Nydave
Hello all,im new on here so forgive me if what im asking has already been covered previously,im married to an Indonesian lady,since 2006 we spend 6 months per year in Indonesia from end of Nov to end of May,just arrived back in Ny last week,we used to spend our 6 months in bali but 2 years ago we moved to Surabaya as my wife is from there,however I feel like im under house arrest in Surabaya,unlike Bali there are no places that I know of to hang out,no bars nothing,there are 2 small cafes close to where I live one of them sometimes has beer and sometimes not,the other one always has but I feel uncomfortable going there just to have a beer,because mostly they sell food,after a while it becomes weird having only my wife and small son to talk to,yes I know I should leard Indonesian,but even if I did it wouldn't be any use to me because Indonesians don't hang out for a beer,so it would be good to know if there are any other English speaking foreigners in Surabaya,Thanks in advanceNydave
davita
There are many expats live in Surabaya but probably don't post here. Search for Expat Indonesia and you'll get forums where expat Surabayans live.You can blame that She Mayor of Surabaya for no hangouts...she doesn't like any fun.
Nydave
Thanks for the reply,yeah I know there are a lot living on the west side ,went there one time to a place that was recommended and it turned out to be a floor in a mall mostly dedicated to bars/restaurants,absolutely not my style and the prices were more expensive than New York,plus almost 300,000rp in taxis to and from,seriously thinking of moving back to Bali,as for the Mayor,i have read a little about her ,seems she thinks she is an expert on everything,who knows,thanks again
spicyayam
We spent 2 weeks in Surabaya last year and felt very bored. The hotel we stayed at had a pool, but the water was freezing. The buildings blocked most of the sunlight and it was always windy. There seemed nothing else to do other than visit malls. Couldn't wait to get back to Bali.
mugwump
Hi Nydave,From all that I know and am aware of, most of the bules are on the west side. You might try contacting Fred 2 from this site (once you have the requisite posts) as he lives there, and would be a good source for current info.Good luck.
Nydave
Thank you both for your input,exactly what im talking about,mall after mall,you have no idea how many times I have been thru all these malls,and honestly I don't like malls,yes most of the bules are on the west side,in fact my youngest sister in law suggested that we should all go there just to check it out,there is some name on the place which I assumed was like a street or an area of the city that has bars/restaurants,i do drive however if im going to have a drink I don't drive,so we called a taxi went there and guess what its a mall,we went up a couple of floors and sure enough one floor is probably 50 percent bars and restaurants full of bules,we chose one place sat down I ordered a small bintang,sorry we don't have bottled beer only tap beer,ok I will have a glass of bintang,sorry we don't have sell bintang,so I settled for a glass of something else,the piece was 49,000rp per glass,im from new York and I can buy a bottle of beer for less than that in Ny,my total bill for the night was something a bit over 600,000 in the bar and neither my wife or sister in law drink alcohol,we did have a pizza also,and almost 300.000rp in taxi fares, the whole place had no atmosphere ,again it was a mall,its not like im an alcoholic , in fact im not even a regular drinker,but its nice to know that there are places which I can go to should I feel the need to hang out,its like having a high powered car when our speed limit here in Ny is only 55mph but its nice to know that the power is there should I ever choose to use it,anyway thank you again ,when I return in November I will be going back to bali for at least a month and will try to find a decent place back there,i have several friends back there,Cheers,Nydave
defrag
I live in Surabaya last 2 years and my feelings about the city is the same. Like I'm under house arrest. No places to go, nothing to do.You can find other bule in some bars but more efficient is to go play golf especially in weekends.
Nydave
Hi thanks for the reply,good to know im not the only one feeling the same way however that doesn't make it any easier for either of us right,i assume you live on the west side like most other westerners,i live in Pakuwon city on the east side,i like watching golf on tv but have never tried it ,afraid of making a complete fool of myself,I have desided im moving back to Bali,will do when I return there end of November this year,Nydave
Markit
Jeez! If there's anything more boring than playing golf it's watching it. I have a "friend" that recommends the NJ Cafe and Lounge on Friday nights. This is apparently when and where the non-gay Bule gather there. Presuming from your "wife" you won't be interested in when the gay Bule gather there on Saturday night?Ask for Sri Lestari and tell her Mark says Hi.
Nydave
Thanks Markit,I will certainly check it out,after I figure out where it is,im sure if I google it I will find it,
Fred2
Well I'm still young (56) so finding things to do in Surabaya is easy. Pakuwon city must have some things going for it, been to a couple of car shows there. I find Bali very boring as my friends drink beer at lunch, afternoon, night time well all the time and thats why they love Bali.I find Surabaya great, riding me bike everywhere, 4 different golf clubs to have lunch, driving range, lots of places for dinner without drunk aussie, but people do different things to keep them selves happy.So for the people that need 10 brown bottles, 15 palms just off G-walk, Beer on G-walk, Sutos- 5 bintang in bucket of ice Rp100,000, shangrilla hotel.more to come
Markit
Fred either you smoke huge amounts of drugs or you hang with George Burns (his ghost) because that's the only way 56 is gonna be called "young" by anyone. Sorry but it's truth time.
defrag
I think he's really young in his 56, because for me in my 31 such activity as he has described in his post became boring after few months. I think I'm really old for such kind of activities on regular basis.Sadly, there's nothing more to do in Surabaya rather than this
davita
Well I think 56 is young...heck, I think 76 is young 'coz I'm never going to be that young again...:grumpy:
Nydave
Come on guys ,we are all as young or old as we feel we are,age is just numbers,its all in the mind set,myself well my numbers are up there too but I never look at anything thinking ooh im too old for that,sure I don't run marathons but I didn't do that when I was young either,having said that there are guys out there who are in their 50`s and 60`s who do run marathons,me i just stick with the easier stuff,like pressing keys on my laptop,
Markit
All you lads of leisure living in Surabaya; had you thought of getting together and opening up a home for wayward women? I'm reliably informed that since the closure of the Dollys there are shoals of beautiful (well some are) brown skinned women just moping about with no one to do... And no place to do them. :O)While I'm on this dreadful subject can any of you "men of the world" confirm the existence of a certain group of women from Medan famed for their abilities to pick up large bintang bottles? Without using their hands. The story goes that the difficulty grade is increased by the addition of sand, [U]in[/U] the bottle of course. If this is only an urban myth then break it to us gently, please. On the other hand, if it's the truth pm pictures please :O).
davita
Sounds to me these 'women from Medan' are amateurs. Last time I saw that trick was in Bangkok's Patpong...there the top is removed and the contents gulped all without hands or mouth.I recall it wasn't Bintang...it was some Thai beer I think called AHGNIS, whatever that means.
Nydave
Yeah i thought about opening a place ,but for some strange reason unknown to me my wife didn`t agree ,wonder why ?
mugwump
Don't really know anything about beer bottle acrobats. Haven't even seen the wonders of Tiajuana, but have heard of the fantastic talents from (not Medan) Madura. Could there be some confusion?
Markit
Yeah, Yeah, yeah Madura it was, thanks. Knew it began with "M" but didn't think it was Milwaukee even though they brew a lot of beer and I've heard they're a bunch of uptight pussies. I see we are victims of the same rumor though?
