cafés, including Potato Head, Cork&Screw, TWG and Paul Bakery. It also has the French department store Galeries Lafayette (the most exclusive in Jakarta), the amusement center Kidzania and several luxury brands (Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Lamborghini, etc.). It is mostly busy during the week with office workers so I enjoy going there on weekends for a quieter atmosphere. The cinema in particular is rarely full. The Ritz Carlton SCBD is attached to Pacific Place.

The third luxury mall in Jakarta with Pacific Place and Plaza Indonesia, it is managed by a Japanese company who also owns the boutique mall Senayan Arcadia, the luxury hotel Fairmont and the Sentral Towers. Luxury brands boutiques include Dior and Louis Vuitton. It has some interesting F&B venues like Union, Garçon, Rustique and Kayser. I also like to sit in Monolog or De Luca and watch the people go by. For party, there is the famous X2 nightclub.

The major mall in South Jakarta, it consists of several buildings (PIM 1, PIM 2) and an extension dedicated to F&B restaurants and cafés (Street Gallery). It has a luxury feel but the brands are mostly middle-class ones. Many expats visit it.

Senayan City (Senci)
Just opposite of Plaza Senayan, Senayan City is a mall targeting younger upper class Jakartans with several fashion boutiques and trendy F&B venues (Domain, Portico).

One of the most popular and largest malls in North Jakarta. I generally go there to watch IMAX movies. It is a middle-class mall with all the local and international brands you can think of. The crowd is almost entirely made of Indonesians, particularly Indochinese. The food court is excellent.

I was living near Lotte Shopping Avenue so I'm quite familiar with it. It is a modern, upmarket mall with popular fashion brands (H&M, Uniqlo), an art center, a duty free shop and a concert hall. There are also several bars and restaurants including Bacco, Revolution, Gonzo's and JJ Royal Bistro. It is part of the larger complex of Ciputra World I with DBS tower and the Raffles Hotel.

Central Park
With brands like Sephora, Bershka, H&M, Zara and Skechers, Central Park is the favorite mall of Jakartans in their late teens/early twenties. On the ground floor, there is a small park with regular events and several open-air cafés. The nightclub Nebula and the hotel Pullman are also there.

The first decent mall in the East of Jakarta, Kota Kasablanka is very crowded with people coming as far as Bekasi. It does not have anything special though apart from the usual mid-class brands and restaurants.

Gandaria is a lifestyle mall in South Jakarta and the second one with an IMAX theater in Jakarta. Targeting young people, it has several trendy fashion boutiques, mobile phone shops and some larger stores like Gramedia, Metro and ACE. The best restaurants are Basilico, La Hoya and Eric Kayser.

One of Jakarta's most iconic malls, you cannot miss it if you come from the airport with its huge outside LED display. It is a massive complex with several residential towers and over 350,000m2 of retail space. One of its unique features is the ice rink on its 3rd floor.

Located within the complex Kemang Village, this medium-sized mall is noticeable for its Avenue of the Stars, an open-air area with cafés and restaurants including Colonial, Meat Me, White Elephant and Seribu Rasa.

This is a lifestyle mall for young people with mostly restaurants, coffee shops and bars. You also have trendy boutiques, fitness centers, a university (BINUS), a hotel (Harris Suites FX) and the Arab nightclub De Leila.

A small shopping center located next to Taman Rasuna complex, it is convenient if you live nearby, but not really interesting for others. It has the expat bar Liquid Exchange inside.

Cilandak Town Square (Citos)
A popular mall will many coffee shops and restaurants. It is a meeting point for expats living in the area. The nightclub Jenja will open there in the second half of 2016.

This modern mall in West Jakarta is similar with Pondok Indah Mall. It is clean, with an upmarket feel and it is popular with expats. Since it is far from the city center, I've only been there a couple times.

ITC Kuningan/Ambassador Mall
Conveniently located in the city center, ITC/Ambassador is one of the oldest malls in Jakarta. It is very popular with middle-class Indonesians. It is recommended if you need to buy cheap clothes, electronic equipment and accessories. I also enjoy the food court on the 4th floor, especially the Manadonese food stalls.

I've only been once to Mall of Indonesia, which is supposed to be one of the largest in Jakarta. It has several large tenants like ACE Harware, Centro, Sportstation, Payless, Carrefour. They only have chain restaurants. Mall Kelapa Gading is better.

A large mall with many unbranded and fake products (accessories, clothes). It is a popular destination for tourists from all over Indonesia because it is close from the airport and affordable. You have several hotels inside (Amaris, Ibis, Novotel).

I used to be a regular of this mall 10 years ago because they had the best collection of pirated DVDs. I only go there now if I need to buy cheap electronic or photography equipment. It is connected to Mangga Dua Mall, Pasar Pagi (wholesale) and Harco Mas Mangga Dua. If you are a tourist, it is worth visiting for the local atmosphere.

The main reason to visit Baywalk is to hang out in the outside area where you have a nice seaview Apart from that, the mall is still a bit empty and lacks remarkable shops.

Citywalk is a small shopping gallery with mostly F&B outlets, including a bar and a family karaoke. It is targeting the middle class with affordable prices and fast food joints. It is more busy during week days than weekends.

Ancol Beach City
While this mall does not have any interesting shops or restaurants, it is the only one in Jakarta that possesses its own beach. If you have kids and if you live nearby, you may enjoy it. See more here: White Sand Beach in Jakarta.

Pasar Tanah Abang
This huge wholesale complex is split into 7 "blocks". It is where Indonesians go to buy cheap fabric and traditional clothing (muslim wear). I don't go there for shopping, only as a tourist. You can read more about Pasar Tanah Abang on my review Top 25 Traditional Markets and Shopping Streets in Jakarta.

Artha Gading Mall
Each section of this middle class mall has a particular theme: Italian, Japanese, Arab, Chinese, etc.

A new mall, it is walking distance from ITC Kuningan and opposite Lotte Shopping Avenue. It suffers from the area's tough competition and as a consequence, it is quite empty. I still visit it sometimes to go to Exodus nightclub and for the cinema XXI.

This mall has mostly mid-range local and international brands like Body&Soul, Charles&Keith, The Body Shop, Sogo or Giordano. They usually have small events in the large atrium.

Source: All photos from Instagram.
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Jakarta Nightlife Explained in Less Than 500 Words

July 23, 2016, 5:57 am
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I've written dozens of articles about Jakarta nightlife, but some people don't have the time to read them. This is a summary of everything there is to know, in less than 500 words:

Even though Jakarta is the capital of a conservative and Muslim-majority country, it has a fun and diverse nightlife that comprises some of the best bars, nightclubs and spas in Southeast Asia.

As you can see on my Jakarta nightlife map, most of the trendy venues are located in the South of the city while "naughty" spots can be found in the North. For this reason, it is ideal to stay in the city center around Plaza Indonesia or Sarinah Mall (Where to Stay in Jakarta?). Budget hotels in this area cost around 40$ per night and 5-star properties around 200$.

The only way to get around at night in Jakarta is to use taxis or apps like Uber/Grab. A 30-minute midnight ride from the nightclub X2 in the South to Colosseum in the North will cost about Rp60,000 (5$). Taxis are cheap and safe as long as you use companies like Blue Bird or Express.

South Jakarta Nightlife:
This area corresponds to the business district. If you decide to party there, you are more likely to meet normal girls (non-prostitutes), rich Indonesian-Chinese, expats and business travelers.

I recommend you to start around 8pm with a dinner in a bar/restaurant. Current hotspots include Basque, Loewy, E&O, Bluegrass, Social House, Cork&Screw, Union and Potato Head. They are very similar as they all belong to the same groups.

After eating, you can head to a bar for more drinks. My favorites are rooftop venues like Cloud or Skye. Young and trendy expats may prefer Safehouse, Lola or Bauhaus while rich Indonesians will hide in speakeasies like Hemingway, Monty's or Proof. If you are on a budget, Beer Garden is a good option. If you are looking for girls, try Jalan Falatehan, B.A.T.S or CJs.

Most nightclubs get busy at 1am and close after 4am. Dress codes are strictly implemented: Men should wear a shirt and women should wear high-heels. All the best nightclubs have a first-drink charge between Rp150,000 and Rp300,000 on weekends. You can avoid it if you reserve a table and order bottle service. Smoking is normally allowed inside. The best nightclubs in Jakarta are Immigrant, Dragonfly, Empirica, Blowfish, Domain, Fable and X2.

Kemang has cheaper nightclubs that are popular with a younger crowd (999, Nu China or Tipsy).

North Jakarta Nightlife
North of the Monas (National Monument), you will find large one-stop entertainment venues that have nightclubs, karaokes and spas in the same building. They are filled with prostitutes, freelance or not, and the clients are mostly locals.

The famous ones, from most expensive to cheapest are: Alexis, Malioboro, 1001, Illigals, Emporium, King Cross, Golden Crown, Classic. Each have striptease/sexy dancers. The spas are hidden brothels. If this is too hardcore for you, have a massage plus-plus instead in Delta or My Place.

