Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
Indonesia Jadi Tujuan Wisata Spa Terbaik Dunia
Indonesia terpilih menjadi tujuan wisata spa terbaik di dunia melalui penghargaan yang akan dianugerahkan International Wellness Awards kepada Indonesia dalam International Travel Bourse di Berlin, Jerman.
"Mengapa Indonesia? Sebab Indonesia mampu mempertahankan warisan budaya leluhur dikombinasikan dengan hasil riset terbaru," kata Pimpinan Selected Hotel Promotion Inc (organisasi pariwisata internasional ternama), Frank Pfaller, dalam siaran pers, Rabu (18/2).
Bali dinilai merupakan kawasan wisata spa terbaik karena mampu memelihara kebudayaan asli leluhur, termasuk warisan raja-raja kuno. Bahkan, terminologi khas Bali dalam kaitannya dengan spa seperti boreh dan lulur telah diakui secara internasional.
Indonesia melalui Bali telah terpilih sebagai "The Best Spa Destination in The World". Penghargaan tersebut akan diserahkan dalam rangka penyelenggaraan pameran pariwisata tahunan yang bergengsi, yaitu International Tourism Bourse (ITB) di Berlin, Jerman, awal Maret 2009. Hal itu karena kegiatan ITB merupakan pameran terbesar yang melibatkan ribuan pelaku bisnis di dunia pariwisata internasional. Penghargaan tersebut rencananya akan diterima secara langsung oleh Menteri Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Jero Wacik, yang akan hadir dalam kegiatan ITB di Berlin tersebut.
Pada kesempatan yang sama, Raja Denpasar IX Ida Tjokorda Ngurah Jambe Pamecutan juga akan dianugerahi penghargaan Senses Wellness Award 2009 dari organisasi yang sama.
Raja Denpasar IX juga akan menerima The Five-star-Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award yang akan diberikan oleh Presiden American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Joe Cinque atas sumbangsih dan pengabdiannya dalam hal hubungan pertukaran dan perkembangan kebudayaan internasional. "Kami mewakili masyarakat spa yang ada di Bali akan berangkat dalam acara tersebut di samping karena tahun ini Bali terpilih menjadi tujuan spa terbaik dunia," kata Raja Denpasar IX Ida Tjokorda Ngurah Jambe Pamecutan.
Ia berharap penerimaan penghargaan tersebut dapat lebih memperkenalkan pariwisata Indonesia kepada dunia internasional. Raja Denpasar IX rencananya akan berangkat dan membawa rombongan misi kebudayaan yang terdiri dari 80 raja dan sultan seluruh Indonesia yang tergabung dalam Forum Silaturahmi Keraton se-Nusantara.
"Kami juga akan membawa tim kesenian Bali klasik dan kesenian dari seluruh Nusantara untuk mempromosikan adat tradisi budaya kita kepada dunia. Prinsipnya bukan Indonesia untuk pariwisata, tetapi pariwisata untuk kesejahteraan masyarakat Indonesia," katanya.
Sumber: kompas.com
Cheers, frizzy.
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Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
General travellers' tips
Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
Drugs
Alcohol
Driving
Security
Major catastrophes
Money & Credit Cards
Travel documents
If you have anything stolen
Lost or stolen passports
To issue a passport, we need to make checks, which may take time and could mean you have to delay your travel arrangements;
Respect the local Environment
Cultural Awareness
Cheers, frizzy2008.
Use translate.google.com for bahasa
The following general tips on laws and customs can help you stay out of trouble while you are abroad.
Obey the law
- Find out about local laws and customs;
- There may be very serious penalties for breaking a law which might seem trivial to you or for doing something which may not be illegal in the UK;
- Do not overstay your visa or work illegally – you may be fined or sent to prison;
- Hobbies that involve using cameras and binoculars, such as bird watching or plane spotting, may be misunderstood (particularly near military sites). If in doubt, don’t do it.
Drugs
- Be aware of what may happen if you become involved with drugs overseas. Not only are there health risks, but there may also be severe penalties for any association with drugs;
- Never carry packages through customs for other people and be cautious about accepting gifts;
- Pack your own baggage, fasten it securely and do not leave it unattended;
- If you are driving, do not lend your vehicle to other people and do not sit in someone else’s vehicle when going through customs or crossing borders – get out and walk.
