Indonesia Information

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History

It is generally believed that the earliest inhabitants of the Indonesian archipelago originated in India or Burma. In 1890, fossils of Java Man (homo erectus), some 500,000 years old, were found in east Java. Later migrants ('Malays') came from southern China and Indochina, and they began populating the archipelago around 3000 BC. Powerful groups such as the Buddhist Srivijaya empire and the Hindu Mataram kingdom appeared in Java and Sumatra towards the end of the 7th century. The last important kingdom to remain Hindu was the Majapahit, which was founded in the 13th century. The subsequent spread of Islam into the archipelago in the 14th century forced the Majapahits to retreat to Bali in the 15th century. By this time, a strong Muslim empire had developed with its centre at Melaka (Malacca) on the Malay Peninsula. Its influence was shortlived and it fell to the Portuguese in 1511. The Dutch displaced the Portuguese and began making inroads into Indonesia. The Dutch East India Company based in Batavia (Jakarta) dominated the spice trade and took control of Java by the mid 18th century, when its power was already in decline. The Dutch took control in the early 19th century and by the early 20th century, the entire archipelago - including Aceh and Bali - was under their control. Burgeoning nationalism combined with Japanese occupation of the archipelago during WWII served to weaken Dutch resolve, and it finally transferred sovereignty to the new Indonesian republic in 1949. Achmed Soekarno, the foremost proponent of self-rule since the early 1920s, became President. In 1957, after a rudderless period of parliamentary democracy, Soekarno overthrew the parliament, declared martial law, and initiated a more authoritarian style of government, which he euphemistically dubbed 'Guided Democracy'. Once in the driving seat, Soekarno, like many like-minded military strongmen, set about consolidating his power through monument-building and socialising the economy, a move that paradoxically opened up a huge divide between the haves and have-nots and left much of the population teetering on the edge of starvation. Rebellions broke out in Sumatra and Sulewesi, Malaysia and Indonesia came perilously close to an all-out confrontation and instability was the general order of the day. Things came to a head in 1965, the eponymous Year Of Living Dangerously, when an attempted coup (purportedly by a Communist group) threatened Soekarno's hold on power. Soekarno won that particular battle but lost the war when the man responsible for putting the coup down, General Soeharto, wrested presidential power from him in 1966. Soeharto started off with a nice line in political reconstruction, but the promises of economic reform and greater government transparency quickly degenerated into much of the same-old same-old. Nepotism, cronyism and grandiose spending, coupled with the brutal massacre of East Timorese nationalists in Dilli in 1975, proved that much of the talk was mere rhetoric. By March 1998 Soeharto was out of touch with the people and, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, awarded himself only five more years in office. He never made his own benchmark and by the end of May that year he was out of office and the vice-president, Jusuf Habibie, was installed. Habibie, never popular to begin with, mouthed the same promises of reform and even appeared willing to consider independence for East Timor, but it was all too little too late. The uncompromising stance by East Timor set off a chain reaction and sectarian violence, student protests and increased demands for independence spread like wild fire through Ambon, Kalimantan and Irian Jaya. Rogue militia groups, widely thought to be controlled and equipped by the Indonesian miltiary, rampaged through East Timor after it overwhelmingly voted for independence in 1999; local police forces and parts of the army were sent in to quash other rebellions; protesting students were killed in the streets and the whole country went to hell in a handbasket. After much fiddle-faddle and talk of international protocol, the UN and Australia got involved in the melee: the UN sent in a token number of troops to express disapproval of Indonesia's methods, while Australia sent a sizable contingent of their army into East Timor. Indonesia was outraged at what they considered an act of aggression and unwanted meddling in their domestic affairs, and there were tense standoffs during many of the highlevel powwows between the big cheeses. Subtle threats and counter threats were made, but none eventuated. When the dust finally settled East Timor had been granted independent rule over the smoking ruins of its own country; Habibie was out; Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, the first democratically elected president was in; General Wiranto, head of the Indonesian army, had been dismissed; the rogue milita groups had melted back into the streets of Jakarta; the rupiah was still in critical condition; and relations between Indonesia and Australia were still snippety and tense, but marginally improved. On 23 July 2001, the People's Consultative Assembly sacked President Wahid and elected Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri in his place. With Indonesia at the forefront of numerous crisies - the 'War on Terrorism', Ache, West Papua and the October 2002 Bali attacks to name but a few, Megawati has a huge job ahead of her.

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Information provided by Department of Tourism. Government of Indonesia.

