Indonesia What to Expect

Well what can I say. Was an interesting place didn't really go the narrow streets etc. Was quite a dirty place. However if anyone ever heads that way the tours were excellent especially the Kintamani volcano Tour and the Monkey Forest and Temples Tour. Be wary if offered a friendship bracelet or the like as my friend and I were ripped off $280AUD each the first day we were there if you do find yourself in this situation and not knowing the value of their Money all you need to do is say the word police and they back right off. Great weather, really hot. We stayed in Kuta at cheap accommodation but if you go there i would recommend going for something around the 3.5 - 4 star mark as the accommodation we had was only 2.5 star and the sheets were washed daily but they were kinda brown and blood on the walls of our unit. Kuta Beach was lovely but they have a lot of people selling stuff that tend to hound you. lol. The shopping absolutely amazing and very cheap. We were offered drugs by some guys .............no we didn't take them neither of us were into that but however if you are game to purchase off of them do be warned that as soon as you buy it they go to cops and report you then you have the balinese police on your back. Overall was a great place especially the tours, kids ride moped thingees to school and the balinese drive crazy.........yes there were times we thought we weren't goin to make it back to NZ. Was a real eye opener for us. These people work so hard for so little.

A day trip to Kintamani, promises mountains, lakes, the chance to get out of of Kuta and see some of Bali. The reality of a trip to Kintamani is a 3 hour ride along main roads, parking next to other tour buses, eating lunch and the main tourist restaurant, overlooking the lake. You will be accosted by sarong and souvenir sellers, and that’s without venturing into the crater.

Batur crater is in my opinion a very cool place, in itself. Imagine a comminity of people who fish and farm at a fresh water lake, inside a volcanic crater! It seems part fantasy, part reality to us westerners. The 2 big problems with venturing into the crater are, the round the clock dump trucks servicing the quarry, on the west side of the lake, and the very aggresive ‘mountain guides’. The truck run about once every 2 minutes, in and out, creating a cloud of fumes, dust and noise. The mountain guides have combined to give Mt. Batur a bad reputation and many guide books have sections dedicated to warning people about the bad treatment they should expect.

Here in Seminyak a small number of people from Kintamani have plonked themsleves here in order to beg for money. Its rather pathetic, rather like me getting on the plane to the US, and sitting outside a mansion in Beverly Hills. For the people involved its complete culture shock, and for the people who live in Seminyak, another person to say no to. At Bintang supermarket there are 2 ATMs. A coulpe of ladies sit outside it with their hand out. one told me she was from Kintamani.

The other night at Poser’s Pub in Legian, while interviewing Dallas Finn, a line of kids about 12, passed by and jabbered at me in Indonesian, to buy stuff. I joked about tidak ada uang (don’t have money) and made a game of it. I feel sorry for them, but someone either in their banjar, local government, island government, whatever, needs to stand up and create a program to educate these people. I was reading an article today about a Kuta shop owner who turned to growing organic rice, as a way to beat the tourist slump. The people in that crater could grow some unique things and market them as unique.

My advice for visiting Kintamani: Drive to Blandingan, on the outside northern rim and do a relaxing, free, pleasant hike, viewing the ocean and the lake simultaneously. Also drive into the crater and explore the western side. There are lava fields and orange groves as well as a couple of villages. I would not waste my money hiking Gunung Batur.

Ancol...Hmm
The easiest and the funniest way to go to Ancol is by taking a bus way (though you can only access this during the day). Take any bus way connection to Kampung Melayu, and from that there is one direct connection to go to Ancol. Moreover, it is cheapest, you pay only 3,500 IDR, and it is faster.
Once I took my twin 'devil' nieces for swimming to Ancol Beach. We went by bus way, and for kids under 5 years old, you pay half-price only. The twin seemed to enjoy the trip very much. Their eyes lingering a long the road, looking for the scenery outside the windows. I love the big and wide windows, cause it gives me a senses of being in an open area (though I am inside the bus). I don't like being inside a very small room. It takes almost half an hour as the bus had to stop in some places. But overall i t was a good trip. The bus will stop inside Ancol area, and from that there is a free-connection bus that will take you to your destination; Ancol beach, Dufan, etc. Try to go to Ancol by busway!

Balinese Names : are same for both sexes, and determined by birth order.
1st Child = Wayan (or sometimes Putu or Gede)
2nd Child = Made (or Kadek or Nengah)
3rd Child = Nyoman (or Komang)
4th Child = Ketut
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Children = Re-Use Same Names

Beaut wall diving all around Bunaken. But get away from your resort and walk down to the village on the end of the island. Wander along the beach, chat with the local kids and snap a few photos of them playing in the water. There's a superb backdrop of a volcanic island for the pics! Great memories.