Alcohol
- Be aware of local attitudes to alcohol and know your own limit. Remember that drinks served overseas are often stronger than those served in the UK;
- Keep your drinks with you at all times as drinks can be spiked with drugs to make you more vulnerable to assault or rape;
- Be aware that accidents are more likely to happen after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Avoid swimming or fooling around on balconies or other high places. If you have an accident or injure yourself while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is unlikely that your insurance policy will cover you.
Driving
- Never drink and drive;
- If you are planning to drive, make sure your UK driving licence is current and valid;
- Make sure you know the driving laws, licence requirements and driving conditions in the country you are visiting;
- In some countries you will need to have an international driving permit as well as your UK licence;
- Be aware that in many countries there are on-the-spot fines for traffic offences.
Security
- Be aware of security and take sensible precautions;
- Leave your jewellery and valuables at home if you can. Only carry as much money as you need for the day. Leave the rest, and at least one credit card, in the hotel safe if one is available;
- Keep copies of your passport, insurance details and other important travel documents separate from the originals. It is useful to always have some form of identity on you, such as a driving licence or a photocopy of your passport;
- Stay aware of what is going on around you and keep away from situations where you do not feel comfortable;
- Find out from your guidebook or tour guide about any local scams;
- Keep up to date with local and regional events in the media;
- Don’t take risks on holidays that you wouldn’t take at home. If a situation looks dangerous, it probably is.
Major catastrophes
- Some catastrophes have advance warning, such as hurricanes. If you have any warning, contact family and friends to let them know your plans;
- Do this even if you are not near the area – remember family and friends will not know exactly where you are but they will worry if they think you are in potential danger;
- If you are living overseas, you should also tell neighbours your plans. This helps us to confirm quickly if you are safe, allowing us to concentrate on offering support to those most in need after any catastrophe;
- It may take some time to get help to you if the infrastructure has been affected by the catastrophe (for example, if telephone lines are down, roads inaccessible or bridges have collapsed). Access may also be impossible if the local authorities have sealed off the area where you are.
Money & Credit Cards
- Only carry as much money as you need for the day. Leave the rest, and at least one credit card, in the hotel safe if one is available;
- Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, such as traveller’s cheques, some cash (sterling or US dollars) or credit cards;
- Before you leave, check that your cards are valid, and find out how you can replace them and your traveller’s cheques if they are lost or stolen. Keep a separate note of their numbers and of the number you would need to ring to stop any credit cards if they are lost or stolen.
Travel documents
- Keep your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy with you;
- Keep your travel tickets in a safe place.
If you have anything stolen
- If your money, passport or anything else is stolen abroad, report it to the local police immediately and get a statement about the loss (you will need one to claim against your insurance);
- You will need to cancel any credit cards or traveller’s cheques. You may also want to have money transferred to you either by your bank or by a relative using a reliable money transfer company. Our staff can give you information about this if you need it.
Lost or stolen passports
- If your passport is lost or stolen abroad and you urgently need to travel, we can issue a replacement travel document once we are satisfied of your identity and that you are a British national. You will need to produce a police report, fill in an application form and pay a fee;
- Depending on the country you are in and the circumstances, the emergency travel document may be: - an emergency passport, which is valid for a single journey with no journeys through third countries; - a temporary one-year passport (not available in all of our offices); or - a standard passport.
To issue a passport, we need to make checks, which may take time and could mean you have to delay your travel arrangements;
- If our staff have to issue an emergency travel document outside normal office hours, you will have to pay an extra fee. Before making any arrangements with our staff, consider whether you also need an exit visa from the local immigration authorities as some countries do not issue these visas outside normal office hours or at weekends.
Respect the local Environment
- Help to protect local wildlife and habitats by respecting rules and regulations (including how to get rid of rubbish properly);
- Be aware that buying any wildlife products is risky. Customs departments throughout the world confiscate illegal souvenirs, and in the UK you could face a criminal prosecution and fines;
- Check that what you are bringing back to the UK is legal. You can get more information on bringing back meat, animal products or plants from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. You can get information about banned and restricted goods, and your customs allowances, from HM Revenue and Customs.
Cultural Awareness
- Buy a good travel guide that includes basic information on local laws and customs;
- Respect local customs and behave and dress appropriately, particularly when visiting religious sites, markets and rural communities;
- Travel guidebooks, tour operators and hotel staff are all useful sources of information;
- In some places, behaviour that would be acceptable elsewhere can lead to serious trouble.