Clubbers in North Jakarta often take drugs in karaoke rooms or inside after-hour clubs like Mille's. Punishment for drug use is harsh in Indonesia, it's best to abstain.

495 words. Still confused? Please leave a comment below and I'll do my best to answer.
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10 Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in Jakarta

July 24, 2016, 3:45 am
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Have you ever wondered where celebrities, foreign dignitaries and rich entrepreneurs sleep whenever they stay in Jakarta?

On this article, I listed the most expensive rooms and suites currently available in Jakarta. Most of them are generally not available on booking engines like Agoda so I contacted each hotel directly to enquire about the rates. The prices may fluctuate throughout the year so I asked a few dates and calculated an average price.

All prices are net (after tax and service charge).

Hotel Mulia Senayan - The Duke Suite - 15,730$ / Night
This is the most luxurious and most expensive hotel room in Jakarta. The suite occupies 595m2 split in two wings, one for living and one for entertainment. The master bedroom has a 3,5 meters long bed (almost twice as large as a normal king size bed) and a 55-inch TV. The bathroom has golden bath and shower fixtures from designer Sherle Wagner. A free bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne is included in the price.

Hotel Raffles - Raffles Suite - 12,100$ / Night
The 390m2 Raffles Suite features an all-marble bathroom, 2 bedrooms with king size bed and a massage room. It seems a bit overpriced compared to what the competitors are offering but this property is brand-new and has the highest ratings on Agoda for a Jakarta hotel (read comments here).

Dharmawangsa Hotel - Presidential Suite - 10,792$ / Night
The 443m2 suite is decorated with Javanese artifacts and furniture. Occupying the top floor of the hotel, it is actually a villa with its own plunge pool, two bedrooms, a working space, a living room, a kitchen and two terraces.

Ritz Carlton Pacific Place - Presidential Suite: 9,200$ / Night
On the 25th Floor of the Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place, the 340m2 Presidential Suite features its own dining and living room, an oversized marble bathroom with Bulgari amenities, a King master suite with a 360° view on Jakarta and a 46-inch LED TV with Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan - Presidential Suite: 9120$ / Night
The suite is similar to the one of its sister property in Pacific Place, except that it is larger at 401m2. You have an oversized jacuzzi, a 55-inch LED TV, robotic toilets and a luxuriously-appointed living room.

Grand Hyatt - Presidential Suite: 8,800$ / Night

The best suite of the Grand Hyatt Hotel Jakarta is 315m2 large. It has its own covered terrace, a working area, separate dining and living rooms and an all-marble bathroom with a jacuzzi.

Mandarin Oriental - Suite Mandarin - 8,470$ / Night
On the last floor of the Mandarin Hotel, this relatively small suite (200m2) is decorated with refined taste. It boasts a kitchen, a state-of-the-art home theater, a study and a spacious bathroom with a soaking bath.

Kempinski Hotel - Presidential Suite: 7,538$ / Night
This huge 412m2 suite comes with a full kitchen, an entertainment center, a powder room and a lounge. The bedroom has a stunning view on Bundaran HI, one of Jakarta's iconic landmark.

Fairmont Hotel - Presidential Suite: 6,655$ / Night
The Presidential Suite of the Fairmont Hotel is 303m2. It features a living room, a gym, a marble bathroom, a small kitchen and a private massage room. 

Shangri La - Presidential Suite - 6,547$ / Night
A 370m2 suite considered among the best hotel rooms in the city. It is located on the highest floors of Shangri-La with a huge bedroom, a bathroom with a jacuzzi, a dining area, a kitchen and a sitting room. President Obama slept there when he was in Jakarta in 2010.

You can also read: Where to Stay in Jakarta? Best Areas for Tourists.
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Sugar Nightclub (Yogyakarta) - Indoluxe Hotel

July 21, 2016, 7:30 am
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Sugar is a small nightclub and karaoke located in Yogyakarta. It is the current hotspot among the Chinese community, and one of the only upmarket men's club in the city (the other ones are EC and Bosche VVIP).

Sugar nightclub is a about 10 minutes away from the famous Malioboro street, inside the Indoluxe Hotel. It is a good idea to sleep there during your stay in Yogyakarta. It is a girl-friendly 4-star property with a nice spa (Royal Spa) and a rooftop swimming pool. You can get a room for less than 50$ if you book in advance. To compare the price between Agoda, Booking.com and others, click here: Indoluxe Hotel Yogyakarta or reserve directly on Agoda.

Sugar is a recommended place for a bachelor/birthday party with friends. Ideally, you should reserve a sofa or a table and order a few bottles. You may request girls to accompany you at your table, or in your room if you prefer using the karaoke. You can also visit Sugar alone and pay a first drink charge of Rp50,000.

There are events almost every day and particularly sexy dancer shows. Compared to other nightclubs I've been to in Yogyakarta, this is easily the hottest place. Dancers are not nude or topless but they are motivated and they move well. The crowd is quite enthusiastic as well.

There are some normal girls within the club, but most are coming with friends so they are not easy to approach. You can come on ladies night every Wednesday for better chance.

Sugar Nightclub and KTV (18 rooms)
Jalan Palagan Tentara Pelajar No.106
Phone number: +62 274 8722 388

Facebook: Sugar Yogya
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Is It Better to Date a Javanese or a Sundanese Girl?

July 26, 2016, 2:08 am
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Until today, I had never dared writing an article about ethnicity in Indonesia. I didn't want to appear racist and also because my knowledge on the subject is limited. As I'm growing older I start to care less, so here I am giving you advice on whether it is best to date/marry a Javanese or a Sundanese girl.

Be aware that I am basing this whole piece on personal experience only. This is not a scientific paper, it's just entertainment. You may have a completely different opinion and I would love to hear it (especially if you are an Indonesian reader). Please just write a comment below.

The two main ethnic groups in Indonesia are the Javanese (90 million people, 40% of the population) and the Sundanese (36 million people, 15.5% of the population). Both have distinct traditions, languages, cultures and cuisines. Javanese live mostly in East Java (Yogyakarta, Surabaya) while Sundanese are from the Bandung region.

In Jakarta, most of the girls you meet will be either Javanese or Sundanese. It is also common to come across Bataknese (Medan), Betawi (pure Jakarta), Indonesian-Chinese, Manadonese (Manado) and Makassarese (Makassar). In Bali, apart from Balinese, you will see more Madurese (Madura) and ethnicities from Eastern Indonesia (Flores, Timur, Maluku).

Most expats don't really care about that and they consider it's pretty much all the same. On the contrary, Indonesians like to point at the differences between the people of each provinces. They will give specific traits to some ethnicities, negative or positive, and based on these stereotypes they might deem that some mixed "race" couples are not desirable. For instance, a persistent myth among Indonesians is that a couple between a Javanese men and a Sundanese women cannot work well.

For better understanding, let's review what are the stereotypes about the three main Indonesian ethnical groups:

The Sundanese Character:
Sundanese Model Melli Voo
What Indonesians say:
Sundanese are considered soft and easy-going. It is said that due to their welcoming nature, the penetration of Islam among them was faster and easier compared to the Javanese. For this reason, they are overall more religious compared to the Javanese.

Some will say that they lack ambition and they are not willing to live far from their home. One of the consequences is that there are less of them in top jobs and positions. Among ministers or ex-presidents of Indonesia, very few were Sundanese.

Sundanese girls are often called the most beautiful women in Indonesia, mainly because of their lighter skin color.

If you date a Sundanese, you might experience a surge in your monthly expenses. Sundanese girls love to spend on clothes, cellphones, laptops, shoes, beauty products and entertainment. Such gifts are expected as a part of the relationship and it is sometimes hard to know how sincere the love is.

Sundanese girls are sometimes criticized for behaving like divas: High maintenance, spoiled, overly dramatic and proud of their appearance. It seems they are aware of their value and they know how to get the best from it.

My personal experience:
Regarding the beauty of Sundanese girl: They are indeed pretty but I prefer Manadonese (because they look a bit like Filipinas). Girls in Malang are also just as attractive.

About their open mindset, Sundanese are hospitable like anywhere in Indonesia. I didn't notice any differences staying in Bandung or Surabaya. I also don't feel they are less ambitious than other Indonesians.

Regarding the materialistic mindset of Sundanese girls: I found it to be generally true, with several exceptions though. You must differentiate educated girls from Bandung's middle and upper class with countryside girls from Indramayu. Girls from poorer background may be expected by their families to marry with someone who will take care of them. Those girls are usually popular among Indonesian men and expats so they have a wide range of option. Naturally, they will not choose the stingy ones. Beauty in Indonesia often comes with at a price and I've learned to be careful with gorgeous Sundanese. I normally avoid them.

The Javanese Character:
Miss Indonesia 2015 - Maria Harfanti - is Javanese
What Indonesians say:
Javanese are often characterized with the "nrimo" concept of life, which means accepting your fate by seeing the bright side of it. For instance, if you cannot afford a car, you will think that walking keeps you healthy. As a result, Javanese are said to be obedient and submissive. They are also avoiding conflicting situations, preferring to keep their feelings to themselves rather than expressing them.

