Advertisement

A FVW Mediengruppe supplement

Indonesia

GREAT MOMENTS News & trends from the worlds largest archipelago | SERVICE Travel know-how & insiders tips | HIGHLIGHTS Beaches & volcanoes, temples & wilderness
FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 1

Sumatra: Blue mountain lakes amidst lush vegetation, page 11

Riau Islands: Paradise not only for divers, page 9

Kalimantan: Rainforest traditions, page 10

Jakarta: Vibrant big-city life, page 7

THAILAND

Indonesia
South China Sea
BRUNEI MALAYSIA
Derawan Island

S tr ait of M al Medan ac ca
Nias

MALAYSIA SINGAPORE

Sulawesi Sea
ian Islands Tog

Equator Equ
Padang

Pekanbaru

Riau Islands

Batam

Sumatra
Palembang

Balikpapan

Mentawai w wai Islands

Palangkaraya

Mak ass ar Str ait

Se lat Ka rim at a

Kalimantan
D O

Samarinda

Palu

Sulawesi
E

I
Selat Sunda

N
Taka Bone Rate National Park

Kendari

Asia

JAKARTA
Afrika

Bandung

Java Sea Semarang Surabaya Solo Yogyakarta

Bali

Makassar
West Nusa Tenggara
Wakatobi Islands

INDONESIA
Australia

Borobudur

Denpassar

Flores

Java

Lombok

Komodo Islands

I N D I A N
0 0 200 km

O C E A N
200 Miles

Sumba

Kupang

2 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

Advertisement

Java: Mystic temples, stunning nature, page 6

Bali: Action fun on the Island of the Gods, page 8

Nusa Tenggara: Volcanoes and secluded beaches, page 9

CONTENTS

Archipelago
PHILIPPINES

Cover: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia; Credit: Dreamstime.com, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia (8); Map: Axel Kock

Panorama News, tips & trends Highlights The worlds largest archipelago boasts a divine diversity Events Sports, fun and music Service Travel know-how Indonesia

6 13 14

Bunaken

P A C I F I C
Raja Ampat Islands

O C E A N

Manado

Lembe

Molucca Sea

Manokwari Sorong
Yapen

Biak

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

M a o l lu c u k u c a s ) ( M

Jayapura Wamena

S
Banda Sea

Sulawesi: Lush greenery, legendary dive sites, page 12

West Papua
Arafura Sea

EAST TIMOR
Timor

Timor Sea AUSTRALIA

west Papua: Culturally inspired wilderness adventures, page 12

FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 3

PANORAMA

Authentic coffee
The most expensive and most unusual coffee comes from Indonesia. A single cup of this delicacy costs nearly 15 euros, one kilo is sold at a price of 1,000 euros. Kopi Luwak beans are hand selected in Sumatra, Sulawesi or Java and harvested by civets that primarily feed off the coffee plants. After having passed through the civets digestive tract, the coffee beans come out fairly intact. The resulting coffee is said to taste like no other; heavy and rich, with hints of caramel or chocolate.

UNESCO wORLd HERITAGE

Indonesia is home to a total of seven world heritage sites with four being located on Java alone. The Unesco has awarded the world heritage title to the Borobudur temple and to the Prambanan temple (see photo) as well as to the excavation site of Sangiran, where one million year old Homo Erectus skulls were found. Ujung Kulon National Park on Java is a world natural heritage. Further Unesco treasures are Komodo National Park and the Lorentz National Park in West Papua with its snow covered mountains and tropical marine areas. Also included are Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra: National Parks of Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan Selatan.

A touch of Hollywood
Indonesias dazzling and diverse nature and cultural heritage provides setting for moving productions.
Its breathtaking natural scenery is one of the reasons for why Indonesia receives growing attention from international movie producers. Large parts of the blockbuster Eat, Pray, Love (2010) starring Julia Roberts were filmed on Bali. Of course fans are now able to take tours of the locations where the movie was shot. Apart from palm groves, rice fields, picture-perfect beaches and mystic temples the artists colony of Ubud at the heart of the island, the Batur volcano and the mountain village of Tenganan served as backdrop for the praised production. The thriller The Philosophers by John Huddles, scheduled to premier at theaters in 2012, is another film predominantly produced in Indonesia. In this case, Jakarta, Belitung, Bromo and Jogyakarta will get their big Hollywood moments.

