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Air
services are available to all provincial district capitals and
other remote areas operated by Garuda Indonesia. Merpati Nusantara,
Sempati Air, Bouraq and Mandala Airlines.
Garuda
Indonesia, the national flag carrier, operates on both international
and domestic routes. Domestically it serves 33 cities including
all the provincial capitals.
The only all-jet airline on domestic routes, it has several daily
flights from Jakarta to other tourist destinations such as Bali,
Medan, Ujung Pandang, Manado and Yogyakarta. It also operates
shuttIe flights to Surabaya and Semarang several times a day.
For visitors, Garuda Indonesia has introduced Visit Indonesia
Air Passes which offers special fares on its domestic flights.
The passes are sold in conjunction with travel on Garuda from
Europe, USA, Australia and Japan, and have to be purchased from
Garuda Offices in these areas. On its international network, Garuda
Indonesia serves London, Amsterdam, Brussles, Frankfurt, Paris,
Zurich, Rome, Vienna, Cairo, Abudhabi, Jeddah and Riyadh. In Asia
and to points South, destinations are Ho Chi Min city, Bangkok,
Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Seoul,
Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin,
Portheland and Auckland. Garuda serves Honolulu and Los Angeles
as well.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines is the second national carrier and
flies to more than 100 destinations in Indonesia and has some
international flights to Australia (Darwin), Brunei Darussalam,
Davao (Philippines), and East Malaysia (Kuching). Bouraq and Mandala
also have scheduled services. Indonesia's three main gateways
are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Polonia Airport
in Medan and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. Several international
airlines serve Jakarta. Medan receives direct flights from Singapore,
Penang and Kuala Lumpur operated by Singapore
Airlines, Malaysian
Airlines, Silk
Air and Garuda.
Bali is served by Garuda and Qantas
and since 1986 Garuda initiated joint services with SIA, MAS,
Cathay
Pacific, JAL,
Silk Air, China
Airlines, Thai
Airways Int'l, Continental Airlines and Royal
Brunei for direct flights to Bali from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur,
Bangkok, Brunei Darussalam, Guatemala, Hongkong, Nagoya, Osaka,
Tokyo, and Taipei and other service from Amsterdam, through Vienna
and Abudhabi to Medan and Bali, offering easier accessibility
and overflying Jakarta.
Entry Requirements
Visa
Free Countries
Based on the strict application of reciprocity rules, the citizens
of 11 countries whose governments extend visa-free facility to
Indonesians, will continue to enjoy visa-free stays. The 11 countries
and administrative districts that are granted the 30-day visa-free
facility are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam,
the Philippines, Hongkong Special Administrative Region, Macao
Special Administrative Region, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.
Visa-On Arrivals for 20 Countries
The nationals of 20 countries will be able to apply for a visa-on-arrival
valid for either 3 or 30 days upon arrival in Indonesia. A visa
for a 3 day visit costing US$ 10 or US$ 25 for a 30 day visit.
The nations and districts eligible to purchase a visa-on-arrival
are: the Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New
Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland,
Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Citizens of countries not on the visa-on-arrival or visa-free
lists will be required to apply for a visa at an Indonesian Embassy
before entering Indonesia.
Entry and exit must be made through certain specified gateways:
By air through Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Surabaya
and Batam; By sea through Semarang, Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak,
Balikpapan, Tanjung Pinang and Kupang. For other ports of entry
and exit special visas are required. The maximum stay permitted
is two months and is not extendible.
Entry
and exit must be made through certain specified gateways: By air
through Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Surabaya and
Batam; By sea through Semarang, Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak, Balikpapan,
Tanjung Pinang and Kupang. For other ports of entry and exit special
visas are required. The maximum stay permitted is two months and
is not extendible.
Health
International health certificates for smallpox and cholera are
not required, except from travellers arriving from infected areas.
Customs
Indonesian Customs allows on entry a maximum of two liters of
alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams
of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cars,
photographic equipment, typewriters and tape recorders must be
declared to Customs upon entry and must be reexported. 'prohibited
from entry are TV sets, radios, narcotics, arms and ammunition,
printed matter in Chinese characters and Chinese medicines.
Advance approval has to be acquired for carrying transceivers
and all movie films and video cassettes must be censored by the
Film Censor Board. Fresh fruit, plants and animals must have quarantine
permits.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies.
However, the export or import of Indonesian currency exceeding
Rp.50,000 is prohibited.
Exit
The Government of Indonesia has officially abolished the exit
permit required for people leaving the country, effective from
August 17, 1992.
Airport tax levied on passengers for international travel i Rp.21,000,-
for travel within Indonesia regional variations occur. Expect
to pay an average of about Rp.8,000,-.
Sports and Activities
When you are not diving and snorkeling, there are many activities
to enjoy throughout Indonesia.
