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| 1. GENERAL INFORMATION Indonesia, the largest archipelago and the fifth most populous nation in the world, has a total of 17,508 islands, of which about 6,000 are inhabited. Indonesia extends 3,198 miles (5,150km) between the Australian and Asian continental mainlands and divides the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. With a total land area of 767,777 square miles (1,919,443 sq. km), its 190 million inhabitants are made up of 300 ethnic groups who speak an estimated 583 different languages and dialects. There are five main islands in Indonesia. These are: Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. Sumatra is one of Indonesia's most important islands in just about every way: economically, politically and strategically. Sumatra accounts for a full 25% of the country's total land area. Bukit Barisan, an unbroken mountain wall varying in height, extends down the entire western side of the island. The range includes 93 volcano peaks, 15 of them still active. With 176 different species of mammals, 194 reptiles, 62 amphibians and 150 birds, the island is famous for its varied animal life. It has a greater variety of wildlife than any other island in the country. The island of Kalimantan is shared with Malaysia. Many areas of the island are almost untouched by the Western world. For the more rough and ready traveler, this is the place to go, although tourist facilities are relatively undeveloped and visitors are few. Irian Jaya occupies the western half of the island of New Guinea. The island has been a part of Indonesia politically since 1969 . Although it makes up 22% of Indonesia's total land area, only 1% of the country's people live there. Irian Jaya is also the least visited and most remote Indonesian province. Java, the island where Indonesia's capital city lies, is one of the country's richest, lushest and most populated islands. It was on this island in the early 1800's that the Dutch East India Company established themselved in Indonesia. By the early 20th century, the Dutch had control over the entire country. Although Indonesia is no longer controlled by the Dutch, a great Dutch influence remains. Dutch food, architecture, and all around culture is evident throughout Indonesia. In two decades, Indonesia has turned itself from rice importer to rice exporter and established itself as the fifth largest OPEC producer. Petrochemicals and oil production account for 70% of the country's foreign revenues, and Indonesia is now the world's leading exporter of liquid natural gas. Stretching over 3,100 miles (5,000km) from east to west and almost 1,242 miles (2,000km) from north to south, Indonesia straddles the Equator and has a typical equatorial climate. The east monsoon from June to September brings dry weather, while the west monsoon from December to March brings rain. Occasional rain showers occur in between these two seasons as a transitional period. Mean temperatures at sea level are uniform, varying by only a few degrees throughout the region, and throughout the year 78º- 82ºF (25º- 28ºC). Coastal areas are often pleasantly cool; however, it can get extremely cold in the mountains with temperature decreasing 2ºF (1ºC) for every 656 feet (200m) of altitude, which provides a cool pleasant climate in upland communities. 3. PEOPLE AND CULTUREIndonesia, with over 190 million people, has the fifth largest population in the world. The country is an ethnological goldmine, with 336 ethnic groups joined together by a unifying language and through intermarriage. Indonesia can be considered a spectrum of all the Asian cultures, races and religions. Of the 190 million people in the country, 87% are Moslem. The Indonesian Constitution recognizes freedom of religion. Many parts of Indonesia have remained isolated because of the archipelago's size, jungles, highlands and complex customs. A journey through the country is a journey through time. You will find ways of life that are 5,000 years removed from the world we know. While some Indonesians wear rings and rats' ribs in their noses, yet others read "The Asian Wall Street Journal". If mingling among Indonesia's diverse populations has occurred at all, it has taken place near the sea. Among Indonesia's diverse peoples, the Balinese are extraordinarily creative with a highly theatrical culture. They are lavish in their colors and decorations and less restrained in their music and dance. The Balinese believe that all natural phenomena have souls. Spirits dominate everything they do, and their lives revolve around offering fruits and flowers to appease the angry gods. Dayak is the collective name for the more than 200 different tribes that comprise Kalimantan's native people. The Javanese (the largest group) originally belonged to the Mongoloid race. Indonesians in general are friendly, fun-loving people. They are artistic by nature and express themselves in canvas, wood, metals, clay and stone and in their dance and dramas. Ethnic Groups: The majority is of Malay descent; 45% Javanese, 14% Sundanese, 7.5% Madurese, coastal Malays and other 26%. Languages: Bahasa Indonesia is the official language. There are many dialects. English is the most widely understood foreign language. Religion: 87% Muslim, 6% Protestant, 3% Roman Catholic, 2% Hindu , 1% Buddhist and 1% other. 