Detailed description. Indonesia: the Sunda Islands. Welcome. Day to Day schedule. Seafood and sandalwood, dragons and tie-dies!

Transcription

1 Indonesia: the Sunda Islands Seafood and sandalwood, dragons and tie-dies! Trip code: Group size: Number of days: SSN Detailed description Welcome Breathtaking natural beauty, dormant volcanoes, stunning beaches and friendly people are the ingredients for this fantastic tour to the islands of Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo and Flores. Visit traditional tribes, watch the Kelimutu volcano with its three coloured lakes, search for dragons on Komodo Island and relax on the beaches of Gili Air and Sumbawa Besar. Then you ll realise why they call this region the Emerald of the Equator! Day to Day schedule Below is a summary of the day-to-day description. Transport Route Overnight stay 1 Bali/Ubud Ubud 2 Ubud Ubud 3 Boat,Bus Ubud - Padangbai - Gili Islands Gili Islands 4 Gili Islands Gili Islands 5 Boat,Bus Gili Islands Lingsar Narmada Tetebatu Tetebatu 6 Tetebatu Tetebatu 7 Boat,Bus Tetebatu Sumbawa Besar Sumbawa Besar 8 Sumbawa Besar Sumbawa Besar 9 Bus Sumbawa Besar Bima Bima 10 Boat,Bus Bima Komodo/Rinca Komodo 11 Boat,Bus Komodo/Rinca Labuhanbajo Labuhanbajo 12 Bus Labuhanbajo Ruteng Ruteng 13 Bus Ruteng Bajawa Bajawa 14 Bajawa Bajawa 15 Bus Bajawa Ende Ende

2 16 Bus Ende ± Kelimutu volcano - Ende Ende 17 Bus,Plane Ende ± Denpasar - Sanur Sanur 18 Sanur Sanur 19 Sanur Sanur 20 End of tour in Sanur End of tour Day to Day description Day 1: Bali/Ubud Welcome to Indonesia! Your tour starts in Ubud on the island Bali, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Ubud is situated only 46 km (1 hour drive) from Denpasar, the capital of Bali. Your travel companions will also arrive this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at hrs on day 1 in the lobby of your hotel in Ubud. Enjoy vibrant Ubud and take a stroll into town visiting one of the many art galleries and studios selling exquisite paintings and handicrafts. Traditional Balinese culture is held in very high esteem here. There are frequent religious ceremonies, dance performances and festivals. It is very likely that you will experience at least one of these during your stay. Day 2: Ubud As an alternative you may choose to take the opportunity to visit the temple in the Sacred Monkey forest sanctuary. (commonly known as Monkey forest of Padangtegal). Day 3: Ubud - Padangbai - Gili Islands Today we ll take the fast boat from Padangbai to the Gili islands. You will find coral reefs, idyllic beaches and excellent swimming, snorkelling and diving opportunities. You can walk around the island without leaving the sand and dine in the charming restaurants and bars. Day 4: Gili Islands You may choose to participate in an optional snorkelling excursion. Travel by outrigger canoe to an area where you have a good chance to see sea turtles while snorkelling. After this you will go to a place where you can do some nice snorkelling over a coral garden with many species of colourful fish. Day 5: Gili Islands ± Lingsar ± Narmada ± Tetebatu We travel back to Lombok and journey inland to Tetebatu, stopping en-route at Lingsar temple complex with its sacred eels and ancient temples. Later we will stop for lunch at the Narmada temple complex, dating from 1805 and home to the µspring of eternal youth before we travel on to Tetebatu, situated at the foot of the Rinjani volcano where we will stay for the next two nights.

3 Day 6: Tetebatu Why not join a guided walk through the rice and tobacco fields or alternatively through the thick mountain jungle around Tetebatu. The jungle is lush and verdant and is home to many different species of ape. There are also many short walks to explore this storybook location and in the afternoon you can attend a traditional dance performance. Day 7: Tetebatu ± Sumbawa Besar We travel by ferry from Labuhan Lombok to Poto Tano in the Muslim island of Sumbawa. Our route through Sumbawa will take us past many picturesque Buginese houses before we arrive in the capital of Sumbawa Besar. Home to an old wooden Sultan s Palace, it is relatively untouched and its surrounding beaches are beautiful. Day 8: Sumbawa Besar Today is your own to relax on the beach, take an optional snorkelling trip to the Pulau Moyo nature reserve where one coral reef alone is home thousands of different species of life from sea-anemones to butterfly fish. Out on the edge of the reef you can often spot reef sharks and devilfish. Alternatively you can take an optional sightseeing tour, visit the Sultan s Palace and the lively market and go for a walk to a traditional village, where you can see people weaving and rolling cigarettes from lontar leaves. Day 9: Sumbawa Besar ± Bima Today we travel past volcanoes, rice fields and fishing villages to arrive in Bima. As it is surrounded by extended salt plains where sea salt is mined, its port is often full of exquisitely decorated freight ships gently bobbing on the waves so a visit to the port is a must. Bima s lively evening market, the Pasar Malam is also an experience not to be missed. Day 10: Bima ± Komodo/Rinca After a short bus ride to Sape, where we bid farewell to our bus and driver, we begin our stunning 5 hour boat trip along the Komodo archipelago. You will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel, before we arrive in Komodo, home of the famous Komodo dragon. If you participate in the walking tour of Komodo, make sure you take the guard s advice and remain in a group. After the walk we will set sail for the island of Rinca where the anchor is dropped and we spend the night on board. The conservation/entrance fees and camera fees for Komodo NP are not included and must be paid on the spot.

