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10 Best Gifts Ideas For Your Indonesian Girlfriend or Wife

February 7, 2017, 5:23 pm
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If you have a local girlfriend or wife, you certainly know that Indonesian girls absolutely love receiving gifts. In fact, I would say that being generous is one of the surest ways to keep your relationship strong and happy (the only most important thing is to be committed and faithful).

At the very least, you should always offer a gift on your partner's birthday. A failure to do so is only excusable if you've just met or if you're trying to get rid of her. Depending on the girl you're seeing, you should probably buy something for Valentine's day and Christmas as well (yes, even if she is a Muslim).

Some relationships may require more frequent gifts, for instance if you are dating someone out of your league. If you are 50 years old and your girlfriend is 25-year old bombshell (like the girl on the picture above), it goes without saying that you'll need to have deep pockets. Similarly, if you are dating a girl that you don't intend to marry, a few gifts may keep her hooked for a little longer. I'm not saying that every Indonesian girl is materialistic, most are not, but they can sometimes be pragmatic.

The list below will give you 10 ideas of gifts that all Indonesian girls would love to receive. I've included links to trusted websites you can buy them from.

Flowers
Flowers are the most romantic gift you can make, for any type of girls and for any occasions. Red and white roses are the preferred choice, unless your girlfriend is a bit more sophisticated and requires originality. You can buy them at the cheapest price in flower markets (see my review Traditional Markets in Jakarta) or you can buy them online directly on Flower Advisor. A bouquet costs around 25$ and it will be delivered on the same day with a personalized note. I used it a lot when I had a long distance relationship and it was very practical.

→ Ideal to show that you care
→ Price range: From 10$ to 50$
→ Delivery in Indonesia: Flower Advisor

Perfume, Make Up and Beauty Products
A classic gift if you don't want to take any risks. You are always sure to make your woman happy with beauty products but always choose a famous brand.

If you are a frequent traveler, it is always easy to buy a fragrance bottle at the duty free shop before arriving in Jakarta. The prices are much cheaper than anywhere else and you get to choose the smell you like the most. In Indonesia, you can buy from Sephora Indonesia or from department stores like Sogo with prices a bit higher.

→ Perfect gift if you want to be 100% sure she'll like it
→ Price range: From 50$ to 130$
→ Delivery in Indonesia: Not recommended for perfume to avoid counterfeit products but you can buy safely from Sephora Indonesia for make up and other beauty products.

Chocolate, Candies, Cakes and Snacks
This is an inexpensive gift to make, especially if you buy them in your home country. Chocolate in Indonesia is 2 to 3 times more expensive than in Europe so it is considered a bit of a luxury here. I always bring as much as I can from France and then gives them around. It's a very easy way to make people smile!

Since Indonesian love eating sweet food, an alternative is to buy any kind of sweets that come with a nice packaging (for instance a heart-shaped box).

→ Ideal for Valentine's day
→ Price range: From 5$ to 20$
→ Delivery in Indonesia: Flower Advisor sells romantic chocolates and you can buy cakes/desserts on BoBoBoBo.com. You can also get standard chocolates delivered to your door on HappyFresh.com.

Photo Frame/Album or Video
A more unique way to show that you care if you are 18, penniless and deeply in love. It sounds a bit girly and cheesy, yet it will very certainly be a hit if your girlfriend is young.

If you really don't have any money, you can make a short video or slideshow online and send it to her as well.

→ Perfect gift for younger girls
→ Price range: 0$ for a video, 4$ for a frame, 20$ for an album, 0.50$ to print a photo
→ To buy online and get delivered in Jakarta: Photo Frames can be bought on Matahari Mall (Indonesian). You can print photos on Pictalogy or Snapy (Indonesian). You can make a free slideshow/video on Smilebox.

Romantic Trips
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/sukiminthio/
The perspective of going on a romantic trip is extremely exciting to every Indonesian girls. Not only because they have few opportunities to go anywhere alone, but more importantly because it will give them plenty of occasions to update their Instagram with new pictures.

Even if you don't have money, you can at least go to Bandung or Bogor. With a bigger budget, Bali, Belitung, the Thousand Islands and Lombok are great choices. Singapore and KL are also quite cheap and easy to reach from Jakarta.

A good way to find amazing prices is to visit Kiwi.com. This travel website allows you to find flights without entering the destination. The result will be a display of the cheapest flights available on a particular date, from Jakarta (Yes I know, Skyscanner does that also, but please try Kiwi and you'll see it has many more possibilities).
Is Kiwi.com better than Skyscanner? I think so.
→ Smart gift if you already have a wife
→ Price range: From 50$ (weekend in Bogor) to 5,000$ (weekend in Velaa Resort in Maldives)
→ Buying online: Keep an eye on the deals from Groupon Indonesia - Travel or Bobobobo - Hotels and Resorts.

Anything Cute and/or Cheesy
This is a bit vague but you probably understand what I mean. Asian girls love cute accessories or toys, especially if they are somewhat romantic. It can be dolls, teddy bears, cups, pillows, watches, sunglasses, t-shirts, pencils, cards, etc as long as there is a funny face or a heartbreaking sentence on it.

→ Easy gift if you're back from a business trip in Japan
→ Price range: From 5$ to 30$
→ Buying online: Check the gift section on FlowerAdvisor.com and Bobobobo.com, they have some cute teddy bears and other plush dolls.

Designer Clothes, Bags and Shoes
Why not give her designer lingerie?
Guys who buy designer clothes and accessories are either very rich, crazy in love or dating above their league. Whatever your reason, you can never go wrong as long as you buy genuine stuff either from abroad or from any of the luxury malls in Jakarta.

→ Perfect gift if you were caught cheating and need forgiveness
→ Price range: Starting from 200$ up to several thousand dollars
→ Delivery to Indonesia/Buying online: The best Indonesian-based website with a large choice of designer clothes, bags, shoes and accessories is certainly Bobobobo.com. You can check their brands directly here Woman Fashion.

Spa or Salon Treatment
Have you ever met a girl who didn't like going to the spa?
You can either buy a treatment that your wife or girlfriend will do alone or buy a couple's massage. Several venues allow it in Jakarta and I've listed them in my review: Best Luxury Hotel Spas in Jakarta. I also recommend you to try any of the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa (check for deals on Groupon).

→ Perfect gift if you want to please her while still meeting your friends
→ Price range: 30$ to 80$
→ Where to purchase online: You can have a look at the Spa Deals on Groupon: Best Spa Deals in Indonesia

Phone, Laptop and Tablets
It is almost a tradition for the boyfriend to pay for his girlfriend's phone in Indonesia. This is why you'll see so many girls who earn less than 300$/month with the latest 800$ Iphone. Once the phone is taken care of, you may start to hear things like "I really need a laptop for my work" or "My teacher wants us to buy a laptop". This is the sign you're in for a little present.

→ Must-buy gift if you are dating a gold-digger
→ Price range: 400$-1500$
→ Buying online: If you can speak Indonesian, you can visit MatahariMall or Lazada. Both have a huge choice and they can deliver anywhere in Indonesia.

Sexy Stuff
Offering lingerie or sex toys is actually more a gift to yourself and that's why it is such a good idea. Lingerie can easily be found in any malls, for instance in La Senza or Victoria's Secret. It is much harder to buy sex toys in Indonesia so it is best to bring them from abroad.

→ Perfect gift to yourself
→ Price range: 30$ to 200$
→ Buying lingerie online: Websites like Bobobobo (Lingerie for woman) and Zalora have a limited choice. Matahari Mall and Lazada are better but they are in Indonesian. The best choice would be AliExpress, and especially its page Sexy Lingerie.
→ Buying sex toys online: Limited choice on Lazada - Sex Help. Much better if you import through Aliexpress - Sex Toys but the customs may not allow your stuff to enter the country.

Photo credit: The two awesome pictures with Indonesian beauties were taken by Mr. Ecko. You can see more of his portfolio on Instagram here @rockandrolla_photography.
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Jakarta Nightlife: Top 10 Nightclubs (Updated 2017)

February 8, 2017, 2:43 am
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"What are the best nightclubs in Jakarta?" is one of the questions I get asked the most by readers of Jakarta100bars.

The following list should answer this question though I imagine some of you may disagree with my rankings. If you do, please leave a comment below about your favorite clubs in the city.

Surprisingly, there has not been so many changes in the past few year in the city's clubbing scene. All the venues listed below already existed in 2014. 

As I mentioned in my review Jakarta Nightlife 2015, almost all nightclubs in Jakarta are expensive. If you are a heavy alcohol drinker and if you are with a small group, I would advise to always buy a bottle. That way you can get a table or a sofa close from the dance-floor and also avoid the First Drink Charge, FDC (usually amounting to Rp100,000 - Rp200,000). On weekends, it is essential to book in advance.

Bouncers in Jakarta take their jobs very seriously. If you are not dressed appropriately, you will be refused no matter how much money you are about to spend. Girls should always wear high-heels. Men should not wear a t-shirt or a torn jean.

Unfortunately, the quality of the music is not the focus in Jakarta. In most clubs below except Mille's, the playlist is similar and consists of a mix of mostly famous, mainstream international hits. You have an international DJ playing almost every weekend in Jakarta though. In this case, the music is more likely to be original.

If those 10 clubs are not enough, I invite you to read my list of Jakarta's Best Bars. Most of these have a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays.

Quick introduction to Jakarta nightlife: Read my article Jakarta Nightlife 2016 Explained in 500 Words.

Advertising: About Dating Indonesian Women
Foreigners can be very successful with Indonesian girls, especially within nightclubs. If you are a tourist or if you are over 40 years old, you may have more difficulties though. You should also realize that 90% of Indonesian girls will never go to a nightclub.

The best way to meet normal Indonesian girls, with a good education and a salary is to use dating websites. Tinder can work well as well but it is difficult to maintain long discussion on a mobile phone I think.

I recommend you to can try Indonesian Cupid, which is owned by Match.com. You can browse the girls' profile for free and show that you are interested. If you can afford 25$ (the price of two cocktails in Jakarta), you can send an unlimited number of messages and use their chat feature.

The site has 1,000,000 members already, meaning you always have hundreds of girls in Jakarta online at any time. 

Register for free using this link: Sign Up - Indonesian Cupid.

Jenja
Jenja is the newest and currently most happening nightclub in Jakarta. It is the second Jenja to open in Indonesia following the success of the Seminyak branch. Well-designed yet not overly luxurious, it is the first nightclub in the city to specialize in non-commercial techno music. Their first guest DJs were Oliver Huntemann, MANDY and Marc Romboy. The crowd in Jenja is quite eclectic, mixing expats, students and socialites. There aren't that many girls, at least not as much as in Immigrant or X2.

Note that Jenja is located in South Jakarta (Cilandak), a 30-minute drive from the city center. If you need a cheap hotel nearby, I recommend you Midtown Residence.

Immigrant
Even though Immigrant is not as good as it used to be before its renovation, it is still one of Jakarta's top party places. It has a small dance floor usually full of expats and sexy local girls. Prices are slightly above Dragonfly for individual drinks, but they give you a drink with the entrance fee. Music is hip hop, EDM, Top 40, Rn'B depending on the night. Great for pick-up.

It is located inside the Mall Plaza Indonesia, which is the best area for staying in Jakarta.


Dragonfly
Dragonfly has the nicest interior design of any nightclubs in Jakarta (and even Indonesia). It has a good crowd, though almost half of the girls are hookers or semi-pros hunting rich expats. The entrance fee is stupidly expensive, Rp200,000 without a drink. Book a table to avoid this if you come with a group. Their best night is on Wednesday. They have strict door policy: Dress well and if you look young, don't forget to bring an ID.

Jakarta's SCBD is the best area in the city for a fun night out. The massive Empirica is always as fun and popular, I love their 50m long bar, the chic crowd and the great sound-system. More than half the crowd is Indo-Chinese. Entrance is usually around Rp100,000 with a drink.

