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VISA – ENTRY REQUIREMENTS All visitors to Indonesia must possess passports with several empty pages that are valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival, along with proof (ticket) of onward or return passage. Please check with the Indonesian Embassy in your country whether visa is required to enter Indonesia. If yes, please inform us immediately so we can send you the invitation and visa application letter. Citizens of the following countries receive a free 30 day visa-on-arrival: Brunei, Chili, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Citizens of the following countries pay US$25 (cash) for a 30 day visa-on-arrival: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Maldives, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russian, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan/Chinese Taipei, the USA, the UAE and the UK. Nationals of countries not listed above must get a visa from an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before arrival, or they will be turned away at the airport. Visitors who stay only for 3 days pay US$10 per person. Visa on Arrival booths are available for service in all Indonesian international airports and seaports. For those who will apply for the visa-on-arrival, upon arriving at the international airport gate, please proceed to the Payment Counter, and then to the Visa-On-Arrival Counter, prior to Immigration Checkpoint. Please note that these visas-on-arrival are non-extendable, and cannot be converted to any other form of visas. So if 30 days-stay is not enough, you should get a tourist visa from an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before you arrive, which is valid for 60 days. There are two types of Visa:
All overseas participants should apply for a 30 day visa and prepare cash money of US$ 25 during arrival time, since one day overstay shall be fined 200US$ (in case of flight delay, sickness, etc.) ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Arrival and departure to Indonesia must be through designated air and seaports for international travelers. Visas are required for all other ports of arrival and departure. Reconfirm your airline reservation 24 hours prior to departure. Not all international airlines require reconfirmation, but please check your flight. Indonesian carriers frequently overbook. Make sure you get the computer print out from the airline office/travel agent stating that you have a seat. Seat assignments cannot always be arranged in advance. Arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure. A Rp.150.000 international departure tax is required and Rp. 30.000 departure tax for domestic destination. Residents pay an additional Rp. 1 million fiscal tax. You are expected to arrive at the venue on August 3rd, 2008 at 04.00 pm at the latest. The 2008 ASC committee will prepare a hospitality desk / counter at the airport and arrange group transportation for transfer in and out of the hotel. The airport transfer officer will set a “2008 ASC sign board” for identification. Please confirm your departure time to the committee one day ahead. The whole program will end at 02.00 p.m. on August 9th. 2008. The journey to the airport will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. Be careful, not to accept request to bring extra luggage from unknown passengers, to prevent being used as drugs carrier. CURRENCY The monetary unit in Indonesia is the Rupiah (Rp). Notes are in 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100; and 50. There is no foreign currency restriction. Foreign currency and traveler’s cheque can be converted into Rupiah at authorized money changers or banks. The exchange rate with the US Dollars is approximately Rp. 9,500. The exchange rate is subjected to market fluctuation. MONEY CHANGERS Changing a variety of foreign currencies in tourist areas is no problem, but it can be difficult in out of the way places, so if you are heading up country, bring enough rupiah with you. Because of widespread counterfeiting, banks and moneychangers will only accept certain years and series of US Dollar banknotes. Generally speaking any note issued after 2003 is OK, however this can change. Torn or dirty notes will often be refused. When you receive your Rupiah, count it yourself and do not put it down! Some money changers charge commission and what you receive will not be what is quoted on the boards outside their shops. You will be better off changing money only at those outlets which specialize in changing money and not at retail shops which offer money change facilities as an extra. Money changers at Sanur: CV.DEWI SEGARA, Jl. Danau Tamblingan 39, ATMs are now widespread, particularly in tourism areas. Note that those machine dispensing Rp. 50,000 restrict you to Rp. 1,250,000 per transaction, where as those that dispense Rp. 100,000,000 notes allow you Rp. 2,500,000 per transaction. CREDIT CARD Major international credit cards are widely accepted in Bali and main tourist areas. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in South Bali and in all up market hotels/shops. Some places take American Express and Diners Club. You may encounter a 3% surcharge for credit card’s usage. For out of the way place, it is best to carry cash, preferably in small denominations Rp. 5,000 and below. CLIMATE Indonesia is distinctly tropical. You can expect pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The rainy season is officially October-March, but it varies yearly. From December to March, the West monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you’ll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas. Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the “Bukit”, the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. On the other hand, in Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for “Denpasar” or “Bali” mention showers and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you’ll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets. There is diving year round although the best seasons are April and May and September till November. COMMUNICATION International telephone call can be made at various locations beyond a hotel’s room. Many hotels’ lobbies provide public phones accepting credit cards and phone cards. Both Home Direct Dialing (HDD) and International Direct Dialing (IDD) are easily available in Jakarta. State operated telecommunication kiosks called WARTEL are available throughout the country, offering air conditioned booths and pay as you leave services. Postal services are available through reception desks at all hotels and through an extensive post office system. TIME ZONE Indonesia has three time zones: Western Indonesian Time (Waktu Indonesia Barat – WIB) is GMT +7 hours. Islands within this time zone are Sumatra, Java and the provinces of West and Central Kalimantan. Central Indonesian Time (Waktu Indonesia Tengah – WITA) is GMT +8 hours. Islands in this time zone are Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara. Eastern Indonesian Time (Waktu Indonesia Timur – WIT) is GMT+9 hours and covers provinces of Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. Bali is one hour ahead of the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta in Java. It is seven/eight hours ahead of Europe, four/five hours ahead of Middle East, twelve hours ahead of the East Coast of America. It is five hours behind Australia HEALTH RISK As in all tropical countries where the sun can be quite intense, it is advisable to wear a straw hat or cap. Balinese-style straw hats are sold almost everywhere. Remember to apply plenty of sunscreen even on cloudy days. It is recommended to protect your feet with beach shoes or sneakers when walking over the reef at low tide. Tap water is usually not potable, don’t drink the tap water! Bottled drinking water is provided at all establishments. Be careful about what you eat. Choose to eat at places that seem busy and popular. Protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially in the rainy season when there can be dengue fever outbreaks in closely populated areas! Be aware that on islands other than Bali, malaria can be endemic—the mountain country in Lombok for example, so take adequate precautions. For overseas student delegates, it is advised that you purchase suitable travel and medical insurance in your own countries. The organizer will not be responsible for any medical expenses incurred by the participants during the Science Camp, although we will provide general healthcare service in case of need. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Indonesia uses the metric system. One kilometer is 0.6 miles; one meter is 3.3 feet; one kilogram is 2.2 pounds; one liter is 0.3 US gallons or 0.2 imperial gallons. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 and multiply by 0.56. ELECTRICITY 220 Volts. Bring a plug adaptor with you. BUSINESS HOURS Indonesians work in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. If you need to visit a government office, arrive between 08.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. This also applies to banks and private businesses, government office close earlier on Fridays and Saturdays. Generally, offices are open 7.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 7.30 a.m. – noon on Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday. Shopping malls are usually open from 10.00 a.m. in the morning till 10.00 p.m. at night, while most local markets are open either very early or at dusk. CULTURE
The Balinese philosophy Tri Hita Karana becomes the guidelines in daily life’s conduct. According to this principle, happiness can only be attained whenever there are harmonious relations between man and God, between man and man, and between man and environment. Bali is a Hindu society and ceremonies are part of daily life. Offerings to the deities, demons, humans, ancestors and priests are seen as gifts of thanks or appeasement. Ceremonies can be done almost anytime and anywhere, but auspicious days and temples are the best. Visitors wishing to see a temple festival should follow basic rules of etiquette to make their experience more enjoyable, for the Balinese appreciate those who show respect for their customs. Try not to step on offerings and be patient, when you come upon a religious procession either while you’re driving or walking in the street. If you attend ceremonies, keep in mind that these are serious occasions and you should treat them with respect. Entrance to a temple is forbidden to women who are menstruating or who recently gave birth and to anyone with a bleeding wound or who had a recent death of a close family. Bathe first and then dress in Balinese style or at least dress decently in clean clothes – no shorts, unsleeved shirts, or skirts above the knees. Always cover your legs with a sarong or long pants. A sash must always be worn around the waist. Do not bring outside food and drink into the temple. Don’t stand or walk in front of anyone praying or bringing offerings and never sit higher than the priest. Be on good behavior and avoid sudden actions which may be disrupting. Some ceremonies go on for many hours. Don’t feel that you have to stay until the very end. It is perfectly OK to get up and leave at any point, provided you do this without creating a disturbance. Do not climb structures, even walls to take photos. If making a close up, ask the person’s permission or show your intent. Avoid using a flash. DRESS CODE The Balinese, while modestly dressed themselves, are very forgiving when it comes to tourists’ attire, however walking around town in Speedos or a bikini is not really appreciated. When entering temples, you are required to wear a sarong and a sash, you’ll see that the temples themselves are similarly attired. If you have to visit a government’s office, long sleeves, long trousers/ skirt and shoes are advisable. Pack light, natural fabrics – and don’t pack too many clothes, as there are cheap clothing shops all over Bali. Bring along your jacket since the beach area is windy. ATTITUDE Good manners are very important to Indonesian people, and since you will be treated as an honored guest in this country, it is only right to repay that courtesy by showing respect for the traditions and culture. Never touch somebody’s head unless you become a very close friend, don’t touch people with your left hand and don’t stretch out your feet to the direction of a nearby person. When you are traveling around, if something goes wrong, you will have to accept that there is no such thing as a “disaster”. Maintain your sense of humor, relax and let yourself roll with the punches than getting upset. The Indonesian mentality hardly ever shows anger, so this will not be understood unless something really heavy is happening. Also refusals should be made by claiming to be presently satisfied and leaving a later option open. Always asking if an intended action is allowed will assure you the appreciation of the people involved and generally permission granted. |
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