Indonesia is a sportsman’s playground, particularly so, for the
water or beach enthusiast. There is good diving and snorkelling
off Bali (Nusa Dua, Sanur, Padangbai), between Komodo and Labuhanbajo
in Flores, around the Banda Islands and off Pulau Biak off the
north coast of Irian Jaya. The sea gardens of Sulawesi, particularly
around Manado, are legendary. Renowned surf spots include Ulu
Watu in Bali, Grajagan in Java and Nias off Sumatra, but there
is surf along the southern coast of virtually all the islands
in Nusa Tenggara. Windsurfing enthusiasts are well catered for
in the southern resorts of Bali. Rafting is a new activity now
offered on Bali's Ayung River.
Sumatra has good jungle treks, particularly in Gunung Leuser National
Park. Berastagi and Bukit Lawang are also popular trekking centres
in Sumatra. More adventurous jungle trekking opportunities are
available in Kalimantan and Irian Jaya. For those who want to
scramble up mountain sides, Mt Bromo in Java and Agung in Bali
are perfect climbing venues; Gunung Rinjani, the volcano that
dominates Lombok, is a strenuous but worthwhile three-day jaunt.
For those who like to really be above the rest of the world, take
a helicopter ride or try hang gliding or parachuting. Soar above
the islands, feel the warm tropical wind in your hair and be as
free as a bird as you view the splendour of the land and her beaches
and outlying reefs below. Or look down into the eye of a volcano
and be in awe of the power that simmers beneath, the surface.
If this is all a bit much for you and you prefer a more relaxed
visit, cycling or horseback rides are available, play tennis,
golf or volley ball or watch some entertaining ethnic entertainment.
Whatever you want, be it strenuous exercise or a quiet stroll
down a sandy beach, there’s something for everyone in Indonesia.
Dining
Eating out is an integral part of life in Indonesia and visitors
are pleasantly surprised by the variety and selection of dishes
on offer at the numerous eateries around the country There is
so much to choose from that you are sure to find something to
tempt your palette.
Indonesian Restaurants featuring Indonesian cuisine can be found
all over Indonesia. Many regional dishes are popular far from
home, including spicy hot Padang food, delicious chicken from
Kalasan in Central Java, grilled fish from Ujung Pandang and scrumptious
Chinese seafood dishes.
International Cuisine Part of the experience of living in any
large metropolitan city around the world is the variety of international
cuisine available to the residents of the city. In this respect,
Jakarta and other main towns/cities in Indonesia are no exception
and there are diverse international culinary delights for all
to experience.
Hotels offer a good selection of international and national fare.
Major five-star hotels often have several world-class restaurants
each, with an international cuisine coffee shop and specialized
national/international cuisine restaurants and theme bars.
Wine and drinks tend to be expensive and drinks may in fact cost
you more than the food bill! Prices in hotel restaurants tend
to be higher than other restaurants.
Shopping
Batik fabrics and clothing is good value and always makes for
a good choice as gifts for friends and relatives back home.
Clothing
Tailoring is cheap and there are good tailors in the major malls
and other areas within the country.
Antiques
Always a popular buy. Do be aware of fakes though and don't be
disappointed when you get home, only to find you have been conned.
Look at antique buying more as shopping for that special souvenir'
then you won't be disappointed later.
Other than that the shopping choice is extensive and the best
thing to do on arrival is go 'window shopping for a day (or two)
then buy once you know what is available soon after. (If you leave
shopping till the last minute you may not be able to find that
special item you saw in a particular shop around a corner, down
some or other lane...)
Traveler Tips
Time Zone
Indonesia is divided into three time zones: Western Indonesia
Time (Sumatra, Java, west and central Kalimantan) is seven hours
ahead of GMT. Central Indonesia Time (Bali, south and east Kalimantan,
Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara) is eight hours ahead of GMT. East Indonesia
Time (Maluku, Irian Jaya) is nine hours ahead of GMT.
Currency
In major centres, travellers cheques in US dollars are readily
accepted and most hotels in tourist or commercial centres will
accept major credit cards. In other areas, small denomination
bills in Rupiah are advisable. The Rupiah comes in 100, 500, 1000,
5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 notes.
Currency Exchange
ATM machines are generally located in the major cities with few
to none in outlying areas. Visa card cash advance is common, and
they charge a small commission (5000Rp) in smaller cities. Banks
provide an exchange service on weekdays between 9-00 & 15-00.
No commission is charged for traveller’s cheques. Money-changers
rates are usually slightly higher for cash. Compare with the banks
themselves as to which offers the most competitive exchange rates
amongst the banks. Better rates are given for higher denominations
(50/100US$) of unmarked notes.
Languages
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language which is akin to Malay,
written in Roman script and based on European orthography. In
all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign
language spoken and written, some Dutch is still spoken and understood
in the bigger cities. French is increasing in its popularity at
the better hotels and restaurants. Generally the older generation
speaks Dutch as a second language.
