AZHAR GHANI, 36
Indonesia bureau chief, based in Jakarta since November 2005

An engineer by training, he became a journalist with The New Paper in 1999. He joined The Straits Times political desk in 2004 before transferring to the foreign desk. He is married to fellow-journalist Laurel Teo, 30.

The best thing about working in Jakarta... is that it's a very exciting place, politically and economically. In the last two years, we have had two major natural disasters and a volcano which threatened to erupt - but thankfully didn't.

The worst... is being away from my wife. I know it sounds parochial, but it's true. I've also yet to settle into a social equilibrium. I have no friends so weekends are spent in the office.

The most misunderstood thing about Jakarta... is that it's a cheap place to live in.

The most difficult thing about reporting from Jakarta... is how there are many competing and conflicting sources of information, with a lot of people running around giving different interpretations on events. You have to make your own judgment on what to believe and what to ignore.

Three places Singaporeans must visit:

• Ratu Plaza, a shopping mall in South Jakarta where we grativate to get our fix of DVDs.
  
  
• Blok M, which is like People's Park Complex in Singapore, with a lot of shops selling knick-knacks.
  
  
• The Hotel Indonesia roundabout, where all the political demonstrations start. The bureau's office overlooks this roundabout, so we just look out the window to see what's happening.