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CONTENTS WELCOME T0 INDONESIAN
ARCHIPELAGO [Part-I] WELCOME TO INDONESIAN ARCHIPELAGO [Part-II] WELCOME TO
"DKI" JAKARTA SIDE
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As I have told you in the previous part, visiting Indonesia is just like visiting hundreds of countries. The range and variety of culture and artistic expression in this sprawling archipelago is astounding, and it is often advisable to know the customs and traditions when visiting places. Even total strangers often exchange greetings and pleasantries when they meet. A friendly "hello" is often appreciated, or "tabe" (in Maluku and some eastern parts of Indonesia) or "horas" (around North Sumatra / Batak). "Terima kasih" or just plain "thank you" is understood everywhere. Indonesian expressions of welcome vary greatly from place to place, and can be quite elaborate, depending on the local custom prevailing and the visitor's perceived standing. Ceremony is an important part of tradition in most parts of Indonesia. Besides the casual ones such as that are held to welcome visitors, there are also important rituals, many of which are based on the religious beliefs of the people or are held to mark particular milestones in the human life cycle. Many of Indonesia's traditional dances are equally founded on their religion or tradition. Old traditions obviously live on strongest among the isolated tribes. Even though customs vary widely from place to place, but good manners are recognized anywhere. In most areas the greeting "Assalamu `alaikum", common among Moslems, is understood. In some regions, displays of familiarity between persons of different sexes are frowned upon. Men and women who are neither married to each other nor family are not supposed to hold each other. Under any circumstances, it is considered an insult to touch another person's head. Always use the right hand to shake hands and accept or give things. In many areas, the handshake is replaced by bringing the palms of the two hands together, finger tips together, and touching just the tip of the fingers of the other person's similarly held hands. It is common throughout Indonesia to address older or respected men as "bapak" and women as "ibu". Young people address slightly older male peers as either "kakak", "abang" or "mas", and females as "mbak". "Bung" is suitable for addressing people (male) of the same age, while younger individuals are usually addressed as "adik". In some other parts of Indonesia, there are different ways of addressing people, depend on the local custom. However, the mentioned ones are commonly understood. Note that it is very rude to address older or respected men as "kau" or "kamu" (you). Formally, one addresses other (singular) person as "anda". God, by nature, has blessed Indonesia with an unparalleled wealth. However, certain matter must be kept in mind when visiting the country's natural park or reserves, which are usually equipped with adequate if bare-to-the bones visitor facilities, including accommodation or camping ground. First, there are the considerations of environmental preservation and personal safety. It is important to be well prepared and to heed the regulations prescribed by the park or reserve authorities. Normally, permits for visits are required. No permits are needed, however, to enjoy many spectacular views which the Indonesian landscape offers. Two sports which have of late gained many
followers in Indonesia are mountaineering and spelunking, pastimes for which
the For the marine sports and recreation, the seas surrounding the thousands of islands offer a wealth of opportunities. Bunaken and some of the other islands in the province of North Celebes are world famous for the unspoilt splendor of their coral reefs. Most of the sites have dive centers where trained and certified guides as well as diving and snorkeling equipment can be hired. Surfers from many parts of the world have since long known and marked the best spots for engaging in the sport in Indonesia. Among those already widely known are the beaches in Bali and Nias. There are many more, however, as there is no shortage of beaches in this country of more than 13,000 islands. Sights and moods may drastically change as one moves from the sea and lowland plains to the alpine height of the country's tallest peaks. Indonesia has a plethora of sights and experiences to offer the visitor, and it is impossible to mention them all. Immigration & custom regulation All traveler visiting Indonesia must be in possession of a passport, valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, as well as proof of onward passage in the form of tickets. Tourists must have a visa except for the citizens of some countries exempted from the requirement (check about it at the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate in your country). The major gateways for entry and departure are the air and seaport of Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado, Batam, etc. Delegates to officially approved meetings and conferences are also allowed free entry (normally using official or diplomatic passport). All visitors entering Indonesia are allowed to carry with them a number of items to a maximum of certain capacities. Personal belongings such as cameras, radios, etc, should be officially declared upon debarkation, and must not be offered for sale. Heavy sanctions are imposed on the unauthorized carrying into Indonesia of weapons, narcotics, dangerous drugs and explosives. Also prohibited are pornography and certain types of electronic equipment already manufactured in Indonesia, except for personal use. Fruits, vegetables and pets are allowed on condition that they pass the quarantine office at the harbor or airport of entry. It is suggested to check about the items you will bring before you travel. Travelers checks, money changers, banks & currency Travelers checks can be exchanged for cash in many places, especially in the big cities and at most big hotels, restaurants, stores, travel bureaus, etc. Banks and money changers can be easily found in most cities and around tourist resorts, shopping centers, airports and certain offices. Many banks also act as money changers. Many places also accept cards such as Visa, MasterCard, etc.
