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Where to go in Indonesia???

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Suggestions on places to visit
15 years ago, November 10th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #54150  
Hi,

I''m thinking of going to Indonesia as part of my trip round South East Asia and I was wondering if anyone can recommend good places to visit/things to see/things to do?

I think I'm gonna start in Bali and go through Java and Sumatera, finishing up in Singapore. I've been recommended to go to Bali, Jogjakarta, Jakarta and Lake Togo (not sure if thats the right name). Anyone got any other ideas?

And also is it possible to get a Visa on entry or would I have to get one before I go there?

Thanks,
John Reply to this

15 years ago, November 10th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #54165  
B Posts: 366
The last time I was there was over 10 years ago and got a free visa on arrival at the airport. Check here to see if this has changed for your country:

http://www.baliguide.com/visa_regulations.html

Like other countries it probably depends on what passport you will be traveling under.

I was working for a charity then and after Bali we flew Merapati Airlines to Sumbawa Besar for 14 days. I liked the laid back feel this place had (no bacon, no ham, no porkchops, no pork sausage in this town.) Stayed at the Tambora Hotel.

Check with your state department to see if there are any current safety bulletins out on this area.

Good luck.

Reply to this

15 years ago, November 10th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #54166  
I went to java, bali and papua...and let me tell you, it was AMAZING!!!! i did the mainland southeast asia loop as well, but that did not compare at all to indonesia. java is a must. When in Yogyakarta, you must climb mt merapi, it is somewhat of a long hike, but it is well worth it, 100X better than Mt. Bromo. Papua is pretty awesome too, bit out of the way tho...very un touristed and isolated...if your into crazy adventures, its definetly the place to go. Alot of people say they hated jakarta, i actually liked it, get out there a bit, its got a pretty good night life, and tons of friendly locals. TIP** always keep your money/ passport in a neck wallet or hip pouch, especially on the trains/busses in java...there was a few times that i looked down to see a hand rifling around in my pocket, they are VERY SNEEKY, you probably wont even feel them take the wallet out of your pocket, they are that good. as far as visas go, you can get a one month on arrival visa at all the major airports.....but i highly recommend getting a 2 month visa at an indonesian emmbassy in your home country.. i sure wish i did, i sayed until one hour before my visa expired. anyway hop that helps!

*lake toba😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, November 11th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #54245  
Thanks for all the tips! I looked on that website thanks Hal and it confirmed what John said that that I can get a 30 day visa on arrival for $25 - bargain! 30 days should be fine for me as well as I think I'll be running pretty low on money by then. I'll look into Sumbawa Besar as well, I'm sure I could do without bacon and sausages for a few days!

Sounds like you had a great time John always good to hear, helps build my excitement while I'm stuck at work! I'll be sure to climb Mt Merapi and good to finally hear a positive review of Jakarta. I was actually born there before we moved back to the UK when I was only 2 so I'm definitely gonna check it out. Hadn't really considered Papua but it could be an option as I'll be coming up from Australia. Can you get a boat from Papua to Bali? I definitely need to get a moneybelt before I go as well, I got pickpocketed twice in Istanbul without feeling a thing!

* I knew it started with a T at least 😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, November 13th 2008 No: 5 Msg: #54539  
Hi John,
If you want to travel from Bali, through Java and up to Sumatra to Lake Toba and exit to Singapore you will most definitely need more than 30 days.
Here is the link to a post I wrote for someone on another forum this year. It does suggest 4 weeks, but if you decided to stay longer in places you would need that 60 day visa.
I have mentioned some places you are probably not interested in, because it is in the original post, just ignore.
Bali to Sumatra Ideas

Please note that it is very expensive to fly from Medan to Singapore with Silk Air.
An idea might be to fly from Jakarta to Medan ( flight with Batavia airlines only cost 530,000 May 2008 or you can try to book online with Air Asia) bus ( 4-5 hrs) it to Lake Toba, then bus ( 17 hrs with ANS) it down to Bukittinggi and Lake Maninjau and then bus ( 2 hrs) it to Padang and fly from Padang to Singapore with TigerAirways. They usually have cheap airfares that you book online. I flew with them in August 2006 to get a new 60 visa in Singapore.
However, check the days they fly- it is not every day.

The second page of the post also has loads of links to maps I have found on the internet.
If you would like a map with all the accomodation at Tuk Tuk Samosir Island Lake Toba please send me a Private Message with your email address and I will send you an attachment with the map.
Photos of my 5.5 month trip in 2006
Pamela. Reply to this

14 years ago, May 29th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #74270  
Halloo... from Bali Island

It was nice to hear that you would like to visit Bali and other Island of Indonesia. We may recomend you by visiting Bali first since Bali have and International Airport with planty of flight arrival and you could chose one of them. Discover Bali in 1 or 2 week and also for sunbathing then continue your trip to Java by overland. First visit Ijen plateau then Bromo (each for 2 days) and Yogyakarta for culture and heritage (4 days). then drive to Bandung for Pak Ujo (Angklung orchestra) and Tangkuban perahu. Then drive to Jakarta the capital city of Indonesia. In Jakarta you could visit National Museum and Sunda Kelapa Harbour for Pinisi Boat. Fly to Medan to see Toba lake and Orang Utan. From Medan fly to Singapore for your next destination.

For detail information regarding visa you could visit and click on tourist information then passport and visa
Reply to this

14 years ago, May 30th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #74408  
N Posts: 1
"Lake Togo"

I think you mean Lake Toba,,,

you can find the information about that in
Reply to this

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