Mille's (CLOSED)
Mille's is an unusual choice and most people I know don't like it. Still, it is the only decent underground club in the city, and the best place to visit after hour. Be warned that for most people partying in Mille's, the only cocktail they need is ecstasy and water. The best time to visit is after 7am. Entrance is between Rp50,000 and Rp100,000 (with soft drink).

Update October 2016: Mille's has been shut down, guess for which reason? Drugs.

Colosseum is the best nightclub in Jakarta on the paper: The best layout, the best sound and lighting system and some of the best events. Yet, the crowd is mostly static and not very fun to hang out with. Many girls are probably escorts from the karaoke. It is also quite far from the City center. First drink charge around Rp200,000.

X2 is the favorite nightclub of many clubbers in Jakarta. If you are a 20-something foreigner looking to meet an Indonesian girl (and vice versa), it is certainly your best choice. The entrance and the drinks are expensive (FDC Rp200,000). One room has hip-hop/Rn'B and one is for Trance/EDM lovers.


If you are between 18 and 22, Fable could be your hottest party spot. You have all the cool kids from high school getting drunk with dad's money, which is even nicer when you get invited to a table. It is just below Lucy in the Sky. Entrance: Rp150,000 (FDC).

Blowfish was just renovated in 2014 during Ramadan. Since it reopened, it has managed to attract Jakarta's best crowd (particularly Indochinese in their early 20s). Recent guest DJs include Dirty South, Fat Boy Slim or Richie Hawtin.

5-year old Domain Club can have some great nights, but it is inconsistent. It is cheaper than most clubs mentioned above so you will find more relaxed people. Few expats. Recent events included a performance by the porn star Sasha Grey.

Golden Crown is a typical North Jakarta nightclub with a high level of drugs and prostitution. It is almost always crowded, mostly with Indonesians. It is a sure bet if you want to go clubbing during weekdays and if you don't mind its seedy side. Huge karaoke.

Illigals (Voyeur Club)
Illigals is very rarely crowded. Forget it during the week unless they have a big name coming. Still, it deserves to be in the Top 10 because they have a decent list of events. Many DJs from Stadium are now playing in Illigals too. The karaoke is very popular after hour because it is protected from the police.

Need more clubbing ideas? Check Exodus, Nebula , Foundry 8 (similar with Fable but more easy going), Potato Head Garage (only good if they have events). All of them are usually busy on Friday and Saturday nights and they have special events on a regular basis.

Photo credit: Main photo Chris Seward - Other Photos from Facebook.
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Where to Stay in Jakarta - Best Areas for Tourists

February 8, 2017, 9:38 am
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If you visit Jakarta as a tourist, you are probably wondering about the best areas to stay in the city.

Due to the horrible traffic and the lack of public transportation, I advise you to choose your location carefully. 1 kilometer in Jakarta is like 10 kilometer in normal cities. Just going to the opposite side of a street by car can sometimes take up to 30 minutes!

If you don't have time to readmy entire review, the following paragraph is a short summary:

The best place to stay in Jakarta, either you are a tourist or a businessman, is around Plaza Indonesia or Grand Indonesia, for instance: Kempinski, Grand Hyatt, Pullman, Mandarin Oriental. It is an expensive area though so if you are on a budget, you can stay near Sarinah Mall instead. You'll find backpacker hostels (Jalan Jaksa), 2 star hotels (Favehotel), 3-star hotels (Holiday Inn or Ibis Tamarin) and 4-star hotels (Morrissey, Four Points by Sheraton or Akmani).

Need more addresses? See the following recommendations for Hotels near Grand Indonesia and Hotels near Sarinah.

If you have time to read my whole review, I will list below all the potential areas for you to stay in Jakarta, starting from the best.

(I included a direct link to Agoda to help you book your hotel. I make a small commission on every booking but the price is the same for you. You can compare using HotelsCombined.com (excellent hotel comparator) or  Booking.com.)

Hotel Indonesia (Plaza Indonesia / Grand Indonesia)

The iconic Hotel Indonesia roundabout (Bunderan HI in Indonesian) is one of the most famous landmarks in Jakarta. All around it are 5 luxury hotels (Kempinski, Grand Hyatt, Pullman, Mandarin Oriental, Keraton at the Plaza) and the two best malls in Jakarta (Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia).

Both of these malls are great meeting points with lots of popular cafés, cinemas, restaurants, bars (Cloud, Social House, Skye) and nightclubs (Immigrant). It is a modern part of Jakarta ideal for lifestyle travelers who are interested with shopping, eating out and partying.

It is also central, so you can reach other parts of Jakarta fairly easily (for Jakarta standards). In particular, it is just a few minutes away from Tanah Abang (budget shopping), Jalan Sudirman (business district) and Menteng (government offices). Attractions like the Monas or the National Museum are only 15 minutes away. You can use public transportation to reach any of these (Transjakarta).
Summary:
Distance from airport:
Between 1h and 1h30m with normal traffic conditions.

Pros:
Central, easy to access, upmarket area
Good for nightlife, shopping, eating and drinking out

Cons:
Nothing touristic in the immediate area (no monuments, no historical buildings, no traditional markets)
Busy, crowded with a lot of traffic
Nowhere to walk around except inside malls
No street food
Expensive

Sarinah Mall (Jalan Jaksa, Wahid Hasyim, Sabang)
The Sarinah Shopping Center is only a kilometer north of the Hotel Indonesia roundabout (see above), but the feel is much different. It is a middle class area with affordable shopping and restaurants. You will also find great Indonesian street food 24/7. Most buildings are low-rise but this might change soon as several towers are being built.

There are many convenient businesses for travelers, some of which are open 24-hour: Money changers, travel agents, internet cafés, printing services, photography shops, etc. You also have several laundries (one of which is a coin laundry).

The mid-range hotels are along the streets Wahid Hasyim and Agus Salim (nicknamed Sabang).

If your budget is very tight, meaning under 10$ a night, you can get a room in Jalan Jaksa. Many of the cheaper guesthouses are not listed on internet so it's best to just walk around and look for "room for rent/kos" signs.

The location is just as strategic as the one in Hotel Indonesia (you can walk there in 15 minutes). If you are not interested in going to malls, it is probably even better.

East of Sarinah is the upscale area of Menteng-Cikini, where some of the richest Indonesian families live. It is central with many nice restaurants, a few museums, public parks and cultural attractions. Hotels tend to be either pricey or low-quality. 
Summary:
Distance from airport:
Between 1h and 1h30m with normal traffic conditions.

Pros:
Central, in-between modern Jakarta and old Jakarta
Many budget hotels with good value for money
Cheap shopping options
Travelers shops (Money changers, travel agents, etc)
Good street food
Very lively, even at night (many shops and restaurants are open 24-hour)
You can meet other travelers more easily (see Jalan Jaksa Nightlife)

Cons:
Not an upmarket location
Not walking distance from any tourist landmarks
It was the location of a terrorist attack in January 2016

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/kroenisme/

Golden Triangle
Mega Kuningan Streets
The Golden Triangle is the main business area of Jakarta and it is made from the following streets: Gatot Subroto, Rasuna Said and Sudirman. It comprises some famous neighborhoods such as Mega Kuningan, SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District) or Setiabudi. It extends in the South until Plaza Senayan and Senopati.

Mega Kuningan and SCBD are exclusive and modern areas with a Western city planning model. You'll find blocks, large streets and sidewalks, just like you would in an American city. It is the trendiest part of Jakarta and home to dozens of hip bars, clubs and restaurants. There are also several 5-star hotels (Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan, Marriott) and luxury malls (Pacific Place). It is cleaner than the rest of Jakarta and you have less traffic jams. Some would say it's a ghetto for rich people that has nothing to do with the real Jakarta.

Many young, single expats choose to live there when they can afford it. If they don't have the budget, they may choose to stay in Setiabudi instead (see below).

Jalan Sudirman, Jalan Rasuna Said, Jalan Gatot Subroto are some of the busiest streets in Jakarta. They are packed with cars, messy and polluted. Still, choosing a hotel directly on one of these thoroughfares is a good idea to avoid unnecessary commuting time. Most are 4 and 5-star hotels though.

Summary:
Distance from airport:
Between 45 minutes and 1h30m with normal traffic conditions. Gatot Subroto is the closest and it is connected to the airport highway. Mega Kuningan is more difficult to access (traffic bottleneck).

Pros:
Modern, Westernized part of Jakarta
Easy access to nightclubs, malls, trendy restaurants
Central
Public transport options (Transjakarta)

Cons:
Expensive
Limited street food options
No traditional street life
Heavy traffic during peak hours

Setiabudi
Setiabudi is a residential and low-rise neighborhood in the northern part of the Golden Triangle. Its residents were originally low to middle income families, but this is starting to change as the land prices increase. Many houses have been transformed into boarding houses, small apartments or hotels which are popular with single office workers (both Indonesians and expats).

You can get a room there for an affordable price while being near from the Central Business District (more information: How to Rent a Cheap Room in Jakarta). It is a great area for street food as well.

Staying in Setiabudi would not be my first recommendation though if you are a tourist because it can be difficult to get there (traffic) and to find your hotel (small streets).

Summary:
Distance from airport:
Between 1h and 1h30m with normal traffic conditions.

Pros:
Very good location between Sudirman and Rasuna Said streets
Low-rise, middle class neighborhood
Near offices, malls, nightclubs, bars, restaurants
Street food
Convenient shops (laundry, photocopy, etc.)
Possibility to walk around

Cons:
More complicated to access when you are not familiar with Jakarta
More difficult to get public transport
Traffic Jams

Kota Tua
Street food near Jalan Kali Besar in Kota Tua
Strictly speaking, Kota Tua (Old Town in Indonesian) is the area around Taman Fatahillah Square in North Jakarta. In this review, I use it to describe a larger zone inclusive of Mangga Besar and Glodok.

Kota Tua is infamous for being a red-light district: This is where you will find the most expensive naughty massage parlours, strip clubs, nightclubs and gogo bars in Jakarta. Most hotels are used for short time and the streets are busy 24/7.

In spite of this, staying nearby has several advantages: Hotels are much cheaper than elsewhere and they are close from many tourist attractions (Chinese temples in Glodok, Museums, Sunda Kelapa). Some people, including myself, also enjoy the authentic street life. Jalan Mangga Besar in particular is one of the best places to eat street food in Jakarta.

From Kota Tua to the city center of Jakarta (Plaza Indonesia), it will take about 1 hour with normal traffic conditions (30 minutes at night). There is a very convenient Transjakarta line from Kota Tua down to Blok M that goes through Monas and the the National Museum.
Summary:
Distance from airport:
Between 45m and 1h15m with normal traffic conditions.

Pros:
Near most tourist attractions in Jakarta
Near nightclubs, bars, massage parlours and karaokes (naughty ones)
Cheaper area in Jakarta for sleeping and eating out
Great and colorful street life
Street food stalls open 24/7 - Excellent Chinese food
Busway line

Cons:
More dirty and dodgy than average
No modern malls and restaurants
Lots of prostitutes

Other possible areas for staying in Jakarta
Kemang
Kemang is a popular area with expats because it is near from the international schools. Many live in expansive villas with swimming pool and gardens. It has a vibe similar to the one in Seminyak.

As a tourist staying in Kemang, you will be near from many designer shops, good Western restaurants and several bars and clubs. On the negative side, there are no tourist sights and it is far from the city center.

Gajah Mada/Hayam Wuruk (+ Pasar Baru)
This area is strategically located as it is between Sudirman and Kota Tua. There are not so many things to do in the immediate vicinity apart from some famous strip clubs and massage parlours (Malioboro, V2, Emporium).

Recommended if you are planning to visit places in both South and North Jakarta. They have recently opened several brand new hotels such as Hotel Santika Premiere Hayam Wuruk, Novotel Gajah Mada and Ibis Harmoni.

