Indonesian toilets are basically holes in the ground with footrests on either side, although Western-style toilets are becoming more common. To flush the toilet, reach for that plastic scooper, take water from the tank and flush it away.
TOURIST INFORMATION
The usefulness of tourist offices varies greatly from place to place. Those in places that attract lots of tourists, like Bali or Yogyakarta, provide good maps and information, while offices in the less-visited areas may have nothing to offer at all. Wherever you are, signs are not always in English; look for dinas pariwisata (tourist office).
The Indonesian Directorate General of Tourism (Map p170; %021-383 8000; www.tourismindonesia
.com; Jl Merdeka Barat 16-19, Jakarta) has its headquarters in Jakarta, but it is really more of a coordinating body than a helpful source of information.
Often a really clued-up guesthouse owner or travel agent is the best source of tourist information.
TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES
Laws covering the disabled date back to 1989, but Indonesia has very few dedicated programmes, and is a difficult destination for those with limited mobility. Bali, with its wide range of tourist facilities, and Java are the easiest destinations to navigate.
VISAS
Most Western nationalities (including those from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, the US and most European countries, plus China and India) qualify for a 30-day Visa on Arrival (US$25) at the main points of entry; for a full list of these consult www.indonesianembassy.org.uk.
At the time of research getting a 60-day visa could be extremely problematic. From a Western nation this required a bank statement, proof of exit, sufficient funds (at least US$1500) and even a letter from an employer stating that you were planning to return to your home country, and other – frankly absurd – official requirements.
On the other hand, those seeking a 60-day visa in some Asian countries, including Malaysia and Singapore, were not being asked for all these, usually just proof of funds and an onward ticket.
Mercifully, at the time of writing the Indonesian vice president had signalled a change of policy and announced a four-month visa was to be introduced. But, being Indonesia, this may or may not happen; you should check one of the embassy websites (see p336) for the latest.
Tourist passes are not extendable. If you do overstay you may be lucky and get charged the official US$20 per day, but then again an immigration official may decide not to let you board your flight. The maximum penalty for an overstay of 60 days is a five-year prison sentence!
Indonesia requires that your passport is valid for six months following your date of arrival.
Travel Permits
Technically, if you’re heading to Aceh, Papua or parts of Maluku, you should obtain a surat jalan (special permit) from the Indonesian Immigration Office. It rarely translates to necessity though, but checking with your nearest Indonesian embassy before you go is wise.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering opportunities are pretty thin on the ground unless you prebook through one of the large NGOs or gap-year organisations.
Yudi Sujana’s excellent homestay programme (see p182), based in the west Javan town of Cianjur, offers travellers the opportunity to help out with English teaching in schools, and has contacts with local development projects.
The Orangutan Foundation (www.orangutan.co.uk) offers six-week programmes for volunteers (£600 per person) in Kalimantan. In Sumatra,
Orangutan Health (www.orangutan-health.org) also welcomes volunteers (two-week programme US$1289). Neither programme offers direct contact with the apes themselves – volunteers help out with field work and construction.
WOMEN TRAVELLERS
Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim society and though it is male oriented, the sexes are not as divided here compared with many other Islamic nations. It’s easy to strike up conversations with Indonesian women, and you’ll see women on the streets and working in offices.