News Ticker
Restored Borobudur, the worlds largest Buddhist temple two hours north of Yogyakarta on Java, was partly closed after a volcanic eruption in 2010 and is now again fully open to the public. Lombok direct The Lombok International Airport is now able to handle wide body aircraft such as the A330 and the Boeing 767, just in time for the Visit
4 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

Lombok-Sumbawa Year 2012. ITB 2013 Indonesia is securing international attention by presenting itself 2013 in Berlin as ITB partner destination. Champion The tranquil town of Ubud on Bali was named one of the top 25 destinations in Asia in the Trip Advisors Travelers Choice Awards 2011. The island Gili Trawangan between Bali and Lombok came in 7th

among Asias top 10 beaches. More visitors During the first five months of 2011 Bali recorded a 6.61 percent increase in visitors over the previous year. Short trip For 10 US dollars a new seven-day-visa is available for the Riau Islands of Batam and Bintan near Singapore. The islands feature various luxury resorts. A standard, 30-day tourist visa is 25 US Dollars.

Advertisement

Komodo Islands primeval species

A in its very sense original attraction at the Komodo National Park east of Lombok is the Komodo dragon, a member of the monitor lizard family. They are only found in this part of the world, can reach up to three meters in length and as much as 170 kilograms while becoming an impressive 110 years old. The islands of Padar, Rinca and Komodo, also known as Komodo Islands, are home to around 5,700 Komodo dragons, carnivores that feed off goats, roe, pigs and carrion. Their name originates from the species slight resemblance to dragons with their long tails and split tongues. Komodo dragons are considered a blessing for evolutionary science and helped the national park receive the Unesco world natural heritage title.

The Spa at The Edge: Asias most innovative spa sits enthroned on a cliff in the village of Pecatu.

Asias wellnesscapital: Bali

Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, The Oazia Spa, The Spa at The Edge, Dreamstime.com, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia (4)

The renowned Asia Spa Magazine annually presents the most coveted award in the Asian spa scene and regularly names Bali top of the list in various categories. As was the case in 2010 when the dream island destination once again received the title Asian Spa Capital of the Year. Also among the winners at the Asia Spa Award ceremony in Hong Kong were the following Bali spa institutions: Most innovative spa: The Spa at The Edge (Pecatu) Spa design: Oazia Spa (Canggu) Eco-spa: Spa Alila, Alila (Uluwatu) Spa personality: Susan Stein with the Jari Menari (Nusa Dua) Therapist team: Jari Menari (Nusa Dua)

Up for a culinary feast?

Is there anything better than enjoying a good meal? In Indonesia theres more than plenty.
The countrys cuisine is just as colorful and diverse as the roughly 17,500 islands Indonesia comprises. There is just one simple rule: No meal without rice. Often tasty Nasi Goreng is served for breakfast, and the fried rice dish was voted number two among the worlds 50 most delicious food in a polling conducted by CNN involving 35,000 participants. The gold medal went to Rendang (see left photo) from West Sumatra. It wasnt for nothing that the spicy beef simmered in a mix of chili, spices and coconut paste received the title as tastiest dish worldwide. Number fourteen on that hit list is Satay (see right photo), that marinated, skewered and grilled meat dish served up with peanut sauce, another Indonesian culinary trademark.

The Oazia Spa in Canggu is famous for its spectacular design.

FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 5

HIGHLIGHTS

Unity in diversity
World famous temples and ancient tradition, picture-perfect beaches and steaming rainforests, soaring volcanoes and stunning coral reefs: Indonesia is truly inspirational. No matter if you are up for a luxury- or a Robinson Crusoe-style vacation.

Mystic: Borobudur is the worlds largest buddhist temple complex.