Mangga Dua
In North Jakarta, Mangga Dua is a shopping area with several naughty nightlife venues. It can easily be reached from the airport by the toll road, and it is not too far from the city's tourist attractions like Kota Tua or Ancol. If you need to go to the South, it will take you about an hour.

If you only have one night in Jakarta, it can be a more fun option than staying near the airport. After two nights, you might get bored.

Slipi-Taman Anggrek
This area is in the vicinity of the malls Central Park and Taman Anggrek. You can stay there if you want to be closer from the airport as it is only 40 minutes away by car. Downtown Jakarta is about 30 minutes away.

Pluit and PIK (Pantai Indah Kapuk)
This is an upscale area where many Rich Indochinese families live. It is close from the airport (less than 40 minutes) and you have a growing nightlife scene (see my review Nightlife in PIK).

Kelapa Gading
There are not many reasons to stay in Kelapa Gading apart from shopping and nightlife.

For shopping, you have several malls including the gigantic Mall of Indonesia and Mal Kelapa Gading.

For nightlife, you'll find mostly massage parlours plus plus, brothels, strip clubs and beer houses (Sumo, Delta, King Cross, Level 5 and other prostitution joints).

Map of the Best Areas in Jakarta - Summary
If you are interested to stay in Jakarta near the nightlife, please read my other hotel guides:

Contact me by email thibaud@jakarta100bars.com if you have any questions about where to stay in Jakarta (or just leave a comment below).
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Vientiane Nightlife: Top 20 Nightclubs and Bars (2017)

February 10, 2017, 7:16 am
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I stayed a week in the capital of Laos, Vientiane, to explore its nightlife. In this review, I will give you some tips about the best nightclubs, the best bars, where to stay near the nightlife and how to meet Laotian girls.

If you expect Vientiane to be a boring town, you are only partially right. After night falls, it isn't long before all shops and restaurants close, and by 10PM most streets are desperately deserted. At this time, even finding street food can be challenging.

If you go to the right places though, you'll discover some much more happening areas. As I realized, you can party every night in Vientiane until at least 3AM, well past the official midnight curfew.

Nightlife Areas in Vientiane
Click on the map to enlarge
Most of the bars, restaurants and nightclubs recommended in this article are within a small area north of the Chao Anouvong Park (green rectangle on the map) and along the riverside. Almost every visitors will stay there and you should probably too. These are recommended hotels near the nightlife:

→ 5-star: Crowne Plaza (200$ per night)
→ 4-star: Salana Boutique Hotel or Dhavara (120$ per night)
→ 3-star: Sunbeam Hotel (50$ per night)
→ 2-star: Moonlight Champa (30$ per night)

East of Vientiane, along Setthathilath Road, you will find some more upscale venues with much less tourists. This is where rich Laotians party as well as some expats (pink rectangle on the map).

Elsewhere in the city, the nightlife spots are sparsely located. Vientiane is not a city where you can just walk around and hope to find a great random bar. In general, as you get away from the city center, it gets naughtier. This is particularly true on T4 Road (Kamphengmeuang Road - red rectangle on my map). It can be considered a low-end red-light district as I counted at least 30 cheap girlie bars and karaokes, with working girls and sometimes hidden short-time rooms.

👉 Renting a motorbike: I was using a motorbike to get around in Vientiane. It costs about 50,000-60,000 per day and it will save you the trouble of negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers every time you want to go somewhere (and to explain where you want to go). The police does not seem to hunt tourists and the absence of traffic jams makes driving relatively easy. Still, it remains dangerous and you should make sure you are properly insured. You can read my Travel Insurance Guide for more information (it's about Indonesia but it applies to Laos as well).

Top 10 Bars in Vientiane
I-Beam Bar
You will find plenty of small restaurants, cafés and beer gardens selling alcohol in Vientiane. They will almost always be recognizable by their yellow and green neon sign (paid by Beerlao, the main brewer in Laos). Unfortunately, most of those places are not very interesting unless all you care about is getting drunk for as cheap as possible.

If you are looking for slightly more happening venues, you can try any of these:

Located by the riverside on the 4th floor of a building, it is one of the most popular bars in Vientiane. It gets consistently crowded every night from sunset until closing time with mostly tourists and backpackers, a few expats, some Laotians, some prostitutes and some ladyboys (later in the evening). The central bar makes it easy to meet people. You can play pool and there is a nice view on the Mekong. 15,000 kip for one beer, 40,000 kip for a cocktail and 40-60,000 kip for a main course. Music is Top 40 and EDM.

Musso
Part of the S Park Design Hotel, this live music pub is a popular hangout for rich Laotians and mixed Chinese. It is also where you'll see some of the prettiest girls in the city. Retro design. More expensive than average. Open every day until midnight.

I-Beam
This bar shares the same building with the fine dining restaurant Silapa. I visited on a Friday night and you had mostly dressed-up expats living in Vientiane. You might also meet some pretty and educated Laotian girls. Live music on Friday (Jazz, acoustic). Salsa on Thursday. Ladies night on Wednesday. Pricier than elsewhere (50,000 kip for a cocktail).

Samlo bar
An old, European-style pub serving food and cheap beer (10,000 kip). In another city I would never recommend it, but for Vientiane it is among the best for meeting people. Pool tables and foosball. Pop and rock music. Close at 2AM.

Read my full review: Samlo Bar Vientiane

Go Dunk
A new beer garden similar to those you have everywhere in Thailand. Laid-back vibe, live music, friendly staff.

CCC or Lao Café
This small bar is almost hidden near the Wind West Pub. It is officially gay-friendly but you'll also see plenty of girls, including hookers. It is the closest thing to a Thai-style girlie beer bar in Vientiane. It stays open until late (at least 2AM).

O'Grady's Irish Pub
O'Grady's is about 10 minutes away from the tourist area. It is patronized by an expat crowd who comes to watch sports, drink Guinness and eat Irish pub fare. Various events: Live music, quiz nights, darts nights, sports nights (rugby, UFC, football, AFL). Friendly owner. It is a family-friendly, especially during the weekend (kids playground in the backyard). Open every day except Monday until 12PM.

This is more a café/beer garden. Popular with older travelers. Nice setting but a bit expensive. The only reason I put it here is because it is normally quite busy and because it serves good food.

Hard Rock Café
The Hard Rock Café Vientiane is far from the city center, expensive and not very crowded. Live bands may sing in Laotian or English.

There are many more small bars in restaurants in the tourist center, particularly in Setthathirath Road, Samsenthai Road and the riverside street (Fa Ngum Road). For instance, the Beer House (largest beer selection in Vientiane), Paris Cocktail 2, Charlie's, Chokdee Belgian Beer Bar, Jazzy Brick Jazz Bar or Highland Sports Bar. Typically, those places are owned by foreigners married to a Laotian. They will rarely have more than 15-20 guests at once.

For a more local experience, you can try Western-style bars with a 100% local crowd elsewhere in the city, for instance Corebeer, Garage Cocktail Bar, Relax, Suite 21 or Classic (see my nightlife map at the end of the article). 

Top 10 Nightclubs In Vientiane
Marina Nightclub
Most nightclubs in Vientiane are located in the eastern part of Setthathilah Road. As elsewhere in Asia, the local crowd tends to purchase bottles and stand around a table with their group of friends.

Marina
Marina is my favorite nightclub in Vientiane. It is also the only one with international standards (to a certain extent). It is large and packed on most nights with middle-to-upper class Laotians, a few Asian tourists (Chinese, Thai, Koreans) and surprisingly almost no foreigners. Loads of pretty girls. EDM and Hip Hop commercial music. Free entrance. Beer 18,000 kip. Close at 3AM.

Read my full review: Marina Club Vientiane.

Gold Star
Another fun place to party, Gold Star is part of a the huge Dao Kham Hotel complex. It is a Thai-style nightclub with live music acts followed by DJs (EDM). Compared to Marina, the crowd is much younger (some clubbers are probably under 18) and not as rich. Many opportunities for guys who want to meet girls. Free entrance. Close at 3AM.

Read my full review: Gold Star Nightclub

Wind West
Open since 1992, this live music pub has a mixed crowd of Laotians and tourists. The bands are a hit-and-miss but it does not really matter as people will dance whatever is being played. Excellent venue to meet local girls. Close at 2AM.

Read my full review: Wind West Vientiane

@Home
This is the Vientiane club where you'll see the most foreigners. It isn't too big nor sophisticated, but they have less commercial music (trance/techno). There are some normal girls but also prostitutes and ladyboys. Free entrance. Beer for 25,000 kip. Close at 3AM.

Read my full review here: @Home Vientiane

Also spelled Mark 2, it is an upmarket beer garden and live music club popular with rich Laotians. In the beer garden, the bands will normally play soft and romantic songs while in the club they will play pop/rock. Giant screen with sports. It also serves food. Walking distance from Mercure Hotel.

Phoenix
A small club with live music and commercial EDM DJs. As of today I don't really see the point of going there.

Read my full review here: Phoenix.

Romeo and The Pavilion
An upmarket complex featuring a live music hall (The Pavilion), a nightclub (Romeo) and an unnamed KTV. It was almost empty when I visited. Not worth it as it is 15 minutes from the tourist center.

Read my full review: Romeo Nightclub and Pavilion Music Hall

Batman Pub
A decent nightclub which is unfortunately located in the middle of nowhere, at the end of a dirt road. EDM, live music, karaoke. Local crowd.

Read my full review: Batman Pub & KTV

Mittaphab Club and Karaoke
An odd club with a mix of old Laotian couples, some Chinese guys and 20-something karaoke hostesses. A live band plays mellow Lao songs. Group dancing. Free entrance. 25,000 kip for a beer. Close at midnight. It belongs to the Mekong Hotel.

Read my full review: Mittaphab - Mekong Hotel

Galaxy
An upscale Lao live music bar. Chic crowd and professional service. Only if you are into local music.

Read my full review: Galaxy.

There are a few more nightclubs in Vientiane: Catwalk (Live music), Impeng Hotel (Live music), What's Club (Didn't visit), Dihao Club and KTV (with freelance prostitutes) or Ton Khao Restaurant & Club (far and very local but packed).

Meeting Lao Girls
Meeting with Lao girls is not so difficult if you go to the right places. They will generally be open to talk with foreigners and interested to develop long term relationships.

The best places for that in my opinion are Wind West, Marina, Gold Star, Mark Two, Musso, I-Beam and Phoenix.

You can also use online dating sites and apps, but the pool of available girls is limited. As of February 2017, Tinder had around 100 profiles (including 20 foreign girls), Badoo around 200 (but many idle profiles). Asia Dating did not even have one girl (even though it normally has the largest number of Asian girls).

It will be much more difficult if you want to bring a Lao girl to your room. As you may have read, sex between unmarried foreigners and Lao girls is officially forbidden. Even though the law is widely ignored, it gives you an idea of what the local mindset is like.

The worst part is that few hotels are girl-friendly, meaning they will refuse any late-night guest who wasn't part of the original booking.

You can avoid this problem by booking a room in girl-friendly hotel. They often have poor ratings but at least they won't bother you with your private life. Some of them in Vientiane are:
Lao Plaza Hotel (5-star, centrally located, but expensive = 150$ per night)
City Inn (4-star, a bit run-down but still rated 7.8/10, = 70$ per night)
Mekong Breeze, Heuang Chaleun, La Ong Dao 1 and La Ong Dao 2: Poorly rated but cheap girl-friendly hotels in Vientiane (between 20$ and 40$ per night).

There are also at least 3 hotels with nightclubs/KTV that have the reputation of providing prostitutes. They are Tihao Hotel (Dihai KTV), Inpeng Hotel (Inpeng Club) and Mekong Hotel (Mittaphab KTV).

Vientiane Nightlife Map
I've added every bars and clubs mentioned in this review on the following map:
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Vang Vieng Nightlife - Where to Party in 2017?

