Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia
and New Zealand will be able to purchase 3-day visa for USD 10.-- while a 30-day visa
will cost USD 25.—when they arrive at the following airports of Medan, Pekanbaru,
Padang, Batam, Jakarta (Soekarno Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma), Surabaya,
Yogyakarta, Solo, Bandung, Semarang, Bali, Mataram, Kupang, Makassar, Manado,
Balikpapan, as well as 17 sea ports in Indonesia.
Process for Obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VoA)

Visitors from countries with Visa-On-Arrival status will go to 'VoA Counters' to have
their passports stamped with the on-arrival visa before going to the Immigration
Clearance Desk. An official bank will be attached in the VoA counters. Payment can be
made in US dollar bank notes or equivalent Indonesian Rupiahs or by major
international credit card. For arrivals in Bali, however, it is recommended to obtain the
visa in your home country whenever possible to avoid long queue at the counters.

Overstaying your Visa? – not recommended
Overstaying a tourist visa (or any visa) is a serious offence in Indonesia. Fines,
blacklisting, confinement and deportation are all possible penalties for infractions.
Please take this seriously! If you inadvertently overstay your visa go immediately to an
immigration office, once you realize it, and explain the circumstances. Delaying the
report will only make the situation worse. There are only a few 'legitimate' reasons for
overstay - the main one being inability to travel due a verified illness or injury. Also
beware of the 30-day counting trap! Immigration official’s count the 30-day period as:
you arrive on the 1st day with a 30-day VoA, and you must leave on the 30th day (not
the 31st day or the first of the following month

Weather & Climate

Indonesia is a tropical country, and the climate is fairly even all year round. There is no
such thing as a spring, an autumn or winter, the year being roughly divided into two
distinct seasons, 'wet' and 'dry'.

The East Monsoon, from June to September brings dry weather while the West
Monsoon, from December to March, brings rain. The transitional period between these
two seasons alternates between gorgeous sun-filled days and occasional
thunderstorms

Even in the midst of the wet season temperatures range from 21 degrees (70?F) to 33
degrees Celcius (90?F), except at higher altitudes which can be much cooler. The
heaviest rainfalls are usually recorded in December and January. Average humidity is
generally between 70-90%.

Geography

The Republic of Indonesia comprises the world's largest archipelago, spanning
3,977miles from east to west along the Equator-roughly equivalent to the expanse of
United State from coast to coast-and 1,100 miles from north to south. Indonesia's
17,508 islands are nestled between two continents, Asia and Australia, and two
oceans, the Indian and the Pacific.

Main Islands: Bali, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi (Celebes), Kalimantan (Borneo), Nusa
Tenggara (Lesser Sunda Islands), Maluku (Mollucas), and Papua
Area: Indonesia's total area is 1,919,440 sq km including its water of 93,000 sq km.
Indonesia shares land border with Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Papua New
Guinea and sea border with Singapore, the Philippines and Australia.
Major Cities based on the number of population: Jakarta (the capital, 8.4 million),
Surabaya (2.6 million), Bandung (2.5 million), Medan (2.4 million)

People

With its population of approximately 245,452,739 (July 2006 estimation) inhabitants
Indonesia is ranked the world's fourth most populous nation after China, India and
United States. Annual Increase of 1.41 %.( Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%,
Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26%)

Language

While largely of Malay stock, the inhabitants of the Indonesia archipelago constitute a
rich array of some 300 distinct cultures, each with its own individual language or
dialect. Virtually all Indonesians are united by a common national language, Bahasa
Indonesia.

Religion

Approximately 93% of Bali’s population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, a combination of existing local beliefs and Hindu influences from Southeast Asia and South Asia. Minority religions practiced include Islam (5%), Christianity (1.35%),and Buddhism (.65%).

Balinese Hinduism is an amalgam in which Gods and Demigods are worshipped along with Buddhist heroes, ancestral spirits, indigenous agricultural deities, and sacred places. Religion is a composites belief system that embraces ancestor worship, animism, and magic, along with theology, philosophy, and mythology.

With an estimated 20,000 puras (temples) and shrines, Bali is known as the "Island of a Thousand Puras", or "Island of the Gods".

Art & Culture

Indonesia is rich in art and culture which are intertwined with religion and age-old
traditions from the time of early migrants with Western thoughts brought by
Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists.
The basic principles which guide life include the concepts of mutual assistance or
"gotong royong" and consultations or "musyawarah" to arrive at a consensus or
"mufakat."