4 Day 11: Komodo/Rinca ± Labuhanbajo After breakfast there is an optional 1-2 hour guided walking tour around the island, through a savannah-like terrain with great views over the fields, sea and island. With a little luck you may spot monitor lizards, wild horses, buffalo, deer and apes. We then set sail once more before arriving in the charming Islamic area of Labuhanbajo with its minaret, mosques and wooden village houses. Here you can swim and enjoy the colourful marine life, or take a trip to the Batu Cermin Caves. In the caves at the end of a dark corridor we will arrive at the µmirror rock from which the Batu Cermin Caves derive their name. Through a long, narrow shaft, rays of sunlight shine down (between and 10.30) and are reflected by the rock due to its mica content, forming the µmirror In the evening you can enjoy delicious seafood accompanied by a beautiful sunset or, for the best view of the bay climb the Pramuka, the hill just south of the village. Day 12: Labuhanbajo ± Ruteng Our 4-5 hour journey takes us through picturesque landscapes, along the winding route to Ruteng. The barren landscape of western Flores becomes increasingly greener as we approach Ruteng, which is full of flowers, flamboyant bamboo rice, smoking volcanoes and due to the altitude, a pleasantly cool climate. We recommend a visit to the local cathedral and Ruteng s market, where you can buy the fine Manggarai wrap-around shawls, made from black cotton and decorated with colourful embroidery. The town is also home to the Manggarai tribe, renowned for its traditional caci (whip fights). Day 13: Ruteng ± Bajawa The first part of our route to Bajawa takes us through the densely vegetated mountain regions of West Flores which becomes more open later on and gives fantastic views of the sea, the volcano peaks and cooled lava flows. In the afternoon we arrive in the small town of Bajawa in the Ngada district. In Ngada, the natives are mostly Catholic, although they mix this faith with many ancient traditional religions, such as Animism and ancestor worship. Day 14: Bajawa TIP: Bajawa is the starting point for today s optional day-trip to traditional Ngada villages including Bena, situated at the foot of the Inarie volcano. With its many plateaus, megalithic stones, sacrifice sites and meeting places where the village elders make important decisions, it feels magical. The traditional houses here have steep, tall roofs thatched with grass and as you walk through Bena, it feels like you ve made a leap back in time. Another optional excursion from Bajawa is to the hot springs in Soa, where you can bathe and relax in comfort. Day 15: Bajawa ± Ende Today s bus journey takes us along the scenic route through the flowerfilled island of Flores. The mountains slowly get larger and more rugged as we continue on our journey to Ende, on the south coast of the island.

5 Day 16: Ende ± Kelimutu volcano - Ende The Kelimutu volcano is nicknamed the µspirit Mountain it is situated in a green valley where dozens of mountain streams flow. The mysteriously coloured trio of crater lakes in the Kelimutu volcano are absolutely stunning. They appear to change colour which range through light green, turquoise and black to sea green, chocolate brown, dark blue and even red. The spirits of the tribal ancestors are believed to inhabit the lakes with the old folk in one, the younger people in another and witches in the third. After this spectacular trip, you return to Ende. Day 17: Ende ± Denpasar - Sanur We fly back to Denpasar on Bali and continue on to Sanur where we have 3 days to relax and enjoy this beautiful beach resort.. Sanur is one of Bali's biggest traditional villages and its new restaurants and modern entertainment venues compliment the traditional village activities like drama and dance. It is a good place to enjoy the delights of a tropical island and still sample Balinese culture and local life. Day 18: Sanur Enjoy the quiet and relatively laid back Sanur, which has a certain flair about it that appeals to just about everyone. It has a great stretch of white sand beach, with a variety of water sport activities. Day 19: Sanur Your last full day in Sanur. Day 20: End of tour in Sanur The last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Sanur until check out time (most times at hrs noon). Sanur is situated only 20 km (½ hour drive) from Denpasar, the capital of Bali. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Indonesia. Your personal µmy.shoestring page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today. When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any posttour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 20) is not included. More info What's included:

6 Accommodation in hotels including breakfast; transportation in (mini)buses only for transfers from hotel to hotel; flight Ende - Denpasar; boat and ferry transfers and cruise Sumbawa-Komodo-Rinca- Flores; meals aboard during cruise (day 10 lunch & dinner, day 11 breakfast & lunch); entrance fee Mangarai Barat; English speaking tour leader. What's excluded: International flights; airport tax for domestic flight Ende - Denpasar; all other meals; tips; visas; optional excursions; all other entrance fees; airport transfers; booking fee; travel insurance. Travel documents It is your own responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents for your trip. You should have a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport beyond your return travel date. For a number of nationalities, it is possible to gain a free 30-day tourism visa (depending on point of entry). For those not qualifying for the free visa, it is possible to organise the visa upon arrival at a cost of US$35 per person (11/14). If you need to organise your visa in advance of travel then you should do so either through your closest Indonesian embassy or through an agency such as CIBT. Please check visa information in good time before your trip commences as this information is always subject to change. You can check this information through a site such as this one Accommodation and transport

