Indonesia

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Jakarta

Government

Republic

Nationality

Indonesian

Population

227 779 100 ^[1]

Languages

Indonesian (National), English, local dialects

Religions

Islam, Christianity (Protestant, Catholic), Hinduism, Buddhism

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Calling Code

+62

Time Zone

UTC+7 to +9

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Introduction

Bali

© All Rights Reserved FA

The reasons for Indonesia's popularity among tourists are obvious: its volcanic peaks are stunning; its beaches, ideal; its culture, proudly kept alive; and its people are devoutly religious (be they Muslim, Hindu or Christian). It is no wonder that places like Bali stand at the top of any world traveller's list.

That said, Indonesia is also a volatile country, where violence and terrorism are realistic threats. The country is still very popular with travellers, but must be approached with care. Any preparations for a trip should include a careful observation of government warnings. Let's hope that the time is at hand when eager visitors from all over the world can once again pour into Indonesia's tropical gates to enjoy its enthralling attractions.

Brief History

Geography

Indonesia is an archipelago spanning across the equator, between two continents, Asia and Australia, and two oceans, Pacific and Indian oceans. It has 18,108 islands with 5 main islands - Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (on Borneo), Sulawesi, and Papua - with many local dialects. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire with many volcanoes Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; but it also means Indonesia is rich of natural resources.

With the rich variety of plants and animals, Indonesian underwater is one of the most beautiful in the world. Mountains, rivers, tropical forests and beaches are the other natural beauty that can be found in Indonesia.

Regions

Indonesia has 33 provinces in seven main island groups. Five of these provinces have special status, where they have greater legislative privileges and a higher degree of autonomy from the central government.

* indicates provinces with special status and/or autonomy

Sumatra

Sumatra (also Sumatera) is the westernmost island of Indonesia. The provinces on this island are Aceh*, North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara), West Sumatra (Sumatra Barat), Riau, Riau Islands (Kepulauan Riau), Jambi, South Sumatra (Sumatera Selatan), Bangka-Belitung (Kepulauan Bangka-Belitung), Bengkulu, Lampung.

Java

Java (Jawa) is the most densely-populated island in Indonesia. The nation's capital Jakarta* is located on this island. Other provinces on this island are Banten, West Java (Jawa Barat), Central Java (Jawa Tengah), Yogyakarta*, East Java (Jawa Timur).

Lesser Sunda Islands

Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara) are a group of islands in the south-west of Indonesia. The world-famous Bali can be found here. Other provinces on these islands are West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat) and East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur). It also includes islands like Lombok, Komodo, Flores, Sumba, Sumbawa and West Timor, the western part of the island of Timor (the other part is East Timor, an independent country).

Kalimantan

Kalimantan is the Indonesian territory on Borneo island. The region is divided into West Kalimantan (Kalimantan Barat), Central Kalimantan (Kalimantan Tengah), Palangkaraya, South Kalimantan (Kalimantan Selatan), East Kalimantan (Kalimantan Timur).

Sulawesi

Sulawesi, formerly known as Celebes, is an island situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. The Indonesian provinces on Sulawesi are North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara), Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tengah), West Sulawesi (Sulawesi Barat), South Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan), South East Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tenggara).

Maluku Islands

The Maluku Islands (also known as the Moluccas, Moluccan Islands, the Spice Islands) are an archipelago situated east of Sulawesi. The provinces in this archipelago are Maluku and North Maluku (Maluku Utara).

West Papua

The western half of the Papua (New Guinea) island is occupied, although controversially, by Indonesia. As a whole it is called West Papua. It consists of West Papua* (Papua Barat) and Papua* provinces.

Cities

• Jakarta - The nation's capital.
• Medan
• Bandung
• Surabaya
• Palembang
• Bogor
• Banjarmasin
• Pontianak
• Padang
• Kuta

Sights and Activities

Indonesia is a huge country with thousands of islands. Although most of them are inhabited, the main islands all have their own characteristics. Due to its nature, Indonesia has good spots for hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, rafting, surfing, snorkelling, and scuba diving. On top of that there are many different cultures in different parts of Indonesia that you might want to explore. Don't miss the festivals or cultural events when you visit this country. Witnessing events such as traditional wedding or dance can be a unique experience.

