What is Gojek?

Hi again~

From the last post, I've mentioned a ride called "Gojek". Pardon me, I haven't properly explain it to you. Today, I'll let you know.

First of all, I certainly sure you all already know how the Taxi does. In Indonesia, there's alternative transportation you can choose. Besides TransJakarta, Trains (Commuter Line), etc, there is Ojek.
Ojek is Motorbike version of Taxi. Due to heavy traffic and highly costs to buy a car, people used to call an ojek instead to help Indonesian with their transport needs. Near or maybe far. You might fine ojeks sitting on their bikes in the corner of the road, or sometimes we build a mini hut and place "Pangkalan Ojek (Means ojek base)" sign to help people know that they are ojek driver. They're waiting for customer to get them and you need to debate with them on how much fare to get to your destination. Once you have deal, one of them will take you. If the fare is too high, you can also ignore those ojeks and find another pangkalan ojek.

But then, Indonesian get too tired on debating with them. Especially, people in Jakarta. Since Jakarta is the busiest, heaviest jam of all countries, ojek drivers used to put very high fare.

Example, your destination is only 2-5 km away but there's jam.You are too tired to walk, so you call for ojek instead. Ojek drivers in the traffic area will tell a ridiculous fare. I'm personally pretty sick of those ojeks who take advantage of the traffic. In desperation for easy, fair ojek, comes Gojek.

So, what is Gojek ?

[From Official Gojek Site]
GO-JEK is a social enterprise that partners with a group of experienced and trustworthy ojek drivers to deliver a one-stop-shop convenience service for Indonesians. Our services include Transport, Instant Courier, GO-FOOD and Shopping.

Gojek is made by one of Indonesian successful entrepreneur and essentially an Uber, Ticketmaster, Homejoy, Instacart and more all mixed into one. Using smartphones, you can book a Gojek to do anything for you. You can book a Gojek to do your grocery shopping, cleaning, buying tickets, sending stuff, etc. However, the primary Gojek service is their Uber like service where you can book a Gojek to take your destination. 

Now, Gojek is not alone. There are Grab Bike, Uber Motor, Blu-Jek and etc. But Gojek still on top regarding the number of Gojek drivers. How much is the price? It depends on your needs and it will show up in the mobile app.

If you have more questions about Gojek, visit their Official site. 

That's enough from me now. Thank you for reading this post.

See you again on my next post~

xoxo

Fasting Month (Ramadhan Month) in Indonesia

Hello again,

(Pardon my grammatical error if you read this)

Today is June 8th,2016. Third day of fasting of a month.
Many muslims around the world are celebrating fasting month or we called it "Ramadhan Month". In this case, celebrating means fasting from dawn to dusk (the length of fasting hour is different from each countries/area) , read much more the Qur'an, do more prayers (beside the 5 times pray), do more donation and do more good deeds. We also called this month as Holy Month. This year, fasting month is on June. Each year, it comes 1-2 weeks sooner.

Since the Majority of Indonesian is Islam, you'll feel something different in the fasting month. Indonesia will much more crowd aroun 5:00 .p.m . Many snacks booth or many stores will provide various kind of snack for break-fasting. From traditional snacks to classic snacks of break-fasting snack (dates). If you are in Jakarta, you'll face the most insane traffic in the world. Many cars & bikes will emerge in the main road around 4:00 .p.m and more.

What I personally loves from Ramadhan month are:
1. People tend to be much more nicer and quiter
2. Many kind of food will be sale, even the middle of the road (literally)
3. Although I need to come to work 30 minutes earlier than usual, the office will allow us to go home one hour earlier.
4. As many food emerging, many food bundling/set on the restaurant. Which is more cheaper (depends on the restaurant).
5. Many Ramadhan themes commercials.
6. After three weeks, they usually having "Lebaran" sale in many stores/department stores, etc.
7. And many more unique reason.

So, If you are coming to Indonesia now, Try to feel the Ramadhan Month euphoria from majority of Indonesian.

Sometimes, Different is good.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Indonesia~

xoxo

4 Things You Need to Know About Indonesian

Hi!

If you want to travel to Indonesia and want to make some preparation, this post is what you need. Yes, I am Indonesian. So, I'm going to help you to know the way of thinking of majority of Indonesian.

Indonesian

1. Indonesian Likes "Bule"
If you are living outside Indonesia, then you must "Bule"
What's Bule means? Bule means tourist/stranger from another countries, especially, the Australia, Europe, and United States. Indonesian usually call white people as "Bule" (Even White skin Asian does not count). Even for black people, who speak English, they will call you as "Bule" too.
Ok, i'll summarize that Indonesian call any non-Asian who lives outside Asia and talk in English daily as "Bule". (Sorry Asia, It just a habbit. Don't take it personally. Just another culture shock.)
Why Indonesia likes "Bule"?
They see you as foreign people (mainstream Indonesian thought that foreign people = cool people/ rich people, the others maybe thinking genuinely want to make friends). Don't be so shock when you are finally decided to come to Indonesia, and many people want to take a selfie with you or smiling/giggling at you. Just enjoy it.

2. Indonesian Loves Social Media
(In this case, Facebook)
Honestly, as Indonesian, sometimes I do feels kind of embarrassed to fellow Indonesia. They tend to obsessed to "Bule". If you have added Indonesian friend into your Facebook, I think, Evey posts you make will have their comments of loves or their own posts or etc. Thanks to the technology, addiction to Social Media is rising.
Oh, I suggest you to avoid friend request on Facebook for any strange name (e.g. L4il4 cH4Y4nK CmU4x, or any name combination of numbers and letters, Big or Small letters. We called them as "Alay". Alay is abbrevation of Anak Lebay = Overly Cheezy Person)

3. Indonesian Loves Bule that Learning Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language)
If you learning Bahasa Indonesia, i do recommend you need to post in your blog or youtube video or instagram or etc, that you want to learn Bahasa Indonesia. Just wait and let the magic happens. Indonesian will go crazy to want to teach you. My suggestion is pick a sane person that you think he/she might have the ability to teach you properly. I'm quite sure they will teach you for free.

4. Indonesian Loves Bule that Love Indonesia
Similar to what have I mentioned earlier, if you post in your social media that you love Indonesia and wait until 1 Indonesian saw you, it will go viral. And soon many Indonesian will welcome you greatly. Try to search name "Felipe Valdes" on goole. He is an example what I've explained.

Well, you can forget what i have explained try yourself to interact with Indonesian.
Or better, come to Indonesia right away! I will gladly welcome you. Need some advise/have some questions during in Indonesia ? Feel free to contact me.

I'll post later for some recommendation places to go to in Indonesia.
Sorry for my grammatical is a mess.

See you again on the next post ;)