7 Transport The transportation used during this trip is very diverse. Throughout most of the trip you will have your own bus available. Do not however expect luxury tourist buses! On Sumbawa and Flores we hire local buses. The buses have no air conditioning and the legroom sometimes is not what we may be used to, but that's part of the charm of travelling in this part of Indonesia. We use the local public ferry for the trip from Lombok to Sumbawa Besar and fast boats for the crossing to the Gili Islands. In Sape a private boat will take us to Flores in two days. You fly from Flores to Bali. This domestic flight between Ende and Denpasar has a maximum weight of 15 kilos of luggage (for each additional kilo you will pay a fee on the spot). Departure tax: Please note that you must pay a departure tax at the airport in Indonesia. We do not list any amounts for this as they are often changing. Accommodation During our travels through Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores we stay alternately in reasonably comfortable mid-range hotels and simple guesthouses. You have a room for 2, usually with shower or mandi (Indonesian style way of washing whereby you scoop water from a tub and pour it over yourself). Hot water is not available everywhere and the toilet will not always be in the room. However, please note that on the island of Flores accommodation is limited and therefore we have no choice but to use a simple hotel where the plumbing does not always cooperate. In contrast, the staff are always willing to help to resolve the problem. When selecting the hotels we pay particular attention to the location, cleanliness and atmosphere. The hotels or guesthouses are generally and if possible situated in the center of the place where we stay. Some of the planned hotels have a swimming pool, very refreshing! This applies to the lodgings in Ubud, Sumbawa Besar, Ende and Sanur. In exceptional cases it may happen that we stay in different hotels, without pools. In this case, we try and find alternatives for you (pools). During this trip we sleep on a boat for one night. A single room is not possible here. Travellers who book alone share a room with one or two fellow travellers. We of course keep in mind that you should be paired with someone of the same sex. If you would like a single room for the whole trip, please indicate this when booking. There will be a single supplement to be paid. There are no single rooms on board the boat (near Rinca). Regarding triples in the Sunda Islands: in most hotels it is possible to place an extra bed in the room but sometimes this is just an extra mattress. At the hotel in Bima, the rooms are too small to place an extra mattress/bed inside. During your trip, it is possible to participate in 'single' excursions offered locally by the tour leader. These excursions are optional. To allow you to plan a budget for your trip we have provided you with an idea of the cost of these excursions. The price can change due to currency fluctuations. The amounts are therefore only meant to give you an indication of the cost. Entrance fees will often change and therefore are excluded from the prices displayed (unless explicitly stated). We display the prices in Euros/GB Pounds/US Dollars. When you are in your destination, it is possible to pay for the excursions in local currency. Excursion package ( 53 ) Excursion Details Single excursions

8 Excursion Details Price Bajawa - Ngada villages Book at location First we drive to the Wolobobo volcano. From here you have a beautiful view of the surroundings, the Inerie volcano and Ebulobo volcano. You make a short walk over an old crater rim. You then drive through coffee plantations and travel to traditional villages at the foot of the Inerie volcano. We visit Luba and we walk to Bena. In every village you can see the traditional houses, the ngadu and bhaga. The guide can tell you a lot about life and traditions of the inhabitants in Ngada Tour Duration: approximately 7 hours (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader). 25 Bajawa - Soa Hot Springs Book at location Included: transportation, entrance fees, English speaking guide, lunch Excluded: tips, drinks Within approximately 40 minutes of Bajawa you find the hot springs of Soa. A cold water river and a hot spring come together and it's very pleasant to take a dip in the river. The local people are fully clothed as they bathe and wash here thoroughly with soap and shampoo. We recommend wearing a shirt over your swimsuit. Tour Duration: 3 hours (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader). 6 Gili Islands - Snorkel Trip Book at location Included: transportation, entrance fees Not included: tips, drinks You go with the boat to an area where there is a good chance of seeing sea turtles. After this adventure, the boat takes you to a place where the snorkelling is good. You snorkel above a coral garden with many species of colourful fish. After snorkelling you will be brought back to the hotel by boat. 17 Excursion schedule: 09.30: Departure from hotel by boat 10:30 am: Snorkelling 14:00: Back at the hotel Included: boat trip, snorkelling equipment Not included: gratuity

9 Komodo - Island trek Book at location Labuan Bajo - Massage Book at location During the walk about Komodo you go under the direction and protection of rangers in search of Komodo dragons in the wild. You walk over hills and through a dry riverbed, to the trees and various species of orchids. It is a special experience when you are face to face with a 2.5 meters long lizard afterwards. Besides dragons you can often see deer, wild pigs, cockatoos and many other birds. The trip takes about two to three hours to complete. Important: Listen carefully to the instructions of the local armed guide and stay together as a group. 7:00 am: Departure to mainland 7:20 am: Starting point 09:30 am: Back to the boat Included: walk with ranger (s) Not included: tips, entrance fee Ayo Mandiri Foundation helps people with disabilities to build a fulfilling life by being able to work as a masseur. They improve their social status and independence and thus all aspects of life. Disabled people are trained by the Ayo Mandiri Foundation by certified and experienced massage therapists. Besides the fact that you get a good massage by an experienced certified therapist, you also help with the survival of the massage center. Included: transportation, massage, shower, tea. Excluded: tips 6 19 Rinca - Island trek Book at location *Please note: closed on Sundays Together with rangers you take a walk around the island Rinca. You go looking for the 2.5 meter long Komodo dragon. Deer, buffalo, wild pigs, monkeys, horses and several bird species' also live on this island. It's a beautiful walk, partly through a dry river bed, and partly on the hills with stunning views over the savannah of Rinca, the sea and many islands of the Komodo National Park. The trip takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete. Important: Listen carefully to the instructions of the local armed guide and stay together as a group. 6 7:00 am: Departure to mainland 7:10 am: Starting point 9:30 am: Back to the boat Included: walk with ranger (s) Not included: tips, entrance fee

