TRAVEL GUIDE 2017

INDONESIA

LOMBOK

BOROBUDUR

JAKARTA

BALI

INDONESIA INSIDER FROM HEALTH HINTS TO CULTURAL NO-NOS

The basics Population: 252 million Capital: Jakarta Religion: Predominantly Muslim, but Hinduism is dominant in Bali Emergency number: 112 (standard GSM number) The key dates 24-26 June: Eid al-Fitr (referred to as Lebaran or Idul Fitri in Indonesia) – the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer. Celebrations include breakfast, brunch or lunch dishes of rendang (spicy beef), ketupat (rice dumpling), opor ayam (chicken and coconut) and more, along with snacks of peanuts, biscuits, kue and other sweets. Dates vary each year. The hot spots Popular destinations include Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Lombok, Aceh and Bintan. The eight World Heritage Sites include the Borobudur temple, Komodo National Park and Sumatra’s rainforests. Some itinerary ideas • Java: Jakarta – Yogyakarta – Borobudur – Bromo • Bali: Seminyak – Ubud – Lovina – Sanur – Nusa Dua – Uluwatu • Sumatra: Medan – Lake Toba – Berastagi – Bukit Lawang How to stay healthy • Malaria and dengue fever exist in many parts of the country, so therefore use adequate protection and keep antimalarial medicine on you. • Avoid swimming in freshwater streams and lakes as disease-causing organisms can be present. • Unlabelled bottles of the locally distilled rice spirit called arak are best avoided because of dangerous additives sometimes used in the production process.

While you’re there,

please don’t… • climb over monuments or places of wo r s h i p ; i t ’s c on s i de r ed h i gh l y disrespectful. • talk with your hand on your hip, it’s seen as impolite. Before you go, read … This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer – a love story that takes place at the end of the Dutch colonial period Flight 714 by Hergé – Snowy and Tintin’s 22nd adventure sees them snarled up in a kidnap plot taking place in Indonesia. Read it to your children, or yourself. Before you go, watch … Laskar Pelangi (“The Rainbow Troops”) – tells the story of 10 schoolchildren and their two teachers on a Sumatran tin mining island The Year of Living Dangerously – Mel Gibson plays a rookie Australian journalist who gets caught up in the Indonesian civil war in 1965. They said it “Bali is one of the few cultures with origins in one of the great ancient cultures which is still alive.” Arthur Erickson, architect “Long live my land, long live my state My nation, my people, entirely Let us build its soul, let us build its body For the Great Indonesia” – First stanza of Indonesia’s national anthem

“The firm tree does not fear the storm.” – Indonesian proverb

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TRAVELGUIDE2017