Bandung [1] is a city in West Java , Indonesia . Bandung is a highland city (altitude 768m) known for its many universities, textile industry and many roadside cafes. Called Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch, its high altitude location makes the weather pleasantly cool. Bandung has been nicknamed kota kembang , literally meaning the flower city , since the colonial era. However this nickname is a misinterpreted by many, as the flower actually refers to females, because of the city's reputation for having beautiful girls. The food in Bandung is also well known for its wide varieties and taste. Many tourists from Jakarta visit Bandung during weekends and national holidays, when it can get quite crowded. The head of government in the city of Bandung is a mayor ("walikota"). The city has 26 districts. ' Bandung Regency" /"Kabupaten Bandung" is the suburbs of Bandung. The head of government in Bandung Regency is a regent ("Bupati"). There are 45 districts in Bandung Regency. Bandung's population in 2005 is 2,771,138 people. The area is 168 square kilometres and the population density is 16,494 people/sq. km.

Well what can I say. Was an interesting place didn't really go the narrow streets etc. Was quite a dirty place. However if anyone ever heads that way the tours were excellent especially the Kintamani volcano Tour and the Monkey Forest and Temples Tour. Be wary if offered a friendship bracelet or the like as my friend and I were ripped off $280AUD each the first day we were there if you do find yourself in this situation and not knowing the value of their Money all you need to do is say the word police and they back right off. Great weather, really hot. We stayed in Kuta at cheap accommodation but if you go there i would recommend going for something around the 3.5 - 4 star mark as the accommodation we had was only 2.5 star and the sheets were washed daily but they were kinda brown and blood on the walls of our unit. Kuta Beach was lovely but they have a lot of people selling stuff that tend to hound you. lol. The shopping absolutely amazing and very cheap. We were offered drugs by some guys .............no we didn't take them neither of us were into that but however if you are game to purchase off of them do be warned that as soon as you buy it they go to cops and report you then you have the balinese police on your back. Overall was a great place especially the tours, kids ride moped thingees to school and the balinese drive crazy.........yes there were times we thought we weren't goin to make it back to NZ. Was a real eye opener for us. These people work so hard for so little.

The doorway of Bali but not the heart. Unless you're in Bali for the night life avoid the area and go somewhere more interesting. Ubud is the next city and more relaxed (but more expensive). Keep your anti mozzie creams/sprays/oils ready! If you visit the area then remember prices are inflated for tourists. 200.000 is typically bargainable to 30-40.000. Every time a tourist doesn't bargain the more liberties the sellers take with the next person and the more locals get priced out of the island - indirectly killing the tourist industry. Has been quiet since the Bali bombings which makes it ideal for a more relaxing holiday. Good for both straight and gay travellers.

DONT DRINK THE TAP WATER EVER!
otherwise you will get very sick.

BALIKPAPAN REGENCY
Balikpapan is recognized also with title oil town. If You resided in plane that is soon land in Balikpapan, hence from the air will seen a lot of oil conveyor ships reside in the beach whereas a number of oil bridges seen to stand up steady in the beach. Refinery Balikpapan located in edge of 'Teluk Balikpapan' cover area with 2,5 km width. This factory processed crude oil functioned to become ready products in marketing that is 'BBM' and 'Non BBM' for requirement of east Indonesia area. Because this oil, Balikpapan has developed become going forward town with various and modern town facilities. Sepinggan International Airlines and Hajji Embarkation becomes indicator for Balikpapan as very onward town in Kalimantan. Various star hotels five and restaurants international class made available in this town. As a modern town, Balikpapan also crowded with activity of entertainment amusement. Balikpapan City is commercial area where various hotels, restaurant and shop resided. Balikpapan Shopping Centre is residing in street between Sudirman Street and Ahmad Yani Street that is have become one of city symbol.

So come and visit Balikpapan.

Padang Bai is a beautiful, small friendly fishing village on the east coast of Bali in about 54km from Denpasar.

Not all but, sadly, a lot of people dont stop to enjoy the life of Padang Bai. Padang Bai is also the main ferry port for heading east to the island of Lombok.

Most people on a limited time rush through on their way to the Gilli islands of the coast of Lombok and beyond.

Well what can I say. Was an interesting place didn't really go the narrow streets etc. Was quite a dirty place. However if anyone ever heads that way the tours were excellent especially the Kintamani volcano Tour and the Monkey Forest and Temples Tour. Be wary if offered a friendship bracelet or the like as my friend and I were ripped off $280AUD each the first day we were there if you do find yourself in this situation and not knowing the value of their Money all you need to do is say the word police and they back right off. Great weather, really hot. We stayed in Kuta at cheap accommodation but if you go there i would recommend going for something around the 3.5 - 4 star mark as the accommodation we had was only 2.5 star and the sheets were washed daily but they were kinda brown and blood on the walls of our unit. Kuta Beach was lovely but they have a lot of people selling stuff that tend to hound you. lol. The shopping absolutely amazing and very cheap. We were offered drugs by some guys .............no we didn't take them neither of us were into that but however if you are game to purchase off of them do be warned that as soon as you buy it they go to cops and report you then you have the balinese police on your back. Overall was a great place especially the tours, kids ride moped thingees to school and the balinese drive crazy.........yes there were times we thought we weren't goin to make it back to NZ. Was a real eye opener for us. These people work so hard for so little.

