Indonesia: Overview
The amazing Republic of Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world, is located between Australia and a peninsula in Southeast Asia. Indonesian shores are bather by the waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Climate
This archipelago’s climate is characterized as being hot and humid throughout the year, especially in the coastal areas. The interior highlands are cooler. Strong Monsoons strike the islands between December and March making overland travelling very difficult and causing severe material damages and losses. Due to that the best time to visit the archipelago is during the dry season (April-October). Christmas time and Indonesian school holidays (after Ramadan), are the high season period, so prices are higher and lodging is almost impossible to find.
Important information
Entry requirements are different for each country. Nationals from Argentina, Chile, USA, Mexico, the EU and Venezuela, are the only ones who need no visa to visit the country and stay up to 60 days. Tourists coming from other countries, journalists and business travellers will be asked a visa along with a special permission for visiting the country.
The official currency is the Rupiah (IDR) to which foreign currencies can be easily converted to in any bank, hotel or official exchanging office. Cash exchanging has better rates that traveller’s checks exchanging. Moreover, traveller’s checks are not always accepted, but you will have better chances if they are in American dollars. Hotels, restaurants and other tourist places work with most of the main credit. ATMs are plentiful. You may find it difficult to get small denominations notes or coins, so when you have some, save it bus tickets, temple donations or for buying sodas.
The main hotels add an extra 10% for service to their bills. In case this percentage is not included, you may add a 5-10% of the total amount as a tip. Doormen and bellboys usually receive Rp. 2.000 for each item of luggage. Tipping drivers is not obligatory, but if you want to show your gratitude Rp. 1.000 are enough for taxi drivers, while a little more will be fine for rented car drivers.
There are some health problems which you should keep in mind when travelling to Indonesia. It is advisable to update the information concerning health at least a month before travelling. Throughout the year malaria is a problem in Jakarta, Java and Bali tourist resorts and other important cities. Before travelling to some areas you are strongly advised to get shots against polio (especially if travelling to Java and Sumatra), hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, and typhus. Those coming from infected areas will be asked a vaccination certificate against yellow fever. A vaccination against tetanus is highly recommended to anyone travelling to tsunami affected areas. The mosquito which transmits dengue is common in the whole country and the number of this disease cases increase significantly during the rainy season. There have been some human cases of bird flu. Up to now Indonesia has the highest rate of bird flu mortality. Although the flu is not a serious risk for tourists, you are recommended to avoid contact with birds and to consume well cooked and heat any dish containing poultry or eggs. East of Nusa Tengarra anthrax is endemic and occasional outbreaks of leprosy are reported. Diarrhea is a big problem for many tourists, so you should keep to bottled water and avoid dairies, raw meat and salads or unpeeled fruit. Medical care level is very low and very expensive. Wide covering medical insurance is essential for the trip.
Since the bombings to Bali in 2005 the risk of terrorism targeting tourists and foreigners has increased, especially in the west areas of the country. You must take extra safety measures in public spaces and buildings, including transports and terminals, shopping centres and especially, in restaurants, hotels and tourist places. Religious conflicts between Christian and Muslims and the unstable political situation have contributed to making dangerous some parts of the country. There are some places where you must be extra careful or even avoid visiting, such as central Sulawesi, some areas of Maluku, Ambon in particular, and Aceh. Indonesian crime rate is quite high and petty crimes are quite frequent in the tourist areas and public transportations. Credit card fraud has also increased. It is necessary to keep in mind the possibilities of floods, earthquakes and tsunamis.
Although Indonesian people are tolerant with oriental and western cultures, they appreciate when visitors respect their customs. During the month of Ramadan you should not eat, smoke, or drink in public during daylight hours. Visitors ought to be polite and avoid public demonstrations of affection or anger; some jokes and pranks are considered extremely vulgar. It is rude to use the left hand when handing or receiving things. Gear is very important in public places and temples, especially for women; they must cover their shoulders and legs. In Jakarta giving money to beggars, street artists and unofficial tourist guides is forbidden; anyone breaking this law will have to spend six months in prison and pay a $5.000 fine. Gambling is also illegal.
Where to go
The island of Java is the geographical, economic and political centre of the whole archipelago; it is also home for more than half of the inhabitants of the country. This was the place where the Hindu and Buddhist empires left some of their best architectural prints as Borobudur and Prambanan. You can also visit the National Park Bromine - Tengger-Semeru
Lombok enclave offers beautiful landscapes as well as calm and not crowded beaches. Dominated by the Rinjani volcano, the town keeps alive many of its traditions, shown by its dances and ritual wrestles. Here you should visit the four cities of Swete, Mataram, Ampenan and Caimanegara.
Sumatra, four times bigger than Java, is an island of important and amazing samples of natural life. Here you can visit the small village of Bukit Lawang and the attractive Bukittinggi, located in one of the peaks of a group of majestic mountains.
The landscape of Bali is so incredible that you Hill find it hard to relieve that is real. The hillsides have terraces upholstered by rice crops, volcanoes reach the clouds, crystalline waters bath the beaches and tropical rainforests draw you with their exuberance. Besides enjoying this idyllic landscape, you can also go to Ubud, cultural centre of the island.
Festivals
The wide ethnic variety of Indonesia is reflected in its parties and celebrations. Between February and March mock combats in Sumba commemorate the wars of mutual annihilation. Between March and April New Year’s eve (Balinese caka) takes place; during this night drums drive away evil spirits and temple icons are submerged in the sea. Another important festival is the Balinese festival of Galungan, celebrated in variable dates. It is said that during this celebration the gods descend to earth to join the party. You can also take part in the Holy Week procession in the island of Larantuka or witness the whip duels in Ruteng (August). Between August and October the Trojan funeral banquets take place in Sulawesi. If you are thinking of organizing an itinerary that includes some of these festivals you should keep in mind that many dates are ruled by the lunar calendar, so they will vary from year to year.
