[Biologist]

I will be travelling from Australia to Europe at the end of this year (I will strictly not be doing any gaming activities in Europe). However, I have decided that I will stop over in either Jakarta or Manila on my way.

About myself:
Nationality - Australian.
Ethnicity - White.
Ages - mid 20s.
Languages - English only.

I have been to quite a few countries in South East Asia and East Asia already, but I haven't been to Indonesia nor the Phillipines yet.

At this point, it appears that I will only have approximately 10-12 days to spend in Jakarta/Manila, so my idea for this trip is to hit the ground running. I just want to party a lot and rack up as many notches as possible within this short time frame.

From my research on RVF, I think Manila will definitely not fail to deliver. However, I wouldn't mind going to Jakarta which is somewhat off the beaten track and could provide an interesting experience.

Does anybody have any advice as to which city to choose? Thanks in advance.

[Windom Earle]

I went to Jakarta, Manila and Cebu City late last year.

For me, overall, I had better success in the Phils, however both countries have their selling points which you'll find among the many data sheets here.

If you can swing it, why not do 6 nights in Jakarta and 6 nights in Cebu City? (which I preferred over Manila by the way).

[chochemonger1]

(07-04-2015 05:09 AM)Windom Earle Wrote:  

I went to Jakarta, Manila and Cebu City late last year.

For me, overall, I had better success in the Phils, however both countries have their selling points which you'll find among the many data sheets here.

If you can swing it, why not do 6 nights in Jakarta and 6 nights in Cebu City? (which I preferred over Manila by the way).

I would do Cebu. In short trips, logistics are most important. Jakarta has the worst logistics of them all. So you will get the most bang for your buck in Cebu.
But in the end it will be about banging 7 broads in one place compared to 12 in another. You really cant go wrong with your choice.

[KsockZ]

I went to both earlier this year, you'll do fine in either.

Jakarta was a lot more difficult to get around and I didn't enjoy the non-gaming aspect of the city as much as Manila.

That's crazy to say it's easier to get around in Manila because it's a shit hole and takes forever to get anywhere.

I managed roughly 1 girl a day in both cities, and definitely could have done more. On average the girls in my experience were slightly better looking and more fun in bed in Jakarta.

This doesn't say much either but I liked the food way more in the PI, however I did not research what I should have tried in Jakarta so maybe that was my bad.

You'll have fun in either city, like mentioned before; I would personally pick one, and plan to fly to the other in 5-8 days depending on how you like it.

[Brodiaga]

I've been to both. For one trip, Manila is better than Jakarta. But definitely try both.

Haven't been to Cebu yet, but want to check it out.

[rdp]

I've never been to Manila, but its on my to go list.
Anyway, for Jakarta you need alittle planning, location is everything. Its not uncommon to spend half a day stuck in traffic (at least thats what it felt like at times). To me Jakarta was not good; noisy, dirty, the humidity, pollution, the traffic, food, very little service minded people, and the feeling of always being hussled on from tuk tuk drivers to sellers - even at the fucking train station and airport. The girls I found to be nothing to write home about.
As a "Bule" you will be approached by both girls and men for something like a curiosity.
I heard good things about the nightlife.

[Saga]

Yeah, as a city Jakarta has zero charm and is a logistical nightmare. Everything (that's not an exaggeration: everything) is planned badly and the architecture is odious. Make sure you don't go during rainy season (usually November until March but it varies year to year) because main roads will be flooded for half the day (that's what happens when one neglects to build any drains in one of the rainiest major cities on the face of the planet). However, the people are very nice, it's cheap with decent shopping and it has very low crime (although it does exist) for a large city with a lot of poverty. Indonesian food is hit or miss, I got to like it but that's me...just be cautious about non-modern-mall food and especially warungs if you're there for a short visit.

If you can tolerate all that stuff, it is a good spot for meeting girls but 95% of that happens in clubs so guys who prefer daygame should think twice. You mentioned you're interested in partying though so you should do fine.

The "Bule Effect" is overrated...in the last 2-3 years there have been a lot of foreigners (Europeans mostly) going there for work so in the city center and all the nightclubs you won't be all that rare. It's not off the beaten track anymore. Strangely I suspect that the more a bule knows about Bahasa and Indonesian culture, the less girls are intrigued by him, so playing up the "foreigner who knows nothing about Indonesia" act is probably your best bet.

That said I've heard Manila is a lot like Jakarta except with more crime...I've never been to the Philippines so I can't compare.

[Kangaroo]

Jakarta nightlife is better so that would be my pick.

[S_tourist]

(07-04-2015 12:19 PM)Saga Wrote:  

Yeah, as a city Jakarta has zero charm and is a logistical nightmare. Everything (that's not an exaggeration: everything) is planned badly and the architecture is odious. Make sure you don't go during rainy season (usually November until March but it varies year to year) because main roads will be flooded for half the day (that's what happens when one neglects to build any drains in one of the rainiest major cities on the face of the planet). However, the people are very nice, it's cheap with decent shopping and it has very low crime (although it does exist) for a large city with a lot of poverty. Indonesian food is hit or miss, I got to like it but that's me...just be cautious about non-modern-mall food and especially warungs if you're there for a short visit.