Health Vaccination of Hepatitis and Malaria are recommended especially
visiting to Irian Jaya. If you are extending your trip with a
tour to the more remote parts of the archipelago it is wise to
consult a professional for advice as to what precautionary measures
maybe necessary. Reasonable medical facilities are available in
major towns but once outside these areas, medical services tend
to be very poor. Make sure that you have adequate health insurance
that covers evacuation and consider inoculations against typhoid,
cholera, Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis. There is a risk
of malaria in many parts of Indonesia and it is recommended that
you take advice regarding anti-malarial measures. It is always
best to check the current situation and any vaccination requirements
with your doctor when planning your trip.
Customs and Rules
Indonesia has a high Muslim populace and it is important to understand
and respect the local beliefs, especially during the fasting period
of Ramadan. The country's main holiday period is at the end of
Ramadan, when transport can be packed to overflowing. Prices can
soar and travelling can be difficult.
Calling people by crooking your finger is considered impolite.
The head is sacred and should be respected.
Patting someone on the head is not done among adults and should
even be avoided with children.
In a villager's home, it is polite to be invited first before
starting to eat.
Any loud public display is frowned on.
Climbing over monuments or places of worship is considered highly
disrespectful. (In Bali, waist sashes should be worn when visiting
temples.
Take off your shoes when entering a mosque or temple
Take off your sunglasses inside someone's house, unless you have
an eye disease.
Use your right hand when receiving something from or giving something
to someone. Talking with one's hands on one's hips is considered
impolite.
Scanty clothing is not advisable in public places in deference
to local customs. Shorts are not allowed in mosques and women
should have their arms and head covered.
Greeting people Indonesians are a polite people and very tolerant
towards foreigners and their manners. Handshaking is customary
for men and women alike on introduction and greeting, accompanied
with the usual smile.
Pork is forbidden for Moslems, but is often available in many
international restaurants and the international hotels and resorts.
Additional Traveler Tips
Don't flaunt your wealth: jewellery and heavy photographic bags
don't belong in the streets of Jakarta. Keep them for your travels
in Bali and Borobudur.
Travel light in Jakarta: it's hot, crowded and it wouldn't be
nice to meet its worst citizens.
Tipping
Major hotels usually add a 10% service charge to bills. Where
it is not included a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill would
be appropriate if the service is satisfactory.
Airport porters expect Rp.2,000,-for a small bag and Rp.3,000,
for bags weighing more than 20 kg.
Tipping taxi and hire-car drivers is not mandatory, but if service
has been satisfactory a basic Rp.1,000,- tip is sufficient for
a taxi driver, Hire-car drivers would normally expect a larger
tip.
Dress Code
In business circles, wearing a suit is the norm for both men and
women. For formal occasions, either a suit or a long-sleeved,
good quality, batik shirt are recommended for men, whilst evening
or cocktail dresses are suitable for women. As Indonesia is primarily
a Muslim country, modesty in dress is advised; remember to cover
up if you intend visiting a mosque.
Taxes
11% government tax is levied on all bills. Restaurants may levy
a tax of up to 21%
Business Hours
Banks and Government offices are open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday
to Friday and some are open 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday.
Offices
Most government offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Commercial offices and businesses are open 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Saturdays.
Hours for businesses and commercial offices are staggered.
Shops (Hours vary)
While shopping malls are open from 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. seven days
a week, individual shops often close at 6 p.m.
Electricity
Cities run on 220 volts, 50 cycle's AC system. Rural areas may
only be able to provide 110 volts.
Telephone
The international dial-up code for Indonesia is 62
When making international telephone calls from Indonesia, first
dial 001 + country code + area code + telephone number
Public phones are available in coins, cards, chips and (in some
tourist areas) credit card operated machines. There are also some
wartel or Telecommunication kiosks where you can make IDD or long
distance calls or send a fax, etc., in the bigger cities, one
can find internet kiosks.
Water
Tap water is not safe to drink and ice cubes should be avoided.
Bottled water is widely available but not always safe as there
are some illicit brands of (claimed-to-be) mineral water from
street vendors with no-guarantee that they are any better than
tap water. Some approved and safe to drink brands include Aqua,
Ades, Vit and Oasis. Ice cubes/bits from street vendors or small
restaurants are sometimes made from un-boiled water, or crushed
from ice blocks used for coolers. Those with weak stomachs are
better off sticking with cold drinks from fridge.
Taxi Warnings
Calling for a taxi ensures safe travels, especially at night.
Shop around to see which companies provide better service. In
Jakarta the Blue Bird Group taxis have an ANI bid radio system
(Automatic Number Identification), which enables the taxi nearest
to your location to take your order. This cuts the time needed
for the driver to reach you at your hotel.
If you are hailing a taxi on the street, try to spot a taxi from
a well known and reliable taxi company. Look for the company name
on the side of the vehicle and the crown light. When you get into
the taxi, always make note of the taxi firm and the code number
displayed on the dashboard or passenger doors. Check the driver’s
name, ID and photograph on the dashboard. You would need this
information to report problems to the taxi company. |
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