6 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

Advertisement

Jakarta

The nations melting pot

With a population of 9.5 million, it is the most populous city in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Founded in the 4th century, Jakartas former history presents itself in Old town Batavia, known as Kota, where splendid buildings such as the historical Museum Sejarah Jakarta or the old port Sunda Kelapa are located. Other highlights include the majestic Istiqlal Mosque, known as the largest house of prayer in Southeast Asia with room for up to 120,000 people, and the nearby 100 years old Jakarta Cathedral as one of the most graceful historical buildings in the city. The unique Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a whole country in one park with full-scale traditional houses and displays of handicrafts and clothing for each of Indonesias provinces, and even a mini-scale Borobudur temple. For sport lovers, Jakarta boasts some of the best-value golf in Asia, with 38 courses within and around the city, while fans of diving and wind surfing can enjoy Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) in Java Sea. Metropolitan Jakarta has more than ten major shopping malls, a great nightlife scene with excellent restaurants, upscale bars and glamourous clubs featuring international DJs, live music and karaoke lounges.

Rich in contrast: In Jakarta a vibrant modern world meets traces of the colonial era.

Historical treasure: Jakarta Cathedral.

Credit: Getty Images/Hemera, Getty Images/iStockphoto, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia

Java Island

Heritage and culture

Volcanic cones with collars of rainforest area, rice fields in a luscious green, quaint villages and vibrant cities such as Jakarta, Bandung or Surabaya, ancient temples and contemporary mosques, traditional handicraft and high-tech industrial plants, traveling hawkers and modern-day shopping malls, overloaded handcarts and luxury cars Java offers an intriguing mix of contrasts. The key attractions the giant temples of Borobudur and Prambanan are located almost right at the center of the nearly 1,000 km long island. The 1,200 year old Borobudur, rediscovered in 1814 by Thomas Stamford Raffles underneath a layer of dirt and plants, is the worlds largest Buddhist monument and a Unesco World Heritage Site; just as the no less imposing Hindu temple of Prambanan. And only a stones throw away stands the Candi Sewu, another 1,200 year old temple complex with an impressive 240 shrines representing the form of a mandala. Yogyakarta is renowned as a centre of classical Java-nese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows and being one of the oldest cities in Indonesia. The number one must-see attraction is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwonos palace, better known as Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Other heritage buildings from colonial era are all located near Sultans palace. In the northern part of Central Java there is Semarang city, with several attractive sites: Sam Po Kong Temple (Gedong Batu) built in honor of Chinese Great Admiral Zheng He, Blenduk Church built in 1753 and Lawang Sewu Building. Semarang has its own charm with contrasting Dutch colonial architecture, Chinese heritage and Javanese culture. A must see for nature lovers is Mount Bromo, a popular destination in East Java. This 2,392 meter high volcano lies 112 kilometres southeast of Surabaya. The ideal time to visit Mount Bromo is in the dry season, when you have best chances of seeing a beautiful sunrise. From Bromos peak visitors can enjoy stunning views of active Gunung Semeru, Javas highest mountain. Getting there: The main airports are located in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, and Surabaya.
FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 7

HIGHLIGHTS
Bali

Island of the Gods

Picture-perfect Bali thats endless palm lined sand beaches and idyllic coves, for example in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak or Nusa Dua, plus dive sites such as Pulau Menjangan, Tulamben, Candi Dasa or Lovina. Not to forget the tropical rain forests, the towering volcanic cones with peaks at 3,000 meters, and the luscious green rice terraces built into the hillsides thats Bali, too. First and foremost, though, this heaven for lovers of the sun and the sea is known for its hospitality and compelling culture. The natives refer to Bali as Island of the Gods. More than 20,000 temples, countless shrines and pagodas, mystic trance dance rituals, colorful ceremonies, and graceful temple dancers illustrate how that name came about. Temples such as Pura Tanah Lot, which sits enthroned atop a rock formation jutting out into the ocean, and Pura Besakih are considered two of the biggest attractions. Balis cultural center is located in Ubud, an artists and writers haven. Nearby in Gianyar the Bali Safari Marine Park is home to hundreds of amazing animals such as tigers, leopards and Komodo dragons. A special attraction of the park is the Bali Agung Show featuring 150 dancers and more than 30 animals including ten elephants. Getting there: International travelers may choose from various direct flights serving the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.

Artistic farming: staircase-shaped rice terraces.

Prayer with ocean view: the famous Pura Tanah Lot temple on Bali.