- In some countries, it can also be worth asking for permission before taking any photographs so as not to cause offence.
Cheers, frizzy2008.
Ten Smart Travel Packing Tips
Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
1. Plan ahead. Know what weather to expect and what your activities might be, then pack the right clothes for the climate and your events. Ignore the urge to add in “but what if…” items.
2. Pack less. Pack only 3 pair of quick-drying underwear that can be washed out and dried overnight: one to wear, one to wash, and a spare. Expect to wear each outer clothing item more than once. Choose versatile pieces that can be worn in different combinations.
3. Pack a “go-anywhere” wardrobe. Take clothes that blend in with the local population and provide safety from those who target tourists. For instance: modest necklines for women, long pants or skirts, and shirts with a collar and sleeves.
4. Pack easy-care clothes that you love. To ensure that you will look and feel great on your trip, choose clothes from your closet that still appear fresh at the end of a long day. If things wrinkle at home, they will surely wrinkle while traveling.
5. Take comfortable shoes. You will not have a good time if your feet hurt. Three pairs of shoes are the maximum for most trips: one to wear and two to pack.
6. Choose the right bag for the trip. Structured bags with wheels protect the contents and offer independence in airports, while unstructured bags without wheels are generally easier to squish into small places, as in the trunk of a car.
7. Know the current airline luggage rules. To avoid additional fees and confusion at the airport, understand how many pieces of luggage may be checked, plus the maximum dimensions and allowable weight for each bag. Call your airline or check www.smartpacking.com for the latest information.
8. Pack smart. Use smart packing tricks to fit items into your luggage in the most space-efficient way, and to provide easy visibility during security checks. For example, group small items in see-through containers or in self-sealing plastic bags. Pack less to speed the security check process—an over packed bag takes longer to manually inspect and is more difficult to repack.
9. Travel light. Wheels are helpful on smooth terrain, but you must still be able to carry your bag on rough streets and up and down stairs. Two smaller bags are easier to manage than one larger bag, although changing airline checked baggage rules might make this cost more. Lighten up cosmetics and toiletries; these often make up half of the bag weight. Travel and sample-sized items are a good trick, as is transferring the amount needed into a small container. Dual duty products such as moisturizer plus sunscreen eliminate one entire bottle.
10. Use or pack a lock. Today’s airport security requires luggage to be unlocked, but pack a lock so you can secure your bag at your destination. Or purchase a new TSA-approved lock—a combination lock that is set by the owner with TSA holding the master key—and lock while traveling.
The moral to the story is if you follow these simple guidelines, you will have the freedom to go everywhere — independently and comfortably — and travel will indeed be the relaxing break you anticipate.
©2008 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, P.O. Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298-0514, Susan@smartpacking.com
Cheers, frizzy2008.
1. Plan ahead. Know what weather to expect and what your activities might be, then pack the right clothes for the climate and your events. Ignore the urge to add in “but what if…” items.
2. Pack less. Pack only 3 pair of quick-drying underwear that can be washed out and dried overnight: one to wear, one to wash, and a spare. Expect to wear each outer clothing item more than once. Choose versatile pieces that can be worn in different combinations.
3. Pack a “go-anywhere” wardrobe. Take clothes that blend in with the local population and provide safety from those who target tourists. For instance: modest necklines for women, long pants or skirts, and shirts with a collar and sleeves.
4. Pack easy-care clothes that you love. To ensure that you will look and feel great on your trip, choose clothes from your closet that still appear fresh at the end of a long day. If things wrinkle at home, they will surely wrinkle while traveling.
5. Take comfortable shoes. You will not have a good time if your feet hurt. Three pairs of shoes are the maximum for most trips: one to wear and two to pack.
6. Choose the right bag for the trip. Structured bags with wheels protect the contents and offer independence in airports, while unstructured bags without wheels are generally easier to squish into small places, as in the trunk of a car.
7. Know the current airline luggage rules. To avoid additional fees and confusion at the airport, understand how many pieces of luggage may be checked, plus the maximum dimensions and allowable weight for each bag. Call your airline or check www.smartpacking.com for the latest information.
