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Travel
Advice 
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| Climate
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Although Indonesia is hot
and humid throughout the year, the official wet season runs from
October to April and is marked by heavy, short rain-storms after
which the air is fresher. Temperatures range from 21 to 33 degrees
C in the lowlands. Higher altitudes enjoy cooler conditions. |
| Airport
Tax and Transport |
Passengers departing on
international and domestic flights will have to pay Rp. 100,000 and
Rp 30,000 airport tax respectively. |
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Customs |
On entry to Indonesia, each adult is allowed to bring in tax-free
a maximum of two litres of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco.
There is no restriction on the movement of foreign currencies
in and out of the country. On entry or departure, however, you
may only carry a maximum of 50,000 rupiahs.
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Communications
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Long-distance telephone
calls within Indonesia are by direct dialling. International direct
dialling (IDD) is available in all 32 provincial capitals and in
more than 320 cities throughout the country. For the business traveller
facsimile and telex services are available in most hotels and at
service outlets. |
| Currency
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Exchange facilities for
the main foreign currencies are available in the major cities of
Indonesia. Rupiahs come in denominations of 100.000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000,
5000, 1000, 500 and 100 in bank notes, and 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25,
10 and five in coins. |
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Time |
Indonesia is devided into
three time zones. Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, West and
Central Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead of GMT, Central Indonesia
Time (Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara)
is eight hours ahead, and east Indonesia Time (Maluku and Irian
Jaya) is nine hours ahead. |
|
Electricity |
50 Hz at either 110 or 220
volts. |
|
Office Hours |
Most government offices are open from 8am to 3pm. On Fridays,
they close at 11.30am. On Saturdays, they are open until 2pm or
3pm.
Business offices open from 8am or 9am to 4pm or 5 pm. Some work
halfday on Saturdays. Banks open from 8am to 3pm on weekdays.
Foreign banks are closed on Saturdays.
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A General Word
of Advice
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DO
- shop around for the best money exchange rates
- wear lots of sunscreen when travelling around or swimming
- drink a lot of water
- take care of your belongings at all times. It is better to
leave your valuables your hotel safe and wear your bag across
your shoulder.
- avoid stepping on ceremonial offerings in the street
- bargain when shopping except on fixed price tagged goods
- make sure that you have personal or travel insurance that
will cover any accidents
- be careful when driving in Bali, keep your eyes and your
mind on the road.
- wear a sarong and sash when visiting temples and attending
ceremonies

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DON'T
- swim outside of the designated areas as currents and undertows
can be very strong
- take drugs - it can result in imprisonment and can carry
the death penalty
- touch peoples heads - this is offensive to Hindus
- enter a temple when menstruating
- worry about the ice - it's government controlled in established
restaurants
- sit higher than the priest or the offerings at a ceremony
- use flash cameras during ceremonies
- forget to reconfirm your outbound flight - Airport Tax is
Rp 100,000 for International & Rp 30,000 for domestic flights.
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