Hi from Jakarta,

Hey, has the rainy season started in Ubud yet? I walked out of my bedroom and into a puddle this morning.

I'm wondering what the prices are like for long-term (18 months) rental around Ubud, as I'll be starting work there in March.

I'm after 3 bedrooms if possible. I've just read the thread Theo started about rental prices, but wondering if that is relevant to areas surrounding Ubud. We won't have a car, and don't plan on getting a motorbike, so I'll need to be able to catch a bemo, cycle, or walk to work (in central Ubud).

To let you know what kind of standards I have, in Jakarta we (husband, 2-yr-old son, and I) currently pay Rp3.5million per month for a 3 bedroom +1 kamar pembantu (currently unused as it would more accurately be called a dungeon cell), and a bathroom with a western toilet but mandi, and the usual Indonesian or should I say Javanese (middle class) kitchen - i.e. room with a sink with cold water and a bench, and we have a 2 burner gas stove, and a garage used as the laundry. It is quite large, open and airy, and in a good central location, but not renovated and (as mentioned above) leak-prone. It also has basic furnishings and its fare share of rats and cockroaches.

Apart from holidays to Ubud, I have no idea about accomm. in Bali. I have found the Bali Advertiser is no help for someone who will be on a volunteer's (good local) wage. Are there any Web sites that have pics of houses for rent (don't have to be in English)? The word "villa" scares me as I invisage both US$ and lots of stairs - not great with a toddler. I also am not sure about the availability of normal houses (as apposed to compounds) within our price range.

Any comments/suggestions/info? Oh, and any reccommendations for local travel agents? Also anyone have any ideas about how to safely ship a few boxes to Bali from Jakarta?

Thanks

JJ