8. Pack smart. Use smart packing tricks to fit items into your luggage in the most space-efficient way, and to provide easy visibility during security checks. For example, group small items in see-through containers or in self-sealing plastic bags. Pack less to speed the security check process—an over packed bag takes longer to manually inspect and is more difficult to repack.
9. Travel light. Wheels are helpful on smooth terrain, but you must still be able to carry your bag on rough streets and up and down stairs. Two smaller bags are easier to manage than one larger bag, although changing airline checked baggage rules might make this cost more. Lighten up cosmetics and toiletries; these often make up half of the bag weight. Travel and sample-sized items are a good trick, as is transferring the amount needed into a small container. Dual duty products such as moisturizer plus sunscreen eliminate one entire bottle.
10. Use or pack a lock. Today’s airport security requires luggage to be unlocked, but pack a lock so you can secure your bag at your destination. Or purchase a new TSA-approved lock—a combination lock that is set by the owner with TSA holding the master key—and lock while traveling.
The moral to the story is if you follow these simple guidelines, you will have the freedom to go everywhere — independently and comfortably — and travel will indeed be the relaxing break you anticipate.
©2008 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, P.O. Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298-0514, Susan@smartpacking.com
Cheers, frizzy2008.
Travel Essentials in Indonesia
Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
How to get in and get out of Indonesia
By AIR
The principal gateways for entry to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali. Flights from neighbouring countries also stop in several Indonesian cities. Singapore has some of the cheapest flights to Indonesia and is a major travel hub in the region, so it may be cheaper to fly to Singapore, from where you can enter Indonesia by air or ship. From Penang in Malaysia, you can take a short flight or ferry to Medan in Sumatra.
AIRLINES
The number of carriers servicing Indonesia has waned over the past few years. Nevertheless the glut of alliances between carriers means there are still enough options.
Air France, www.airfrance.com
Air New Zealand, www.airnz.co.nz
Air Paradise, www.airparadise.com.au
Australian Airlines, www.australianairlines.com.au
ANA (All Nippon Airways), www.ana.co.jp
Cathay Pacific, www.cathaypacific.com
China Airlines, www.china-airlines.com
China Southern Airlines, www.cs-air.com
Eva Airlines, www.evaair.com
Garuda Indonesia, www.garuda-indonesia.com
JAL (Japan Airlines), www.jal.co.jp
KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), www.klm.com
Lufthansa, www.lufthansa.com
MAS (Malaysia Airlines), www.malaysiaairlines.com.my
Northwest Airlines, www.nwa.com
Philippine Airlines, www.philippineairlines.com
Qantas, www.qantas.com
Singapore Airlines, www.singaporeair.com
Silk Air, www.silkair.com
Thai Airways, www.thaiair.com
AIRPORT
Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is spacious, modern and efficient, but only has a few good and shopping outlets. Bali’s smaller Ngurah Rai International Airport is slightly more interesting. Shopping is also overpriced here but more varied than at Soekarno-Hatta. In peak tourist seasons when a few jumbos land, it is standing room only and queues are long. Standard duty-free items are on sale at both airports.
From AUSTRALIA
Bali is the major gateway to Australia, with almost all flight to/from Indonesia routed via Denpasar. Direct flight connect Denpasar with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin. Garuda and Qantas used to be the only carriers competing on most of these runs, but a couple of new outfits strated in 2003. Air Paradise flies from Melbourne and Perth, and Australian Airlines (operated by Qantas) from Sydney and Melbourne. Other direct flights to Indonesia are Perth – Jakarta and Sydney – Jakarta (both Australian Airlines).
To/From CHRISTMAS ISLANDS
If your tourist pass is running out and you’d like to return to Indonesia, Darwin is not your only Australin short-hop destination option. Christmas island in Australia’s Indian ocean Territories is only 360 km away from Jakarta, and there’s a weekly return charter-flight, which at the time of research departed Saturday from both Jakarta and Christmas island.
NEW ZEALAND
There are no direct flight between Indonesia and New Zealand; however, Air New Zealand, Garuda and Qantas connect Auckland with Denpasar via Sidney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Flight Centre (0800 243 544; www.flightcentre.co.nz) has an office in Auckland and many branches throughtout the country. Also checkout deals in the travel section of the New Zealand Herald.