8 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

Credit: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia (4)

Advertisement

Idyllic beach life: on Balis neighbor island Lombok.

Nusa Tenggara

Quiet beaches, amazing volcanoes

Between Bali and Timor Leste stretches Nusa Tenggara, a group of 550 islands, the largest being Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores and Timor. Lombok with its endless beaches is a paradise for sun worshippers and more quiet than its famous sister Bali. The most important beach resort is called Senggigi Beach. Divers and snorkelers get their moneys worth in the colorful underwater world off Lomboks coast, around the Gili Islands, namely Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno. Not to forget the snow-white deserted beaches there. Nature lovers will be in seventh heaven once they get to the mountains of Lombok featuring extensive forests, untamed water falls, vibrant rice fields and quaint villages. Also on Lombok, avid hikers even have a chance to climb Mount Rinjani, at 3,726 meters Indonesias highest volcano, and descend down to the crater lake. Neighboring island of Sumbawa most distinguishing feature are Saleh Bay and the Tambora Peninsula with Mount Tambora (2,851 metres). The islands of Komodo and Rinca are located east of Sumbawa. They form part of the Komodo National Park, a Unesco world natural heritage site. Last but not least, Flores is known for its crater lakes, bamboo forests and savannas as well as for its strong traditions. Getting there: Lombok can be reached by air via Jakarta or Singapore; all other islands are accessible by boat from Lombok.

Riau Islands

Heaven for free spirits

The 3,200 island archipelago off the coast of Sumatra is ideal for leisurely exploration of an old fashioned island way of life. Pristine beaches fringe the exposed coasts on the east and west sides of the island. Countless coral reefs are ideal for snorkeling or diving. Popular spots are the reefs off Tokong Malangbiru, the sunken Acasta Rock and various wrecks. A natural spectacle brings Tambelan Island into focus with thousand turtles laying their eggs there year after year. Bintan is the largest island and Batam has the biggest population (600,000 people). Both islands offer superb international golf resorts. Getting there: Numerous domestic flights start from Hang Nadim Airport on Batam. Alternatively, there are regular connections for example from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Robinson Crusoe charm: The Riau Islands are perfect to get away from it all.

FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 9

HIGHLIGHTS

Close to nature: the indigenous people of the Kalimantana rainforests.

Kalimantan

Rainforest adventure meets exotic culture

Equatorial evergreen rainforests, steaming marshland and mountains rising up to 2,000 meters dominate Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, the worlds third biggest island. A dense network of small and large rivers crisscrosses the jungle, which is why the unspoilt island is best explored by river bus. The 700,000 strong metropolis of Samarinda makes for an ideal starting point for a cruise on the largest river in the province, the Mahakam. 50 kilometers upriver, in Tenggarong, the Mulawarman Museum offers an insight into the culture of the islands indigenous people, the Dayak. Their trademarks are large earrings and distinctive tattoos. The Erau Festival, which takes place in Tenggarong annually at the end of September, provides a first-hand impression of their colorful traditional costumes, dances and handicraft. Traditional longhouses are where the Dayaks live. Visitors can get a chance to take a close-up look at these typical homes and to enjoy a truly authentic experience by spending the night in a longhouse.
10 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

Nature highlights include the forest of orchids near Melak, a few kilometers further down the river, and the frolicking river dolphins in the lakes around Muara Muntai. Considered virtually a must is a detour to the Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan featuring orangutans, proboscis monkeys, flying dragons and crocodiles. An attraction for divers in East Kalimantan is Derawan Islands featuring 872 species of reef fishes, 507 species of coral, and invertebrates, including protected species. And Kakaban Island offers the worlds largest and most diverse jellyfish lake. A fascinating sight promises the hustle and bustle in the city of Banjarmasin in southern Kalimantan. It is crisscrossed by a dense network of rivers and channels serving as traffic arteries and as shopping streets. Highlight: the floating markets of Kuin. Getting there: Direct flights from Jakarta serve Samarinda and Banjarmasin.

Advertisement

Precious: Sumatras national parks are home to orangutans.