Indonesia Travel Tips

Immigration Weather Transports Communication and Electricity Shopping & Tipping Hospitals Food and Health Banks and Money Changers Embassies and Consulates Clothing and Manners Office Hours Foreign Exchange

Immigration

Visas are required except for the nationals of 48 countries namely Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA//M passports. The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly countries, attending a conference which has received official approval. Visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Entry and departure must be through the airports of Polonia (Medan), Simpang Tiga (Pekanbaru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Juanda (Surabaya), Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Eltari (Kupang), Supadio (Pontianak), Sepingan (Balikpapan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon), Hasanuddin (Makassar), Selaparang (Mataram), and Frans Kaisiepo (Biak), and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang (Batam), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Benoa and Padangbai (Bali), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku), and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan). There is only one land gateway, Entikong in West Kalimantan. For other ports of arrival or departure, visitors must have visas, For others, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained form any Indonesian embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required and a small fee is charged. Possession of passports is a must to all visitors to Indonesia valid for at least six months with proof of onward passage, either return or through tickets.

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Transports

There are metered taxis in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Solo, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bali and Lampung. For air-conditioned taxis flag falls are Rp.2,000 (Rp. 900 for each additional kilometer) and Rp. 3,000 (Rp. 1,300 for each additional kilometer). For Silverbird flagfall is Rp. 3,500 and Rp. 1,500 for each additional km. Hire cars are available and rates differ form area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of your hotel for information concerning rates and distances. From Soekarno-Hatta airport to Jakarta city, taxis add a surcharge ranging from Rp. 7,500/Rp. 9,000/Rp. 10,000 depending on the destination and the road tolls of Rp. 7,000. There are also Soekarno-Hatta International Airport buses which run every 20 minutes to five different points in the city. For those heading for the major hotels in the city center, take the bus to Gambir, a railway station, which is five to ten minutes away by taxi from the hotels. Bus fare is Rp, 5,000 per person plus luggage. At other airports there are transport counters with fixed fares for taxis. Other forms of transport in Indonesia are bajaj for two passengers, small buses which ply regular routes, the man-driven pedicab "becak," all of which need advanced bargaining to come to a mutually accepted fare. Buses are very crowded, particularly in the cities and routes need to be identified. Trains traverse the island of Java and part of Sumatra. Fares are comparatively cheap but higher on air-conditioned express trains running between major cities. 7 Garuda Indonesia has an extensive network throughout the country. To all major cities on the archipelago, Garuda had daily services. Garuda services are supplemented by those of Merpati Nusantara, Bouraq, and Mandala, Lion Air, Awair and Pelita.

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Communication and Electricity

Long distance calls within Indonesia are by direct dial. International Direct Dial (IDD) is available from major cities and hotels to 240 countries. Long Distance, IDD and facsimile services are also available at the telecommunications offices (Wartel) in major cities and hotels. Internet service is not a difficult things to find in big cities public internet services (Warnet). Most hotels in big cities use 220 volts 50 cycles and a two-pronged plug. However, some hotels in the provinces may still be using 110 volts. It is better to check before using an appliance.

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Weather

Indonesia has two seasons, the dry season from June to October and the rainy season from November to March. There are occasional showers during the transitional periods and the general maximum temperature is 33°C (62°F) and the general minimum 21°C (41°F). Humidity is high at all times.

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Customer

Customs allow on entry a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipment are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs. Prohibited are firearms, narcotics drugs, pornography, Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers and cordless telephones. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must be screened by the Censor Board. There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and travelers checks, however, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 5 million is prohibited. Airport authority levies an airport tax of Rp. 50.000 for travelers on international routes and Rp. 11,000 for those on domestic routes.

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Shopping and Tipping

At most hotels a service charge of 10% is added to the bill. In restaurants where a service charge is not additional, a tip of 5 to 10% would be appropriate depending on the service and type of establishment. An airport or hotel porter expects Rp. 5,000 per bag. Tipping taxi drivers Rp. 1,000 or leaving the change is appreciated but not mandatory. It is advisable to carry small change as taxi drivers are often short of change. The big cities have shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores where prices are fixed. They stay open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. everyday and some even on Sunday. At small shops bargaining might be necessary.

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Food and Health

The Indonesian staple food is rice steamed boiled or fried. Some accompanying dishes can be pepper hot - big red pepper or small green ones - so it is advisable to ask before ordering. Please be inform to also ask the price before ordering. There are many restaurants specializing in European, American and Oriental cuisine including the fast food restaurants. A variety of beverages (both imported or locals) are available everywhere including very good Indonesian beer. Keep to bottled drinks if doubtful of water served in restaurants. Travelers coming from infected areas are required to submit International certificates of valid smallpox, cholera and yellow vaccinations.

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Information provided by Department of Tourism. Government of Indonesia.

Indonesia Travel Guide

Plan a Indonesia vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Indonesia locals.