The USA
There are no direct flights from the USA, but there are plenty of options that involve a stopever in another Asian destination, such us Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia. If you are traveling from east coast USA, it’s better to travel via either Frankfurt or Amsterdam.
If you are also visiting others parts of Asia, some good deals can be organized (eq, there are cheap tickets between the US west coast and Singapore with stopovers in Bangkok for very little extra money). However, be careful during the peak travel seasons (June to August, and Chinese New Year) because seats will be hard to come by unless reserved months in advance.
US websites worth checking out for lowcost flight include, www.lowestfare.com and www.travelzoo.com .
CANADA
Getting discount tickets in Canada is much the same as in the USA – shop around until you find a good deal. Again, you’ll probably have to fly into Hong Kong or Singapore (or Europe from the east coast) and carry on from there to Indonesia.
The UK
There are no direct flights to Indonesia from the UK; however, there are plenty of airlines offering services via Europe, Asia and/or the Middle East. Discount air travel is big business in London. Advertisements for many agencies appear in the travel pages of weekend broadsheet newspapaer, in Time Out, the Evening Standard and in the free managazine TNT.
There are plenty of travel agencies worth checking for fares. STA Travel (0870 - 160 0599; www.statravel.co.uk) has branches across the country. Other reputable agencies are Trailfinders (0207 – 938 3939; www.trailfinder.com); Flight Centre (0870 – 890 8099; www.flightcentre.co.uk) and ebookers (0870 – 010 7000; www.ebookers.com).
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
STA Travel has offices throughout the region. Check out its website at www.statravel.com for office locations and contact details. Nouvelles Frontieres (www.nouvelles-frontieres.com) also has branches throughout Europe.
France has a network of travel agencies that can supply discount tickets. OUT Voyages (08 20 81 78 17; www.otu.fr) and Voyageurs du Monde (01 42 86 16 40, 08 25 30 02 90; www.vdm.cm) have branches throughout the country and offer some of the best services and deals.
Recommended travel agencies in Germany include STA Travel (01805-456 422; www.statravel.de) which has branches in major cities across the country.
In Italy, CTS Viaggi (840-501 150; www.cts.it) is a student and youth specialist with branches in major cities.
In Spain, recommended agencies include Usit Unlimited (902 252 575; www.usitworld.com) and Barcelo Viajes (902 116 226; www.barcelo-viajes.es), both with branches in major cities.
In the Netherlands, NBBS Reizen (0900-10 20 300; www.nbbs.nl) is a stalwart agent.
ASIA
All the following air fares are for one-way travel.
MALAYSIA
The most popular flight is from Penang to Medan in Sumatra with Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines also flies Medan – Kuala Lumpur and Pontianak – Kuching.
PHILIPPINES
Bouraq and Merpati both have flights from Manado to Davao in the Philippines, but you need an onward or return ticket to enter the Philippines. Philippine Airlines flies Manila – Jakarta.
SINGAPORE
Silk Air flies into several cities including Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Palembang, Manado, Makassar, Mataram, Balikpapan and Solo.
By SEA
MALAYSIA
Most sea links are between Malaysia and Sumatra. Confortable, high-speed ferries between Penang (Malaysia) and Belawan (near Medan, Sumatra) are one of the most popular ways to reach Indonesia. The other main ferry connection is between Dumai (Sumatra) and Melaka (Malacca). From Johor Bahru in southern Malaysia, daily ferries run to Batam and Bintan islands in Sumatra’s Riau islands. From east-coast Kalimantan, speedboats depart every morning from Tarakan to Nunukan and from Nunukan to Tawau.
SINGAPORE
A popular way to reach Indonesia is via the Riau islands in Sumatra. The main stepping stones are the islands of batam and Bintan, both only a short high-speed ferry ride from Singapore. From Batam, speedboats travel through ro Pekanbaru on the Sumatran mainland. From Bintan, Pelni ships run to Jakarta and other destinations, and other ships go from Bintan to Jakarta.
By LAND
There are three possible land crossings into Indonesia. It’s possible to cross by road at Entikong, between Kalimantan and Sarawak (eastern Malaysia); get your visa in advance.
The border crossing between West and East Timor at Motoain was open at the time of research; a visa in required when traveling from East to West Timor.