10 Sanur - Temples and Barong dance performance Book at location The day starts with a Barong dance performance in Denpasar. Then visit the Pura Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi and then the famous Tanah Lot temple located in the sea, where we will have lunch in the vacinity. In the early afternoon you'll be back at your hotel. Excursion schedule: 8:30 am: Depart from hotel 10:00 am: Barong dance in Denpasar 11:30 am: Pura Taman Ayun Temple Visit 14:00 hrs: Visit Tanah Lot temple 14:00 hrs: Lunch 16:30 pm: Back at the hotel Included: barong dance, English speaking guide, entrance fees, lunch, transportation Not included: drinks, tips 41 Tetebatu - Village tour Book at location Tetebatu - Walking tour Book at location You drive to the weaving village of Pringasela. A local guide then takes you to the weavers and offers his explanation. You have plenty of time to see the village and the whole process of weaving. Next you drive to the pottery village of Masbagik where you can see the whole process of making the clay pots. Tour schedule: (subject to change and in consultation with the tour guide): 14.00: Depart to the weaving village of Pringasela 14.30: Walk through the village and watch the weaving 15.15: Departure to Masbagik : Visit the pottery village of Masbagik 16.15: Depart for hotel 16.45: Arrival at the hotel Included: English speaking guide Not included: drinks, tip This excursion involves a walk of about 3 hours with a guide. The walk takes you along the sawa dykes of Tetebatu. The last part of the route leads through a forest on the slopes of the Rinjani volcano where you have a good chance of spotting black monkeys high in the trees. Afterwards you can choose to be driven back by public transport or walk through the rice fields, back to the hotel in approximately 1 ½ hours. Tour schedule: (subject to change and in consultation with the tour guide): 07.00: Depart from hotel and start walking 10.00: The possibility to return by public transport to the hotel in about minutes Arrival at hotel for those walking. Included: English speaking guide, entrance fee Not included: Drinks, tips, ride by public transport 16 14

11 Ubud - Dinner with local family Book at location Before having dinner you get a tour of the house and the surrounds. You see that more than one family is living here, each with its own sleeping quarters. Several buildings are built according to religious guidelines. Thus, the direction is determined by the location of Gunung Agung, the Hindu Balinese 'Holy Mountain'. In the yard is a shrine from where offerings are made to the gods. Your host can tell you more about this. Balinese dinner can be combined with a visit to a small shrine carved into the rock, dating back to the 11th century. During this excursion you will learn a lot about the Balinese culture. 19 For dinner, it is useful to adopt the Balinese style, sitting on the floor. You can choose to eat with your hands, like the Balinese. Your meal is freshly prepared in the kitchen and usually consists of soup, vegetables, beans and chicken. 'Selamat makan! " The price mentioned is based on a minimum of 4 participants. Included: dinner, visiting temple Candi Tebing, transport Excluded: drinks Ubud cycling Book at location In the morning you get on your bike and you'll ride from the hotel to a Balinese family to see how people there live. We walk through the rice fields a little, and with luck we can see how the rice is planted or harvested. Then we cycle to the small village and drive through the beautiful rice fields near Ubud back to the hotel where you arrive in the afternoon. You're on the road about three hours. Please note that there are a few steep climbs in this tour. 17 Excursion schedule: 9:00 am: Depart from hotel 12:00 pm: Back at the hotel Included: bicycle, English speaking guide Not included: gratuity Festival info News 5/16/2013 Baggage allowance for internal flights Please be aware that you are allowed to check in a maximum of 15 kg of baggage for all internal flights within Indonesia. If you exceed this limit then there will be an additional (per kilo) amount to be paid on the spot. COUNTRY INFORMATION INDONESIA