My personal experience:
My relationships/dates with Javanese girls have been more successful than those with Sundanese girls. I've never really noticed that they were more submissive, but they were less money-oriented and less childish.

Expats with passive-aggressive and shy personalities may feel more comfortable with a Javanese girlfriend.

The Batak Character:
Zivanna Letisha Siregar is half Batak
What Indonesians say:
Bataknese have quite a unique reputation in Indonesia. Because Dutch set up missionary schools early in the 20th century around the Lake Toba area, many Batak were able to get a good education, sometimes in Holland, and then high positions in the government. Until today, they occupy many prestigious jobs (lawyers, engineers, doctors, etc) and they are seen as a smart ethnic group.

For centuries, they were living isolated in the mountains, and therefore they developed a strong character. They are tough to negotiate with, feisty and they like to stay between themselves.

My personal experience:
I've met quite a lot of Batak, men and women, while I was in Indonesia. As far as I can tell, the stereotypes about them are rather true. The two Indonesian lawyers I ever dealt with were Batak, and they were tough and uncompromising. My first Indonesian girlfriend was also a Batak and our relationship was mostly fights and screams. Most of her friends were also Batak.

Overall: Is It Better to Date/Marry a Javanese, Sundanese or Batak Girl?
As I mentioned, I've had better experiences with Javanese girls, but there are more factors at play than just the ethnicity. My feeling is that the socioeconomic and the education background is what matters the most. You may also feel more attracted to certain personality traits as well. Among expats, I noticed that many are dating or marrying Batak girls. They may enjoy their outspoken and confident personality which is more similar to that of a Western girl. In my case however, I tend to avoid them because I prefer someone quiet and easy-going.
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Best Time To Visit Jakarta

July 27, 2016, 5:00 am
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Are you wondering what is the best time to visit Jakarta? There are several factors to consider before planning your trip:

- Weather in Jakarta: What are the best and worst seasons?
- When are public holidays in Jakarta? How do they affect the city?
- Is it OK to visit Jakarta during Ramadan?
- At what time of the year can you get the cheapest prices on flights and hotels?

If you don't have want to read the whole article, here is a short answer: The best time to visit Jakarta is during the "dry" seasons from May to October. Within this period, it is best to avoid Ramadan (in May in 2017, in April-May in 2018). To get the best prices on plane tickets and hotels, the months of April-May-October-November are the most interesting. Weekends are nicer as you have less traffic jams. It is also better if you want to party and the hotels are cheaper.

For more details, please read the long answer below:

Weather in Jakarta
Unlike in Europe, you will not experience huge weather variations in Jakarta. Average daily temperatures are usually between 29°C and 35°C (84°F and 95°F). It is hot, especially because of the humidity, but I've always found Singapore or Bangkok were much worse.

Temperatures get slightly cooler at night or very early in the morning, or after a massive rainfall.  It does not change a lot though: During the 12 years I lived in Jakarta, I have never worn a jacket or a sweater even once!

While the temperatures are rather stable all year long, there is a dry season and a wet season. From my observations, the worst of the wet season goes from mid-December to February. You can expect that there will be rain every day during these months. This is when all the recent major floods in Jakarta happened (2007, 2013, 2015). November, March and April can also be wet, but it is more random. 

The dry season in Jakarta is never completely dry. Even in August or July, you may have a few storms once in a while. Generally speaking though, you have less rain from May to October and this is the best time of the year to visit Jakarta.

Summary:
December, January, February: Avoid Jakarta if possible
November, March, April: You can visit Jakarta but it is likely that there will be showers from time to time.
May, June, July, August, September, October: Occasional showers, but overall a good time to travel to Jakarta

Public Holidays in Jakarta
Indonesians have approximately 12 days of public holidays + 12 more days of paid leave. In general, Muslims will use their holiday the week after the end of Ramadan, Christians will use them for Christmas, and Hindus will use them to celebrate Kuningan and Galungan (good to know if you are traveling to Bali).

Some public holiday dates are fixed such as New Year (January 1st), Christmas (December 25th) or Independence Day (August 17th). Others are changing  every year, for instance Idul Fitri, Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Waisak Day or Idul Adha. You can check the updated schedule easily by just typing on Google: "Public Holiday Indonesia".

In Jakarta, the consequence of public holidays are a massive exodus of population, especially during Lebaran (the week after Ramadan) and for Christmas/New Year.

As a traveler, it is a recommended time to visit Jakarta. It is more easy to get around in the city and you may feel the air is less polluted. Hotels and incoming flights are often cheaper also. The only problem is that some of the museums may be closed on public holidays.

Ramadan in Jakarta
Ramadan happens approximately every 11 months in Indonesia (and the rest of the Muslim world). In 2017, it will be in May and in 2018 in May-June. 

It is possible to visit Jakarta during that time. You are allowed to eat during the day, even in public, and all shops and museums are normally open. If you are not familiar with the city, you might not notice the change.

Still, unless you are particularly interested with the religious aspect of Indonesia, I think it is best to come at another time. There is clearly less energy around and people are more tired. Personally, I'm also embarrassed to eat outside by myself. Nightclubs and bars become very quiet and you may need to hide if you want a beer.

Another issue with ramadan is that you may get stuck in the "mudik" migration. Just before Idul Fitri, the last day of fasting, millions of Indonesians go back to their villages so the traffic on the roads is terrible. In 2016, there was a 3 days traffic jam in which 12 people died. There is also a surge in price for train and plane tickets. Things get back to normal around 10 days after the end of ramadan.

When To Travel Cheap to Jakarta
The biggest fluctuations for Jakarta hotels is caused by business travelers who generally come from Monday to Friday. For this reason, you will normally get a lower price if you stay in Jakarta on the weekend. You may not get a discount on flight tickets though as many Jakartans come back home during that time. If possible, you should try to arrive on Friday morning and leave on Monday afternoon to avoid the biggest rush.

Holidays in your home country may also affect the price of your plane ticket. If you are European, flights to Asia are always more expensive during Christmas and summer. Conversely, March, April, May, October and November are the cheapest months to travel.

Finally, as I mentioned above, hotel prices are lower in Jakarta when there is a local public holiday because the population tends to leave the city.

Do you need more help about your travel plans to Jakarta? You can leave your question in the comment form below and I'll do my best to answer you. For more information you may also read my article: Where to Stay in Jakarta? Best Areas for Tourists and Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
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Seminyak Nightlife in Less Than 500 Words

July 28, 2016, 3:14 am
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This article will tell you everything you need to know about Seminyak Nightlife in less than 500 words.

Seminyak is a small coastal town in Southern Bali, one of the top destinations for party-goers in Asia. It is located between the villages of Kuta/Legian on one side and Canggu/Kerobokan on the other side. It is a 45-minute taxi ride from the airport.

The nightlife in Seminyak is upmarket compared to Kuta. One of the reasons is the high density of luxury accommodation, including resorts and villas. It is also where most expats in Bali live.

My selection of the best places to stay in Seminyak is available here: Best Bali Hotels Near the Nightlife. If you are on a budget, you have great hotel deals on Sunset Road just 10 minutes away from Seminyak but you'll need to get around with a scooter or a taxi. If you use a motorbike, make sure you have a travel insurance. Read my guide: Why You MUST have a Travel Insurance in Indonesia.

In Seminyak, I usually start my nights out by watching the sun set on the ocean from a beach club. The most stylish and happening venues for that are Potato Head, Double-Six Rooftop, Ku De Ta and Woo Bar. A cocktail there will cost you about US$12 and a meal at least 20US$. They normally have a DJ who plays chill-out tunes. The crowd is international and mixed, including kids.

To spend less money, you can go instead on Double 6 beach and visit one of the laid-back beach cafés. La Plancha is the best one.

Once the sunset is over, you can head to Jalan Oberoi. There are dozens of bars/restaurants, from expensive to cheap. You can just walk around and choose the one you like. For eating, the most popular is Ultimo (Italian food). The busiest bars on Jalan Oberoi are La Favela (also a club, great bohemian décor), Red Carpet Champagne Lounge (fun and chic with an older crowd), Rumours (busy with expats), Zappaz (crowd of regular, live music) and Mexicola (young crowd, Mexican theme).

An alternative to Jalan Oberoi for early-night drinks and food is Jalan Dyana Pura (also known as Jalan Camplung Tanduk). You can try the salsa bar Bahiana and the gay nightlife area around the Bali Joe pub.

Clubbing in Seminyak starts after 1am. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are normally quiet. On those days, it is better to party in Kuta.

Each nightclub has its own crowd and music (read my ranking 12 Best Nightclubs in Bali for more details):
- La Favela gets a trendy and young international crowd that enjoys Top 40 hits and retro songs.
- Jenja has mostly male expats and Indonesian girls (prostitutes or not). DJs play techno and electro in the basement room and hip hop in the upper room.
- Mirror is full of rich Indonesian Chinese from Jakarta. They have mostly Electronic Dance Music.

Occasionally, Potato Head, Woo Bar and Cocoon have interesting special events. You can pick up the free magazine The Beat for a detailed schedule.