Borobudur

Borobodur' Stupas

© All Rights Reserved Carolina W

The Borobudur Temple Compounds are on of the highlights of the country on the island of Java. It is an ancient Buddhist stupa and temple complex and is placed on the Unesco World Heritage List. The Borobudur Temple Complex dates back from the 8th and 9th centuries and was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The views from the top are absolutely fantastic. The closest city is Yogyakarta, from where there are numerous ways to visit, either on your own or with a knowledgable guide which is worth the extra cost.

Rainforests

Indonesia is home for huge areas of tropical pristine rainforests and although much of it has been destroyed for logging or local life, there are still more parks to be protected from these activities. The best examples are found on the islands of Sumatra, Borneo (Kalimantan is the Indonesian part) and on the island of New Guinea, of which Irian Jaya is the Indonesian western half. These rainforest boast a very rich biodiversity with sometimes new species being discovered, both regarding flora and fauna. The most famous inhabitant of these forest probably is the Orang Utan, the only great ape to be found in Asia (the others being the gorilla, chimpanzee and bonobo in Africa). A trip into the rainforest of Kalimantan is one of the most adventurous travels in Indonesia and not only includes natural sights but also the chance to meet some indigenous tribes, living here since centuries.

Komodo

Komodo Dragon - Rinca, Kmodo National Park

© All Rights Reserved phileas

Komodo Island located in Komodo National Park are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the volcanic islands are world famous because of its gigantic Komodo lizards, which are an impressive sight. The animals can be extremely aggressive so watch out, small children have been killed by them! They exist nowhere else in the world and are of great interest to scientists studying the theory of evolution.

Other Sights and Activities

• Baliem Valley - great trekking on Irian Jaya.
• Bali - Hindu island with great beaches and nightlife. Also with a fantastic culture and nature as well to explore.
• Toba Lake - Sumatra.
• Ujung Kulon NP - extreme southwest Java, including historic Krakatau, which used to be a volcano but now there is only an island (Anak Krakatoa) to be visited.
• Bromo Volcano - east Java.
• Tana Toraja - highlands of Sulawesi, famous for its funerals.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Indonesia has a tropical climate, and divided into wet and dry season. The temperature vary a little throughout the year. The average temperature in Jakarta is 26-30 °C with some days getting a bit warmer but temperatures rarely drop below 22. There are however differences in Indonesia between islands and even parts of islands and as Indonesia is pretty mountainous, it can get much cooler once you are ascending. Generally, the western monsoon brings rains from December to March and the drier eastern monsoon brings relatively dry weather from June to September. Still, heavy rainshowers can occur on every day, but usually don't last longer than an hour in the late afternoon. Some places on Sumatra have extremly wet weather from October to December with 500 mm of rain on average during these months and become drier from January onwards. But during January it can get extremely wet on other islands more east, with Sumbawa hitting a massive 900 mm in this mont! Kalimantan has high rainfall during most months and doesn't have a drier season.

Getting There

By Plane

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) near the capital Jakarta is the base of Garuda Indonesia, the national airlines of Indonesia. It has flights to and from Bangkok, Beijing, Chennai, Guangzhou, Saigon, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Osaka, Perth, Riyadh, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. A number of airlines serve Jakarta, among which are Lufthansa from Frankfurt and KLM from Amsterdam. Also several low cost airlines like Air Asia serve the city from Kuala Lumpur and other cities in the region. Lion Air and Batavia Air are other low-cost airlines. Perth and Sydney are served by Qantas.

Juanda International Airport (SUB), near Surabaya, is the second biggest airport in Indonesia, after Jakarta. It has connections to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong and Taipei.

Polonia International Airport (MES) near Medan has flights flying in from cities in neighbouring countries.

