Gloria
[b]Video Tapes[/b]
Hello Uma, welcome to our forum. Sorry I can't answer all your questions but I am sure someone will, however I can just tell you that when I bought my video tapes in from Oz they were all "confiscated"...the reason they gave was that they must go to Jakarta to be inspected by the censor....beat that one for AN EXCUSE.......G.....
uma
Hi all,
Thanks for the nice welcome to the forum.
Here are a few questions that I'd like to put out to you in the tips and tricks department,
1) Cheap and reliable ways to ship to Bali?
I am thinking of boxes of books, music, personal valuables, to keep there in Bali or to donate, household items that can't be gotten cheaper or easier in Bali.... When I moved from Europe I bought container space on a boat from a shipping company. What's your experience? Any names?
2) How reliable and timely are DHL, UPS, Airborne for getting documents to Bali, like in my case tapes for time sensitive job assignments. Any experience anyone? How about Ubud delivery? I've seen offices in Ubud, but if you don't know, I go by there in March and get info, and post it here.
3) I am not getting 1/2 of the mail that my Bali folks in Bedulu are sending by Postal Service. Is that just the way it is? I heard rumours that some postal workers make use of the stamps and toss the mail. Hmm, I guess it beats scrounging the trash for soda cans in our inner cities to make a dime... My mail with a business label gets through though.
4) One last thing on another track: What video system (NTSC, PAL etc) do you use in Bali, can local VCR players be switched for multisystem use? I use videos for work, and I'd have to bring a US player if the answer's no. If it is no, then I can save luggage space and not bring a few tapes to test.
Also, I have a gazzilion video tapes that, if I can't make someone happy in Bali, I'd scrap otherwise.
Okay, I hope this is an acceptable use of this forum area, and hopefully you have some ideas and experiences on these things.
Oh...went looking for a mug shot photo, but left my shoes for the time being,
so you know, I'll be back.
Uma
lise
Hi Uma,
My friend that lives there has had success with DHL...in general we use DHL when shipping in and out of different countries and always have had everything arrive safely.
We're shipping books in an M bag (sea mail) into Bali-takes 6 to 8 weeks and (I've been told) has a high success rate.
So far we're not having success with standard mail into Bali-I mail my friend small document envelopes and they never arrive, he mailed something from the DPS airport to Ubud and it never arrived, either.
Maybe we should start a carrier pigeon business?
Gloria
[b]Shipping and Stuff[/b]
Thanks Uma,will look forward to getting together with you sometime,wish I could get to Ubud,its one of my favourite places but only having a motor bike makes it difficult to travel very far in the wet season.Have a wonderful time in Nepal,I'm a little envious, would love to see it too...don't worry if you cant squeeze any more into your bags we are OK . Will try to see you later in the year maybe...best wishes...Gloria
uma
Thanks Lise and Gloria,
okay the videos can go on the scrapheap, I was having second thoughts anyway, as to what good most of the Hollywood stuff would to do for the well-being of anyone in Bali.
Now books may be a different story altogether. Can't quit thinking like a teacher, and books... to donate to a library there...I'll check with DHL sometime. And I'll wait for more feedback from the forumites.
Regular mail is a painful experience. I designed business cards for some Balinese friends, mailed the samples 4 weeks ago... Oh well, nada!
And these folks are not the polite kind, that would rather say they didn't get the mail, because the designs are bad, hahaha.
When are you going again Lise? I am still hoping to connect with some folks while I am in Ubud in March...have coffee or tea, talk.
Gloria, do you ever get near Ubud?
Because Lovina is a stretch for me, in case a I can round up some small-sized goodies from your wishlist. Since I'll be coming by way of Nepal (need to pack winter clothes) I have limited luggage space this time.
But I could try to bring something at least.
Take care, Uma
Lothar
[b]I followed a different practise[/b]
during my many movings within Asia for the past 30 years. Thailand/Laos/Vietnam/Hongkong/Sri Lanka/India/Malaysia are all places where I a certain times started permanent residences. I never moved anything from an old place to a new place, but always started a new place from scratch. Believe me, that gives you a very 'young' feeling everytime anew :), and you NEVER get any headaches with customs. It also gives you a life without ballast :)
Vincent OG
[b]Fun To Shop[/b]
Dear Mr Lothar
Your path is admirable. It really is and I do admire your spirit. I would suit me greatly to have a similar attitude but ….. well, too long in London, maybe.
