Timezones – Banking Hours – Currency – Changing Money/Money Changing – Electricity – Indonesia Safety – Health Indonesia – Luggage & Clothing.
Timezones
Indonesia has three time zones—Western Indonesia Time which is GMT +7 (covering Sumatra, Java, Madura, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan), Central Indonesia Time which is GMT +8 (covering East and South Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Nusa Tenggara) and the last is Eastern Indonesia Time which is GMT +9 (covering Maluku and Irian Jaya). The capital Jakarta is GMT + 7 or 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.
Banking Hours
Standard banking hours are from 8 AM to 3 PM from Monday to Friday. However several banks open their branches in hotels (and some in malls) longer than office hour, a few are open on Saturdays so you might want to check first. Jakarta has a number of international banks, even though you can also exchange currencies in some hotel cashiers and official money changers.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Indonesian rupiah(IDR), commonly abbreviated as Rp. The largest banknote is Rp100,000, roughly equivalent to US$10. Bills also come in Rp50,000, Rp20,000, Rp10,000, Rp5,000 and Rp1,000. Aluminum coins are available in denominations of Rp500, Rp200, Rp100, Rp50 and Rp25. US dollars are also accepted for large purchases and hotel stays. Information of daily exchange rate can be found in newspapers or from the net. Most tourism resorts have money changer facilities. When you are traveling to remote areas it is advisable to exchange your money and clear your check. Credit cards are only acceptable in big hotels, restaurants and department store/shops.
Changing Money – Money Changing
Banks and money exchangers are widely available on Jakarta, Java, Bali and Lombok, but can be a major headache anywhere else, so load up with Rupiah before heading off to any outer islands. Money exchangers are very picky about bill condition, and pre-2006 dollars or any imperfect bills or (ripped, wrinkled, stained, or marked in any way) will normally be rejected. Banks will most likely reject any pre-2006 US currency. Counterfeit US dollars are a huge problem in the country and as a result the older your dollars are, the lower the exchange rate. You will get the highest exchange rate for dollars issued in 2006 or later and the exchange rate drops for dollars for currency outside a very narrow range of perceived acceptability. Be aware of moneychangers who offer great rates. They will quote you one price, and start counting stacks of Rp.20,000 notes, and ask you to count along with them. This is a ploy to confuse and shortchange you. If they realise you are onto them, they will tell you that they have to subtract 6-8% for “commission” or “taxes”. Reputable money changers will have rate boards advertising a rate slightly below the current market rate (or need to look up the current rate first) and not charge any commission. This isn’t a guarantee you won’t get short changed though. Always count your money carefully and don’t change too much at once to avoid confusion over the large number of zeros and minimize the extent to which you can be ripped off.
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.
Indonesia Safety
Theft from tourists is rare in Indonesia, although there are exceptions, so take sensible precautions. As long as you keep an eye on your belongings and do not flash money/valuables around, you should have no problems. Wear a money belt under your clothes and carry your daily hand luggage on your back at all times. Don’t keep wallets in your back pocket and carry bags against and in front of you when it is busy (which it almost always is). Do not leave valuables/important documents behind in the hotel; hand in money and passports by the hotel reception and store important equipment/items in a locked cupboard in your room. Fraud is not uncommon. Examples of this are numerous and can be avoided by following one simple rule; never give money or valuables out until the services or goods have been delivered. Westerners are particularly susceptible to overpricing. Always consider and work out the real price of something before purchase, although in our experience the practical difference is often negligible.
Health Indonesia
The following health information is a general text that applies to all our travellers in Indonesia. Those who pay some attention to hygiene and skincare don’t usually run into health problems.
Food and Drink : Tap water is unfit for human consumption; you should drink mineral water instead. Clean your hands thoroughly before eating, even if you are only having a snack.
Sunshine and Heat : Sunburn is a frequent cause of health problems. Sunburn and heat strokes are easier caught than you may think. Always wear a hat and good sunglasses as well as use the recommended factor of suntan lotion when you are walking, cycling and sunbathing. At high temperatures the body’s need for water increases very rapidly, as does its need for salt. Make sure you drink enough. Take it easy during the hottest hours of the day. Treat small scratches, wounds and insect bites before they become infected.
Diarrhoea : Next to sunburn, the most common health problem is diarrhoea. Travelers are often hit by it after they have been on holiday for only a few days. In most cases it is an utterly innocuous phenomenon caused by the change of diet, the heat or harmless bacteria, against which the body will soon develop its defences. The main risk is dehydration, especially in children. It occurs when the body loses more fluid, salt and sugars than it receives. The result is a feeling of listlessness and weakness. It can be prevented by drinking a solution of water and ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). It is sold in bags at the pharmacies and contains all the minerals and sugars that are evacuated with diarrhoea. Instead of this solution you can also take non-carbonated soft drinks or heavily salted broth. For many people, Coca Cola has a constipating effect in the first stages of diarrhoea. When the diarrhoea is accompanied by high fever and/or bloody defecation it is sensible to consult a physician. When the diarrhoea lasts for more than a few days without the above-mentioned symptoms or when you have to travel, you may take Imodium (or Diacure) a couple of times. It is an opiate that prevents bowel movement for a number of hours.
First-Aid Kit: A good first-aid kit could consist of: plasters, bandages, cotton wool, scissors, a thermometer, iodine, painkillers, malaria tablets, Oral Rehydration Solution bags, Imodium, sun cream, earplugs, tweezers, insect repellent and an anti-itch cream or lotion. If you must regularly use prescription medicine, bring with you an exact description of the medicine in English (no brand names, just the essential ingredients, composition and dosage), bring twice the dosage necessary for the duration of the holiday and store in two separate places, so you have a back-up supply.
Vaccinations The following information is a general recommendation of vaccines for this particular trip. The information is subject to change. Furthermore, necessary vaccinations vary depending on previous vaccinations you may have had, sensitivity to particular treatments, pregnancy, age etc. For these reasons, ALWAYS contact your GP before travelling. The recommended vaccinations for holidays like this are DTP (combined vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), typhus and jaundice vaccinations. Furthermore, you are advised to take preventative pills against malaria. The latest information regarding vaccines can be acquired on the internet or via your GP.
Further Advice : Allow your body and mind the time to steadily adjust to the new time-zone and location. Avoid tension, do not draw up a plan immediately. In any event take it easy on the first day. Getting up early is a good habit; in warm weather countries the morning temperature is usually the most agreeable. The people in these countries are used to getting up early. If you adapt to their rhythm you will get the most out of their country. If you have had enough sleep you will be better able to cope with all the new impressions etc. and still have enough energy to do a lot.
Luggage & Clothing
Indonesia is a tropical country, so bring thin, cotton clothes with you. 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. A raincoat can come in handy against the rain. For the visit to West Java highland, a thick sweater or cardigan 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 handkerchief, hand towels, sunglasses, sun creams, toiletries, a first-aid kit, a wipes/baby wipes, headgear/headscarves, a (video)camera, a torch, a pen, 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. 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.
TrulyTravelIndonesia.Com 