How to RENEW the Social Budaya in BALI: Cost and Process

After you receive your Sosyal Budaya Telex (Visa Sticker) from the Consulate, you will have 3 months until the Visa expires so you need to enter Indonesia within that time.

Once you enter Indonesia / Bali, the visa’s allowable 60 days starts running.

Then, 7-10 days before the 60^th day, you need to RENEW your SosBud.

Note of WARNING: 

Renewing the Sos Bud is a time-consuming and tedious process as one is expected to go to the Immigration a total of 3-4 times! This is why most expats use an agent in sorting this out. But if you don't mind the hassle or would like to learn how this is done, read on..

Here’s HOW: 

How to APPLY for the Social Budaya Visa Yourself

An option to stay for a certain amount of time legally in Indonesia is using the Izin Kunjungan aka the famous (Social) Sosyal Budaya.

I say famous because most bules or foreigners that "live" in Indo, especially Bali, use this kind of visa. 

And it is POSSIBLE to do it on your own without having to pay unnecessary agent fees. 

Flores Island -- Tips on Booking Your Tours / Adventures

And now…. the more important topic regarding your tour activities and trips: 

How to book for your Flores adventure tours (Komodo dragons, snorkeling, diving) without breaking the bank and which agencies are good and trustworthy??

Indonesia: Labuan Bajo, Flores Island

view of Labuan Bajo town

For our 3^rd year anniversary and Christmas holiday, Michael arranged a trip to the Flores Islands. Seeing the Komodo dragons has always been a dream for us, not only because they are part of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World (according to the UNESCO Heritage Site) but we were interested to see these giant lizards in action as well as experience the beauty of the island. 

What’s also highly fascinating is that the Komodo Dragon is one of the very, very few surviving representatives of the Pleistocene era, where creatures and fauna were of gigantic proportions. And now these beautiful lizards are endangered – currently there are only more or less 4,200 dragons left! Their endangerment is highly due to the diminishing fauna and food available to them on the islands they inhabit plus the changes their environments are going through.

Nusa Lembongan -- How to get there

Dream Beach

I decided to go out of town for the weekend and what better place to do it than
Nusa Lembongan.



Ashamedly, in my almost 4 years here, it was my first time to see this beautiful little island especially since it's so close to Bali.


Having only a couple of days, it was the perfect easy getaway. Because of its proximity to Bali, Lembo is the preferred 'go to' escape for those with limited holiday time or those needing a quick one-day leisure off Bali.

Loads of travel and boat companies offer trips from 1-day cruise tours to 3 Night holiday packages.

Setting Up in Bali: Part II -- Renting Transportation, Communications, and Internet

How to Rent Transportation?

Setting Up in Bali: Part I -- Accommodations, Furniture, and Appliances

Sorry for the delay in between posts. Life has gotten quite stressful and busy here in Bali land.

How to Learn to Surf (in Bali)

brit having fun in kuta

So you're planning a holiday to Bali or already on one and have heard and seen the amazing surf culture on the island. Now, you want to take lessons and start rippin’... Well, it takes more than just renting a board and going out there.

To learn without having to endure my mishaps or at least not as much, take heed my advice:

How to get to Sesame Street?

"Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"

Doubt anybody ever really knows. Doesn't even say in the song nor has Big Bird, Bert or Ernie mentioned it. Perhaps, Snuffie knows.

7 Other Things to do in Siem Reap

Other things worth doing aside from visiting Angkor Wat:

How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap - Part 2

This part is about getting from the border to Siem Reap proper.

So you've gotten stamped, survived the chaotic crossing alive and all, and excited to get to the city and see the national heritages and wonders of the place. 

How to get there?

Crossing the Poipet Border Warnings

Many have experienced and written about their border-crossing horror stories, let’s hope through this you won’t have to write yours!

Poipet Boarder Crossing is the probably the busiest and most scamful of all the crossings into Cambodia. You really need your smarts to get through here. So when you're passing through, it's best if you're fully awake, sober, and in a good mood. Okay, maybe some alcohol might help ease the annoyance.  

BANGKOK: Ways to get from the Airport to Khao San Road

Bangkok is the capital, most populous city, and the main business district in Thailand. For foreign travelers however, Bangkok is a shopping mecca for cheap fashionable goods, delicious Thai cuisine, a commuter hub that connects you to the many other touristy spots of central Thailand, and of course the infamous Khao San Road.

Khao San Road is where the nightlife in Bangkok is concentrated; about 30 km/ 30 minutes from Suvarnabhumi airport. This is where all the crazy ought-be-forgotten partying happens aka the thai vortex.

How to get  to KHAO SAN from SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT

7 Fun things to DO in Osaka

I went to visit my good friend Andrew, who has moved here from Tokyo to work as an English professor at the beautiful Kwansei University. After touring his new school (definitely an upgrade from the language center we both worked for), we went around town to do some sight-seeing, eating, and of course partying!

What to DO and SEE?

5 Amazing Things to DO in Kyoto

Kyoto Imperial Palace

I had a few days off work so what better way to spend it than visiting ‘old Japan’ or what people call the ‘real Japan’ which is Kyoto. 

Kobe: 6 Things to DO in One Day

I had an extra day to spare so I decided to pay a family friend, the Sakoda Family, a visit. Sachiko and her daughter Aki gamely showed me around this little city.

What to do in ONE DAY??

5 Ways to Meet People in Tokyo

Life as a gaijin in Japan can be very lonely. If you’re male, you risk being called a pervert; for females, it may be a risk to your safety.

Coming up to other gaijins may come across as you being weird (unless you’re at a bar or club). More so, if you can’t speak the language well, it may get difficult for you to communicate and make local friends. 

So where do you go to meet people the safe or non-creepy way??

Here are 5 WAYS:

TOKYO LIVING

Living in Tokyo Town

Gaijin – slang and short for Gaikoku-jin. Modern meaning: Foreigner, alien, non-Japanese. Historical meaning: outsider, different people, barbarian. Yep, that’s you.

When I came to live and work in Japan, I didn’t know anyone or how to speak the language. Although, I didn’t learn the language (yeah, shameful, but I managed to survive. more on this in a separate article), I made many quality friends and learned so much about Japanese history and their way of life.

So, if you’re an Atarashii Gaijin (new foreigner) in the land of Nippon, you will need some essentials to help you enjoy your stay and survive Tokyo Town.

How to SURVIVE in Tokyo:

How and Where to find a Place To Live in Tokyo

photo courtesy of sakura-house

So, you’re about to move to Japan or have already moved but unsure of where to get help finding accommodations and such. 

Normally, your employer should help set you up. But if this isn;t happening and you're alone on your hunt, here are what you need to know about finding a place in Tokyo:

HOW TO GET A TEACHING JOB ABROAD

Often, I get asked how I find my jobs abroad. Many assume I go with an employment agency or have a friend help me in. The truth is, I just do it the plain old fashioned way: search online. I search, search, and search. It can get frustrating and exhausting but, just don’t give up really.

Here are some suggestions: