On retirement plan

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