Introduction - We went to Indonesia in 1997 and 1998, and it was one of our best trips. It combined nature (Bromo volcano, Manado Seagardens etc...), culture (like Toraja and Borobudur temple) and friendlyness of the local people. Above all, service is extremely good value for money, and this is one of the advantages over other regions like the Middle East and central America. Safety is less a concern than f.i. in Central America.
- The Singapore page was also made by me.
- The Cambodia page was first made with info I got from other people, and in 3/99 I went to check out things myself.
- There is Myanmar page written by a friend of mine (11/98). They will probably also add a site on Laos after spending 4 weeks in 10/99.
- Steven Buvens has also written a site after his trip to Northern Vietnam (7/99). I went back to Vietnam in 10/2000 and updated the Northern section, and expanded it with a Southern section.
- The Laos page was made by Geert Van Vaeck who stayed there 4 weeks (10/99).
Getting around Asean airpass
- 6 Asian companies have joined forces in an effort to turn off crisis in tourism industry, and they are now offering an "Asian Airpass". Companies participating include Thai airways, Garuda, Singapore airlines, Philippine Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Malaysian Airlines. The deal is the following:
- You have to fly to any Asian destination with 1 of the six carriers. You could f.i. fly to Singapore or Bangkok.
- Then you need to buy the pass for 270 US$. This entitles you to 3 flights within Asia with 1 of these 6 carriers. This pass has to be bought at the same time you purchase your international flight, and it has to be booked outside Asean countries.
- Open jaws are not permitted, except within 1 country. So travel must be contiguous.
- Domestic flights are permitted except in Vietnam and the Philippines.
- Maximum stay is 2 months.
- Extra stretches can be purchased at 90 US$ for one.
- You cannot do the same trip twice (f.i. Singapore-BKK-Singapore-BKK).
- This could be of course a very good deal. Suppose you want to visit Sulawesi. Then buy a cheap ticket to Singapore. With your pass, you can fly to Ujung Pandang (Silk Air), fly back from Manado (Silk Air), and you even have 1 stretch left, f.i. to fly from UP to Manado with Garuda.
- I've not tried this myself, and I didn't get much feedback untill now. It's best you mail singapore airlines for more info.
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The easiest way to get around is hiring a taxi. There's an official boot at the exit of the airport, prices are fixed. Price to Bangsal (port to Gili) is 35.000 Rp (11/98), Sengigi 20.000 Rp (price 11/98). If you want to climb Rinjani, you could charter a bemo for about 55.000 Rp for the 2 hour drive (9/98). |
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To get to Gili from Bali, take the plane. This is by far the quickest and most comfortable way. Now that prices of flights have gone up, this has become more expensive than the ferry (this situation is much different then the one in 5/97 when prices where only slightly different). There are very frequent flights from Denpasar to Mataram from early morning till the evening with Merpati, the planes are quite small. The flight takes about 30 minutes. If you want to go to Gili, take the 8 am plane. You will arrive at around 9 am in Mataram (take into account some delay). There you can take a taxi straight to Bangsal. |
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We went to Sulawesi in May 1998, in the middle of the political crisis, but we didn't experience any problems. Because of this, there were very few tourists, and there were great bargains to be had especially in the big 5-star hotels. |
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The airport is at 20 km from UP center, and not so far from the bus station. Taxi's to the center cost 17.000 Rp, to the busstation should be less. If you take a good hotel like the Radisson, just call them and they will send a free car to pick you up. There are 4 flights a day to Manado, all departing in the morning. Be careful at the airport: You will undoubtedly be approached by a guy who will try to sell you a tour to Toraja. As long as he only brings you to a hotel in UP, it's OK, but don't go with them on a tour. We were approached too, and he brought us to his office. |
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Best hotel in town is Hotel Sapolohe (not in LP-guide). They have seaview, rooms have AC and hot water and cost 125.000 Rp without breakfast. They have a very nice garden with bonsai trees. Another possibility is the View Inn Hotel. Their location is excellent, but rooms could be better. They were installing AC in their rooms. The restaurant is good and well located. |
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