12 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Culture Europeans behave differently from the Indonesian people in many ways. In fact, you could write an entire book about the differences. The following hints should help you avoid the biggest misunderstandings. Etiquette: Indonesian folk are extremely friendly and open. Wherever you go, you will be frequently greeted by children and even adults with the phrase Hello mister (even if you are a woman!). The most important things to remember are; don t get angry, stay calm and retain a sense of humour at all times. Indonesians see showing anger as a severe character flaw. A grin is your best weapon. Do not stroke anyone s head or criticise people in the company of others. Indonesians are particularly sensitive about losing face, and being seen to be criticised will do this. Bad news or displeasure must be expressed in private. Meetings/appointments: We come from a hectic culture where time is money and punctuality is expected. Indonesians do not share this pressure, although that is not to say that they will necessarily be late. Sometimes they may have nothing else to do and arrive an hour early. Indonesians live much more in the here and now, worry less about the future than us and have a lot of patience. A local saying sums this attitude up nicely; jam karet. This means rubber time! Flexibility is the key. Hands and feet: Indonesians do not use toilet paper; they clean their backsides using water out of a bottle and their left hand. This is the reason why you never offer your left hand to shake, gesture or eat. This is considered filthy. Never touch anybody s head (even children). Pointing to somebody is also considered rude. If you wish to indicate somebody, use a downward swing of the whole hand. Never put your feet up on a table and always take your shoes off before entering someone s home, a mosque, and sometimes even a museum. When you sit, you must hide your feet. Do not cross your legs in a manner that leaves the sole or point of your foot pointing towards someone. Physical contact: Although Indonesians do not particularly approve of open shows of affection between a man and woman, they do not hesitate to make much physical contact during conversation, even with a complete stranger. Do your best to tolerate this habit. Clothing: Indonesians like to dress formally for particular occasions. They judge their fellow man mainly on appearance. Neat clothing is seen as a status symbol. Unwashed hair, body odour and unwashed or untidy clothing results in a complete loss of face publicly. Shorts are acceptable in the home or on the beach, although they are seen as inappropriate when worn publicly. Visiting mosques/temples: When you visit a mosque or temple, look for signs which indicate whether or not you must take off your shoes. Show respect for the monuments by dressing appropriately and behaving calmly and quietly. Do not walk in front of praying folk, ask permission before taking photographs and if there is a ceremony taking place, make sure that you do not disturb it. When visiting a Balinese temple, you must usually wear a temple sash around your waist, and these are usually available on site. Mandi: Indonesian bathing practises (mandi) are somewhat different to what we are used to. You will often come across the traditional mandi bucket. It is not for sitting on, the custom is to scoop water out of it with a small bucket and pour the water over yourself. Curiosity: Indonesians are hospitable people and it takes little or no effort to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Questions about age, salary, religion and other issues which we would consider highly personal are everyday conversation topics in Indonesia. The chances are high that you will find yourself in conversations with many locals, especially in areas less frequented by tourists. They will want to know everything about you, and may even wish to touch your hair to convince themselves that it is real. Other people may engage you in conversation simply to practise their English. Women on holiday: Indonesia is a reasonably easy country for (respectably dressed) female visitors to travel in. That is not to say that you will not be hassled, although this is usually just innocent niggling. The best response is to keep your sense of humour about it. You will often be asked whether you are married and how many children you have. You will make your life much easier if you simply say that you are married. It is not wise to tell people you are divorced. Haggling: Haggling is an everyday part of Indonesian life. You will be expected to haggle at the market, in tourist shops, in taxis which have no meter and for bicycle taxis (becak). If you require a becak for the

13 whole day, it is better to agree a fixed price beforehand. On local buses with fixed routes, haggling is not necessary. The price of food (harga pas) in restaurants is also generally fixed. Take your time when haggling, especially for expensive souvenirs, and a good starting offer is around a third of the asking price. This does not apply for gold, silver and precious stones, where the margins are much smaller. Remember that haggling is a social activity here and not a matter of life and death! Boleh tawar? means may I haggle? Begging: In many cities you will be approached by beggars, who will ask you for money, soap or pens, and sometimes for sweets. Some beggars will immediately name an amount of money that they would like from you. You will be solving no great problems for them by giving them money. They have become dependent on this sort of income. In the larger cities, mothers with children are found on the street. Sometimes they lie in the street and look more bedraggled. Bear in mind that the children are often borrowed, to make it seem that the mother has bigger numbers of dependents than she actually has. A number of beggars use make-up, and they wash a number of wounds and scars off at the end of the day. Shoestring advises that you give no money to children; a better idea is to give them fruit or other food. If children earn a good wage begging, their parents will usually not send them to school and thus keep them on the streets. It is much more acceptable to give money to the elderly or to invalids. However, the reality behind every beggar is very varied; some genuinely beg for money to buy food, although more of them are forced to resort to begging to pay their rent. In the larger cities, the number of alcohol and drug addicted beggars is on the increase. You are better off giving money to reputable charitable organisations. Dance and Drama You will come into contact with dance, the art of storytelling and many forms of theatre in Indonesia. Dancers, shamen, actors, wayang puppeteers, storytellers, poets and gamelan musicians fulfil an important role in Indonesian entertainment, giving advice and teaching traditions to their fellow men. Dances are performed to prevent illness, drive away evil spirits, celebrate victories, to mark births, funerals, marriages, the onset of puberty and at annual celebrations usually related to farming and harvests. Sometimes a select group performs the dances, but the entire community often takes part. The musical accompaniment is provided by angklung (traditional instruments made of bamboo), flutes or an orchestra. During some of the dances, the dancers go into a trance. The most famous of these trance dances is the Balinese barong. This dance pictures the struggle between the forces of good and evil in the universe, symbolised by the good spirit Barong and the evil witch Rangda. Bali s most popular dance performance among tourists is the kecak, which is sometimes performed by hundreds of singing, swaying men. Textile Forms People with knowledge of textiles will agree that Indonesia has the largest variety of traditional textiles in the world. Every ethnic group seems to have had their own unique tradition of fabric artistry. The eastern islands are home to the ikat technique, Sumatra is home to songkets, and Java is famous for its stunning batiks. Batik still plays a part in modern Javanese culture. The creation of intricate batik requires a huge amount of patience. It must first be sketched, parts of the fabric require particular treatment with wax and the cloths must be dyed, washed and dried. The dying and wax treatment has to be repeated as many times as is necessary to create the desired number of colours. Crafts Traditional handicrafts are one of the few things that the different islands have in common. The variety is once again as large as the variety of different cultures, from primitive carvings to elaborate cloth, cane and bamboo items, gold and silver jewellery and necklaces made from kauri shells. You can also find traditional items such as paintings, krisses (Javanese daggers), dance masks, wayang puppets and musical instruments. It is not at all difficult to find fantastic souvenirs. In general Remember at all times that you are visitors in this foreign land. Their behaviour and customs are not bizarre, yours are!