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Bali International Airport (DPS), near Denpasar is the main airport on the island of Bali. Destinations are mostly within the southeast Asia region, Australia and New Zealand. Air Asia flies into Bali from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

By Train

There is no international railway connection with neighbouring countries.

By Land

Although Indonesia mainly is a country existing of thousands of islands, there are however a few options of travelling directly to Indonesia from neighbouring countries. There are regular connections by bus between Kuching in Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo to Pontianak on Kalimantan, crossing the border at Entikong. Another crossing is between West and Timor Leste, crossing at Motoain and finally you can cross to and from Papua New Guinea at Sentani, travelling between Jayapura (Indonesia) and Vanimo (Papua New Guinea).

By Boat

From Malaysia:

There is a daily ferry operating between Penang in Malaysia to Belawan (the port of Medan) on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. From Penang, it leaves at 9 am, arriving at 1 pm. From Medan it leaves at 10.30 am arriving in Penang at 2.30pm. Check the Langkawi Ferry website for more details about schedules and prices.

• Daily ferries from Port Klang near Kuala Lumpur to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra and Tanjung Balai Asahan* in North Sumatra.
• Daily ferries from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra.
• Daily ferries from Malacca to Dumai and Pekanbaru in Riau.
• Ferries from Kukup, Johor to Karimun Island in the Riau Islands.
• Ferries from Johor Bahru, Johor to Batam and Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands.
• Daily ferries from Tawau, Sabah to Nunukan and Tarakan in East Kalimantan.

From Singapore:

• Frequent ferries to Batam.
• Frequent ferries from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at Changi Airport to Tanjung Pinang.
• Frequent ferries to Karimun Island in the Riau Islands.
• Daily ferry to Tanjung Batu* in Kundur Island.

* Not a visa-free or visa-on-arrival port of entries. However, there may be exceptions for visa-free visitors.

Getting Around

By Plane

Main domestic carriers are national carrier, Garuda, and Lion Air. Low-cost carriers operating domestic services include Indonesia Air Asia, Air Efata, Batavia Air and Mandala. Some smaller plane operators are Merpati, AirFast and Sriwijaya.

Many local airlines do not have good safety records, so it is advisable to fly with carriers like Garuda and Air Asia as they fly internationally, which requires stringent safety standards.

By Train

PT Kereta Api operates train services in most of Java and parts of Sumatra. In Java, there are connections to Bandung, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. In northern Sumatra, there are railway services around Medan while the south has networks from Lampung to Palembang.

By Car

Most roads on Bali and Java are in a good condition. On other islands, the main roads are still ok, but minor roads can be severly damaged or not tarred at all. Papua has few roads at all. Although you are able to rent a car from several international and local companies and drive yourself, hiring a car with a driver is a popular way of getting around and saves the hassle of chaotic traffic and driving skills of Indonesians. If driving yourself, you need an international driver's licence (permit) and remember to drive on the left.

By Bus

Big Bird is a well established bus company in Indonesia, with frequent and relatively comfortable connections on most islands and between the major cities. Sometimes, you need to switch buses though and bus journeys can become long and exhausting. Better to break up your trip a few times.

By Boat

Pelni is the state owned operator on most ferry routes between the islands. There are several dozens of routes with regular and comfortable crossings. There have been accidents in the past with a few ships though, mostly because there were more people on the boat than allowed, so if you have at all the feeling that the ship is too crowded, you might think again.

Red Tape

Visa-Free Entry
This facility is available to countries which has reciprocal agreement with Indonesia. Citizens of these countries are issued social visit passes at international airports and main sea ports. This pass allows a visitor to stay in Indonesia for not more than 30 days and it cannot be extended or converted to another type of visa.

Countries eligible for visa-free entry are Brunei, Chile, Equador, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Visa on Arrival
Visitors entering Indonesia by Visa on Arrival (VoA) must have an onward or return ticket or the visa would not be issued. The fees are USD10 for a 7-day visa and USD25 for a 30-day visa. Visitors Passport holders of the following countries will be issued Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Indonesia's international airports and main sea ports. Visitors will be charged USD10 for a 7-day visa or USD25 for a 30-day visa. This visa may only be extended under emergency conditions such as natural disasters, health, or accidents during the stay in Indonesia.

