Jakarta

NEWS FLASH

GJ has had an exciting job offer. We have been aiming for a transfer to China, but the company has an urgent need for an experienced person in Jakarta, Indonesia. GJ is a state manager presently and the job on offer is for a national manager, so it would a big promotion. The transfer would be for 2 years only in order to train a local manager to take over. Then, we would be able to pick and choose our next location, hopefully China. GJ's company's head office is in Germany, one day we could end up there!
The international manager approached GJ directly, and as such, until they told the Australian managers I was unable to discuss this news.
We are extending our Singapore trip to take an orientation tour of Jakarta. The company wants us to see it before we sign any contracts.
We were initially very concerned about the safety of the region. The Australian media is full of dire warnings of all sorts of problems, as well as the memory of the Bali bombings and the riots of 1998. I have done a lot of research and spoken to a lot of people and have found that Jakarta is as safe as any other major city in the world. There are places in Brisbane that I would not go alone at night. I have found many helpful people online which have made us all so excited about moving. Devi, Santy and Jakartass have all be so friendly and welcoming and have made me feel at ease. I know that the culture shock will be huge, but how exciting!
The only drawback is that there is no winter. It is STINKIN HOT every day of the year, and humid. I hate this weather, I know there is aircon, but I like 4 distinct seasons, oh well, I will just have to get use to it.

Weather Overview

Jakarta is almost always hot and sticky. Average maximum temperatures stay above 30°C (86°F) throughout the year. October to February is the official wet season, when torrential rain dumps down, clearing the streets. July through to September has the least amount of rain, and that's when the temperature remains consistently high.

I would love to hear all your views and/or
experience about Indonesia and especially
Jakarta. I am very thirsty for all information.