14 Religion About 87% of the population is Muslim, and in some areas this figure is as high as 95%, although not all of them share the same ideologies. The further east in Indonesia you travel, the larger the population of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Animists becomes. Of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Lombok and Sumbawa are predominantly Muslim, although Flores has a Christian majority. The adat plays a large role in all of these religions in Indonesia. Religious beliefs and customs are greatly influenced by local traditions which are passed down through the generations. A follower of Islam in Indonesia usually adheres also to other traditions, such as the burning of incense and the offering of small sacrifices to local spirits. Many followers of Islam combine Muslim rituals with a deep rooted mysticism which dates back to the pre-islamic period in Indonesia. Only a small percentage is orthodox, and these Muslims live mostly in Aceh, on North Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Madura. Indonesian Muslims are Sunnis. Compared with Malaysia and the Middle East, the Islamic practises in Indonesia are generally much more moderate, although this has begun to change in recent years. Only a small population of the women wear veils and alcohol consumption is quite widespread. Indonesia is currently the largest Islamic community in the world. Islam: The Arabic word Islam means submission to God. The basis of Islam is the belief in the one indivisible god, Allah. Mohammed is his prophet. Through the archangel Gabriel, Allah revealed His word to Mohammed in the 7th century, and this was written down to form the Koran, the Muslim holy book. The sharia, the holy Islamic law based on the Koran, dominated education and justice for centuries. There are five duties that all Muslims must fulfil, known as the five pillars of Islam. These are: - Shahada: The declaration that there is no god other than Allah and Mohammed is his prophet. - Salat: Prayer, which every Muslim must recite five times a day in the direction of Mecca. Before prayer, face, hands and feet must be washed. The verses and bodily positions/movements are fixed. Men are obliged to say their Friday afternoon prayer in a mosque. Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets, which are spread throughout the country. - Zakat: The giving of alms to the poor. This is generally not observed as strictly as in earlier times. - Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan, in which time people may not eat, drink, smoke or have sexual relations in the period from sunrise to sunset. - Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca. Every Muslim must make this pilgrimage once in their lives, as long as health and finances permit. Balinese Hinduism: Most Balinese follow a form of Hinduism that they call Agama Hindu Dharma. It is a unique combination of Hindu and Buddhist ideals developed on top of native, pre-hindu religious practises. The three main ideas of Hinduism are knowledge of the epic verses (the Mahabharata and the Ramayana), knowledge of philosophy and theology and ritual worship (puya), characterised by bakti (religious devotion) and sacrifice (banten). Typical ceremonies are held to honour the gods, the dead, ancestors, births, the onset of puberty, exorcistic rituals, ritual sacrifice and numerous purification rituals. Altogether, the Balinese take part in hundreds upon hundreds of rituals and will devote much time and money to them. Animism: Animists believe that all matter has an intrinsic soul and spirits inhabit every man, animal and object. Many hundreds of ghosts inhabit forests, rivers and hills. Satisfying these spirits is the integral purpose of Animism. Tattoos and enchanted amulets are reputed to bring luck and protect against the influence of evil spirits. Anyone possessed by the devil or evil spirits must go to the shaman, medicine man or exorcist. Many peoples combine Animism with the practise of ancestor worship, a custom that honours dead family members and forefathers.

15 Festivals Indonesian festivals include: 1 January (New Year s Day), 21 April (Kartini Day, roughly Mothers Day), 17 August (Independence Day), 1 October (Hari Pancasilia, a reminder of the five principles of Pancasilia: the belief in one god, Indonesian unity, a sense of community with your fellow man, democracy and social equality for all Indonesians), and 25 December (Christmas Day). Besides these celebrations, there are several festivals which have varying dates in our calendar, such as the Chinese New Year, Balinese Saka (the Balinese New Year) and Waisak Day (commemorates the birth and death of the Buddha and is celebrated in the regions of Yogyakarta and the Borobodur). Islamic Festivals: Because the Islamic calendar is based on moon position, the Islamic festivals have a different day each year in our Gregorian calendar. The Festival of Sacrifice begins on 16 November December (in 2010) and lasts 3 days. Ramadan (the month of fasting) can cause inconvenience for visitors, as many restaurants are closed for this month and eating, drinking and smoking in public are not appreciated. However, people will accommodate and cook for non-muslims. Naturally, you should eat this food discreetly and not right in front of fasting Muslims. In 2010, Ramadan begins on 11 August and ends on 9 September. Eid ul-fitr, the breakfast festival held to mark the end of Ramadan, begins on the 10 September. Food and drinks Food: It is surprising to talk of Indonesian cuisine in a country with so many different cultures, yet the basic ingredient of every meal is boiled white rice (nasi putih). Other ingredients that unite the island are coconut, chilli peppers and local herbs and grasses. The range and number of different spices harvested in this country is un-matched in the world. Rice is the basic ingredients of meals but the side dishes vary in ingredients and spiciness depending on the island. Javanese cuisine can be categorised into four regions; Sundanese (western Java), central Javanese, eastern Javanese and Maduran Javanese. Meals in central Java are cooked chicken (ayam) and gudeg. Javanese chickens are free-range, and wander everywhere in the villages. Consequently, they have a much better taste than factory farmed chickens. The Javanese cook their chicken for a couple of hours in a mix of herbs, spices and coconut milk before roasting them or deep-frying them for just over a minute at high temperatures, to crisp the outside. Gudeg is a delicacy from Yogyakarta and consists of new sweet potatoes boiled in coconut milk and herbs, served with chicken, eggs and buffalo meat which has been cooked with sambal sauce. An area s religion also influences the ingredients. Balinese are the only Indonesians who eat pork (babi), while they see the consumption of beef, popular throughout the country, as taboo. Do not expect local Indonesian food to resemble the sort of Indonesian food that you may encounter in Europe. The most authentic dishes can be found in the warung, which are improvised stalls and kiosks in the streets. The cooks steam, deep-fry and cook in wadjans (Indonesian woks). You are better off going to the busiest of these kiosks, as this is usually indicates that the food is fresher and of better quality. Vegetarians are well catered for, some well-known dishes being gado-gado and tjap tjoy. Fish (ikan) is also widely available. Drinking Water: Indonesian mains water is not fit to drink. Buy bottles of purified water, available all over the country. However, make sure that the seal is intact and original. Ice cubes in drinks are also worth avoiding, as they are made from tap water. Drinks: Despite the Islamic ban, the Indonesians do not particularly quibble over the consumption of alcohol. Beer brewed in Indonesia, such as Bintang or Anker, is widely available, although spirits are more difficult to obtain. Soft drinks and mineral water (air minum) are available. Coffee (kopi) is made from excellent quality Indonesian beans and is available everywhere, as is tea (teh). There is also a large range of fruit juices.