Anyway, bad news for UK shipping companies (and “our friends” at DPS Customs), I shall be taking a machete to my possessions and will arrive in Bali, perhaps somewhat short of your example, but with less suitcases than I first planned. As Roy espouses, it’s fun to shop!!
Vincent OG
[b]Moving to Bali - Shipping Stuff In[/b]
The following letter was published in the Jakarta Post and it shows what can happen if you upset the locals.
What it tells me is that if you want to ship stuff in you have to shut up & pay up. Either that or be prepared to write off whatever it is you are trying to bring in.
Does anyone know if it is standard practice to ship goods to Surabaya in Java rather than Bali? I would have assumed Benoa for sea freight & Denpasar for air freight.
[b]Shipping saga
Friday, January 18, 2002
JP[/b]
[i]On July 10, 2001, 2001 I shipped four large crates from Canada by Jori International Limited to Indonesia. Five weeks later on Aug. 13, 2001, I had a call from a man named Heru Sumantri from PT Freight Lini Express Indonesia (PT FLEI), who stated that my personal freight would be arriving on Aug. 18, 2001, it would cost Rp 3 million to clear customs and I would need to go to Surabaya.
I arrived in Surabaya on Aug. 20, 2001. I met Heru who said the cost would be Rp 5 million and it had to be paid up front. So, I questioned the extra Rp 2 million? Heru explained that he had told my lawyer that Rp 3 million would be for the firm and another Rp 3 million would be for clearing customs, so now it amounted to Rp 6 million.
I had no problem paying that amount but I needed to see the original documentation. Heru refused. Afterwards, Heru told me to deposit Rp 5 million into his personal account and he would deal with customs. I felt there was something wrong about this and that Heru was cheating me.
I flew back to Bali frustrated. I tried to find out who Heru Sumantri's boss was. I spoke to my lawyer, Aryana Sari SH, and she phoned the head office of PT FLEI. Finally, she spoke with Mrs. Lynda Fryldia and explained my problem with Heru Sumantri. Lynda Fryldia said that she would talk with Heru and try to solve the problem.
On Sept. 10, 2001, I flew back to Surabaya as both Mrs. Lynda and Heru said that I could have my freight. I arrived at Heru's company PT FLEI and met with Heru again. He only complicated things by canceling everything in customs so that I would have to start all over again. While I was waiting for him in his office frustrated, I met a man named Made Sudana from PT Lintas Sukma Sejahtera. Made heard of the problem and he offered to help me clear customs and get my belongings.
I learned from Made that my freight had been moved to another warehouse by Heru and scheduled to be destroyed within a few days. I did get my shipment with Made's help in the end but I discovered many things had been taken from it and PT FLEI refused to comment or take responsibility for their actions. It is clear to me that the entire company are liars and corrupt in their business dealings.
PAUL HAMEL
Denpasar, Bali[/i]
Vincent OG
[b]Moving to Bali - Shipping Stuff In[/b]
For what it’s worth here’s some info I have received from a Jakarta-Based Expat who moved from UK 2 years ago.
She moves quite regularly so brought in a lot of stuff.
Some of her problems occurred at the UK end rather than in Bali.
As my girlfriend is Japanese and is more in tune with Eastern ways, I suggested to the expat that Akari will handle our “negotiations” with Customs and the local Bali shipping agent when we come to move.
Not a good idea apparently.
The Expats experience relates to Jakarta rather than Bali.
Hopefully, Bali Customs are not as bad as they seem to be in Jakarta (but they probably are).
[i]Hi Vincent
Yes we did indeed ship two container loads to Indonesia and one of them was from the UK. Yes we did get ripped off on import taxes and yes we lost two items, one of which was very dear to me.
I cannot speak for Bali only for Jakarta, they are two totally different kettles of fish.
Packers:
One word of advice....DO list everything and get them to sign as much as possible, even if you are transporting a full 40 or 60 ft container. Get your Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, Brothers and anyone else you can drag of the street to watch each box packed, list that box, get them to sign it (you will have several packers!)...the boxes should be numbered. This does create a lot of extra hassle but if you are exporting your house like we have to it is definitely worth every second of your time. Of course then this means that some poor bugger in Bali has to sit and watch you unpack each box, which no doubt you will not feel like doing all in one day. Unless you have heard of some other foolproof way OR you are only shipping large objects and nothing of value ignore this paragraph!
Customs in Jakarta can search anything they like, but if you have a sealed container going to Bali you shouldn't have to deal with Jakarta....UK/Singapore/Bali.