4. LOCAL CUSTOMSGeneral: Aggressive gestures and postures such as crossing your arms over your chest or standing with your hands on your hips while talking, particularly with older people, are regarded as insulting. Scarves should be worn around the waist when entering Balinese temples. Never touch anyone's head. Indonesians regard the head as the seat of the soul, and it therefore is sacred. When invited to eat or drink, watch your Indonesian host. A guest may not start if not invited to do so by the host. The left hand is considered unclean, so never use it to eat. Do not ask for salt, pepper or soy sauce; this request would be considered an insult to the cook. Many traditional Indonesian families do not talk during meals, conversation starts only after the meal. Cover your mouth when using a toothpick. Unannounced visits early in the evening are an Indonesian tradition. It is considered a compliment if you are kept waiting by the host. He is usually changing his clothes before receiving you. Never stand taller than a Buddha, and definitely never climb on a Buddha. Never show the bottom of your feet or point your foot when it is off the ground in the direction of another person. Business: Business cards are exchanged immediately after introductions. At the end of the meeting, saying thank you in Indonesian will help build a warm relationship. The left hand is considered unclean, so never use it to give or receive things. Pointing a finger is considered rude. Usually, a shirt and tie are sufficient for most business meetings. Because of the heat, jackets are unnecessary. Safari-style leisure suits are comfortable and acceptable. Because of Muslim tradition, Indonesian women tend to dress conservatively, and slacks are generally reserved for casual wear. Makeup and perfume are acceptable, if used moderately. 5. CURRENCYThe Indonesian currency unit is called the Rupiah. Notes are issued in the values of Rp500, Rp5,000 and Rp10,000. Coins of Rp5, Rp10, Rp25, Rp50 and Rp100. When changing large amounts, banks usually give Rp10,000 notes, but changing these in the provinces may prove troublesome. If you are heading for the Outer Islands, take Rp1,000 and Rp5,000 notes instead. Always keep your exchange receipts so that you can exchange your rupiah for foreign currencies upon leaving the country. The U.S. dollar is the most readily accepted currency. 6. THINGS TO KNOWIndonesia has an area of 767,777 square miles (1,919,443 sq. km) scattered over about 13,700 islands. The country also claims sovereignty over 1,308,864 square miles (3,272,160 sq. km) of sea stretching from Asia to Australia. An active volcanic arc runs through Sumatra, Java and the islands of Nusa Tenggara, and then north through Maluku to Sulawesi. It marks the place where tectonic plates plunge one beneath the other. This is an area of intense volcanic activity called the "ring of fire." Off the coast of these islands is a deep sea trench in places more than 22,960 feet (7,000m) deep. Within the arc is the more stable Sunda Shelf with shallow seas and less dramatic landscape. Some parts of the country remain vast, barely explored regions of dense jungle, and many islands have extinct, active or dormant volcanoes. Population: 190,000,000 Capital: Jakarta Flag: Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white. Shop Hours: Most shops are open from 8am to 9pm, daily. Sunday is a public holiday, but
some shops are open at least part of the day. Bank Hours: The majority of the banks in Indonesia are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 noon. Holidays:
Time: Tipping: Porters: Rp500-1,000 is generally the average tip expected for airport porters and bellhops in Jakarta, while Rp2,000 is expected in Denpasar or Ujung airport. Taxis: Taxi drivers are never tipped, although in Jakarta they may expect a tip. A few coins will make them happy. 7. VISAS AND PASSPORTAll visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months after arrival. Visas have been waived for nationals of some Western countries for a stay of up to two months and for registered delegates attending a conference that has received official approval. Each visitor is required to pay an airport tax of Rp11,000 for international departures and between Rp 800 and Rp 3,000 for domestic flights, depending on the airport of departure. Yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive within six days of leaving or passing through an infected area. 8. CUSTOMS REGULATIONSDuty-Free Items: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 2 pounds of tobacco, cameras and a reasonable amount of film, 2 liters of alcohol and a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. 9. TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRYAirports: Airlines: 10. TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRYAir: Becak: Cars and Motorcycles: Buses:: There is an extensive bus network in Java. Buses are very useful where there is no rail service. The roads are being improved, and more modern buses are being introduced. Ships: PELNI Ticket Sales (Head Office) Trains: 11. SIGHTSEEINGFor additional information Way Kambas Elephant Training Center Fantasy Land Indonesia in Miniature Park Jaya Ancol Dreamland Keong Emas Imax Theater Kuta Lake Toba National Monument Medan Crocodile Farm Tugu Khatulistiwa Yogyakarta Bogor Botanical Gardens Orchard Garden Panorama Park Taman Bundokandung Ujung Kulon National Park 12. DINING AND DRINKINGAs in the rest of Asia, Indonesian food is heavily based on rice, supplemented by vegetables, a little bit of fish and once in a while, meat and eggs. Indonesian cuisine is known for its combination of contrasting flavors and textures, its influences having originated in all corners of the world. Each culinary art of foreign origin can be distinguished in Indonesian cooking, yet each is blended creatively with the islands' own cooking secrets. Each province or area has its own cuisine, which varies in the method of cooking and the ingredients used. The Javanese cuisine is probably the most palatable to the general taste and usually consists of vegetables, soybeans, beef and chicken. The Sumatrans generally eat more beef compared to other regions. West Sumatra is known for its Pandang specialty restaurants found nationwide. Aside from their hot and spicy food, these restaurants are known for their unique style of service. Further to the east, seafood is featured in the daily diet, either grilled or made into curries. In Bali, Irian Jaya and the highlands of North Sumatra and North Sulawesi, pork dishes are specialties. As the population of Indonesia is predominantly Moslem, pork is usually not served except in Chinese restaurants, non-Moslem regions and places serving international cuisine. The most popular dishes in Indonesia are: gado-gado, salad with peanut sauce; nasi goreng, fried rice; bakmigoreng, fried noodles; and sate, skewered grilled meat. There is a wide variety of tropical and subtropical vegetables all year round. Some fruits such as mangoes and watermelons are seasonal, but most of the other fruits are available throughout the year. Although Indonesia is a Moslem country, alcoholic beverages are widely available. The two most popular beers, both light lagers, are the locally brewed Anker and Bintang brands. Imported liquors, like whisky and gin, are usually sold only in the more expensive restaurants and hotels. Brem, or rice wine, Arak, rice whisky, and Tuak, palm wine are locally produced and readily available. Drinking unboiled water in Indonesia is considered unsafe because of poor sewage disposal and improperly treated water supplies. Contaminated water is known for transmitting diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. Avoid ice cubes unless they have been made from boiled water. The freezing of water does not kill the organisms, nor does the alcohol in a drink. Western bottled and canned drinks are widely available and comparatively cheap in Indonesia. 13. ENTERTAINMENTCultural shows, discotheques, cinemas, comedy and puppet shows keep the Indonesians entertained every day of every year. Movie theaters are found throughout Indonesia, and grade B and C Italian and American films are generally in English with Indonesian subtitles. Check the paper for listings. Ticket prices are comparable to those in the West, about $5 per head for an air-conditioned theater. Western style discos abound, and wealthy youth in designer clothes pack the fashionable clubs every weekend. The disco craze hit the country a decade ago, and it appears to have taken root. A couple of hotel establishments have ruled the scene for some time now. The cover charge and drinks are expensive, and dress code is in effect. Shadow puppet shows are very popular. Performances are staged when a transitional event occurs in the life of a family such as a birthday, wedding or as ritual entertainment during family feasts. These shows dramatize life with its contradictions and anomalies and teach the meaning and purpose of life. A single performance can last up to nine hours. 14. EMERGENCY NUMBERSPolice: 110 Country Code: 62 City Codes: When calling a number from within the same city, omit the city code. When calling to another city within Indonesia, use the entire city code. When calling from outside Indonesia, omit the first digit (0) from the city code. 15. VISITORS INFORMATIONDirectorate General of Tourism (DGT) The DGT is under the direction of the Department of Tourism - Post and Telecommunications, which has offices in all major tourist destinations. These offices are known as Kanwil Depparpostel or Regional Offices of Tourism. Each of the 27 provinces of Indonesia has its own tourist office, which is known as Diparda (provincial tourist service). Each of these offices can offer information and assistance for their area. Diparda Tk. I Lampung Diparda DKI Jakarta Diparda Tk. I Jawa Barat Diparda Tk. I Kalimantan Barat Diparda Tk. I Sumatera Utara Diparda Tk. I Sumatra Selatan Diparda D.I. Yogyakarta Indonesian Tourist Promotion Office (ITPO) ITPO ITPO ITPO ITPO 3457 Wilshire Blvd. 16. USEFUL PHRASESGood Morning - Selamat pagi
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