PERtoDPS
So after several 30-60 day stays in Bali with my newly found (and still loyal and current) partner, it become time to return to Perth and go back to work. I've come to accept the world economy isn't as strong as it used to be (and traveled most of the globe in the last 12 month or so) and things are different now. I'm in my forties and still want to live life, but I don't want to waste my life away in a dead end job.
For my next Indonesian adventure I plan to pick up my girl from Denpasar and spend 3 months on a sponsored visa living on different islands in Indonesia, I'm interested in your cost estimations. Obviously if i eat rice everyday and keep it basic it's going to be cheap, but I'm looking for comforts also. internet data, phone data, the occasional beer (nothing crazy but 2-3 beers a day I enjoy). I like to eat steak or some type of western food once or twice a week also.
I'm thinking $10,000 AUD would be the minimum goal to enjoy what I want, don't forget there is 2 of us not one and of course I am the one paying. Do you guys think that's a realistic target or should I be going for more? We have a car and scooter in Denpasar but I am thinking perhaps better to leave those in her village.
Interested in all opinions. this is just a loose idea but better to be working towards something rather than nothing at all. No where in specific in mind, but I'd like to see Jakarta and I feel we've done Bali to death.
I have an 8 day stay planned in July, haven't been since early May, so if I can have something to "present" my girl would be great, as a proposal for the next trip, perhaps after another 3-4 months working and saving.
Markit
Having scootered around Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sulawesi and east Jawa up to Malang I suspect I may have some info for you.
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[*]beer is your biggest expense at 3/day on Bali you'll pay about IDR120k the other Moslem islands, more, lots more sometimes. Why would you leave your scooter in her village?
[*]Don't expect your "friend" to be nearly as excited by the prospect as you are - they live here - "Oh, more palm trees/mountains/beaches/jungles/waterfalls/etc, yaaaaWWWWN". The locals want cities and shopping and Bollywood.
[*]North Lombok has great roads and scenery, Sumbawa is big also with great roads but not much between say Lakey, Ende, etc - if driving cool highways with lots of scenery is your thing, go there. Beer is dear and like doing a drug deal to get some.
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4)East Jawa is great - volcanoes (Ijen, Bromo) beaches and parks with some very poor people in between and lots of vegetable.
5)Sulawesi - big, lots of Mosques and Churches - usually the biggest buildings for miles around - not so many hospitals or churches unfortunately. Guess god educates and heals everyone?!
Travel is generally cheap - don't forget you travel insurance though and check IF and how long you are covered here and for scooter riding - many aren't.
Figure IDR 350k/night for dinner and sleeping and if you feel the need for western food stay on Bali.
Enjoy
PERtoDPS
Thanks or the tips. yeah I guess you are correct to bring the scooter, the car will be staying in the village though.
Beer is my biggest expensive when I'm in Bali that is true already. but I love it. Perfect for the climate and not so intoxicating like the overpriced (and often fake spirits).
I have learned much from your posts over the 6 months or so I've read this forum and looking forward to reading more MarkIT.