If you can tolerate all that stuff, it is a good spot for meeting girls but 95% of that happens in clubs so guys who prefer daygame should think twice. You mentioned you're interested in partying though so you should do fine.

The "Bule Effect" is overrated...in the last 2-3 years there have been a lot of foreigners (Europeans mostly) going there for work so in the city center and all the nightclubs you won't be all that rare. It's not off the beaten track anymore. Strangely I suspect that the more a bule knows about Bahasa and Indonesian culture, the less girls are intrigued by him, so playing up the "foreigner who knows nothing about Indonesia" act is probably your best bet.

That said I've heard Manila is a lot like Jakarta except with more crime...I've never been to the Philippines so I can't compare.

Spot on!! I was at Dragonfly back in February, half of the club was bule. There is an abundance of Spanish and Italian guys in Jakarta now, compared to the first time I visited Jakarta in 2011. I probably saw a hand full of bule back then. Jakarta nightlife was one of the biggest reasons I kept going back for more, insane after hours, smoke show girls that were easy to pull, easy to navigate around the city at night, it was perfect. I can't put my finger on it but Jakarta has seemed to have lost it's charm with me. Alcohol and hotel prices keep climbing, the eye fucking has gone down a fair bit or maybe it's just me. I have not given up hope on Indonesia though, going to consider visiting second tier cities in the future.

[Ali]

Quantity: Manila
Quality: Jakarta

Pick both as the others mentioned above. 5-6 days in each city will be ideal. Don't miss Jakarta on weekends. Manila is full of action everyday of the week.

[Biologist]

Thanks heaps for all the replies guys!

Right now I am leaning towards Jakarta, mainly because of the nightlife and higher quality girls there. I think logistics/traffic will be problematic in both Jakarta and Manila. However, as some posters suggested, I am now very tempted to do 6 nights in both cities. I need to decide soon.

Would anybody happen to know the situation in Jakarta for bringing girls back to your room? I've heard that Indonesian police generally try to prevent non-married couples from staying together in the same room.

[KYT88]

(07-07-2015 02:30 AM)Biologist Wrote:  

Would anybody happen to know the situation in Jakarta for bringing girls back to your room? I've heard that Indonesian police generally try to prevent non-married couples from staying together in the same room.

I would say that is very rare, I have not seen any police around any of the big hotels and the staff are more than used to guests bringing back girls.

On occasion they may stop you coming out of some Kota establishments(Milles, Eksotis, Illegals) or stop your taxi and ask to see your passport.

What you may have to ensure is that your valuables are locked up in the safe though, had more than a few things go walk about here!

[spalex]

Jakarta is a shithole. Nobody there knows whats going on. I blame the fact that Indonesia is a bunch of Islands, some operate under strict sharia law, some don't. Some do but not in the touristy areas. Most of the time it won't get in the way of anything. But it can be a hassle.

The people are much nicer and friendlier in the Phils. I would definitely go back there. But as for Indonesia, unless you are a keen surfer, just go to Thailand instead.

[jojolapin]

(07-07-2015 12:23 PM)spalex Wrote:  

Jakarta is a shithole. Nobody there knows whats going on. I blame the fact that Indonesia is a bunch of Islands, some operate under strict sharia law, some don't. Some do but not in the touristy areas. Most of the time it won't get in the way of anything. But it can be a hassle.

The people are much nicer and friendlier in the Phils. I would definitely go back there. But as for Indonesia, unless you are a keen surfer, just go to Thailand instead.

Seems to me that Manila is even more a shithole then....try to cross all Manila in 30 mn by public transport it s impossible
in Jkt if you use Transjakarta no problem
I feel very safe in Jakarta
I dont even in touristic parts of Manila
Pinoys look friendlier and speak better English...maybe but they have no moral values at all
They pretend to be Catholic but if they can scam you they will anytime...
In Jakarta some people would offer to pay me the ride when they could see I didnt know m
No big city is perfect for sure but if I go to etiher Manila or Jakarta I try to forget about the ugly surroundings and I try to focus on the girls
and Indo girls are much more educated and sexier than pinays IMHO

[Captain Carnage]

Indo girls are more educated than Phillies. From my experience in HKG the only thing they are more intelligent in is scamming and everything resulting in how to make a quite buck. I respect your view though.

[jojolapin]

Maybe in HKG it s different
I noticed than most of the time people behave differently whether they are in their own country or not
Based on my experience filipinos abroad are great hard working and can be trusted the ones who stay in the country are the lazy ones who live from what the overseas workers sent them and I would never trust them...
As for Indos I only met them in Indonesia....not yet abroad...and I only have good memories so far....

