10 things we've learned after a month in Indonesia
As we are about to leave Indonesia behind after travelling around here for a month I wanted to share with you some of the things that we have learned.
1. Never accept the first price - as never ever. We thought bargaining only belonged in those stalls with no clear price signs but no. We are talking hotels, tourism agencies and transport. Everything has a different price then the original and if someone tries to tell you that there is no way you can find what you are looking for any cheaper then they are probably lying.
2. Don't say you are from Scandinavia - when you get asked where you are from they don't really care where you are from the simply want to know how much money you have so that they can adjust their prices. Scandinavia is code for money. So we decided to try Greece for two main reasons:
1 - because of the current Greek financial situation, Greece is code for no money. But most often this is the main reason
2 - they don't know where Greece is so the conversation goes something like this:
"Where are you from?"
"Greece"
"Greece?" *looks a bit confused*
"Yes, it's close to Africa" *Europe is also code for money*
"In Africa?" *looks at my pale face in doubt*
"Close to Africa" *trying to change the subject*
It's a bit awkward when you use this to get a good deal on accommodation and then have to present your Scandinavian passport at check in...
3. Non-spicy is a myth - for those of you that know me well know that I'm not great with spices. So I always ask if it's spicy and I also get the reply no. But one spoonful later I sit there coughing, sweating and breathing fire. When the waiter comes back and I say "wow, that was spicy" they look at me sceptical seeing that I ordered a coconut based curry. Basically, you just have to get used to it or stick with plain rice.
4. It's always happy hour - happy hour starts at lunch. They sell beer at the pier before the 9am ferry. Do I need to continue?
5. Listen to as many live performances as possible - because the know how to sing! In school everyone has to learn an instrument and how to school so even if it's only a guy with a guitar on a street corner or a band in a club, enjoy it.
6. There's always a twist - people are super friendly and you might think they are your friend but in reality they just want to sell you something.
7. There is no such thing as health & safety - it simply does not exist. Seat belts? No, but we have air con. You might even end up travelling on top of the roof, holding on to a metal cage as you duck to avoid getting slapped in the face by the trees along the road (I was not quick enough and got a branch right across my forehead).
8. Rice, rice baby - if you don't like rice then you are pretty much screwed. You'll most likely have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unless you find a western styled restaurant where you spend half a fortune on something that kind of tastes like home (yes, we have been taking advantage of these restaurants as well).
9. Time is an illusion - there's no stress and things take the time it takes. For example, the boat from Flores was meant to leave at 8am, at 11am they had finally finished loading the cars and we were finally ready to start our 24 hour journey to Gili Air. The bus leaves when it's full and it takes between 7-9 hours when in reality you arrive after 11. Good thing we have a 6 month holiday so we're not in a hurry either. Just go with it, you will get there when you ger there.
10. Smile like you mean it - if you smile you risk making every Indonesian man fall in love with you in an instant. If you say hello they might propose to you right there on the spot. So keep that smile in check or you'll leave a married woman! Perhaps you remember our encounter with Dedy back when we first arrived in Indonesia.
1. Never accept the first price - as never ever. We thought bargaining only belonged in those stalls with no clear price signs but no. We are talking hotels, tourism agencies and transport. Everything has a different price then the original and if someone tries to tell you that there is no way you can find what you are looking for any cheaper then they are probably lying.
2. Don't say you are from Scandinavia - when you get asked where you are from they don't really care where you are from the simply want to know how much money you have so that they can adjust their prices. Scandinavia is code for money. So we decided to try Greece for two main reasons:
1 - because of the current Greek financial situation, Greece is code for no money. But most often this is the main reason
2 - they don't know where Greece is so the conversation goes something like this:
"Where are you from?"
"Greece"
"Greece?" *looks a bit confused*
"Yes, it's close to Africa" *Europe is also code for money*
"In Africa?" *looks at my pale face in doubt*
"Close to Africa" *trying to change the subject*
It's a bit awkward when you use this to get a good deal on accommodation and then have to present your Scandinavian passport at check in...
3. Non-spicy is a myth - for those of you that know me well know that I'm not great with spices. So I always ask if it's spicy and I also get the reply no. But one spoonful later I sit there coughing, sweating and breathing fire. When the waiter comes back and I say "wow, that was spicy" they look at me sceptical seeing that I ordered a coconut based curry. Basically, you just have to get used to it or stick with plain rice.
4. It's always happy hour - happy hour starts at lunch. They sell beer at the pier before the 9am ferry. Do I need to continue?
5. Listen to as many live performances as possible - because the know how to sing! In school everyone has to learn an instrument and how to school so even if it's only a guy with a guitar on a street corner or a band in a club, enjoy it.
6. There's always a twist - people are super friendly and you might think they are your friend but in reality they just want to sell you something.
7. There is no such thing as health & safety - it simply does not exist. Seat belts? No, but we have air con. You might even end up travelling on top of the roof, holding on to a metal cage as you duck to avoid getting slapped in the face by the trees along the road (I was not quick enough and got a branch right across my forehead).
8. Rice, rice baby - if you don't like rice then you are pretty much screwed. You'll most likely have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unless you find a western styled restaurant where you spend half a fortune on something that kind of tastes like home (yes, we have been taking advantage of these restaurants as well).
9. Time is an illusion - there's no stress and things take the time it takes. For example, the boat from Flores was meant to leave at 8am, at 11am they had finally finished loading the cars and we were finally ready to start our 24 hour journey to Gili Air. The bus leaves when it's full and it takes between 7-9 hours when in reality you arrive after 11. Good thing we have a 6 month holiday so we're not in a hurry either. Just go with it, you will get there when you ger there.
10. Smile like you mean it - if you smile you risk making every Indonesian man fall in love with you in an instant. If you say hello they might propose to you right there on the spot. So keep that smile in check or you'll leave a married woman! Perhaps you remember our encounter with Dedy back when we first arrived in Indonesia.
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