The doorway of Bali but not the heart. Unless you're in Bali for the night life avoid the area and go somewhere more interesting. Ubud is the next city and more relaxed (but more expensive). Keep your anti mozzie creams/sprays/oils ready! If you visit the area then remember prices are inflated for tourists. 200.000 is typically bargainable to 30-40.000. Every time a tourist doesn't bargain the more liberties the sellers take with the next person and the more locals get priced out of the island - indirectly killing the tourist industry. Has been quiet since the Bali bombings which makes it ideal for a more relaxing holiday. Good for both straight and gay travellers.

DONT DRINK THE TAP WATER EVER!
otherwise you will get very sick.

BALIKPAPAN REGENCY
Balikpapan is recognized also with title oil town. If You resided in plane that is soon land in Balikpapan, hence from the air will seen a lot of oil conveyor ships reside in the beach whereas a number of oil bridges seen to stand up steady in the beach. Refinery Balikpapan located in edge of 'Teluk Balikpapan' cover area with 2,5 km width. This factory processed crude oil functioned to become ready products in marketing that is 'BBM' and 'Non BBM' for requirement of east Indonesia area. Because this oil, Balikpapan has developed become going forward town with various and modern town facilities. Sepinggan International Airlines and Hajji Embarkation becomes indicator for Balikpapan as very onward town in Kalimantan. Various star hotels five and restaurants international class made available in this town. As a modern town, Balikpapan also crowded with activity of entertainment amusement. Balikpapan City is commercial area where various hotels, restaurant and shop resided. Balikpapan Shopping Centre is residing in street between Sudirman Street and Ahmad Yani Street that is have become one of city symbol.

So come and visit Balikpapan.

Padang Bai is a beautiful, small friendly fishing village on the east coast of Bali in about 54km from Denpasar.

Not all but, sadly, a lot of people dont stop to enjoy the life of Padang Bai. Padang Bai is also the main ferry port for heading east to the island of Lombok.

Most people on a limited time rush through on their way to the Gilli islands of the coast of Lombok and beyond.

- bring sweater or jacket cause at noon the weather is nice but at night is cold - don't wear high hill (women) cause u might be walking alot,go up the hill or walking in the tea farm bring sunglasess n heat ,usually at noon the sun very strong - u can bring ur picnic basket

- really small beautiful island - delicious food - scuba diving - you feel alone on the world

Enjoy Bali`s endless variety of spa places. :)

Visit Merauke's clean beaches for free, they don't ask for retribution fee or anything. But the gazebos on the beach usually belong to someone and they'll charge you for using it. There is no specific rate for this, so use your bargaining skill.

They sell shrimps, crabs, and fishes along the way to the beach. They don't use scales, the shrimps/crabs/fishes are packed inside rugs, n they sell it per rug. Just ask for the price and use your bargaining skill if needed.

There are a lot of beach: Lampu Satu, Urumb, Nasai, Payum

In the centre of the town, you can find Pepera Statue (Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat / People Free Act of Choice).

You can also visit Wasur National Park, about 2 hours from the central district. Here you can go fishing and swimming. You can also find unique plants like Papua orchids and Kantung Semar. Don't forget to take pictures beside the enormous Ants' Nests (but please don't damage it or carve anything on it).

Merauke is famous because it is the borderline of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. So visit Sota District, where the borderline lies. It is about 1 hour from Wasur.
For your safety, it is recommended to go in a group of cars when you go to Sota, because there is no mobile phone signal, the road is long, and other cars rarely pass by. If there's a trouble with your car, people in the other car in the group can go and seek for help.

Try exotic foods while you're in Merauke. There are shops which sell deer dendeng (dendeng means dried meat). Ask the seller how to prepare it.
Kangaroo's tail is also recommended. Look for buntut saham (buntut = tail, saham = kangaroo) in the traditional market.

When you decided to visit Merauke (and any other cities/towns in Papua), be sure to take malaria prophylaxis. Many areas in Papua have Chloroquine-resistant malarias, so inform your doctor about your destination well. Don't forget to bring mosquito repellant too.

be patient. calm yourself. everything is in a rush. everyone is cursing anyone. take a deep breath. but not too deep. 'cos the air so goddamn dirty. move out and grow old in some other place. not in the doom city of jakarta.