[Captain Carnage]

Jakarta is on my list so I look forward to see who they are at home. Cheers for your explanation!

[Biologist]

Thanks again for the replies guys.

@KYT88, do the police tend to check smaller/budget hotel rooms? I'll definitely make sure to keep my valuables safe at all times, which I always do whenever I travel anyway.

From my research there doesn't seem to be much to do in Jakarta at all besides the nightlife and chasing girls. Looks like I will becoming noctural - going clubbing all night and sleeping during the day.

[KYT88]

(07-09-2015 01:51 AM)Biologist Wrote:  

@KYT88, do the police tend to check smaller/budget hotel rooms? I'll definitely make sure to keep my valuables safe at all times, which I always do whenever I travel anyway.

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I've only been stopped by the police three times in the last year driving a bike and they only seemed to be interested in getting a few $$.

Stayed in budget hotels on occasion when home is too far and never had a problem, they didn't ask for ID for the room either just cash and then do your thing.

[jojolapin]

(07-09-2015 01:51 AM)Biologist Wrote:  

Thanks again for the replies guys.

@KYT88, do the police tend to check smaller/budget hotel rooms? I'll definitely make sure to keep my valuables safe at all times, which I always do whenever I travel anyway.

Why would they? Police dont come inside a hotel without a reason...
I never had any contact with indo police in jkt during the day since I m using public transport
if you drive it s another story
of course traffic police might stop you when they see you are a bule..again if you have helmet and the right papers they will let you go

[Putin Closes]

Manila. By Far. Jakarta is a car hell-hole. At least there a few pedestrian friendly areas in Manila. Even Plaza Indonesia is not that pedestrian friendly.

[CodyB]

My experience with Manila is non existant. However, as a white male in good shape and decent looking, you will have girls almost throwing themselves at you in the nightclub provided there isn't an over abundance of white dudes in the club. Fact.

From what people told me about Manila is that it is not hard to get laid, however there is a massive quality drop off once you get to the 6-7 mark in regards to girls.

[Svoboda]

Been to Jakarta a bunch of times, never ever heard about police coming to your hotel or the hotel cockblocking you from bringing a girl back. I usually book for 2 people anyway at hotels since it's usually (almost) the same price and it keeps them from charging extra for bringing a guest (some hotels in Thailand have that policy).
I have heard of certain neighbourhoods keeping track of people living together unmarried, and girls not able to bring a guy to their kos (dorm).

About Jakarta, in a few ways it's a shit hole, no subway, some ok busses (transjakarta) and a load of shit busses. But you'll just take bluebird taxis and you'll be ok (gasoline is cheap so taxis are pretty cheap too). On the other hand there is a lot of money in Jakarta. Indonesia has around 250 million people, and a lot of the rich people are in Jakarta. Jakarta also has a decent middle class.
Indonesia has huge (what I call) high level corruption/criminality (politicians, big business, land deals, mining etc), medium low level corruption (civil servants/police etc) but a small amount of low level criminality (street robberies). So yes it's a fucked up country, but I think you're less likely to get pickpocketed or robbed at night in Amsterdam centrum than on the street around Jakarta nightlife.

As mentioned by others, I've also seen an increase of bule (white people) but you can still hook up with some hotties.
I don't know if you wanna bang as many as possible or have a bit of a holiday romance. It might be a good idea to make some friends in Jakarta. I've hooked up with a few nice chicks through social game (friend of a friend of a friend). Even though you're only there for 10-12 days, that's 2 weekends, you could make some friend(s) in that time.

Might I suggest you go to Yogyakarta monday-thursday? Visit Borobudur and Prambanan (short ride from Yogya, many daytrips offered). Either go with a chick you met in Jakarta, or game some girls in Yogya.

Indonesian women vs Filipinas.
I'd have to say I think Filipinas on average are hornier. Note: I've never been to the Philippines but I have hooked up with quite a lot here in Europe, and occasional other countries in SEA.

Indonesia has a lot of varieties, people from the different ethnicities and religions act quite different. The vast majority are muslim, but a lot of interesting chicks are christian (they make 10% of the population but 50% of the people I hooked up with or befriended)

[Svoboda]

I forgot to mention.
If you're on a dating site/app that allows you to search (or change your location). To Manilla or Jakarta, you might get an idea what's available and what you prefer. And maybe do some pipelining

[yfc4]

(12-09-2015 02:31 AM)fancylover Wrote:  

Jakarta is on my list so I look forward to see who they are at home. Cheers for your explanation!

Jakarta is decent for a weekend. The nightlife is good; clubs and bars fill up, though there are quite a few foreigners in the mainstream places now. Regardless, plenty off opportunities to pick up. You can get some tinder action lined up for the daytime sessions.

To put it into perspective, after a weekend in Jakarta, if you went home without banging, you would be entitled to be disappointed in yourself!