Travel Tips


TRAVEL TIP #1

INDONESIA

By Wijayianti

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. The five main islands are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian-Java, the western part of New Guinea. The total population of Indonesia is an estimated l65 million, the fifth most populous country in the world.

Indonesia is a democratic unitarian republic with 27 provinces. The national flag "Sang Saka Merah Putih" is red on top of white. Its coat of arms is the "Garuda", the eagle of ancient Indonesian mythology, symbolizing creative energy. Its motto, "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" means "unity in diversity", signifying the unity of the people in spite of diversified ethnic and cultural origins.

The capitol city is Jakarta, which is located on the northwestern coat of Java. Jakarta, with a population of over six million, is also the center of government and economic activity. The international airport in Jakarta is Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

The climate is tropical with high humidity.

Indonesians are basically of Malay heritage and are divided into approximately 300 ethnic groups who speak about 585 languages and many more dialects. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia.

Indonesia is an agrarian country but also one of the most volcanically active regions of the world. Sixty-three percent of Indonesians still derive their livelihood from the soil. The staple food of the majority of the population is rice, which is eaten with side dishes, hot and tasty sauces, shrimp, and crackers. Meat, fish, chicken, soybean cakes and curd, coconut milk, a large range of vegetables, spices and herbs all enter into the cuisine.

People are increasingly inclined to wear western dress for everyday wear.

A widely noted characteristic of the Indonesian people is their great friendliness and hospitality.

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TRAVEL TIP #2

FORMALITIES AND USEFUL INFORMATION FOR VISITORS TO INDONESIA

IMMIGRATION

All visitors to Indonesia must hold passports (which are valid for at least six months after arrival) and have proof of onward journey, return or through tickets. Visas are required except for nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United States of America, and West Germany. The stay may not exceed two months (60 days) and is not extendible. Visas are not required for nationals who are registered delegates for conferences that have official Indonesian government approval.

Entry and departure must be through the airports at:

Polonia (Medan)
Batubesar (Batam)
Simpang Tiga (Pekanbaru)
Tabing (Padang)
Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta)
Ngurah Rai (Bali)
Sam Ratulangi (Manado)
Pattimura (Ambon)
Frans Kaisiepo (Biak)
El Tari (Kupang)
Soepadio (Pontianak)

Entry and departure may also be through the seaports of

Belawan (Medan)
Batu Ampar (Batam)
Tanjung Priok (Jakarta)
Tanjung Perak (Surabaya)
Tanjung Mas (Semarang)
Benoa (Bali)
Padang Bai (Bali)
Bitung (Manado)
Yos Sudarso (Ambon)

A visa is required for other ports of arrival and departure.

Tourist visas can be obtained from any Indonesian embassy or consulate overseas for a period of 30 days.

For holders of Hong Kong Certificates of Identity, travel should be in tour groups and visas are issued by the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong.

For holders of Taiwan passports issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa free entry is allowed for a period not exceeding two months. Entry and departure should be via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta), Polonia (Medan), and Ngurah Rai Airport (Bali). Passports should be valid for at least six months on arrival in Indonesia and visitors should hold onward tickets. For conventions and business visits, visas are required for Taiwan passport holders.

No employment is allowed on these visas or on the visa free entry facility for nationals of the 30 countries listed above.

HEALTH

International health certificates for smallpox and cholera are not required. Only yellow fever vaccinations are required from travelers coming from infected areas.

CUSTOMS

Customs allows on entry a maximum of two litres of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or l00 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult.

Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition, TV sets, radio/radio cassette recorders, pornographic objects/publications, printed matter in Chinese characters and Chinese medicines is prohibited. Advance approval has to be acquired for carrying transceivers. All movie film and video cassettes need to be reviewed by the Indonesian Film Censor Board.

There is no restriction on import and export of foreign currencies in cash, travelers cheques and other bank instruments which are fully convertible to rupiahs (Rp) and vice versa. There is also a limitation of Rp 50,000 in and out of the country (one U.S. dollar =~2755 Rp).



COMMUNICATIONS

Long distance telephone calls within Indonesia are by direct dial. International Direct Dial (IDD) systems are being expanded and are available from major cities. Several hotels in Bali and Jakarta have installed this service in their guestrooms.

Completely computerized, the IDD has links with l27 countries and where direct dialing is not available, quick connections are possible through operator-assisted calls.

Telex and facsimile services are also available in the telecommunications offices in major cities and hotels.



AIRPORT TAX

An airport tax of Rp. 9,000 per person is levied on all departing passengers on international flights. For those flying within Indonesia, airport taxes vary depending on the airport of departure from Rp 2,500 to Rp 3,500. An additional Rp l,000 is levied for insurance on domestic routes if tickets are purchased in Indonesia.

TRANSPORT

At major airports in Indonesia, there are taxis with fixed rates. Metered taxis are available only at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta.

From Jakarta, taxis add a surcharge of Rp 2,300 plus the road toll of Rp 2,700 to the meter fare. The surcharge does not apply to taxis going to the airport.

Blue Bird taxis offer a 50% discount on the toll charges either way or a reduction of Rp l,360.

Metered taxis operate only in Jakarta and Surabaya and fares are Rp 500 at flagfall (for the first kilometer) and Rp 250 for each additional kilometer. For air-conditioned taxis, flagfall is Rp 600 and Rp 300 for each additional kilometer.

The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport also operates air conditioned buses which run every 20 minutes from the airport to five different points in the city. Fare is Rp 2,000 including luggage per passenger.

Chauffeur-driven cars are available for hire for daily charter or by the hour for a minimum of two hours. Rates vary from company to company with the type of car and destination. It is recommended that visitors consult the hotel transportation desk.

Other forms of transport are two passenger minicars, the "bemo," (small bus), the "becak," all of which need advance bargaining to come to mutually accepted fares. Buses are very crowded, particularly in the cities.

Trains transverse the island of Java and part of Sumatra. Fares are comparatively cheap but higher on air conditioned trains.

Garuda Indonesia has an extensive network throughout the country and serves all major cities in the 27 provinces. There are several daily flights to Bali from Jakarta, the main international gateway of Indonesia.

Garuda services are supplemented by those of Merpati Nusantara and private carriers which use non-jet aircraft. Smaller charter aircraft are also available. Advance bookings are necessary.



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TRAVEL TIP #3

USEFUL AIRLINE TELEPHONE NUMBERS

The following is a list of some airlines servicing the Orient and Europe. You may find it useful.

AIR CANADA (800)776-3000
AIR FRANCE (800)237-2747
AIR NEW ZEALAND (800)262-1324
AMERICAN AIRLINES (800)433-7300
BRITISH AIRWAYS (800)247-9297
CANADIAN AIRLINES (800)426-7000
CATHAY PACIFIC (800)233-2742
CHINA AIRLINES (800)227-5118
COMMONWEALTH (AEROFLOT) (800)995-5555
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES (800)525-0280
DELTA AIRLINES (800)221-1212
EVA AIR (800)695-1188
GARUDA INDONESIA (800)342-7832
JAPAN AIRLINES (800)525-3663
LUFTHANSA (800)645-3880
MALAYSIA AIRLINES (800)552-9264
NORTHWEST AIRLINES (800)225-2525
PHILIPPINE AIR (800)435-9725
SINGAPORE AIRLINES (800)742-3333
SWISSAIR (800)221-4750
THAI AIRWAYS (800)426-5204
UNITED AIRLINES (800)241-6522
VIRGIN ATLANTIC (800)862-8621

HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT!

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