The road from Jayapura of Sentani in Indonesia to Vanimo in Papua New Guinea can be crossed, depending on the current political situation. A visa is required if traveling into Indonesia.
by Indonesia Trekking
Whatever you bring, make sure you to pack light & within the baggage restrictions on your air ticket. Airlines are becoming more stringent & do impose hefty charges for excess baggage!
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Cheers, frizzy2008.
How to get in and get out of Indonesia
By AIR
The principal gateways for entry to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali. Flights from neighbouring countries also stop in several Indonesian cities. Singapore has some of the cheapest flights to Indonesia and is a major travel hub in the region, so it may be cheaper to fly to Singapore, from where you can enter Indonesia by air or ship. From Penang in Malaysia, you can take a short flight or ferry to Medan in Sumatra.
AIRLINES
The number of carriers servicing Indonesia has waned over the past few years. Nevertheless the glut of alliances between carriers means there are still enough options.
Air France, www.airfrance.com
Air New Zealand, www.airnz.co.nz
Air Paradise, www.airparadise.com.au
Australian Airlines, www.australianairlines.com.au
ANA (All Nippon Airways), www.ana.co.jp
Cathay Pacific, www.cathaypacific.com
China Airlines, www.china-airlines.com
China Southern Airlines, www.cs-air.com
Eva Airlines, www.evaair.com
Garuda Indonesia, www.garuda-indonesia.com
JAL (Japan Airlines), www.jal.co.jp
KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), www.klm.com
Lufthansa, www.lufthansa.com
MAS (Malaysia Airlines), www.malaysiaairlines.com.my
Northwest Airlines, www.nwa.com
Philippine Airlines, www.philippineairlines.com
Qantas, www.qantas.com
Singapore Airlines, www.singaporeair.com
Silk Air, www.silkair.com
Thai Airways, www.thaiair.com
AIRPORT
Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is spacious, modern and efficient, but only has a few good and shopping outlets. Bali’s smaller Ngurah Rai International Airport is slightly more interesting. Shopping is also overpriced here but more varied than at Soekarno-Hatta. In peak tourist seasons when a few jumbos land, it is standing room only and queues are long. Standard duty-free items are on sale at both airports.
From AUSTRALIA
Bali is the major gateway to Australia, with almost all flight to/from Indonesia routed via Denpasar. Direct flight connect Denpasar with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin. Garuda and Qantas used to be the only carriers competing on most of these runs, but a couple of new outfits strated in 2003. Air Paradise flies from Melbourne and Perth, and Australian Airlines (operated by Qantas) from Sydney and Melbourne. Other direct flights to Indonesia are Perth – Jakarta and Sydney – Jakarta (both Australian Airlines).
To/From CHRISTMAS ISLANDS
If your tourist pass is running out and you’d like to return to Indonesia, Darwin is not your only Australin short-hop destination option. Christmas island in Australia’s Indian ocean Territories is only 360 km away from Jakarta, and there’s a weekly return charter-flight, which at the time of research departed Saturday from both Jakarta and Christmas island.
NEW ZEALAND
There are no direct flight between Indonesia and New Zealand; however, Air New Zealand, Garuda and Qantas connect Auckland with Denpasar via Sidney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Flight Centre (0800 243 544; www.flightcentre.co.nz) has an office in Auckland and many branches throughtout the country. Also checkout deals in the travel section of the New Zealand Herald.
The USA
There are no direct flights from the USA, but there are plenty of options that involve a stopever in another Asian destination, such us Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia. If you are traveling from east coast USA, it’s better to travel via either Frankfurt or Amsterdam.
If you are also visiting others parts of Asia, some good deals can be organized (eq, there are cheap tickets between the US west coast and Singapore with stopovers in Bangkok for very little extra money). However, be careful during the peak travel seasons (June to August, and Chinese New Year) because seats will be hard to come by unless reserved months in advance.
US websites worth checking out for lowcost flight include, www.lowestfare.com and www.travelzoo.com .
CANADA
Getting discount tickets in Canada is much the same as in the USA – shop around until you find a good deal. Again, you’ll probably have to fly into Hong Kong or Singapore (or Europe from the east coast) and carry on from there to Indonesia.
The UK
There are no direct flights to Indonesia from the UK; however, there are plenty of airlines offering services via Europe, Asia and/or the Middle East. Discount air travel is big business in London. Advertisements for many agencies appear in the travel pages of weekend broadsheet newspapaer, in Time Out, the Evening Standard and in the free managazine TNT.