Countries eligible for VoA are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA.

Visa in Advance
All other nationals must apply for a 30-day visa at the nearest Indonesian Embassy. Travellers who wish to stay longer than 30 days from the visa on arrival may apply for the 60-day visa.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Indonesian currency is Rupiah (Rp). It comes in bills of Rp 100 000, Rp 50 000, Rp 20 000, Rp 10 000, Rp 5000, and Rp 1000; and coins of Rp 500, Rp 200, Rp 100, and the most seldomly found Rp 50 and Rp 25.

Credit cards are widely used, except in small or family-run hostels, restaurants, and remote areas.

ATMs are mostly open for 24 hours and available at many places.

Tips are often considered a supplement to a person’s salary. You can tip a porter 0.25p – 0.50p per bag, for taxi rides just round off the amount. In hotels and restaurants use the 10% rule.

Bargaining is customary for most everyday purchases in shops but also on the market. Decide what price you’re willing to pay before you enter the game of offer and counter offer. Once you agree on a price everyone’s happy. Remember though, once your price is accepted you have to buy it. Haggling is part of the purchasing process, so only do it if you ‘re really interested, and not just for the fun of it.

Work

Study

Language

See also: Malay Phrasebook

Indonesia uses the Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia, which is similar to but more formal than the Malay language referred to as Bahasa Malay or Bahasa Melayu) as the main language. English is widely spoken across the country although more likely byu the younger generation and those with a good secondary school education, taxi drivers will understand english even if they are shy to speak it.

There are many dialects of Indonesian, as you would expect in a country of 250 million people. Indeed in the province of Aceh they speak Acehnese which is a completely separate language, although almost all Aceh people also speak Indonesian, and there is a high degree of English spoken here.

Bahasa Indonesia is a very easy language to learn and it is worth any travellers time to learn a little bit.

Eat

Indonesia is renowned for its cuisine, especially the rice table, the fried rice (nasi goring) and the satay. You’ll find lots of dishes that you may recognise from your local Chinese takeaway, but they’re usually prepared with a lot more heat than what you’re used to back home, so beware before you set your mouth on fire.

Hygiene in Indonesia is fair, which means that you can drink boiled water or bottled water (with a sealed cap), but steer clear of drinking tap water. Food should be thoroughly cooked to kill any nasty bacteria, and fresh fruit should be washed (in clean water!) before eating if you want to avoid a severe case of the runs.

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also: Travel Health

You should always visit your local GP or medical facility at least 6 weeks before you depart to ensure you get the most up-to-date information for your personal situation.

Indonesia's warm and humid tropical climate provides conditions that are ideal for disease-carrying organisms to thrive.

Vaccinations

• DTP and Hepatitis A: Vaccinations against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio; valid for about 10 years) and Hepatitis A are advised. DTP vaccinations are commonly given to children, so chances are you will have had one and will only need a booster. The standard Hepatitis A injection has a limited effective period, and is therefore good to have just before travelling. If you are staying for a long time in a country where Hepatitis A is an issue, you can get vaccinations with longer effective periods, like Havrix. Even the long term vaccinations will need a booster after 6 months though.
• Typhoid vaccination is advised unless you are planning to be in Indonesia for less than 2 weeks.
• Yellow fever vaccination is only advised if you have been in an infected area prior to visiting Indonesia.

Prescription Medicines

If you are on prescription medicines, be sure to take spare medicine with you and the instruction leaflet. Having the documentation helps prove you aren't a drug abuser and makes it easier if you need to buy medication in an Indonesian pharmacy.

Optical

If you wear glasses or use contact lenses, take a copy of the optician’s written results of your last examination, extra glasses or spare lenses. Prescription diving masks are available for purchase or hire in most dive shops and diving schools.

Malaria

Malaria is not a great risk in most parts of Indonesia, but in some areas like the Sunda Islands it is more common. Consult with your doctor before you leave to decide whether or not to take anti-malarial drugs (prophylactics).