Company we used in UK was;
Interpack Worldwide PLC
Unit 3, Oakwood Business Park
Standard Road
London NW10 6EX
England
Tel: (44) 181-965-5550
Fax: (44) 181-453-0544
E-Mail:
robert@interpack.co.uk
Contact name Robert Briggs (if still working there).
Technicalities:
When container arrives in Indonesia, technically owner of container (i.e.: you) has to have KIMS card (visa) to retrieve it. However, one doesn't have KIMS card when arriving in Indonesia, so you either wait and pay storage and retrieve when you do have one, although you may still get 'clobbered' for a few Rupiah either by customs or storage people, or the importing agent.
If you don't have KIMS card, naturally as like most things in Indonesia you can still retrieve yr container 'at a price' as anything is possible here. We got "Stung" for approx US$800.00. A lot of money but the company was paying and they knew it. Be prepared for that as it's not worth arguing. Remember we already lost some items that were pilfered from boxes, so if you argue no doubt you will lose a lot more. Bali may well be better. Java is just about the worst and most corrupt area in the world.
Just another word on containers etc. Our load from the UK was a "part load", that was were my item dear to my heart went missing from. Yeah I know stupid, it should have been kept with me...I thought a locked and sealed suitcase wouldn't warrant searching....WRONG!!
If you have a company who can deal with customs, do it that way, for one men don't like dealing at all with women here and two your girlfriend may be mistaken as Chinese....who they hate. Although saying that, the lovely Chinese are barely in the running now behind the Yanks and the Brits on the hate stakes!!!! Just be careful, and respect that these people get away with murder as well as your belongings!!
[/i]
uma
[b]Re: I followed a different practise[/b]
[quote=Lothar] a life without ballast :)[/quote]
What a good train of thought to spend some time with. Thank you Lothar. A move across the Pacific would be a great opportunity for me to determine what has true value to me and can't be replaced, and what all is really not that important and won't be missed much. From some of your postings I am getting a sense that we could come up with a list of things that can/should be acquired in Bali.
I really like the ideas I heard so far:
bring external hard drives with music and visual art stuff to cut back on 'bulk',
take cds out of the jewel cases,
take pictures out of frames,
ship IMPORTANT books by what someone called 'mailbag' to a Balinese person,
sell the PC and get a laptop instead, and buy a PC in Bali,
get rid of furniture, appliances, excess jewelry, tools, etc (ebay?),
have a garage sale on dishes, kitchenware, down bedding (I'll keep the 300 ct sheets though), what about good towels?....
What do you all think, is a list a good idea? Or has that been done already? If so where is it?
Uma
Lothar
[b]There is more to the principle[/b]
of moving without ballast.
All of you somehow want to start a 'new life' (as I understand it) in Bali. That is a beautiful idea. But you all bog yourselves down immediately by trying to transport your 'old life' to your 'new life'. Means you want to continue living as you are used to live, but in Bali.
Somehow the logic of this evades me. I think you will only really 'live in Bali' if you do not take your ballast. There is nothing essential you would need which you could not acquire there, and all will virtually pay for itself, as you save the costs of shipping, customs, and headache.
Try it! Leave everything at your old home for a while, but go to Bali. Make a complete new home there, not bringing anything. After 6 months you will actually realize that you hardly need anything from your old home anymore :), and be a happy person, truly 'living in Bali'.
uma
[b]moving without ballast[/b]
Point well taken Lothar. I am thinking about it.
What is ballast?
Dropping off ballast to lighten the load and travel farther....
making room for new things....
Yes, makes sense.
Or carry some ballast as a stabilizer?
Anyway, something to weigh carefully (pun intended)
I've gone the whole range in my life, from money, property and prestige, ie 'having it all', to being dirt poor and getting canned goods handouts from church on a new continent, starting from scratch and 'getting my stuff together', to lose pretty much everything of material value again in an earthquake in 94.
I am getting pretty good at letting go of China, antiques, appliances etc.
Actually I am only buying cheap plates now.
But I don't think I am as brave as you, and head out into the blue yonder without the tools for my livelyhood, such as a PC, books, photo equipment, and such.
And then there are intangibles...mementos, things that represent people, events, someone's loving efforts, a music collection that expands the heart and mind.
I can't quite think of that as ballast in the first sense, but maybe more in the second sense, a stabilizer for the soul, if you will. Things like that will go too, some day, but not just yet.
