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Stepy67 · Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Kingsport, Tn

Hi everyone! I'm heading to Surabaya next week (well after a few days in Singapore for visa stuff) and Im wondering what all to pack and not to pack.

Sorry boys, this is mostly for the women!

First of all, Ive heard that there are no tampons available. Is this true in Surabaya and other bigger cities, or just in smaller towns? Also, should I go ahead and pack the TP, razors, conditioner, body wash, etc? Or is that available in stores? Just wanting to make sure I use the precious baggage space in the most efficient way I can!

Thanks for any and all responses!!

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

everything u need is available in sby.
ask the dos that hired u to put u in touch with some of the female teachers that currently work there. they will be able to tell u exactly where to find everything. i think most convience stores have all the things u mention.
great urban myth............. no tampons in indo.

Stepy67 · Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Kingsport, Tn

Good good good! Ok that will save me a lot of space in my luggage!
Thanks!!

ang_nic · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 12

actually TravelNTeach...i wouldn't call it a myth at all.

outside of Bali and the bigger cities they are definitely not found in the pharmacies, supermarkets, or convenience stores. i live in a smaller city on Java and you cannot find them.

so it definitely is a reality if you are living outside of jakarta/surbaya/etc. [just wanted to clarify]

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

interesting ang. what city do u live in? my maid has all those things available at small rukos in her tiny village. i have seen them for sale in solo, yogya, semerang and many other small cities. i cant imagine that the razors, shampoos and the rest are unavailable to the 80% of the indonesians that live outside the few large cities. what pray tell do all these women use instead of tampoons/pads?

ang_nic · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 12

*slaps forehead* I guess I wrote that message a little too quickly i forgot to add the operative word that *tampons* are not easily found outside the big areas.

I live in Malang and only pads are available.

but yes of course all other toiletries are very easily found and of good quality....besides tampons you can find everything else at the local supermarket/pharmacy.

Madame J · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:09 am Post subject:

Decent reusable razors are hard to find. I'd suggest bringing a couple, even if they are expensive.

Also, for some reason it was really difficult for me to find plain T-shirts/vest tops anywhere in town, unless I shelled out for Marks and Sparks. They're not the kind of thing I wear much here so I hadn't anticipated this being a problem, but actually they're invaluable for "conservatising" a dress for teaching/leaving the cities.

jojo25 · Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

I live in Surabaya, and have been able to find most stuff, with the exception of tampons! They are no where to be found. It can be a bit frustrating because lots of soap, face wash etc has "whitening agents" in it. Just be sure to check the label!