February 12, 2017, 9:20 am
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Vang Vieng is a small town in Laos, half-way between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. It is a great spot to relax for a few days and try outdoor activities like trekking, rock climbing, and of course tubing in the Nam Song river.

For years, Vang Vieng had the reputation of having some of the wildest parties in Asia. It was an essential stop on the 2000's backpacker party trail just like Koh Phangan, Kuta, Goa or Koh Rong. 

(Un) fortunately, those days of unrestricted fun are almost over. In 2011, at least 27 travelers died, often from the combination of drinking + tubing. Facing international scrutiny and complaints from residents, the Lao government decided to cracked down on the craziest aspects of the nightlife. It limited the number of bars on the riverside, imposed curfews and made a few drug-related arrests.

Vang Vieng nightlife in 2017 is certainly not the debauchery it used to be, but it has not completely died yet. Along the river, the two bars allegedly owned by the local police chief are - what a surprise - still standing. Recreational drugs are still easily available (mushrooms, laughing gas, marijuana, opium) and every night you still have at least two hundred backpackers filling up the bars in the city center.

Most of them are westerners in their early 20s on a gap year. I was also surprised to see many Asians, especially young Koreans. They all indulge in heavy binge drinking, similar to what you could experience during summer festivals or student parties.

I stayed two nights in Vang Vieng and that was more than enough to check all the nightlife spots. Below is a short summary of my findings:

Nightlife Areas in Vang Vieng - Hotels Near the Nightlife
Almost all bars in Vang Vieng are located in the city center within just a few streets. Sakura bar is the most crowded, and the other ones are within 100-200 meters.

If you come to Vang Vieng specifically for partying and meeting people, you may consider to stay in a party hostels such as:

Chillao Hostel: It has a loud bar downstairs with a pool table and free whisky from 7pm to 10pm. Double room for 20$. Dormitory 6$.

Real Backpacker Hostel 1 and Real Backpacker Hostel 2: Both are clean, next to the bars and they have organize a fun pub crawl every night. Several guests complained on Agoda of sexual activity in the dorms. Double room for 20$. Bunk bed 7$.

Vang Vieng CentralPark: This is where I was staying. Not a party hotel but it's new and very central. 22$ for a double room. Decent Wi-Fi.

Best Bars and Clubs in Vang Vieng

Sakura (reopened in September 2016)
Beer shotguns in Sakura
Sakura is where the party starts in Vang Vieng. Many of the bartenders and staff are foreigners so it really feels like a college house party. They give free drinks every night from 8PM to 9PM, followed by a happy hour until 10PM. A beer is 10,000 kip, a glass of spirits 30,000 kip. The idea is to get as drunk as possible in 2 hours for less than 20$. If you buy enough drinks, you get one of their famous t-shirt "drink triple, see double, act single".

Once Sakura gets really packed around 11PM, it is more a nightclub than a bar. People go crazy on the podium, couples start to make out, and sweaty guys will tell you they're your best friends.

At midnight, the bar closes! It takes about 15 minutes for people to get out and 30 more for them to leave the street. Many will just move to the next available bar, Viva.

More information (events, photos, etc): Sakura Bar Vang Vieng

Viva Vang Vieng
Even though Viva has free beer from 10PM to 11PM and a happy hour until 11.30PM (half price on all drinks), it does not get crowded until Sakura closes at midnight. It is a short walk away yet more than half the people do not make it. The banana pancakes seller are partly responsible for this.

Viva is a messy, borderline dirty bar with a small outdoor section and an indoor club. Nothing fancy, it's just 4 walls, loud music and a podium. This is not a place anyone would normally enjoy but it is fine if you've had enough beers.

As people get tired of Viva Club (horrible sound and music), some will start heading to Room 101.

Room 101
At the end of a corridor between Milan Happy Pizza and the Indian restaurant Nazim, you will find the hidden club Room 101. It is very tiny (basically just a small room twice the size of your bathroom) but since it is the only club opened after 2AM, you don't really have another option. They charge a bit more than average for drinks. The DJs will mix underground and commercial songs.

The owner is one of the organizers of the Jungle Party. You can check their Facebook page here: Room 101 Vang Vieng.

The 3 bars above are the only ones that are really happening in 2017. There are also a some more laid-back options to start your evening:

A short walk from the city center, this bar has the favors of the hipster/hippie crowd. Made from recycled materials, you can visit it at sunset time and enjoy a fantastic view. During happy hours from 6PM until 9PM, a lao whisky coke costs only 10,000 kip. I didn't try the food but on TripAdvisor it has many positive comments. Live music on most night.

The top photo of this article was taken in Earth Bar (not by me, I took it from their Facebook page).

Popular bar and restaurant, especially at dinner time. Good and cheap pub fare. Friendly service and owner. Live music. You can watch sports and play pool.

Vang Vieng Jungle Project
This weekly event happens every Friday in an outdoor bar about 10 minutes away from the city center (free tuk-tuk from Milan Pizza). Tickets cost 30,000 kip with advance purchase (see their Facebook page) or 40,000 kip on the spot. You have a bunch of special shows apart from the DJs (painting, juggling, fire, etc). The music will be non commercial (techno, drum & bass, deep house, break beat, ..).

Drugs in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is one of the last places in Southeast Asia where drugs are still sold openly. You will see several coffee shops and bars with "Magic Shakes" (mushrooms + opium = 100,000 kip), "Happy Pizzas" (pizza + weed) or "Laughing Balloons" (nitrous oxide = 10,000 kip) on the menu. It is often cheaper than getting drunk, but I can't recommend you to try anything.

If you are curious and willing to go against my sound advice, the following bars will have everything you need:

Full Moon Bar
Psychedelic bar with reggae music and a totally relaxed vibe. It is located by the river and not really crowded. Pool table. Friendly owner. Another bar called Jaydees is about 50 meters further down the road and it offers a similar setting (and similar products).

It seems to be owned by the same people who run Room 101 and Jungle Project. They sell whatever your Highness needs and they also make normal pizzas/burgers. Same as Tifalcony Pizza.

Rasta Bar
My least favorite. It is centrally located just next to Viva but the music is quite aggressive (like Goa Trance). If you are really stoned you may enjoy though.

Meeting Girls in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is one of the easiest places in Asia to meet with foreign girls. They are everywhere in the city, especially European students in their early 20s. You also have many Chinese and Korean girls but they are often traveling with their boyfriends. Lao girls are a rarity (and the ones you'll meet in clubs might be ladyboys).

From what I observed, the best strategy is to chat with as many girls as possible during day time. There are really tons of opportunities, at your guest house, in a minivan, while tubing, etc. You can be sure that most of them will be partying in Sakura on the same night. When you'll see them on the dance floor, you will already have half the job done for you (alcohol will do the second part).

If you are alone, you can also try the pub crawl organized by Real Backpacker Hostel 2.

Forget online dating in Vang Vieng, it is terrible whatever the app or website you use.
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Luang Prabang Nightlife - 5 Best Things to Do After Dark (2017)

February 14, 2017, 4:31 am
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Luang Prabang, Laos' most touristic city, does not have the reputation of being a party town.

While there are plenty of things to do during the day, from visiting temples to swimming in waterfalls, nightlife activities are much harder to find.

There is a 11.30PM curfew on bars located in the city center, but if you go a little bit further away you can find a few clubs and KTVs open until 1AM. You also have the bowling center that closes at 2AM.

Within these time limits, there are actually some interesting venues for drinking and having fun. In this short review, I will give you a list of my top 5 favorite nightlife activities in Luang Prabang.

Best Things to Do at Night in Luang Prabang

1) Nightmarket
Luang Prabang at night (photo kob112)
I think it's the first time I recommend a night market in one of my articles. The one in Luang Prabang is one of the most touristy you'll visit in Southeast Asia (0% local people, 100% foreigners), but it is lively and probably the best place to meet other travelers.

The night market has two lanes: The main one, on Sisavangvong Road, focuses on clothes, souvenirs and craftwork. This is where people buy elephant pants and Lao-branded shirts. Nothing special.

The second lane is more interesting. It is a bit hidden, at the corner of the Indigo House Hotel and Sisavangvong Road, and it has around 25 street food stalls. You can buy very cheap beer there and sit elbow-to-elbow with other people.

It's quite dirty and messy so you won't stay too long, but still I'd recommend to try once.

2) Utopia
Utopia Café before sunset (photo: the chopsticks)
Utopia is a bohemian restaurant/café/bar by the riverside, a 5 minute walk from the center. It is a hippie/new age venue that attracts many of the younger long-term residents and backpackers of Luang Prabang. On normal nights, when they don't have any special events, it will be laid-back, with easy-going music in the background (most likely reggae). People will just sit on mattresses and chill. You can also play games or smoke shisha. Occasionally, they may organize a movie projection, a live music session, a volleyball competition, etc... You can check their Facebook page for more information (rarely updated though): Utopia Laos

15,000 kip for a small beer, 20,000 kip for a large one. Happy hours until 9PM. It closes at 11.30PM. Yoga sessions in the morning.

If you like Utopia, you may also be interested in the nearby Silapa restaurant. Its beer garden has a similar vibe, and they serve much better food (Italian, pizzas, and Laotian).

3) Bar Crawling in the City Center
Tangor (photo TanTan)
The city center of Luang Prabang can easily be discovered by foot. At night, there are two streets with a higher concentration of bars and restaurants:

On Sisavangvong Road (just after the night market), there are at least 20 of them. You can just walk and choose the one you prefer. Personally, I liked these 3:

Luang Prabang Motorcycle Club (LPMC): In front of Vat Sene temple, this bar was not the most busy but it has a great intimate atmosphere and excellent cocktails (around 45,000 kip). Independent pop/rock music. Friendly owner.

Tangor: A French-run restaurant/café/bar with a colonial décor. It is one of the most crowded in the street, and a perfect location for watching people walk by.

La Casa Lao: Spanish tapas bar next to Tangor. Buy 2 cocktails get 1 from 5PM to 7PM.

A short walk from there, there are a few more bars on Kingkitsarath Road. Expats call it the Phousi Hill's nightlife precinct. None of the venues are really packed, but you have music, sports channels and alcohol. The most recommended are:

Redbul Bar (not Red Bull): A proper pub with pool tables, burgers and sports. Popular with expats. 20,000 kip for a cocktail during happy hours (5PM to 7PM).

Aussie Sports Bar: On the ground floor of Aham Corner Guesthouse, it is owned by an Australian-Lao couple. Similar to Redbul.

The House Restaurant & Belgian Bar: A tiny bar owned by two Belgians. They have a large choice of imported beers such as Duvel (58,000 kip), Stella Artois (45,000 kip), Blanche de Namur (50,000 kip) and Karmeliet (62,000 kip).

Elsewhere in Luang Prabang, you can also try Amigos (Mexican Restaurant and Bar), the 525 (a modern cocktail and Tapas bar) and Rama Sports Bar (local and Asian crowd, live music).

4) Live Music Pubs: Dao Fa and U-Pub
Dao Fa Nightclub in Luang Prabang
Most Laotians and Chinese party and drink less than 10 minutes from the city center (by tuk-tuk), in particular on the Road 13 (near Naluang Bus Station). Most of them are very local, but the following are more Western-oriented:

U-Pub: 200 meters from Dao Fa in an unnamed street. It is modern and they have a live band every night singing Lao hits. A few pretty girls. 25,000 kip for one beer (buy 2 get 1 free). It closes at 1AM. Exact location here.

Dao Fa: Inside the Dao Fa hotel, it is not as new as U-Pub but more crowded. Live band and DJ (commercial EDM). It is only open from 9PM until 12PM. The Sun Karaoke KTV is attached.

5) Karaoke - KTV
I have to admit that I didn't partake in any karaoke session, but I saw many places that seemed popular with Asian tourists (probably Chinese) and locals.

