Job Discussion Forums

melirae · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Korea

I've done some searching, but not managed to find much info about Bengkulu. I've accepted a position there and will be arriving late summer. From what I can find it's not a place a lot of people go. Anyone been there? Have anything they could share? I'll be living there for about a year, so advice on practical things as well as fun things is welcome! What's internet access like in this area as well if anyone knows- availability, prices, etc.?

I'm also really curious about this whole not using toilet paper situation (I'm a lefty! Very Happy

)....this is a custom I think I may have to work my way into slowly...

hairyrambutan · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:19 am Post subject:

Toilet paper is ineffective.

Putting your hand into contact with your own fecal matter is disgusting.

The best middle ground is the hand-held bidet, though you won't find them everywhere.

Even if you are a lefty, favour your right hand hand for social situations, i.e., shaking hands, giving items and receiving items. People won't care much if you are feeding yourself with your crapper hand, as long as you don't touch them with it.

I've never been to Bengkulu and would be interested to hear how it all pans out.

As a matter of fact, for all I know, they keep buckets filled with acorns next to their lavatories in Bengkulu, but the above is true in Java.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

I've been to Benkulu for a visit but never lived there - though I did live up the coast in Padang for a while. It's off the beaten track but surprisingly easy to get to and fro by air from Jakarta. Town itself is fairly small, so don't expect to buy stuff like good adult breakfast cereal or Emmenthal cheese...

The old fort is pretty unique, and there are fairly clean (and utterly deserted) beaches not far away.

Public transport is chaotic and confusing, though locals seem to know which minivans to use. The coast road area is flat enough for bicycling but inland there are steep hills and, like Padang, Benkulu is hot hot hot.

It would be a cheap place to live except you have to factor in the cost of air travel to go anywhere else.

melirae · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Korea

Just thought I would report back in case anyone else is curious about Bengkulu. I've been here for just over a week and I have to say it's not that bad. So far I haven't really found a whole lot to do outside of work other than read and watch movies, but the slow pace is nice.

I'm pretty proud of myself, as I have mastered one route on the chaotic public transportation! The 'angkots' as they're called here are different colors and have different letter/number combos. I can now get to the city center and back home.

As far as shopping and availability of Western food, the Giant supermarket at the new MegaMall has Skippy peanut butter, Nutella, a few cereals and a small selection of cheeses. Now if I could just find some quality bread or bagels to put the spreads on....

While it's a nice enough spot, I'm not really sure why anyone would visit though...there's the fort here but that's about it...there's a beach as well, but since there are other towns with beaches and more sites, they would probably be preferable.

Also, I'm the only bule. Maybe there are more somewhere, but if there are, they're hiding!! Going out of the house invites tons of stares and "hey mister!" calls. I also get followed in stores and feel like people are checking out everything in my cart when I shop!

It's going to be an interesting year....

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

For 51 weeks of the year you may well feel like the only bule in town. During the annual Tabot festival you will have company. I suspect there won't be much to do outside work unless you have a hobby or interest that is fairly self-sustaining. Remember, too, that Ramadhan is the most boring 4 weeks of the year.

Suggest you spend some time learning Indonesian as this will make life easier.

olpha · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 35

Bengkulu would be great...

Though I know of a great position in Lampung (9 juta a month -- about $900)...with a sweet house, too...(three bedrooms, two bathrooms...$100 a montH) Not so far away from Bengkulu, anyway...

You'd be on the coast, easy to travel to the city on weekends...cheap flights, or an overnight bus trip...

They brought me over to check it out & I would work there except that I got some news & have to get home to Canada...So I told them I'd try & find them someone online.

Let me know if u're interested -- or whatever happens with the Bengkulu situation would be great to hear about too...