--- product_id: 8064570 title: "Bule Gila: Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta" price: "$48.26" currency: USD in_stock: true reviews_count: 4 url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/8064570-bule-gila-tales-of-a-dutch-barman-in-jakarta store_origin: US region: United States of America --- # 5 years of immersive cultural insights Compact 200+ pages of witty Jakarta tales High humor quotient with real-life anecdotes Bule Gila: Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta **Price:** $48.26 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock Jakarta’s wild side—one hilarious story at a time! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Bule Gila: Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta - **How much does it cost?** $48.26 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/8064570-bule-gila-tales-of-a-dutch-barman-in-jakarta) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Authentic expat perspective:** 5 years of firsthand observations bring unmatched cultural depth and wit. - • **Bite-sized chapters for busy pros:** Perfectly paced 2-page stories ideal for commutes or quick breaks. - • **A laugh-out-loud cultural companion:** Relatable, riotous stories that turn everyday encounters into memorable moments. - • **Collector’s gem in good condition:** Pre-loved but well-kept—own a unique piece of Jakarta’s storytelling scene. - • **Dive into Jakarta’s vibrant nightlife:** Experience the city’s quirkiest bar culture through a foreigner’s sharp, humorous lens. ## Overview Bule Gila: Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta is a used book in good condition featuring over 200 pages of sharp, humorous stories from Bartele Santema’s five-year experience managing a legendary Jakarta bar. With short, engaging chapters, it offers a unique expat perspective on local culture, making it a perfect read for professionals seeking a witty cultural escape during their daily commute or downtime. ## Description bule gila (BU-leh GEE-lah) n Indonesian for "crazy foreigner" In a secluded corner of a shopping and entertainment complex in Jakarta lies a bar called BuGils. BuGils, a contraction of bule and gila (in addition to being the Indonesian word for 'naked'), has had the honor of hosting the most colorful collection of locals and foreigners Jakarta has ever seen. The manager of BuGils, Bartele Santema, has spent five years amongst these creatures and with a keen eye and sharp wit observed and documented their curious behavior. The Colonel who upsets everyone. The Brit who buys used socks. The second-hand newspaper seller who is smelled before he is seen. The cook who moonlights as a mystic. The Dutchman who gets new teeth. All of these -- and many more -- make up this collection of riotously funny stories of life in Jakarta as seen through the eyes of a foreigner. Review: O So True - Waiting at the airport, having missed my plane, with much thanks to the taxi driver that decided to take me the scenic way, I had not much to do but look around the many shops. Luckily a little book wrapped in clear plastic caught my attention. "Bule Gila" a term that had been reffered to myself only days prior is a light hearted but but oh so true interpretation of the day to day dealings in Indonesian culture. Being 36 years old, I have not had the patience to read a book since my teen years at school. With a somewhat short attention span and overactive mind, reading a book was the last thing on my mind for my return trip to Australia. In eight hours, on and off, I finished the book and was dissapointed to get to the end. The stewardesses must surely have been wondering what my bursts of laughter were about between the hours of midnight and six am. Looking forward to a "bule Gila 2". Great work Bartelle and I will surely visit Bugills the next time that I am in town. O.E. Review: A good and humorous book - highly recommended - I really enjoyed reading this book, I got quite a few laughs. Each chapter is short (approx 2 pages or so), has different themes and context and always tells a good story. You are hooked from the start of each chapter as you find yourself compelled to finish reading the story to find out what happened in the outcome of Bartele's experience. I highly recommend this book as a read on your daily journeys to/from work on the bus/train/ferry or if you are alone having a quiet beer in bar. ## Features - Used Book in Good Condition ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 17 Reviews | ## Images ![Bule Gila: Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/612Z-MrfOSL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ O So True *by O***N on September 26, 2005* Waiting at the airport, having missed my plane, with much thanks to the taxi driver that decided to take me the scenic way, I had not much to do but look around the many shops. Luckily a little book wrapped in clear plastic caught my attention. "Bule Gila" a term that had been reffered to myself only days prior is a light hearted but but oh so true interpretation of the day to day dealings in Indonesian culture. Being 36 years old, I have not had the patience to read a book since my teen years at school. With a somewhat short attention span and overactive mind, reading a book was the last thing on my mind for my return trip to Australia. In eight hours, on and off, I finished the book and was dissapointed to get to the end. The stewardesses must surely have been wondering what my bursts of laughter were about between the hours of midnight and six am. Looking forward to a "bule Gila 2". Great work Bartelle and I will surely visit Bugills the next time that I am in town. O.E. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A good and humorous book - highly recommended *by B***D on March 26, 2008* I really enjoyed reading this book, I got quite a few laughs. Each chapter is short (approx 2 pages or so), has different themes and context and always tells a good story. You are hooked from the start of each chapter as you find yourself compelled to finish reading the story to find out what happened in the outcome of Bartele's experience. I highly recommend this book as a read on your daily journeys to/from work on the bus/train/ferry or if you are alone having a quiet beer in bar. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blue Gila *by I***C on September 4, 2005* A very entertaining look at expat life in Jakarta. An enjoyable and easy read. It rings true to life. Having managed a bar in Indonesia in the 70s I particularly related to it. I looke forward to visiting BuGils. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.us/products/8064570-bule-gila-tales-of-a-dutch-barman-in-jakarta](https://www.desertcart.us/products/8064570-bule-gila-tales-of-a-dutch-barman-in-jakarta) --- *Product available on Desertcart United States of America* *Store origin: US* *Last updated: 2026-07-12*