Photo source: timotiusutji.
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Kuta Nightlife in Less Than 500 Words

July 28, 2016, 7:19 am
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This article will tell you everything you need to know about Kuta Nightlife in less than 500 words.

Kuta is the main tourist destination in Bali. Originally a small beach town, it is now an urban area with 400 hotels, 5 modern malls and hundreds of clubs, restaurants, massage parlors and shops. It also has its fair share of pollution, noise and crime.

To get around, it is best to have your own scooter (but you must have a travel insurance to drive one) as the taxis will invariably try to rip you off (except Blue Bird). Apps like Uber and Gojek are a good option as well. Walk when possible to avoid getting stuck in Kuta's notorious traffic jams.

Kuta is popular with every age groups and every nationalities (especially Indonesians, Australians and Chinese). While some luxury hotels have opened recently, it is still considered a budget-friendly city: You can find a decent room for less than US$50$ and eat for less than US$8. If you don't have a place to stay, you can read: Bali Hotels Near the Nightlife. Alcohol is always quite expensive in Indonesia (Muslim country): A beer costs at least US$2 and a cocktail at least $US8.

Compared to Seminyak nightlife, Kuta is not as stylish or sophisticated but it can be a lot of fun as well.

Nightclubs start to get busy quite early, around 10pm, and by midnight you already have people throwing up in the toilets. Most of them are located on Jalan Legian, near the Ground Zero:

Skygarden is the most famous of all. It is inside a 5-floor building that can accommodate hundreds of clubbers in at least 4 rooms with each a different music genre (oldies, techno, EDM, Rn'B or Top 40). It is a cheap place to get drunk and to meet girls.

Next to it are dozens of other venues, each with their own specificities: Vi Ai Pi for live music, Apache for reggae, Eikon for cool Australians, Bounty and Paddy's for Bogans (low-class Australians). There is a fair amount of prostitutes, either inside the clubs or in the street. If a girl is making intense eye-contact with you, you can assume that she is after your money.

Venues near the beach front (10 minutes walk from Jalan Legian) are more sophisticated: Velvet/Hypnotized nightclub, inside BeachWalk mall, is crowded with young and trendy Indonesians. They have commercial music, hip-hop, house or EDM depending on the night. Nearby, the Hard Rock Café is also busy with locals and Asians.

Kuta does not have sex tourism like in Phuket or Pattaya. Nonetheless, there are some hostess bars, "plus plus" spas, executive KTVs and underground nightclubs. Bosche VVIP, near the airport, caters to an Asian male audience that enjoys bottle service, lady companions and sexy dancers. Jalan Dewi Sri has several naughty massage parlours, including Delta and Star Bugar Jaya.

The infamous DJ café on Jalan Kartika Plaza is the only after-hour nightclub in Bali: It is filled with prostitutes, ladyboys and drugs, but the music is often quite good (techno). On weekends, it stays open after 10am.

For a complete review of Bali nightlife, you can read 12 Best Nightclubs in Bali and Bali Nightlife.
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Octagon Karaoke (Blok M)

June 27, 2016, 7:34 am
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Octagon is an executive karaoke in South Jakarta (Blok M). Executive means it caters to male clients looking for lady companions, unlike family karaokes. 

It is a modern KTV, one of the nicest in the area, and it is popular with Japanese, Korean and Indonesian guests. They have about 20 ladies, called Octagon girls, who are not prostitutes but hostesses. What you can do with them varies: Some will only give their phone numbers, others might follow you to your hotel after working hours.

They have 4 types of rooms:

Deluxe room for 3 to 5 persons
Suite room for up to 9 persons
Royal karaoke room for up to 12 people
VIP room for up to 25 people

The cheapest package start at Rp1,000,000 minimum spend for 3 people. VIP package for 15 people is available with a minimum spend of Rp3,000,000.

There is also a small lounge with occasional events (DJs).

Opening Hours:
Every day from 3pm to 3am

Octagon Karaoke
Jalan Falatehan 1, No 8, Melawai, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 29 42 86 86

You can book you room online directly on their website: octagonclub.co.id

Instagram: Octagon Blok M
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Mirror Nightclub (Bali)

July 31, 2016, 3:02 am
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Mirror is a nightclub located in Seminyak, on Jalan Petitenget. It is owned by the All-In group, which is also behind the popular Fable in Jakarta.

It is a young and trendy company with a deep network among the young Indonesian elite. It is not a surprise that they manage to attract all the rich kids, especially those who don't mind spending several thousand dollars in one night for bottle service.

The club, shaped to resemble a church, is quite unusual. The gothic theme makes me a bit uncomfortable as well to be honest as it reminds me of funerals more than anything else. I guess that it does not rings the same bells among Indonesians.

The first thing you should know about visiting Mirror is that they enforce strict dress code rules. For guys, this means they will not let you in if you are not wearing a pair of pants, a t-shirt and casual shoes. For ladies, you should wear high heels.

The entrance fee is usually between Rp150,000 during the week and Rp250,000 on weekends or when a famous DJ is playing. This includes a first alcoholic drink. In general, they have a foreign EDM DJ on Friday or Saturday, sometimes on Wednesday. On Thursday, they will often have Rn'B/Hip-Hop music.

You can avoid the queue and the entrance fee by booking a table in advance. For the best ones, there is a minimum spending required (at least a few bottles of alcohol, expect to spend around 5-10M as they only have premium spirits). If you choose to drink by the glass, you will pay Rp180,000 net for a cocktail and Rp70,000 for the cheapest local beer. Yes that's quite expensive!

In front of Mirror, you also have a restaurant called Gardin Bistro with overpriced food. I tried once and I just wasted money for barely average pastries.

Overall: This is mostly a club for rich Indonesians to show off. Most of them are interested to stay within their group of friends. There are a few girls from Jakarta that are open to meet foreigners though. That's the main reason to visit it in my opinion. You can read more reviews: 12 Best Nightclubs in Bali and Seminyak Nightlife.

Mirror Nightclub
Jalan Petitenget Number 106, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Phone number: +62 811 3993 010 or +62 361 8499 800
Blackberry Pin: 5B72F61B
Email: info@mirror.id

Instagram: Mirror Bali
Facebook: Mirror Seminyak (with more photos and the list of all upcoming events)
Website: www.mirror.id
Twitter (not updated): Mirror Allin

Opening Hours:
From Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 4am
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6 Best Cinemas for Watching Movies in Jakarta

August 1, 2016, 6:40 am
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Watching a movie is one of the best things to do in Jakarta
Compared to most movie theaters in France, those in Jakarta have larger screens, more comfortable seats, better technology, more premium features, and above all, they are cheaper...

On the downside, the choice of movie is limited to American blockbusters and Indonesian comedy or horror flicks. If you are hoping to watch the latest art house movies from the Cannes Festival, you'll better forget about it (see below for Independent Cinemas in Jakarta).

I find that Indonesian spectators are rather disciplined when watching a movie: Once the film is started, you'll rarely hear a mobile phone or a noisy discussion. A bigger issue is the smell of the food as everybody is eating something from Hot Dogs to Nasi Goreng... The air-con can also be a problem: I recommend you to bring a small sweater to avoid freezing during the show.

English movies are always in their original version, with subtitles. Nudity will be censored, even mild one, but graphic violence rarely. It seems more appropriate in Indonesia to see people kill each other than kiss.

Multiplex Cinema Chains in Jakarta
Almost all cinemas in Jakarta belong to one of three multiplex chains: Cineplex 21, CGV-Blitz and Cinemaxx.

Cineplex 21 is the largest and oldest cinema chain in Jakarta. It is made of two brands:

- Cinemas 21 are usually located inside inexpensive malls. They are less comfortable and they don't have THX sound system. It's still better than watching from home and the price is unbeatable (around Rp25,000). They screen a lot of Indonesian movies.

- Cinemas XXI (that Indonesians pronounce Eks Eks One) are located in premium locations and they are targeting upper class Indonesians. Prices are not that expensive, you can get a ticket for Rp30,000-Rp40,000 on weekdays and Rp45,000-Rp60,000 on weekends. Some of them feature Premiere XXI studios, with luxury seats (like La-Z-Boy), a special access to a VIP lounge and the possibility to have your food delivered to your seat. The price is approximately Rp100,000 during the week and Rp200,000 on weekends.
The Premiere XXI seats
CGV-Blitz
Part of the Korean brand CGV, they only have upmarket cinemas with the latest equipment and features.

The cost for standard seats varies depending on the cinema, from Rp30,000 during the week for the cheapest (Slipi Jaya) up to Rp70,000 on Saturdays for the most expensive (Grand Indonesia).

They may have some premium auditorium seats available: The highest is Gold Class (up to Rp175,000 per person), followed by Satin Class (up to Rp85,000 per person).
Gold Class seats in CGV-Blitz Megaplex
For couples, Sweetbox seats (up to Rp150,000 for two persons) give you more privacy while the Velvet Class (up to Rp350,000 per bed) allows you to book a basic bed within the cinema. It is particularly popular among young Indonesians who need a quiet place for a date.
Velvet beds
Cinemaxx
Owned by the Lippo Group, it is a new player with only a few locations as of today. They have 3 categories: Cinemaxx Regular (price around Rp30,000 to Rp50,000), Cinemaxx Gold (premium seats with prices between Rp65,000 and Rp100,000) and Cinemaxx Ultra XD (extra large screen). The latter is only available in Palembang and Lippo Village Tangerang for a price between Rp45,000 and Rp65,000.

