INDONESIA
TRAVEL FACTS
GETTING THERE: Northern
Sulawesi, the area around Manado, is one of the best-known
diving destinations in the country.
It is easily accessible by air from Singapore with Silk
Air, and Jakarta or Bali with Garuda
Air. Raja Ampat is another flight
from Manado to Sorong by
Merpati
Air or Wings
Air (regional wing of Lion Air). There are also flights from
Jakarta or Bali via Makassar (Udung Pandang).
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| Ancient
temple of Borobudur in Java |
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VISA: Citizens of most
western countries must obtain a visa-on-arrival
at Manado or Sorong Airports. The cost
is US$25 (bring the exact amount with you) and allows stays
up to 30 days. Certain nationalities are required to obtain
a visa from an Indonesian embassy in their home countries
before travel to Indonesia. Passports must be valid for 6 months
from your date of arrival in the country.
CURRENCY: The
local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Currently the
exchange rate is approx. US$1 = IDR9,400
but due to the strong currency fluctuations now occurring
in South East Asia this can change quickly. Hotels, restaurants
and shops accept the major credit cards.
TIMEZONE: Local
time in North Sulawesi is 8 hours ahead of UTC (GMT), same
time zone as Singapore and
Malaysia.
Raja Ampat is 9 hours ahead of UTC (GMT).
ELECTRICITY: Electrical current in Indonesia is 220
Volts, 50 Hz. On board Ocean Rover current is both 220V
/ 50Hz and 110V / 60Hz (camera charging area only).
HEALTH: Health
services in Indonesia are by no means up to western standards,
although there are hospitals in all major towns. Most
of North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat are free of malaria and
other serious diseases. However, it is always prudent to
check
if your
vaccinations are still up to date. Normal precautions
with food will keep you out of trouble. Be sure
to drink only bottled water.
LANGUAGE: Bahasa
is the official language but nearly all Indonesians that
work in the tourism industry speak
English. Speak slowly and clearly without too many colloquialisms
and people will understand you just fine.
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| North
Sulawesi volcano |
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DRESS
CODE: In all the tourist resorts shorts and
T-shirts are acceptable attire but women are expected
to dress “sensibly”. At night as well, although “smart-casual” is
preferred in the better eating places. Jackets and ties
are not required anywhere.
RELIGION: Unlike
most of Indonesia, Northern Sulawesi’s and Raja Ampat's
inhabitants are devout Christians and a pleasant sense of
calm and peacefulness
prevails.
TEMPERATURE: Air
temperature 20-35°C (68-95°F) always warm, can
get very hot and humid, nights can be cooler. Average water
temperature
in the Celebes Sea (North Sulawesi) and Halmahera Sea (Raja
Ampat) is approx 27°C (80°F). Pleasant although sometimes
thermoclines occur. The type of wetsuit depends
on how easily you get cold and how many dives per day
you make. We recommend at least a thin shorty or skin
but bring a thicker full wetsuit 3-5mm if you get cold
easy.
CLIMATE: Indonesia's tropical climate is influenced by the southwest and northeast
monsoons. There are three seasons: Dry, Hot and Rainy.
Diving is possible all year round, but there are days
each year when monsoon winds are too strong for safe
recreational diving.
| North Sulawesi |
Raja Ampat |
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