Derived from rural life, this system is still very much in use in community life
throughout the country. Though the legal system is based on the old Dutch penal
code, social life as well as the rites of passage are founded on customary or "adat" law
which differs from area to area. Adat" law has a binding impact on Indonesian life and
it may be concluded that this law has been instrumental in maintaining equal rights for
women in the community. Religious influences on the community are variously evident
from island to island.

Money

Indonesian money is Rupiah (IDR) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of IDR
100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100. Coins are in
denominations of IDR 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 25
USD 1.00 = IDR 8930.00
EURO 1.00 = IDR 12468.00
(Ocotber 2010, subject to change)
Please consult a valid currency exchange application the most current rate.

Flora & Fauna

British naturalist A.R. Wallace (1823-1913) postulated an imaginary line (named after
him Wallace's Line) as the dividing line between Asiatic and Australian fauna. It passes
between Bali and Lombok islands and between Kalimantan and Sulawesi, and then
continues south of the Philippines and north of Hawaii. This theory explains the
presence of species of fauna familiar to both Asia and Australia in Indonesia. However,
there are spices indigenous to Indonesia, like the "orang utan" apes of Sumatra and
Kalimantan, the giant "komodo" lizards, the one-horned rhinoceros of Java, the wild
"banteng" oxen, tigers and many other species which are now protected in wildlife
reserves. The flora Indonesia ranges from the tiny orchid the giant "Rafflesia" plant
which has a bloom almost a metre (3.2 feet) in diameter, the largest flower in the world
Agricultural products include rubber, coconut, coffee, tea, coca, corn, spices, kapok,
tobacco, rice, etc. and an abundance of vegetable and fruit. Indonesia has some of the
richest timber resources in the world and the largest concentration of tropical
hardwoods. The total area of state-controlled forests is approximately 12,9 million
hectares. Meranti constitutes about 56% of the entire timber export. Other varieties
include ramin, agathis, teak, pinewood, rattan and bamboo.

Cuisine

The staple food of most of Indonesia is rice. On some of the islands in eastern
Indonesia, staple food traditionally ranged from corn, sago, cassava to sweet
potatoes, though this is changing as rice becomes more popular

The Javanese cuisine is probably more palatable to the general taste and consists of
vegetables, soybeans, beef, chicken and other varieties. The Sumatrans generally eat
more beef compared to the other regions. West Sumatera particularly is known for its
Padang (capital of the province) especially restaurants found nationwide. Besides the
hot and spicy food, these restaurants are known for their unique style of service
Further to the east, seafood features on the daily diet, either grilled or made into
curries. In Bali, Papua and the highlands of North Sumatra and North Sulawesi pork
dishes are specialities. As the population of Indonesia is predominantly Moslem, pork
is usually not served except in Chinese restaurants, non-Moslem regions and in places
serving international cuisine. For most people, a meal consists of steamed white rice
with side dishes of meat, chicken, fish and vegetables along with a glass of tea

Miscellaneous

Airport Tax
An airport tax (currently at IDR 150,000) is levied on all departing passengers on
international flights. For those flights within Indonesia, airport taxes vary from currently
IDR 20,000 to IDR 30,000, depending on airport of departure. An additional sum is
levied for insurance on domestic routes if tickets are purchased in Indonesia.

Common Courtesies
A warm, generous people, Indonesians are always prepared to extend a warm
welcome. Handshaking is a customary greeting in Indonesia but avoid using your left
hand. Also avoid using your left hand when giving or receiving anything, whenever
possible.
Scanty clothing is not advisable in public places in deference to local customs. Please
dress conservatively for temple visits in general. In Bali you are asked to wear a
traditional sarong to enter a temple (available on spot subject to additional charge).

Clothing
With temperatures ranging between 20-35?C, light, casual clothes are the most
practical.
Natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Indonesia's often humid
conditions. Casual clothes are acceptable in most places and a lightweight suit and tie
are usual for business or formal meetings. Light cotton dresses are generally
acceptable in most situations. Batik is popular for both men's shirts and women's
dresses.

Time Zone
Indonesia is divided into three time zones: Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java,
west and central Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead of GMT. Central Indonesia Time
(Bali, south and east Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara) is eight hours ahead of
GMT. East Indonesia Time (Maluku, Papua) is nine hours ahead of GMT.

Tipping
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in developing
nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the
end of a tour in addition to hotel and station porters

Water
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Indonesia, but bottled mineral water is safe and
available everywhere. Ice cubes in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and
restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.