Independent Cinemas in Jakarta
There are no proper independent cinemas in Indonesia. The closest to one are Kineforum in Menteng (TIM), sponsored by the Jakarta Arts Council, and Kinosaurus in Kemang. You may see a few Indonesian and German films as well in Goethe House, the German cultural center, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Subtitles in Dharmawangsa Square is worth mentioning as well. It is a tiny 3-studio theater with a collection of art house movies from famous international directors. You can rent the whole studio with a few friends for up to 8 people for Rp230,000/2 hours. You can also bring your own movies. More information on their Facebook page: Subtitles Jakarta.

6 Best Cinemas in Jakarta
Below is my selection of the 6 best cinemas in Jakarta, starting with my favorite:

CGV- Blitz Grand Indonesia
Centrally located, within one of the largest malls in Jakarta, CGV-Blitz Grand Indonesia is easily the best cinema in Jakarta. It is the flagship property of CGV in Indonesia, where they showcase all their latest technologies in movie experience.

They have 11 auditoriums, some with special features like SphereX (a huge curved screen with Dolby Atmos sound system) and 4DX (with shaking seats). Starium screens and Screen X might be built in the future. It is the only cinema in Jakarta with the CGV Gold Class.

XXI Gading
The largest XXI cinema in Jakarta with 13 studios, including 2 Premiere class and 2 with Dolby Atmos sound. The main reason I go there is for the IMAX 3D, with prices starting at Rp50,000 on weekdays and Rp75,000 on weekends. 

XXI Gandaria
This is the second cinema in Jakarta with IMAX 3D technology. It is similar to the one in Gading, but with less studios. Only 1 has a Dolby Atmos sound system.

CGV-Blitz - Mall of Indonesia 
The second largest CGV-Blitz cinema in Jakarta after the one in Grand Indonesia. Opened in 2008, it has 10 auditoriums with 1,768 seats on a total space of 6,400m2. It is rather affordable, only Rp35,000 for a regular seat during the week. Satin class, Velvet Class, 4DX and RealD 3D sound available.

CGV- Blitz Pacific Place
While there is nothing particular about this cinema, I enjoy going there on weekends because I've noticed it is less crowded that elsewhere. They have 2 velvet class auditoriums and a lot of F&B options nearby, making it a perfect spot for a date. They have special screenings of Hindi movies as well.

XXI - Epicentrum
The particularity of this cinema is that it features a huge 17X8 meters screen, among the largest in Jakarta. It is particularly cheap, between Rp25,000 and Rp35,000 even on weekends.

XXI - Metropole
XXI Metropole - oldest cinema in Jakarta
This cinema is housed in a renovated art-deco building and it is the oldest cinema in Jakarta. Now part of the group 21, it is worth a try for a unique movie experience. Just outside, there are several popular street food stalls with delicious food.

Djakarta XXI - Sarinah
In the heart of Jakarta, in front of the shopping center Sarinah, this is also an old cinema with a lot of charm. It is common for directors to schedule their movie premiere in this location. It does not have high technology, but the seats are spacious and really comfortable. Prices are low, starting Rp25,000.
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9 Late Night/ After Hour Nightclubs in Bangkok

August 2, 2016, 9:21 am
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What I hate the most about Bangkok nightclubs is that they close very early. After 2AM during the week, and after 3AM on weekends, you can expect that only a handful of venues will still be open.

Even worse, the places that are open late in the night are terrible. As I wrote on my review about Bangkok Nightclubs, they can all be avoided during normal hours, but past a certain time you don't a lot of choice.

Late night/after hour nightclubs in Bangkok are not exactly dirty, but they are seedy, with 90% prostitutes and a miserable vibe. Most clients are Western/Indian/Arab males wearing shorts and t-shirts who seem to be desperately horny. Don't expect to meet normal girls as there are almost none.

Taxi drivers get a 200THB commission each time they bring a customer, so try to negotiate a free ride. You can save more money if you order a bottle of spirits as you'll enter for free.

If you can, you should try to start your nights out early while in Bangkok. You can hit your first bars at 7/8pm and start clubbing at 11pm. If you ever need to continue the party after 3AM, there is no perfect nightclub, but you may try one of the following (from "best" to worse):

Insanity (closes at 5AM)
This is probably the best nightclub to go to after hours in Bangkok. It is a sure bet as it is open 7 days a week and always decently crowded until early morning (5-6AM).  There are 90% of freelancers inside, many of them girls from the gogo bars on Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza. They visit Insanity to have fun and with the hope of finding a customer for the night. Insanity has a few normal girls too, including Western ones. Some are actually pretty.

It is a not a luxury club but it is modern, with an Ibiza-style design. They often have locally-famous DJs who play EDM, hip-hop and house music. The entrance fee is 300THB with a drink. Come before 1AM and you can get drinks for 99THB each. They have sexy dancers (coyote) you can hang out with if you buy them ladies' drinks.

Sugar (closes at 5AM on weekdays and 6AM on weekends)
I don't really like hip-hop, but I enjoy Sugar. They have a mixed crowd of Thais and foreigners dancing to rap and Rn'B, in an underground NY-style atmosphere. I would say that most girls are normal ones, not prostitutes. There are reports on the internet that the security is rude, sometimes beating up trouble-makers and drunkards. I cannot say it happened to me but consider you've been warned. Entrance 200THB with one drink.

Scratch Dog (Closes at 6AM)
3 Thai girls in Scratch Dog Nightclub
Located inside Windsor Suites Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 20 (near from Soi Cowboy), it is also a venue with prostitutes with approximately a third of normal girls. The crowd is mixed Thai/Foreigners (among which many are Malaysians and Singaporeans). The music is commercial (EDM, Top 40 and Rn'B). 400THB entrance with a free drink.

Mixx (closes at 5AM)
Inside Intercontinental Hotel, Mixx is made of two distinct rooms: The main one has Rn'B music and a large dancefloor with tons of expats, travelers and prostitutes. The other one, smaller, has EDM/house music with even more prostitutes, among which some Russian ones. They are not that pretty but consider themselves high-class and charge customers accordingly.

The entrance fee is 350THB for men and 300THB for women, both with one drink.

Climax (closes at 5AM)
This is the nightclub inside Ambassador Hotel Sukhumvit. Apparently, they have live music before midnight, but I've never been there before 4am. At that time, there is a DJ playing House/Rn'B music to an almost full crowd. The main room is divided by a podium, the only real dancefloor of the club, where you can see guys struggling to hook up with thirty-something prostitutes. There is another space, more quiet, with a pool table.

The entrance fee is 250THB with one drink, then you pay 120THB per additional standard alcoholic drink.

EQ Late Night Club (closes at 5AM)
Located just 200m on the left when you exit Nana Plaza, I visited this place only once and it was almost empty. They had only managed to grab a few customers from the street, including myself, with flyers promising free shots. It is not a bad club though as it is modern and bright, with sexy dancers. The few girls hanging around looked very bored and I left after a few minutes. Since it is walking distance from Nana Plaza, you may want to have a look as well. The entrance fee is only 200THB with a two free drinks.

Spicy (closes at 6am)
Danish tourists clubbing in Spicy
Twice I've been there, and twice I said I would not go back. It is rather dark, with loud music (no particular genre, just anything commercial) and a design that's almost a copy of Climax. The only interesting place to be is on the podium, but chances are you will be surrounded by other guys. 95% of the girls are looking for money. Entry 300THB inclusive of a drink.

Shock39 (closes at 6am)
Shock39 is similar to Spicy or Climax, with the particularity of being very popular among the black community in Bangkok. There are almost no normal girls there, and the freelancers are both average looking and not particularly friendly. 300THB entrance with a drink.

Bossy (closes at 6AM)
This nightclub is about 15 minutes north of Sukhumvit in Pratunam. Taxis can take you there for free as they get a commission. I wouldn't recommend it as it is likely to be empty (it might be close). It is currently popular with Middle-easterners, Indians and Westerners to a lesser extent. As all the places mentioned here, almost all girls are prostitutes. You may meet a few Russian/Uzbek ones. The design is similar to Climax and Spicy with a large podium in the middle and pool tabes on the side. Music is commercial. Entrance fee 300THB.

Note: I visited those nightclubs when I was both tired and drunk. If I wrote a mistake in my description, please let me know by posting a comment below...
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8 Best Nightclubs to Meet Indonesian Girls in Jakarta

August 3, 2016, 1:20 pm
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Going to nightclubs is one of the best ways to meet Indonesian girls. It is a bit more challenging that online dating because you need to know what are the best venues and the best days to be successful. You must also be careful to differentiate between the "normal" girls, the prostitutes, and the professional girlfriends. The latter category are all the ladies who make a living from having one or several boyfriends. Depending on what you are looking for, they can be either a great target or something to avoid.

