Indonesia (Java & Bali)

From our own experience:

Accommodation: Accommodation is easy to find in Indonesia. In almost every larger town there is a guesthouse/hotel between 25-40.000 Rupiah (2003: 8500 Rupiah = 1$) for a cheap room outside of tourist areas.  Should there be no accommodation, eat a noodle soup in a restaurant and ask around.  We were often invited to stay at somebody’s place (they want to practise their English). We found the accommodation in Indonesia more expensive than Thailand, but cheaper than Malaysia. 

Money: (2003) 8500Rupiah = 1$.  ATM’s widely available, Credit Card and traveller cheques (almost) everywhere accepted.

Food: We found that the Indonesian ‘street’ food is not that good as Thailand, China or Malaysia. Here the ‘street’ food is more basic and has less variety. like fried rice, noodle soup or chicken sate. 

Water: Widely available. The cheap plastic bottle which you have in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are not available here. Only the commercialist water in the hard plastic bottles can be found here and is therefore also more expensive (2500-4000 Rupiah for 1.5litre). 

Safety and annoyances: Alike western countries, only pickpockets in bigger cities. (2003/4). The living standard in Indonesia (Java/ Madura) is less than Malaysia or Thailand. On Bali everyone leaves you alone, on Java you have a lot of people who want to have your attention or to show off against their friends. On Madura they really claim you with a group, so its difficult to find a ‘resting’ spot. 

Visa: (2004) The visa regulations just changed (and will likely change again in the near future). In the past you could get a 30 or 60day stamp without any problem. Now, most countries need a $35,- visa… 30 days non-extendable (!). Cycling 30days across Java is very difficult if you want to see everything. There are three varaities for entering Indonesia. 1. countries that don’t need a visa (e.a. Singapore, Malaysia, Philipines etc.), 2. Countries that can get a visa on Arrival (check your embassy) (e.a. Australia, US), 3. Countries that need to get a visa before arriving in Indonesia (e.a. The Netherlands, Spain, Finland) (and they WILL send you back if you arrive at the border without a visa!).

www.indonesianembassy.org.uk or www.indonesia.nl/ (the Netherlands)

People: Always very friendly and always curious. The amount of ‘Hey Mister’ is higher then other SEA countries, and you will get less rest then in the other countries (which can be irritating after 4 weeks). 

Language: Almost everybody speaks some Enlish, but Indonesian is very easy to learn. The script is also in Roman script (unlike Thailand).

Clothing: Alike western countries but still I felt more comfortable in 3/4 pants and didn’t dress in tops showing shoulders, especially in the more conservative areas.

Vaccinations: On Java there seems to be some areas where there is Malaria, but normally you will ot be submitted to it. Paludrine is suffient. Bali is Malaria free. For Lombok you need more than Paludrine.

Road conditions: Java has in general very good roads. The volcanic landscape can make the roads very steep (18-20%). A good physical condition, if you want to cycle in the mountains south of Jakarta or one of the volcanoes, is a must. Most of the roads have postholes on the side, make sure your are not ‘pushed’ into them by cycling on the side of the road (see also Traffic behaviour). 

Traffic behaviour: Aggressive driving. We found Java the most difficult area to cycle compared to the rest of SEA.  The Cities Jakarta or Surabaya are easy, there nobody can drive very fast. On the country roads claim your space (!!!). Cycle in the middle of your lane, and the traffic behind you will wait with passing (even the busses). Also upcoming traffic will wait, but if necessary you have created your one safety lane and it will prevent that you are ‘pushed’ into a pothole or of the road. Don’t bother the claxons from behind; they are used to wreck less drivers (no joke).

Map: Maps are easy to buy in the larger bookstore in the larger cities. We preferred a map with elevation lines (like a aviation map 1:1.000.000), but these are not available in Indonesia.  Elevation lines make it easier to plan your day, there the roads can be very steep. 

From the World Factbook (2002):

Background <under construction> 

Geographical facts <under construction> 

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