16 Tipping People working in restaurants, bars and hotels who make your trip pleasant by cooking, making your beds etc. all earn paltry wages. You cannot put an end to the general poverty on the islands, but you can certainly ensure that your staff gets a reasonable tip to supplement their meagre wage. For your bus driver and possible second driver, a tip of 50 cents per day for each of them (per traveller) is a good guideline. For this sort of tip, it is useful to pass around a collection box (consult with your tour guide first). This pot can also be used to buy small snacks for the group during the journeys. The local Englishspeaking tour guides will also expect a tip for their services, assuming they have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner. Our guideline is around 1 per person per day. Naturally, you may give more if you wish. Weather and climate Climate: Indonesia has a tropical climate with two clear seasons. The dry season runs from April to October, the rainy season from November until March. Most of the rain falls in December and January. The amount of rain varies from island to island and is influenced by geography and altitude. On Java and Bali, the dry season is between May and October, and in the mountainous regions rain falls mainly on the lowland plains. The word rain has a different connotation in Indonesia; a downpour in the high temperatures can have a very refreshing effect, clearing away humidity. The roads become less dusty and plants come to life. The average temperature at sea level in Indonesia is around 30 degrees centigrade. In the mountains, the temperature drops at a rate of around one degree per 650 feet climbed. This results in cool, pleasant temperatures in higher- locations. The Lesser Sunda Islands are known for their fresh breezes and many hours of sunshine. In most of the coastal areas the sun shines for 7-8 hours per day between June and October, and in December and January you are still pretty much guaranteed at least 4-5 hours per day. The inland areas are wetter and cloudier in general. The warmest period is during October and November, with a maximum temperature of 33 degrees centigrade, although the difference is negligible given that the temperature is just three degrees lower on average during the coolest months of June and July. The temperatures drop to between 16 and 21 degrees at night. The regions of higher ground are cooler and more pleasant than the lowland coast, and the nights there could sometimes even be described as cold. Best Time to Travel: The best time for this Java/Bali tour is during the dry season, from May until October. The optimum period for visiting the Lesser Sunda Islands is between May and October. Population Indonesia has a population of 235 million. 9.3 million live in the capital city of Jakarta. The range of peoples, languages, cultures and customs found in this archipelago is unbelievable. There are 365 different ethnic groups and 300 different languages. Indonesia could almost be the Tower of Babel of the modern world. The language predominantly spoken is Bahasa Indonesian. The Javanese form the largest ethnic group, with 60 million people, followed by the Sundanese on West Java. The Balinese number 2.5 million. 2.4 million live on Lombok, 80% of which are Sasak. These people follow Islam, although they have a culture that is unique to the island. The Lesser Sunda Islands are more sparsely populated than Java or Bali, and the villages and cultures there are metaphorically and literally far away from each other. There are enormous physical differences between the people of the different islands in the country, differing in pigmentation, hair types, physiques and facial features. Many on the island still live isolated existences. The feeling of Indonesian identity is the strongest in the more developed region, while the more isolated (and therefore more traditional) communities identify more with their own ethnic identity and their adat (traditional laws and customs of one ethnic group or community).