Wednesday is the absolute best day for partying in Jakarta. It is cheaper, less crowded, and many nightclubs have ladies night. This means the percentage of good girls will be higher than usual. Also, you have less competition from other guys, as there are less of those tourists/travelers who come for the weekend from Singapore/Kuala Lumpur looking for one-night-stands.

For the best venues, I'm ranking below the 8 nightclubs with the prettiest and hottest girls in Jakarta. I added some information such as the % of prostitutes, your chances of picking up a girl there, and the kind of clients (male and female) it attracts. It's not scientific, only an estimate based on my personal experience. I didn't mention the price for each nightclub because they are all in the same category: Expensive.

I took the photos on the Instagram account of each venues. It was not easy to find pretty girls as most of them are drunk and they look messy. If you are on a picture and want it removed just email me thibaud@jakarta100bars.com.

You can click on the name of each nightclub for a complete review. 

Ratio guys to girls: 65% guys and 35% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Type of male crowd: Rich Indonesian Chinese
Type of female crowd: Indonesian Chinese with rich boyfriends, girls who don't pay for their own drinks
Age of clients: 20-30
Pick up possibilities: Low

Ratio guys to girls: 65% guys and 35% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Type of male crowd: Rich and young Indonesian Chinese, Indonesians living abroad
Type of female crowd: Young Indonesian Chinese
Age of clients: 18-25
Pick up possibilities: Low

Level II - Foundry 8
Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: Less than 10%
Type of male crowd: Young Indonesians and some young expats
Type of female crowd: Young Indonesians, students, girls living with their parents
Age of clients: 18-30
Pick up possibilities: Low

Dragonfly
Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 20%
Type of male crowd: Expats who tuck their shirts in
Type of female crowd: Indonesian girls looking for rich expats, celebrities, models, escorts
Age of clients: 25-40
Pick up possibilities: Good

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 25%
Type of male crowd: Expats, foreigners traveling to Jakarta
Type of female crowd: Young Indonesian girls looking for young expats
Age of clients: 20-30
Pick up possibilities: Good (make sure the girl is not after your money though)

Ratio guys to girls: 60% guys and 40% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 20%
Type of male crowd: Expats, foreigners traveling to Jakarta, Indians
Type of female crowd: Indonesian girls looking for French expats
Age of clients: 25-45
Pick up possibilities: Good

Ratio guys to girls: 70% guys and 30% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: less than 10%
Type of male crowd: High-school, students, spoiled kids
Type of female crowd: Same as above.
Age of clients: under 18 to 25
Pick up possibilities: Low

Ratio guys to girls: 75% guys and 25% girls
Percentage of prostitutes: 40%
Type of male crowd: Indonesian Chinese, expats, tourists
Type of female crowd: Lady companions from 1001 and Alexis Karaoke, normal Indonesian party girls with their group of friends
Age of clients: 20-35
Pick up possibilities: Low (unless you are willing to pay)

I understand beauty is subjective, so if you don't agree with my list you can leave a comment below.
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23 Prettiest Indonesian Girls with Mixed Blood

August 4, 2016, 7:12 am
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If you want to compliment an Indonesian girl, just tell her that she looks mixed and you'll make her day. While I tend to prefer girls who look 100% local, the ones that have a tiny bit of foreign blood are often seen as the most beautiful for many Indonesians.

Unsurprisingly, those girls (and guys) are over-represented among celebrities: Countless of actors, singers and TV stars are "blasteran", the word for mixed-race people. This is also true among models and beauty pageants contestants. I listed a few here but you can see more on my review 34 Most Beautiful Miss Indonesia.

All the girls I chose are mixed with at least one "bule" (white) parent. I would have loved adding girls with Asian (particularly Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean), Arab, Indian, Latino or Black ethnicities, but I didn't find many. If you have a name worth checking, please leave a comment below and I'll be happy to add her name here.

The actress is the star of the Asian HBO hit "Halfworlds". She comes from a family of mixed Indonesian, Indian and German heritage.

Carissa Perusset
The young and pretty Carissa is an upcoming model with Swiss and Indonesian blood. Her dad, Pierre Perusset was the GM of the Ritz Carlton Jakarta.

33-year-old Mariana is a model and an actress currently living in New York. She was born from a French Jewish father and a mom who was herself a mix of Italian, Indonesian and Chinese blood.

Born in 1993, she did a bit of everything starting at a very young age, from singing to acting. She moved to NY a couple years ago to study in Columbia University. Her dad is German, the ex-GM of Grand Hyatt Jakarta, and her mom is Indonesian.

22-year old Francine is a model who was raised in Bali and who is currently pursuing a modeling career in Hong-Kong. A participant in the international TV show SupermodelMe, she is of mixed heritage French, Indonesian and Chinese.

The beautiful Tatiana is a mix of Manadonese and Polish blood. She is 28 years old and she was an actress in several feature movies and sitcoms.

Born in 1997, Tatjana has a German expat father and an Indonesian mother. She is a famous actress with almost a million fans on her Instagram account.

The 24 year-old is a mixed-race actress of Indonesian (Manado) and Italian descent.

Born from parents with mixed Turkish, Arab and Indonesian blood (maybe Jewish and German too according to some sources), she started acting when she was 7 years old. Now 20, she is still popular and currently presenting a show on TransTV.

With 7 million followers on Instagram, Pevita is a superstar in Indonesia. She is only 23 years old and already a model, actress, singer and presenter. She is from mixed blood Indonesian and British.

An actress born in 1996 from an Acehnese mom and an American dad. She can be seen in 2016 in the sinetron (sitcom) Halilintar.

Born in 1995, Anjani is one of the most active Indonesian actresses at the moment. She is from mixed heritage Dutch/Indonesian.

With 1,1 million followers on her Instagram, she is one of the most popular girls on this list. The quirky 23-year old actress and model is Acehnese by her mom and Polish by her dad.

Even though Millane does not really look Indonesian (i had to check several times to make sure she really was), her dad is Javanese while her mom is German. She is a singer and she was born in 1988.

Apart from having a strange name, Yasmine is a beautiful actress who played in both sitcoms and feature films. Her dad is English and her mom is Batak. She was born in 1993.

21-year old Anggika has Swiss and Indonesian ancestry. She is a model for TV commercial, among which Pond's, and an actress.

She is a 24-year old model born from a Indonesian mother (Bugis) and an American dad.

Born in 1991 from a British dad and a Javanese mom, Nadine was crowned Miss Indonesia in 2010 and she competed in Miss Universe in 2011.

Born in 1984, Nadine Chandrawinata is a former beauty pageant contestant who won Puteri Indonesia in 2005. She later shot several movies and became a TV presenter. Her mom is German and her dad is Indonesian-Chinese.

A famous actress and model born in 1989, her dad is a French-American and her mom Indonesian-Chinese.

Now 42 years old, Nadya is still great looking. Her dad is Indonesian Batak and her mom is Australian. Among other things, she presented Asia's Next Top Model for 2 seasons.

Widika Sidmore is an American with Javanese, Celtic and Native American blood. She is a model and she was born in 1992.

Born from a Norwegian father and a Javanese mother, she is a model who currently lives in Jakarta.

All the pictures were taken from Instagram. You can see more photos by clicking on the names of the girl. If you know a mixed-race/mixed blood (blasteran/campuran) Indonesian girl who deserves to be listed here, please leave a comment!
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Shelter Nightclub (Bandung)

August 5, 2016, 3:05 am
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Shelter is a nightclub located in Bandung on Jalan Sulanjana. It is not far from ITB Bandung and the hotels Holiday Inn and Luxton.

It is rather large and crowded, one of the most popular in the city. The prices are cheaper than average so you get a more hipster crowd compared to venues like Southbank. The design is basic but it looks cool, sort of like an underground nightclub. You don't have paint on the walls except some graffitis directly sprayed on the concrete. The furniture also look like they were picked up from the trash.

They are open everyday of the week with some special nights. Tuesday is "Afro" night (groove, funk, old school), Wednesday and Thursday usually Rn'B, Sunday is chillout, and the rest of the time EDM or House.

There is a majority of guys, almost all Indonesians, and some girls who are part of groups. 

Shelter Nightclub (Bandung)
Jalan Sulanjana 14, Bandung, West Java
Phone number: +62 (0) 22 87832304 or 08568000198

Instagram (with a list of upcoming events + more photos): Shelter Party
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Mox Nightclub (Bandung)

August 5, 2016, 7:36 am
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Mox is the nightclub that replaced Embassy in Cihampelas Walk mall in Bandung. It is near Aston Tropicana Hotel and Hotel Sensa.

The design hasn't really changed since the takeover. It is a rectangle-shaped club, on one floor, with a low ceiling and a large dancefloor in the middle. Tables are on the side. One difference is that they've added some TVs and a giant screen behind the DJ. Compared with other clubs in Bandung, it is more expensive and the crowd is slightly older. It also has the reputation of being full of "ayam", who are not necessarily prostitutes, but who are making a living from generous male sponsors. Few are alone by themselves so you won't have a lot of opportunities for pick-up. Shelter and Southbank are probably better to meet with normal girls.