Popular Destinations in Indonesia

Jakarta Yogyakarta Pulau Bintan Ubud Pulau Batam Bali Lombok Kuta Bandung Uluwatu Borobudur Surabaya Bukittinggi Manado Medan Bandung Tengger Caldera Bali Solo Prambanan Padang Pulau Seribu Bogor Bogor Salatiga	Malang Makassar Rantepao Batusangkar Sanur Pelabuhanratu Danau Toba Pulau Ambon Pangandaran Pegunungan Dieng Denpasar Pulau Singkep Java Payakumbuh Pulau Bunaken Sorong Pulau Komodo Palembang Karimunjawa Berastagi Banda Aceh Pulau Lombok Tabanan Wonosobo Pontianak
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Regions in Indonesia

Aceh Special Region Bali Bangka Belitung Islands Province Banten Province Bengkulu Province Central Java Province Central Kalimantan Province Central Sulawesi Province East Java Province East Kalimantan Province East Nusa Tenggara Province Gorontalo Province Jambi Province Lampung Province Maluku Province

North Sulawesi Province North Sumatra Province Papua Province Riau Province South Kalimantan Province South Sulawesi Province South Sumatra Province South-East Sulawesi Province Special Capital Region of Jakarta West Java Province West Kalimantan Province West Nusa Tenggara Province West Sumatra Province Yogyakarta Special Region Sources: Virtual Tourist

LONG APARI PACKAGE

DAY 01 : BALIKPAPAN / MELAK.

Depart from Balikpapan to Melak by small aircraft (14.00 – 15.35), direct transfer to local house for accommodation, meals provided.

DAY 02 : MELAK / TERING / LONG BAGUN

Transfer to Tering by land transport, and continue the trip through Mahakam river by longboat, will arrive in Long Bagun at afternoon, after 6 hours trip approximately.

Accommodation at local house, meals provided.

DAY 03 : LONG BAGUN / TIONG OHANG

Leaving Long Bagun in the morning to reach Tiong Ohang village by long boat, passing small waterfalls at river side and wild rapids. Would takes 5 hours river trip.

Accommodation is in local house, meals provided.

DAY 04 : TIONG OHANG / LONG APARI

Leaving Tiong ohang by motorized canoe to reach reach Long Apari in the morning. At this 4 hours river trip, is the time to enjoy primay rain forest at river side.

Accommodation is in local house, meals provided.

DAY 05 : LONG APARI

A full day trekking in primary rain forest, start in early morning and return before late afternoon.

Accommodatio

DAY 06 : LONG APARI / LONG BAGUN

Down river to Long Bagun by long boat, for 7 hours. Accommodation is in local house, meals provided.

DAY 07 : LONG BAGUN / TERING / MELAK

Leaving Long Bagun after breakfast, cruise down Mahakam river to Tering, then transfer by land transport to Melak

Accommodation is in local house, meals provided.

DAY 08 : MELAK / BALIKPAPAN

Free time before flight back to Balikpapan (12.55 – 14.25), direct transfer to your hotel once arrival.

Accommodation at hotel.

DAY 09 : HOTEL / AIRPORT

Free at leisure until transfer to Sepinggan airport for your next destination.

n is in local house, meals provided.

LONG BAGUN TOUR

DAY 1 : BALIKPAPAN – LOA JANAN – TENGGARONG – MUARA MUNTAI

Upon arrival at Balikpapan airport, meeting service and directly transfer by land transport to Loa Janan, then boarding house boat for exciting adventure on Mahakam River to Muara Muntai. Make a stop at Tenggarong to visit the former palace of sultan Kutai Kertanegara. Witnessing the Sultan's impressive collection of hairlooms, china ceramics, dayak's art and culture items.

Accommodation at houseboat, meals provide.

DAY 2 : MUARA MUNTAI - TANJUNG ISUY

Morning Arrival at Muara Muntai, sightseeing in the village. Crossing Jempang lake to reach Tanjung Isuy.

Accommodation at longhouse, meals provide.

DAY 3 : TANJUNG ISUY - MANCONG - MUARA MUNTAI – MELAK

After breakfast, by motor canoe cruise up to Ohong creek visiting
Mancong Dayak Village witnessing the Grand Long House, On the way to Mancong cruising the river, if lucky the Bekantan (rare species of monkey) could be seen. Return to Muara Muntai and cruise up Mahakam river by houseboat to Melak.

DAY 4 : MELAK – KERSIK LUWAI – EHENG – MELAK – TERING

Early morning arrive in MELAK. A half day excursion by car to KERSIK LUWAI – the nature forest of black orchid (blooming time seasonal), proceed to EHENG to see the traditional TUNJUNG DAYAK’s Long House. Return to the houseboat and cruise up to TERING.

