And a lovely land it is! With some twenty equally beautiful and different scenes, which repeat over and over in astonishing and unpredictable rhythms. One of the lovely views is an almost open plain of rice fields, a few palms and one enormous tree... squatting in a thoroughly primeval fashion in the midst of fragile rice and slender palm stems.
Margaret Mead on Bali
Indonesia holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Indonesia holiday, personal to you.
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, comprising more than 17,000 islands, two-thirds of which are inhabited. Stretching across the equator for nearly 5,000km, these islands are home to 583 different languages and dialects, and needless to say, some highly diverse cultures and landscapes.
Particular provinces of note are the wild and rugged Sumatra; Sulawesi, for a great diving holiday island, with much to explore on land both for culture and spectacular scenery; mountainous Papua, which is heavily forested and swampy; Nusa Tenggara, for further diving at one of the world’s best coral sites; and the Indonesian part of Borneo, Kalimantan, the third largest island in the world, whose largely uncharted jungles are home to the orang utan.
Java is the country’s heartland, where the majority of the population reside in big cities such as its capital Jakarta. This province is also home to cultural treasures like the massive Hindu temples at Prambanan and Borobudur’s ancient Buddhist temple complex.
Contact an Indonesian expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
Indonesia facts
Capital: Jakarta
Language: Bahasa Indonesian.
People: Many island peoples, including Javanese, Sundanese, Malays, Madurese and Chinese.
Religion: Muslim (87%), Christian, Hindu, Buddhist.
Size (sq km): 1,919,440.
Population: 234,693,997.
Population density/sq km: 122.2.
Etiquette
Social courtesies remain formal - do not touch food until you are invited to by the host, do not use the left hand, do not display affection publicly (especially kissing), but touching members of the same sex in conversation is fine and common. Pointing and patting heads is to be avoided. Smile. Remain calm. Observe Muslim dress codes.
Shopping
Batiks, woodcarvings, sculpture, silverwork, baskets, hats, bamboo, paintings.
Food & drink
Rice is the staple diet for most Indonesians, and is served in a variety of ways. One of the most popular is the Dutch-influenced rijstafel, combinating meat, fish and vegetable curries. Satay and seafood are also common. Each island has regional specialities, from gado-gado in Java (a salad of raw and cooked vegetables and peanut sauce with prawn crackers) to babi guling in Bali (roast pig).
International Airports
Jakarta - Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) 20 km from city. For Bali, Denpasar (DPS) is 13 km from city. Medan - Polonia, Sumatra, (MES) 9 km from city, Manado - Sam Ratulangi, in Sulawesi, (MDC) 15 km from city, Balikpapan - Sepinggan (BPN) 10 km from city.
Internal travel
Extensive flights by the national airline, Garuda Indonesia. Sea ferries operate slowly but efficiently. Java and Sumatra have railways. Main roads are good. Local buses good for remoter places. Larger towns have taxis, opelets (minibuses) and bajajs (auto-rickshaws), becaks (cycle-rickshaws) and dokar (horse-drawn carts.
Red tape
Visas
Visa for 30 days, issued on arrival as long as you enter via one of the main listed air and seaports. (see embassy website)
Vaccinations
BCG, Hep. A, Hep. B, JE, Malaria, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2.
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW, tel (020) 7499 7661, fax (020) 7491 4993, email consular@indonesian-embassy.org.uk. US: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W, Washington, D,C 20036, tel (202) 775 5200, fax (202) 775 5365.
UK/US reps in Indonesia
UK: Bali, tel (361) 270 601, fax (361) 287 804, email bcbali@dps.centrin.net.id. US: Jalan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110, tel (21) 3435 9000, fax (21) 3435 9922.
Currency
Rupiah = 100 sen.
Finance
Mastercard, Amex and visa accepted in cities. Cash in small denominations for remote areas. Traveller's cheques may also be hard to exchange out of cities.
Business hours
Private businesses 0900-1700 Mon-Friday. Government offices 0800-1430 Mon-Thurs, 0800-1200 Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Areas of Central Sulawesi, Aceh, Papua and Maluku are experiencing unrest and may be unsafe. A threat of terrorism still exists in tourist areas since the Bali bombings. Indonesia has experienced earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis over recent years. Seek latest information.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 67.69, F 72.76.
Useful websites for travel
www.indonesianembassy.org.uk, www.embassyofindonesia.org, www.indonesia-tourism.com, www.bali-paradise.com.
Local media
Many, notably The Indonesian Times, Indonesian Observer, Jakarta Post, Bali Post.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Indonesia. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Indonesia itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6561.
There is something special about being the first international hotel on an island as you will experience at Hotel Villa Ombak on the idyllic island of Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three Gili Islands off Lombok’s north western coastline....
Calling all culture vultures to the luxury resort of Amanjiwo overlooking Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary and one of Indonesia’s most famous sights in central Java for an experience of a lifetime....
Uncover Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island and the sixth largest island in the world. It’s a wild place with one of the planet’s richest eco-systems filled with bottle-green jungles and volcanic peaks. Fall in love with the endangered orang-...
A two-centre luxury spa holiday featuring 7 nights on the unspoilt black-sand beaches of the northern coast of Bali and four nights in central Ubud, the cultural capital of the island.... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
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This boutique spa retreat is close a short walk from Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali, and offers a full range of yoga, massage and health-and-beauty treatments set among gently rolling hills and rice fields.... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »Replicating the Spa Village ethos on the unspolit northern coast of Bali, this luxury spa retreat is a perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate with a programme of personalised treatments and therapies.... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
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Bali may seem like paradise with its stunning golden beaches, whipped surf, lush green rice terraces, charming people, enchanting temples and exotic dances, and sometimes you will find that it is. Begin your tour with a relaxing stay at Amankila resort overloo... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
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Java is the island at the heart of Indonesia, a land of enchanting beauty dotted with mysterious ancient temples, fascinating cultures and sprawling megacities. Climb one of Asia’s most magnificent temples - Borabudur, at sunrise and explore interesting ... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
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Tropical climate varies across the huge archipelago. Rainy season is from October to April. Although northern islands tend to be wet all year round.
GMT +7, +8 and +9
Rupiah = 100 sen.
Get foreign currency online
