Dec 15

I was asked by Lizza from expatinterviews.com, if I could fill out their questionaire about people living abroad from their home country. While surfing their website, it’s really interesting to compare the different interviews of other people, who are in similar situations but have different experiences and encounters in countries around our globe.

On further thought, I felt it could be interesting for my own site as well, so here are the questions and answers I provided: ;-)

Chris - Happy in Bali! :)Where were you born?

I was born in Germany, in a small town which has no more than 20.000 souls and is located not far from Berlin in the eastern part of Germany.

written by Chris

Dec 15

If you are coming to Indonesia on a Visa-on-arrival procedure, you have no choice but to travel out and back in to Indonesia to re-new your visa. This usually after 3 days (USD 10) or maximum 30 days (USD 25), depending on how long a visa you paid your US Dollars for.

Visa on-arrival or extendable visa?

PassportsThat’s something similar I used to do when still living in Phuket/Thailand. Every month you just travel to one of the surrounding countries, cross the border, the officers at the checkpoint stamp you out, you enjoy a few hours in Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia or Laos – and back you travel to Thailand. New stamp, new visa. Now it’s a bit more difficult, as Thailand recently changed their visa regulations.

written by Chris

Dec 05

Nick, over here at Baliblog, wrote an interesting post about moving to and living as a foreigner in Bali. He is now here about 4 years and compares the changes after his first visit in 1993 and today and covers a lot of interesting areas, like

  • Getting hold of moneyBali all-in-one
  • Local transportation
  • What’s the food like?
  • How does the climate affect you?
  • Internet Access
  • Meeting people
  • Whom can you trust out here?
  • Staying in shape
  • What to do all day?
  • Longevity
  • The Balinese People

written by Chris

Nov 18

Now it really happened! Strong waves at Tanah Lot swept a group of 11 relatives out to sea on Sunday as they were performing a ritual cleansing; one of the group drowned, the family said.

Tanah Lot Waves“We were praying in front of the temple, and it was low tide, but suddenly a large wave crashed down on us and swept us out,” family member Dayu Armini told reporters, referring to the famous Tanah Lot temple perched atop a rock on the southwest coast of Bali.

Ten of the group managed to get back to shore, but one, a 24-year-old man, drowned, she said.

written by Chris

Nov 17

After shopping in HongKong, Thaksin jets off for 5- to 7-day vacation

thaksin.jpgDENPASAR – Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday arrived on the Indonesian resort island of Bali for a holiday. Mr Thaksin, who was shopping in Hong Kong with his wife on Tuesday, was whisked into a limousine at the airport and left without speaking to reporters.

The convoy headed for the luxury Sheraton resort in the tourist enclave of Nusa Dua, south of the airport.

His plans were not immediately confirmed, although his lawyer said that he was on holiday. “He will be there on vacation for about five or even seven days,” Mr Noppadol Pattama said.

written by Chris

Nov 15

It’s funny to watch and compare the two genders dance around each other in Thailand and Bali. While in Thailand, mainly in Bangkok, Pattaya or Phuket; most of the sex tourists are usually the old, saggy type of men in their late 50s up, it’s almost unheard of that women travel to Thailand for Sex.

Right?

The show is completely different in Bali: Here you usually see a younger crowd of men, but most of them bring ‘beer to Munich’ or ‘owls to Athens’, as they travel with girlfriend or wife. Rarely you see typical male sex tourists (in the classical sense) flock to Indonesia.

written by Chris

Nov 05

In Indonesia there is a widely accepted practice in stores country-wide, that instead of small change they give you candy. That means for every Rp 100 they owe you, you will get a piece of candy. Sweet or annoying? A welcomed treat for sweet tooths – annoying for some; as some Aussie smart pants tried in reversal to pay his purchases with the same coin. Read on from The Bali Times:

000001In Reversal, Expat Tries, Fails to Pay with Candy

written by Chris

Oct 31

It’s been a while. ;-) We are meanwhile settled in Bali, having found both accomodation and transport to get around here. The first 2 weeks we stayed at Jalan Legian in the Jimbaroo Inn, a simple, clean place for long-term stay, you can check-in here for Rp 700.000/month (about USD 78!). You can use a shared kitchen and a pool with Jacuzzi.

The first impressions:Bali Rice Terrace

– it’s hot!

– the (tourist) crowds are younger (and prettier) ;-)

written by Chris