Sumatra

wild west treasures

1,700 uninterrupted kilometers of mountain ranges: The massive Bukit Barisan consists of towering peaks as high as 3,800 meters. The mountain range runs throughout the western part of Sumatra. It is shrouded in dense jungle cover and boasts numerous volcanic cones, crater lakes, hot springs and untamed rivers. With the Gunung Leuser National Park up north and the Kerinci Seblat National Park in the midwest Sumatras spinal region features an impressive two Unesco world natural heritage sites providing a habitat for endangered wildlife such as Sumatran elephants, tigers, Sumatran rhinos and orangutans. And at an altitude of 500 to 700 meters grows a plant second to none: During the months of December and January the Rafflesia arnoldii produces flowers with a diameter of up to one meter. Lake Toba is considered another gem among North Sumatras natural treasures. It is 500 meters at its deepest point, twice the size of Lake Constance in Germany and lined by four impressive volcanic cones. Worth seeing is the highland region with cooler weather around Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. Deeply carved valleys with wild gorges such as the Sianok Canyon, partly active volcanoes, mountain lakes like Lake Maninjau colored in shades of green and blue, and fertile plains make the area one of the most appealing destinations in Sumatra. Bukittinggi is also the cultural center of the Minangkabau, where matrilineal system is practiced. Getting there: By air via Padang, Medan and Jakarta.

world record: A Rafflesia flower can grow up to one meter.

Credit: Dreamstime.com, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia (3)

Natural beauty: Lake Toba in North Sumatra.

FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 11

HIGHLIGHTS
West Papua

Immerse yourself in paradise

With more than 1,200 species of fish and 75 percent of all known species of corals, the Raja Ampat archipelago off the coast of West Papua ranges among the most magnificent dive spots on the globe. Yet, Eastern Indonesia also offers quite a spectacular experience above water: It boasts the densest jungle in the world, and the 4,884 meter Puncak Jaya provides a challenge for the avid hiker. Beyond its coastline West Papua holds a series of unspoilt treasures: Visitors are for example intrigued by the Baliem Valley in the Jayawijaya Mountains and especially by the lifestyle of its native people, the Dani tribes. Many of them still live in traditional circular-plan villages surrounded by clay walls, whereas the war dances are nowadays performed completely naked except for a penis gourd and feathers solely for tourists. Getting there: Flights to Sorong, Biak, Jayapura and Timika are available from Jakarta and Bali.

Tribal culture: at the Lembah Baliem Festival in August.

Treasure chest: The underwater world off west Papua is extremely diverse.

Sulawesi

Beautiful reefs
Culture buffs rave about Sulawesi just as much as nature lovers do. Particularly rich in attractions is the northern part of the island. At the Bunaken National Marine Park for example divers explore steep fringing reefs and caves, finding themselves surrounded by enormous fish. Vast expanses of rain forest such as the TangkokoBatuangus Dua Saudara nature reserve provide a habitat for rare animal species including the Buru babirusa, the tarsier and the Anoa, also known as dwarf buffalo.
Hotspot for divers: Bunaken Island off the coast of North Sulawesi.

Lake Tondano on the Minahasa Peninsula is a true gem as well, especially in the wee hours of the morning when dense wafts of mist on the water and the surrounding jungle area create a magic atmosphere. The native Minahasa people still performs ancient war dances and plays music on instruments made from seashells. In Sawangan visitors will find stone graves from the Minahasa, some of them as old as 3,000 years featuring prism shaped stone lids. Cultural treasures also draw tourists to the

Tana Toraja, a high valley at the heart of Sulawesi. Living amidst steep mountains covered with rice terraces, cocoa and coffee plantations the Toraja managed to preserve parts of their ancient traditions. Most famous are the wooden houses with roofs shaped in a sweeping curved arc reminiscent of hulls, the elaborate burial rituals, and the cliff graves. Getting there: by air via Jakarta as well as other domestic and international flights from Singapore or Malaysia.

12 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

EVENTS

Advertisement

Sports, fun and music

The Tour de Singkarak leads 740 kilometres through Sumatra.

From folklore to jazz and sports competitions: Indonesia boasts a yearround series of colorful and cheerful traditional celebrations, complemented by numerous modern top-class events.

Credits: Tour de Singkarak, Java Festival Production, Indonesia Masters, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia (3)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the Java Soulnation Festival in Jakarta.