Whether you are on anti-malarial drugs or not, you should still take preventative measures to reduce any risks. Covering your arms, legs and feet in the evening and using anti-mosquito cream (with DEET) on any exposed areas of skin is important. Also, ensure you are sleeping under a mosquito net. If a mosquito net isn't provided by your accommodation, you should be able to pick one up in local stores.

If, in spite of all your precautions, you find you have flu-like symptoms for more than a couple of days, visit a doctor. If you have any flu-like symptoms in the first couple of months after returning home, you should also get it checked out.

Dengue fever and Japanese B encephalitis

Both Dengue Fever and Japanese B Encephalitis are carried by mosquitoes, so you can take the same preventative measures as for malaria. These mosquitoes bite during the daytime though and under artificial light.

There is no vaccine against Dengue Fever, but there is for Japanese B encephalitis. It is advised if you are going to be in Asia for more than six months.

Diarrhoea

Changes in the climate, food and rhythm can upset your stomach and cause diarrhoea. As long as your symptoms are limited to loose, watery stools, it is not much to worry about. Drink lots of water in small quantities and take it easy for a while. You can take Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) dissolved in water to prevent dehydration (especially important for kids and the elderly).

Drugs, like loperamide and diphenoxylate, can be taken if you have to travel when you have diarrhoea (not suitable for children under two years old). These drugs sedate the intestine, stopping stomach cramps and suppressing the feeling of diarrhoea. Only use them when you're on the move and cannot get to the toilet regularly.

If diarrhoea persists for more than 48 hours and is accompanied by headaches, vomiting, or blood in the stool or you’re taking any other medication at the time, you should contact a doctor.

Diarrhoea can stop quite quickly, but can leave you feeling lethargic due to the fact that your intestines need time to recover. Antibiotics are more readily available in Indonesia than in Europe, but remember that alcohol is often a bad combination with antibiotics, and that both they and diarrhoea can prevent oral contraception pills working properly.

To prevent diarrhoea, only consume drinks from properly sealed cans and bottles. Drinks made from boiled water like tea and coffee are also safe for consumption. Ice should only be trusted if it is in the form of manufactured bagged ice. Fruit juice is ok as long as no water has been added. Food, particularly fish and meat needs to be cooked properly and all the way through. Eating from street stalls is common in Indonesia, but to avoid illness, try to buy food from busy stalls. This not only means the food is probably nicer, but also means the turnover is higher, resulting in less time between food preparation and consumption. Avoiding meat at the end of the day is not a bad idea, since it may have been out all day without being refrigerated.

Bilharzia

To avoid this tropical infection carried by tiny worms, don't swim in stagnant water.

Skin care

Use sunscreen whenever you are outdoors, even during rainy season. Snorkelling in a t-shirt is a good idea as sunscreen will eventually wash off.

Cuts and Scratches

Take any small cuts in the tropics seriously. Clean them with disinfectant and ensure they are covered during the day. Small cuts can turn into tropical ulcers if not looked after carefully.

Sunstroke

Wear a hat and sunglasses to prevent sunstroke. Always keep a supply of water handy. If you start to feel light-headed or have headaches, find a spot in the shade to take it easy and drink plenty of water.

Back Home

Keep an eye on your health for several months after returning home. If you have any flu-like symptoms or experience something unusual, contact your doctor and be sure to let them know about your recent travels. If you have had contact local people in more remote areas, consider testing for TB.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet is getting widely used and the warung Internet (warnet), which means Internet cafés in Indonesian, are emerging everywhere. Connection speed is slow, as Internet bandwidth is limited.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

International calling cards are available in the capital city, Jakarta, and probably in other main cities. It is not easily found but it is mostly available at Fuji Image Plaza photo studios and some minimarts.

GSM phones are widely used and the network is mostly available in the cities. Prepaid SIM cards can be found at many places for very cheap prices.

CDMA is also available with cheaper tariff compared to GSM, but the network is not yet as wide.

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