Tell me about island-hopping in Indonesia
 

I'm travelling to Indonesia soon, arriving in Manado and working my way south. There will be several internal flights. I don't have a detailed itinerary yet so can't give details, but my first hop is to Palu. I'd much appreciate any tips and tricks travellers have to offer with regards to the airports (and beyond). Of possible import is that I'm 6'4".

Well they're not the safest airlines as you are no doubt aware but in fact as long as you stear clear of bush strips it's safe

In general you'll be amazed at the amount of flights - Indonesia is totally dependent on air travel to get around and there are load of new airlines with new kit

Airports are much improved as well - the terminal at Maccassar/Unjung Pandang is like a 75% sized version of Heathrow T5 and even former dumps such as Ambon & Balikpapan are reasonable these days - hard to get an alcoholic drink in most tho'

At +6ft you might want to look at Business Class on longer/overnight flights - its not that expensive TBH

As ever it is Indonesia so allow a bit of flexibility in the timings and especially your travel times TO the airport - especially in the bigger cities & Bali - traffic is getting bad everwhere

Avoid Bali on the weekends if you can - it's a zoo as everyone from jakarta & singapore arrives for long weeknd breaks/family visits

Try and fly on airlines that arent on the EU blacklist (Air Asia wasn't last time I was there) if at all possible. Airports and Aircraft are actually generally quite nice and in some ways better and more modern than in the EU. Keep in mind you may have to pay departure tax at the airport, find out what the cost is and have enough cash to pay it.

I had far more dicey experiences on (modern) boats there, you should be fine.

Although you can always find soemone who speaks some English both airside and land side a little basic Indonesian makes life a lot easier - especially when dealing with taxis etc

Almost all signs etc are in English but not necessarily the spoken announcememts at the smaller airports but people are very helpful

I sometimes keep an eye on whoever was checking in in front of me and make sure I follow them when they pick up their carry-on in the lounge and head for the gate

PS as Azzbo says the inter-island boats are seriously dodgy - as are the InterCIty buses

Lots of good tips already given.

IME, English isn't spoken that well away from the tourist areas, so learning some Bahasa will help you, esp. if you've got a Scottish accent.

Allow plenty of time for travel.

DIVOSH!

Thanks for the tips so far! Please keep them coming.

Food on board can be a bit basic -but you can get something at every airport - eating is national pastime

Check with the airlines that they take credit cards - also you may have to go to the office in town to make changes to your tickets

However poor you are you are a damn sight richer than most Indonesians and as a matter of course you will be expected to pay/tip accordingly - not a lot in real terms but any decent Guide Book will steer you correctly

Only pass money with your RIGHT hand, NEVER shout or point - a vague wave is allowed. Do NOT touch anyone (even kids) on the head. Expect very intrusive questions on any aspect of your life from any casual passer-by - it's not an insult - they're genuinly interested in you

Smile all the time - everyone loves a stupid foreigner

GO WITH THE FLOW - there are 200 million of them and there's you - you can swim across the current but it's not restfull or effective - things amazingly do get done - just not necessarily the way you expect

Excellent post, HH.
You missed one, though - the inevitable question... "Where are you going?"
One is then expected to pause thoughtfully and respond... "Jalan jalan".
This means 'I'm just going for a walk.. thank you for asking'.

As was said before, tipping is important - it's not so much the amount, in fact it can only
be a couple of rupes - but.. with a genuine smile and eye-to-eye contact.

p.s. Once again.. "Rubber-time" - don't bother looking at your watch, it happens when it does...OK?. :ok:
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Whatever the safety record of the airlines it's likely to be better than the ferries which are often the alternative.

