On retirement plan

Concerning Anthony Pace's comments about wanting to retire in Indonesia. This Bush-boosting bule (white man) has been Bandung billeted in retirement with his Sundanse wife for over 10 years.

Suggestions: Plan to put control of all real Indonesian property in the hands of your wife (she'll inherit it all later anyway), so long as she agrees that you can live in her house. Get a sociocultural visa (VKSB), good for two months and renewable in country for up to six months.

My per-VKSB extensions, using an agent to spare me interfacing with immigration office, cost less than US$300. Every six months take a holiday to Singapore to get a new visa, stock up on books written in English, vitamins, minerals, enjoy the market, the cleanliness and enjoy a few ham sandwiches. The VKSB and Singapore holidays probably cost less than in-country "administration" of a retirement visa and is certainly more enjoyable. Keep your money in the United States but set up a transfer-by-phone plan with your bank to send funds to your wife's account in Indonesia every three months or so. Get an Internet connection to keep in touch with the outside world, read The Jakarta Post daily and keep a low profile (below see-level).

Indonesia really is a nice place for all those reasons you note, in addition to those negative matters you note.

RICHARD E. HARTMAN, Bandung