Jakarta or Surabaya?

(Arnold) I am a 43 yr old active South African moving to Indonesia from China. I have a choice to live in Jakarta or Surabaya. I am in sales, so I do not go to an office.
My fiancé will be joining me at the end of the year.
I have spent a fews days in Kemang but find the constant traffic terrible. The fumes are bad.
I know it is an unfair question, but could you recommend other areas in Jakarta that would be more suitable for a bule or is Surbaya a better bet. I like city “action” but also sport, outdoors etc

(Miree) I assume from your email that you do not need to go to an office and can work at home?

Most expats in Jakarta choose to live either downtown (Menteng, Kuningan etc.) so as to be close to their offices. Others, usually families, choose locations further south (i.e. Kemang, Pondok Indah) which are closer to the international schools, a is easier to find large houses with back yards. However in these locations traffic and pollution are unavoidable. Others who choose to escape the city-area choose outside area's like Sentul or Karawaci or even Puncak. The air is not as polluted and traffic is better - it is just not that conveniant if you need to go to downtown Jakarta.
Surabaya is considered a nice city to live in, though the expat community is quite small and it is a little quiet.

Have you considered Bali as a potential location to live? Most of us would choose Bali if our career's allowed us to.

I hope this helps - however I am more than happy to help you further if need be. Don't hesitate to contact me again.

PS - And dont forget to ask Santa Fe to help you move from China!

Barbie Doll Factory Tour

(Sherry) A bunch of my friends and I want to go to the Barbie Doll factory for a tour. I know this is possible, but I have lost the contact name and #. Do you have an idea of who would have that information?

(Miree) Hi Sherry,
Yes you can organise tours directly with the Mattel factory -
PT Mattel Indonesia
Industri Utama, Blok SS kav 1-3
Kawasan Industry Cikarang Tahap 2
Tel: +62 21 893 4044 / 893 6580
I hope this information helps and that you enjoy your tour!

Tatler Magazine

(Bambang Priyono) Thanks for the inclusion of the Talisman Stampede Stomp night in the WNJ. That is great!
Now, I am looking for a link to another magazine called “Tatler” but I got all sorts of unrelated items when I tried the internet. I wonder if you know who/which organization runs this magazine so that I can be more focused with my search.
Thanks again! Have a great weekend!
(Miree) Hi Bambang,
You are most welcome!
You can contact the Tatler magazine office at :

PT. Dayakomunikasi Mandiri
Jl.K.H Wahid Hasyim 318, Menteng
jakarta 10350, Indonesia
telp : 021 315 1421
info@indonesiatatler.co.id
Director : Millie Stephanie

Good luck!