Bali alone offers more than 200 annual events ranging from temple anniversary celebrations to solemn cremation ceremonies. Ubud Writers Festival (October), Bali Spirit Festival (April) and Bali International Kite (June) are some of the international highlight events held in Bali. For two decades now the Lembah Baliem Festival (August) has been taking place in Wamena, West Papua. The main feature is the mock-war between the Dani, the Yaliu and the Lani tribes. The Asmat Cultural Festival (October) on Papua highlights the wood carving art of the Asmat tribe, expressed in ornate masks and shields. Not to forget the other forms of handicrafts such as weaving, yarning and boating, which are also showcased at the festival. Tomohon in Sulawesi presents its Flower Festival (June/July) with a

Onto the green: the Indonesian Masters in Jakarta.

parade of decorative flower floats including the crowning of the Queen of Flowers. Sail Wakatobi (July-August) is one sailing event that you dont want to miss in Sulawesi. Kalimantan has Cap Go Meh (February) festival celebrating Chinese culture. Cosmopolitan Jakarta offers Jakarta Great Sale (June-July), where the city will become a center for shopaholics from the entire region, Inacraft trade fair for Indonesian arts and crafts is held every April.

Music lovers get their moneys worth during the International Jazz Festival (March) with top acts like Bobby McFerrin or at the Java Soulnation Festival (September) starring both local and international acts like singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor or rapper Nelly. Sports enthusiasts will get their share of major annual competitions in Indonesia, among them the international Sabang Regatta (September), where sailing boats in all classes meet to challenge each other in the battle against the wind and the waves off the coast of Sumatra. Top golfers from around the world travel to the renowned Royale Jakarta Golf Club for the Indonesian Masters (April), while the Tour de Singkarak in June, known as one of Asias top bicycle races, leads the cyclists 740 kilometres through the natural beauties of Sumatra.
FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 13

SERVICE REPORTAGE

Mini dictionary
English Indonesian Good morning Selamat pagi Good day Selamat siang Good afternoon Selamat sore Good evening Selamat malam Good-bye Selamat tinggal See you later Sampai jumpa lagi How are you? Apa kabar? How much is it? Berapa harganya? Please (help) Tolong Please (offering) Silahkan Thank you Terima kasih Sorry/Excuse me Maaf Yes Ya No Tidak What is your name? Siapa nama anda? Where are you from? Dari mana? Do you speak English? Bisa bicara bahasa Inggris? I dont understand Saya tidak mengerti When? Kapan? Where? Dimana? Left Kiri Right Kanan Men/Male Laki-laki/Pria Women/Female Perempuan/Wania

dos & donts

What to do Take off shoes before entering a religious site. Cover shoulders and legs. Swimwear is for the beach and the hotel pool only. Always treat older persons with the highest respect. When giving or taking, always use your right hand. Always ask Indonesian people before you take pictures of them Dont forget to carry your passport or your identity proof with you. ... and what not Importing and exporting of drugs is punished severely. Public displays of affection such as kissing or caressing are not encouraged. Never touch a persons head, never use your finger to point at a person.

Facebook & Twitter

Indonesia.Travel on Facebook www.facebook.com/ indonesiatravel Indonesia.Travel on Twitter twitter.com/indtravel

Climate Medan
water temp. in C days of rain/month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov dec 31 25 6 6 29 27 5 17 30 28 10 10 32 29 7 7 30 28 6 15 31 28 10 7 33 30 8 9 31 29 7 11 32 29 10 4 33 30 8 10 31 28 7 9 31 28 9 3 32 33 27 26 8 8 9 8 32 26 9 11 31 28 8 4 31 27 10 3 32 26 10 13 30 27 8 5 31 27 11 2 31 26 9 16 31 28 7 8 32 27 10 3 31 26 8 15 30 27 6 12 31 28 10 5 30 25 7 14 29 27 5 14 31 28 10 10 25 9

daytime temp. in C 31

Quicker Visa-uponarrival for tourists

A Visa can be obtained directly at certain airports and seaports in Indonesia regardless of the purpose of the visit (business, tourist, social). The maximum stay permitted for the Visa-upon-arrival is 30 days. Good to know: If travellers plan to stay longer, the Visa can be extended for another 30 days. Visa for a stay up to 30 days: US-$ 25, Extention of stay for up to 30 days: US-$ 25,14 FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia

Hrs. of daily sunshine 6

Climate Jakarta
water temp. in C days of rain/month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov dec 31 31 28 28 7 7 7 5 28 18

daytime temp. in C 29
Hrs. of daily sunshine 4

Climate Bali
water temp. in C days of rain/month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov dec 31 31 28 27 9 3 9 3 28 12

daytime temp. in C 30
Hrs. of daily sunshine 9

Advertisement

Indonesia from A to Z
Business hours Shops 9 a.m. 9 p.m., banks 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., some also open on Sat (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.). Cash Cash is available with cash cards (Visa and Maestro) or credit cards at numerous ATMs found in all major cities. Climate Tropical, hot and humid. Rainy season from September through March, dry season from April through August. Average annual temperature: 27 C. Currency Rupiah (IDR). 1 EUR = 12,300 IDR (as of November 2011). Airport. Other popular international airports are in Denpasar (Bali), Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Batam. Government Republic. Immunization Not required. Internet access Available in most major cities and at hotels. Islands A total of 17,508 islands. Inhabited: 6,044 islands. Language Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) plus other local languages and dialects. English is commonly spoken. Major cities Capital city Jakarta (population of 10 mill.), Surabaya (5,6 mill.), Medan (4 mill.). Population 237 million. The worlds fourth largest nation with over 30 major ethnic groups. Religion Islam (88%), Christians (9%), Hinduism (2%), Buddhism (1%), other (1%). Rental cars Car rental agencies are located in all tourism areas. An international drivers license is required. Note: left-hand traffic! Safety Do not leave valuables unattended; it is recommended to lock them up in the hotel safe and to carry only small amounts of cash. Size 1.9 million km. Length: 5,400 km. Coastline: 81,350 km. Tap water Not safe to drink. Telephoning Country code +62. Cell

Credit: Minisry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia (3), Dreamstime.com.

Customs No specific regulations. Dress code Breathable, light cotton clothing is recommended throughout the year. For mountain hikes pack warmer clothes. Entry regulations A passport that is valid for six months, a proof (tickets) of onward or return passage and a valid 30-day tourist visa which is issued at the airport against a fee of 25 US-Dollars, are required. Flights International airports on every main island. Most tourists arrive at Jakartas Soekarno-Hatta International

phones can be used nearly everywhere contact your provider for roaming fees. Time CET plus seven to nine hours (three time zones). Tipping At restaurants 5-10 % of the bill; hotel porters and room service around 5,000 Rp. Topography Indonesias islands consist mainly of coastal lowlands, but also highlands. Some of the larger islands (like Sumatra and Java for example) have large interior mountains many of them volcanic with several crater lakes. Transportation Extensive domestic flight route network (Garuda, Merpati, Citilink, Lion Air, etc.), ferries, trains, taxis as well as express and night bus services. Vegetation Lush tropical flora and fauna with large areas of rainforest. Voltage 220 volts/50 hertz, in rural areas sometimes still 110 volts. An adapter is required.

Garuda joins SkyTeam

In 2012 Garuda Indonesia becomes a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, which is why the Indonesian carrier is stocking up heavily on equipment and has ordered four A-330-300 long-haul plus 25 A-320 medium-haul aircraft. Good to know: Since June of last year Garuda is back to offering daily flights from Europe to Indonesia on the route Amsterdam via Dubai to Jakarta.

ANy FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia Sapta Pesona Building Medan Merdeka Barat No. 17 Jakarta 10110 Indonesia www.indonesia.travel

Masthead Indonesia is distributed as a supplement to TravelTalk 48/2011 and fvw 24/2011 Issued by The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Indonesia A publication by FVW Mediengruppe Corporate Publishing, Hamburg. www.fvw-mediengruppe.de Editor-in-chief Holger M. Jacobs, Editors Mike Liem, Henny Metzendorf, Text Karsten-Thilo Raab, design Marion Schult, Translation Monika Angermeier

FVW Mediengruppe / Indonesia 15