Stanwell "Rubber-time"

Just like Africa! There are many versions of 'Tomorrow's another day'. If a foreigner is looking cross or bewildered, we say: "Welcome to Africa" There is also 'TAB' = "That's Africa babe!" :}

From a couple of flights round Indonesia - All the locals turned up with some form of printed confirmation of flight details - not for check in - but to get past the security at the entrance to the terminal building. It was a bit of a surprise as I'm used to full electronic ticketing so rarely have paperwork on me

D.

yes - given the national propensity to look for a show lots of people wander into airports - or used to

Plus checking papers employs people and gives them a chance to "enhance" their income at low cost to the State

they rarely bother with ex-pats - too much trouble - you might actually be important

PS I always remember WAWA - West Africa Wins Again :ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

Rather than flying from outside Indonesia direct to Manado, it seems I'm now flying via Jakarta Soekarno Hatta (CGK) transferring to a flight to Manado (MDC). I'm exiting via Ngurah Rai. That means I'm eligible for a free tourism visa rather than a pay visa, right? How do I ensure I get the free visa in CGK?

Any tips for making the transfer go smoothly?

I see that you have found the embassy in London's website. I would check very carefully before using info from them. I found when looking into Visa on Arrival that the various embassies gave different information.

I took the Ministry of foreign affairs site as being the most definitive. http://kemlu.go.id/en/pelayanan-keko...n/Default.aspx
I don't know about the transfer to domestic but the international arrivals at CGK have been painless for me with enough signs etc to find the right lanes etc.

If you put down "Tourist" on the form they'll issue you with the correct visa at CGK - note the 30 day limit AND the requirement that your passport still has 6 months to run - that may be 6 months when you leave - I've never taken the chance

Transfers are easy

You might want to be careful if you change your plans - I've heard of people having problems if they enter by air and leave by boat or land (that would be in Timor)

Generally at CGK & Bali the Immigrasi are used to handling herds of foreigners - the issues start in the smaller airports in the sticks

If you want a lifetime of pain try and extend your visa when you're in country without any local assistance............

Hopefully a silly question, but what happens visa / immigration-wise if you are unable to leave the country for some reason? Perhaps you're in hospital (I'm making sure I have medevac insurance, but you never know...) or a volcano has shut down the airports, or something.

Now I've retired I seem to spend more and more time in Indonesia, in fact I shall be there tomorrow.
Flying round the islands is simple, cheap and above all safer than roads. Saying that, I like to fly to where I'm going and return by did and ferry. Never felt threatened or intimidated.

Re visas, you can get a free thirty day visa on arrival subject to nationality or a $35 visa, also for thirty days. The free one cannot be extended, the $35 can for an additional thirty days. I once tried to extend it myself but gave up as a bad job. Better pay a travel agent to do it for you. It still requires two trips to the immigration office but it is pretty painless and the agent makes about $5 commission. The $35 visa can only be extended once.

Hope this helps.

Quartz - if you overstay for any reason it's your problem but, like almost everything in Indonesia, it is not black and white - it becomes a negotiation

Best if you can get someone like a travel agent or whatever to handle it on your behalf - but if you have to do it yourself the best method is to approach the authorities in a slightly baffled fashion asking for their "advice".

Explain the reasons for the overstay queitly and admit you appear to be in the wrong according to the written rules. Apologise for the difficulties you are causing them. Tell them you assume there is some extra paperwork & costs involved, look penitent..................... Don't ever back them into a corner - give them (and yourself) space to slide around the problem

If it starts to look tough ask if there are special visas to pay for............... and take a good book and a bottle of water - you will certainly be "parked" for some time while whoever you are talking to goes off to find an officer of sufficent seniority to sign things off - ex-pats normally rate at least a Major

Indonesians LOATHE confrontation and get very upset if people start to yell & rave - keep it quiet and they are actually quite helpful, delightful people

.
.. and don't forget a discreet little 'something' to help grease the wheels and cover 'incidentals'.

tsk tsk tsk - none of that please........

ask about

"Visa Fees"

"On-the-spot-fines"

"payment for extra admin overtime"

"revenue stamps"

"I know I can't pay you for your efforts but can I make a donation to the widows & orphans charity of your choice as a small token of my appreciation?"

On the other hand I've often been sent on my way with the papers now in order at no cost whatsoever - if someone just stamps you out/in and hands the paperwork back they're not looking for anything.

If they start to look baffled , go away and come back, consult a screen or (worse) a dog eared set of rulles you have to ask "have I caused you a problem?"