Job Discussion Forums

terenjac · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject: Purwokerto info please

I may be going to Purwokerto later this year. I did an internet search but was unable to find much about Purwokerto.

After 4 years teaching in South Korea I do know a little of what to expect in an Asian country. Nevertheless, I would be very grateful for any comments or advice people may have in regard to Indonesia in general and Purwokerto in particular.

I'm not into bars and night clubs but I would like to see as much as possible during my time there. So, what is there to see and do in and around Purwokerto ?

Advice on the cost of living for an 'economical' Westerner would be appreciated.

What sort of accommodation is available for a Westerner ?

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT ..... WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF GETTING ACCOMMODATION WITH A WESTERN TOILET ? (Don't laugh, I hated the "squatter" toilets found in older parts of South Korea)

Are taxis cheap in Indonesia? (In Korea they are really cheap and I used them frequently)

Hope someone can spare the time to give me a few pointers.

Thanks in advance.

Terenjac

drgonzo · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 82

How long are you going to be there?

I merely passed through on my motorcycle on my way to Yogya, and all I can say is that there is next to nothing there... maybe a market or two surrounded by rice paddies.

If you can't find a place with a western toilet, here is what you do: buy a fairly cheap plastic chair and cut a 6 inch hole in the center of the seat. Place this chair over the squat toilet, and there you are, you have a western toilet! (Just make sure that the chair you buy doesn't have a support frame that passes through the middle of the seat.)

Personally I couldn't spend more than a day or two in a town like that... but each to their own.

terenjac · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:37 am Post subject: Absolutely brilliant thinking!

drgonzo · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 82

I never actually tried that... I actually meant it as a joke, but if it works for you, great.

terenjac · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:24 am Post subject: Joke

Even if it was only a joke I still think it's a brilliant idea.

By the way, are there 'squatter' toilets in Indonesia ? They still exist in Korea and are avoided by all but the most adventurous westerners.

Fortunately the SK government did a major update on most of the facilities aimed at tourists. Their expressway service station public toilets are almost world class. The only complaint about them is that the doors open out onto public areas and you are visible to all and sundry as you "go about your business". Certainly not for modest or easily embarassed people.

However, in the older parts of Korean towns and cities the quality and cleanliness of public toilets is abysmal.

drgonzo · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 82

yes, most of the facilities still have squatter toilets, especially outside of jakarta. Even if you find western toilets (i.e. in malls), there will never be any toilet paper, and more often than not the toilet seat will be filthy from people actually squatting on top of the seat!
I would suggest you learn how to squat, and that you learn how to wipe by splashing with your left hand...

terenjac · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:04 am Post subject: Any other info ?

DRGONZO has given plenty of advice re Indonesia's toilets - this hasn't put me off coming to Indonesia so does anyone have any other helpful comments to make re Purwokerto ?

drgonzo · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 82

I think no one has commented as of yet, because as I said, there is next to nothing there.
This is a small town (for Indonesia) near a volcano on the way to Jogya, but not close enough to Jogya to go there on a regular basis. It is surrounded by agriculture which is mostly rice paddies, likely some bananas, peanuts, and tea plantations... it is one of the poorest areas in Indonesia.
I can guarantee that your expenses will be extremely low there. You would probably have a hard time spending $5 USD a day, as there would be nothing to spend it on but fried rice and gado gado! There will also likely not be very many or any people that speak English... so you will learn your Indonesian very fast.
I personally would be very bored there - in fact, I think I only spent about 1 hour there to rest from my ride, fuel up, eat, and get moving again. The only TV will likely be Metro TV. The only English literature will be what you bring in.
All I can say if you take that job is good luck... sounds like a hard-ship posting to me. Oh... and be careful if you fly into Yogja to get there... rumour has it that airport's runway is a touch short and can make for some pretty bumpy landings.

I suggest asking your same question on jakchat.com ... the admin there lived for a few years in Jogja and can likely provide you with some information.

tanyakenapa · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Batavia

I have also just passed thru the area, on driving home from Jogjakarta.

The only good thing about the area, is that there are lots of nice places to visit in. Such as Batu Raden (you might remember the bridge collapsing there and killing a few people tho at the tourist park)

And also its close to the area of Dieng Plateau .. nice mountainous area, cool weather etc etc... popular for tourists..

look at the link below you can choose bahasa or english on the righthand side of the page Smile

http://www.pariwisata.banyumas.go.id/modules.php?name=Sections&op=printpage&artid=26

it might not give a great deal of info... but it might help... Purwokerto is in the "region" of banyumas...

So if you do a google search of Banyumas and Purwokerto you might find some more info Smile

tanyakenapa · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Batavia

forgot to add...

the main street in purwokerto is Jalan Soedirman (spelt the old way) and im sure you'll be able to find some temp accomodation there, before finding somewhere permanent..

There are heaps of resto's there, and Im sure you will have no trouble finding some accomodation with a western toilet. Its in the middle of Java but it aint that bad.

If your asking about taxis for the central of Java yes they have them there, and its fairly cheap to get around. However you will probably be able to get a "becak" or pedicab to take you around when needed. Very cheap indeed....

To get out of Purwokerto, you can get the medium sized buses...painted very colourful, to visit other towns in the area.

Zorobabel · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 82

I stayed there for a week a few years ago. I'm actually surprised to hear that there are businesses there hiring Westerners. It's the kind of place I love, but I guess most people would hate it. As already mentioned, there's not much happening within the city. It has the furnishings of a typical midsize Javanese city: banks, fast food, and some other hints of modernity. I've never been to the mountains just north of the city, but I absolutely loved Wonosobo, which is in a mountainous region a couple of hours east of Purwokerto. There's definitely some beautiful country in that region.

You could probably find a way to get to the south Javanese coast, though I'm not exactly sure how. It's just a few hours away. Anyway, the beaches there are the best on Java.