The road were I saw the most venues does not have a name. You can go to this location and you'll see them.

There are more of them on Road 13, before and after Dao Fa. A crowded one was Full Moon Karaoke. There is also Muang Sua Nightclub and KTV on Phu Vao Road (here).

They normally close at 11PM or 11.30PM.
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Blocked Websites in Indonesia and How to Unblock Them

February 16, 2017, 2:22 am
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I often receive emails from readers complaining about the internet in Indonesia. In particular, they hate the censorship that makes thousands of websites unavailable.

Websites are blocked by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in Indonesia, following orders from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies (Kementrian Komunikasi dan Informatika). The ban is part of the "Safe Internet" initiative whose idea is to protect Indonesian users from visiting websites that do not follow the "moral, ethics and spirit" of the nation.

As of 2017, there are a total of 769 814 blocked websites in Indonesia. Naturally, I cannot list all of them here, but I will give you the most famous.

How to Unblock Any Website in Indonesia?

Using a VPN
If you want to be able to surf on any website in Indonesia, my recommendation is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It is a small and discreet software that you install on your phone and your computer, and then you just turn it on any time you visit sensitive websites (or you always leave it on).

You can also read my article Best VPNs for Indonesia for more detailed information.

The main benefit of a VPN (compared with a Proxy, an alternative to unblocking sites) is that you are guaranteed total anonymity. Your internet provider, the government, your boss, your landlord, or anybody who can have access to your connection information will have no way of knowing which websites you've visited, if you've gambled, if you've watched porn, or if you've downloaded movies. That's nice isn't it?

Free VPNs exist (for instance Hola.org) but they always have a limited bandwidth. It means that if you want to watch a movie, it will load very slowly, even if you have a high-speed connection.

I've used 5 VPN brands in the past 2 years. Most offer a free trial for 1 month (or up to 3 months for Golden Frog) so I like to change once in a while.

The one I currently use is ExpressVPN (I'm still on free trial period but if you subscribe, I'll get an extra 30 days free). I use internet maybe 5-6 hours a day and I never turn it off. Since 2 weeks, there hasn't been any website I couldn't open. I can watch videos, sometimes while downloading torrents, and I don't notice any differences in speed. I can also use it to watch Netflix US (for that you just need to connect to their American servers).

Actually, since Netflix started blocking some VPNs, I only use the ones that are compatible (that's why I switched from Hide My Ass to NordVPN (and now ExpressVPN).

Pricing ExpressVPN:
1 Month = 12.95$
6-Month Plan = 9.99$ per month
12-Month Plan = 8.32 per month

Pricing for NordVPN:
1 Month Plan: 12$/month
1 Year Plan: 6.58$/month
2 Year Plan: 4$ per month

See more options: Best VPNs for Indonesia.

List of Blocked Websites in Indonesia

Websites with Pornography:
766,633 "porn" sites are blocked by the Indonesian government as of February 2017. That's a huge number and it also includes sites with only mild nudity, erotic literature and sex-ed.

Generalist porn sites:
- XVideos
- YouPorn
- Porn Hub
- XHamster
- XNXX
- RedTube
- YouJizz
- Tube8
- Video-One
- TXXX
- VirginPornTube
- SpankBang
- XXXMomTube
- Watch8X
- AlohaTube
- Gandalfporn
- FUQ
- Xonline.tv
- Top1Porn

Hentai and Manga Websites (probably to protect younger people and teenagers):
- Mangafox (Actually not a porn site but some albums might be considered erotic)
- KissManga (Most mangas are normal but it has an adult section)
- DMM
- MyReadingManga
- E-Hentai
- Nhentai
- Fakku
- Pururin
- Donmai.us
- Hitomi.la
- HentaiHaven
- HentaiBox
- Hentai2read
- Javhihi
- Javcl

JAV (Japanese Adult Videos)
- Javfor.me
- Jav68.me
- JavGo.me
- JapanesePornTube
- Javlibrary.com
- Javhub.net
- JavPlay

Torrent, Sharing, P2P,  Download Sites
- KAT.cr, Kat.how and all Kickass Torrents mirror sites
- KumpulBagi
- thepiratebay.org
- Extratorrent
- Openload.co
- RarBG.to
- YTS.ag (YiFy Torrent movies)
- Isohunt

Video Streaming Site:
- Vimeo (Not a porn site but some videos have erotic content)
- Viki
- Dramafever
- Ganool
- Kshowonline (Korean streaming site - sometimes restricted)
- Netflix (blocked by Telkom only, probably because it competes with their own service, Iflix)
- 123movies
- CinemaIndo
- Bigo Live

Erotic Cams
- Chaturbate
- Bongacams
- SexCamly
- Camfor
- LiveJasmin

Sex Forums
- Internationalsexguide.com
- Semprot and Semprotku
- BintangMawar.net

Adult Content
- Uzone (Magazine that talks about sexuality in Indonesian)

Controversial social media sites
- Omegle (chat room to meet random foreigners)
- AdultFriendFinder

Gay Porn, Gay Dating, Gay Apps
- Grindr
- GROWLr
- JAck'd
- BoyAhoy
- Blued
- Hornet
- Adam4Adam
- Romeo
- GayPark
- VGL
- Scruff
- Guyz
- Gay Dating
- Surge
- Krave
- Gaydar
- Gay Times
- Maleforce
- Gay Cities

Drug-related and "Digital drugs" Websites
Many of the websites forbidden for drug-related content promote or offer i-doser applications. If you are not familiar with them, they are used to play sounds/music that are rumored to make their listeners high (you need a dedicated binaural headset for that).

Some of the blocked websites are:
- i-doser.com
- idosersoftware.com
- idoseraudio.com
- istoner.com

Radicalism, Hate Speech and Fake News Websites (Hoax)
There are almost 300 websites blocked in this category. Many are websites promoting Wahhabism, the Islamic state or conspiracy theories. There was a controversy as many of those sites were censored a few months before the 2017 Gubernatorial election. Some suspected that anti-Ahok sites were the main target.

Some of the most famous blocked sites in this category are:
- arrahmah.com
- eramuslim.com
- kiblat.net
- voa-islam.com
- islampos.com 
- suaranews.com 
- izzamedia.com 
- suara-islam.com
- smstauhiid.com (website of AA Gym)
- pos-metro.com
- nusanews (reformed as IDnusa to avoid censorship)

Fraudulent Investment and E-Commerce Websites
576 websites were blocked for fraud in 2017. Mostly, they feature fake products, investment scams, pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, etc.

The closure is sometimes followed by a police investigation and arrests. This was the case with the Dream for Freedom website (D4F, taken down since) and the fake Djakarta Warehouse Project website that I mentioned on my DWP guide (also shut down since).

Gambling, Lottery and Betting Sites
After porn, these represent the largest number of banned sites (2,120). Casinos are strictly illegal in Indonesia, yet many of its citizens love gambling. It isn't surprising that to avoid being fined, they've quickly switched to the online world.

Generalist sites:
- IBCBet.com
- Asia77.com
- SBC168.com
- MaxBet.com
- Comeon.com

Poker Sites:
- IonCasino Poker
- PartyPoker
- PokerStars

Casinos:
- Ion777.com

Lottery:
- Kungfu4d
- Istana Impian 1 and 2

Sport Bets:
- Sbobet.com
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9 Best Things to Do at Night in Jakarta

February 4, 2017, 7:04 am
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I recently wrote about the best things to do in Jakarta. In the following review, I will be more specific and focus about night-time activities.

A cliché used to describe Jakarta is that of "a city that never sleeps". While this could apply to any major capitals in the world, I think it is particularly accurate here. There is always some kind of life in Jakarta, whatever the time and whatever the location.

It is quite logical considering the city has one of the highest population densities in the world. Another reason is that there are a lot of Indonesians working long shifts or night shifts, especially small business owners and independent workers. As long as money can be made, they won't close shop or go home. This is why you can always get food, cigarettes or a taxi rides at anytime of the night.

For the traveler, the advantage of this situation is that there are a lot of things to do at night. Even better, if you go out after 9pm, you'll also enjoy less traffic, cooler temperatures and less pollution. 

The following list will give you some ideas on how to spend time after sun sets in Jakarta. If you feel I forgot something, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below the article.

Street Food
Photo: Jonathan Perugia
Night-time is the best moment to go around and try some delicious Indonesian street food. Many of the small stalls on the sidewalk are actually only allowed to operate in the evening (to avoid disturbing pedestrians during the day).

My personal favorite location for street food in Jakarta is Jalan Mangga Besar, a red-light area busy with a eclectic mix of people. It's a great place to try some authentic Chinese food or some more unusual specialties like cobra and monkey.

If this is too far or too weird for you, Jalan Sabang and Jalan Wahid Hasyim in Central Jakarta are a good alternative. You'll also find many 24/7 restaurants in the area.

Rooftop Drinks
Photo: Sandrine VB
Jakarta is the 9th city with the most skyscrapers in the world and it is at night that the view is the most spectacular. The darkness hides all the city's flaws: The potholes, the dirt, the dust and the rust disappear, replaced by millions of colorful lights.

The best rooftops to enjoy the view of the skyline are Cloud or Skye. I give more recommendations in my review Top 10 Rooftop Bars in Jakarta as well. I also enjoy watching the city from the Burgundy Bar in Grand Hyatt even though it is not a rooftop.

Live Music, Theater and Concerts
Photo: Aura Kasih and Atika Dora
There are several great venues for listening to live music in Jakarta. Two of the most famous are B.A.T.S in Shangri-La and CJ's in Mulia. Both have a Western band playing Top 40 and pop/rock hits. They may not suit everyone's taste though as they attract a lot of working girls. Paulaner Brauhaus in Kempinski, Hard Rock Cafe in Pacific Place or Eastern Promise in Kemang are three more family-friendly options. I also like to visit the speakeasy Prohibition in Senayan Arcadia (make sure to check their secret live jazz room).

For cheaper drinks and a younger atmosphere, you can try any branches of Beer Garden.

In Menteng, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) is an art complex popular with Indonesians. There are daily cultural performances (concerts, theater, movies, etc).

Clubbing and Karaoke
Normal clubs (meaning those that don't have a majority of prostitutes) are normally busy on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. You can read about my favorites here: Best Nightclubs in Jakarta.

The other days of the week, only the more naughty places are crowded. Apart from BATS and CJs mentioned above, you can try the famous one-stop entertainment centers like Malioboro, Alexis, King Cross, Emporium or Golden Crown. The bar Club 36 is also always very lively. North Jakarta is also where several 24h karaokes can be found.

Cinemas
Jakarta has excellent and modern cinemas that cost about half what you would pay in Europe. The CGV-Blitz chain has movies until 10pm during the week and until midnight on weekends.


Massage and Spas
Some massage parlors and spas close rather late in Jakarta (and I'm not talking about the naughty ones), especially those located in 5-star hotels: Bimasena (Dharmawangsa Hotel) and Willow Stream (Fairmont) close at 11pm, the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Mega Kuningan is open until 12am.


Shopping
Photo: Pasar Bary by Art535
All the high-end shopping malls close at 10pm in Jakarta but there are some more traditional markets (pasar) that stay open 24 hours, for instance the fish market of Angke Muara and the flower markets of Cikini and Rawa Belong. Closer from the city center, you also have Pasar Senen and Pasar Mampang Prapatan.

Exercise
Photo: Jeremy Tobing
Running/cycling at night or very early in the morning is very common among fitness enthusiasts in Jakarta. It is a way to avoid the heat, the traffic and the pollution. Popular running spots include the Monas, the Senayan Stadium and Ragunan Zoo.

A good way to meet Indonesians is to join a running club. Indorunners run every Thursday starting 7.30pm from FX Mall in Senayan. On the same day, you can also join the Nike Run Club.

Amazingly, there are also some 24h gyms in Jakarta such as Rai Fitness in Senopati, Clark Hatch in Sari Pan Pacific Hotel (which I heard is a gay hangout) and Club Olympus in Grand Hyatt.