Political stability & police assistance In several previous years, the amount of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia decreased a lot due to the instability of political situation in Indonesia. But now Indonesia has come to a new era, so called "reformation" signed by the forming of a new government. Even though there are still some problems like in Maluku or Aceh, generally Indonesia is safe to be visited.
Police are 24-hour standby to assist travelers in difficulty. Do not hesitate to call for their assistance whenever the need arises. Police escorts can also be requested by individuals carrying large amounts of money. The police station can be easily called by dialing 110 (or 510-110) in most towns and cities throughout Indonesia. Temperatures and humidity may vary greatly across Indonesia, depending on the season and the prevailing geographical conditions. In most tourism destinations in western Indonesia, the dry season lasts from around May to October, and the rainy season from November to April. In between those two seasons are the transition periods of unpredictable weather and shifting winds. Temperatures seldom get higher than 32°C, even on the lowland plains, and are seldom lower than 16°C, except at very high altitudes, where it can reach below freezing point. Sea breezes blowing day and night generally bring coolness to the costal towns. In the mountains, it is usually sufficient to wear a sweater against the cold and use a blanket for sleeping during the night. Elsewhere light summer wear gives the greatest comfort. In the big hotels, warm and cold water are usually available. Doctors are available in every town or city. All one has to do is asking at the hotel information counter or any other place one happens to be in. Most big hotels have their own doctors, who are on call around the clock. In all cities, clinics and hospitals run by either the government or the private parties offer similar services. In the suburbs and district towns, public health centers, called "Puskesmas", offer basic health services and first aid at very low fees. State-run postal services are available in even the smallest towns throughout Indonesia. In Jakarta and other big cities, mobile post offices in vans operate near public places to bring the postal service even closer to the people. Aside from main, the postal services also accept the dispatch of money orders and parcels. In additions, there are numerous private companies licensed by the government to ship parcels between towns and provinces. Transportation & telecommunications There is a great variety of public transportation means available
to travelers in Indonesia. Taxis with meter and AC naturally Telecommunications facilities vary in age and quality from place to place, but there is hardly a town in Indonesia at present that is not connected to the national telephone network. Public telephone booths are usually available at public places. International direct dialing services are available in most places. Prepaid telegrams can be sent from almost any city or town in Indonesia. Telegrams are among the cheapest fast means of communicating of long distance, as long as messages are kept short. Telex services are also available in the big cities. Rates are determined on the basis of time rather than word count. Internet facilities are now available in most cities. One can easily find public internet terminals rented in some places, such as "wartelnet" or "netcafe", to send or receive e-mails, to visit homepages, etc.
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Visiting Indonesia is just like visiting hundreds
of countries!.
If you need more information about Indonesia, please feel free to send me your email (click the "Email Me" button at the top of the page and select "VS06 Tourism Information" as the subject of the email). I'm also pleased to assist you, if you plan to visit Indonesia on your vacation!
Official sources of some data given in this article are taken from:
Since several data have become
irrelevant due to the recent situation in Indonesia, I have modified (add,
remove or change) them to make this article up-to-date. Some parts are taken
from my own experience, field research and knowledge. If you have any further questions, please contact me
through my email. Thank you!
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country is exceedingly well suited.
Volcanoes and mountains abound in Indonesia and caves of all kinds that are
worth exploring can be found almost in every province. Again, good preparation
and a thorough knowledge of the nature and hazards of the sport are
essential.
The currency of the
Republic of Indonesia (Rupiah) consists of bank notes and coins in
various denominations. Notes are available in denominations of Rp.100,000;
Rp.50,000; Rp.20,000; Rp.10,000; Rp.5,000; Rp.1,000; Rp.500 and Rp.100. Coins
come in Rp.1,000; Rp.500; Rp.100; Rp.50 and Rp.25. By the time I modify this
article for current edition (early March) the conversion rate of Rupiah is about
Rp.7,500/US$. It can be lower or higher everyday depending on the market,
because Rupiah is very fluctuated lately.
Indonesia is not
a small country but it consists of thousands of islands. There are lots of
tourism destinations to be visited which are located thousands of miles from the
mentioned areas, separated by seas and islands. It is unwise and irrelevant at
present if the governments of some countries still suggest their citizens not to
visit Indonesia due to political instability. Jakarta, Bali, Manado and other
tourism destinations are safe to be visited anytime right now.
offer the most personalized service. However, several types of
mini-buses known as "oplet" or "mikrolet" offer much lower fares,
albeit at the cost of comfort and flexibility. Since Indonesia has thousands of
islands, traveling from an island to another one within the country usually uses
domestic flights or motor vessels. Trains are available in Java and Sumatra
only.
Indonesia is divided into three
different time zones: west, central and east. The time difference between two
adjoining zones is one hour. The west Indonesia time (WIB) zone
includes Bali, Lombok, Java, Madura and Sumatra (GMT + 7 hours). The
central Indonesia time (WITA) zone includes Borneo, Celebes and
Nusa Tenggara (GMT + 8 hours). The east Indonesia time
(WIT) zone includes Maluku and Irian Jaya (GMT + 9
hours).