There are plenty of travel agencies worth checking for fares. STA Travel (0870 - 160 0599; www.statravel.co.uk) has branches across the country. Other reputable agencies are Trailfinders (0207 – 938 3939; www.trailfinder.com); Flight Centre (0870 – 890 8099; www.flightcentre.co.uk) and ebookers (0870 – 010 7000; www.ebookers.com).
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
STA Travel has offices throughout the region. Check out its website at www.statravel.com for office locations and contact details. Nouvelles Frontieres (www.nouvelles-frontieres.com) also has branches throughout Europe.
France has a network of travel agencies that can supply discount tickets. OUT Voyages (08 20 81 78 17; www.otu.fr) and Voyageurs du Monde (01 42 86 16 40, 08 25 30 02 90; www.vdm.cm) have branches throughout the country and offer some of the best services and deals.
Recommended travel agencies in Germany include STA Travel (01805-456 422; www.statravel.de) which has branches in major cities across the country.
In Italy, CTS Viaggi (840-501 150; www.cts.it) is a student and youth specialist with branches in major cities.
In Spain, recommended agencies include Usit Unlimited (902 252 575; www.usitworld.com) and Barcelo Viajes (902 116 226; www.barcelo-viajes.es), both with branches in major cities.
In the Netherlands, NBBS Reizen (0900-10 20 300; www.nbbs.nl) is a stalwart agent.
ASIA
All the following air fares are for one-way travel.
MALAYSIA
The most popular flight is from Penang to Medan in Sumatra with Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines also flies Medan – Kuala Lumpur and Pontianak – Kuching.
PHILIPPINES
Bouraq and Merpati both have flights from Manado to Davao in the Philippines, but you need an onward or return ticket to enter the Philippines. Philippine Airlines flies Manila – Jakarta.
SINGAPORE
Silk Air flies into several cities including Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Palembang, Manado, Makassar, Mataram, Balikpapan and Solo.
By SEA
MALAYSIA
Most sea links are between Malaysia and Sumatra. Confortable, high-speed ferries between Penang (Malaysia) and Belawan (near Medan, Sumatra) are one of the most popular ways to reach Indonesia. The other main ferry connection is between Dumai (Sumatra) and Melaka (Malacca). From Johor Bahru in southern Malaysia, daily ferries run to Batam and Bintan islands in Sumatra’s Riau islands. From east-coast Kalimantan, speedboats depart every morning from Tarakan to Nunukan and from Nunukan to Tawau.
SINGAPORE
A popular way to reach Indonesia is via the Riau islands in Sumatra. The main stepping stones are the islands of batam and Bintan, both only a short high-speed ferry ride from Singapore. From Batam, speedboats travel through ro Pekanbaru on the Sumatran mainland. From Bintan, Pelni ships run to Jakarta and other destinations, and other ships go from Bintan to Jakarta.
By LAND
There are three possible land crossings into Indonesia. It’s possible to cross by road at Entikong, between Kalimantan and Sarawak (eastern Malaysia); get your visa in advance.
The border crossing between West and East Timor at Motoain was open at the time of research; a visa in required when traveling from East to West Timor.
The road from Jayapura of Sentani in Indonesia to Vanimo in Papua New Guinea can be crossed, depending on the current political situation. A visa is required if traveling into Indonesia.
by Indonesia Trekking
Whatever you bring, make sure you to pack light & within the baggage restrictions on your air ticket. Airlines are becoming more stringent & do impose hefty charges for excess baggage!
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of departure and must have at least 1 completely blank page (no stamps, nothing) upon arrival in Indonesia for Indonesian Immigration to attach the visa on arrival. Otherwise, you will be denied entry into Indonesia
- Tickets, itinerary, travel insurance policy and any travel vouchers
- Visa (if necessary) – for most countries including Australia, NZ and USA a US$25 30-day tourist visa is issued on arrival into Indonesia, payable in most currencies, or by credit card.
- Money – change some cash into Indonesian Rupiah before you leave home or at the airport when you arrive in Indonesia. There are ATM’s at all airports, cities and main towns in Indonesia. Change AU$400 minimum per two weeks stay, less for boat trips. Travellers cheques are becoming more and more difficult to change outside major centres, so cash, preferably new 50 or 100 dollar notes and a credit or cash card enabling you use ATM’s are the go. Make sure you have RP 100,000 left over at the end of your trip for airport departure tax when leaving Indonesia.