Night Tourism
Photo: Bunderan HI by Inguna
Many tourist sights in Jakarta can still be visited at night. Taman Fatahillah, the Monas, Ancol or the Kota Intan Bridge remain crowded until very late. They attract middle class Indonesians, especially tourists, and all kind of street vendors. During Ramadhan, you can also visit the Istiqlal mosque all-night long.

Young Indonesians also like to hangout in some public areas like the Taman Suropati and Taman Menteng parks or around the Bunderan HI fountain.
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Camelia Lounge and Club (Hanoi)

February 17, 2017, 11:04 pm
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Camelia Lounge is a glamorous Champagne bar/lounge in Hanoi, one of the best I've visited so far in the city. It is located on the 3rd floor of the Mélia Hotel in the Hoàn Kiếm district.

It has a free entrance, but be warned that the drinks are quite expensive. The cheapest cocktails cost VND183,000 Net (= US$8), a bottle of Jack Daniels almost 130$ and a bottle Champagne at least 140$.

Camelia is built on 1 floor, with 4 distinct areas (all connected to each other): A restaurant, a large central bar, a lounge and an outdoor terrace. It has a quirky design, with plenty of small, fun details. One of the best features is the pop art mosaic of 90's icons (Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction among others).

It is managed by a Brazilian DJ (Alexandre Gavinha AKA DJ Gavinha). I saw that he is still playing at least twice a week. When I visited, the music was an eclectic mix of different genres from hip-hop to deep house. People were not dancing but it was the perfect soundtrack to enjoy cocktails. Every 2 weeks, they also welcome famous foreign DJs (from labels such as Ministry of Sound, Cafe Del Mar, etc).

Almost all customers were well-dressed Asians, Vietnamese as far as I could tell. They were sitting in sofas within small groups, sharing a bottle and sometimes a shisha. To my disappointment, there weren't any unattached ladies (judging from their photos on Facebook, it seems to be the exception though).

A few times in the evening, two hot foreign girls with eccentric costumes started dancing. I was not sure who they were at first and then I found out they were from the Pacha nightclub in Ibiza.

Overall: Camelia is one of the best bars in Hanoi as of 2017. Recommended if you want to enjoy quality food and cocktails in an upscale atmosphere.

My only criticism is that it is not so crowded yet, but hopefully this will change as it gets more famous.

Here is a video I took from inside with my mobile phone:
Operating Hours:
Open every day until 2AM.
Fantastic ladies' night on Wednesdays with free flow sparkling wines (red and white) from 9PM to midnight.

Camelia Lounge Hanoi
44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Hanoi 100000
Phone number: 093 969 32 23
Email: info@camelialounge.com

Facebook: Camelia
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Civilize Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 12:27 am
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Civilize is one of the numerous Viet-style nightclubs in Hanoi. It was the closest one from my hotel so I went inside for a quick look.

It is a mid-sized upmarket venue with a 200 to 300 pax capacity and all the typical features of a local club: Gorgeous hostesses, VIP bottle service, sexy dancers, gigantic fruit platters, deafening Vietnamese EDM (a mix of techno and Top 40 remixes) and a lot of shishas. It is designed to accommodate small groups so avoid it if you are alone.

Since it is near from the Hoàn Kiếm District, it could be convenient for tourists yet almost all the customers are Vietnamese between 25 and 35. Dress code is strict: Women should wear skirts and heels, guys should wear pants/shoes.

Overall: Typical luxury Vietnamese club. It does not have anything special compared with the competition though so I only recommend to visit it if it is near from your hotel.

Civilize Nightclub and Bar Hanoi
210 Trần Quang Khải

Phone number: 090 716 33 33
Facebook page: Civilize Hanoi (with more photos)

Opening Hours:
Every day until 1AM
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Max 3 Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 1:26 am
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Max 3 is a Viet nightclub in Hanoi located in the tourist district of Hoàn Kiếm. It is about 200 meters from Civilize, another club that I visited on the same night.

I preferred Max 3 as it is newer and more crowded. It is inside a small room with a high ceiling and a mezzanine (VIP). In the center, there is a podium on which sexy dancers will perform several times every night. Standing tables are arranged all around it while VIP sofas can be found in the corners. They must have spent a small fortune in lighting and pyrotechnic equipment, and they do like to use it as much as they can. The sound level is almost unbearable and I advise you to bring earplugs (I had some and it was still too noisy).

The music is Vietnamese EDM, which is actually pretty cool (but very repetitive). The DJ was a sexy girl, and there are 2 more pretty girls next to her (as a decoration I presume). A MC will cheer up the crowd between each song and on special occasion, they also have singers.

The sexy dancers were among the hottest I've seen in Hanoi. They were not dancing so much but they were wearing lingerie and doing a sort of softcore lesbian show that made me wonder if Hanoi was not in fact less conservative than Saigon.

The club is targeting rich Vietnamese customers coming in small groups, often for birthday celebrations. Typically, they reserve a table or a VIP sofa, they buy expensive alcohol bottles and they drink by themselves. If there are not enough women in their group, they may invite a few hostesses to join (Max 3 has around 10 gorgeous girls for that). They don't not really intend to socialize with anyone else, but they do like to show off (for instance by ordering expensive fruit platters).

The prices of Max 3 are reasonable if you order a bottle (cheapest Cognac bottle for VND2,750,000), but very pricey if you just want a beer (VND165,000 for a Heineken). The service is particularly attentive, but generous tips are expected.

Overall: If you are interested to try clubbing in a local club in Hanoi, Max 3 is one of my most recommended. Make sure to wear pants and shoes.

Here is a video I shot inside with my mobile phone (it was still early and the crowd arrived after 11PM):
Opening Hours:
Every day until 1AM

Max3 Club
19 Trần Khánh Dư, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Phone number: 01 67 979 99 99

More pics from their Facebook Max 3 Club Hanoi:
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Infinity Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 2:10 am
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Infinity is a small Vietnamese nightclub located in the Hoàn Kiếm district near the 4-star Lan Vien Hotel. It is very popular any night of the week with mid-to upper-class Vietnamese visiting in groups.

Compared to the competition nearby (for instance Max 3 or Fame), it looks a bit less luxurious but its prices are more affordable. You can buy a whisky bottle for VND1,200,000 for instance. If you come alone, the drinks by the glass and the cocktails are quite limited and expensive though. Anyway, this is not really a place that you can enjoy if you are by yourself (unless a Vietnamese invites you to his table).

No surprises regarding the music, you have extremely loud Vietnamese House (a mix of Techno, Viet Pop, EDM and Top 40). They also have singers occasionally.

I think that it is in Infinity that I saw some of the hottest girls in the city. Most are hostesses that can accompany you for drinks while the rest are just regular customers with their (guy) friends. They also have stunning sexy dancers performing every hour.

You should dress up a minimum before visiting. Put at least a pair of pants, some shoes and a shirt.

Overall: Infinity is not my favorite Vietnamese club in Hanoi, but it is centrally located and not too expensive. Free entrance so you can always have a look.

Operating Hours:
Open every day until 2AM.

Infinity Nightclub
45 Hàng Bài, Hà Nội
Phone number: 0163 889 8888
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Fame Nightclub (Hanoi) - Sexy Dancers

February 18, 2017, 5:53 am
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Fame Nightclub is one of the best Viet-style nightclubs I visited in Hanoi (and I went to almost all of them). It is located in the city center (Hoàn Kiếm District), just next to the live music bar +84.

As usual for Hanoi, there is no entrance fee to pay. The club is on two floors, with a VIP area upstairs and regular tables downstairs. It has a modern design, with a particularly great LCD displays behind the stage. The latter is elevated and spacious, allowing for proper live music performances and shows.

Every night, they have sexy dancers who can actually dance a choreography. That's almost unheard of elsewhere in Asia (it reminded me of the clubs in Taipei). Some of the dancers are Viet and some are Ukrainians. The ones I saw where all drop-dead gorgeous, shaking their bodies in metal cages and wearing just bikinis/lingerie. To be honest I didn't pay too much attention to anything else.

Anyway, Fame possesses all the features of a typical Viet club: Customers are mostly young Vietnamese guys, sometimes accompanied by pretty hostesses or girlfriends. They book a table and they buy bottles, shishas and fruit platter. The more expensive, the better. The music is Viet House (or Vina House), which I would define as Top 40 and Viet pop remixed with techno beats. The service is great, particularly because the waiters assume they'll get a big tip (they'll will be disappointed if you just get a beer).

Prices are high for Hanoi standards (someone has to pay for those Ukrainian girls): A Corona costs VND169,000, a bottle over VND2,000,000, a giant fruit platter VND650,000.

Dress code: Don't wear shorts and sandals.

Overall: If you are looking for a place to spend some money, drink and enjoy the company of beautiful Vietnamese girls, you can't find better in Hanoi. Note that Fame is a Viet club (≠ Western club) so don't expect a dancefloor and don't expect to meet with normal girls.

Fame Nightclub and Sexy Dancers
25 Ngo Van So Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: 094 212 1212

Facebook: Fame Bar Hanoi (you can see more photos and check for special events (live music)

Operating Hours:
Everyday until 2AM (3AM on Weekends)
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Playboy Establishment - Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 18, 2017, 6:48 am
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Hanoi was not the kind of city where I expected to find a Playboy-branded nightclub, and yet there is one in the basement of the Apricot Hotel (a 5-star hotel just 200 meters from Hoàn Kiếm Lake).

The club is almost hidden from outside as there is no indication it exists apart from a discreet Playboy bunny sign at the entrance. There, a pretty hostess will welcome you in English and escort you to a table.

The club was almost empty when I visited, probably because it was still early (9PM), on a weekday and only a month after the grand opening.

On stage, they had around 5 sexy girls with elegant costumes dancing to Viet House. It was more classy than vulgar and I thought even a girl might enjoy the performance. They didn't have live music that evening, but they do occasionally (including foreign bands). The sound level was not too loud, and for once I didn't need to wear my earplugs.

The atmosphere is luxurious and a bit decadent, like a proper gentlemen's club should be. The sofas are lipstick-red, the VIP areas have curtains for privacy, waitresses are wearing bunny uniforms, etc... A lot of small details to put you in the right mood... 

When it was time to pay, I was expecting to get hammered and yet the prices are rather reasonable (VND100,000 or US$4.5).

Overall: Playboy Establishment is worth a visit, but preferably on weekends so it is more crowded. Most customers are Vietnamese, with a few foreigners/expats.

Playboy Establishment
Bar, Lounge, Restaurant and Club
136 Hang Trong
Hanoi, Vietnam

Reservation: 096 180 76 88
Email: rsvp@playboylifestyle.vn

Operating Hours:
Everyday from 8PM to 2AM
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Tom's Bar - After-Hour Club in Hanoi

February 19, 2017, 2:15 am
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The tiny Tom's Bar is located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, in the famous Tạ Hiện Street (also called Beer Street). It is much more expensive than the other places nearby (VND40,000 for a beer, VND85,000 for a cocktail) while not being particularly fancy. Still, it can be pretty popular, especially late at night.

The reason for that is that Tom's Bar closes much later than the official midnight curfew. I was there twice during week nights, and both times I stayed after 4AM. To avoid complaints from the police, they keep the door shut and they open it only when someone wants to get in or out. 

The crowd of Tom' Bar is a fun mix of backpackers, young Vietnamese and a few freelance prostitutes. Having the door closed makes the atmosphere much more intimate and by 2AM, you'll already know the name of half the clubbers inside. The socializing is further eased by those laughing gas balloons (VND50,000 each) that everyone inside seems to love. There is also a drug dealer selling opium, marijuana and cocaine on standby in the street.

The music is a mix of Top 40 songs from the past 20 years, from the Spice Girls to Major Lazer. It's not very original but effective in getting people to dance.