Mox is not that crowded except on weekends. On busy nights, you may want to book a sofa and order a bottle to avoid standing up. There is a first drink charge from Rp35,000 to Rp60,000 with a free beer. Ladies can normally get inside for free. The dress code is casual, just wear a jean with T-shirt.

The music and events can be interesting and happening. Typically, they will invite a sexy female DJ on the weekend and/or sexy dancers (from Amazon company where I took the pictures). Make sure you check their Instagram or Twitter accounts below for an up-to-date schedule. The music changes every day but you can expect their DJs to play EDM, house and Rn'B.

Mox Nightclub, Bar and Kitchen
Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk), Bandung, West Java
Phone number: +62 (0) 22 206 1155 or 085624745487

Instagram: Mox Nightclub
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Sobbers Nightclub and KTV (Bandung)

August 6, 2016, 2:08 am
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Sobbers is one of the numerous nightclubs in Bandung. It is located on Jalan Setiabudhi, next to the famous factory outlet Rumah Mode. A nearby hotel is the Grand Serela.

If you are staying in the older part of town, for instance on Jalan Braga, it is a bit far to reach. Most of the customers are young Indonesians, including students from the nearby schools (STP Bandung, UPI, ITB, Universitas Parahyangan). Since there is also a KTV with lady companions, it attracts older guys and some "ayam". One of my friends told me that Sobbers is a hangout for gays and lesbians.

The club has been opened since 2010, and it was renovated recently to look more modern. It is rather simple, with a main dancefloor surrounded by high tables and sofas. Regularly, they invite popular Indonesian DJs, particularly women DJ. They also have sexy dancers and fashion shows once in a while.

They play mostly commercial music, from Rn'B to EDM. They have started organizing trap music events as well.

The entrance is free on most nights, and the prices for drinks are very reasonable. A Bintang beer only costs Rp21,000 and you can get spirits with a mixer starting Rp40,000. 

Sobbers Nightclub and Karaoke
Jalan Setiabudhi 41, West Java, Bandung, Indonesia

Phone number: +62 (0) 22 203 93 90 or 085220007698
BB Pin: 5732dd1e
Email: sobbersclubktv@gmail.com

For more photos and the schedule of events:
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Southbank Bar, Lounge and Club (Bandung)

August 6, 2016, 3:25 am
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The new Southbank just reopened on August 5th, 2016. It moved from Jalan Aceh to Jalan Sumatra, a street with several other nightlife venues. It is central and trendy location that I recommend if you are not familiar yet with Bandung. You can stay nearby in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, one of the best in the city.

Southbank intends to keep the same concept as before. It is a bar/lounge that turns into a nightclub on weekends and for special events. More classy than its competitors (Sobbers, Mox, Shelter), it is popular with an upmarket crowd that includes a lot of Indonesian-Chinese.

The venue is kind of similar to Empirica or Potato Head Garage in Jakarta. It is a high-ceiling warehouse with basic design except for a few artsy/vintage details. They will have regular DJ events that you can check on their Instagram page below.

The dress code is implemented so you should wear trousers, shirts and shoes. Locals dress up in Southbank as you can see (pics from the opening night):
Southbank Bar, Lounge and Club,
5-7 Jalan Sumatra, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
Phone number: +62 (0) 818 28 39 39

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19 Best Luxury Yacht Cruises and Charters to Explore Indonesia

August 7, 2016, 5:10 pm
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Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, yet most tourists only visit the overcrowded and saturated island of Bali.

Until recently, it was still difficult to access some of the most remote parts of Indonesia. It required using local transports which, while adventurous, often turned out to be unsafe, uncomfortable, and inconvenient in terms of schedule. If you are on a budget, you can still travel this way and enjoy a truly unique experience.

A much nicer alternative is to book a luxury cruise, or even to charter an entire boat and its crew. There are now several ships operating in Indonesia offering liveaboard experiences, mostly in the eastern part of the country (Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua and Sulawesi). The best are privately owned and managed by foreigners who are passionate about sailing, diving, and discovering the culture of the islands they visit.

Almost all the luxury boats mentioned below are Indonesian/Dutch schooner (also called phinisis), an iconic ship used to transport goods within Indonesia since the 17th century. They have either been renovated or built on purpose for tourism with modern amenities and equipment. Some are among the most luxurious in the world, catering to a crowd of jet-setters, rich businessmen and celebrities.

The season for sailing is typically from February to October, with the best months from June to August. 

The best luxury yacht cruises and charters to explore the Indonesian islands are the following:

The famous luxury resort chain Aman offers unforgettable experiences on one of their two traditional boats, the 52-meter long Amandira and the 32-meter long Amanikan.

Their Komodo expedition departs from the Amanwana Hotel on Mojo island. The cost for 7-days is USD$42,850 for a couple. They also offer a Raja Ampat expedition departing from Sorong in Papia for USD$45,750 per couple. Don't worry, there will be cheaper options below!

More information on their website: https://www.aman.com/resorts/amanwana/cruises

The luxurious Alila Purnama is a floating 5-star boutique hotel. It is a 46-meter phinisi boat built on 3 decks with 5 suites. The 16-member crew includes a chef, a PADI-certified dive instructor and a masseuse.

There are several cruises every season in destinations such as Komodo, Raja Ampat, Maumere and Ambon.

Prices are on the high side, starting US$7,250 for a 3-night trip to Komodo in a standard suite. To charter the boat, you'll need to spend at least US$12,500++ per day.

More information on their website: http://www.alilahotels.com/purnama

Silolona Sojourns is one of the most luxurious private cruise company to operate in Indonesia. As of 2016, it sails with 17 crew members to 5 destinations : Sulawesi, Banda, Papua, Komodo and Savu Sea. Their trips include carefully-planned land excursions by the American owner, Ms. Patti Seery.

The ships boasts 5 wooden suites that are each decorated with unique Indonesian artifacts. Numerous activities are available from water skiing to kayaking and sport fishing. You can also get your PADI certification onboard.

Prices are available on request. You can expect to pay at least US$10,000 for a 7-day trip. They have a second smaller liveaboard boat called Si Datu Bua.

More information on their website: http://www.silolona.com/

Owned by Veronika Blomgren, a successful Russian designer behind the Oazia brand in Bali, this growing company is planning to operate 8 ultra-luxurious ships in Indonesia within the next few years.

For now, they first one is a splendid 31-meter long phinisi boat with just one spacious cabin that can only accommodate a couple. Ideal for honeymooners, the current routes may take you to Moyo island, Komodo or Raja Ampat. The price starts at US$3,895 per night.

More information on their website: http://www.alexaprivatecruises.com/

Owned by American businessman Mark Robba, this 52-meter phinisi yacht can be rented for expeditions in Komodo and Raja Ampat from February to October. 

The price for booking all of its 7 suites is around US$87,000 for a week.

More information on their website: https://duniabaruadventures.wordpress.com

The 65-meter yacht is the longest wooden sailing boat in the world. It was designed by the Argentinian Marcelo Penna and built in Sulawesi.

It is owned by Dominique Gerardin, a former yacht captain from France. The destination portfolio includes Raja Ampat, Alor, Komodo, Sumba and Flores. During the wet season, it travels to Thailand and Myanmar.

The boat can accommodate up to 14 guests in 1 double master cabin, 4 double cabins and 2 twin cabins. The price for charter is US$22,000++ per night (minimum 3 nights). It includes all drinks, all dives, all spa treatments, internet, gourmet meals and the use of the jet skis.

More information on their website: http://www.lamima.com/

The 40-meter luxury El Aleph ship is owned by a Frenchman and managed by an international crew. Built in Sulawesi, it features 5 cabins, including a 50m2 master suite with its own terrace.

It sails in the islands of eastern Indonesia from Bali up to Raja Ampat. The price for chartering El Aleph is approximately US$10,000 per day. It is popular with Russian clients.

More information on their website: http://www.elalephcruising.com/

Managed by expats, Plataran Private Cruises have 8 luxury boats, including 4 wooden phinisis and 4 yachts.

The yachts are 15 meters long and 4,7 meters wide, with an overnight capacity of 5 guests. There are 2 bathrooms and the 3 cabins all have air-conditioning.

The phinisis each have their own specifications. The largest can accommodate up to 12 sleeping guests. Operated by 8 crews, they are all with air-conditioning and private bathrooms.

Their most popular cruise is a 3 days/2 nights itinerary taking the passengers island-hopping to Rinca, Kalong, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Kanawa and Sabolon island. The price is a reasonable US$900 per person.

More information on their website: http://plataran.com/private-cruises

Under French management, this company operates two boats, Ambai and Calico Jack. It focuses on dive cruises in spots like Raja Ampat, Komodo, Alor, Flores, Banda and the lesser known "Forgotten Islands".

They offer more affordable rates than some of the competitors listed here, starting US$1,720 per person for 5 days.

More information on their website: http://www.wallacea-divecruise.com

This 34-meter long phinisi boat can welcome 12 passengers in 5 cabins, each with their own bathroom. It sails to Komodo, Maluku and Papua.

