After a 14 hour flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, I boarded the flight to Jakarta. This one was only 4 hours. By this time, I am too excited to be tired. The longest part is over and I am closer to experiencing the wonders of Jakarta. The adventure has begun!!! . As soon as I descended the plane in Jakarta, warm dewy weather greeted me. I felt like I was in Florida but as I advanced through the airport, it was evident that I was not. Signs directing me to customs were written in English and Indonesia. However, this was not even necessary as our greeter was not more than 50 feet from the door to welcome I and the other educators and direct us to baggage. After collecting baggage we went through customs, which did not take more than 60. Chicago takes forever.
As i left customs, smiling faces and waving hands motioned for me to come hither. Yes!!!! It was the currency exchangers. There were four windows through which fingers waved at me to come here "no commission." However, this is not quite the case. Each currency exchange offers rates based on the domination you are exchanging. Exchanging small money denominations, such as 20 dollar bills does not yield the best rate. I wish I had known it when I obtained cash at my Hyde Park bank. Nevertheless, the teacher in me investigated more than one window. Thank God I did, I was able to get a better rate with the second window than the first!!! The exchange rate was 9500 for $1.00 rather than 9300 for $1.00. Not dramatic but worth the two extra steps to the left to get it :)
Lesson: When traveling to Indonesia exchange at the airport. The rates are better than the hotel. Also, bring large bills such as $100 dollar bills as the Indonesians prefer it.
As i left customs, smiling faces and waving hands motioned for me to come hither. Yes!!!! It was the currency exchangers. There were four windows through which fingers waved at me to come here "no commission." However, this is not quite the case. Each currency exchange offers rates based on the domination you are exchanging. Exchanging small money denominations, such as 20 dollar bills does not yield the best rate. I wish I had known it when I obtained cash at my Hyde Park bank. Nevertheless, the teacher in me investigated more than one window. Thank God I did, I was able to get a better rate with the second window than the first!!! The exchange rate was 9500 for $1.00 rather than 9300 for $1.00. Not dramatic but worth the two extra steps to the left to get it :)
Lesson: When traveling to Indonesia exchange at the airport. The rates are better than the hotel. Also, bring large bills such as $100 dollar bills as the Indonesians prefer it.