It hasn't been easy to convert Indonesian prices into US dollars -- with the exchange rate at about 14,193 Rupiah to $1 USD -- making the advertised juice (photo above) cost about $2.11 USD. Thank goodness for exchange apps on my phone. Just picking up about $500 USD worth of Rupiah at my local bank before the trip resulted in me getting 145 paper notes worth 50,000 Rupiah each. I have to keep reminding myself that each bill is only worth about $3.43 USD.
On the other hand, my needs are met cheaply. One example, the beach-side dinner at the resort (pictured in the prior post) cost only $5.15 US (75,000 Rupiah). Like my travel in China, I am reminded why ex-pats enjoy the low cost of living there and here. When I asked my friend from high school about his choice to remain an ex-pat for his career and retirement, he said it was an easy decision when he remembered that back in the USA he wouldn't likely have his own cook/chef, housekeeper and driver.
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