- Ticket or document wallet to store you valuables.
- A sense of humor and an open mind – Indonesia has a very different culture to us and things don’t always go to plan. These two qualities will ensure you get the most from your travel experience and they don’t weigh anything!
Cheers, frizzy2008.
Plan Your Honeymoon in Bali
Fahmi Rizwansyah says:
By eHow Weddings Editor
The exotic beauty of Bali's people and landscape transport visitors to another time and place, where tradition is treasure. Enjoy artist mountain villages, manicured rice terraces, cleansing rivers, world-class diving, surfing and golf, and the amazing Balinese furniture and architecture.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You’ll Need
Be prepared, Bali is sheltered from the turmoil other parts of Indonesia can experience. Rich in natural and cultural beauty, the island offers myriad outdoor activities - but luxury and relaxation don't come cheap.
Step2
Stay in one of the deluxe Begawan Giri Estate villas in Ubud, Bali's famous artist and craftsperson town in the rice-terraced mountainous interior.
Step3
Stroll the sculpted gardens of Begawan Giri (Wise Man's Mountain), swim in placid pools and marvel at the luxurious carved wood furniture and villa architecture.
Step4
Enjoy the world-class golf and surfing beaches while renting an authentic Balinese villa through Bali Vacation Properties (see bali-properties.com).
Step5
Prepare for heat, humidity and mosquitoes (mostly at night). Wear light clothing and a bathing suit where appropriate, and long-sleeved shirts and long cotton pants at night to ward off possible malaria-infested mosquitoes (see Warnings).
Step6
Drink Bintang (Star) beer, Bali's own brew. Cool down in the shade and rehydrate with some bottled water whenever possible.
Tips & Warnings
Cheers, frizzy2008.
By eHow Weddings Editor
The exotic beauty of Bali's people and landscape transport visitors to another time and place, where tradition is treasure. Enjoy artist mountain villages, manicured rice terraces, cleansing rivers, world-class diving, surfing and golf, and the amazing Balinese furniture and architecture.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You’ll Need
- Long Pants
- Long-sleeved Shirts
- Swimsuits
- Local Guidebooks
- Maps
- Bottled Water
- Airline Tickets
- Golf Clubs
- Surfboards
Be prepared, Bali is sheltered from the turmoil other parts of Indonesia can experience. Rich in natural and cultural beauty, the island offers myriad outdoor activities - but luxury and relaxation don't come cheap.
Step2
Stay in one of the deluxe Begawan Giri Estate villas in Ubud, Bali's famous artist and craftsperson town in the rice-terraced mountainous interior.
Step3
Stroll the sculpted gardens of Begawan Giri (Wise Man's Mountain), swim in placid pools and marvel at the luxurious carved wood furniture and villa architecture.
Step4
Enjoy the world-class golf and surfing beaches while renting an authentic Balinese villa through Bali Vacation Properties (see bali-properties.com).
Step5
Prepare for heat, humidity and mosquitoes (mostly at night). Wear light clothing and a bathing suit where appropriate, and long-sleeved shirts and long cotton pants at night to ward off possible malaria-infested mosquitoes (see Warnings).
Step6
Drink Bintang (Star) beer, Bali's own brew. Cool down in the shade and rehydrate with some bottled water whenever possible.
Tips & Warnings
- If staying in an open air bungalow (recommended), make sure you have a bed with mosquito netting, and burn mosquito coils to keep the critters away.
- Hire a day boat from Sanur to take you to the tiny island of Nusa Lembongan for fantastic snorkeling in the shallow bay.
- Flag a bimo (taxi) and visit the lake and volcano regions and their many temples. A bimo can be as cheap as $10 per day.
- Getting to Bali is usually your major expense, so eat and drink well as long as the U.S. dollar is strong against the rupiah.
- Get a massage often (it costs as little as $5 per hour).
- Check with your local county health agency to see if anti-malarial medication and any other shots are recommended.
- Wear reef shoes/booties if you plan to surf or walk over the reef. Sea snakes live there, and cuts and scrapes can become infected if not scrubbed and kept clean.
Cheers, frizzy2008.
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