You can either book an individual cabin, or charter the whole boat for US$4,400 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.tigerblue.info/

Owned by Amanda, a retired Australian lady, this company only has one boat, the 37-meter Al Iikai (which means Queen of the Sea). It features 5 king-size luxury bedrooms with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. 

As it is a smaller company, the prices are rather affordable, starting US$1500 for a 7-day Island Explorer Cruise that will take you around Lombok. They also have cruises with special themes (Yoga, Cooking or Golf). You can charter the boat starting at US$3,100 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.indonesianislandsail.com/

The expats owners manage two amazing boats: The Katharina, a 40-meter long phinisi boat with 6 cabins and a 14-guest capacity, and the Ombak Putih, a 42-meter traditional Indonesian schooner renovated in 2015 that can accommodate up to 24 guests in 12 cabins.

They sail to some of the most beautiful spots in Indonesia, including Banda, Maluku, Wakatobi, Alor, Lembata, Tidore, Savu and Raja Ampat. Their scheduled cruises often have a special guest on-board, for instance a renowned writer, a scientist or an adventurer. The price starts at US$2,500 for a 7-day cruise. You can also charter the whole boat with the crew starting US$5,400/day.

More information on their website: http://seatrekbali.com/

The Adelaar is a Dutch schooner that offers diving trips departing from Bali. Most of the guests go to the Komodo national marine park, but there are longer excursions to Sumba and Moyo islands on Sumbawa.

Their popular 10-nights/11-days-trip to Komodo in a standard room with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and a 120 cm bed costs US$4,000 per person.

More information on their website: http://www.adelaar-cruises.com/

The Mantra is a medium-sized (30 meters) phinisi yacht built in 2015 with 3 cabins. The management organizes cruises in Alor, Raja Ampat and Komodo for prices starting at US$3,000 per night.

More information on their website: http://www.mantradiveandsail.com/

Headed by Dutch national Leo van Oostenbrugge, the Mutiara Laut (Pearl of the Sea) is a schooner inspired by both Western and Indonesian design. It is 46 meters in length and can carry up to 14 passengers plus 15 crew members.

It sails in various parts of Eastern Indonesia: Bali, Lombok, Papua, Banda and Maluku.

Promising the services and amenities of a 5-star, it is available for charter for over US$10,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.mutiaralaut.com/

Designed by the Frenchman Georges Carraz, the 31-meter Raja Laut boasts 6 cabins with ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning.

The crew is made of 7 members from different nationalities and includes a dive instructor and a chef.

Its main destination is the Komodo National Park, but it also sails to Alor, Sulawesi, Papua and Maluku. Charter price approximately US$5,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.rajalaut.com/

This cruise ship can accommodate up to 20 passengers in luxurious cabins and its destinations include Raja Ampat, Bali, Komodo and Ambon.

You can book a room for a price starting at US$1,600 per cabin per night, or charter the whole boat for a price between US$10,000 and US$20,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://salila-indonesia.com/

The Samata is a 42-meter phinisi boat with 5 French-designed cabins that can fit up to 10 passengers. Its most frequent destinations are the Komodo marine park, Raja Ampat and the Banda islands. The team can also organize tailor-made trips depending on the customers wishes.

The price is approximately US$10,000 per day or US$60,000 per week.

More information on their website: http://samataliveaboard.com/

The elegant Zen phinisi is a 53-meter yacht belonging to a Polish national based in Hong Kong. With an emphasis on modern design, it boasts 6 bedrooms including a two-level suite master cabin.

It is available for private rent for US$85,000 per week.

More information on their website: http://www.globaladventure.com/

If you are planning a trip to Indonesia and you haven't considered buying travel insurance yet, please read my article: Travel Insurance for Indonesia.
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How Dangerous Is It to Use Drugs in Indonesia?

August 8, 2016, 7:41 am
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From time to time, I receive an email from a reader asking me if it is safe to use drugs in Jakarta. The obvious reply is that it is extremely dangerous, as even carrying a small joint might land you in jail. 

But Indonesia is much more complicated than that, hence the need for a longer article to explain you the subtleties of drug use in the country.

Why foreigners should be extra careful when using drugs in Indonesia
From my personal perspective, the law in Indonesia only exists to give a pretext to powerful people to extort some money or benefits. Most often, it is used when the authorities want to target someone in particular, with some categories that are more at risks than others. The most vulnerable are poor people, ethnic and religious minorities, foreigners, or anyone without a network among government officials.

The laws of Indonesia, including drug laws, will normally apply to them with greater severity, meaning they will either receive harsher sentences or pay a bigger bribe.

Foreigners are particularly at risk for several reasons. They are considered rich (therefore prime targets), they don't know anything about the legal system and they rarely possess powerful connections.

More importantly, there is a creeping racism/xenophobia among a large portion of the Indonesian population. From an early age, they are taught a one-sided story about the morally-corrupt West, whose influence must be limited. Alcohol, homosexuality, crime, rape, communism, atheism, porn, and of course drugs are all considered imported vices. As a foreigner, if you get caught using, or worse selling drugs, you are guaranteed to make national headlines and become a matter of national security. Once your name appears in the media, it becomes almost impossible to buy your way out.

The statistics speak for themselves: In 2015-2016, among 18 persons executed for drug offenses, only 3 were Indonesian. This is in spite the fact that there are over 125,000 Indonesians in prison for drug offenses (70% of a total prison population of 180,000 inmates) for less than 100 foreigners.

Are some drugs more safe than others? Is there a risk if I have a very small quantity?
Indonesians do not see any differences between soft and hard drugs. They have no idea what drugs are, how they work, which ones are lethal and which ones are addictive. All they know is that it is a foreign-imported problem and that it is killing the youth of the country.

Judges will send heroin junkies to jail and people who take barely-addictive ecstasy and marijuana to rehabilitation center, depending on mysterious factors.

Even Budi Waseso, the head of the BNN (the Indonesian drug enforcement agency) once said that he saved 21 million lives by seizing a 2-ton shipment of marijuana, obviously not knowing that it is not a lethal drug. For this reason, don't assume that you are taking less risks by smoking pot instead of crack.

The quantity in your possession does not really matter as well: Marlon Eduardo Bezrutchaka was arrested with 0.13 grams of hashish and 0.14 grams of marijuana in 2014 and it made national news. A year after, Nicholas James Langan was sentenced to 1 year in jail for possessing 0.9 grams of marijuana. An American, Scott Wikoff O'Dowd was also sent to jail for 8 months for having 3 grams on his suitcase. There were several similar cases this year as well.

You won't be executed if you have small quantities, but you are still likely to go to jail.

Why people still do drugs despite the risks?
In spite of the risks, you would be surprised to find out that drugs are very easy to buy in Indonesia. If you are in Bali, it is offered on the street by dealers who are just a few meters away from policemen. Drugs are also very common in places like Akasaka or Deejay Café. In Jakarta, some nightclubs are notoriously filled with ecstasy and shabu-shabu (crystal meth). In Mille's, Golden Crown, Exotis, Illigals, Puja Sera or Sydney 2000, you can buy it easily by simply asking a waiter or the security. It was true when I first arrived in the city in 2004, and it is still true until today.

The police conducts raids from time to time, including urine tests, but the owners are tipped off beforehand so barely anybody is caught red-handed. If you look at who owns North Jakarta nightlife, you will understand why.

For those reasons, some Indonesians and expats may tell you that it is relatively safe to buy and use drugs within those clubs. They will recommend you to consume on the spot and never carry anything on your body. If you get caught, they will say that the key is to avoid escalation: While the policeman who arrested you might settle for a reasonable bribe, everything becomes more complicated once his boss is involved, and then the boss of his boss, and then the media.

Some people don't care about the risks because they benefit from connections and/or have enough money to pay their way out of jail.

It is rather common to read about police officers, prison guards or military personnel getting caught, at least once or twice a month. In South Sulawesi, the police itself considers that the involvement of its personnel in drug abuse is "alarming". Yet you rarely see those arrested in jails, and even less on the death row. The Head of the Jakarta Police for Drugs only recommends 1 month of counseling for such officers.

Similarly, there are many cases of celebrities, politicians or VIPs who manage to receive preferential treatment. A recent case is Ivan Haz, a politician from the Islamist party PPP and the son of ex-Vice President Hamzah Haz. He is accused of both abusing is maid and attending a drug party. His trial was delayed several times because he missed police questioning twice, saying he had work to do. I get the feeling he won't spend a lot of time in prison.

You can get more names of people who got away with drugs in my article 13 Illogical Facts About Drugs in Indonesia (check number 9).

Conclusion
My personal advice would be to forget about drugs and stick to alcohol when you are partying in Indonesia. Even though your chances of getting caught are thin, as a foreigner you are a prized target for the police and therefore you are more at risk.

Denunciation by neighbors are common, as well as traps set up by policemen themselves. Never buy from the street or from people you don't know well. Again, if you get caught, you must make a deal with the person who arrests you as soon as possible: Don't let others be involved.

The price for recreational drugs in Indonesia is high. For instance, you can expect to pay up to US$30 for just one ecstasy pill. Be aware that the quality is often poor. The dealers don't care if they sell you something poisonous as long as they get your money.
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