17 Landscape The Republic of Indonesia is an island nation in Southeast Asia. The distance from the most westerly point of Aceh to the eastern border with Papua New Guinea is 3,100 miles, and from north to south the country stretches over 1,250 miles. There are 13,677 islands of which 6,000 are populated. The surface area of the country is 735,000 square miles, 14.5 times larger than England. The landscape varies from spectacular smoking craters in chains of volcanoes that run from Sumatra as far as Flores, to green, fertile rice fields, tropical rainforest, white beaches and the dry savannahs of the eastern islands. These different landscapes are separated by equally numerous seas. Indonesia s rich nature encourages a huge range of flora and fauna to flourish. It is home to elephants, tigers, leopards and orang-utans. Sea tortoises live in the waters around Bali and the rafflesia, the world s largest flower, grows on Sumatra. There are several national parks. Unfortunately, the tropical rainforest in the country is disappearing at an alarming rate. Java: The island of Java is roughly the same size as England and has a population of over 120 million. This gives Java a population density at least twice as high as other countries in the world with a similar area. The Javanese landscape is dominated by the volcanoes, of which there are over 100 on the island, such as the Papandayan and the Bromo. About 30 of the volcanoes are still active. Bali: Bali is dominated by the Gunung Agung, a volcano with a height of nearly 2 miles. It is a small island with very varied geography, ranging from majestic inland mountains and volcanoes to limestone and lowland on the coast. Beautiful beaches and coral reefs surround the island. Bali is also famous for its stunning rice fields in the hills. Lombok: The predominantly Islamic island has empty beaches and a quiet, rural way of life. The Rinjani volcano dominates Lombok, with its peak at 2.3 miles above sea level. The Lesser Sunda Islands This chain of islands is situated east of Bali and extends over a distance of 800 miles. In modern Indonesia the islands are called Nusa Tenggara (the south-eastern islands). The archipelago is known amongst geologists as the Lesser Sunda Islands, as opposed to the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra, Java and Borneo. However, with regards to tourist attractions there is nothing lesser about Nusa Tenggara. A region of such small scale with such diversity and wealth of nature and culture can be found nowhere else in the world. From Lombok in the west to Timor in the east, this group of islands is blessed with calm white sandy beaches, clear water and stunning coral reefs. Nusa Tenggara has no less than 566 islands, 320 of which are so small that they are as yet unnamed. 42 of these islands are inhabited. The islands in this volcanic archipelago are potentially very fertile. Several volcanoes rise up to a height of around 2 miles and many contain deep crater lakes. Mass tourism has not quite reached these islands and the facilities are quite modest. The predominantly Muslim island of Lombok is an island with quiet beaches and a peaceful rural community. It is dominated by the Rinjani volcano (2.3 miles high) and is a stop on our tour of the islands. Sumbawa is larger than Lombok and Bali put together. It is a sparsely populated (just 900,000 inhabitants) series of connecting peninsulas, and the areas of forest in the western region are particularly uninhabited. The eastern side of the island is more densely populated, especially in the plains around Bima. Sumbawa is a photogenic island, ideal for travellers who wish to visit areas less trodden by tourists. Komodo is a hilly and deserted island, sandwiched between Sumbawa and Flores. The main attraction here are the numerous 10-foot long Komodo dragons. Just a few hundred people live on this island, in its only village of Kampung Komodo. The dragons also live on the nearby islands of Rinca and Padar and on the west coast of Flores. Rinca has fewer tourists and Komodo dragon spotting is less organised here. Flores is one of the largest and most beautiful of the Sunda Islands. A chain of volcanoes runs across the island and a great number of diverse ethnic groups are native to the area, many of which follow Animist religious beliefs. The multi-coloured crater lakes of the Kelimutu volcano and the traditional Ngada village are a couple of this fascinating island s highlights. PRACTICAL INFORMATION

18 Arrival information The first impression that you will get of Indonesia is of tropical luxuriance and warmth. You will also notice immediately that it has a well developed tourist industry, although this is much less evident in the more remote areas. Take time to acclimatise. The difference in climate, culture and food can be rather overwhelming. Let it sink in gently at a pace that you find comfortable. Welcome to Indonesia! Time differences Indonesia has three different time zones, which are +7 to +9 hours GMT. This is one hour less during the summer period, as Indonesia has no daylight savings time. Money The amount of spending money suggested is the minimum required to pay for your meals, drinks, optional excursions, entrance fees, airport taxes and tips. The amount you actually need of course depends on your own spending pattern; that is why souvenirs are not included. We suggest an amount of per week. Luggage and clothing Indonesia is a tropical country, so bring thin, cotton clothes with you. For the evenings, a high-collared T- shirt with long sleeves or a thin roll-necked sweated will help reduce insect bites. It is better to bring too little than too much clothing, as anything you feel you are lacking can be bought very cheaply in Indonesia. An umbrella and a raincoat can come in handy, and the umbrella can provide protection against the bright sun as well as the rain. For the visit to Mount Bromo, a thick sweater is necessary. A good, worn-in pair of walking shoes/hiking boots and a pair of slippers is all that your feet require. Remember that you must remove your shoes when visiting sacred sites, and slippers are useful in these instances. Other important items include sheets, hand towels, sunglasses, sun creams, toiletries, a firstaid kit, a roll of toilet paper, headgear/headscarves, a (video)camera with enough film, a torch, a pen/pocket knife (make sure it is not in your hand luggage during the trip), a lighter, a small supply of snacks, an alarm clock, writing materials, books, your (valid) passport, all relevant travel insurance details/documents, copies of your passport and travel insurance details, sufficient money and/or travellers cheques, a list of numbers of your travellers cheques and the receipt of purchase (store separately), your flight ticket(s), a diary with important addresses and a good travel guide. You may also wish to bring a mosquito net and string to hang it up, or a reading light. Small tokens from home such as pens or postcards can make nice presents for any locals you may meet. Pack all of these items into a weekend bag or backpack: do not bring a hard suitcase as this will prove difficult to transport. A shoulder bag or small backpack is useful for daily hand luggage. For storage of valuables or important documents, a thin money belt worn under your clothing is very useful. Make sure your hand luggage is sufficient for a possible period of 48 hours in case your main luggage is delayed. Pack a change of clothes, a toothbrush and any medication in your hand luggage. Make sure also that your luggage is not too heavy, as it must be hoisted up and down from the roof of the bus many times. Electricity Continental 2-pin plugs fit into most sockets in Indonesia, although they may need a bit of a push. Most places use 220 volt current, but some places use 110 volts. Power failures or disruptions are quite common. Hotels usually have a supply of candles or oil-lamps for such occasions, but it is useful to bring a good torch, especially for when you are out walking in the evening or at night. If the street lighting fails, the many holes, bumps and ditches in the road can cause nasty surprises in the dark.