It had occurred to me as well that leaving some stuff behind in storage may be a good idea. If it is really needed in Bali, it can be shipped later. If not, friends can throw it on ebay or donate it or whatever.
When I think of my 7 crates that traveled from Europe overseas, I think: there was my so-called life, reduced to 3 square meters in a container, and still, there was a lot of useless stuff in it, and essential things were missing. Voila!!
I hear from people that you probably know after a year or two, if life in Bali is for you or not. Or if your marriage survives Bali or not, or your relationship flourishes or withers when it undergoes the 'real Bali' tanning process. Either you crack (and go home) or you get supple and adaptable, right?
I hope to hear more of the why and how experiences from all of you who have been living that part of the world.
Thanks for the good insights so far.
Uma
Roy
Not on topic, but I wanted to say here that I personally am really enjoying your newly posted pics on the expat pictures site. In three words, keep it up! :oops: Selamat!
On topic, Eri and I priced a whole host of electronics in Bangkok on our recent trip, and compared to Bali, Bali is right on and competitive. If Bali can be faulted, as I've noticed anyway, it's that the latest models are somewhat slow arriving here.
Sanurian
Hi Uma
Just a few points to add. I moved to Bali about 6 years ago from Australia and air-freighted 16 boxes of stuff, including guitars, PCs, hi-fi speakers, a couple of mountain bikes, etc. The big hold-up at the customs wharehouse when it all arrived was about 30 VHS tapes I had which were mainly my young son's video collection. The 'officals' said they all had to be viewed for censorship reasons. By then, I'd been there several hours and could hardly breathe in the place. I was so peeved that I told them they could have them. In the end, they let me have them without any 'viewing'.
As for sending mail from Indonesia: the best thing is to make sure the PO staff bang the stamps with their little franking hammers so the stamps [b]can't[/b] be re-used.
The video/TV system in Indonesia is PAL. I'm not sure whether any VCRs have multifunction switches here - possibly. The main problems with VCRs are that hardly anybody uses them anymore (most people use VCDs and DVDs, which [i]are[/i] switchable), and that video (or audio tapes, for that matter), tend to disintegrate from the heat and humidity.
PCs and laptops are readily available here, as are digital cameras.
Storing your music and visual arts material on a spare hard-drive is an excellent idea. Then again, you [i]could[/i] burn all your stuff to CD-ROMs or DVDs. If you do do that, I'd suggest you make at least one copy of every disk you burn, just in case.
:D
Sanurian
Hi Roy
Thankyou very much for your encouraging comments about my pics. I appreciate it.
I notice, however, that very few people post [i]any[/i] comments for most of the images on the site. Then again, I'm guilty as well.
Hope to run into you soon. I do know where Ubud is, but did you have a look at that pirated Bali map (published by Periplus)? It comes in at a whopping 39MB bit-map. I can't get it to print properly - unless I break it up into several pieces and print them out individually. Then again, I could just buy it.
Cheers to all at Nuri's
:mrgreen:
Roy
Amigo, I too have noted few comments on the pics. Maybe most folks just want to enjoy the photos, and if they have something to say, they do it on the forum? Dunno. Just a thought. In any event, I think one should not regard lack of comments as sama sama with lack of appreciation or enjoyment.
As I surf the web, Bali sites that include photos in particular, I can surely find breathtaking "travel" views of Bali, but nowhere else can I find this personal, gut level cornucopia of insight into Bali that I can see on the expat photo site.
I hope most visitors to the photo site see it more as a photo journal than as photographs to be judged from artistic parameters.
Looking forward to your next Ubud visit, but sorry, I missed the Periplus map. Remember, I don't ever drive in Bali, so I can always rely, map, or no map, on someone else to get me where I want to go.
See you soon?
Petenjo
When container arrives in Indonesia, technically owner of container (i.e.: you) has to have KIMS card (visa) to retrieve it. However, one doesn't have KIMS card when arriving in Indonesia, so you either wait and pay storage and retrieve when you do have one, although you may still get 'clobbered' for a few Rupiah either by customs or storage people, or the importing agent.
This rang a few bells. Went through exactly the same scenario moving to Jakarta 4 years ago. The company I was working for was paying the mobe so when the clearing agent said the process could be accelerated with a little extra rupiah, I agreed.
And when they invoiced my company, there it was listed as an additional service "under the table payment - 1.7 million rupiah"
A classic introduction to dealing with Indonesian beuracracy(sp) - I still have the photocopy