Accommodation at houseboat, meals provide.

DAY 5 : TERING – DATAH BILANG – LONG BAGUN

After breakfast, transfer to longboat then continue
the trip upstream to Long Bagun. Short stop at Datah Bilang, a Kenyah dayak village.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 6 : LONG BAGUN – RAPIDS

Morning, would take trip to the rapids by longboat and soft trekking on the river bank of the rain forest. Return to Long Bagun before late afternoon.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 7 : LONG BAGUN – TERING – TENGGARONG

After breakfast, start downstream to Tering for the houseboat. It would take a half day trip by longboat.

Accommodation at houseboat, meals provide.

DAY 8 : TENGGARONG – BALIKPAPAN

Afternoon will arrive at Tenggarong, direct transfer to Balikpapan by land transport.

Accommodation at hotel (dinner is personal account).

DAY 9 : BALIKPAPAN – NEXT DESTINATION

After breakfast, free at leisure till time to transfer to the
airport for next destination.

TOUR END

APOKAYAN HINTERLAND

DAY 01 : BALIKPAPAN / SAMARINDA

Arrival at Sepinggan airport Balikpapan, meeting service and direct land transfer to Samarinda.

Accommodation at hotel, meals provide.

DAY 02 : SAMARINDA / LONG AMPUNG / LONG URO / LIDUNG PAYAU

Morning, transfer to the airport for flight to Long Ampung. Directed cruise Kayan River by motorized canoe to Lidung Payau, once arrival. Take short stop at Long Uro to observe the village.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 03 : LIDUNG PAYAU / SUNGAI BARANG

Start trekking for 5 until 7 hours to Sungai Barang, to reach Kenyah Dayak village through rain forest.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 04 : SUNGAI BARANG / LIDUNG PAYAU / LONG URO / LONG AMPUNG

After simple breakfast will trekking back to Lidung Payau. Once arrival, direct transfer by motorized canoe ride down at Kayan river to Long Ampung

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 05 : LONG AMPUNG / SAMARINDA / BALIKPAPAN

After breakfast walk around the village until departure to Samarinda. Arrival then direct land transfer to Balikpapan.

Accommodation at hotel, meals provide.

DAY 06 : BALIKPAPAN - Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure until time for transfer to airport.

TOUR END.

APOKAYAN AND LONG APARI TOUR

DAY 01 : BALIKPAPAN / SAMARINDA

Arrive at Sepinggan airport Balikpapan, meeting service and direct transfer to Samarinda.

Accommodation at hotel, meals provide.

DAY 02 : SAMARINDA / LONG AMPUNG / LONG URO / LIDUNG PAYAU

Transfer to the airport for flight to Long Ampung, for less then two hours. Continue to Lidung Payau by motorized canoe on Kayan river, short stop at Long Uro to see Dayak longhouse.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 03 : LIDUNG PAYAU / SUNGAI BARANG

After breakfast take 5-7 hours trekking to Sungai Barang a Kenyah dayak village, arrive at late afternoon.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 4-8: SUNGAI BARANG TO LONG LEBUSAN

Start trekking to reach Long Lebusan through the rainforest in five days, approximately. Spend 6 hours walking per day. During trekking we use fresh water from nature source and stay in simple tent with waterproof awning.

Meals prepare and overnight in simple tent.

DAY 09 : LONG LEBUSAN / MAHAKAM RIVER

Downstream Boh river to Mahakam river and passing some rapids.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 10 : MAHAKAM RIVER / TIONG OHANG

Full day trip on upstream along Mahakam river by long boat to reach Tiong Ohang village passing the rapids, rocks, hills and rain forest.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 11 : TIONG OHONG / LONG APARI

Proceed to Long Apari by motorized canoe. On the way you will find beautiful sceneries both side of the river in remote area.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 12 : LONG APARI

Start trekking in early morning to the rain forest, late afternoon return to the village for overnight.

Accommodation at local house, meals provide.

DAY 13 : LONG APARI / LONG BAGUN

Down stream to Long Bagun by long boat for 7 hours. Accommodation is in local house, meals provided.

DAY 14 : LONG BAGUN / MAHAKAM / SAMARINDA

By public houseboat (river ferry) cruise down Mahakam river to Samarinda in two days one night trip, then transfer by land transport to Melak

Accommodation is in houseboat, meals provided.

DAY 15 : MAHAKAM / SAMARINDA

Will arrived in Samarinda before afternoon. Direct transfer to Balikpapan by car to your hotel

Accommodation at hotel (dinner is personal account).

DAY 16 : HOTEL / AIRPORT

Free at leisure until transfer to Sepinggan airport for your next destination.

TOUR END.