Overall: Tom's Bar is one of the few clubs that stays open after-hour in Hanoi (other options would be Savage, Ball Bar and Hero). It is friendly and fun, if not sophisticated.

Tom's Bar
2 Tạ Hiện, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Phone number: 097 326 88 66
Facebook: Tom's Bar

Open every day until late (3AM, 4AM, 5AM - depending on the night)
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Q Club - Hanoi (Vietnam)

February 19, 2017, 3:52 am
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Q Club is a nightclub in Hanoi, part of the Escape Group (which is also behind I-Sing Karaoke and Don Quixote Café).

If you've already been to a Viet-style nightclub, you won't find anything really special there. It is a narrow rectangular room on the 11th floor of a building, with a small podium, high tables in front of it, and VIP areas on the sides. On the right and on the left of the DJ, two splendid girls are dancing wearing sexy outfits. Because of its dark corners and low ceiling, I thought it had a bit of an underground vibe.

Prices are lower than the competition (Max 3, Infinity, Civilize, etc) with beers starting at VND100,000 for a small Budweiser and less than VND1,000,000 for a bottle of Chivas. If you order Champagne or Cognac, a group of girls will bring it to you with fireworks. You might also see a beautiful girl in a black skirt going around selling laughing gas balloons for VND50,000. 

As usual in Vietnam, the music was Vina House (Vietnamese House) at an extremely unhealthy sound level. I had earplugs on and you should bring some too.

The club was only half crowded at midnight (on a Wednesday). The customers were mostly Vietnamese guys, well-dressed, with hostesses. The latter were particularly pretty I must say.

Great service. The manager came to say hello and we chatted for a bit.

Dress code: You should wear shoes, long pants and a shirt (or a polo).

Overall: A Vietnamese club a bit cheaper than average, with beautiful hostesses, DJs and sexy dancers.

This is the video I made with my phone when I was in Q Club:
Q Club Hanoi
18 Lý Thường Kiệt ,Hoàn Kiếm
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: 096 622 88 55

Facebook: Q Club Hanoi

Operating Hours:
Every day until 2AM
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10 Best Muay Thai Boxing Centers in Jakarta (2017)

February 20, 2017, 1:48 am
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Jakarta is not the best city to stay fit. The absence of sidewalks, the lack of parks, the pollution and the heat all conspire to make exercising difficult. It is even worse if you work in an office and spend most of your day sitting down.

If you care a minimum about your health, you are probably looking for a sport or an activity that you can easily do in the city center. Getting a gym membership is often the first thing that comes to mind, but there are a lot more options available: Yoga, Fitness, Crossfit, Boxing, Jujitsu, Salsa, etc...

Today, I will talk about Muay Thai, a martial art originally from Thailand. About 10 years ago, it was introduced to Indonesia and it has gain more and more popularity ever since.

There are several reasons explaining its appeal: It is a complete workout that will train each muscle of your body ; it improves both your strength and your cardio ; it is fun to do and not repetitive ; it helps you gain self-confidence ; and finally it does not require expensive equipment or gear.

Consequently, Muay Thai centers have been popping up in every neighborhood in Jakarta. Let’s have a look at the best ones in each areas of the city:

Muay Thai In Central Jakarta

Bangkok Muay Thai Jakarta
One of the newest Muay Thai camp in town, it has a fantastic location near Menteng and Stasiun Sudirman. This is perfect if you work or live in central Jakarta. They have 550 m² of facilities and 3 experienced trainers. The good thing with this camp is that you don’t need to book in advance or to follow a schedule : you can come anytime and start the training ASAP. The trainers are good and they motivate you to reach your training objectives.

When I went there for the first time, I had a visit of the premises by the manager. It is clean, well-equipped and rather cheap compared with the competition. In particular, I liked the fact that there was no subscription fee.

Open from Monday to Saturday from 9AM to 9PM (until 7PM on Saturday)

Price : IDR90,000 per session

Address: Jalan Blora No.34, Menteng, Central Jakarta (5 minutes from Grand Indonesia)
Phone/WhatsApp: 08 11 81 18 441

Muay Thai In South Jakarta

Jakarta Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp
This Muay Thai camp is located in Kebayoran Baru, in South Jakarta (Senopati). It is in a traditional house in a posh residential area so you can expect more upper-class Jakartans. They have motivated trainers, some of whom are foreigners with experience abroad. I found the price rather expensive though compared to the other camps : IDR155,000 per session (or 8 sessions for IDR880,000). Women may train separately on specific days. Kids welcome.

Open from 9AM to 9PM during weekdays, from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

Address: Jalan Daksa I No.1, RT.4/RW.2, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Phone: +62 (0) 21 725 0574
Instagram: @jakartamuaythaimma

Syena Martial Arts Center
Also in Senopati, Syena provides Muay Thai, Brazilian Jujitsu, Krav Maga (Israeli army combat technique) and self-defense classes (for women). It is family friendly and they have a few expat students. It has long opening hours from 7AM to 10PM on weekdays (7AM to 4PM on Saturday).

Address: Jalan Daksa 4 no. 69, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 8 11 999 979
Ultima Muay Thai
This was the first camp I tried in Jakarta. They used to have only a tiny space but they've extended since. It is popular with office workers from Mega Kuningan, Sudirman and Rasuna Said (and with a few foreigners as well). A bit hot as it is in the semi-open air. Be careful as the street where it is located is often jammed after 5PM.

If you have a car, you can park right outside. IDR100,000 per session. Opening hours: From 9AM to 10PM on weekdays and from 9AM to 6PM on weekends

Address: Jalan Guru Mughni No.123, South Jakarta.
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 5700 381
Instagram: @ultimamuaythai

Kemang Fight Gym
I used to go to there when i was living in Kemang. It is also located in a residential neighborhood, inside a house. It is spacious, clean and it has plenty of equipment (including free weights). You also have access to showers and bathroom. There are 6 friendly trainers, 2 of whom are Indonesian MMA competitors (Noldi Manakane, Rusmin Kie Raha). They can also teach you Kapap, the fighting technique of Israeli soldiers. Kids and families are welcome. IDR75,000 per session.

Open every day from 9AM to 9PM on weekdays, from 9AM to 3PM on Saturday, from 4PM to 6PM on Sunday.

Address: Jalan Emesde B No.11, Cilandak, RT.1/RW.6, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 0) 853 1005 6789
Instagram: @kemangfightgym
Photo from @myartasya

Muay Thai In North Jakarta

Zealot Muay Thai Camp
Founded by professional fighter Jerry Luhukay, it is inside Mahaka Square in Kelapa Gading. While not conveniently located for most expats, it is popular among Indonesians and it claims at least 100 members and 6 coaches (including a Dutch and a South Korean). It is a serious club that train fighters taking part in local and international tournaments.

They have training sessions from 9AM to 9PM (Monday to Friday), from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday and from 3AM to 5PM on Sunday. Price per session = IDR150,000 (Buy 8 = IDR600,000).

Address: Mahaka Square Sportsmall, 14240 Jakarta
Phone number: +62 (0) 896 0676 1670
Instagram: @zealotmuaythai

Elite MMA
One of the pioneer center in Jakarta for martial arts, Elite trains hundreds of members every year. They occupy a massive 650m2 space, fully-equipped with a boxing ring and an MMA cage. They also have a small gym and a sauna (men and women separated) if you need to relax after your session.

Its main focus is on Muay Thai but they also teach English boxing, Brazilian Jujitsu, Krav Maga and Wing Chun.

Prices: IDR799,000 per 10 sessions. Open from 9AM to 9PM on weekdays, from 9AM to 6PM on Saturday and from 9AM to 4PM on Sunday.

Address: Ruko Centro Metro Broadway, Blok A45-46, Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta (Near Happy Puppy)
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 300 10 262
Website: Elite MMA Jakarta
Facebook: Elite Jakarta PIK
Instagram: @elitetc_pik/

Elite also operates two shops with boxing and MMA items. One in PIK and one in Lotte Avenue. See more: Elite MMA Shop.

Zeus MMA
This is a small camp, friendly and cheaper than average. It does not have a lot of equipment but if you are on a tight budget, it will do the trick. A single session is IDR100,000 (IDR50,000 with a Student Card) and 10 sessions cost IDR680,000 (IDR480,000 for students). There is also a special promo for moms.

Address: Ruko Elang Laut Blok M3, No. 5-6, Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta (Near Grand Family Hospital)
Facebook: Zeus MMA PIK
Instagram: @zeusmma

Phone number: +62 (0) 8 22 101 12 231

Muay Thai In West Jakarta

Real Muay Thai
Real Muay Thai has a good location if you live near from Central Park or Taman Anggrek. It is housed in a 3-floor modern and clean building, easy to access by car. The equipment is limited yet some of their students manage to take part (and win) local tournaments.

Member registration is IDR200,000 (including 1 free class, 1 free t-shirt and 1 body consultation). Then you'll just pay IDR80,000 per visits (non members pay IDR150,000). You can also buy 10 sessions for IDR600,000.

Open from Monday to Friday (9AM to 9PM) and Saturday (9AM to 6PM). Closed on Sunday.

Address: Komplek Sentra Bisnis Blok B-24, Tanjung Duren Raya, West Jakarta
Phone number: +62 811-1812-347
Facebook: Real Muay Thai
Instagram: @realmuaythai

Muay Thai In East Jakarta

Sabai Muay Thai Tebet
One of the cheapest Muay Thai center in Jakarta, it is unfortunately a bit far for most expats. 1 session costs IDR65,000, 8 sessions IDR400,000 (IDR350,000 for students). They also offer private classes for IDR800,000/10 and group cardio classes (fitness classes with Muay Thai movements). If you qualify as a "Fighter", you will need advanced training that costs a little bit more.

The center is open from 9AM to 10PM from Monday to Friday, and from 9AM to 6PM on weekends. The sessions from 4PM to 6PM are dedicated to cardio training.

The Sabai Group has a branch in Bandung as well.

Facebook: Sabai Tebet
Instagram: @sabaimuaythai

Note: This article about the 10 Best Muay Thai Centers in Jakarta was written by my friend Clément. I've never tried any of these personally. Thibaud.
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The Bank Nightclub (Hanoi)

February 20, 2017, 3:29 am
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Located on the 6th floor of Capital building (a 5-minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter), The Bank is a luxury nightclub, one of the largest in Hanoi. 

It is a sort of crossover featuring the best parts of Viet-style and Western nightclubs. While most customers are Vietnamese groups who come to share a bottle, it is also perfectly fine to order drinks by the glass. You are free to roam around and dance instead of being assigned to a table all night long. There is some Vietnamese pop and house, but also International Hip Hop, EDM and Top 40.

I visited during their famous ladies night (Wednesday), and while the whole club was only half full, there was an incredible number of girls around. It is not surprising foreigners love The Bank as this is clearly the best pick-up place in Hanoi. There were many freelance prostitutes as well (judging by the way they were looking at me). It reminded me of a more upscale version of Apocalypse in Saigon.

On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, they have wild sexy dancers (sometimes foreign girls) who wear naughty costumes. Some performances are really borderline and I was surprised to discover that Hanoi was such a liberal city. Here are a few pics from their Facebook for instance:
Prices are more expensive than your typical backpacker joint, but still OK for European standards. A beer costs VND110,000 and a cocktail around VND132,000 (including the 10% tax). The Mojito I had was not tasting very good though so don't put your expectations too high. Laughing gas balloons are another option. They are so popular that they had a supply of 5 huge canisters behind the bar.

It seems that many gays were among the customers, but luckily they were usually accompanied by a few of their girlfriends.

Overall: I didn't really like the music in The Bank, but I would still recommend it as a top pick-up spot in Hanoi. Do visit on their Ladies night, they have a free flow on that day for VND350,000 (on selected drinks like Whisky-Coke, Vodka-Red Bull, Gin-Tonic). Women do not have to pay.

