Archives: Destinations

Certain countries have visa on arrival, some nationalities do not need a visa, while a few select countries need a pre-approved visa to enter Indonesia. Check the details for your country before traveling. Also, there are certain airport, sea ports and land entry points that process visas, so check these before booking your tickets. You can exchange your currency for the local Rupiah at the airport or one of the many exchange places around, but make sure to check you are getting a good rate.

The climate stays almost the same throughout the year due to the proximity to the equator. It is usually warm, humid and rainy, so pack and dress comfortably but modestly. Carry something warm if you plan to trek or go into highlands. Check for rains before planning treks or venturing out into the sea.

You will need to hone your bargaining skills if you are shopping, taking a private taxi or shuttle, or even buying everyday things, or you will be heavily overcharged as tourists. If you are bad at bargaining, prepare to see your money finish in no time in the country, even though traveling in Indonesia is not very expensive.

Internet and phone connectivity is relatively good even in remote places, but ensure to buy a pack that suits your requirements. There is a list of emergency number available, which you should keep handy at all times.

To get into Indonesia, you can take flights, boats, trains or travel by road, depending on where you are coming from and what mode of transport you prefer. There are three main international airports – one just outside Jakarta, one at Denpasar on Bali, and one at Surabaya on Java. However, there are many smaller airports that have flights in and out of Malaysia and Singapore.

There are many way to travel within the country. If you are going from one island to another that are far away from each other, there are usually flights that you will be able to book. If you have the luxury of time and like sea travel, you can take a cruise that will take a few days, depending in the distance.

Within bigger islands like Java and Sumatra, you can take trains that connect major cities on these islands from one end to the other. You can also take private cabs, shuttle services and buses from town/city to the next. If you are really adventurous, you can also try the motorcycle taxis and the tricycles in some cities and towns.

You can go scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling along many of the coasts around the major islands. Smaller and more remote islands may need special permissions and arrangements. After these activities, you can go for a relaxing spa treatment, with a choice of aromatherapy, massages and traditional Indonesian treatments.

Nightclubs can be found in every major city in the country. There are clubs that are LGBT friendly too, especially in a few metro cities. However, discretion is advised since not all areas are LGBT friendly or welcoming.

Shopping in Indonesia can be a fun experience, especially if you like markets. Most Indonesian cities and towns have multiple large markets that sell everything from vegetables and fruits to condiments, clothes and trinkets. Most major shopping areas and shopping malls are open through the week. While larger shops open by 10am, smaller shops and markets are up and running as early as 6am.

A few things to keep in mind when out and about on the streets of Indonesia:

• Unless you are making large purchases, only local currency will be accepted, so make sure you carry enough Rupiah at all times.
• Pickpocketing, chain snatching and robbery of expensive jewelry and electronics is commonplace in crowded places, so ensure you keep such items safe if carrying anything expensive or important.
• Malls, markets and such areas can get really crowded on weekends, so plan your shopping sprees accordingly.

The local cuisine is dominated with preparations with nasi (rice) or mie (noodles) as the main ingredient. Each region and community has various kinds of rice and noodle preparations that use different kinds of spices, meats, vegetables and sauces so that the same dish tastes different in different regions.

Traditionally, people use their hands to eat more than cutlery, so feel free to scoop up rice with your fingers and pop it in your mouth. However, certain fine dine restaurants may not be comfortable with people using their fingers to eat, so make sure you know the etiquettes of the place you are eating at.

Nasi goreng, mie goreng are typical dishes, accompanied by satay/peanut sauce, sambal/chili sauce and keropok/shrimp chips. Beef is common in most of Indonesia except on Bali, where you can get pork but no beef. You will not get pork in most parts of the country.

There are beef, chicken and fish soups and broths that you can try, along with dishes inspired by Dutch and Chinese cuisines. There are also a number of desserts, and most are made of a combination of rice or rice flour, coconut and sugar, along with different fruits, dry fruits and condiments. You can also try local fruits like durian, snakefruit and starfruit for dessert.

Tea and coffee are common, but are usually made with a lot of sugar and condensed milk. There are a number of medicinal juices that locals drink for better health and vitality. Rice wines are common, although you should be careful to only buy local alcohol from a proper source, since certain kinds of moonshine might be harmful or even fatal if not well distilled.