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About Indonesia
Click here to see a map of Indonesia.The most visited islands in Indonesia are Sumatra, Java and Bali. You could see the main highlights of these three islands in about a month, although it doesn't leave much time for relaxation. Sumatra's main attractions are in the north between Medan and Padang. Spectacular Danau (Lake) Toba is a must, and the Bukit Lawang orang-utan sanctuary can be easily reached from Medan. Java's Jewel is the city of Yogyakarta, a cultural centre and a great base for exploring the magnificent monuments of Borobudur and Prambanan. Pangandaran (near Bandung) is Java's beach resort, while the Gunung (Mount) Bromo area near Surabaya is one of Indonesia's most spectacular volcanic landscapes. Bali has beautiful green terraced landscapes, amazing Hindu culture and excellent facilities. There are many splendid temples to see such as, Ulu Watu, Rambut Slwi and Tanah Lot perched on cliffs over the sea. Kuta is Bali's most famous beach, but other resorts, such as Lovina, Candidasa and Sanur, also offer sun, sea, surf, snorkelling and socialising, Ubud is where contemporary culture is best experienced, here modem painting and carving thrive, along with traditional music and dance and the island's finest cuisine.
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Culture
Islam is the predominant religion of the archipelago but it's somewhat tempered by elements of Hindu-Buddhism, adat and animism. In Java, there are hundreds of places where spiritual energy is thought to be concentrated and can be absorbed by followers. Despite a lengthy colonial period, missionaries were only successful in converting small pockets of the Indonesian population to Christianity. Many Indonesian dishes are Chinese-influenced, but some, such as Padang food from Sumatra, are distinctly home-grown. Wherever you travel in Indonesia you'll see vendors selling snacks such as potatoes, sweet nuts, biscuits or fruit. Rice is the basis of each meal, eaten as a soup or with an assortment of hot and spicy side dishes, salad and pickles. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is the most common dish, while sate (skewered meats with a spicy peanut sauce), gado-gado (bean sprouts and vegies in peanut sauce) and seafood are also popular. There is a huge variety of tropical fruits grown. They include custard apples, durians, guavas, jackfruits, mangoes, papayas, starfruits and rambutans.
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Local_Currency
Currency: Rupiah (rp)
Travellers cheques and cash (preferably US dollars) are the way to go in Indonesia. Credit cards are accepted by expensive hotels, restaurants and shops, but not for day-to-day expenses. In major centres, you can always find a bank that will advance cash on Visa or MasterCard. Credit card advances through ATMs are possible, but limited.Tipping is not a normal practice in Indonesia but is often expected for special service. Someone who carries your bag or guides you around a tourist attraction will expect a tip. Jakarta taxi drivers expect you to round the fare up to the next 500 rp. Hotel porters expect a few hundred rupiah per bag.
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Transport
The principal gateways for entry to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali. The only open land crossing is at Entikong, between Kalimantan and Sarawak. Most sea connections are on comfortable high-speed ferries running between Malaysia and Sumatra, though there is also a service between Manado in northern Sulawesi and Davao in the Philippines.Domestic air travel around Indonesia is relatively cheap compared to the rest of the world. It is essential to reconfirm on domestic flights in Indonesia. The ways to travel by land in Indonesia are: ekonomi buses which is extremely cheap and the fares can include chickens, pigs and anything in between, the express bus carries the same cargo but gets to the destination sooner, then there is the luxury air-con buses with all the ammenities of a coach. Rail travel is restricted to Java and Sumatra. Indonesia's trains are either slow, miserable and cheap or comfortable and expensive. It's advisable to buy train tickets a day in advance to assure a seat. Cars, motorbikes and bicycles can be rented in the main cities and tourist centres. Local transport includes the ubiquitous bemo (pick-up trucks with rows of seats along each side), opelets (minibuses), bajaj (auto rickshaws), becaks (bicycle rickshaws) and dokars (horse-drawn carts); these are very cheap.
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Visa_Information
All travellers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months after arrival and must show proof (tickets) of onward passage.Visas are waived for nationals of 39 countries for visits of no more than two months (non-extendable). The countries are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco (entries only through the airports of Jakarta, Medan and Bali), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. Entry and departure must be made through the airports of Medan, Batam, Pekanbaru, Padang, Surabaya, Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta), Bali, Manado, Ambon, Biak, Kupang (Timor), Balikpapan (East Kalimantan) and Pontianak (west Kalimantan) and/or the seaports of Medan, Batam, Tanjung Pinang (Riau Islands), Jakarta (Tanjung Priok), Surabaya, Semarang, Bali (Benoa and Padang Bai), Ambon and Manado. Taiwan visitors with passports coded "MFA" or "M" issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei, whose point of departure is Taipei international airport are allowed visa free entry through the airports of Jakarta, Medan and Bali and the seaport of Batam Island only within one week of leaving Taipei airport to enter Indonesia. For other ports of arrival and departure, visas are required. Visas are also free for registered delegates attending a conference which has received official approval. For those who are not nationals of the above-stated countries and who arrive and/or leave from non-designated ports, tourist visas can be obtained from any Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. Two photographs are required and a small fee is charged.
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