The Bank Nightclub - Hanoi
The Capital, 6th floor, 41 Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem District
Phone number: 09 44 90 32 32

Facebook: The Bank Hanoi

Operating Hours:
Every day until 2AM
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Savage Nightclub (Hanoi) - Techno Music

February 20, 2017, 4:50 am
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Savage is my favorite nightclub in Hanoi (by far). Located 15 minutes by taxi from the Old Quarter, in West Lake, it is just a few months old yet already crowded every night (with mostly expats).

It was opened by the Hong-Kong based Cliché Record label which is owned by a group of 4 French friends (Jean-François Amadei, Samy Stouky, Ouissam Mokretar and Julie Mira).

Savage is quite difficult to find as their outside sign is almost invisible. In fact, I had to look around for 10 minutes before I finally heard some music coming from a basement. As I was walking down the stairs, I was still unsure if I was in a club or in someone's house. To avoid wasting time, make sure you save their location on Google Maps: Savage Hanoi.

At the beginning of the night, Savage was more of a lounge/bar with great cocktails (around VND130,000 each but they had a promo Buy 1 Get 1 Free) and a relaxed vibe. The music was not too loud and it was easy to talk to other people, especially at the bar.

After 1AM, the sound got louder and people started dancing. Some moved from the lounge to a small "dark" room. This is Hanoi's version of an underground club. The two foreign DJs played techno/tech-house but this is likely to change depending on the schedule. What is for sure is that you won't hear commercial EDM/Hip-hop/House. The sound system could not be better (Funktion One, the standard among the best nightclubs in the world).

I had to leave around 2AM as my friend was getting sick, but the club does not close until 4AM or 5AM. This makes Savage the best late-night club in Hanoi (apart from dodgy bars like Tom's). Note that their door policy is that you cannot enter after 2.30AM.

Overall: If you enjoy quality electronic music, you won't find a better nightclub than Savage in Hanoi. Very recommended.

Gay-friendly nights once a month. More information on their social media below.

Savage Nightclub Hanoi
112 Xuan Dieu, West Lake
Phone number: 04 6686 6150
Email: hello@savage-hanoi.com

Facebook: Savage Hanoi
Instagram: @savagehanoi

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 7PM to very late.

Current Promotions:
- Friday free flow for 3 hours from 7PM to 10PM (VND350,000)
- Thursday: Buy 1 Get 1 on Champagne and GreyGoose Cocktails. Note that the GreyGoose bottles are served by these jaw-dropping ladies:
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20 Best Luxury Yachts to Cruise Indonesia

February 20, 2017, 11:00 pm
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Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, yet most tourists only visit the overcrowded and saturated island of Bali.

Until recently, it was still difficult to access some of the most remote parts of Indonesia. It required using local transports which, while adventurous, often turned out to be unsafe, uncomfortable, and inconvenient in terms of schedule. If you are on a budget, you can still travel this way and enjoy a truly unique experience.

A much nicer alternative is to book a luxury cruise, or even to charter an entire boat and its crew. There are now several ships operating in Indonesia offering liveaboard experiences, mostly in the eastern part of the country (Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua and Sulawesi). The best are privately owned and managed by foreigners who are passionate about sailing, diving, and discovering the culture of the islands they visit.

Almost all the luxury boats mentioned below are Indonesian/Dutch schooner (also called phinisis), an iconic ship used to transport goods within Indonesia since the 17th century. They have either been renovated or built on purpose for tourism with modern amenities and equipment. Some are among the most luxurious in the world, catering to a crowd of jet-setters, rich businessmen and celebrities.

The season for sailing is typically from February to October, with the best months from June to August. 

The best luxury yacht cruises and charters to explore the Indonesian islands are the following:

The famous luxury resort chain Aman offers unforgettable experiences on one of their two traditional boats, the 52-meter long Amandira and the 32-meter long Amanikan.

Their Komodo expedition departs from the Amanwana Hotel on Mojo island. The cost for 7-days is USD$42,850 for a couple. They also offer a Raja Ampat expedition departing from Sorong in Papia for USD$45,750 per couple. Don't worry, there will be cheaper options below!

More information on their website: https://www.aman.com/resorts/amanwana/cruises

The luxurious Alila Purnama is a floating 5-star boutique hotel. It is a 46-meter phinisi boat built on 3 decks with 5 suites. The 16-member crew includes a chef, a PADI-certified dive instructor and a masseuse.

There are several cruises every season in destinations such as Komodo, Raja Ampat, Maumere and Ambon.

Prices are on the high side, starting US$7,250 for a 3-night trip to Komodo in a standard suite. To charter the boat, you'll need to spend at least US$12,500++ per day.

More information on their website: http://www.alilahotels.com/purnama

Silolona Sojourns is one of the most luxurious private cruise companies to operate in Indonesia. As of 2016, it sails with 17 crew members to 5 destinations : Sulawesi, Banda, Papua, Komodo and Savu Sea. Their trips include carefully-planned land excursions by the American owner, Ms. Patti Seery.

The ships boasts 5 wooden suites that are each decorated with unique Indonesian artifacts. Numerous activities are available from water skiing to kayaking and sport fishing. You can also get your PADI certification onboard.

Prices are available on request. You can expect to pay at least US$10,000 for a 7-day trip. They have a second smaller liveaboard boat called Si Datu Bua.

More information on their website: http://www.silolona.com/

Owned by Veronika Blomgren, a successful Russian designer behind the Oazia brand in Bali, this growing company is planning to operate 8 ultra-luxurious ships in Indonesia within the next few years.

For now, they first one is a splendid 31-meter long phinisi boat with just one spacious cabin that can only accommodate a couple. Ideal for honeymooners, the current routes may take you to Moyo island, Komodo or Raja Ampat. The price starts at US$3,895 per night.

More information on their website: http://www.alexaprivatecruises.com/

Owned by American businessman Mark Robba, this 52-meter phinisi yacht can be rented for expeditions in Komodo and Raja Ampat from February to October. 

The price for booking all of its 7 suites is around US$87,000 for a week.

More information on their website: https://duniabaruadventures.wordpress.com

The 65-meter yacht is the longest wooden sailing boat in the world. It was designed by the Argentinian Marcelo Penna and built in Sulawesi.

It is owned by Dominique Gerardin, a former yacht captain from France. The destination portfolio includes Raja Ampat, Alor, Komodo, Sumba and Flores. During the wet season, it travels to Thailand and Myanmar.

The boat can accommodate up to 14 guests in 1 double master cabin, 4 double cabins and 2 twin cabins. The price for charter is US$22,000++ per night (minimum 3 nights). It includes all drinks, all dives, all spa treatments, internet, gourmet meals and the use of the jet skis.

More information on their website: http://www.lamima.com/

The 40-meter luxury El Aleph ship is owned by a Frenchman and managed by an international crew. Built in Sulawesi, it features 5 cabins, including a 50m2 master suite with its own terrace.

It sails in the islands of eastern Indonesia from Bali up to Raja Ampat. The price for chartering El Aleph is approximately US$10,000 per day. It is popular with Russian clients.

More information on their website: http://www.elalephcruising.com/

Managed by expats, Plataran Private Cruises have 8 luxury boats, including 4 wooden phinisis and 4 yachts.

The yachts are 15 meters long and 4,7 meters wide, with an overnight capacity of 5 guests. There are 2 bathrooms and the 3 cabins all have air-conditioning.

The phinisis each have their own specifications. The largest can accommodate up to 12 sleeping guests. Operated by 8 crews, they are all with air-conditioning and private bathrooms.

Their most popular cruise is a 3 days/2 nights itinerary taking the passengers island-hopping to Rinca, Kalong, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Kanawa and Sabolon island. The price is a reasonable US$900 per person.

More information on their website: http://plataran.com/private-cruises

Under French management, this company operates two boats, Ambai and Calico Jack. It focuses on dive cruises in spots like Raja Ampat, Komodo, Alor, Flores, Banda and the lesser known "Forgotten Islands".

They offer more affordable rates than some of the competitors listed here, starting US$1,720 per person for 5 days.

More information on their website: http://www.wallacea-divecruise.com

This 34-meter long phinisi boat can welcome 12 passengers in 5 cabins, each with their own bathroom. It sails to Komodo, Maluku and Papua.

You can either book an individual cabin, or charter the whole boat for US$4,400 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.tigerblue.info/

Owned by Amanda, a retired Australian lady, this company only has one boat, the 37-meter Al Iikai (which means Queen of the Sea). It features 5 king-size luxury bedrooms with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. 

As it is a smaller company, the prices are rather affordable, starting US$1500 for a 7-day Island Explorer Cruise that will take you around Lombok. They also have cruises with special themes (Yoga, Cooking or Golf). You can charter the boat starting at US$3,100 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.indonesianislandsail.com/

The expats owners manage two amazing boats: The Katharina, a 40-meter long phinisi boat with 6 cabins and a 14-guest capacity, and the Ombak Putih, a 42-meter traditional Indonesian schooner renovated in 2015 that can accommodate up to 24 guests in 12 cabins.

They sail to some of the most beautiful spots in Indonesia, including Banda, Maluku, Wakatobi, Alor, Lembata, Tidore, Savu and Raja Ampat. Their scheduled cruises often have a special guest on-board, for instance a renowned writer, a scientist or an adventurer. The price starts at US$2,500 for a 7-day cruise. You can also charter the whole boat with the crew starting US$5,400/day.

More information on their website: http://seatrekbali.com/

The Adelaar is a Dutch schooner that offers diving trips departing from Bali. Most of the guests go to the Komodo national marine park, but there are longer excursions to Sumba and Moyo islands on Sumbawa.

Their popular 10-nights/11-days-trip to Komodo in a standard room with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and a 120 cm bed costs US$4,000 per person.

More information on their website: http://www.adelaar-cruises.com/

The Mantra is a medium-sized (30 meters) phinisi yacht built in 2015 with 3 cabins. The management organizes cruises in Alor, Raja Ampat and Komodo for prices starting at US$3,000 per night.

More information on their website: http://www.mantradiveandsail.com/

Headed by Dutch national Leo van Oostenbrugge, the Mutiara Laut (Pearl of the Sea) is a schooner inspired by both Western and Indonesian design. It is 46 meters in length and can carry up to 14 passengers plus 15 crew members.

It sails in various parts of Eastern Indonesia: Bali, Lombok, Papua, Banda and Maluku.

Promising the services and amenities of a 5-star, it is available for charter for over US$10,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.mutiaralaut.com/

Designed by the Frenchman Georges Carraz, the 31-meter Raja Laut boasts 6 cabins with ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning.

The crew is made of 7 members from different nationalities and includes a dive instructor and a chef.

Its main destination is the Komodo National Park, but it also sails to Alor, Sulawesi, Papua and Maluku. Charter price approximately US$5,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://www.rajalaut.com/

This cruise ship can accommodate up to 20 passengers in luxurious cabins and its destinations include Raja Ampat, Bali, Komodo and Ambon.

You can book a room for a price starting at US$1,600 per cabin per night, or charter the whole boat for a price between US$10,000 and US$20,000 per day.

More information on their website: http://salila-indonesia.com/

The Samata is a 42-meter phinisi boat with 5 French-designed cabins that can fit up to 10 passengers. Its most frequent destinations are the Komodo marine park, Raja Ampat and the Banda islands. The team can also organize tailor-made trips depending on the customers wishes.

The price is approximately US$10,000 per day or US$60,000 per week.

More information on their website: http://samataliveaboard.com/

The elegant Zen phinisi is a 53-meter yacht belonging to a Polish national based in Hong Kong. With an emphasis on modern design, it boasts 6 bedrooms including a two-level suite master cabin.

It is available for private rent for US$85,000 per week.

More information on their website: http://www.globaladventure.com/

If you are planning a trip to Indonesia and you haven't considered buying travel insurance yet, please read my article: Travel Insurance for Indonesia.
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